San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I’ve used the Improved Clinch Knot for 55 years. I’ve caught line Class Record Bonito, Halibut, Corbina, Spotfin Croaker on 2 pound test. Giant Broodstock Rainbows, and Steelhead on 6 pound test. I like it because it doesn’t use much line to tie, it’s quick, and it holds.

Squidco has Bait. Splurge on the Ghost Shrimp, you only live once, you might as well spend it out your rod bent.

Great point Dannicus. I grew up catching Bonito with my Dad. We used 2 and 4 pound test. My Pops had a line class record 16 pound Halibut on 2 pound in 1964. This time of year I fish 30 braid and 17 pound Flourocarbon leader. Just lost to many big fish. Now I land almost all of them. It is one thing ...

Lipping a Vampire Croaker, do not try this at home…

They do really well back East with the big Spoons because the Bass are actively feeding on Gizzard Shad and Skipjack. Out here, on a diet of Threadfin Shad we rarely get them on big spoons. In the Fall when the Threadfin are at their biggest the Swim Spoon bite can go off for numbers. As for jigging ...

Putting in the work, reaping the rewards!

This has happened to me on many occasions in Castaic and Puddingstone Lakes mostly. Sometimes it can last for an hour or more. I remove a treble hook off one of my lures and snagged a Shad and let it drop. Instant Bass, Striper, Catfish, they are all there. Snag another Shad, let it drift down ...

So you can net Threadfin Shad by the hundreds but you can’t snag them one at a time. That is another crazy California Law. At Lake Perris I saw a guy catching them on bread and a size 20 hook. Perhaps that’s what I did….

I was the Buddy !

I have a set of checklists pinned to my sun visor. One is for my boat, one for the kayak and one for float tubing. Rods, tackle bag , Mirage Drive, motor flush/ boat wash bag, stuff like that. A quick check before I leave. This trick has saved me many times, mainly at 3:30 am, leaving for some long ...

Depth, Size, Color, Cadence. Factors in order of my concern. Water clarity, Wind, current, vegetation, bottom construction, shade….others to take into account. Solve the puzzle, catch the fish.

McFishes statement has inspired me to store my extra fins on my Truck from now on. Take up minimal space, don’t weigh much. Cures horrible problem. What’s not to like?

My Topwater bite has declined as we get into the middle of May. Still a lot of strikes, maybe less hookups and it ends earlier. The Jig bite is starting to take off. Lots of hits on the drop. More on the 20 second dead stick. Still a lot of healthy broad shouldered Bass to War with. I try to give ...

I haven’t fished Sutherland in a long time. I would love a crack at that place, I know some Pigs are hiding in there.
Yes, Catalina has several mystical Reservoirs. A full on logistical nightmare to fish them. I hiked until my legs were ready to fall off. Full overland trails that were more Bison ...

JWall, the 12-25 rated one is really a Pool Stick. I may get the lighter one for 6 pound stuff. My first new rod in 20+ years thanks to a large purchase at Phoenix Rods in Orange a long time ago. Thanks Ty.
OK, I ordered the light Rod, it was on sale!

My Pops was my Fishing Partner and Friend. It is hard to lose both. The things he taught me about the intricacies of Bass Fishing were endless. The Man could fish! He taught me that you can improve yourself your whole life. I miss him so much.

It is bad Karma to leave a fellow Waterman in peril. As I works out, I’ve helped a lot of people and am the luckiest Fisherman there is. Nothing like towing a $65,000 Bass Boat with your Hobie. Guaranteed a chance at something huge. Grabbing the trash I see, just a bonus for everybody. Remember, we ...

Days like those make you appreciate the fantastic days where you can do no wrong. My Pops always said the best thing about fishing is Practice , Practice, Practice. You got to keep aiming for the zone, if you don’t hit some limbs, you aren’t close enough. Accuracy comes with persistence. You will ...

You may have to slow down to whack those inactive Bass. Most of my hits on the jig were in the 5 seconds I let it lay there before barely moving it.

A ten inch Bluegill is a good meal for a larger Bass. They suck them right down. That is the food source for larger Bass.