I live in Southern California, and started bass fishing mid summer. I'm fairly confident in rigging baits and how to use them, and so far I've caught about 7 bass total. I frequent local ponds near me to practice, and try new things. I occasionally hit up the lakes(haven't checked them all out yet) if my weekends are free, but man I'm just getting skunked most of the time when I'm out. 

 

I'm trying all kinds of patterns and retrieves, and talked to friends and family members who also fish and say our waters are highly pressured, but are they? Sometimes I'm fishing for 2hrs and other anglers that show up just catch like no other, and I'm over here thinking what am I doing wrong? I do enjoy being out in the early mornings, and early evenings, but I want that hookset, and buzz of having a fish on the other side of the line but it's just not clicking for me.  Is my expectations too high, is it really that tough down here, lack of experience or all three? 

 

I'm still new to fishing but it just frustrating, and I guess I'm learning that, that's fishing in general. Also my whole social media feed is nothing but fishing and its distorted my expectations 😆. Anyway feel free to give me some advice, and thanks for listening to my TED talk.

I've heard that California bass are extremely finicky because of the fishing pressure. Never fished there personally, but I've heard it enough times there has to be some truth to it.

 

You might try posting some questions on the local forums and see if you can get some first hand experience on the bodies of water you're fishing, maybe someone would even be willing to meet up and show you what they're doing to catch where you're at.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/17-western-bass-fishing/

 

Keep truckin....bass fishing is a life long teacher. 

Enjoy the ride!

Tight Lines 

Get off the bottom.  Fish baits that move…cranks, jerks, spinners, spinnerbaits, etc.  

Try posting your question in the western forum with specific lakes and what to use during a seasonal period can you with.
Broad brush question like feel free to give me advice doesn’t solve your problem,

Tom

1 hour ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Try posting your question in the western forum with specific lakes and what to use during a seasonal period can you with.
Broad brush question like feel free to give me advice doesn’t solve your problem,

Tom

I'm just venting out my frustrations and experiences so far. It's tough to find motivation when I'm not getting any bites. I will definitely ask questions in the western forum. 

It’s bass fishing! And going into the toughest time of year,,,winter
Whats your favorite technique? The one you have the most confidence in; wacky, dropshot, spinnerblades, crankbaits, jerkbaits or  t-rig?
What is the most appropriate technique for the conditions you’ve fishing? Find your confidence lure for the conditions and fish it with variations; depth, color and retrieve with confidence.

 

To prove to yourself there are fish,,,,use live bait. A live worm, minnow or shiner will still slay fish. You find them on live bait, switch to a similar method and area.

 

For sure, as mentioned talk with local fishermen, forums and clubs. As noted throughout this forum youtube and facebook are full of finally edited  “great successes” on the water, usually promoting a sponsor, lure or product. Don’t fall for the trap.

24 minutes ago, 2earlye said:

I'm just venting out my frustrations and experiences so far. It's tough to find motivation when I'm not getting any bites. I will definitely ask questions in the western forum. 

 It’s becoming or has become a much tougher sport fish for a variety of reasons. I would always, always have rigged up a horizontal presentation (spinnerbait, rattle trap etc) and a vertical presentation ( 7” plastic worm, jig & trailer) I’m not familiar with western waters but I’m well versed on highland reservoirs etc. Tom aka wrb can definitely lend a hand on your western lakes. You might look up Tactical Bassin on YouTube, they were California fishermen and still have a lot of older videos posted. (They live in Tennessee now however) Nonetheless, don't beat yourself up about it.. we’ve all been where you’re at. Make electronics your friend. 😉

Don’t believe the OP has a boat? He stated fishing a pond and few of around with decent bass fishing in SoCal.

Tom

I'm a SoCal local. I grew up fishing suburban park lakes in the greater Los Angeles area mostly as a kid. I've lived in Castaic since 1987 after moving here so I could fish after work for 8 months a year if I wanted to (plus weekends). 

 

The first question I have for you is: Are you shore bound? 

 

I know most urban park lakes do not allow boats, but if you get out to actual reservoirs, having a boat will give you access to the other 97% of the shoreline that you can't normally access on foot. Rule #1 in fishing is that in order to catch a fish, you have to fish where they live. That's not always easy to accomplish.

 

All of the techniques you are using will catch bass around here. Unfortunately, for the next four months, bass fishing will be tough most of that period (even though that's also one of the best chances you'll have to catch the biggest bass).

 

Then local park ponds tend to be shallow and have a fair amount of "stuff" growing in them during the summer months. The growth tends to die off during the winter making it easier to fish without raking in a slop salad. 

Born/ raised/ live in Southern California and yes the fishing pressure is insane! That being said, we still catch fish. The baits you mentioned in your title are proven to catch fish. My best advice is just time on the water. I know that sounds cliche, but the more you go, the more you will know. Winter can be tough for even experienced anglers. Do not get discouraged, just stay with it and you will catch. 

The rain we just had for over a week followed by cold days and nights will shut off any shallow or surface bite. SoCal bass live on schools Threadfin Shad and silversides, the cold water sends the baitfish 30-50’  deep in the reservoirs. Not knowing what ponds you fish the prey source varies widely but crawdads are a constant source. 
SoCal is the home of finesse bass fishing and the lures/presentations the OP listed are good. Colors can be crucial at times but as noted location is the key and depth is critical.

The rig I rely on when shore fishing is the slip shot rig or finesse C-rig. Use 6 lb mono line, mojo type cylinder weight 1/8-3/16, pegged glass faced bead about 36” above the #5133 size 2/0 hook. Worms and reapers that float like Roboworms curl tails work nearly everywhere. From shore make long fan casts to cover area and drag the weight along the bottom. The weight hitting the bottom structure provides all the movement to the soft plastic needed.

The marina areas at the local reservoirs hold some bass year around and the launch ramp edges get undercut from wave action as the lake changes pool levels.  Can’t go wrong with shad, crawdad and purple colors.
Tom