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Fish Report
IRVINE LAKE REPORT
By Steve Carson
IRVINE LAKE 14-2 STEELHEAD TOPS CATCHES; MORE BIG STEELIES PLANTED FOR PRESIDENT'S WEEKEND Excellent trout fishing, highlighted by some nice steelhead was on tap for Irvine Lake anglers this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop.
"We had a huge 14-2 steelhead weighed in, which is the second-largest steelie ever caught at the lake. The overall trout bite was just insane this week with the pre-frontal conditions", observed Getty. "Both trolling and bait fishing were great; it didn't matter which you were doing. The water is very clear right now, so a 2-pound test leader is a must."
Getty continued, "We had little 5-year old Ethan Pham of Garden Grove out for his first time ever fishing, and he caught a nice 10-pound limit of trout, trolling at the west shore. Another family of 5 caught a total of 23 trout using corn PowerBait; the father said there was pretty much at least one rod going off at all times!"
General Manager Dave Noyes added, "For the President's Weekend holiday we will be planting some additional big steelhead up to 12 pounds, with a lot of them in the 5 to 6-pound class. We are really looking forward to some spectacular action on these drag-ripping 'silver bullets' during our President's Weekend Tournament on the 18th and 19th. "
Good catches were reported by trollers at mid-lake and along the west shore. Bait dunkers did best at Santiago Flats, Boat Dock Cove, and a few savvy anglers took boats out to Trout Island, and then fished from shore off the point.
Top bait choices included PowerBait and Mice Tails, along with wacky-dropshot rigged Gulp! Fat Trout Worms. Best length for bait leaders was 14 to 18 inches. Trollers dragged firetiger-color Rapala Countdown CD05's, red/chartreuse Rapala Ultralight Shad ULS04's, or orange/gold X-Rap Shad XRS06's.
Bass chasers are finding that their quarry is starting to stage up, and very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth are hitting in 15 to 30 feet of water on jigs and dropshot baits. Some larger bass to 8 pounds are showing up for anglers tossing big swimbaits.
Very few families with children ventured over to the Kids Lagoon, due to the excellent action on the main lake. Surface temperature on the main lake is 57 degrees, with the water level slowly dropping a few inches per week. Underwater visibility ranges from moderate to extremely clear.
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Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Daniel Jimenez of Corona, 14-2 steelhead on a nightcrawler at the flats Brain Feathers of Los Angeles, 12-0 rainbow trout on a Kastmaster at mid-lake Ronnie Fierro of Riverside, 9-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Boat Dock Cove Sid Destouet of Long Beach, 8-14 rainbow trout on a Kastmaster at Trout Island Guy Thomas of Pomona, 7-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Trout Island Jim Klepner of Huntington Beach, 8-5 and 8-1 largemouth bass [released] on a Huddleston at the flats Seth Mostero of San Juan Capistrano, 6-8 largemouth bass [released] on a Huddleston at the flats .
Daniel Jimenez of Corona, 14-2 steelhead on a nightcrawler at the flats Brain Feathers of Los Angeles, 12-0 rainbow trout on a Kastmaster at mid-lake Ronnie Fierro of Riverside, 9-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Boat Dock Cove Sid Destouet of Long Beach, 8-14 rainbow trout on a Kastmaster at Trout Island Guy Thomas of Pomona, 7-8 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Trout Island Jim Klepner of Huntington Beach, 8-5 and 8-1 largemouth bass [released] on a Huddleston at the flats Seth Mostero of San Juan Capistrano, 6-8 largemouth bass [released] on a Huddleston at the flats .
Santa Ana River Lakes Fish Report
2/13/2012
Hot trout bite continues at Santa Ana River Lakes
Limits of nice rainbows and quality fish to 10 pounds highlighted the trout action at Santa Ana River Lakes, while massive weekly plants continue at this popular Orange County fishery. The big fish this past week was a 10-pound rainbow landed by Levon Goldblatt, Pasadena, fishing a yellow floating dough bait at the spillway.
Paul Tran, Westminister, had a 9 ½-pounder to top off his 19 ½-pound, five-fish stringer, all on a “mouse” bait at the Bubble Hole. An eight-pound rainbow was posted by Craig Joaquim, Anaheim, on a pink worm off the sandy beach to top off his five-fish 22 ½-pound stringer.
Bobby and Brian Craig, both Moreno Valley, landed 11 rainbows for 25 ½ pounds and their big fish was a 7 ¼-pounder. While many stringers have nice kicker fish, there have been a lot of five-fish stringers filled with 1 ½ to three pound rainbows.
Scott Nakata, Garden Grove, had five rainbows for 15 pounds fishing yellow dough bait at Levitz’ Corner. Kyle Connors and Matthews Steele, both Corona, landed 13 trout for 28 pounds on garlic-flavored dough bait at the Bubble Hole. Chris Moss, Newport Beach, had five rainbows for 12 ¼ pounds.
