New to fishing. Looking for recommendations in Socal

[skekoam]

Hey guys, my son and I are fairly new to LMB fishing and I'm looking to explore some lakes within an hr or so that aren't overly pressured.  We have been to Irvine Lake once and I had two nice ones on, but they spit out my Fat Ika on both occasions.  Feel free to pm me if that works better.

 

Oh, and we don't have access to a boat so we are shore only.

 

Thanks!!

[OCdockskipper]

Southern California is a tough place to find public lakes that aren't overly pressured.  Millions of residents living in a desert without much water isn't a great combination for what you are looking for.

 

The public lakes in Orange County where you can fish for bass from the shore will be overcrowded and difficult.  One potential private spot would be Oso Reservoir in north Mission Viejo (it is the lake that feeds Lake Mission Viejo).  If you son is of the right age and is a Boy Scout (or wants to join), I believe that will give the both of you access to that lake.  There is decent shore access, especially on the dam and they may even have a couple of boats for you to use.

 

Other than that, you may want to find out if any friends or acquaintances of your son live on any of the residential lakes in the area (those small lakes completely surrounded by homes).  You could get access and fish from the greenbelt areas without worrying about being chased away.  Also in those lakes, fishing from a small pedal boat works, so if they had one and would let you use it, that would be a plus.

[Hammer 4]

^^^^^ This..All of orange county, and L.A. park lakes/ponds are heavily pressured. Many have some good sized bass in them, however, unless you have the know how, it will be a tough day of fishing. If your in O.C..You have about 6 or 7 local park lakes near you. I would suggest reading all you can re: bass fishing on here, then go out and apply what you have learned. You will get skunked a bunch, but when you do hook into a nice fish, it's all worth it. BTW, weekends are the worst time to go..One last thing, get good at fishing plastics, worms. creature baits, craws , ect.. 

[WRB]

12 hours ago, skekoam said:

Hey guys, my son and I are fairly new to LMB fishing and I'm looking to explore some lakes within an hr or so that aren't overly pressured.  We have been to Irvine Lake once and I had two nice ones on, but they spit out my Fat Ika on both occasions.  Feel free to pm me if that works better.

 

Oh, and we don't have access to a boat so we are shore only.

 

Thanks!!

What are you using for tackle, rod/reel/line.

Having bass jump off using single hook lures like an Ika insicates spinning tackle or under piwered/action rod to get a good hook set.

The only public lake with decent shore access and low fishing pressure may be Castias and it's been a tough bite this year.

Tom

[JustJames]

Try Yorba Linda regional park? You pay to park but it is a good size lake and if you get there early should be some room. Pudding stone lake, north of 57, there is guy alway catch bass in the evening and after hour. For OC pond and lake the best technique for me is dropshot 4-6” worm or split shot again 4-6” worm drag slowly across the bottom. As Tom said it is pretty tough bite right now even in here, but hang around and I’ll hook you up in Canyon Lake next spring.

[Stephen B]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

What are you using for tackle, rod/reel/line.

Having bass jump off using single hook lures like an Ika insicates spinning tackle or under piwered/action rod to get a good hook set.

The only public lake with decent shore access and low fishing pressure may be Castias and it's been a tough bite this year.

Tom

While that could be the case of not having the proper rod we don't have enough info yet to determine that. There are many other factors that could result in the lost fish which could include many other factors: 1) Lack of a solid hookset, 2) Not keeping good tension thus allowing slack, 3) Could be the hook is undersized or bent off. Even possible the bait is improperly rigged, 4) Always check to make sure your hooks are sharp as you could have a rolled hook point causing a lack of penetration, 5) Unfortunately, sometimes things just happen and they throw the hook even though you are doing everything right. It happens to everyone unfortunately. There will always be some % of fish that get away. 

[WRB]

47 minutes ago, Stephen B said:

While that could be the case of not having the proper rod we don't have enough info yet to determine that. There are many other factors that could result in the lost fish which could include many other factors: 1) Lack of a solid hookset, 2) Not keeping good tension thus allowing slack, 3) Could be the hook is undersized or bent off. Even possible the bait is improperly rigged, 4) Always check to make sure your hooks are sharp as you could have a rolled hook point causing a lack of penetration, 5) Unfortunately, sometimes things just happen and they throw the hook even though you are doing everything right. It happens to everyone unfortunately. There will always be some % of fish that get away. 

