Irvine Lake catfish opener shines; whiskerfish abound
by Steve Carson
6-15-2011
714-649-9111
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The annual catfish season opener at Irvine Lake was outstanding, reported general manager Melanie Montoure. "There were lots of very nice stringers of catfish checked in on both Friday and Saturday nights this week. We are looking forward to continuing our evening hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Our weekly stocking of thousands of pounds of prime eating-size 2 to 6-pound channel catfish will continue all summer long, to supplement the already large natural population of both channels and those extra-large blue cats."
Catfish anglers located their quarry at all the usual spots, with Boat Dock Cove and Santiago Flats being particular hotspots. Flylining mackerel was the key to success, although some cats were also fooled by shrimp, the marshmallow/mealworm combo, or even plain nightcrawlers. Low-light and evening periods were best for catfish, but some were caught during daylight hours.
Crappie anglers also experienced a boost from the evening hours. Setting out a floating lantern and allowing a food chain of insects and then baitfish to build up will usually attract crappie around the boat after about an hour, with easy limits often the result. Best lures are white or glow-color Atomic Tubes or 2-inch Gulp! Grubs. Good numbers of crappie were also caught drifting with the afternoon breezes.
Bass anglers found 2 distinct patterns on mostly 2 to 6-pound largemouth. Daytime bassers stuck with dropshot-rigged plastics on 20 to 30-foot structure along the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Evening action moved up shallow, with some excellent numbers of quality fish taken on reaction baits, especially topwaters. Anglers are reminded that all bass species are strictly catch-and-release at Irvine Lake.
Trout anglers skilled in deep water presentations did very well on beautiful holdover rainbows in the 2 to 6-pound range using 4 to 6 colors of leadcore line. Best lures were cop car-color Luhr Jensen Needlefish or firetiger-color CD05 Rapala Countdowns.
Bluegill and redear were available in shallow brushy areas, and were biting best on mealworms.
Summertime hours are as follows:
Thursday- 6 AM to 9 PM
Friday and Saturday- 6 AM to Midnight
Sunday-Monday-Wednesday- 6 AM to 4 PM
Closed Tuesdays.
The Catfish Kickoff Qualifier Tournament's Top Four Winners:
Brian Carter of Fullerton, 7.4 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $560.
Pontoon Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 6.8 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $272.
Taper Steve Christoph of Pomona, 4.14 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $192.
Phil Hildebrandt of Anaheim, 4.14 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $145.
Catfish anglers located their quarry at all the usual spots, with Boat Dock Cove and Santiago Flats being particular hotspots. Flylining mackerel was the key to success, although some cats were also fooled by shrimp, the marshmallow/mealworm combo, or even plain nightcrawlers. Low-light and evening periods were best for catfish, but some were caught during daylight hours.
Crappie anglers also experienced a boost from the evening hours. Setting out a floating lantern and allowing a food chain of insects and then baitfish to build up will usually attract crappie around the boat after about an hour, with easy limits often the result. Best lures are white or glow-color Atomic Tubes or 2-inch Gulp! Grubs. Good numbers of crappie were also caught drifting with the afternoon breezes.
Bass anglers found 2 distinct patterns on mostly 2 to 6-pound largemouth. Daytime bassers stuck with dropshot-rigged plastics on 20 to 30-foot structure along the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Evening action moved up shallow, with some excellent numbers of quality fish taken on reaction baits, especially topwaters. Anglers are reminded that all bass species are strictly catch-and-release at Irvine Lake.
Trout anglers skilled in deep water presentations did very well on beautiful holdover rainbows in the 2 to 6-pound range using 4 to 6 colors of leadcore line. Best lures were cop car-color Luhr Jensen Needlefish or firetiger-color CD05 Rapala Countdowns.
Bluegill and redear were available in shallow brushy areas, and were biting best on mealworms.
Summertime hours are as follows:
Thursday- 6 AM to 9 PM
Friday and Saturday- 6 AM to Midnight
Sunday-Monday-Wednesday- 6 AM to 4 PM
Closed Tuesdays.
The Catfish Kickoff Qualifier Tournament's Top Four Winners:
Brian Carter of Fullerton, 7.4 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $560.
Pontoon Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 6.8 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $272.
Taper Steve Christoph of Pomona, 4.14 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $192.
Phil Hildebrandt of Anaheim, 4.14 lb cat on mackerel scented with Bite On Cajun, the Flats. $145.
More Reports
6-5-2011Thousands of pounds of channel catfish will be stocked in Irvine Lake this week and each week for the rest of the summer, to supplement the already substantial natural population of both channels and blues. The always popular evening hours will commence on Friday and Saturday night [June 10-11], when the lake will be open until midnight. After that, summer hours will be: Thursday nights 6 AM to 11 PM; Fridays and Saturday 6 AM to Midnight; Sunday-Monday-Wednesday 6 AM...... Read More
6-1-2011
Fishing stayed interesting all day long this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The trout bite way in the back of Woody's Cove was phenomenal this week", observed Getty. "They are trying to spawn back there, and if you are good at sight fishing, you can do incredibly well. Early morning was also a good time for bank anglers along the west shore, with most of them using Power Bait or Mice Tails. Once the...... Read More
Fishing stayed interesting all day long this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The trout bite way in the back of Woody's Cove was phenomenal this week", observed Getty. "They are trying to spawn back there, and if you are good at sight fishing, you can do incredibly well. Early morning was also a good time for bank anglers along the west shore, with most of them using Power Bait or Mice Tails. Once the...... Read More