Maverick
12-03-2003, 04:48 PM
SOCAL FISHING REPORT
By Jim Matthews, ONS
12/3/03
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. If you can deal with crowds while fishing, Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake will each be stocked with at least one trout each that are bigger than the current California state record of 26 pounds. They could push 30 pounds. Besides the record trout, lots of rainbows from 1-0 to 20-0 will be stocked for the Thanksgiving weekend. A fishing license is not required to fish these two lakes, but if you want to qualify for a California record, you must have your fishing license in your possession. These big trout like to cruise close to the shore, so keep your casts from 15- to 30-feet from the shoreline. Crave Nitro Dough, inflated nightcrawlers, or mini-jigs dipped in Crave Nitro Grease have been the hot baits.
2. Castaic Lake has wide-open fishing for stripers and largemouth with both species pushing schools of shad to the surface and busting the bait. Dipping live shad for bait will have you in wide-open fishing all day long, but anglers throwing topwater plugs, crankbaits, or jerk baits through the boils are also catching both species of bass. For stripers, after the fish have stopped feeding on top, fish anchovies in 40- to 100-feet of water. For largemouth bass once they stop boiling, meter schools of shad and spoon around them.
3. We're sticking with Diamond Valley Lake as one of our top picks this week. The bass bite is still pretty good in 20 to 40 feet of water on plastics and jigs with a little topwater action early in the day. There was a 9.8-pound bass for this week's best fish. The handful of deep-trollers using lead core line and small lures are getting some quality trout. The best reported in the past week was a 6 1/4-pounder. The best news, you pretty much don't need reservations any long to fish from the shore or your own boat.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
STRIPED BASS: Pyramid Lake and Castaic Lake have had fish boiling on shad all over the lakes on most days. Fish at Pyramid range from 1-0 to 4-0 and fish at Castaic are weighing up to 16-0. The surface action is early and late in the day. When the fish aren't boiling, fish cut anchovies or sardines from 30 to 80-feet deep. Skinner is still fair to good, but has slowed from the limit-style fishing of a couple of weeks ago. Fish are still boiling around the dam, inlet, and the east end in the mornings and then eating anchovies or sardines off the bottom when the sun is up. Willow Beach on the Colorado River kicked out some nice stripers on anchovies or swimbaits with fish to 25-0 landed.
TROUT: Trout fishing is great all across Southern California. Corona, Irvine, and Santa Ana River Lakes are again the leaders with big stockings at all lakes, and record fish promised at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. Hesperia Lake and Laguna Niguel Lake are also wide open right now on fish to 5-0. Mini-jigs, Power Bait, Crave Nitro Dough or inflated nightcrawlers will work at any of the lakes right now. Angler's Lake in Hemet continues to kick out some big catches of fish to 6-0 at this no limit lake. Diamond Valley Lake is worth checking out with trollers landing beautiful trout from 2-0 to 5-0. These fish were planted as fingerlings and are as aggressive as they are beautiful.
PANFISH: Cold weather across the Southland put a halt on most panfish bites.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Castaic bass fishing is wide open on fish to 7-0 if you can net live shad. If you can't get any shad, throw topwater plugs, crankbaits or jerk baits through the boils of fish. Piru Lake has had a good bass bite going for a couple of weeks now and lots of fish to 6-0 are being landed. Diamond Valley continues to produce bass in good numbers and the pressure on the lake has been light. Most fish are hanging from 30 to 50- feet deep.
CATFISH: San Vicente kicked out another huge blue catfish, and it probably continue to crank out one or two big fish each week this winter. Some nice limits of channel catfish are also showing on mackerel in Barona Arm. Hesperia Lake will stock 500-pounds of catfish each week through out the winter, and fishing has been fair to good on fish to 6-0 on shrimp or mackerel. Irvine, Corona Lake, and Santa Ana River Lakes continue to kick out lots of pan-sized catfish with a few bigger fish pushing 12-0.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The state park is closed but there is access at the dam for shore anglers. All other areas of the lake are closed due to fire damage, and there is still no word on when it will reopen. Many of the facilities were destroyed or damaged. Phone service is still down for most of the area but lines were supposed to be restored this week. For information, contact the Silverwood Country store at (760) 389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Cold weather put the brakes on trout fishing. Only locals seem to be tapping a fair bite. Juniper Point to the Observatory continues to be the better area. Trout are hitting inflated nightcrawlers, Crave Nitro Dough, Sierra Gold, or Power Bait. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. All roads to Big Bear are open. For information, call Lin's Tackle Box at (909) 866-6260 or Big Bear Sporting Goods at (909) 866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: All roads to the area are open, and shore fishing is allowed. Trout have been fair on Power bait. The county park is closed for the season.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake closed. For more information call the lake recording at (909) 867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: Closed.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. For information, call the Mill Creek Ranger Station at (909) 794-1123.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Trout fishing continues on a scorching pace with trout and steelhead to 5-0 showing in limits. Top baits have been Power Bait, Crave Nitro, or inflated nightcrawlers. Top trout was a 7-8 landed by Leroy Bierbaum, Hesperia. Limits are common. Weekly catfish plants of 500-pounds continue and anglers fishing shrimp, mackerel, or mealworm-marshmallow combos are landing fish. For more information, call (800) 521-6332 or (760) 244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Big catfish made a showing last week on shrimp, mackerel, or trout guts. Big cat of the week was an 11-3 landed by Steve Brockman, Victorville. Bruce Holleran, San Bernardino, landed a 10-4 on trout guts. Fred Winterswyck, Rancho Cucamonga, landed cats weighing 7-0, 6-9, and 6-5 on mackerel. Trout fishing is good on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or mini-jigs. Charles Herman, Victorville, landed a 5-7 rainbow. Bass fishing is slow to fair. The bass lake is reservation only. For more information, call (760) 240-1107.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The park is fair to good on rainbow trout. Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers have been the hot baits. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For information, call (760) 245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout fishing is fair to good following weekly county plants. Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers and mini-jigs have been taking fish. For information, call (909) 481-4205.
PRADO: Fair to good trout fishing on Power Bait or mini-jigs. Weekly trout plants by the county have been keeping fishing good. A few catfish and bass still showing. For information, call (909) 597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 2-0. Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, and mini-jigs are taking fish. County plants weekly. For park information, call (909) 790-3127.
OAK TREE VILLAGE PONDS: These ponds in Oak Glen are stocked regularly with Whitewater trout year-around. The ponds are open seven days a week and group discounts are available. For more information, call (909) 797-4020.
GLEN HELEN: Trout fishing is fair to good on both lakes, as Power Bait or mini-jigs have been the top baits. County plant this week. For more information, call (909) 887-7540.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RANCH: Good trout fishing on any type of bait. Trout are paid for by the inch, and catfish are $3 a pound. Free fishing lessons offered. For more information, call (909) 880-1125.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are being planted with steelhead and are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. For information, call (909) 982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call city parks at (909) 384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The largemouth bass bite remains fair to good with most of the action in 25 to 40 feet of water on plastics and jigs. Top fish was a 9.8-pounder caught Monday by Mick Verrell, Redding, on a homemade jig in 30 feet of water. Lots of bass from 2-0 to 4-0. Still some topwater action early and late or on overcast days. The trout bite is fair for trollers working the west dam. The fish had been in 30 to 50 feet of water, but they've been moving up with cooling weather and are now showing as shallow as 10 feet. Bill Timpano and Dick DeLay, both Temecula, were trolling for trout and caught five bass to 5-0, but the highlight was a 6.29-pound rainbow. Robert Schlicht, San Dimas, had a 3.55-pound rainbow fishing a deep-diving Rapala at the west dam, while John Boyce, Escondido, landed a trout 3.12-pounder. Other species slow. Boat reservations are still recommended for weekend, but shore fishing, private boat launching, and weekday boat rentals are available daily now without reservations. The toll-free reservations telephone line is 1-800-590-LAKE (5253). Telephone reservations are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations also can be made anytime on-line at www.dvmarina.com. Reservations can be made between 60 days and 72 hours prior to the selected date of arrival. For more information visit www.dvlake.com. For fishing info, you can call the marina at (909) 926-7201.
