Cope’s Tackle and Rod opened a new store on Thursday March 20th. Its located off Highway 178 at 3501 Mall View Rd suite 101, Bakersfield. Please stop by and check it out.​

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California Aqueduct

Fishing was decent in the aqueduct last week. Anglers reported plenty of small striped bass with some keepers in the mix. Cut baits, jumbo live minnows, and live worms fooled fish after check gates. Anglers willing to move from gate to gate until they located biting fish found limits. Early morning jerkbaits. Swimbaits, and lipless crankbaits fooled zebras as well. Largemouth went after drop shot Flukes and Senkos in the eddies, near outtake grates, and after bridge pylons. Catfish anglers did well after dark with cut baits, dip bait, and chicken liver.​

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Castaic Lake

Castaic rose to 96 percent of its storage capacity, and water temperatures remained in the upper sixties. Bass fishing has been on fire at Castaic since mid-March, and that bite showed no sign of slowing down. Drop shot, Carolina rigs, and other finesse techniques were the most effective ways to get bites, but small swimbaits, underspins, and jerkbaits also boated plenty of fish. Color choice was simple, with grey, baitfish, and other shad imitations leading the way. Many anglers reported catching more bass than they could count. Striped bass remained elusive, with only the occasional jerkbait or bait eater being landed. Catfish took chicken liver, dip baits, and cut sardines.

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Pyramid Lake

At the time of reporting, Pyramid Lake was near 90 percent of its storage capacity, and water temperatures were in the upper fifties. Bass anglers used crawdad and citrus shad DT 10 Rapala cranks in the mornings around Chumash Island and Brazos Cove. Dropshot 4 1/2 “morning dawn, green pumpkin, or watermelon Roboworms and Fat Ikas fooled fish from 5 to 20 feet deep with bigger bass holding near submerged rocks. A-rigs also scored bites from largemouth and striped bass. Line-sides also took cut sardines, anchovies, and chicken liver at the inlet and near the dam. Catfish ate cut baits, dip bait, and chicken liver, and there were crappie reported near the dock at Serrano Cove.

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Isabella Lake

Lake Isabella is currently sitting at around 62% capacity, with water temperatures ranging between 70–74°F. Crappie fishing remains active, with anglers having the most success in 20–30 feet of water near submerged brush and timber. Using sonar has been critical to locating schools. Mini jigs, small swimbaits, and live shiners have all proven effective. Largemouth bass action has picked up significantly with the warmer water. Productive areas include Rocky Point, Engineers Point, the 3 Crosses area, and Lime Dyke. Anglers are catching fish using green pumpkin creature baits, Rapala Mavrik deep jerkbaits in pro blue and bold shad, chatterbaits, and even big swimbaits for larger fish. Big fish goes to Copes Pro Staff Rusty Brown who scored an 11.16 pound bass this week. Rocky structure and deeper shelves are key holding zones, and bass are responding to both reaction and finesse-style baits depending on the time of day. Rainbow trout fishing is good, with the best action coming from the cemetery and North Fork area. Anglers have score trout with artificials, Powerbait’s and nightcrawlers, especially during the early morning before the sun warms the water too much. Catfish continue to provide steady action, particularly in deeper coves and channels. Chicken livers, clams, and nightcrawlers are all effective choices. These fish are active in warmer, murkier water, and baits with strong scent trails are helping draw them in. Bluegill are also active, especially in shallow areas near the French Gulch Marina.

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Kern River

Fishing conditions are very good along the Upper Kern, particularly in Sections 4, 5, and 6—from Powerhouse #3 through Riverside Park in Kernville up to Johnsondale Bridge. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has recently stocked these areas, enhancing trout activity throughout the 20-mile stretch. Anglers are finding success in easily accessible spots and deeper pools. Conventional tackle such as spinners, trout worms, and salmon eggs are yielding good results, while fly anglers are experiencing steady action with attractor nymphs and streamers, especially during afternoon hours. Water flows are ideal for both wading and bank fishing, and the river remains fishable despite higher flows. Trout are holding in softer edge waters and responding well to streamers, particularly when avoiding the main current. The Lower Kern is also producing solid trout action. Sections 1 through 3—from Democrat Beach to Isabella Dam were stocked a few weeks ago, and fishing remains productive. Effective baits include salmon eggs, GULP Pinched Crawlers, chartreuse garlic Powerbait, and spinners. Anglers are reporting good catches, especially in the early morning and late evening hours. Bass fishing was solid, particularly in the canyon and stretches leading into Bakersfield, with anglers using soft plastics, jigs, and crankbaits. Catfish were also active, responding well to cutbait, nightcrawlers, and SSS Dip Bait. At the time of reporting, the Upper Kern River was flowing at 2260 CFS and the Lower Kern River was flowing at 1148 CFS.

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Lake Kaweah

Kaweah Lake rose to 100 percent of its storage capacity, and water temperatures were ideal for solid bass action. Spotted bass struck shaky heads, hula grubs, and drop shot rigs as deep as 25 feet. Rocky structure, bluffs, and points proved to be the best areas for targeting bass. Squarebills picked off smaller males in shallow water during the mornings. Crappie anglers found success in the backs of larger coves using small live minnows and swimbaits. Catfish fed on cut baits and chicken liver fished on Carolina rigs.

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Lake Success

Success Lake sat at 101 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was solid. Largemouth bass were hungry for weightless Senkos in green pumpkin and black jigs with chigger craw trailers. Most of the action occurred in the 5- to 15-foot zone, with plenty of bass holding in the trees. Jerkbaits and crankbaits also produced fish. Crappie anglers found success in the 10- to 20-foot zone over submerged brush piles, using minijigs and small live minnows to fool fish. Catfish slurped up dip baits and chicken liver.

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River Walk Lakes

At River Walk, anglers experienced solid bass action throughout the day, with the most productive periods occurring in the early mornings and late afternoons. Bass have been coming on drop-shot rigs, Senkos, and jigs in colors such as brown, Aaron’s Magic, and Green Pumpkin. The topwater bite showed significant improvement, especially during the morning hours. Bluegill were actively biting, with anglers finding success using wax worms and mealworms suspended under a bobber.

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Ming Lake

Anglers reported very good bass fishing, with reports of multiple catches over 5 pounds. Effective techniques include using big soft 6” swimbaits, chatterbaits, Senkos, square-bill crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. The most productive times are early mornings and late afternoons, especially near submerged structures and shaded banks. Frogs have been finding quality bites during the early and later parts of day. Catfish are active during warmer evening hours, with cut bait and nightcrawlers being effective. Bluegill are biting near submerged structures, responding well to small worms and crickets.

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Buena Vista Lakes

Buena Vista Lakes will be closed to fishing until June 3rd. We have provided a reprint of the last report

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Fishing was strong at Buena Vista Lakes, with Lake Evans slightly outperforming Lake Webb across most species. Largemouth bass anglers found success working the reeds and cattails using Texas-rigged lizards, beaver tails, and 6-inch straight-tail worms. Productive colors included green pumpkin, ox blood, and purple. Weightless, wacky-rigged Senkos also proved effective in the same areas. Catfish cooperated with anglers soaking SSS dip bait, chicken liver, and garlic-scented nightcrawlers. Crappie anglers focused near the launch ramp and around the islands, landing fish on small live minnows and minijigs.

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Hart Park Lake

Hart Park anglers had success with both bass and panfish. Largemouth anglers targeted floating weed beds and overhung brush with good results. Weedless jigs, Texas rigs, and Senkos proved effective, with green and brown colors working well to fool bass. Bluegill fed on redworms, waxworms, and mealworms, while catfish anglers found biting fish using SSS dip bait.

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Lake Nacimiento

Naci dropped to 61% of its storage capacity, and bass fishing has been as good as it gets. Spotted bass and largemouth fell for topwater, finesse baits, and reaction baits. Walking baits, poppers, and prop baits all worked to bring bass to the surface. Shad imitating crankbaits, jerkbaits, and small swimbaits saw plenty of action as well. Small jigs, drop shot, and Ned rigs were just some of the finesse techniques that fooled fish. White bass anglers did well with topwater, white swimbaits, and spoons. Crappie were available over submerged structure, and they preferred minijigs and small swimbaits. Catfish ate dip bait and cut baits.

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Trout Plants​

Week of May 18th - Upper Kern River Section 4; Upper Kern River Section 5; Upper Kern River Section 6; Balch Park Lake Upper; Balch Park Lake Lower; Hedrick Pond. 

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Ocean Fishing

 

San Diego

The Highliner returned from their 2 Day trip Thursday day morning with limits of Bluefin for their 14 anglers. They had 40 fish from 100-160lbs, along with another 10 from 160-210lbs. The Pacific Voyager returned from their 2 Day trip Thursday morning with 46 Bluefin. The quality of fish was outstanding, with 32 from 100-180lbs. The New Lo-An returned from their 3 day trip Thursday with 54 Bluefin Tuna for their 17 anglers and most of the fish were 100lbs.

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Dana Point/San Pedro

The Ghost out of 22nd Street returned Wednesday from a 2-day with 16 (LIMITS)White Seabass, 1 Halibut, 26 Calico Bass and 80 Rockfish for 8 anglers. The Pursuit out of 22nd Street returned Tuesday from a full day with 107 Rockfish, 16 Whitefish, 41 Bocaccio, 25 Red Snapper, 4 Sculpin, 7 Perch, 10 Sheephead and 7 Calico Bass for 35 anglers. The Western Pride out of Davey’s Locker returned Wednesday from a ½-day with 22 Whitefish, 3 Rockfish, 3 Sculpin, 8 Sand Bass, 6 Sheephead and 62 Calico Bass for 29 anglers.

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Channel Islands/Ventura

The Aloha Spirit out of CISCOS returned Wednesday from a Full day with 15 (LIMITS)White Seabass and 1 Halibut for 15 anglers. The Graylight out of CISCOS returned Wednesday from a Full Day with 8 (LIMITS)White Seabass and 1 Halibut for 8 anglers. The Endeavor out of Ventura Sportfishing returned Tuesday from a 2-Day Overnight with 34 (LIMITS)White Seabass, and 190 Rockfish for 17 anglers. The Coroloma out of Hooks Landing returned Sunday from ¾-day with 200 Rockfish, 85 Whitefish, 6 Sculpin, 1 Sheephead, 1 Sheephead, 50 Vermillion Rockfish and 5 Lingcod for 25 anglers.

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Port San Luis/Morro Bay

The Patriot out of Patriot Sportfishing returned Sunday from a ½-day with 39 Rockcod, 3 Red Rockfish, 6 Bocaccio, 3 Bolina and 4 Lingcod for 29 anglers. The Endeavor (MB) out of Morro Bay Landing returned Monday from a ½-day with 65 Rockfish, 12 Bocaccio, 4 Copper Rockfish and 24 Red Rockfish for 12 anglers. The Rita G out of Virg’s Landing returned Saturday from a 12-hour trip with 3 Lingcod, 32 Vermillion Rockfish and 128 assorted Rockfish for 16 anglers.