Carr Park, Huntington Beach CA 1/21/09

[glumace]

After a great trip last Friday to Irvine Lake I rigged up my gear last night and got everything ready to try out Chris Carr Park in Huntington Beach on my lunch hour. My friend Deepak stopped by and tagged along with me. Grabbed lunch and went down to the park. Last week we tried out Greer Park near where I work at Golden West College, and while its a nice little park, I like Carr much better. I checked the DFG Trout Planting schedule and Carr was on the list (along with Greer) last week. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcherie...SouthCoast.asp



Chris Carr Park is located on Springdale Street at the Heil Avenue intersection. It features picnic tables, playgrounds, huge green fields and lots of birds. This park was dedicated on April 8, 1972 and named after Chris Carr who was a World War II Medal of Honor winner and longtime Huntington Beach resident. Here is a link to the park from the HB city page http://www.ci.huntington-beach.ca.us.../Carr_Park.cfm

It’s a nice park and has benches near the lake so we can have lunch and fish at the same time. It’s a round lake with an island in the middle where the ducks and geese nest. Water is very dirty right now has the typical black muddy bottom and has the same construction with cinder blocks as the shore line around the lake. I have seen this lake flood when it rains just like Greer Park. It also has the bubble filters as well. Overall a good place to bring the kids and let them play while the line is in the water.







I set up for trout using a #18 trebble, 4# test and a 1/2 oz sinker with a 6″ leader and some orange powerbait. Don’t know how deep the water is here, but it seems shallow. One other person was there fishing, throwing a worm. We talked a while, it was his first time fishing the park as well. He said that something had kicked up and chased his lure at one point, but not much else. He also was having trouble with snags and worked around the lake. I casted out toward the middle and sat and ate lunch. Got about 45 minutes in, changed my casting spots twice and get any bites. Lots of ducks and other birds here, not pelicans or seagulls though.



I think I will be coming back here and try out Central Park next. While Greer is close, I like this park for lunch better ;)

I did pick up a new pack for my stuff at Wal-Mart a few weeks back. For $7 (it was on clearance) it’s worked out great. It holds everything I need, and while I don’t wear it like a fanny pack, its a great little pack to bring along.

[one_leg]

Try getting there the day they stocked or maybe the day after. Then you will catch something.

Thanks for the report and pics. Very detailed information helps out a lot.

[chivo]

yeah one-legs right if your not there 1 or 2 days after the stocking you won't catch anything. Been there done that. Funny thing is, i've never seen anyone other than myself, fishing Carr park.Carr park is very small as you know. I'd try huntington park. That's probably the best bet for your area. Might be able to hit some bass there too, if there still underwater.

[TShaffer]

My mom's house is within walking distance of Carr Park (my dad lives in Orange) and I have only fished it once. I didn't get anything except a turtle. To be honest I didn't even know it was stocked. I guess I'll give it another shot.

[Troutman65]

If you liked that park wait till you try HB Centeral. You work at GWC so you know its just a bit further down the road. Good luck. Thanks for the post.

[HEMAN]

i've seen the place many times.. and always wondered... but never heard of anyone catching anything.. good luck out there..

i have that same waist tackle bag... cheap convenient and works... cant ask for much more... i use it for surf fishing or if i'm using it during my lunch fishing time..

[glumace]

Went down to Central last week to look around after going to Greer. I think I will try it next Tuesday.

[HBJapo]

Carr is generally best after the event that they have, once a year, for the developmentally disabled. They stock a ton of fish for the kids. You will catch carp out of Carr.

glumace,

Go to Central, it's worth the effort if you really want to hook up in H.B. PM me before you go, I'd be glad to give you some tips. You seem very dedicated and that's cool!

Japo

[TimmayWOOHOO]

My advice for not getting skunked at city parks in OC: I've noticed in all your reports you say you're using about 6" of leader on your powerbait, try using about a foot and a half, also instead of a ball shape try elongating it a little bit by rubbing it in between your hands (like making a cylinder out of play dough) so it looks kinda like <==>. Oh and try using new berkeley gulp! instead of regular powerbait, it's a little more expensive but you do catch more fish on it.

I'm gonna be checking out carr, greer, and hb central soon, i just moved down to the border of westminster and hb from fullerton, so i'll be reporting on how it goes there.

[glumace]

Thanks, I will try the longer leader and roll. I have some Gulp as well in my bigger bag, will bring it with me next time.