Big Bear middle of July

[bowler]

Bowler has the location. Look to use slip bobbers with worms/nightcrawlers to keep the bait up out of the salad, OR a suitably long leader if using Powerbait to allow the bait to float above it.
If renting a boat the same general techniques will work in the same general area (the "Trout Triangle") and will allow you to fish deeper, but you also have the flexibility to troll with leadcore - lures of choice being small Rapala or Needlefish.
I like to fish early (wind will come up in the afternoon blowing from the Dam; can be a drag in a pontoon or any high profile boat) and this time of year, there is always the possibility of an afternoon monsoonal thundercell.
Good luck! You definitely have a good plan to get the heck out of the heat and do some relaxation, let us know how it went!!! - Brewcrafter

I’ve been going up there since 89. A good website for big bear lake weather is http://www.bensweather.com it has live camera feeds.