PERRIS: Bass fishing is fair to good for small fish and some bigger quality bass are starting to show. The east end, Rockclimber's Cove, the dam, and the marina and boat launch areas continue to produce fish on four-inch plastics or small crawdads. Jesse Vasquez, Riverside, landed a 7-2 bass on a seven-inch black purple curl tail worm. Trout fishing has been sporadic, but a DFG trout plant this week should perk fishing. Bluegill have slowed way down. For more information on fishing, call the marina at (909) 657-2179, Lakeside Market at (909) 943-4364, or the state park at (909) 657-0676.
EVANS LAKE: Carp bite is fair on dough baits. For information, call the Riverside Parks and Recreation Department at (909) 715-3440.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action on Power Bait, Crave Nitro Bait, or mini-jigs. Look for fishing to be good this weekend, as the county will be stocking trout to 6-0. There will also be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call (909) 684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout fishing is fair on Power Bait, Crave Nitro, or Sierra Gold. Lake is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information, call (909) 795-2411.
WHITEWATER TROUT FARM: The farm has two well-stocked ponds in Whitewater off Interstate 10. No fishing license is required and tackle is available. Open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call (760) 325-5570.
LAKE ELSINORE: A few catfish to 3-0 are showing on nightcrawlers, mackerel or dough bait. Carp are fair with most 1-0. For information, call Whisker's Bait 'n' Tackle at (909) 245-7025.
CORONA LAKE: Fair to good trout action this past week after a plant of monster trout. The big fish of the week was a 15-pounder landed by Doug Jacobson, Menifee, while fishing with a Roostertail coated with Crave Nitro Grease. One trout that will top the current lake record of 22 pounds will be planted this week and the fish could also break the state record of 26-pounds. The best bite has for boat anglers fishing the far shore, but many anglers are still getting limits of fish all around the lake. The stringers weigh from 6 to 10 pounds, most having a fish or two in the 3-0 to 5-0 class. The lake will be closed Thanksgiving but open the rest of the weekend. For more nformation, call (909) 277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
SKINNER: The striped bass dropped of a little, but a fair bite can be found near the dam, the Inlet, or the east end. The stripers are best on the surface early in the day or on overcast days. When the sun's out the fish sound and are best on cut baits fished on the bottom. Top fish of the week was a 9-8 striper that fell for a swimbait off of Ramp Two for Al Thomas, Temecula. The catfish action is fair at best, but Dale Shelton, Riverside, landed four catfish topped by a 6-4 on worms and mackerel. There will be a 2,000- pound trout plant for Thanksgiving weekend. The largemouth bite is slow. For more information, call the marina at (909) 926-1505.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout fishing is fair to good on Power Bait, Crave Nitro Dough, or mini-jigs with plants each week now. Lake is stocking rainbows, steelhead, browns, and goldens. This is a no-limit lake. For information, call the lake at (909) 927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair cat fishing on mackerel or stink baits as fish to 7-0 were landed this past week. Cooler weather has kept the crowds light. For more information, call (909) 654-7906.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good trout action on Power Bait and similar floating boats. Catfish fishing is fair on nightcrawlers or chicken liver dough baits but they are starting to slow. Lake will be open Thanksgiving. Fish baskets and long-handled nets are provided to anglers. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. For more information, call (909) 679-6562
WILLIAMS CATFISH FARM: Good catfish action. Most are from 1-0 to 3-0 and they are showing on cut baits. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call (909) 674-7627.
STEVE'S FISHING POND: Catfish fair on Hog Wild and chicken livers. For information, call (909) 657-2625.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair trout fishing on Power Bait. DFG trout plant last week has kept the bite going. For more information, contact the Lake Hemet Market at (909) 659-2350 or the campgrounds at (909) 659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No report. For more information contact 659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: There were at least 28 trout over 10 pounds caught this past week, including a huge 22.2-pounder landed by Dan Remeta, Rancho Palos Verdes, on two-pound test line. A 21.7-pound rainbow was caught by Samantha Gray, Anaheim, while her sister, Crystal Gray, also of Anaheim, caught five trout that weighed 37.8 pounds total and her catch included a 17.2-pound rainbow. Damian Reyes, Las Vegas, caught an 18 1/2-pounder, while 16 1/2-pounders were landed by Arnold Kraft, East Los Angeles, and Carlos Johnson, Carson. Pete Harrell, Riverside, had a 16 1/4-pound rainbow as did Eric St. Clair, Anaheim. For this Thanksgiving weekend, there will be more of the super trophies planted from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, and there will be at least one trout bigger than the state record of 26.08 pounds planted and possibly as much as 30 pounds. Lake will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but reopen Friday morning. Trout have been showing from throughout The Lakes complex, and Crave Nitro Dough fished on a light leader has been the top bait for trout. Small jigs or lures coated with Crave Nitro Grease have also been very good. For information call (714) 632-7851 or log on to The Lakes' website at www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed for season. For more information, call (714) 996-3508 or log on to the lake's web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: Good to excellent trout fishing and another plant of 15,000 pounds of fish went in Wednesday. Lake will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Top trout of the week was a 9.95- pound trout landed by Anthony Caldron, Van Nuys on a trolled Rapala. Lots of limits showing on Power Bait, Rapalas, and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in Secret Sauce. This Saturday there will be a trout and bass tournament. The basic tournament will be free with paid admission and pay out for the top ten trout. Prizes will run from $1,000 for first place to $50 for 10th place. There is an optional $20 buy in that will have an $8,000 first-place pay out. For information, call (714) 649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing was excellent this past weekend following two days of a catch and release float tube event last Thursday and Friday. Top trout of the week was a 6-10 landed by Kevin Hughes, Garden Grove, on a nightcrawler. Larry Salver, Escondido, topped a double limit of fish with a 6-2. Lake will be open Thanksgiving. For fishing information, call (949) 362-3885 or visit the lake's web site at www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout continue to be the best and they are fair at best. Trollers are going from four to six colors deep at the dam and using Needlefish or nightcrawlers for results. Bass fishing is fair on spoons in deep water. Other species very slow. For fishing information call the boat dock at (805) 688-4040. The number for the main gate is (805) 688-4658.
CASITAS: A couple of trout plants last week made for fair to good fishing on fresh planters. Power Bait or small spinners were working best. Best trout of the week was a 5-8 landed by Carol Miller, Thousand Oaks, on a small piece of mackerel while catfish fishing. Bass fishing is slow with some action early or late on spinner baits or crawdads. Lake store has been out of crawdads. For more information, contact the marina at (805) 649-2043.
CASTAIC: Largemouth bass take the top spot here. Some mornings are wide open with fish busting on shad everywhere. Bring a long handle shad net and make bait and you will have wide-open fishing all day. Many double and triple limits on fish to 7-0 have been recorded. If you don't have live shad, look for boiling fish and throw crankbaits and spoons right in the boils. Bill Winston, Monrovia, caught and released a triple limit of fish to 6-8. Fair to good striper fishing continues with bigger fish slamming trout-like plugs after trout plants. Stripers boiling on shad can be caught on spoons or cranksbaits thrown into boils. If you see shad boiling in the middle of the lake or the middle of one of the arms, there are stripers feeding below them. Chris Milligan, Woodland Hills, caught the top fish of the week when he nailed a 10-8 and a 9-12 on a Pupfish top-water plug. Will Winfield and Bret Kahl, Valencia, landed 20 stripers to 8-1 on white jigs. Trout are still showing from the lower lagoon on small spinners and Power Bait. The lake will be open for night fishing on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 p.m. to midnight, for either fishing from shore or from a boat. For more information, contact the marina at (661) 775-6232.