The bite has been good on a wide variety of floating dough baits, small trout jigs, and trout plastics. The mouse-style bait-plastic combos have been very good, and the nightcrawler-Power Bait combo has also been producing a lot of trout. SARL will get Sierra Bows this week on Feb. 16 for the kickoff of the annual tagged trout event. The tagged rainbows are all worth cash and prizes, ranging from free gate passes and boat rentals to fishing tackle.
The tagged trout event will continue through March 4. Nebraska Tailwalkers will be planted on Feb. 22 and then more Sierra Bows the following week.
The lakes are open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these passes is $22. Seniors pay only $20. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. There are 24-hour passes offered on Friday and Saturday night on weekends nearest the full moon each month. The 24-hour passes cost $60 and have a 15 fish limit. An angler can bring his wife and up to three kids and all can help fill the 15-fish limit on one of these passes, and camping is free at SARL with a 24-hour pass. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
Corona Lake Fish Report
2/6/2012
Trophy rainbows hitting the scales at Corona Lake
Four rainbow trout over 15 pounds were weighed in at Corona Lake over the past week, and the bite has been good to excellent thanks to big weekly plants alternating plants of Nebraska Tailwalkers and Sierra Bows.
Some huge trophy Sierra Bows went in last week, and the top fish reported was a 18 ½-pounder landed by Eric Custodio, Corona, fishing a green dough bait from a boat. David Scharnk, Placentia, landed a 17.05-pound rainbow fishing, also on a green dough bait. Jimmy Betts, Upland, had a 16 ½-pound trout on a nightcrawler at the dam, while Alex Velasquez, Montebello, landed a 16-pounder.
Anglers who didn’t land big trout did report a lot of nice stringers of 1 ½ to three-pound rainbows. Lina and Cindy Nguyen, Riverside, had 10 rainbows for a total of 20 pounds, while Dale and Dan Domek, Barstow, landed eight trout for 18 pounds, including a 6 ½-pounder.
The best action has been on floating dough baits in bright colors, with the garlic and hatchery pellet flavors top bets. Small jigs and trout plastics have also been good. Adding a garlic scent to the baits or lures had been a good idea. The “mouse” combos with a floating bait head and a trout plastic or nightcrawler tail have also been very good.
The hot trout action will continue through February with Nebraska Tailwalkers being planted this week and on Feb. 22, while Sierra Bows will go in Feb. 16. The annual tagged trout event will also kick off Thursday, Feb. 16, when the first load of tagged rainbows goes into the lake. The tagged trout are worth cash payoffs or a whole host of prizes, from free gate passes and boat rentals to free tackle. This event continues until Sunday, March 4.
The full moon, 24-hour fishing offered once a month during trout season will be held this coming Friday and Saturday night, Feb. 10-11. The 24-hour passes cost $60 and have a 15 fish limit. An angler can bring his wife and up to three kids and all can help fill the 15-fish limit on one of these passes. The 24-hour passes are usually offered the weekend nearest the full moon, and camping is free at Corona with a 24-hour pass.
Also coming up this month with be the third Lip RipperZ Tournament at Corona Lake on Saturday, February 25th. This 2012 tournament series is being held all over the region. Complete details are on Corona Lake web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
For Corona Lake fishing information, call 951-227-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
Four rainbow trout over 15 pounds were weighed in at Corona Lake over the past week, and the bite has been good to excellent thanks to big weekly plants alternating plants of Nebraska Tailwalkers and Sierra Bows.
Some huge trophy Sierra Bows went in last week, and the top fish reported was a 18 ½-pounder landed by Eric Custodio, Corona, fishing a green dough bait from a boat. David Scharnk, Placentia, landed a 17.05-pound rainbow fishing, also on a green dough bait. Jimmy Betts, Upland, had a 16 ½-pound trout on a nightcrawler at the dam, while Alex Velasquez, Montebello, landed a 16-pounder.
Anglers who didn’t land big trout did report a lot of nice stringers of 1 ½ to three-pound rainbows. Lina and Cindy Nguyen, Riverside, had 10 rainbows for a total of 20 pounds, while Dale and Dan Domek, Barstow, landed eight trout for 18 pounds, including a 6 ½-pounder.
The best action has been on floating dough baits in bright colors, with the garlic and hatchery pellet flavors top bets. Small jigs and trout plastics have also been good. Adding a garlic scent to the baits or lures had been a good idea. The “mouse” combos with a floating bait head and a trout plastic or nightcrawler tail have also been very good.
The hot trout action will continue through February with Nebraska Tailwalkers being planted this week and on Feb. 22, while Sierra Bows will go in Feb. 16. The annual tagged trout event will also kick off Thursday, Feb. 16, when the first load of tagged rainbows goes into the lake. The tagged trout are worth cash payoffs or a whole host of prizes, from free gate passes and boat rentals to free tackle. This event continues until Sunday, March 4.
