San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Dfishin wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 4:30 pm Thanks for the report. The water in the picks look so nice, what are you losing all the gear on?

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

JWall wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 5:09 pm Good job That lake always lightened my tackle box after visits. Snags galore.

VinnyBass wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:46 pm

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

"You meant the well know local guy that never shuts up!"
So glad you had fun out there and sorry I could not give you better fishing advice for the Pond of D & K as @Mcfish and @Fisheromen are the guys that know where the bass are most likely to be caught. I have never fished there from shore, but like I mentioned to you, that you have plenty of shoreline access there to fish from. Looks like you had a great time despite losing lots of tackle. That is I should not have been so shocked when I broke off 3 straight bass on 30lb braid. Yep, those bass fight hard and break both braid and mono, especially with the water low and rocks and trees out there waiting for a bass to use as an escape route. Thanks for sharing your adventure and when I got home Friday, I ordered a lot of replacement things from Tackle Warehouse...and those tungsten weights are not cheap. I am pretty sure that @Mcfish has never used one before....ha ha
Anyway....tight lines.

Surferjohn wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2026 4:57 am

VinnyBass wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:46 pm

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

"You meant the well know local guy that never shuts up!"
So glad you had fun out there and sorry I could not give you better fishing advice for the Pond of D & K as @Mcfish and @Fisheromen are the guys that know where the bass are most likely to be caught. I have never fished there from shore, but like I mentioned to you, that you have plenty of shoreline access there to fish from. Looks like you had a great time despite losing lots of tackle. That is I should not have been so shocked when I broke off 3 straight bass on 30lb braid. Yep, those bass fight hard and break both braid and mono, especially with the water low and rocks and trees out there waiting for a bass to use as an escape route. Thanks for sharing your adventure and when I got home Friday, I ordered a lot of replacement things from Tackle Warehouse...and those tungsten weights are not cheap. I am pretty sure that @Mcfish has never used one before....ha ha
Anyway....tight lines.

OMfISHINGSINKERS.COM FOR CHEAPER TUNGSTEN

VinnyBass wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:46 pm

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

"You meant the well know local guy that never shuts up!"
So glad you had fun out there and sorry I could not give you better fishing advice for the Pond of D & K as @Mcfish and @Fisheromen are the guys that know where the bass are most likely to be caught. I have never fished there from shore, but like I mentioned to you, that you have plenty of shoreline access there to fish from. Looks like you had a great time despite losing lots of tackle. That is I should not have been so shocked when I broke off 3 straight bass on 30lb braid. Yep, those bass fight hard and break both braid and mono, especially with the water low and rocks and trees out there waiting for a bass to use as an escape route. Thanks for sharing your adventure and when I got home Friday, I ordered a lot of replacement things from Tackle Warehouse...and those tungsten weights are not cheap. I am pretty sure that @Mcfish has never used one before....ha ha
Anyway....tight lines.

Mcfish wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2026 11:19 am

VinnyBass wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:46 pm

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

"You meant the well know local guy that never shuts up!"
So glad you had fun out there and sorry I could not give you better fishing advice for the Pond of D & K as @Mcfish and @Fisheromen are the guys that know where the bass are most likely to be caught. I have never fished there from shore, but like I mentioned to you, that you have plenty of shoreline access there to fish from. Looks like you had a great time despite losing lots of tackle. That is I should not have been so shocked when I broke off 3 straight bass on 30lb braid. Yep, those bass fight hard and break both braid and mono, especially with the water low and rocks and trees out there waiting for a bass to use as an escape route. Thanks for sharing your adventure and when I got home Friday, I ordered a lot of replacement things from Tackle Warehouse...and those tungsten weights are not cheap. I am pretty sure that @Mcfish has never used one before....ha ha
Anyway....tight lines.

I thought you were still using old spark plugs for a weight....or is that only when you're bat ray fishing...?

VinnyBass wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2026 1:29 pm

Mcfish wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2026 11:19 am

VinnyBass wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 6:46 pm

tomnilll wrote: Sun Apr 12, 2026 3:47 pm Taking some advice from the well known local expert @VinnyBass I took a trip to this San Diego gem. It was a learning experience, at least I should have learned. I got at least 40 bites, which to me is nothing short of spectacular but...I only landed 14 (I think...kinda flustered and may not have counted right). I no longer own a spinnerbait, and I used to have a bunch of them now they all belong to D&K, along with about 20 hooks, a number of weights, and countless soft plastics. I broke off braid so many times and also brought a rig with 10lb mono that I also broke off a bunch. I did tie a leader on too and also broke that off too! Then I got timid with my hooksets and lost a few that way too. Anyway it was super fun, ...here are some of the take:

20260412_074226.jpg

20260412_113723.jpg

20260412_071714.jpg

20260412_115340.jpg
Had a bit of trouble with the permit machine and the ranger was very helpfull. Overall a fun trip and I may even return...

Tom

"You meant the well know local guy that never shuts up!"
So glad you had fun out there and sorry I could not give you better fishing advice for the Pond of D & K as @Mcfish and @Fisheromen are the guys that know where the bass are most likely to be caught. I have never fished there from shore, but like I mentioned to you, that you have plenty of shoreline access there to fish from. Looks like you had a great time despite losing lots of tackle. That is I should not have been so shocked when I broke off 3 straight bass on 30lb braid. Yep, those bass fight hard and break both braid and mono, especially with the water low and rocks and trees out there waiting for a bass to use as an escape route. Thanks for sharing your adventure and when I got home Friday, I ordered a lot of replacement things from Tackle Warehouse...and those tungsten weights are not cheap. I am pretty sure that @Mcfish has never used one before....ha ha
Anyway....tight lines.

I thought you were still using old spark plugs for a weight....or is that only when you're bat ray fishing...?

I imagine you save a lot of money using rocks from around your Koi pond.
550200145_10231971734739681_7315266510466972050_n.jpg

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 6:15 am Sorry @tomnilll but just had to post this.....again great day up at D&K!
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 6.13.48 AM.png

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 6:15 am Sorry @tomnilll but just had to post this.....again great day up at D&K!
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 6.13.48 AM.png

Mcfish wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 8:10 am

VinnyBass wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 6:15 am Sorry @tomnilll but just had to post this.....again great day up at D&K!
Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 6.13.48 AM.png

Ridiculous photo....I wouldn't be wearing a mask...