Let the OP answer my simple question, there is a reason for asking it.

Tom

[Stephen B]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

Let the OP answer my simple question, there is a reason for asking it.

Tom

Just pointing out you aren't considering many factors. Plus I addressed that in my response. Thanks! 

[skekoam]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

What are you using for tackle, rod/reel/line.

Having bass jump off using single hook lures like an Ika insicates spinning tackle or under piwered/action rod to get a good hook set.

The only public lake with decent shore access and low fishing pressure may be Castias and it's been a tough bite this year.

Tom

To answer your questions:

 

I've mainly been using a Senko with size 3 or 4 offset hook.  As mentioned, I really like throwing the Fat Ika as well, but have only caught one LMB on it.  I also have a chatter bait lure and billed lure that looks like a bluegill, but have never even got a bite on these.   I currently use a Shimano SLX DC with a gear ratio of 6.2:1 I believe.  This is my first baitcaster.  I have the casting down, but not sure I'm doing much else correctly.  Rod is a Phenix 7ft med-heavy.   Line is just regular 8lb test.

 

I went to a local golf course lake a few nights ago and lost two on the Senko.  I think my problem is that I'm not setting the hook correctly.  Also, I've been trying to hand my pole to my son to reel in when I have a fish.  In a split second, the fish jumps and spits the hook.

 

I appreciate all the info thus far.

16 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

^^^^^ This..All of orange county, and L.A. park lakes/ponds are heavily pressured. Many have some good sized bass in them, however, unless you have the know how, it will be a tough day of fishing. If your in O.C..You have about 6 or 7 local park lakes near you. I would suggest reading all you can re: bass fishing on here, then go out and apply what you have learned. You will get skunked a bunch, but when you do hook into a nice fish, it's all worth it. BTW, weekends are the worst time to go..One last thing, get good at fishing plastics, worms. creature baits, craws , ect.. 

So far, I've tried the following lakes:

 

Laguna Lake-  So far we caught 4 here all in the 1-2 lb range.

Ralph B Clark Park- 1 Dink

Yorba Regional-  1 Dink

Irvine Lake- 1 Dink, but had two much larger that spit the hook

 

A few weeks ago, my son go this one on a golf course.  I need to buy a scale, but I'd say it was about 4-5 lbs.

 

 

[WRB]

Finesse bass fishing started in SoCal not because it's more sporting to use light tackle it can be mandatory at times.

Your baitcasting tackle isn't an issue for standard lure presentations. Your 8 lb line could be an issue snagging and losing lures from shore and getting solid hook sets using standard wire 3/0 & 4/0 off set hooks with large diameter soft plastics rigged weedless. 8 lb is OK using lighter wire hooks or wacky rigged. I suggest 10 to 12 lb main line for this reason fishing from shore using baitcasting tackle. 

Using your 8 lb line with your baitcasting tackle try the slip shot / finesse C rig. You need 3/16 to 3/8 oz mojo jo tubular weight, I use black Top Brass ProJo. Carolina Keeper for the weight stopper  or pegged 8 mm glass bead. Size 2/0 Owner #5133 Down shot hook ( light wire off set ) 6" Roboworms straight fat and curl tails in oxblood red flake and MM111. Hook to weight stopper about 24". Fan cast this rig around any point areas with deeper water access.

 This is a finesse presentation that works year around by simply dragging the weigh slowly not unlike you fish your Ika.

Using spinning tackle with 6 lb you use 1/8 oz weight, size 1/0 same Roboworms 4 1/2” to 6”.

Tom 

PS, nice night bass. Length X Length X Girth divided by 1200 = weight in lbs.  measure bass mouth closed to center of tail. Cut pieced of line to measure later if no tape measure.

 

 

[Hammer 4]

^^^^ This, Tom is very knowledgeable, what he says works. I would just add this to what he offered. When things are really tough, I use a spinning rig with 6 or 8 lb fluro, you can use mono. Tie on a #1 dropshot hook, add a 1/16 oz split shot weight about 18" to 2' behind the hook, then rig with a 4" Roboworm in hologram shad. Cast it out, don't try and bomb it out there, let it hit bottom, the slowly reel with a steady cadence. I prefer to nose hook the worm, and yes it will get caught up sometimes. If there's a bunch cover go to a straight shank hook, and Texas rig it.