PIRU: Fair to good trout fishing for trollers working in 35-feet of water by the dam or for anglers fishing Power Bait by the marina. Needlefish or Thomas Buoyants have been best lures for trollers. The largemouth bite continues to be good on nightcrawlers and swimbaits with many fish to 6-0 reported in 10 to 15 feet. Most 1-0 to 3-0. For more information, call the marina at (805) 521-1231 or check out the new website at www.lakepiru.org.
PYRAMID: Stripers are good to very good and continue to boil on baitfish early or late in the day around the island and in the Spanish Point area. Find the boils and throw a bone-colored Super Spook or a blue and silver Rat-L-Trap in the 1/2-ounce or 3/4-ounce size right in the middle of the boil. When the stripers quit boiling there has been a good anchovy bite in 40 to 70 feet at Lost Mine and Serrano. Trout fishing is fair on Kastmasters and Power Bait around the marina after a DFG trout plant last week. The largemouth bite has been fair in the Bear Trap and Vaquero areas. For information, call the marina at (661) 257-2892 or the gatehouse at (661) 295-1245.
TAIT RANCH TROUT PONDS: These fly-fishing-only, catch and release trout ponds in Frazier Park have fish to 5-0. Fishing billed by hour, 1/2-day or day. For information, call (661) 245-6315.
TEJON LAKE: The private lake is open to catch-and-release anglers on a day-fee or season basis. For more information, call the Tejon Ranch Company at (661) 663-4209.
QUAIL LAKE: Fair catfish action at night when the water is flowing. Some stripers and largemouth are also being landed.
PUDDINGSTONE: Bass fishing is slow to fair for anglers fishing plastics, Senkos, or Rat-L-Traps. Trout fishing is very slow with no plants in a month. For more information, call (909) 599-8411.
SANTA FE: DFG trout plant last week. For more information call (626) 334-1065 for info on the lake.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and a DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and there was a DFG catfish plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, and catfish plant three weeks ago. For more information, call (888) 527-2757 or (818) 899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. For more information, contact the Hollenbeck Recreation Center at (213) 261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNY HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE (formerly Willowbrook Lake): No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Call (818) 448-7317 for information.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Closed until February, 2004. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
LOWER OTAY: Closed until spring. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
UPPER OTAY: Closed until spring. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Trout fishing has been good. Big trout of the week was an 8-0 landed by Billy Ragsdale, San Diego, on a mini-jig south of the boat dock. Tom Fitzgibbons, San Diego, landed a 6-14 on a Rapala in Aqueduct Arm. Catfish bite is fair to good with a few limits of channels and one a big blue catfish reported. The big blue weighed 67-2 and was landed by Derrick Henry, San Diego, on mackerel near the buoy line. Doc Carter, San Diego, landed a limit of channels that weighed 37-11 and was topped by a 12-5 on mackerel in Barona Arm. Ron Tyler, San Diego, also landed a limit of cats that weighed 30-15 on mackerel in Barona Arm. Bass anglers averaged a fish per rod and top fish was a 5-4. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
MURRAY: Closed. The lake will reopen for trout season Dec. 3. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Closed due to low water levels. Lake not expected to open until the first week of December for trout season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Lake is closed until 2004. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The lake will open on Saturday December 13th for trout season and will be open seven days a week. is scheduled to reopen in December for trout season. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4346 or log on to the lake's website at www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: The Cleveland National Forest is still closed. No access. No DFG trout plants in a month.
DIXON: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 6-0. Orange Power Worms or inflated nightcrawlers have been best. No bass have been reported. Fishing reports are on the Internet at: www.dixonlake.com. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4648 or the concessionaire at (760) 741-3328.
POWAY: Trout fishing is fair to good around Half Moon Bay with many fish to 6-0 landed. Brian Lindsey, Poway, landed top trout of the week, a 6-0 on a Power Worm. Kenny Behtley, Poway, landed a 4-8 on Power Bait. Mark Deluhas, Mira Mesa, also landed a 4-8 on a nightcrawler. Still some cats showing at the log boom and in Hidden Bay. Matt Hohick, Poway, landed a 9-0 catfish on mackerel by the log boom. Top bass of the week was a 7-0 that hit a swimbait by the log boom for Kevin Horling, Poway. For more fishing information, call the snack bar at (858) 486-1234.
JENNINGS: No report. Trout season was supposed to kick off last week. For more information, call (619) 596-1396 or (619) 667-6293.
MORENA: No report. The 24-hour fishing update line is (619) 478-5473. For lake information call (619) 694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 4-8, but the very cold weather has kept fishing pressure to a minimum. David Lucero, Chula Vista, landed a 5-8 rainbow on Power Bait by the Lone Pine Tree. Inflated nightcrawlers, Power Bait, streamers, and small lures are all scoring with the fish relatively tight to shore. For more information call (760) 765-0515 or visit the website at www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Trout fishing is fair for anglers braving the cold, windy weather. Fish continue to show on Power Bait, small spinners or mini-jigs. A few catfish continue to show on mackerel. For information, call (760) 782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Bass fishing is slow. For more information, call Blue Lake Tackle at (702) 452-8299.
WILLOW BEACH: Some big stripers are finally showing. Jason Peterson and Mike Ferris, Las Vegas, landed five fish from 11-0 to 25-4 on anchovies. Mike Edison of Adventure Angling Guide Service landed fish weighing 28-9, 22-0, and 20-0 on an O'Henry lure. For more information, contact the marina at (928) 767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Windy most of the week, but before the wind the striper bite had been fair to good on anchovies and squid, with the best action at steep drop-offs in 40 to 60 feet of water. For more information, call Cottonwood Cove at (702) 297-1464
BELOW DAVIS DAM: No report.
NEEDLES: Fair largemouth bass fishing in backwaters and around docks. For more information, call Premier Sports at (760) 326-2727 or Golden Shores at (760) 768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Fishing is fair on bass with a few catfish showing in the marsh and main river. For information, call Five Mile Landing (928) 768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper fishing is good to very good for anglers spooning the schools of bait. For more information, call Black Meadow Landing at (760) 663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Catfish are fair on cut baits or stink baits. Carp fishing is good around local docks on bread or dough baits. For information, call Big Bend Marina at (760) 663-3755.
BLYTHE: Flathead catfish continue to show on live goldfish or bluegill in a slow to fairish bite. Bass fishing is fair to good on the river and local backwaters. Live shiners, Senkos, plastics, or reaction baits were top producers. For information, call B&B Bait at (760) 921-2248.
PALO VERDE. Catfish and bass action is fair to good in the main river and local backwaters. Some nice flathead catfish continue to show for anglers fishing live goldfish or tilapia.
