01-09-2004, 12:17 PM
[cool][size 1]Hey, BMND, howdy and welcome to the west. I am sure you read some of the bassin' magazines and know that California has long been a prime state to chase big bucketmouths. Several southern Cal lakes have the Florida strain largies and they get big. There is litle doubt that the world record is swimming in any one of several ponds.[/size]
[size 1]The really good news is that there are also a lot of places to get a good workout on numbers of bass, and not just the occasional big one. California's waters are well managed and maintained and the bassers mostly practice C & R. Those who don't are usually not savvy enough to make a major dent in the population of the heavily fished California bass.[/size]
[size 1]Largemouths are king in Cal, but Lake Perris and others has good populations of spotted bass (record class). In the northern half of the state there are also quite a few lakes and rivers with some nice smallmouths.[/size]
[size 1]Much of the bassin' in California is in deep reservoirs. The fish come shallow in February and March, for the "spring fling"...which can last into May in some waters...depending on temps. The standard buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, shallow running cranks and jerkbaits all do well. After that, you have to look for deeper structure. Summertime sees a lot of Carolina rigs and drop shottin' in twenty feet of water or more. [/size]
[size 1]Fall can be wide open, as the fish chase shad (and planted trout) in shallower water. Some big fish are taken at this time of year. A lot of guys like to wear themselves out tossin' those big trout-imitating plugs and swimbaits. They work, and can hang a few of the big stripers that live in some of the lakes too. [/size]
[size 1]Wintertime fishing in the deep reservoirs of the state may find you spooning or making other vertical presentations in up to 60 feet of water. You need a good knowledge of the underwater topography, a good sonar and a good touch with the rod to feel light bites. But, if you can find a school over an underwater hump you can take several fish out of one spot the size of your boat.[/size]
[size 1]That's pretty generalized. Of course each water has its own little quirks, and you can fish each one for a lifetime and never know all there is to know about it.[/size]
[size 1]The one thing about California bassin' that can't be said for your part of the country, is that you can find and catch bass all year...without needing an ice auger.[/size]
[size 1]Stay cool.[/size]
[signature]
[size 1]The really good news is that there are also a lot of places to get a good workout on numbers of bass, and not just the occasional big one. California's waters are well managed and maintained and the bassers mostly practice C & R. Those who don't are usually not savvy enough to make a major dent in the population of the heavily fished California bass.[/size]
[size 1]Largemouths are king in Cal, but Lake Perris and others has good populations of spotted bass (record class). In the northern half of the state there are also quite a few lakes and rivers with some nice smallmouths.[/size]
[size 1]Much of the bassin' in California is in deep reservoirs. The fish come shallow in February and March, for the "spring fling"...which can last into May in some waters...depending on temps. The standard buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, shallow running cranks and jerkbaits all do well. After that, you have to look for deeper structure. Summertime sees a lot of Carolina rigs and drop shottin' in twenty feet of water or more. [/size]
[size 1]Fall can be wide open, as the fish chase shad (and planted trout) in shallower water. Some big fish are taken at this time of year. A lot of guys like to wear themselves out tossin' those big trout-imitating plugs and swimbaits. They work, and can hang a few of the big stripers that live in some of the lakes too. [/size]
[size 1]Wintertime fishing in the deep reservoirs of the state may find you spooning or making other vertical presentations in up to 60 feet of water. You need a good knowledge of the underwater topography, a good sonar and a good touch with the rod to feel light bites. But, if you can find a school over an underwater hump you can take several fish out of one spot the size of your boat.[/size]
[size 1]That's pretty generalized. Of course each water has its own little quirks, and you can fish each one for a lifetime and never know all there is to know about it.[/size]
[size 1]The one thing about California bassin' that can't be said for your part of the country, is that you can find and catch bass all year...without needing an ice auger.[/size]
[size 1]Stay cool.[/size]
[signature]