SAND DOWN THE OLD TO START

In order to assure myself that I would have baits that I could no longer purchase, I went to Lake Elsinore’s Pat Keniry who said he could do it: produce  DB22′s in a “suggestive” (not natural) sunfish color from old lure bodies. (See April 16).

When he showed me today the first of the six baits I ordered, I was pretty pleased. They turned out even better than I expected, including new eyes plus a hard epoxy finish that wasn’t available on the original. But the other thing Pat also delivered (more…)

Okay, not the biggest story, and maybe not the biggest one I’ll post today. But following the lead of other lakes where carp control includes this step, the Lake Elsinore City Council has recognized that bow fishing for carp can be a safe venture.

There will be some specific stipulations regarding gear (boats only) and parts of the lake where it’s permitted, but bass fishermen should appreciate the local effort (which includes seining as well). The complete news release can be found by clicking here.

Where there’s talk, there’s usually some substance and recent visitors to Diamond Valley Lake have heard the same thing: the lake may be raised several feet sooner rather than later. However, there has been no official word from the MWD.

As one tournament angler suggested, “What is it, about 15 inches now?” speaking of the depth at the end of the launch ramp. Yet, if the water broker could get the last part of its allotment from Northern California, some could be stored in the popular Hemet reservoir. (more…)

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Got up early this morning on another matter, but ended up at the West Marina. The crappie fishermen have disappeared, sort of like this year’s crappie run which never really materialized.

But the big baitfish (threadfin shad) in the 3- to 4-inch class were frothing the banks and while I didn’t make a cast, the sight did inspire a little research. I thought I’d find out more about the bait that half the lures in America imitate. (more…)

I guess it doesn’t take a national opinion pollster or professional statistician to recognize the tenuous nature of “draw” or professional fishing in the West. Despite the fact there are some career possibilities to move “up” in the pro ranks, the reality of the matter is, the sport is shrinking–and rapidly.

In my discussions with current participants in the pro ranks, there is the haunting feeling that, rather than a hopeful outcome, this year could mark the demise of at least two circuits. (more…)

The 1980′s and 1990′s produced the great threat of a world record bass being caught on a live crawdad. Lake Casitas and, especially, Lake Castaic produced fish that came ever so close to the 1932 George Perry mark with Castaic kicking out several fish that topped 20 pounds. More recently, the 20-pound mark was broken a second time in Japan–the first being the Manubu Kurita fish that the IGFA recognizes as a co-world record largemouth.

Now California big bass hopefuls are in a tizzy. (more…)

While there were incredulous looks as the California Bass Championship announced that since only 10 competitors signed up for the final event in Region 1 (Southeastern), those 10 would automatically qualify for the regional fish-off. But those were the rules: the top 10 in each qualifier would move on to the next level.

Still, the fact that there were only 10 willing anglers (more…)