Irvine lake catfish action topped by 15-7 blue; free trout seminar slated for September 29
by Steve Carson
9-28-2011
714-649-9111
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Catfish action remained steady at Irvine Lake this week, even as the whiskerfish began edging toward deeper water, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The catfish bite was good overall", observed Getty. "As usual in late September, the fish are now moving down to as deep as 30 feet. Most of the catfish being checked in are eating-size channels from 2 to 5 pounds, along with a good number of bigger ones up to about 11 pounds. We also had a real nice blue cat over 15 pounds, and the best bite has been early in the AM, or at night. October is traditionally the best month of the year for our biggest blue catfish to be caught."
Getty added, "Our Pro-team leader Marlon Meade will conduct a free pre-season trout seminar this week at 6:30 PM on September 29 at Sav-On Tackle, 9917 Orr and Day Road in Santa Fe Springs [562-864-2911]."
All the usual catfish tempters are producing fish, including mackerel, shrimp, bonito, skipjack marshmallow/mealworms combo, and Gulp! Catfish Dough. Nice stringers were reported from Boat Dock cove, the west shoreline, and Santiago Flats. Bass anglers are finding very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth, with a few larger bucketmouths to over 8 pounds.
Bassers are finding biting fish all day long and into the evening hours, with the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point rated the top locations. Weighted Senkos and dropshot-rigged plastics were among the best lure choices.
Very few crappie or trout anglers ventured out, but lots of bluegill were available on mealworms in the shallows. Families with children age 12 and under found good numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish on nightcrawlers under a bobber in the Kids Lagoon, and the Lagoon was freshly stocked again today. The main lake surface temperature ranged from 74 to 76 degrees, with the water level dropping about 6 inches per week. Underwater clarity is rated at 4 to 10 feet.
The annual public Trout Season Opener will be on Friday, November 4, with some 20,000 pounds of trout stocked. A special limited-entry VIP fishing day will take place on Thursday, November 3
Getty added, "Our Pro-team leader Marlon Meade will conduct a free pre-season trout seminar this week at 6:30 PM on September 29 at Sav-On Tackle, 9917 Orr and Day Road in Santa Fe Springs [562-864-2911]."
All the usual catfish tempters are producing fish, including mackerel, shrimp, bonito, skipjack marshmallow/mealworms combo, and Gulp! Catfish Dough. Nice stringers were reported from Boat Dock cove, the west shoreline, and Santiago Flats. Bass anglers are finding very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth, with a few larger bucketmouths to over 8 pounds.
Bassers are finding biting fish all day long and into the evening hours, with the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point rated the top locations. Weighted Senkos and dropshot-rigged plastics were among the best lure choices.
Very few crappie or trout anglers ventured out, but lots of bluegill were available on mealworms in the shallows. Families with children age 12 and under found good numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish on nightcrawlers under a bobber in the Kids Lagoon, and the Lagoon was freshly stocked again today. The main lake surface temperature ranged from 74 to 76 degrees, with the water level dropping about 6 inches per week. Underwater clarity is rated at 4 to 10 feet.
The annual public Trout Season Opener will be on Friday, November 4, with some 20,000 pounds of trout stocked. A special limited-entry VIP fishing day will take place on Thursday, November 3
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