PICACHO AREA: Fair bass action in all of the area backwaters and lakes, mostly on live shiners. Catfish slowing, but still a fair bite on channels and the odd flathead.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Just fair action overall with some largemouth showing on live shiners in deeper holes in the river and in backwaters. A few flatheads and stripers showing, and slow action on bluegill and crappie. For more information, contact the Martinez Lake Resort at (928) 783-9589 or check out the web site at www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: Bass fishing is fair in the main river and backwater mouths. Shiners or crankbaits continue to be best baits. Channel catfish are fair to good on mackerel or other stink baits, and the flathead bite is slow to fair. For more information, contact Mesa Sport Shop at (928) 782-5313.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow fishing continues all over the sea. For current fishing information, call Johnson's Landing (760) 394-4755, Desert Shores Trailer Park at (760) 395-5280, Poor Richard's in Mecca at (760) 396-2180, Dean Marine in Bombay Beach at (760) 354-1231, Bombay Beach Marina (760) 354-4049, Red Hill Marina (760) 348-2310, and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area (760) 393-3059 or (760) 393-3052. Troll 'n' Boat (760-393-0119) has both rowboats and skiffs with motors for rent. For weather information, call (760) 352-3360 for a recording, or the Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast at (760) 398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to Channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Slow fishing, very little pressure.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: No Report.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Slow fishing.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. For information, call (760) 352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Fair to good trout fishing continues on Power Bait doused with Crave Gravy. Lots of fish to 4-0 were landed, and the best this week was a 7-0 caught by Justin Pulsifer on his 10th birthday. Paul Zinn, Cathedral City, landed a 5-0 trout on a nightcrawler. For more information, call (760) 564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: Trout season is closed on all waters of the Sierra region until the last Saturday of April except on year-around waters (Lower Owens River, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Diaz Lake). For weather info, log on to www.mammothweather.com. For updated road and camping information on the region, contact the Interagency Visitor Center at (760) 876-6222 or the Bishop Chamber of Commerce at (760) 873-8405. The web site is www.bishopvisitor.com.
BISHOP AREA: Extreme cold weather has kept fishing pressure to a bare minimum. The Lower Owens has had good flows and a fair hatch for fly anglers. Generally good fishing. For more information, contact Culver's at (760) 872-8361, Brock's at (760) 872-3581, or Sierra Drifters Guide Service at (760) 935-4250 or contact Creekside R.V. Park at (760) 873-4483.
LONE PINE AREA: Fishing on the lower Owens was fair until it got blown out by high, cold winds this past week. Before that the river was hot on worms, crickets, Power Bait, and flies. Diaz Lake slowish. For more information, contact the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce at (760) 876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
ISABELLA: Bass fishing has been fair to good for the few anglers out in the cold weather. Fish are showing from deeper water on crankbaits or crawdads. Few reports on other species. For more information, contact North Fork Marina at (661) 379-1007 or Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Trout fishing is fair on fish to 1-0. Rain can shut this bite down due to the burned out areas around the river. For more information, contact the James' Store at (760) 376-2424.
AQUEDUCT AT BAKERSFIELD: Striper action is fair on bloodworms, but the fish are small. Catfish action is fair on chicken livers, shad, clams, or mackerel. For more information contact Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill and carp fishing are fair. Bass fishing is fair on plastics.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Good bluegill action and a fair bass bite continue for anglers.
MING LAKE: Trout fishing has started to slow, but some fish are showing on Power Bait. A few bass showing on plastics or shad-like baits. Carp fishing is good with catches of up to 25 fish a day on fish to 8-0. Bluegill and catfish are also fair.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Trout fishing is good as top trout of the week was a 14-0 landed by Lupe Hernandez, Bakersfield, on a nightcrawler on Lake Evans. Gabriel Cuellar, Bakersfield, landed a 10-0 on orange Power Bait. Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers have been top baits. No big catfish this week. For more fishing information, call the concession at (661) 763-1268 or contact Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout fishing on Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers or small spinners. A few catfish showing on anchovies.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Bluegill bite is fair on mealworms or wax worms. Fish to 1-0 have been reported. A few catfish are showing on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fair to good trout fishing on Power Bait or small spinners. Lots of small bass around and fishing is fair to good. Crankbaits have been best in the morning and then plastics are best when the sun is up. For more information, call the Lakeside Mini Mart at (559) 781-6878.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good trout bite following plants. Fair to good bass fishing on smaller fish. Reaction baits or small plastics have been best. For more information, call the marina at (559) 597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Smallmouth and largemouth bass continue to hit on plastic worms in most coves. Stripers are moving toward the north end of the lake and fish to 12-0 are being taken in 30- to 45-feet of water. White bucktail jigs or anchovies have been the best baits. For information, call (805) 472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Fair to good trout fishing after plants. Top area has been Murphy's Cove. Bass fishing is slow to fair on plastics. For more information, call (805) 438-3754.
NACIMIENTO: Fair fishing for spotted bass off points on four-inch plastic worms. For more information, call (805) 238-1056.
LOPEZ: Catfish and trout continue to bite at a fair pace. Mackerel is taking the bulk of catfish. Trout are hitting Power Bait all around the lake. Panfish are slow. For more information, call (805) 489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be planted with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week:
LOS ANGELES: El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Park Lake, Legg Lakes, San Gabriel River (East and West Forks).
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake.
IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River.
MADERA: Bass Lake, Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
TULARE: Kaweah River, Success Reservoir.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Phil Friedman, 976-TUNA
For Outdoor News Service
BITE UPDATES
GENERAL UPDATE: Rough, windy weather and the off and on rockfish season has made for quiet landings along the coast this week.
ROCKFISH UPDATE: Rockfish, sheephead, whitefish, and sculpin was set to close last Friday, but a ruling the day before by a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge stayed the closure because there was inadequate public notification of the closure. The Department of Fish and Game has since renoticed that it will be closing the season effective Dec. 8. Anglers now have two more weeks where they can fish these popular bottomfish and most landings along the coast are running at least one trip a day.
SAN DIEGO ALBACORE: The windy, rough weather has pretty much stalled the albacore fishing aboard 1 1/2-day and two-day boats out of San Diego, but before the weather made fishing difficult, there was still a pretty good bunch of albacore for these boats, mostly 25- to 30-pound fish with some to 40 pounds.
RECORD YELLOWTAIL: The Qualifier 105 returned to port on Sunday with a yellowtail that is likely to become the new world record. Deckhand Tommy Lambeth of San Diego caught the 91-pound, nine-ounce yellowtail while at Guadalupe Island. The old record was an 88-pound caught at Alijos Rocks in 2000.
CATALINA ISLAND PICK: There continues to be a fair pick on the yellowtail and calico bass at Catalina Island. The availability of live squid has made this bite consistent, but not wide open.
SQUID HELPING BITES: The live squid, available at most bait receivers now, has made for improved nearshore fishing this week. In the Santa Monica Bay, the halibut bite has been pretty fair. As of noon Monday, the New Del Mar out of Marina del Rey reported five legal halibut on the candy bait. At the Horseshoe Kelp, the Premier out of Pierpoint Landing had nine guys on Wednesday and 30 big calicos on the boat and when a flash of yellowtail went under the boat, they managed to put two on the deck.
SAN DIEGO BONITO: There continues to be a pretty good bite on the one- to three-pound bonito for the San Diego 1/2 and 3/4-day boats. Limits have not been uncommon some days this past week and 1/2-limits or better have been the rule.
LANDING CONTACTS
Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, (805) 772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, (805) 595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, (805) 963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, (805) 658-1060; CISCO Landing, Oxnard, (805) 985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, (805) 382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, (805) 488-2212; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, (310) 822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, (310) 372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, (310) 374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, (310) 832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, (310) 547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, (562) 432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, (562) 983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, (562) 598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, (949) 675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, (949) 673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, (949) 496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, (760) 722-2133; Islandia Sportfishing, Mission Bay, (619) 222-1165; Seaforth Sportfishing, Mission Bay, (619) 224-3383; H&M Landing, San Diego, (619) 222-1144; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, (619) 223-1627; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, (619) 221-8500; Lee Palm's Sportfishing, San Diego, (619) 224-3857.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
GRUNION RUNS
Grunion spawn on all of Southern California's long, sandy beaches from early March through mid-August each year. The runs are done for this year.
The Department of Fish and Game publishes an annual brochure called "California Grunion Facts and Expected Runs.'' It is available free if you mail a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope to Grunion, Department of Fish and Game, 4665 Lampson Avenue, Suite C, Los Alamitos, CA 90720. It is also available on the DFG's website at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/gruschd.html.
