Irvine Lake Fishing Report
by Steve Carson
9-8-2010
714-649-9111
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Catfish anglers at Irvine Lake saw good action during the night-time hours this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The big temperature fluctuations have slowed down the daytime catfish bite that we had going", observed Getty. "The night-time bite is still very good from about 7:00 PM until closing. Some of the fish are still in shallow water near brushy or rocky structure, and some are starting to move into deeper water." Most of the catfish filling the stringers this week are in the 1 to 8-pound range, with a smattering of larger fish to 14 pounds. Productive baits included mackerel, skipjack, Gulp! and shrimp. Top locations include Santiago Flats, the west shore, and Boat Dock Cove.
Bass anglers found mixed numbers of 1 to 7-pound largemouth, mostly on jigs and Dropshot baits at a depth of 25 feet. Those with good timing were able to pick off a few fish on wakebaits right at dusk. Favored spots were the Red Clay Cliffs, and Rocky Point. Moderate numbers of 3 to 5-pound class sunshine bass [AKA wipers or hybrid striped bass] were caught on mackerel baits intended for catfish. Good number of hand-size bluegill and redear were caught by anglers soaking red worms or Gulp. Crickets, although very few crappie were checked in. Families with children age 12 and under saw very good action on half-pound carp and 1 to 3-pound catfish on the marshmallow/mealworm combo or fluorescent red Power Bait.
The main lake water level has gone down approximately 12 inches in the past week, with the surface water temperature in the low 70's. For anglers planning ahead, Irvine Lake's 2010-11 Trout Season Opener will be on Friday, November 5. A special limited-entry "VIP Fishing Day" will take place on Thursday, November 4.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
1) Nick Stanzoni of Redondo Beach, 14-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats.
2) James Anna of Trabuco Canyon, 7-0 largemouth bass [released] on a swimbait at boat dock cove.
3) Danny Peterson of Anaheim, 6-4 largemouth bass [released] on a jig at Crawdad Point.
4) Seth Mostero of Villa Park, 5-5 hybrid striped bass [released] on a crankbait at the flats.
Bass anglers found mixed numbers of 1 to 7-pound largemouth, mostly on jigs and Dropshot baits at a depth of 25 feet. Those with good timing were able to pick off a few fish on wakebaits right at dusk. Favored spots were the Red Clay Cliffs, and Rocky Point. Moderate numbers of 3 to 5-pound class sunshine bass [AKA wipers or hybrid striped bass] were caught on mackerel baits intended for catfish. Good number of hand-size bluegill and redear were caught by anglers soaking red worms or Gulp. Crickets, although very few crappie were checked in. Families with children age 12 and under saw very good action on half-pound carp and 1 to 3-pound catfish on the marshmallow/mealworm combo or fluorescent red Power Bait.
The main lake water level has gone down approximately 12 inches in the past week, with the surface water temperature in the low 70's. For anglers planning ahead, Irvine Lake's 2010-11 Trout Season Opener will be on Friday, November 5. A special limited-entry "VIP Fishing Day" will take place on Thursday, November 4.
Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
1) Nick Stanzoni of Redondo Beach, 14-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats.
2) James Anna of Trabuco Canyon, 7-0 largemouth bass [released] on a swimbait at boat dock cove.
3) Danny Peterson of Anaheim, 6-4 largemouth bass [released] on a jig at Crawdad Point.
4) Seth Mostero of Villa Park, 5-5 hybrid striped bass [released] on a crankbait at the flats.
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