25 replies to this topic

[zachvii]

Hi All,

I am going to be traveling down to San Diego Mid July for a vacation. I used to live there when I was in high school and only went fishing once which I could kick myself for.  I am familiar with Lake Poway and Lake Miramar.  I will be there walking the bank or renting a boat.  I just wanted to know what the best places to fish are in San Diego for my situation and what techniques I should be using that time of year.  Maybe some plastic colors that work well also.  Thanks Zach

[pieky22]

well have far can you travel...Lake san Vicente is a great bass lake and so is barrett lake or el capitan. the worms that i use at San V. are black, purple, watermelon and the best for me is brown/neon mix. i have been to el cap. or barrett but i hear they are awesome bass lakes...i hope this helps

[619bassman]

Barret is spectacular, if you don't catch 15+ bass in a day its either a fluke or you should hang up yer hat and stop fishing. The catch is you need to buy tickets through ticket master, pretty absurd i know. There are many great lakes here though. i live near otay lakes and they are both great places to fish. the fish are on beds now so soft plastics to tick them off work well. i like a 4" wacky rigged senko, or a 6" aarons magic roboworm on a small shaky head. any more questions id be glad to answer them.

[zachvii]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the lake tips.  I figure that in July the fish will be holding deeper and I would probably need to be drop shoting or using jigs for the fish.  I will look into the lakes you guys have mentioned.  I will have a rental car, so I may end up going to the lakes mentioned.  

[WBFishing]

I am pretty new out in Cali but a lot of the tournaments I fish are out in San Diego area.  I have fished El Cap a few times, San V, but was really looking forward to going to Otay.  I really like the way that San V set up when I fished there, but zeroed the event.  I also missed the event for Otay, but was itching for that one because it sets up like a lake back in Alabama (flipping and pitching) and I was drooling over my map.  Just from what I have read, natural colors work in plastics blacks, browns, purples, greens.  I think they actually call them "San Diego Earthtones".  I am looking to buy a boat here in the next month or so, I love fishing down.  If our schedules match when you get out here, I'll take you out with me.

[zachvii]

That would be cool WB,  I will be down in SD Jul 16th-23rd.  I plan on hitting atleast one lake or reservoir while I am down there.  

[Popeye]

Lower Otay is a personal favorite of mine (of course living only 15 minutes away in the Imperial Beach area helps). It's EASY to get to. IF you'd like to fish there, just let me know and I'll send directions. Heck, maybe we can hook up and go out either splitting a rental or on my bass boat if I've got one by then (and I expect I will have:o)

[619bassman]

Yeah I live like 3 miles away and fish there all the time. its my home lake. if anyone ever wants a partner there let me know ill be happy to go

[Popeye]

619bassman:  I take it you live in the Eastlake or Otay Ranch area?? I will have to take you up on your offer, pardner!! I hate to fish alone and now with my new boat, it'll be MUCH easier if I have someone along on most of my trips!

[Get Offme Fish]

so for you San Diegans what ever Happened to Hodges? That was a Top notch Monster Bass producer when I was growing up down there (16+ years ago) It the late 80s many of the fishing mags predicted the next world record may come from Hodges.

Also San V & El Cap were other Favs, and for just plain fun Lake Morena was great for tubing until the drained it for a time being.

BTW the way I HATE SNOW in April:(

[Popeye]

Hodges still is considered one of the top lakes in the San Diego area. I fished it years ago in a rental with little success. However, now that I've "seen the light" and learned so much from the great guys and gals on BR AND I have a new weapon sitting anxiously in my garage, I am certainly going to be hitting that lake again and soon!!

[gatothecat]

My grandma lived in Escondido when she was still with us and my uncle and I used to fish Hodges all the time along with Wholford and Dixon they are all great lakes to fish and you cant go wrong with natural colored plastics and my personal favorite the jig and craw combo

[LunkersInTheCreeks]

the bass in Hodges are super picky. during mid spring to summer the big ones wont hit until late afternoon. and ironically the only ones that myself and my friends have caught were on the strike king crappie size spinnerbaits. And the biggest ones i have seen were caught on shore more towards the freeway. there is also some phenominal crappie fishing from shore. chuk out a crappie jig or a shiner into the cat tails and you should catch at least ten crappie within two or so hours. Hodges is still an awesome lake to fish. as well with Ramona

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!




8-)

[crasha51pan]

Am now living in Montana but even being this far away I heard there was a world record bass caught out of on of those lakes, near Escondito I think. The guy took a picture and released it (??????) so it is supposed to still be there.
Big Florida bass down there.