Bad luck at SARL

[Mr T-rex]

went on Saturday morning 5/18 for 1 cat,
Friday night 5/24 for 1 cat,
Saturday night 6/8 for 1 cat

Lately I've been having bad luck at sarl and it sucks. I don't think I suck that bad at fishing because I did pretty good the past couple of seasons for trout and catfish I am pretty sure you guys have seen my previous posts , I had the lake pretty dialed in but ever since the lake was drained fishing went bad and I don't understand it. my dad has been itching to catch some cats but I just cant get him on any and I guess its time to look for a new lake since SARL is not providing. I am using the right bait, rods and set ups so I just don't know what to say. This is my home lake and where I learned how to fish so not being able to catch fish is just sad. I guess its time to hit up Irvine lake since they say that the vine is the best catfish lake in the USA. lets see about that

Im going to give SARL once last try and if nothing im done

time to hit up Irvine even though its a longer drive

[angelsfan951]

if ur not getting hit move and keep moving till u find them. its going to be the same at irvine u have to keep moving till you find the fish ive been there and done that going to different lakes and i still got skunked lol the place thats hot one day might not be the next. a lake that has been drained is going to be a complete different ball game as they changed some stuff around in there

[Mr T-rex]

Ive done everything it takes to catch fish. fished from shore,boat and a tube for nada.
tried the big lake,chris pond and also the catfish lake
im not one to blame but what am I doing wrong? I see pics of all these people catching fish but every time that I go I cant kill it
just letting a little frustration out lol

[Mr T-rex]

No replies ????

[angelsfan951]

Ive done everything it takes to catch fish. fished from shore,boat and a tube for nada.
tried the big lake,chris pond and also the catfish lake
im not one to blame but what am I doing wrong? I see pics of all these people catching fish but every time that I go I cant kill it
just letting a little frustration out lol

lol it does get frustrating i know ive been there but hey thats fishing. i wonder whats going on at these lakes as all the reports i see are irvine and irvine and more irvine lol

[hollywoodbass]

I have fished SARL and Irvine lake for 25 years. The quagga mussels in Irvine have totally changed the environment, made the water very clear. The water at SARL since they have refilled it has been the clearest I have ever seen it. I have had to change fishing tactics at both lakes. You have t move around and try different tactics until you find what works. when the water is clear, catfish tend to be more structure oriented and bite much better in low light conditions.

[Mr T-rex]

Lol see you understand me. its just frustrating not catching anything and wasting 30 to 40$ every visit and when I see the pics im like dammit how come that cant be me. im not bad at fishing either lol I had good success at sarl before or any other lake.. im cursed or something lol


lol it does get frustrating i know ive been there but hey thats fishing. i wonder whats going on at these lakes as all the reports i see are irvine and irvine and more irvine lol

[Mr T-rex]

That's the problem Hollywood I tried everything.. moving spots, changing baits , bought new rods to cast further and nothing. I tubed the whole lake for nothing
idk /: lol


I have fished SARL and Irvine lake for 25 years. The quagga mussels in Irvine have totally changed the environment, made the water very clear. The water at SARL since they have refilled it has been the clearest I have ever seen it. I have had to change fishing tactics at both lakes. You have t move around and try different tactics until you find what works. when the water is clear, catfish tend to be more structure oriented and bite much better in low light conditions.

[Nuoc Mam]

try fishing the day of the stocking or next.

Morning hours/light out, I like to use M&M combo

Night hours/gloomy/overcast, I'll flyline mack chunks. I suggest using some added extra scent. I use hogwild, stuff stinks but works for me. Good luck out there.

[hollywoodbass]

Last time I fished SARL I caught 5 catfish in the last hour of daylight. It was overcast, they were biting shrimp. I used 8lb test. The cats were shallow near underwater vegetation (weed beds). There were baitfish in the area, birds diving on them and occasional catfish boil. That's how I found them. Guys fishing near me with mackerel were not getting bit. they were casting way out too deep. Everyday is different. The fish are there, just have to find the area, depth and bait they want.

[Mr T-rex]

Your right the catfish bite is different than the trout bite because catfish school up and are not everywhere like the trout. Its just frustrating taking my dad and wasting up to 70$ and leaving with a frown and 1 fish. its alright though just letting a little frustration out but my time will come and ill slay some kitties soon
thanks for the information


Last time I fished SARL I caught 5 catfish in the last hour of daylight. It was overcast, they were biting shrimp. I used 8lb test. The cats were shallow near underwater vegetation (weed beds). There were baitfish in the area, birds diving on them and occasional catfish boil. That's how I found them. Guys fishing near me with mackerel were not getting bit. they were casting way out too deep. Everyday is different. The fish are there, just have to find the area, depth and bait they want.

[Mr T-rex]

I've fished the same stocking day and also I've fished the day after the stocking for no kills just 1 kitty
im just waiting to find the right spot and hopefully I do some slaying


try fishing the day of the stocking or next.

Morning hours/light out, I like to use M&M combo

Night hours/gloomy/overcast, I'll flyline mack chunks. I suggest using some added extra scent. I use hogwild, stuff stinks but works for me. Good luck out there.

[luckyjr21]

Ay pobresito!!!

[Mr T-rex]

Lol I knew you were going to get on me for this ahahah


Ay pobresito!!!