By Jim Matthews, ONS
12/3/03
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. If you can deal with crowds while fishing, Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake will each be stocked with at least one trout each that are bigger than the current California state record of 26 pounds. They could push 30 pounds. Besides the record trout, lots of rainbows from 1-0 to 20-0 will be stocked for the Thanksgiving weekend. A fishing license is not required to fish these two lakes, but if you want to qualify for a California record, you must have your fishing license in your possession. These big trout like to cruise close to the shore, so keep your casts from 15- to 30-feet from the shoreline. Crave Nitro Dough, inflated nightcrawlers, or mini-jigs dipped in Crave Nitro Grease have been the hot baits.
2. Castaic Lake has wide-open fishing for stripers and largemouth with both species pushing schools of shad to the surface and busting the bait. Dipping live shad for bait will have you in wide-open fishing all day long, but anglers throwing topwater plugs, crankbaits, or jerk baits through the boils are also catching both species of bass. For stripers, after the fish have stopped feeding on top, fish anchovies in 40- to 100-feet of water. For largemouth bass once they stop boiling, meter schools of shad and spoon around them.
3. We're sticking with Diamond Valley Lake as one of our top picks this week. The bass bite is still pretty good in 20 to 40 feet of water on plastics and jigs with a little topwater action early in the day. There was a 9.8-pound bass for this week's best fish. The handful of deep-trollers using lead core line and small lures are getting some quality trout. The best reported in the past week was a 6 1/4-pounder. The best news, you pretty much don't need reservations any long to fish from the shore or your own boat.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
STRIPED BASS: Pyramid Lake and Castaic Lake have had fish boiling on shad all over the lakes on most days. Fish at Pyramid range from 1-0 to 4-0 and fish at Castaic are weighing up to 16-0. The surface action is early and late in the day. When the fish aren't boiling, fish cut anchovies or sardines from 30 to 80-feet deep. Skinner is still fair to good, but has slowed from the limit-style fishing of a couple of weeks ago. Fish are still boiling around the dam, inlet, and the east end in the mornings and then eating anchovies or sardines off the bottom when the sun is up. Willow Beach on the Colorado River kicked out some nice stripers on anchovies or swimbaits with fish to 25-0 landed.
TROUT: Trout fishing is great all across Southern California. Corona, Irvine, and Santa Ana River Lakes are again the leaders with big stockings at all lakes, and record fish promised at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. Hesperia Lake and Laguna Niguel Lake are also wide open right now on fish to 5-0. Mini-jigs, Power Bait, Crave Nitro Dough or inflated nightcrawlers will work at any of the lakes right now. Angler's Lake in Hemet continues to kick out some big catches of fish to 6-0 at this no limit lake. Diamond Valley Lake is worth checking out with trollers landing beautiful trout from 2-0 to 5-0. These fish were planted as fingerlings and are as aggressive as they are beautiful.
PANFISH: Cold weather across the Southland put a halt on most panfish bites.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Castaic bass fishing is wide open on fish to 7-0 if you can net live shad. If you can't get any shad, throw topwater plugs, crankbaits or jerk baits through the boils of fish. Piru Lake has had a good bass bite going for a couple of weeks now and lots of fish to 6-0 are being landed. Diamond Valley continues to produce bass in good numbers and the pressure on the lake has been light. Most fish are hanging from 30 to 50- feet deep.
CATFISH: San Vicente kicked out another huge blue catfish, and it probably continue to crank out one or two big fish each week this winter. Some nice limits of channel catfish are also showing on mackerel in Barona Arm. Hesperia Lake will stock 500-pounds of catfish each week through out the winter, and fishing has been fair to good on fish to 6-0 on shrimp or mackerel. Irvine, Corona Lake, and Santa Ana River Lakes continue to kick out lots of pan-sized catfish with a few bigger fish pushing 12-0.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The state park is closed but there is access at the dam for shore anglers. All other areas of the lake are closed due to fire damage, and there is still no word on when it will reopen. Many of the facilities were destroyed or damaged. Phone service is still down for most of the area but lines were supposed to be restored this week. For information, contact the Silverwood Country store at (760) 389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Cold weather put the brakes on trout fishing. Only locals seem to be tapping a fair bite. Juniper Point to the Observatory continues to be the better area. Trout are hitting inflated nightcrawlers, Crave Nitro Dough, Sierra Gold, or Power Bait. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. All roads to Big Bear are open. For information, call Lin's Tackle Box at (909) 866-6260 or Big Bear Sporting Goods at (909) 866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: All roads to the area are open, and shore fishing is allowed. Trout have been fair on Power bait. The county park is closed for the season.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake closed. For more information call the lake recording at (909) 867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: Closed.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. For information, call the Mill Creek Ranger Station at (909) 794-1123.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Trout fishing continues on a scorching pace with trout and steelhead to 5-0 showing in limits. Top baits have been Power Bait, Crave Nitro, or inflated nightcrawlers. Top trout was a 7-8 landed by Leroy Bierbaum, Hesperia. Limits are common. Weekly catfish plants of 500-pounds continue and anglers fishing shrimp, mackerel, or mealworm-marshmallow combos are landing fish. For more information, call (800) 521-6332 or (760) 244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Big catfish made a showing last week on shrimp, mackerel, or trout guts. Big cat of the week was an 11-3 landed by Steve Brockman, Victorville. Bruce Holleran, San Bernardino, landed a 10-4 on trout guts. Fred Winterswyck, Rancho Cucamonga, landed cats weighing 7-0, 6-9, and 6-5 on mackerel. Trout fishing is good on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or mini-jigs. Charles Herman, Victorville, landed a 5-7 rainbow. Bass fishing is slow to fair. The bass lake is reservation only. For more information, call (760) 240-1107.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The park is fair to good on rainbow trout. Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers have been the hot baits. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For information, call (760) 245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout fishing is fair to good following weekly county plants. Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers and mini-jigs have been taking fish. For information, call (909) 481-4205.
PRADO: Fair to good trout fishing on Power Bait or mini-jigs. Weekly trout plants by the county have been keeping fishing good. A few catfish and bass still showing. For information, call (909) 597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 2-0. Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, and mini-jigs are taking fish. County plants weekly. For park information, call (909) 790-3127.
OAK TREE VILLAGE PONDS: These ponds in Oak Glen are stocked regularly with Whitewater trout year-around. The ponds are open seven days a week and group discounts are available. For more information, call (909) 797-4020.
GLEN HELEN: Trout fishing is fair to good on both lakes, as Power Bait or mini-jigs have been the top baits. County plant this week. For more information, call (909) 887-7540.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RANCH: Good trout fishing on any type of bait. Trout are paid for by the inch, and catfish are $3 a pound. Free fishing lessons offered. For more information, call (909) 880-1125.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are being planted with steelhead and are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. For information, call (909) 982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call city parks at (909) 384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The largemouth bass bite remains fair to good with most of the action in 25 to 40 feet of water on plastics and jigs. Top fish was a 9.8-pounder caught Monday by Mick Verrell, Redding, on a homemade jig in 30 feet of water. Lots of bass from 2-0 to 4-0. Still some topwater action early and late or on overcast days. The trout bite is fair for trollers working the west dam. The fish had been in 30 to 50 feet of water, but they've been moving up with cooling weather and are now showing as shallow as 10 feet. Bill Timpano and Dick DeLay, both Temecula, were trolling for trout and caught five bass to 5-0, but the highlight was a 6.29-pound rainbow. Robert Schlicht, San Dimas, had a 3.55-pound rainbow fishing a deep-diving Rapala at the west dam, while John Boyce, Escondido, landed a trout 3.12-pounder. Other species slow. Boat reservations are still recommended for weekend, but shore fishing, private boat launching, and weekday boat rentals are available daily now without reservations. The toll-free reservations telephone line is 1-800-590-LAKE (5253). Telephone reservations are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations also can be made anytime on-line at www.dvmarina.com. Reservations can be made between 60 days and 72 hours prior to the selected date of arrival. For more information visit www.dvlake.com. For fishing info, you can call the marina at (909) 926-7201.
