Bass stopped biting....

[Fishergirl82]

This may sound like a stupid question, but has anyone else in San Diego county been experiencing bass not biting since the weather got SUPER hot?  I've been fishing this 7 acre lake for the past few months catching tons of fish, but about 1.5 weeks ago when the weather got warm, they stopped biting.  I have caught 1 fish in almost 2 weeks.

[Vitor Isaia]

Have you checked the atmospheric pressure? Normally, if it varies too much on the day or in a few days before, fish get inactive... that happens a lot here in Brazil with snook... and of course with other species...

[gobig]

They are still biting good up here in Nor Cal. Me and a friend caught a bought 30 a few days ago. I would try drop shotting always seems to produce when the bite is slow.

[Popeye]

Thank goodness it's not just ME experiencing this horrible slowdown here in the San Diego area!! Lower Otay has been a real pain to fish the last THREE times out! Last Sunday 3 of us only caught one dink in 7 hours and we fished almost 1/2 the lake's tullie area. Admittingly the weather was HOT and it was WINDY (more so than any other day this year), but I/we usually do better than that on any given day. When 2-3 people get skunked or nearly skunked, something else is amiss. I think it certainly has something to do with barrametric pressure which is something I need to learn more about and check on before an outting.

Take heart, the bite will pick up again. Those giant So Cal bass gotta be getting REAL hungry.

BTW: there is NO such thing as a stupid or dumb question, except for the one you don't ask! IMO:o)

PS: the fish report for Lower Otay recorded only 33 bass caught and released last week whereas the lake generally averages well over 100 a week!

[Fishergirl82]

Thank you for making me feel better Popeye!  

I was beginning to wonder what was going on, I had no idea that barometric pressure played such a significant role in fishes appetites.  I have been fishing every afternoon after work with girlfriend and only 1 fish has been caught between the 2 of us, trying everything imaginable.

It's nice to know there is a likely reason behind it beside user error.

[Big-O]

Try this Fish Girl, go deeper, go earlier, go later or at night. Normal fish patterns.

Good fishing  

www.ragetail.com

[Paul Roberts]

FisherGirl,

How close past the spawn are you there?

Got any surface temps?

Has it been windy where you are?

How deep is your lake?

Anything else changed in that time -during times you fished? Especially sky conditions?

[bassmedic46]

Not having much luck in mass, not as hot as out there though, eventually they will bite. Never give up. Tight lines

[Fishergirl82]

FisherGirl,

How close past the spawn are you there?

Got any surface temps?

Has it been windy where you are?

How deep is your lake?

Anything else changed in that time -during times you fished? Especially sky conditions?

They a few weeks past the spawn I think, I can see bass just suspending underneath huge balls of fry.  As far as surface temps go, i have no idea.  Wind has picked up dramatically in the past few weeks and the sky has been spotless. As far as depth goes, I don't know.  I can only fish from shore (haven't taken the rowboat out yet).

This place is a community lake in a very upscale neighborhood in San Diego.  I know there are huge bass in there b/c a guy I talked to the other day said he pulled out a 271/2 " long and 20" inch around bass from there last year.... don't know what that would be in weight, but I wanna catch one that big!!

Thank you for all your help guys

[Infidel.]

It's been tough for me the last couple of weeks as well.  Went to San V on Sunday and my Girlfriend and I only had two fish to show for it.

[Paul Roberts]

Fishing is an ever changing work in progress. Some thoughts:

1).This time of year bright sun can be a killer. The sun is now high enough that it penetrates straight in and illuminates every detail. Makes getting a lure to the fish without spooking them VERY difficult. Then, if you do get it there, anything amiss and the bass are apt to reject it, especially if they are educated. It helps if you can sight fish at such times, as you get to see their reactions and adjust.

Clouds and wind ripples on the surface help you out -a lot. As do the first and last half hour of the day.

2). You are in post-spawn. Male are defensive, but many are a bit tuckered, and may have seen a lot of lures, as the spawn is when a lot of anglers get their licks in. Search for females. You'll most probably need to slow your retrieves, swimming jigs, tubes, worms (swimming tails), in swims, falls (especially), and smooth glides. Topwaters can be great, under low vis conditions -sometimes just wind ripples are all you need.

3). Females may have moved away from spawning areas by this time. In general, bass move "away from shore" after the spawn in a lot of waters -unless there's tons of shallow cover to hide in. Otherwise, they'll likely be relating to the main basin(s). They'll likely stay there for the summer. They often hold high in the water column, picking up heat, so it's possible to fish under them.

When shore fishing at these times I break out a fast 7ft spinning rod, with a large spool reel and 20# braid to make long casts. Hopefully there are some away-from-shore feeding shelves you can reach. Or, it may be time to get the rowboat out.

4). If it's been really hot, it's possible (but not likely given the time of year), that the water temps have raised high enough to put bass off during midday. Try early AM, evening, or at night.

5). If the pond is deep enough (20ft or more) there may still be cold water below. Strong wind can roll up this cold water and put 'em off, but this doesn't last long, especially with the hot weather you've had. I doubt this is the issue.

6). If you've got bluegills, they should be spawning now. Find a good colony and fish just beyond, with a jig, tube, or worm. If brilliant sun too, try casting a translucent lure way high and well past the target area (so bass won't see the lure in the air -believe it or not this really spooks 'em in high vis conditions). Then, start retrieving right away with the rod tip held high so the line doesn't fall on the water -This'll freak 'em out too. Swim the bait in then let it fall beyond the colony.

Let us know what you come up with.

[619bassman]

I've had a hard time at otay too, but have been slaying them at the local ponds here in eastlake. whao knows whats up

[Popeye]

619bassman:  I sent you a PM (Private Message).

[619bassman]

Well I went out to Upper Otay toady and broke the trend. I went  for about an hour and caught 2 nice little bass on a green watermelon seed worm.

[Popeye]

619bassman: nice bass! Quick question - can anyone fish the community lakes around East Lake and/or Otay Ranch??

[619bassman]

You are supposed to have an eastlake ID but as long as you fish on wed, sat, or sun Ive never had a problem. At the most theyll just ask you to leave, its happened to me a few times

[Fishergirl82]

I finally caught some fish again too!!! Yesterday and Sunday!

Going again today after work!

Thank you guys for all the great advice !

[Popeye]

That's GREAT NEWS!! I hope to be able to say the same after I fish Upper Otay tomorrow:o)