AnglerBob
12-19-2009, 12:18 AM
Anglers on Irvine’s fabled West Shore Thursday were treated to a fisherman’s remix of this maudlin musical—but while the “Jets” flew overhead en route to John Wayne airport, it was the “Sharks” below that got our attention.
Arriving at the lake around 7:15 am, I decided to drive to the old picnic site and hike down to the West shore for a 1/2 day of bait fishing. From the old abandoned house, it’s an easy walk down (less easy coming back up).
I chose a mud-covered rock outcropping improbably carved with graffiti. I had to admire the amount of chiseling work that went into this, like Roman engraving. I considered adding my own tag, “ANGLER BOB WAS SKVNKED HERE,” but as it turns out I would not have so much free time.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-12.jpg
Cold sunrise at Irvine
I tossed out two lines, one with a nightcrawler/PB combo and one with the light green garlic PB the tackle shop guy had recommended. At first, no action—but the guys on the muddy beach to my left were killin’ them, as were the guys on the point to my right. Observing the stained water, I shortened the leaders and applied generous Berkley “corn” scent. That did the trick, as the first fish came within minutes.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-16.jpg
First fish arrives
After that, it was a strike every half hour. I missed a lot of fish and lost many trying to land them on the slippery rocks. I finally had better luck with leading them over to the nearby beach.
Around 10am as the sun beat down on the water, the bite slowed considerably, but there was still occasional action. I put on a larger sinker for increased casting distance and it seemed to help. The bites grew more tentative and there were several instances of bait theft. Around 11:00am, I reeled in a slightly larger model of 1.5 lbs or so.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-14.jpg
Biggest fish of the day, but an unlikely jackpot contender
Early in the day the PB was the hot ticket; later, the inflated NC/PB combo took most of the glory. This is often the killer bait at the Vine, perhaps because it imitates something the fish see in nature so often: a giant pumped-up worm, suspended in mid-water, apparently giving birth to a flourescent green gum wad, soaked in yellow slime.
Ended the day at 1:30 with four landed, several more lost, lots of fun. My results seemed typical as most guys around me were succeeding with many limits. All fish caught and observed were under two pounds today, with the bigger units nowhere to be found. Boaters did not seem to be doing as well today and few were trolling. I’d expect the troll bite to pick back up as the post-storm water continues to clear. Air temp was very cold (40F) in the morning, warming to a beautiful and balmy 75 or so by midday. Winds were unusually light the entire day.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-13.jpg
Trout-filled lake with snow-capped San Gabriels in the background
Quick tip for anyone heading out: along most of the Southern West shore, there’s a dirt road which is open to vehicle traffic during low-water periods, now underwater. It makes an appealing shelf for trout if you can find it—I attempted with my Hummindbird Smartcast but couldn’t get it to work.
Also, would recommend anyone purchasing worms at the bait shop check them out before proceeding. I had to drive back upon discovering mine were deceased, and not that recently, it would seem. A minor annoyance, but the same thing happened last trip also. They really need one of those Worm Checker devices.
Arriving at the lake around 7:15 am, I decided to drive to the old picnic site and hike down to the West shore for a 1/2 day of bait fishing. From the old abandoned house, it’s an easy walk down (less easy coming back up).
I chose a mud-covered rock outcropping improbably carved with graffiti. I had to admire the amount of chiseling work that went into this, like Roman engraving. I considered adding my own tag, “ANGLER BOB WAS SKVNKED HERE,” but as it turns out I would not have so much free time.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-12.jpg
Cold sunrise at Irvine
I tossed out two lines, one with a nightcrawler/PB combo and one with the light green garlic PB the tackle shop guy had recommended. At first, no action—but the guys on the muddy beach to my left were killin’ them, as were the guys on the point to my right. Observing the stained water, I shortened the leaders and applied generous Berkley “corn” scent. That did the trick, as the first fish came within minutes.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-16.jpg
First fish arrives
After that, it was a strike every half hour. I missed a lot of fish and lost many trying to land them on the slippery rocks. I finally had better luck with leading them over to the nearby beach.
Around 10am as the sun beat down on the water, the bite slowed considerably, but there was still occasional action. I put on a larger sinker for increased casting distance and it seemed to help. The bites grew more tentative and there were several instances of bait theft. Around 11:00am, I reeled in a slightly larger model of 1.5 lbs or so.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-14.jpg
Biggest fish of the day, but an unlikely jackpot contender
Early in the day the PB was the hot ticket; later, the inflated NC/PB combo took most of the glory. This is often the killer bait at the Vine, perhaps because it imitates something the fish see in nature so often: a giant pumped-up worm, suspended in mid-water, apparently giving birth to a flourescent green gum wad, soaked in yellow slime.
Ended the day at 1:30 with four landed, several more lost, lots of fun. My results seemed typical as most guys around me were succeeding with many limits. All fish caught and observed were under two pounds today, with the bigger units nowhere to be found. Boaters did not seem to be doing as well today and few were trolling. I’d expect the troll bite to pick back up as the post-storm water continues to clear. Air temp was very cold (40F) in the morning, warming to a beautiful and balmy 75 or so by midday. Winds were unusually light the entire day.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/AnglerBob/LastImport-13.jpg
Trout-filled lake with snow-capped San Gabriels in the background
Quick tip for anyone heading out: along most of the Southern West shore, there’s a dirt road which is open to vehicle traffic during low-water periods, now underwater. It makes an appealing shelf for trout if you can find it—I attempted with my Hummindbird Smartcast but couldn’t get it to work.
Also, would recommend anyone purchasing worms at the bait shop check them out before proceeding. I had to drive back upon discovering mine were deceased, and not that recently, it would seem. A minor annoyance, but the same thing happened last trip also. They really need one of those Worm Checker devices.