Big Bear Lake Spring Break And Fishing ...):}+{:(...

[The Fishing Queen]

After a few days of home improvement projects, I took my family for a 3 day vacation at Big Bear Lake. The timeshare condo that we stayed is just a few steps away from the lake, it had 2 bedrooms and 2 baths with a great lake view and some nice wood carvings outside of the living room widows.

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4/5, I wasn't feeling well the first day I arrived, I got a virus and just wanted to rest in bed and read or watch TV all day. The weather was beautiful and the lake was calm and peaceful. My heart was longing for fishing, but my body just wouldn't cooperate with my desire.

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4/6, catch of the day: 1 trout, 11 bullhead catfish

I woke up around 8am and I felt much better this morning. No time for breakfast or coffee, I grabbed my fishing gear and ran out the door to catch the morning bite. The resort is a private lake front property with great fishing in the past. I love its convenient setting and easy access to the lake.

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It was sunny and windy by the water. I brought my fly rod and two spinning rods with me on this trip. I was looking forward to try fly fishing for trout, but when I got to my regular fishing spot, I was surprised to see the water level was so low at the shore. A strong wind blew right into my face and it would be impossible to cast a fly. A few other people were also fishing along the shore. One man caught a bass with a worm. Another fisherman caught a trout with power bait. I set up two rods with 3' leaders, one with power bait, and the other with a night crawler to see which would produce the best catch (I injected air into the worm so it floated in the water to attract trout). Around 8:40 am, I saw that the rod with rainbow power bait get a hit. I picked up the rod, gently tightened the line until I felt the tug, then I raised up the rod tip and set the hook. I reeled it in and it was a rainbow trout.

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After my first catch, the fishing went slow. No one was catching anything until 10' o'clock. Then, all of sudden my rod with the night crawler went crazy - it got bites every 15-20 mins. What was wacky about it was that I was so busy catching and releasing the bullhead catfish at my spot, the other fishermen had no bites at all. I had no clue why. My only guess was that I cast 12'-15' further than them. But catfish find food by smell and we were all fishing with same kind of worms (all non-scented night crawlers). What a wacky morning!!!

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About 1pm, I had enough of the harsh wind and cat fishing. I had 11 bullhead catfish, but only 1 trout. I packed up everything and went downtown for some shopping with the family. I bought a nice picture at an art studio. It was nice to be back at Big Bear again.....

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After shopping, we had nice dinner at a country style restaurant. Kids loved chicken pot pie, Scott and I had tasty BBQ ribs.

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4/7, catch of the day: 4 trout + the one trout that got away

I got up around 5:30 am in the morning. Peeked out of my window and saw a light fog over the lake. I was careful in the kitchen, made myself some coffee and then I took my gear to go fishing. The temperature was cold by the lake. I heard fish jumping and splashing in water as I was setting up the rods.

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Since I didn't want to catch any catfish, I set up both rods with rainbow garlic power bait. About 6:30, I saw my right rod line go loose. As I was tightening up the line, I felt the fish. After a short time of fighting, I reeled in a good sized rainbow trout. It looked like a 3 pound fish under the light. I landed this feisty trout on the shore. It did a few flips and flaps on land, then with the last flip, it somehow got unhooked and headed back into the water. Boy Oh Boy, was it happy to be free. It took a second of blink of my eye and it was gone.

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More people came and joined me for fishing after 7 o'clock. A man at my right caught 2 bullhead catfish on the worms. Another man at the end caught a 2 pound rainbow trout with power bait. From 8-10:30 am, fishing went dead stop as sun raised up higher and the wind started blowing stronger. Nobody had any bites for a couple of hours. So I packed up and moved to another of my favorite fishing locations.

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There were 7 people out there by the shore. I talked to a few of them and asked about the fishing. So far, only two men each had caught 2 trout. They caught those fish before 10 o'clock and the fish stopped hitting in the last 40 mins.... I set up both my rods with power bait, one with garlic and the other with peach salmon egg. I cast out far as I could to the deep water. I had no bites for an hour. The wind slowly died down around noon and the fish started hitting on the power bait at my spot. I caught 4 rainbow trout within two hours. I left the lake with my catch before 2 pm. It was a fun day of fishing at the lake!

