Hi all, I'm new to fishing (less than a year of experience) but have been fishing every chance I get in the northern CA delta. I'm moving down to SoCal (Inland Empire area) for work soon, and will be missing the plentiful bank fishing spots in the delta. I'm looking for suggestions on lakes/reservoirs/creeks to fish at (willing to drive 1-2 hours away on the weekend), I have only bank fished but I'm looking to invest in a kayak set-up soon. Also, any suggestions on lures/techniques would be greatly appreciated. I've had great luck on Texas rigged zoom trick worms/crawfish, soft plastic swimbait, and jerkbait in the CA delta. I've heard that lakes down in SoCal area heavily pressured, so if I need a kayak to try and get away from the crowd I will. Thanks in advance for all the help! 😁

The Inland Empire includes Riverside county and 1/2 of San Bernardino county a very large area with only a few bass lakes.

Diamond Valley is the largest with shore access and rental boats. Excellent bass fishing. Skinner lake gets lots of recreational use but decent bass fishing.

Perris lake is decent with shore fishing access.

Not knowing what city you are near makes it difficult to recommend the North San Diego lakes being within your driving range.

SoCal lakes are pressured and finesse is the key to success. Swimbaits work at times as most other Delta presentations.

Tom

PS, Last Chance Tackle in Hemet near DVL is a good source of local bass fishing.

 

8 hours ago, WRB said:

The Inland Empire includes Riverside county and 1/2 of San Bernardino county a very large area with only a few bass lakes.

Diamond Valley is the largest with shore access and rental boats. Excellent bass fishing. Skinner lake gets lots of recreational use but decent bass fishing.

Perris lake is decent with shore fishing access.

Not knowing what city you are near makes it difficult to recommend the North San Diego lakes being within your driving range.

SoCal lakes are pressured and finesse is the key to success. Swimbaits work at times as most other Delta presentations.

Tom

PS, Last Chance Tackle in Hemet near DVL is a good source of local bass fishing.

 

@WRB Thank you for the suggestions.

I will be living in Claremont, I see it's near Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas, not sure if that's a good spot but it's within a 15 minute drive. I think Lake Castaic is within a 1.5 hour drive, which is doable, as I mostly drive 30 minutes at least to get to my spots in the Delta. I mostly use Zoom finesse worms (T-rigged), and jerkbait up here.

Would a kayak be sufficient to get away from the bank anglers? I'd like to make the most out of my trips if I'm driving a long distance to get to the spots. Thanks!

Puddingstone is your your bet as it is close to you.

Silverwood is within your driving range, DVL maybe closer than Castiac/ lagoon*.
Irvine lake may also be a choice but pay to play lake.

The San Bernardino mountain lake Big Bear is near your diving limit bass fishing picks around end of May early June.

Tom

* ideal for kayaks, electric only.

10 hours ago, WRB said:

Puddingstone is your your bet as it is close to you.

Silverwood is within your driving range, DVL maybe closer than Castiac/ lagoon*.
Irvine lake may also be a choice but pay to play lake.

The San Bernardino mountain lake Big Bear is near your diving limit bass fishing picks around end of May early June.

Tom

* ideal for kayaks, electric only.

Do you think having a kayak with trolling motor and fish finder setup would increase my odds exponentially? I've only had experience bank fishing, but if I'm spending the whole weekend fishing a lake that's a long drive away, I'd prefer to not be elbow-to-elbow with other fishermen. Thanks for your suggestions. 

Any boat including rentals are a big help fishing our SoCal reservoirs.

You will need a medium power fast action spinning outfit for finesse presentations like Slip Shot, Drop shot, weightless Senko’s and small swimbaits-jigs.

Tom

If Castaic is within your drive. You might want to check out Pyramid lake. Not that far up the freeway from Castaic.