Hi everyone. My father introduced me to fishing at a young age and I’ve been hooked ever since. I was born and raised in the northeast. I was lucky enough to fish some of the best smallmouth lakes all over NewEngland with my father and brothers,lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire being one of our favorites. It has given me a passion for bronze backs! In 2004 a work opportunity for my wife had us moving to Houston area. I mostly fished lake Conroe but did fish Sam Rayburn. Both great Lakes! I also bought a kayak and learned how to fish Galveston Bay for speckled trout and redfish. That was fun and very much like bass fishing. In 2008 another promotion for my wife led us to the Indianapolis area. In Indy I mostly fished smaller lakes for largemouths but did make a trip every year to lake St. Clair for smallmouth. If you love smallies it is a must fish lake!  I fished Kentucky lake a few times. I also made it back home every spring to fish with family. Always my favorite trip of the year.In 2014 we moved again. This time to SoCal. I mostly fish Perris lake and Silverwood lake but have taken trips in other parts of the state. I have fished clear lake, Lake Nacimiento and Success lake in northern part of the state. I seem to struggle more fishing in SoCal then anywhere else I’ve lived but I’m still learning these new (too me) lakes. I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to fish some awesome lakes all over our great country. I just found this site yesterday and look forward to meeting new people and learning from the great fisherman that post here. Sorry if this was a long winded post!  Thanks Ray

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Hello Ray and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Nice Intro.

A-Jay

Welcome to SoCal and the BR site. Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding California fishing. You didn't mention DVL near your location or Castaic and Pyamide all 3 have Smallmouth bass. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake with good smallmouth fishery and Havasu should be on your smallmouth bucket list. NorCals foothill lakes known for giant Spotted bass also have big Smallmouth.

Tom

Welcome to the forum

Welcome to BR from another SoCal. I'm in riverside county not far from Lake Perris. Don't ask me about fishing, I'm kind of new as well. @WRBis the one who know all about SoCal fishing.

Welcome!

Welcome aboard, Ray!

12 hours ago, WRB said:

Welcome to SoCal and the BR site. Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding California fishing. You didn't mention DVL near your location or Castaic and Pyamide all 3 have Smallmouth bass. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake with good smallmouth fishery and Havasu should be on your smallmouth bucket list. NorCals foothill lakes known for giant Spotted bass also have big Smallmouth.

Tom

Thanks to all for the welcome!

I haven’t tried DVL,Pyramid or Castiac yet. I figured it would be easier to try and figure out this SoCal fishing on smaller lakes first. The other reason is the inspection process you have to go through going from lake to lake. Silverwood and Perris except each other’s boat bands,not sure if the other lakes you mentioned would require a separate inspection?

Castaic and Pyamide share Clean & Dry cables, not sure what DVL is doing with Perris, they are close together? Anglers Marine in Anaheim and Last Chance Tackle in Hemit would know what the local lakes are doing, both have excellent tackle choices.

I fish Casitas and it's a 35 day insane inspection process, so locked down there.

The Castiac inspection process is simply no drops of water anywhere, the OB usually has a few drops in the water pump so blow it out and all the livewell lines. If you pass you can fish the lake after inspection. Piru is full of quagga mussels so aviod it. The Colorado River lakes are all full of quagga mussels, check with Anglers Marine how to fish local lakes after going to the river.

Good luck,

Tom

Hello @Moray from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums 

Welcome!

Welcome to BR!

Welcome!!

Welcome Home! We're glad you're here.

Hello and Welcome 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike