Hello,

 

I'll be moving to Santa Cruz in roughly 5 months and I'm wondering if anyone recommends any lakes to fish at. It would be even better if you would share your experience at that lake as well (i.e. what worked and didn't work).

 

Thank you.

you will be close to the Delta, there are some lakes near San Jose to the south, San luis resv and Oneal forebay are not too far.

The Delta seems a bit too far away. I'll check out the San Luis Reservoir though. Thanks. 

Take a look at South SF Bay Area lakes.

Coyote is a good bass lake, Loch Lomond is near Santa Cruz never fish it, Lexington lake off hwy 17 has a few big bass, you will need to do your home work to locate reseverviors in and around the mountains near the South Bay. San Luis Rey and fore bay is a good striper lake.

Can't help as I live in SoCal and only go to the delta area to bass fish.

Tom

PS, Calico bass fishing is good in the coastal ocean at Santa Cruz.

Depending on where you will live in Santa Cruz, the Delta can be as close as 1.5hrs away 2hrs at the longest. Its definitely worth a few visits.

Loch Lomond as mentioned is not to far from SC, but due to drought conditions out here can close at any time.

Outside San Jose are Anderson, Coyote and Calero which are 'currently' open to boats, Coyote will likely be closing sometime soon-- low water. Lexington, is in Los Gatos which is about 20 min from SC, no boats and is suffering from low water, but there are largemouth in there.

Take a look at South SF Bay Area lakes.

Coyote is a good bass lake, Loch Lomond is near Santa Cruz never fish it, Lexington lake off hwy 17 has a few big bass, you will need to do your home work to locate reseverviors in and around the mountains near the South Bay. San Luis Rey and fore bay is a good striper lake.

Can't help as I live in SoCal and only go to the delta area to bass fish.

Tom

PS, Calico bass fishing is good in the coastal ocean at Santa Cruz.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. San Luis and Lexington look pretty promising. If they don't work out, I'll probably go for Calico bass.

 

One more question, do I need to fish on a jetty to catch Calico bass? I went yesterday on Corona del Mar's jetty to target Calico... boy did my knees have a tough time. 

 

Depending on where you will live in Santa Cruz, the Delta can be as close as 1.5hrs away 2hrs at the longest. Its definitely worth a few visits.

Loch Lomond as mentioned is not to far from SC, but due to drought conditions out here can close at any time.

Outside San Jose are Anderson, Coyote and Calero which are 'currently' open to boats, Coyote will likely be closing sometime soon-- low water. Lexington, is in Los Gatos which is about 20 min from SC, no boats and is suffering from low water, but there are largemouth in there.

 

Thanks for the reply. Oh wow, that's unfortunate the lakes are experiencing droughts. I'll check them out when I visit San Jose.