AnglerBob
04-07-2009, 11:21 AM
With the warming temperatures, I figured it might be a good idea to check out the bass action at PIru. I also wanted to break in a new toy, an Endura 40 trolling motor I found imbedded in the mud at Castaic a couple of years ago. I finally got around to purchasing a battery for it and after some clean-up and minor repairs it works great!
Got to the lake around 8:00 am to be greeted by a stand of deer near the park services residence outside. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0810.jpg
Once inside, I paid and secured a rental boat at the newly re-opened snack bar. This is an all-new rental fleet: nice, clean boats with perfectly working outboards. I pimped it out with my accessories (see photo) and headed across to Diablo Cove, where the guys said the action was. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0821.jpg
Started fishing down the South wall of the cove for no luck drop-shotting a Roboworm (purple with yellow tip), so I worked my way back out on the North side and switched to the brown w/ green stripe worm, 6” length. Then the fun began. Picked up two nice bass near the shoreline, near submerged dead trees. However, the wind began picking up something fierce, and it became nearly impossible to work the shoreline with the Endura—too difficult to cast and maneuver the boat to stay in position. It also started to get very warm and I was roasting like a duck in a Chinatown deli window, so I headed back to the snack bar to get the sunblock I forgot. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0812.jpg
Back out on the lake, the wind was worse than ever, so I headed into the longer cove near the dam and tried to find calm spots. There really weren’t any. I ended up working the cove by tying up to the sticks and casting parallel to shore. This proved to be well worth doing, as the bass bite was picking up nicely. I’d catch a fish or two, motor to the next spot, tie up there and repeat the process. In some places, I was able to get out of the boat and walk the shoreline for better access, catching a fish there (oddly, you never see Hank Parker do that). http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0813.jpg
As the afternoon wore on, the wind died again—but I continued to have better luck still-fishing an area than drifting it with the trolling motor. The bite also died down again around 2 pm, but I’d already caught ten bass from 1-2.5 lbs (one dink) and two trout on a fly-lined nightcrawler. Most of the bass were on the Roboworms (two hit the flylined NC) and all came from between 4’-10’ water depth. Water temp was a suprisingly cool 60-61F and I don’t think these fish are on beds yet. Water is stained with 1-3’ visibility. All fish were released. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0816.jpg
None of these fish was large, but this was the best fishing I’ve ever had at Piru, and the most bass I’ve ever caught in a day. Although not known for trophy bass, Piru does have some nice-sized crappie. I often pick up one or two while fishing for something else (not today), but have never really encountered a nest of them. Back at the ramp, there’d been a trout plant and guys on shore were whacking the stockers with the usual assortment of power baits and lures.
As an aside, I have to say the new lake concession is doing a fabulous job. Staff was extraordinarily friendly and helpful, and the place looks great. This would be an ideal place to bring the family and camp over Spring break, when the fishing is prime, the area lush and green and the weather comparatively mild, before the summer crowds take over and the “Fire Danger Today” sign changes from “Moderate” to “Already On Fire.”
The one downside: lake level is still very low. The big basin near the campground is bone dry (see photo). What can you do—spank the bass, and pray for rain.http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0823.jpg
Got to the lake around 8:00 am to be greeted by a stand of deer near the park services residence outside. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0810.jpg
Once inside, I paid and secured a rental boat at the newly re-opened snack bar. This is an all-new rental fleet: nice, clean boats with perfectly working outboards. I pimped it out with my accessories (see photo) and headed across to Diablo Cove, where the guys said the action was. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0821.jpg
Started fishing down the South wall of the cove for no luck drop-shotting a Roboworm (purple with yellow tip), so I worked my way back out on the North side and switched to the brown w/ green stripe worm, 6” length. Then the fun began. Picked up two nice bass near the shoreline, near submerged dead trees. However, the wind began picking up something fierce, and it became nearly impossible to work the shoreline with the Endura—too difficult to cast and maneuver the boat to stay in position. It also started to get very warm and I was roasting like a duck in a Chinatown deli window, so I headed back to the snack bar to get the sunblock I forgot. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0812.jpg
Back out on the lake, the wind was worse than ever, so I headed into the longer cove near the dam and tried to find calm spots. There really weren’t any. I ended up working the cove by tying up to the sticks and casting parallel to shore. This proved to be well worth doing, as the bass bite was picking up nicely. I’d catch a fish or two, motor to the next spot, tie up there and repeat the process. In some places, I was able to get out of the boat and walk the shoreline for better access, catching a fish there (oddly, you never see Hank Parker do that). http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0813.jpg
As the afternoon wore on, the wind died again—but I continued to have better luck still-fishing an area than drifting it with the trolling motor. The bite also died down again around 2 pm, but I’d already caught ten bass from 1-2.5 lbs (one dink) and two trout on a fly-lined nightcrawler. Most of the bass were on the Roboworms (two hit the flylined NC) and all came from between 4’-10’ water depth. Water temp was a suprisingly cool 60-61F and I don’t think these fish are on beds yet. Water is stained with 1-3’ visibility. All fish were released. http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0816.jpg
None of these fish was large, but this was the best fishing I’ve ever had at Piru, and the most bass I’ve ever caught in a day. Although not known for trophy bass, Piru does have some nice-sized crappie. I often pick up one or two while fishing for something else (not today), but have never really encountered a nest of them. Back at the ramp, there’d been a trout plant and guys on shore were whacking the stockers with the usual assortment of power baits and lures.
As an aside, I have to say the new lake concession is doing a fabulous job. Staff was extraordinarily friendly and helpful, and the place looks great. This would be an ideal place to bring the family and camp over Spring break, when the fishing is prime, the area lush and green and the weather comparatively mild, before the summer crowds take over and the “Fire Danger Today” sign changes from “Moderate” to “Already On Fire.”
The one downside: lake level is still very low. The big basin near the campground is bone dry (see photo). What can you do—spank the bass, and pray for rain.http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/IMG_0823.jpg