 

BTW, don't get caught fishing at any of the golf courses..they frown on that.

[skekoam]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Finesse bass fishing started in SoCal not because it's more sporting to use light tackle it can be mandatory at times.

Your baitcasting tackle isn't an issue for standard lure presentations. Your 8 lb line could be an issue snagging and losing lures from shore and getting solid hook sets using standard wire 3/0 & 4/0 off set hooks with large diameter soft plastics rigged weedless. 8 lb is OK using lighter wire hooks or wacky rigged. I suggest 10 to 12 lb main line for this reason fishing from shore using baitcasting tackle. 

Using your 8 lb line with your baitcasting tackle try the slip shot / finesse C rig. You need 3/16 to 3/8 oz mojo jo tubular weight, I use black Top Brass ProJo. Carolina Keeper for the weight stopper  or pegged 8 mm glass bead. Size 2/0 Owner #5133 Down shot hook ( light wire off set ) 6" Roboworms straight fat and curl tails in oxblood red flake and MM111. Hook to weight stopper about 24". Fan cast this rig around any point areas with deeper water access.

 This is a finesse presentation that works year around by simply dragging the weigh slowly not unlike you fish your Ika.

Using spinning tackle with 6 lb you use 1/8 oz weight, size 1/0 same Roboworms 4 1/2” to 6”.

Tom 

PS, nice night bass. Length X Length X Girth divided by 1200 = weight in lbs.  measure bass mouth closed to center of tail. Cut pieced of line to measure later if no tape measure.

 

 

Thanks Tom.  I'm going to the local tackle store tomorrow and grab those items.  One question though, how do you rig the robo worm?  Nose hook?   Also, why do some guys use a swivel to hold the weight up for Carolina rig and others use bobber stopper?

[WRB]

Turner Outdoorsman shops may carry the Owner 5133 hooks if not they should have Roboworms Rebarb hooks (Gamakatsu w/ shrink sleeve). The Carolina Keeper is a clear plastic short cylinder that opens when sqweezes to slide the line through. Faceted tempered glass beads may be under Don Iovino products Brass n Glass.

 You want the weight to slide freely on your line. Helps to detect strikes. The advantage of the slip shot rig is 1 knot for the hook, no swivel is needed.

Rig the worm weedless like a Texas skin hooked worm, shouldn't twist your line if rigged straight. Bobber stops are used to peg a weight, I prefer Peg-It that look like a rubber nail to peg a glass bead but usually use the Carolina Keeper for the weight stopper and bead between the weight and stopper for clicking sounds.

Both Roboworms and Iovino worms tend to float off the bottom with the light wire hooks.

Tom 

PS, if you can't find mojo style cylinder weights substitute a bullet weight, works OK. Any finesse floating worm will work in whatever colors you like.

[Hammer 4]

If your near The Long Fin tackle store, give them a try. Good guys and they carry a TON of stuff.

[JustJames]

There are tuners and long fin on Tustin from 91 and 55 FWY

[skekoam]

18 hours ago, WRB said:

Turner Outdoorsman shops may carry the Owner 5133 hooks if not they should have Roboworms Rebarb hooks (Gamakatsu w/ shrink sleeve). The Carolina Keeper is a clear plastic short cylinder that opens when sqweezes to slide the line through. Faceted tempered glass beads may be under Don Iovino products Brass n Glass.

 You want the weight to slide freely on your line. Helps to detect strikes. The advantage of the slip shot rig is 1 knot for the hook, no swivel is needed.

Rig the worm weedless like a Texas skin hooked worm, shouldn't twist your line if rigged straight. Bobber stops are used to peg a weight, I prefer Peg-It that look like a rubber nail to peg a glass bead but usually use the Carolina Keeper for the weight stopper and bead between the weight and stopper for clicking sounds.

Both Roboworms and Iovino worms tend to float off the bottom with the light wire hooks.

Tom 

PS, if you can't find mojo style cylinder weights substitute a bullet weight, works OK. Any finesse floating worm will work in whatever colors you like.

I'm going to try this set up at DVL next week.  I hope to get rent a boat, but will try it off the bank too if need be.  

[WRB]

29 minutes ago, skekoam said:

I'm going to try this set up at DVL next week.  I hope to get rent a boat, but will try it off the bank too if need be.  

Stop by Anglers Marine or Last Chance Tackle for up to date colors and depth is working at DVL. 

Good luck,

Tom

[skekoam]

On 10/11/2019 at 9:54 AM, WRB said:

Stop by Anglers Marine or Last Chance Tackle for up to date colors and depth is working at DVL. 

Good luck,

Tom

So my son and I went to DVL yesterday.  Hit the water about 11 am, which is much later than I would have liked.  It was such a different experience for me since it was out first time bass fishing off a boat.  Not only that, but the water there is really deep.  We started off in a cove and anchored about 15 yards from the shore.  My son was using a drop shot, which again was tough since he as using a baitcaster and I have no idea if he ever reached the bottom.  No luck for him.  I switched to a weighted senko and started casting towards shore.  I had one or thought I did until he jumped and shook the hook.  I'm not sure how many times I will lose fish until I get it through my head that I need to properly set the hook.  

 

Large lakes are really hard to navigate with no electronics and a small boat that is difficult to keep in one place.  The current was hard to deal with as well.

[WRB]

Welcome to SoCal deep rocky structure lakes. It's hard to comprehend how steep the shoreline banks are until you fish these lakes. DVL is unusually steep and deep because it was carved out to maximize water storage similar to a rock quarry lake that's 4 miles long with 3 dams. DVL has a few outside structure humps (underwater islands) straight out from the marina that always hold a few bass depending on the lake level.

Sorry to hear you had a tough time on the water. Current? you mean it was windy, a common occurrence in the afternoons on most of our lakes.

I am going to suggest you get a copy of Don Iovino's paperback book Finesse Bass Fishing and the Sonar Connection. The sonar chapters will not be immediately helpful but his finesse fishing tips are priceless. Add the drop shot rig and you will be ready to catch these deep structure lake bass.

Tom

[Hammer 4]

One area at DVL that is more user friendly for folks that rent boats would be the Horse Shoe Dam area. Water is really clear, to where you can see the bottom, which is rock, and does hold fish. Swim baits and glide baits work well there, and don't get hung up in the rocks. As Tom said, DVL is now super deep, and the bit can be tough. Best time to get out there is first thing in the morning. We usually get there around 5:30, no later than 6:00am due to the sometimes long lines. Also, since you mentioned wanting to take your Son on a guided trip, DVL has some great guides. Check with Last Chance tackle..

[Jonas Staggs]

it seems in socal, any of the good places to fish, are illegal, or private, the places that you can legally fish, usually suck unless fishing from a boat, even from a boat they can still suck, and the places are way over fished.

 

OP, you might find your best luck on that golf course, youll probably find better fishing hunting down more golf course ponds than you will looking to fish anywhere else. Dont bother with lake perris, it sucks, from shore and a boat.

 

 

 

[Jonas Staggs]

On 10/10/2019 at 6:39 AM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Try Yorba Linda regional park? You pay to park but it is a good size lake and if you get there early should be some room. Pudding stone lake, north of 57, there is guy alway catch bass in the evening and after hour. For OC pond and lake the best technique for me is dropshot 4-6” worm or split shot again 4-6” worm drag slowly across the bottom. As Tom said it is pretty tough bite right now even in here, but hang around and I’ll hook you up in Canyon Lake next spring.

can you add me to that guest list lol! 

[JustJames]

Sure why not? I only fish on wed and Thursday and in evening. Too bad now HOA want homeowners to stay with their guests so whenever you wanna fish let me know.

[Jonas Staggs]

12 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Sure why not? I only fish on wed and Thursday and in evening. Too bad now HOA want homeowners to stay with their guests so whenever you wanna fish let me know.

Im off during the week. we can fish weds and thurs! PM me dude.

[skekoam]

Hey guys, any updates on Perris and the Bernasconi side.  I'm trying to get out there next week with my son to beat some of the crowds.  I've heard the bite is pretty good there with most guys using a drop shot or a senko in the shallows.