1-15 Miramar/Swimbaits/Fail...and cheating?

[VinnyBass]

I decided to take my kayak up to Miramar this morning and throw a wide variety of swimbaits.
There was only one boat that was launched and
no kayaks and not even a float tube. Add the fact that there are no trout stockings planned there, I knew it was probably going to be tough. I mixed it up with a variety of swimbaits and while working them, I started to anticipate and think how much fun it would be to have a nice big bass slam into it. Later in the morning I started to be a little less enthusiastic but still tried different speeds on the retrieve and fished baits shallow and deep.
Then later was at the point where I was going through the motions and despite making some longs casts I started realizing that it may take many, many, trips without a bass and at least I tried. I did not want to leave the lake skunked and don't let McFish know...but I tied on a drop shot rig (not really cheating, but for me it is a last resort to try to avoid a skunk) with a 4' Roboworm and finally in about 30' of water I pulled in a tiny bass which was about the same size as one of my swimbaits and I started laughing. Well, a bass is a bass as they say and pulled in one even smaller not much later.
I then headed into Carol Cove before leaving and threw out a senko and got my 3rd bite and pulled in a small bass, but a little better than the previous 2 micro bass. I know that it may take many, many, many fishing trips or years to finally catch a giant bass on a swimbait, but hopefully I will have the patience to keep trying. Need to put Lake Poway and Jennings in some future trips. Tight lines everyone

Dang...looks like this bass was blind in one
eye, but happy it still saw my senko in deep water.

[Fisheromen]

Taking advantage of a sight-challenged bass!

[Big C]

Hey, you’re outdoors on a beautiful January day in San Diego. If you fish it they will come.

[Everydog]

Vinny, didn't you get a good one on a swimbait at Murray a few years ago, or was that a jig? Off the floating fishing dock, if I recall...maybe it wasn't what you consider really big?

[VinnyBass]

Vinny, didn't you get a good one on a swimbait at Murray a few years ago, or was that a jig? Off the floating fishing dock, if I recall...maybe it wasn't what you consider really big?

Actually I was just probably daydreaming of a 12lb bass...(as I know a guy who caught 2
out of Miramar the other year when they stocked trout). Yes you are right as I did get one a few ounces under 9lbs on a Hud 68 at Murray off that dock and also caught a 9 1/2lb bass at Sutherland the year before on a craw bait. Yes, those are big bass, but I think I watch too many swimbait videos on YouTube recently and dream too big and too much...ha ha
(and spend too much $$$ too)

Hud 68 Swimbait bass/Murray

[Dannicus]

Yeah I just can't see myself out in my float tube with arthritic hands and shoulders pitching swimbaits about the same size as my foot over and over, but I do admire the dedication of the guys that do.

[TIM]

Western Outdoor news claims they have stocked Trout and another on the way for MiraMar. Guess my plans have changed from fishing Miramar. Thanks for the report.

[VinnyBass]

Western Outdoor news claims they have stocked Trout and another on the way for MiraMar. Guess my plans have changed from fishing Miramar. Thanks for the report.

That's interesting Tim and I am surprised as guys I know have said there were not going to be any trout plants. Many of these guys throw swimbaits and have been out fishing other lakes because of it. A friend works for the City Lakes up at Miramar and I just texted him and he said no trout. He will ask around but has not heard of any stockings this year.

[TIM]

Thanks for checking your resources. Yeah the last Western outdoor News Fish report showing update 1/6/26 even Talks about throwing swimbaits because of trout plant. Bad News. Bummer

[VinnyBass]

I know they stocked Murray recently from my sources. I wonder if Western Outdoor News just mixed up the lake. I have a degree in journalism, which doesn’t mean that people including myself can’t make mistakes. Hopefully there will be a trout stocking at Miramar and If I hear anything about a trout plant at Miramar I will PM you.
Tight lines

[Gotfish?]

Interesting how bass will ignore fancy swimbaits that have been carefully designed to look like trout and other natural bait, some which cost over $100, but will eat a Senko which doesn't look like anything they have eaten. Or weird colors like junebug.

FYI, those bass have no trouble telling the difference between a real trout and a fake trout.

[Fisheromen]

Stockings? I have taken mine down, which were hung by the chimney, with care!

[Gotfish?]

So Vinny, which do you think is the better lure for big bass: a high end swimbait or a really big Senko type lure (for a lot less $, maybe Junebug color)? Or other?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Roman_M ... G3tP_0Ctcl

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/MAGNUM_ ... s8EALw_wcB

Maybe a contest is in order?

[Bendo]

GOTFISH- I’ll weigh in here and say I’ve caught more Bass over 10 pounds on 5 inch Bass Assassin Style Plastics with a 3/16 to 1/2 ounce Jighead than all my other baits combined. I almost exclusively use ZMan Streakz now. Partially because I have gravitated towards them, mostly because they are much easier to fish than the bigger Swimbaits and Glides. I fish them mostly with 20-30 pound Braid and 15-20 Fluorocarbon Leader. Big Bass are different animals and will kick your ass if you don’t have the tackle to take it to them. I use a really heavy drag setting for the hook set and let off a little if needed during the fight. It is amazing how little pressure a Rod can pull while setting the hook. Stand 30 feet away from a Buddy and wrap some line around your hand and have him “ Set the Hook”. It’s not much of a set. My Pops taught me to set the hook with the bottom portion of your Rod after reeling down tight to the Fish. This can double the force to set the hook. After that, keep your mind, stay calm, hold your arms out away from your body to cushion those head shakes. Lower your rod into the water if they come up and jump. Fight them until they are tired enough to lay out flat on the surface before you Thumb it or put a net well under it and lift up. So many are lost at the Boat! Go get ‘em!

[Gotfish?]

I have mostly been fishing the bay but may try Miramar soon. I will certainly have my usual drop shot for bass but will also have subtle action minnow like lures with light jig heads i.e. I-motion, "do nothing", Ned rig, hover rig, etcetera. The Z-man StreakZ or Assassin could be fished that way too. And some Neko Senko rigs as you suggested in a different post.

I never set the hook on a slack line. I always reel down until I can feel the weight of the fish, then I raise the rod tip quickly while still reeling. Seems to work just fine. At the old Fred Hall shows, Mike Gardner used to demonstrate at his seminars the exact "set the hook" demonstration you mention. With soft plastic baits, I think that reeling down (instead of striking hard) causes the fish to clamp down on the bait so the hook is going to find its way in as long as you keep the pressure on.

I even carry the tiring out one step further when fishing for halibut, which are notorious for not fighting until they are in the boat. I lift their head out of the water, that usually results in them surging away. When that no longer provokes a response, I then poke them with my net. When that no longer gets a response, I net them. Not good to have a large halibut flopping around in my lap (especially if on a crankbait) on the float tube so I use this method. And you will only thumb a big halibut once (well, if really stupid, twice since you have 2 thumbs).

I don't adjust the drag during the fight. I have not found that to be necessary. I adjust drags at the beginning of the session or when I 1st use a set up that day.