The full moon, 24-hour fishing offered once a month during trout season will be held this coming Friday and Saturday night, Feb. 10-11. The 24-hour passes cost $60 and have a 15 fish limit. An angler can bring his wife and up to three kids and all can help fill the 15-fish limit on one of these passes. The 24-hour passes are usually offered the weekend nearest the full moon, and camping is free at Corona with a 24-hour pass.
Also coming up this month with be the third Lip RipperZ Tournament at Corona Lake on Saturday, February 25th. This 2012 tournament series is being held all over the region. Complete details are on Corona Lake web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
For Corona Lake fishing information, call 951-227-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
The Diamond Valley Lake Fishing Report 
1/2/2012
Lake Elevation: 1750.08
Surface Water Temp: 57-59 degrees
Fish Plants: Scheduled for Jan. 5
Lake Hours: 6:30am-4:30pm
Weather: Forecasts show sunny skies with temperatures in the 70’s this week.
BASS
Bass fishing has been fair. The swim bait bite is still tough right now but should pick up after the trout plant. The bigger fish are being caught at 50-70 feet. Dropshotting, Texas rigging, and Carolina rigging have still been productive for those working hard. Dale Hackney and his grandson Ryan Gunther hooked an 8lb and 10lb largemouth! Both caught on a huddleston. Art Berry got a whopping 12lb largemouth on a Trip jig.
STRIPER
Striper fishing is slowing down. However, many 2-4lb stripers have been reported. Trout pattern swimbaits work great after the trout plants. Cut bait is still effective (sardines or anchovies).
CATFISH
Anchovies, shrimp, and nightcrawlers are your best bet to catch a catfish. William Brown of Riverside caught a 7lb catfish in the east shore cove.
TROUT
DFG stocked 3,000lbs of trout on Friday. Our Mt. Lassen plant is scheduled for Jan.5. Powerbait, mini jigs, and kastmasters work the best for trout. There is still an 18lb trout swimming around from the last Lassen plant. Come and catch him if you can! Jessica Rodriguez (picture above) caught a nice 9.5lb rainbow using powerbait.
PANFISH
Tyler Velasquez of Corona caught a 1.5lb bluegill on an anchovy.
LAKE RECORDS
Lake Record Striper
April 17, 2010: Jesse Mena of Hemet broke the DVL striper record with 33.27 pounds. He was fishing near the inlet tower with a Lunker Punker.
Lake Record Largemouth Bass
March 16, 2007: Mike Long of Poway, 16.43 lb bass. He was fishing the west dam with a 6” “Real Trout” Rago swimbait.
Lake Record Pan fish
March 14, 2010: Jesse Mena of Hemet caught a 3.47 pound crappie fishing near the saddle dam with a white crappie jig.
Lake Record Catfish
October 29, 2008: Bob Baker of La Mesa caught a 52.81 pound catfish fishing with a Yo Zuri lure.
Lake Record Trout
March 14, 2009: Andrew Avalos of Hemet caught a 15.45 pound trout. He was fishing with Powerbait near the east dam
**Gift certificates are available in the Marina or by calling 1-800-590-LAKE
ONLY TWO STRONG DAYS OF WIND MAKE FOR SOME DECENT WINTER FISHING
La Paz/ Las Arenas Fishing Report for Week of Dec. 11-18, 2011
The early part of the week was really quite nice fishing. It was cloudy and overcast, but not cold and best of all…not windy! Nice and flat. And the fishing surprised us. Good catches of dorado up to 20 pounds were hitting just out of Bahia de Los Muertos as well as south side of Cerralvo Island. One private boat of amigos went out to the 88 and said it was “unlimited” dorado fishing…”catch and release as fast as we could go full speed!” All of this in winter!
As well, there were the bread-and-butter fish…sierra willing to go as well. Our boats were averaging about 4-15 nice sierra with some up to 5 pounds and when a good school was found, the fish were voracious! In addition to the sierra, we also found some surprising palometa schools which are members of the jack family…sort of like a greenish/yellow jack crevalle. Great fighters and good eating as well! A bit like pompano. Some of the commercial guys out there were thick into the fish.
All of this was while the skies were grey and the winds were flat…
Then, about Thursday, the sun popped out and skies were brilliant. And the winds came back up! And fishing sort of tanked. Bait got hard to find. Fish scattered. Some scratchy sierra and dorado fishing. Really picky bite. And that was it…
Saturday, the winds died down again and the fish popped back up…it’s going to be a typical pattern during the winter. But that’s what it’s like this time of year. Everything is variable and you just have to roll with whatever is biting.
That’s our story!Jonathan and Jill