PERRIS: Bass fishing is fair to good for small fish and some bigger quality bass are starting to show. The east end, Rockclimber's Cove, the dam, and the marina and boat launch areas continue to produce fish on four-inch plastics or small crawdads. Jesse Vasquez, Riverside, landed a 7-2 bass on a seven-inch black purple curl tail worm. Trout fishing has been sporadic, but a DFG trout plant this week should perk fishing. Bluegill have slowed way down. For more information on fishing, call the marina at (909) 657-2179, Lakeside Market at (909) 943-4364, or the state park at (909) 657-0676.
EVANS LAKE: Carp bite is fair on dough baits. For information, call the Riverside Parks and Recreation Department at (909) 715-3440.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action on Power Bait, Crave Nitro Bait, or mini-jigs. Look for fishing to be good this weekend, as the county will be stocking trout to 6-0. There will also be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call (909) 684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout fishing is fair on Power Bait, Crave Nitro, or Sierra Gold. Lake is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information, call (909) 795-2411.
WHITEWATER TROUT FARM: The farm has two well-stocked ponds in Whitewater off Interstate 10. No fishing license is required and tackle is available. Open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call (760) 325-5570.
LAKE ELSINORE: A few catfish to 3-0 are showing on nightcrawlers, mackerel or dough bait. Carp are fair with most 1-0. For information, call Whisker's Bait 'n' Tackle at (909) 245-7025.
CORONA LAKE: Fair to good trout action this past week after a plant of monster trout. The big fish of the week was a 15-pounder landed by Doug Jacobson, Menifee, while fishing with a Roostertail coated with Crave Nitro Grease. One trout that will top the current lake record of 22 pounds will be planted this week and the fish could also break the state record of 26-pounds. The best bite has for boat anglers fishing the far shore, but many anglers are still getting limits of fish all around the lake. The stringers weigh from 6 to 10 pounds, most having a fish or two in the 3-0 to 5-0 class. The lake will be closed Thanksgiving but open the rest of the weekend. For more nformation, call (909) 277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
SKINNER: The striped bass dropped of a little, but a fair bite can be found near the dam, the Inlet, or the east end. The stripers are best on the surface early in the day or on overcast days. When the sun's out the fish sound and are best on cut baits fished on the bottom. Top fish of the week was a 9-8 striper that fell for a swimbait off of Ramp Two for Al Thomas, Temecula. The catfish action is fair at best, but Dale Shelton, Riverside, landed four catfish topped by a 6-4 on worms and mackerel. There will be a 2,000- pound trout plant for Thanksgiving weekend. The largemouth bite is slow. For more information, call the marina at (909) 926-1505.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout fishing is fair to good on Power Bait, Crave Nitro Dough, or mini-jigs with plants each week now. Lake is stocking rainbows, steelhead, browns, and goldens. This is a no-limit lake. For information, call the lake at (909) 927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair cat fishing on mackerel or stink baits as fish to 7-0 were landed this past week. Cooler weather has kept the crowds light. For more information, call (909) 654-7906.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good trout action on Power Bait and similar floating boats. Catfish fishing is fair on nightcrawlers or chicken liver dough baits but they are starting to slow. Lake will be open Thanksgiving. Fish baskets and long-handled nets are provided to anglers. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. For more information, call (909) 679-6562
WILLIAMS CATFISH FARM: Good catfish action. Most are from 1-0 to 3-0 and they are showing on cut baits. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call (909) 674-7627.
STEVE'S FISHING POND: Catfish fair on Hog Wild and chicken livers. For information, call (909) 657-2625.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair trout fishing on Power Bait. DFG trout plant last week has kept the bite going. For more information, contact the Lake Hemet Market at (909) 659-2350 or the campgrounds at (909) 659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No report. For more information contact 659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: There were at least 28 trout over 10 pounds caught this past week, including a huge 22.2-pounder landed by Dan Remeta, Rancho Palos Verdes, on two-pound test line. A 21.7-pound rainbow was caught by Samantha Gray, Anaheim, while her sister, Crystal Gray, also of Anaheim, caught five trout that weighed 37.8 pounds total and her catch included a 17.2-pound rainbow. Damian Reyes, Las Vegas, caught an 18 1/2-pounder, while 16 1/2-pounders were landed by Arnold Kraft, East Los Angeles, and Carlos Johnson, Carson. Pete Harrell, Riverside, had a 16 1/4-pound rainbow as did Eric St. Clair, Anaheim. For this Thanksgiving weekend, there will be more of the super trophies planted from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms, and there will be at least one trout bigger than the state record of 26.08 pounds planted and possibly as much as 30 pounds. Lake will be closed Thanksgiving Day, but reopen Friday morning. Trout have been showing from throughout The Lakes complex, and Crave Nitro Dough fished on a light leader has been the top bait for trout. Small jigs or lures coated with Crave Nitro Grease have also been very good. For information call (714) 632-7851 or log on to The Lakes' website at www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed for season. For more information, call (714) 996-3508 or log on to the lake's web site at www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: Good to excellent trout fishing and another plant of 15,000 pounds of fish went in Wednesday. Lake will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Top trout of the week was a 9.95- pound trout landed by Anthony Caldron, Van Nuys on a trolled Rapala. Lots of limits showing on Power Bait, Rapalas, and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in Secret Sauce. This Saturday there will be a trout and bass tournament. The basic tournament will be free with paid admission and pay out for the top ten trout. Prizes will run from $1,000 for first place to $50 for 10th place. There is an optional $20 buy in that will have an $8,000 first-place pay out. For information, call (714) 649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing was excellent this past weekend following two days of a catch and release float tube event last Thursday and Friday. Top trout of the week was a 6-10 landed by Kevin Hughes, Garden Grove, on a nightcrawler. Larry Salver, Escondido, topped a double limit of fish with a 6-2. Lake will be open Thanksgiving. For fishing information, call (949) 362-3885 or visit the lake's web site at www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout continue to be the best and they are fair at best. Trollers are going from four to six colors deep at the dam and using Needlefish or nightcrawlers for results. Bass fishing is fair on spoons in deep water. Other species very slow. For fishing information call the boat dock at (805) 688-4040. The number for the main gate is (805) 688-4658.
CASITAS: A couple of trout plants last week made for fair to good fishing on fresh planters. Power Bait or small spinners were working best. Best trout of the week was a 5-8 landed by Carol Miller, Thousand Oaks, on a small piece of mackerel while catfish fishing. Bass fishing is slow with some action early or late on spinner baits or crawdads. Lake store has been out of crawdads. For more information, contact the marina at (805) 649-2043.
CASTAIC: Largemouth bass take the top spot here. Some mornings are wide open with fish busting on shad everywhere. Bring a long handle shad net and make bait and you will have wide-open fishing all day. Many double and triple limits on fish to 7-0 have been recorded. If you don't have live shad, look for boiling fish and throw crankbaits and spoons right in the boils. Bill Winston, Monrovia, caught and released a triple limit of fish to 6-8. Fair to good striper fishing continues with bigger fish slamming trout-like plugs after trout plants. Stripers boiling on shad can be caught on spoons or cranksbaits thrown into boils. If you see shad boiling in the middle of the lake or the middle of one of the arms, there are stripers feeding below them. Chris Milligan, Woodland Hills, caught the top fish of the week when he nailed a 10-8 and a 9-12 on a Pupfish top-water plug. Will Winfield and Bret Kahl, Valencia, landed 20 stripers to 8-1 on white jigs. Trout are still showing from the lower lagoon on small spinners and Power Bait. The lake will be open for night fishing on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 p.m. to midnight, for either fishing from shore or from a boat. For more information, contact the marina at (661) 775-6232.
