Castaic Black Bass Trifecta 4-15-12

[Tomfish]

My wife and I took the Cajun Special out to the upper lake Sunday for a couple hours of CPR fishing. Winds were light (!) and air temps in the 50's-60's. Figured after the rain the fish would appreciate a finesse approach. That lead to what I hope is my first Castaic Trifecta, with 2 largies, 1 smallie, and what I think is 1 spotted bass (that almost had me fooled till I checked it's dorsal and jaw length).

Spotted bass?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/6938234140_9c4e0b327d.jpg

2 Largemouth
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/6938226132_2fba356d1f.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/6938221526_66a6230f81.jpg

1 Smallmouth
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7275/7084305215_410e9c8c16.jpg

The only part that sucked was being mugged at the ramp by other people pushing their way onto trailers. Because my boat is older than dirt I have to "run out" the motor so fuel doesn't gum up the aging carbs. It only takes 2 minutes but I think it pissed off one other boater who tried to shoo me off the ramp. C'mon bruh, a little patience.

Next time I'll hit the Lagoon so I don't have to cover so much water.

[white belt]

Cool report and pics. Didnt know even know there were smallies in there. are they in the lagoon too?

[ityperx]

When you said Trifecta, I thought you meant the striped ones. Never knew they had spotted bass there...

[Tomfish]

I don't think there's any smallies in the Lagoon- too shallow and weedy. The upper lake is deeper and rockier, which is good for the brownbacks.

[calcutta and butts]

never knew there were smallies or spotted bass in there

[dixoncider]

I run mine out of fuel also.. Dont worry about it..you paid just the same...

[DarkShadow]

Nice fish!

Although, that's not a spotted bass. Easiest way to check is to check for 'teeth' on their tongue. That, and the distinctive forked tail. The one you have is just a regular ole largemouth.

Here's a spot from Lake Nacimiento just for reference:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4048/spotx.jpg

[Btbdodgers]

def not a spot

[Santa Fe Eric]

Awesome Post and Pictures. Beautiful fish!
Did you say, "your wife". Man you look young. Nice to find the person you want to be with so young. It took me till I was 30 to find somebody to put up with me.
Congrats on the fishing and ignore the rude people at the launch ramp. At first launch there they had us so nervous I almost drove the boat sideways off the trailer. So I understand.

Peace
SFE

[Tomfish]

The tongue spot is one of the ways to check, but the jaw not extending past the eye and connected dorsal are more consistent tells. This fish had all three, which is the only reason I would even consider that it might not be a plain ole largemouth. Plus I used to catch hella spotted bass up in Orygone. Just surprised me that they would be in Castaic.

Thanks for the reference pic, I could be wrong about the species, but all the evidence points to spot. Will be back out this week for some easier pickins on the Lagoon.

[TopwaterTony]

Yeah ... looks like a split dorsal to me from the pic so I'd say not a spot. Nice catches either way.