San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Posted: **Sat Apr 13, 2024 4:46 pm**

Wanting to try fishing for blue cats on Diamond Valley but have a lot questions. Despite being from Oklahoma and having caught tons of channels, I've never caught a blue so I'm made it a new years resolution this year haha. Since I've had to adjust and learn new types of fishing for bass in SoCal, I'm assuming the same will go for catfishing.

In terms of gear, I have a couple medium-heavy Whisker Seeker rods, one with an Ambassduer 6500C and another with an Okuma Citrix. What lb-test line would yall recommend? I assume as light as possible, maybe 15 or 20? And what types of rig--carolina? weightless? I've heard that mackeral makes good cut bait, but any other recommendations?

In terms of locations at DV, any pointers on where to start in the coming weeks, or where to target in other parts of the year?

Will take any advice I can get. Thanks!

Posted: **Mon Apr 15, 2024 6:32 pm**

Like any large structure oriented fish, look for the deeper points and fish on the steep faces. Use big baits and tie good knots.

Posted: **Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:00 pm**

Throw an ika on the dams and catch flatheads. Hardest jig thump you'll ever get...gotta yank them out of the rocks once you get bit.

Posted: **Thu May 02, 2024 9:39 am**

I didn't even know DVL had blue cats. That's interesting.

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2025 1:22 pm**

Fish the Rock quarry area on The left side ( if your facing the rocks from a boat) or the wave attenuator.

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2025 6:31 pm**

DarkShadow wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 9:39 am I didn't even know DVL had blue cats. That's interesting.

Every lake (like DVL) that gets Colorado River water has blue cats and if large enough, stripers. And quagga mussels.

Posted: **Sat Nov 22, 2025 10:50 pm**

Gotfish? wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 6:31 pm
DarkShadow wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 9:39 am I didn't even know DVL had blue cats. That's interesting.
Every lake (like DVL) that gets Colorado River water has blue cats and if large enough, stripers. And quagga mussels.

Yeah, but is there such a population that someone can actually target them?

Or is this a once in a blue moon type of event when you do catch a blue cat outta DVL?

Posted: **Sun Nov 23, 2025 7:00 am**

DarkShadow wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 10:50 pm
Gotfish? wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 6:31 pm
DarkShadow wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 9:39 am I didn't even know DVL had blue cats. That's interesting.
Every lake (like DVL) that gets Colorado River water has blue cats and if large enough, stripers. And quagga mussels.
Yeah, but is there such a population that someone can actually target them?

Or is this a once in a blue moon type of event when you do catch a blue cat outta DVL?

Hard to know as the blue cats don't get as much attention as other species. Some known catches:
https://www.google.com/search?q=san+die ... s-wiz-serp

That link doesn't have all the latest info. Miramar, for example: https://www.sandiegofishreports.com/fis ... iramar.php

There doesn't seem to be any official website for San Diego lake records.

Posted: **Sun Nov 23, 2025 3:51 pm**

Awesome seeing all the replies on this old post! Hardly anyone seems to talk about or target catfish, or if they do it's channel catfish (using hot dogs, cool aid chicken, shrimp, etc). As some of the news articles and unofficial "records" show, there are big blue cats in SoCal lakes and my hunch is they are there but are highly overlooked, so there isn't a lot of knowledge about where and how to target them. SoCal climate and the mainly steep-walled deep water reservoirs we have here also makes for a different kind of environment where knowledge about catfish behavior might not translate well from other parts of the country. What makes it more challenging is that using live fish as bait in freshwater is not legal in California; one of the main ways catfish are targeted elsewhere in the country are with live bluegill, carp, crappie, drum, etc. If you fish the Colorado River and have an Arizona license and stay on the Arizona side, you can use bluegill as live bait so there are big flatheads and blues to be had there. You can use saltwater fish as cut bait in our lakes, however. I've fished DVL 3 times over the last year using mackerel, sardines, and other fish found at a local Asian market but not a single bite.

CatfishRuss wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 1:22 pm Fish the Rock quarry area on The left side ( if your facing the rocks from a boat) or the wave attenuator.

Appreciate the tip! By left side, do you mean from the marina? I'm not familiar with DVL's lingo haha.

Posted: **Sun Nov 23, 2025 8:59 pm**

Try the Santee Rig. Really works out here too.

Posted: **Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:57 am**

AutoJonez wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 3:51 pm Awesome seeing all the replies on this old post! Hardly anyone seems to talk about or target catfish, or if they do it's channel catfish (using hot dogs, cool aid chicken, shrimp, etc). As some of the news articles and unofficial "records" show, there are big blue cats in SoCal lakes and my hunch is they are there but are highly overlooked, so there isn't a lot of knowledge about where and how to target them. SoCal climate and the mainly steep-walled deep water reservoirs we have here also makes for a different kind of environment where knowledge about catfish behavior might not translate well from other parts of the country. What makes it more challenging is that using live fish as bait in freshwater is not legal in California; one of the main ways catfish are targeted elsewhere in the country are with live bluegill, carp, crappie, drum, etc. If you fish the Colorado River and have an Arizona license and stay on the Arizona side, you can use bluegill as live bait so there are big flatheads and blues to be had there. You can use saltwater fish as cut bait in our lakes, however. I've fished DVL 3 times over the last year using mackerel, sardines, and other fish found at a local Asian market but not a single bite.

CatfishRuss wrote: Sat Nov 22, 2025 1:22 pm Fish the Rock quarry area on The left side ( if your facing the rocks from a boat) or the wave attenuator.
Appreciate the tip! By left side, do you mean from the marina? I'm not familiar with DVL's lingo haha.

Yes from the marina it would be a left. Can't miss it. A big cove of rocks. The wave attenuator is that dock looking thing in the middle of the water just out from the marina. I say start in the Rock quarry though. Both spots can be good.

Posted: **Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:43 pm**

Me at diamond

valley. Caught in the Rock quarry area and 8 more just like em. 13.5 and a 13.8. Twins! Lol

San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?

Re: Any advice for Diamond Valley blue cats?