PIRU: Fair to good trout fishing for trollers working in 35-feet of water by the dam or for anglers fishing Power Bait by the marina. Needlefish or Thomas Buoyants have been best lures for trollers. The largemouth bite continues to be good on nightcrawlers and swimbaits with many fish to 6-0 reported in 10 to 15 feet. Most 1-0 to 3-0. For more information, call the marina at (805) 521-1231 or check out the new website at www.lakepiru.org.
PYRAMID: Stripers are good to very good and continue to boil on baitfish early or late in the day around the island and in the Spanish Point area. Find the boils and throw a bone-colored Super Spook or a blue and silver Rat-L-Trap in the 1/2-ounce or 3/4-ounce size right in the middle of the boil. When the stripers quit boiling there has been a good anchovy bite in 40 to 70 feet at Lost Mine and Serrano. Trout fishing is fair on Kastmasters and Power Bait around the marina after a DFG trout plant last week. The largemouth bite has been fair in the Bear Trap and Vaquero areas. For information, call the marina at (661) 257-2892 or the gatehouse at (661) 295-1245.
TAIT RANCH TROUT PONDS: These fly-fishing-only, catch and release trout ponds in Frazier Park have fish to 5-0. Fishing billed by hour, 1/2-day or day. For information, call (661) 245-6315.
TEJON LAKE: The private lake is open to catch-and-release anglers on a day-fee or season basis. For more information, call the Tejon Ranch Company at (661) 663-4209.
QUAIL LAKE: Fair catfish action at night when the water is flowing. Some stripers and largemouth are also being landed.
PUDDINGSTONE: Bass fishing is slow to fair for anglers fishing plastics, Senkos, or Rat-L-Traps. Trout fishing is very slow with no plants in a month. For more information, call (909) 599-8411.
SANTA FE: DFG trout plant last week. For more information call (626) 334-1065 for info on the lake.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and a DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and there was a DFG catfish plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, and catfish plant three weeks ago. For more information, call (888) 527-2757 or (818) 899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. For more information, contact the Hollenbeck Recreation Center at (213) 261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNY HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE (formerly Willowbrook Lake): No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Call (818) 448-7317 for information.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Closed until February, 2004. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
LOWER OTAY: Closed until spring. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
UPPER OTAY: Closed until spring. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Trout fishing has been good. Big trout of the week was an 8-0 landed by Billy Ragsdale, San Diego, on a mini-jig south of the boat dock. Tom Fitzgibbons, San Diego, landed a 6-14 on a Rapala in Aqueduct Arm. Catfish bite is fair to good with a few limits of channels and one a big blue catfish reported. The big blue weighed 67-2 and was landed by Derrick Henry, San Diego, on mackerel near the buoy line. Doc Carter, San Diego, landed a limit of channels that weighed 37-11 and was topped by a 12-5 on mackerel in Barona Arm. Ron Tyler, San Diego, also landed a limit of cats that weighed 30-15 on mackerel in Barona Arm. Bass anglers averaged a fish per rod and top fish was a 5-4. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
MURRAY: Closed. The lake will reopen for trout season Dec. 3. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Closed due to low water levels. Lake not expected to open until the first week of December for trout season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Lake is closed until 2004. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The lake will open on Saturday December 13th for trout season and will be open seven days a week. is scheduled to reopen in December for trout season. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4346 or log on to the lake's website at www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: The Cleveland National Forest is still closed. No access. No DFG trout plants in a month.
DIXON: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 6-0. Orange Power Worms or inflated nightcrawlers have been best. No bass have been reported. Fishing reports are on the Internet at: www.dixonlake.com. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4648 or the concessionaire at (760) 741-3328.
POWAY: Trout fishing is fair to good around Half Moon Bay with many fish to 6-0 landed. Brian Lindsey, Poway, landed top trout of the week, a 6-0 on a Power Worm. Kenny Behtley, Poway, landed a 4-8 on Power Bait. Mark Deluhas, Mira Mesa, also landed a 4-8 on a nightcrawler. Still some cats showing at the log boom and in Hidden Bay. Matt Hohick, Poway, landed a 9-0 catfish on mackerel by the log boom. Top bass of the week was a 7-0 that hit a swimbait by the log boom for Kevin Horling, Poway. For more fishing information, call the snack bar at (858) 486-1234.
JENNINGS: No report. Trout season was supposed to kick off last week. For more information, call (619) 596-1396 or (619) 667-6293.
MORENA: No report. The 24-hour fishing update line is (619) 478-5473. For lake information call (619) 694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout fishing is fair to good on fish to 4-8, but the very cold weather has kept fishing pressure to a minimum. David Lucero, Chula Vista, landed a 5-8 rainbow on Power Bait by the Lone Pine Tree. Inflated nightcrawlers, Power Bait, streamers, and small lures are all scoring with the fish relatively tight to shore. For more information call (760) 765-0515 or visit the website at www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Trout fishing is fair for anglers braving the cold, windy weather. Fish continue to show on Power Bait, small spinners or mini-jigs. A few catfish continue to show on mackerel. For information, call (760) 782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Bass fishing is slow. For more information, call Blue Lake Tackle at (702) 452-8299.
WILLOW BEACH: Some big stripers are finally showing. Jason Peterson and Mike Ferris, Las Vegas, landed five fish from 11-0 to 25-4 on anchovies. Mike Edison of Adventure Angling Guide Service landed fish weighing 28-9, 22-0, and 20-0 on an O'Henry lure. For more information, contact the marina at (928) 767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Windy most of the week, but before the wind the striper bite had been fair to good on anchovies and squid, with the best action at steep drop-offs in 40 to 60 feet of water. For more information, call Cottonwood Cove at (702) 297-1464
BELOW DAVIS DAM: No report.
NEEDLES: Fair largemouth bass fishing in backwaters and around docks. For more information, call Premier Sports at (760) 326-2727 or Golden Shores at (760) 768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Fishing is fair on bass with a few catfish showing in the marsh and main river. For information, call Five Mile Landing (928) 768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper fishing is good to very good for anglers spooning the schools of bait. For more information, call Black Meadow Landing at (760) 663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Catfish are fair on cut baits or stink baits. Carp fishing is good around local docks on bread or dough baits. For information, call Big Bend Marina at (760) 663-3755.
BLYTHE: Flathead catfish continue to show on live goldfish or bluegill in a slow to fairish bite. Bass fishing is fair to good on the river and local backwaters. Live shiners, Senkos, plastics, or reaction baits were top producers. For information, call B&B Bait at (760) 921-2248.
PALO VERDE. Catfish and bass action is fair to good in the main river and local backwaters. Some nice flathead catfish continue to show for anglers fishing live goldfish or tilapia.
