Where the heck are the fish at Irvine Lake ? Bass - Fresh Water - Catfish

[volcomape]

Ok so before you start telling me its a called fishing not catching for a reason, I am completely aware of that.
I was always very hesitant on going to Irvine Lake because to tell you the truth I never heard many good things about it. That being said this information was coming from weekend warriors that might give it a shot twice year.

This is the deal I grew up fishing at Lake Mission Viejo , The Sierras and a reservoir in Orange.
I live in Orange and recently purchased a Bass Boat.
I have went fishing every Sunday for the last six weeks at Irvine w/ not a lot of success. I only caught no fish once and have never caught more than two.
I fish mainly for bass using Plastic worms,lizards , night crawlers, flipping hogs.
I have had the most success at the red clay cliffs and the point to the very left of Sierra Cove but have covered all regions.

I am interested to see if anyone will share w/ me any spots for Bass or Catfish. I have only been targeting Bass thus far.
I am not looking for your secret spots just good areas to target at Irvine Lake. Be it at the flats , dam , boat dock and what type of tackle was being used.
Also am looking for the depth of water people have had success at .
Also looking for times you have had the most success. I have caught all my fish before 9:30 am and then it just shuts off.

Thanks for checking out this thread - I will see you guys on the water.

JC

[Stormcrow]

Rather than looking directly for bass, invest some time at Irvine looking for cover on structure....Look for rock piles with a bit of access to deep water. (what is considered deep for Irvine anyway.) Find some rock with some wood on it. Irvine is a mudhole. Find the rock, you will find the fish.

Not sure about catfish, but Ill bet you can catch catfish anywhere on that lake.

Good luck.

[gogreeenz4]

we found a couple...... Cranks in the flats, Jigs on rocky points and a few a rig fish here and there... flukes also! PM if you need more direction!

Irvine can be one tricky place! I seriously hated and i mean hated it a few months back but once you start finding the swing of things its actually a really good fishery!

[gogreeenz4]

wait wait wati!! I think me and my buddy jake ran into you out there in the back right corner near the damn?? I got the red tracker 190!

[volcomape]

Great Info - Thanks

[volcomape]

Makes me feel better other guys are hit and miss.
I'll find them .... Like you said you know there there.
JC

[volcomape]

I am not sure man -Maybe - Theirs a lot of boats out there. I have a Stratos 176.

JC

[gogreeenz4]

Dark Chatter bait seems to be doing decent... I leave you with that!

[chompot]

They are there. Generally speaking it isn't a hard lake at all to fish. If you drop shot 15 to 20 feet right not you should not have a problem catching more than two fish. Try and fish uphill if possible.

gogreeenz4 I am glad you opened up to giving the lake more of a shot. You weren't too stoked on it a couple months ago. If you see me in my camo ranger, say hi. I should be back there in a couple weeks. Havasu this weekend and fishing a different lake next weekend.

[Stinkbait]

Dark Chatter bait seems to be doing decent... I leave you with that!

Yes, chatterbait.
I have seen all you guys before. I'm the regular solo rental guy with 8 rods in the boat typically.

The shad are spawning, or have spawned, so keep that in your hat next time you go. You could literally put a shad bait on a dropshot setup and catch fish everywhere if you don't have the right tackle others have mentioned above.

Don Spencer did a show for the lake recently and it is posted in a previous thread. Pretty spot on and will put you in the know accurately.