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The ending

Our family had nice mini vacation at Big Bear. Although I was the only one who fished on this trip. I only wish that my two children would join me for fishing. My kids have very tender hearts. They think that catching fish is hurting the fish (even with gentle release). They often tease me that because I catch so many fish that when I am old and die, they will throw my body in the lake to feed the fish as payback, ha, ha.... Well, I don't care! It's too far away for me to worry about the future anyway. But by now, I really enjoy what I do and I'm also sure that everyone in the family enjoyed my catch. Especially these two children - my beloved double trouble, who I call: Thing One and Thing Two....

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Words that I like to share

Family is at the center of life's meaning. Individuals linked together by a golden chain of love, family celebrates triumphs and shares adversities across generations and cross miles. Like a never-ending hug, family encircles each member with steadfast devotion and enduring love. Family is belonging to and believing in each other.......

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[Kingfish Addict]

Very cool report, nice fish!! We also stayed in Big Bear a few weekends ago, fishing was very slow that weekend so I didn't bother posting. That Stupidiotic store is the greatest! Coolest gifts I've ever seen....

[fishing_freak]

DAM NICE!!!! Im planning on getting a cabin in big bear for the summer how much was the condo if you mind me asking?

[Lakerfan160]

Thanks for the report and pics!

[justtubin]

just curious were you staying at the lagonita lodge and where was your fishing spot from the lodge, will be staying there next week and really do not know the spots on the lake worth fishing. thanks

[Troutcz swimbait]

Nice pictures and report,I haven't seen you at the Pudd in a long time.

[redondo todd]

Fishing Queen, What was the name of the restaurant where you got those tasty beef ribs ? Thanks Redondo Todd.

[TroutOnly]

another great report,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,T/O,,,,,,,,,,,

[The Fishing Queen]

Very cool report, nice fish!! We also stayed in Big Bear a few weekends ago, fishing was very slow that weekend so I didn't bother posting. That Stupidiotic store is the greatest! Coolest gifts I've ever seen....

Thanks! I heard that a couple weeks ago the trout fishing was good. In the past few weeks the bite slowed down. People were trying everything from lures, power bait and worms. I did too, but*somehow on this trip, I kept catching catfish in the middle of the day. Wacky!

The Stupididotic store is a fun store to stop by. We visit it every time we are in Big Bear. We always have a good laugh as we browse through the store. I like the 'knife man' and the 'fish tank toilet'....ha, ha....





DAM NICE!!!! Im planning on getting a cabin in big bear for the summer how much was the condo if you mind me asking?

I wish I could help answer your question. But sorry, I have no clue how much this condo would be. I got it as a gift so I don't know about the price.







Thanks for the report and pics!

Thank you for reading Lakerfan!





just curious were you staying at the lagonita lodge and where was your fishing spot from the lodge, will be staying there next week and really do not know the spots on the lake worth fishing. *thanks

BBQ area / Sandy beach and Cleaning station. Good luck to you!

[The Fishing Queen]

Nice pictures and report,I haven't seen you at the Pudd in a long time.

John, I haven't been fishing as much (as before) lately. But I did stop at Pudd in the past week to check on my friends. I saw Jim, Mike, Jose, Albert and Dante. Everyone was complaining about the tough fishing this year. Dante told me that he only caught 4 trout this year. I'll be back for some panfish action when the water gets warmer. Do you plan to leave for Utah again in May or June? I need come to see you before you go.







Fishing Queen, What was the name of the restaurant where you got those tasty beef ribs ? Thanks *Redondo Todd.

The restaurant is located in Big Bear City. It's called: Thelma's Family Restaurant. Every Saturday night their special is 'All you can eat BBQ beef ribs' for $14.99. I always have big eyes, but small stomach. Don't even think about 'all I could eat', I only can eat two piece of rib and half of a baked potato, I ended up taking the third piece of rib to go.... Lol...







another great report,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,T/O,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks T/O for the nice feedback! :)

[VIVID_FLY]

Nice action Alice, Were the trout PINK MEAT.

[DEVOREFLYER]

Alice your reports and pics are always PRICELESS, thanks for sharing them. Oh and the ribs look killer good.

[The Fishing Queen]

Nice action Alice, *Were the trout PINK MEAT.

Chuck, yes, the trout do have pink meat. I think those are holdovers. Nice color and full tails. Have you been fishing at the Pudd lately? I stopped by last Thursday and met with Mike, surprisingly the water was super clean. Mike said that fishing was very slow last week.





Alice your reports and pics are always PRICELESS, thanks for sharing them. Oh and the ribs look killer good.

That was a very nice comment to my report, Devoreflyer! I appreciate your kind words. I always tell myself that it's going to be a short & simple report, but it never ends up like that....lol....