PICACHO AREA: Fair bass action in all of the area backwaters and lakes, mostly on live shiners. Catfish slowing, but still a fair bite on channels and the odd flathead.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Just fair action overall with some largemouth showing on live shiners in deeper holes in the river and in backwaters. A few flatheads and stripers showing, and slow action on bluegill and crappie. For more information, contact the Martinez Lake Resort at (928) 783-9589 or check out the web site at www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: Bass fishing is fair in the main river and backwater mouths. Shiners or crankbaits continue to be best baits. Channel catfish are fair to good on mackerel or other stink baits, and the flathead bite is slow to fair. For more information, contact Mesa Sport Shop at (928) 782-5313.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow fishing continues all over the sea. For current fishing information, call Johnson's Landing (760) 394-4755, Desert Shores Trailer Park at (760) 395-5280, Poor Richard's in Mecca at (760) 396-2180, Dean Marine in Bombay Beach at (760) 354-1231, Bombay Beach Marina (760) 354-4049, Red Hill Marina (760) 348-2310, and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area (760) 393-3059 or (760) 393-3052. Troll 'n' Boat (760-393-0119) has both rowboats and skiffs with motors for rent. For weather information, call (760) 352-3360 for a recording, or the Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast at (760) 398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to Channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Slow fishing, very little pressure.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: No Report.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Slow fishing.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. For information, call (760) 352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Fair to good trout fishing continues on Power Bait doused with Crave Gravy. Lots of fish to 4-0 were landed, and the best this week was a 7-0 caught by Justin Pulsifer on his 10th birthday. Paul Zinn, Cathedral City, landed a 5-0 trout on a nightcrawler. For more information, call (760) 564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: Trout season is closed on all waters of the Sierra region until the last Saturday of April except on year-around waters (Lower Owens River, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Diaz Lake). For weather info, log on to www.mammothweather.com. For updated road and camping information on the region, contact the Interagency Visitor Center at (760) 876-6222 or the Bishop Chamber of Commerce at (760) 873-8405. The web site is www.bishopvisitor.com.
BISHOP AREA: Extreme cold weather has kept fishing pressure to a bare minimum. The Lower Owens has had good flows and a fair hatch for fly anglers. Generally good fishing. For more information, contact Culver's at (760) 872-8361, Brock's at (760) 872-3581, or Sierra Drifters Guide Service at (760) 935-4250 or contact Creekside R.V. Park at (760) 873-4483.
LONE PINE AREA: Fishing on the lower Owens was fair until it got blown out by high, cold winds this past week. Before that the river was hot on worms, crickets, Power Bait, and flies. Diaz Lake slowish. For more information, contact the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce at (760) 876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
ISABELLA: Bass fishing has been fair to good for the few anglers out in the cold weather. Fish are showing from deeper water on crankbaits or crawdads. Few reports on other species. For more information, contact North Fork Marina at (661) 379-1007 or Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Trout fishing is fair on fish to 1-0. Rain can shut this bite down due to the burned out areas around the river. For more information, contact the James' Store at (760) 376-2424.
AQUEDUCT AT BAKERSFIELD: Striper action is fair on bloodworms, but the fish are small. Catfish action is fair on chicken livers, shad, clams, or mackerel. For more information contact Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill and carp fishing are fair. Bass fishing is fair on plastics.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Good bluegill action and a fair bass bite continue for anglers.
MING LAKE: Trout fishing has started to slow, but some fish are showing on Power Bait. A few bass showing on plastics or shad-like baits. Carp fishing is good with catches of up to 25 fish a day on fish to 8-0. Bluegill and catfish are also fair.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Trout fishing is good as top trout of the week was a 14-0 landed by Lupe Hernandez, Bakersfield, on a nightcrawler on Lake Evans. Gabriel Cuellar, Bakersfield, landed a 10-0 on orange Power Bait. Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers have been top baits. No big catfish this week. For more fishing information, call the concession at (661) 763-1268 or contact Bob's Bait Bucket at (661) 833-8657.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout fishing on Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers or small spinners. A few catfish showing on anchovies.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Bluegill bite is fair on mealworms or wax worms. Fish to 1-0 have been reported. A few catfish are showing on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fair to good trout fishing on Power Bait or small spinners. Lots of small bass around and fishing is fair to good. Crankbaits have been best in the morning and then plastics are best when the sun is up. For more information, call the Lakeside Mini Mart at (559) 781-6878.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good trout bite following plants. Fair to good bass fishing on smaller fish. Reaction baits or small plastics have been best. For more information, call the marina at (559) 597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Smallmouth and largemouth bass continue to hit on plastic worms in most coves. Stripers are moving toward the north end of the lake and fish to 12-0 are being taken in 30- to 45-feet of water. White bucktail jigs or anchovies have been the best baits. For information, call (805) 472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Fair to good trout fishing after plants. Top area has been Murphy's Cove. Bass fishing is slow to fair on plastics. For more information, call (805) 438-3754.
NACIMIENTO: Fair fishing for spotted bass off points on four-inch plastic worms. For more information, call (805) 238-1056.
LOPEZ: Catfish and trout continue to bite at a fair pace. Mackerel is taking the bulk of catfish. Trout are hitting Power Bait all around the lake. Panfish are slow. For more information, call (805) 489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be planted with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week:
LOS ANGELES: El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Park Lake, Legg Lakes, San Gabriel River (East and West Forks).
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake.
IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River.
MADERA: Bass Lake, Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
TULARE: Kaweah River, Success Reservoir.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Phil Friedman, 976-TUNA
For Outdoor News Service
BITE UPDATES
GENERAL UPDATE: Rough, windy weather and the off and on rockfish season has made for quiet landings along the coast this week.
ROCKFISH UPDATE: Rockfish, sheephead, whitefish, and sculpin was set to close last Friday, but a ruling the day before by a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge stayed the closure because there was inadequate public notification of the closure. The Department of Fish and Game has since renoticed that it will be closing the season effective Dec. 8. Anglers now have two more weeks where they can fish these popular bottomfish and most landings along the coast are running at least one trip a day.
SAN DIEGO ALBACORE: The windy, rough weather has pretty much stalled the albacore fishing aboard 1 1/2-day and two-day boats out of San Diego, but before the weather made fishing difficult, there was still a pretty good bunch of albacore for these boats, mostly 25- to 30-pound fish with some to 40 pounds.
RECORD YELLOWTAIL: The Qualifier 105 returned to port on Sunday with a yellowtail that is likely to become the new world record. Deckhand Tommy Lambeth of San Diego caught the 91-pound, nine-ounce yellowtail while at Guadalupe Island. The old record was an 88-pound caught at Alijos Rocks in 2000.
CATALINA ISLAND PICK: There continues to be a fair pick on the yellowtail and calico bass at Catalina Island. The availability of live squid has made this bite consistent, but not wide open.
SQUID HELPING BITES: The live squid, available at most bait receivers now, has made for improved nearshore fishing this week. In the Santa Monica Bay, the halibut bite has been pretty fair. As of noon Monday, the New Del Mar out of Marina del Rey reported five legal halibut on the candy bait. At the Horseshoe Kelp, the Premier out of Pierpoint Landing had nine guys on Wednesday and 30 big calicos on the boat and when a flash of yellowtail went under the boat, they managed to put two on the deck.
SAN DIEGO BONITO: There continues to be a pretty good bite on the one- to three-pound bonito for the San Diego 1/2 and 3/4-day boats. Limits have not been uncommon some days this past week and 1/2-limits or better have been the rule.
LANDING CONTACTS
Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, (805) 772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, (805) 595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, (805) 963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, (805) 658-1060; CISCO Landing, Oxnard, (805) 985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, (805) 382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, (805) 488-2212; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, (310) 822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, (310) 372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, (310) 374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, (310) 832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, (310) 547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, (562) 432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, (562) 983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, (562) 598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, (949) 675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, (949) 673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, (949) 496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, (760) 722-2133; Islandia Sportfishing, Mission Bay, (619) 222-1165; Seaforth Sportfishing, Mission Bay, (619) 224-3383; H&M Landing, San Diego, (619) 222-1144; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, (619) 223-1627; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, (619) 221-8500; Lee Palm's Sportfishing, San Diego, (619) 224-3857.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
GRUNION RUNS
Grunion spawn on all of Southern California's long, sandy beaches from early March through mid-August each year. The runs are done for this year.
The Department of Fish and Game publishes an annual brochure called "California Grunion Facts and Expected Runs.'' It is available free if you mail a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope to Grunion, Department of Fish and Game, 4665 Lampson Avenue, Suite C, Los Alamitos, CA 90720. It is also available on the DFG's website at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/gruschd.html.