I just got off the phone with Rich Tauber. You remember him. He used to be that smooth-talking, slick-casting fellow that sort of created the national portrait of a California fishing pro.

Well, he’s still alive. And maybe, just maybe, he’s got a better gig now than he ever had on the tour. You see, the 1982 U.S. Open champion is back to full-time guiding (http://www.richtauberfishing.com) and most of that is happening at Lake Casitas, one of the last public bastions for a possible world record from the Golden State…

BTW: Do you recognize Capt. Mark Wisch, (left) sight fishing in less than Two and Twenty Fathoms at Casitas? (more…)

You really appreciate Sir Edmund Hillory about the time you come off the water at Diamond Valley these days. The late New Zealander and first to climb Mount Everest, might look upward to the unseen DVL parking lot and say, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

Obviously, you can’t launch here, but now the hike back from the rental dock over 100 feet of ankle-turning rubble–just to get to the concrete–is pretty daunting. On the other hand, I just got a legitimate report of 18 smallmouth out of a 25 fish catch while the boys were trying to stay out of the wind in a rental.

The fish were on the steep stuff around the quarry. But there were no big ones, maybe evidence that the smallies are reproducing. Too bad those fish are probably going to spawn, live out their days and die before anyone gets to put their own rig on the water again.

But for now, if you’re a hiker, it’s the time to go here.

And if you’re DFG biologist Mike Giusti, maybe you need to find a job where you can actually serve the public’s angling interest.

It’s Thursday, and like it or not, we’re right between cold fronts on an unseasonably chilly morning, but two camera boats are still going to try and capture successful Lake Elsinore bass fishing.

Although there is plenty of tournament experience in the crew trying to record the best of Lake Elsinore for Ronnie Kovach’s Fishing Ventures TV show, I don’t know if anyone has told the fish this is their time to show off.

The skies are pretty clear, and the wind isn’t supposed to kick up until mid day, so the videotographers can’t complain.

On the other hand, how many post front fishing trips have made my top 10 all-time?

I’ll report back later. Wish us luck…

I AM BACK. And Ol’ Elsie really showed the folks a good time. Our boat had five bass, a channel catfish, a pair of crappie and Jim Emmett’s husky hybrid, all on camera this morning–plus at least three Oh-nos. Carolina-rigged “electric blue” 5 and 6-inchers, green Senkos and chartreuse Road Runners all got bit. Likewise the show host was bent on fat largemouth aplenty.

But wait! There is more–much more. Chris Nickerson from Last Chance B&T is reportedly carrying a huge largemouth bass–said to be pushing 10 pounds–from the north end of the lake. We’ll probably get an exact weight later on.

Don’t be bad mouthing my lake, now.

BIG BASS UPDATE: Okay. So he needs to get a scale for his boat. That 10-pounder turned into 8.35 pounds–on the drop-shot. But not bad.

For all those who scratch their heads about fishing SoCal’s only natural lake, maybe some help is coming–and in a very public way.

Just this week, camera crews from Ronnie Kovach’s Fishing Expeditions will be on the water at Lake Elsinore, capturing video of the bass action–plus whatever other species will show up for the host.

I haven’t heard the timetable, but I would expect he’ll have the show “Fishing Ventures” on the air this season.

One thing is for certain. The Kovach production will be first class. There is no doubt the former bass fishing guide will be able to showcase the right stuff in the right places for a successful spring trip–and maybe some other seasons as well.

One thing to think about, though. Some rumors around the city say a new dock will be constructed at the edge of the submerged Lake Elsinore campground marina. That could mean “the pipes” (a popular structure spot) will be removed. No one is sure if that new dock will prevent access to the huge chunks of concrete and asphalt underwater on that  point.

And to answer the question. Yeah I’ll be out there–somewhere.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve got tied on the end of your line, sometimes a cast doesn’t produce exactly what you’re looking for. A few weeks back I had one of those moments, and the little tick in my line turned into a 5-minute stalemate of a battle.

But then I made a bigger mistake. When after taking some photos, I sent a copy of the picture to the folks at Pradco. But instead of just sharing a chuckle, they posted it on their website! http://www.lurenet.com/FishingResources/TrophyRoom/

Oops. Doesn’t look like a bass to me.

I know there are those who look askew at some of my comments from time to time, but now I’m taking a sidways look, myself.

The concept of sidescan sonar has always intrigued me, especially since my recreational pursuits include chasing tuna, where sidescan rules the sea. But on the freshwater scene, the results have never been quite as satisfactory, as the equipment didn’t quite deliver as well as those on the open ocean.

But now the buzz is back— (more…)