San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

El Capitan Bass Fishing: Topwater & Jigs!


Hey all I finally made it back to El Capitan after a few months away. I had heard the fishing had improved and wanted to go someplace. I hadn’t been in a while and have fun doing some different things. I got out on the water and noticed immediately that the rumor was true about there being way more bugs on the lake. After a few mosquito bites, I seem to leave the area With the concentration. I tried a few different things with little success. I did notice that there were lots of busters all over the lake. I decided to throw on a new bait for me the Deps Wakasagi Bait. I think it’s my new favorite Topwater bait now! My friend Ryan had giving me one to try and I didn’t really know what I was doing with it. I knew it was for use with busters but wasn’t exactly sure how to work the bait.

I started throwing it on busters twitched it a couple times and on the second cast was rewarded with my first fish. I was fishing it on 4 pound test and a light rod. I end up getting several that way just throwing the busters that I saw the biggest being around 3 pounds. But as you know, a 3 pound fish on 4 pound test can be very very fun. Most of those were caught while cruising across the lake to a rock pile to fish a jig. When I got there, I did manage to get two jig fish that were good fighters and a lot of fun. I was only out for a few hours, but had a great time on a beautiful lake. Check out the video if you’d like to hear more about my El Capitan adventure. Cheers! See you on the water.

Enjoyed the video and that Dep’s top water bait looks deadly. I have used 6 pound test on lakes that have pretty clear water in more open waters…. but you’re a lot braver than me throwing that light line at El Cap.
Getting out on the lake for even a few hours is always worth it. Looks like you always have fun and a lot better than staying home. Thanks for sharing and tight lines always

Thanks man! I love the light line. It makes it a challenge even for smaller fish. Plus nothing to snag on in open water. Cheers!

Once again another top notch angling video. Your videos and the quality of them never ceases to amaze me. I think that i can speak for all my angler friends in saying give credit where credits due and you have definately earned such credit. Keep up the great and entertaining work and thank you .....oh yeah for the beer too.

Ditto on all the compliments! And by the way, the hookset on that opening intro topwater bite is textbook. We all want to pull the trigger on the splash but your patience until your rod bends is on point.

1Fishdude wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 10:32 am Once again another top notch angling video. Your videos and the quality of them never ceases to amaze me. I think that i can speak for all my angler friends in saying give credit where credits due and you have definately earned such credit. Keep up the great and entertaining work and thank you .....oh yeah for the beer too.

Thank you so much for the compliments. I just love to fish and if people can learn something and be entertained then even better. Much more to come. Cheers!

JWall wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 12:45 pm Ditto on all the compliments! And by the way, the hookset on that opening intro topwater bite is textbook. We all want to pull the trigger on the splash but your patience until your rod bends is on point.

Thanks! Funny thing about that shot is that it was not even a topwater bite. My jig got stuck in the tules at Hodges and was just touching the top of the water when the fish hit. It’s still one of my favorite things I’ve ever recorded.

Also (not sure if you're interested or not, no worries either way) I posted in the trout section a couple of videos that I did in Montana in July. Some amazing trout and grayling fishing. If you're into that kind of thing.

Pourboy wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 2:44 pm Also (not sure if you're interested or not, no worries either way) I posted in the trout section a couple of videos that I did in Montana in July. Some amazing trout and grayling fishing. If you're into that kind of thing.

About to head up to the Bishop Creek area to do some trouting at the end of the month. Will definitely check out your Montana video.

Nice! I’ve heard that there can be good smallmouth on the lower Owen’s River. I’ve only done trout up there. Enjoy! It’s beautiful this time of year.

Chris you are da man! Great video as always.

Would love to fish with you sometime. My buddy a I are heading to Otay Wednesday the 25th to do some float tube fishing. Will be launching out of the Hauser arm if you would like to join.

Rubiconjku wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 12:30 pm Would love to fish with you sometime. My buddy a I are heading to Otay Wednesday the 25th to do some float tube fishing. Will be launching out of the Hauser arm if you would like to join.

It’s a long kick from Hauser Arm to Otay Lake!

Nice work and awesome video!

Rubiconjku wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 12:30 pm Would love to fish with you sometime. My buddy a I are heading to Otay Wednesday the 25th to do some float tube fishing. Will be launching out of the Hauser arm if you would like to join.

Hey thanks for the invite. I’d love to but unfortunately I work 6 days per week. I’ll be working that day. Another day for sure though. Cheers!

Moose wrote: Sat Sep 21, 2024 6:59 pm Nice work and awesome video!

Thanks for taking the time to check it out.

Dannicus wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 5:39 am Chris you are da man! Great video as always.

Much appreciated!

Moose wrote: Sat Sep 21, 2024 6:59 pm Nice work and awesome video!

A Moose sighting!! Where you been?

Pourboy,
Once again an outstanding video.
Thanks.
You seem to be the man on documentation.
Also another tip of the hat to your background music choice.
You can't always get what you want.
My sons, now 30ish, were raised on me and his mom repeating this lyric. They know it word for word to this day.
A perfect song AFTER a long day's skunk.
Here's the one I play while heading out to the hole.

Keep them cards and letters comin'.
Stephen

sawheeler52 wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 4:48 pm Pourboy,
Once again an outstanding video.
Thanks.
You seem to be the man on documentation.
Also another tip of the hat to your background music choice.
You can't always get what you want.
My sons, now 30ish, were raised on me and his mom repeating this lyric. They know it word for word to this day.
A perfect song AFTER a long day's skunk.
Here's the one I play while heading out to the hole.

Keep them cards and letters comin'.
Stephen

So good!!! I love it! Thanks for sharing. My buddy Chris Armes is the man behind the music. He’s an amazingly talented musician and artist (my logo and many other things) all the background music pieces are his original music.

He was (and still is) the lead songwriter and guitarist for the San Diego Punk band Agent 51. He’s got a recent solo album out called Ocotillo Rose. It’s amazing stuff! Not punk but more Tom Petty style. I’ll put the link below to listen to the album if anyone is interested.

https://on.soundcloud.com/bzJLDWwpo1f86HPY9