Jeremy Wade Jr
09-01-2011, 12:47 AM
After reading about this lake not that long ago, and having military access, I decide to give it a shot, I always thought it was Lake Mathews that was restricted to the public, I never knew about this place until now.
Yesterday being my birthday and all, I figure the fishing gods would bless me, so I get there extra early, but was informed by the gate guard that I would not be able to fish there until 7am and that I also would have to obtain a daily fishing permit from the MP office. I tough it out for an hour or so and wait for the MP to arrive to obtain my fishing permit.. luckily I was first in line with a huge crowd behind me.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/morning.jpg
As soon as I got my permit, I hit the lake! I was the only one there so I figure today was my day, I start looking for my first honey hole, and immediately notice the heavy moss (bummer) but see all sorts of baby red ear every where.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/rules.jpg
I come across this sign and see the C&R only regulation for bass, needless to say, I'm all about C&R, so my immediate thought is :Thumbs Up: C&R = bigger fish, right?
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/bass.jpg
Well not really.. I get several strikes on a purple worm before I pop this little guy's fishing cherry, there were lots of these little guys around, I only saw one decent sized bass that I scared away immediately after I tried casting to it.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/weeds.jpg
I pack up my gear and take one rod only, I begin scavenging for that honey hole. Being summer and all, the moss is just too much it seems, the climate is definitely HOT HOT HOT.. being only morning and all. I'm glad I stocked up on gatorade. :Food: :Big Smile:
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/norcoclub.jpg
I eventually make my way to the Norconian Club Pavillion.. more heavy weeds and lilly pads.. snap, must carry on.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/bridge.jpg
I make my way around the entire lake before I come across this little gem, looks like a place for a mean cat fish, no cat fish bait though.. no fish either.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/redear.jpg
I eventually make it back to my car and decide to take a stab at some redear, I saw a sweet little honey hole spot and decide to test the waters. Landed this little fella on a trout magnet on my first cast in less than 5 seconds. Easy pickings. :Envious:
Overall I found the lake to be quite beautiful, but was out of there in just a few hours. Temperatures were already at an all time high as were the weeds. I didn't catch or see the bass that I was expecting, but still had a nice time fishing, plus it was free for me and only a 25 mile drive from where I live (third farthest lake, after Puddingstone and Santa Fe Dam)
I figure once November comes and the weeds start to die off, i'll give it another go.
Next stop: Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, in search of that legal flattie. :Secret:
Yesterday being my birthday and all, I figure the fishing gods would bless me, so I get there extra early, but was informed by the gate guard that I would not be able to fish there until 7am and that I also would have to obtain a daily fishing permit from the MP office. I tough it out for an hour or so and wait for the MP to arrive to obtain my fishing permit.. luckily I was first in line with a huge crowd behind me.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/morning.jpg
As soon as I got my permit, I hit the lake! I was the only one there so I figure today was my day, I start looking for my first honey hole, and immediately notice the heavy moss (bummer) but see all sorts of baby red ear every where.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/rules.jpg
I come across this sign and see the C&R only regulation for bass, needless to say, I'm all about C&R, so my immediate thought is :Thumbs Up: C&R = bigger fish, right?
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/bass.jpg
Well not really.. I get several strikes on a purple worm before I pop this little guy's fishing cherry, there were lots of these little guys around, I only saw one decent sized bass that I scared away immediately after I tried casting to it.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/weeds.jpg
I pack up my gear and take one rod only, I begin scavenging for that honey hole. Being summer and all, the moss is just too much it seems, the climate is definitely HOT HOT HOT.. being only morning and all. I'm glad I stocked up on gatorade. :Food: :Big Smile:
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/norcoclub.jpg
I eventually make my way to the Norconian Club Pavillion.. more heavy weeds and lilly pads.. snap, must carry on.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/bridge.jpg
I make my way around the entire lake before I come across this little gem, looks like a place for a mean cat fish, no cat fish bait though.. no fish either.
http://www.sublogic.net/fishing/norconian/redear.jpg
I eventually make it back to my car and decide to take a stab at some redear, I saw a sweet little honey hole spot and decide to test the waters. Landed this little fella on a trout magnet on my first cast in less than 5 seconds. Easy pickings. :Envious:
Overall I found the lake to be quite beautiful, but was out of there in just a few hours. Temperatures were already at an all time high as were the weeds. I didn't catch or see the bass that I was expecting, but still had a nice time fishing, plus it was free for me and only a 25 mile drive from where I live (third farthest lake, after Puddingstone and Santa Fe Dam)
I figure once November comes and the weeds start to die off, i'll give it another go.
Next stop: Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, in search of that legal flattie. :Secret: