I was planning on heading to the bay to capitalize on the bonito bite back there, but I was already getting a later than usual start. Mix in the rain, and I decided to check the maps for traffic. For f@ck sake, already traffic at 7:00am and bad.
I decided to just hit the puddles for cats. I brought a bass rod just in case because inevitably, I always seem to see a big bass pop up out of nowhere while I sit and wait.
I tried Lake 6 and only got turtle bites. Then a few dogs tried to pee on my rod, so I made sure the owners know I was going to pee on their dogs.
I went to my usual lake, but the pond weed harvester was in full force right in my favorite little shoreline getting ready for Stockzilla next week.
I moved again and set up shop. Of course, a huge bass slams something next to the tulies, so I grab my bass gear and pitch out my bait.
First cast and I whiff on the hook set. Second pitched bait and I hook up with the old Roland Martin hookset.
My guess is 4-1/2 or 5#.
(https://i.imgur.com/lOQ3TXc.jpeg)
f@cking turtles kept eating my mackerel and worm so I called it so I could head home and get a few things done. I also interviewed which went well, but highly suspicious that's it's a really crap job.
I went back and fished my 4th lake of the day. The inflated crawler kept getting slammed, but I kept missing. I finally got a few of them but nothing to write home about.
(https://i.imgur.com/DpcjFhk.jpeg)
I then started pitching my bass bait out there and voila... Baby bass.
(https://i.imgur.com/1WUl0ES.jpeg)
I sportsmen released 2 more about this size and decided to call it quits. Time to get home and make dinner.
I guess not a bad day when you can put a real bass on the grass though.
Until next tide!
That's a really nice size bass. 8)
I was talking to a friend and he said he had a "life's goal of catching a 10 lb bass". I wouldn't think we have them that big here in Socal. Although, my parents lived next to Casitas Lake and I've heard there are some monsters in there.
- Keith
Nice trip. Making a 4lber sound like easy pickens. Hope that interview turns into something fruitful and not sh!tty!
: Dark_Knight_9C1 August 29, 2025, 05:18:29 pThat's a really nice size bass. 8)
I was talking to a friend and he said he had a "life's goal of catching a 10 lb bass". I wouldn't think we have them that big here in Socal. Although, my parents lived next to Casitas Lake and I've heard there are some monsters in there.
- Keith
I'd bet most lakes larger than a puddle still have 10lbers in them. Wish I was a little older and privvy to the bass scene when Casitas and Cachuma were popping out 20lbers in the 90s. The fund cuts for trout stockings seemed to kill that scene along with all the pressure from guys throwing big trout swimbaits.
: Dark_Knight_9C1 August 29, 2025, 05:18:29 pThat's a really nice size bass. 8)
I was talking to a friend and he said he had a "life's goal of catching a 10 lb bass". I wouldn't think we have them that big here in Socal. Although, my parents lived next to Casitas Lake and I've heard there are some monsters in there.
- Keith
Even Santee Lakes has bass well over 10 pounds. I watched a guy catch and weigh a 10.75# right next to me as I was trout fishing earlier this year. I also saw one at Jennings that I almost thought was a grouper it was so big! My guess was 15#, but he drifted into darkness on my first bait presentation to him.
Their heads are so big compared to the Northern strain, that it sometimes only looks bigger.