San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Haven't been up to Miramar since the middle of June and had a fun time that day so decided to take my kayak back up there and see what's happening. Kind of bummed as was no surface action except for an occasional splash out in the distance. So after a number or useless casts with topwater baits, I just decided to throw some plastic worms and mix it up with a few creature baits. It did not take long for a hook up as the bass were out to play.
There is a part of fishing that I always seem to mention and need to mention it one more time. Losing fish. First of all the bass up at Miramar really put on a great fight, I think mostly from never ever being hooked.I honestly lost at least 8 bass on the jump(a few of the bass lost were pretty nice), then at least five on the hook set in deep water grass that came unbuttoned. Just have to mention this as despite all of that I still had agreat morning of fishing. I was able to land 22 bass with a few 3's, a 4 and the biggest weighted 5lbs on the button.
Nice to be back on the lake and the ride home with the AC blasting in my truck was nice also.

Just a few pics:
Plenty of these were on the chew.. A few of the healthier ones..
This bass was long 8" worm McFish told me to tell you guys I got this one
on Salmon eggs and Velveeta cheese...ha ha Biggest was 5lbs on the button-Hula grub

I think you’re living proof that time on the water can pay off.

You’ve said before you use straight braid most times was this straight braid or short leader?
Great job either way.
You’re the man no matter what McFish says about you, just kidding HaHa

vito1023 wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:14 pm You’ve said before you use straight braid most times was this straight braid or short leader?
Great job either way.
You’re the man no matter what McFish says about you, just kidding HaHa

Actually because the water at Miramar is so clear, I only brought a few rods with mono.
(6 & 8lb test) If I was going to flip the tulles, I would have brought a rod or 2 with heavy line.
When I do use braid, I just use straight braid and no leader only because I most
likely will be fishing heavy cover and braid just works better.

Time for a longer selfie stick VB, nice ones!!

I told you salmon eggs and Velvita was the ticket! Maybe throw some Super Dupers and Rooster tails next time! You are the Man..(boy)!

JWall wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:40 pm Time for a longer selfie stick VB, nice ones!!

When the fish are heavier, for some reason, I hold things tighter….. ha ha
Besides, I give you the honest weight. I’m not the guy who lies about the weight no matter how
big they look in a picture. No respect for guys who do that.

Must be something in the water. The panfish I catch there are the hardest fighting panfish I catch from any lake. Almost to much fish for my 1wt rods.

kirkboat wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:17 am Must be something in the water. The panfish I catch there are the hardest fighting panfish I catch from any lake. Almost to much fish for my 1wt rods.

I honestly think that because the lake is not fished much, the fish are not used to getting hooked. Sounds crazy, but Miramar seems to be more of a place for the public to run, walk, ride bikes, etc. around the lake where decades ago
it was a lot different. There was so much more access to fish years ago and now the tulles that have covered 90% of the shoreline. Yes, locals fish there and others that have boats, kayaks, and float tubes, but it does not get the fishing pressure that other lakes get. There was only one boat out, one kayak and two float tubes that I saw on the water yesterday. The bass fight really hard as sometimes you think you have a bigger one and it turns out that he is not as big as you thought when you land him. Yesterday I was lucky to land some healthier
ones, but all the bass there do put up a pretty darn good fight and are pretty good at coming unbuttoned on the jump.

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:05 pm

JWall wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:40 pm Time for a longer selfie stick VB, nice ones!!

When the fish are heavier, for some reason, I hold things tighter….. ha ha
Besides, I give you the honest weight. I’m not the guy who lies about the weight no matter how
big they look in a picture. No respect for guys who do that.

Its funny how when you put a scale to a fish most of the time its not as big as you thought.

Great report Vinny and way to put the smackdown on 'em. You are encouraging me to use more creature baits....thank you. We lost some nice ones that jumped as well. Still fun though trying to figure it all out.

For what it is worth I use 12-15 lb. braid with a 8 lb. leader and never had any issues with getting bites. If the water gets a little clearer than it is I will go to 6 lb. leader.

kirkboat wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2025 7:17 am Must be something in the water. The panfish I catch there are the hardest fighting panfish I catch from any lake. Almost to much fish for my 1wt rods.

Definitely something in the water...Miramar gets recycled sewage water...brown trout????

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:05 pm

JWall wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:40 pm Time for a longer selfie stick VB, nice ones!!

When the fish are heavier, for some reason, I hold things tighter….. ha ha
Besides, I give you the honest weight. I’m not the guy who lies about the weight no matter how
big they look in a picture. No respect for guys who do that.

So the big fish wasn't 17lbs like you told me.....

Mcfish wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2025 11:13 am

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:05 pm

JWall wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 5:40 pm Time for a longer selfie stick VB, nice ones!!

When the fish are heavier, for some reason, I hold things tighter….. ha ha
Besides, I give you the honest weight. I’m not the guy who lies about the weight no matter how
big they look in a picture. No respect for guys who do that.

So the big fish wasn't 17lbs like you told me.....

I said 16

Vinny once again showing us how it's done!!!

Nice seeing you on the water Vinny, thanks for the tips!

Ryan2421 wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:59 pm Nice seeing you on the water Vinny, thanks for the tips!

It was fun chatting with you on the water. That point was producing and is good early spot to hit.
I went to the buoy line area after that and the bass were really on the chew there. Most were clones but lots of fun. Hope to see you out there again. Tight lines always buddy

That's a great day! Thanks for sharing =D

That's a great day! Thanks for sharing =D

Very nice work out there my friend.