So this was an experiment for me. When I worked back at the Wild Animal Park (Safari Park) I used to see all of the white pelicans show up soon as we switched to the fall feed for the animals in the field exhibits. It's like they knew.
I always saw the white pelicans show up on the day that they stocked trout in the lakes and was curious if they knew but showed up a little earlier. They stock the lakes tomorrow, so I decided to take a nice walk in the brisk cold morning before the heat of the Santa Ana's kicked up as forecasted to 100 degrees.
I get down to the lakes and it's cold and greasy calm...
No boils, No Jumps, No fish sighted..
(https://i.imgur.com/iW87T2f.jpeg)
But there were white pelicans and gangs of cormorants swimming like they were looking for trout. My guess is they can identify the trout trucks are en route and know where they are going. I know it's sounds crazy, but this is too weird that they weren't there yesterday but are there today on the day that the trout trucks are on the road down here. I need some substantial evidence, but I feel this hunch is very warranted.
BTW, Santee Lakes is stocking Steelhead Trout, Lightning Trout, and jumbo Rainbows this weekend. This is the first time ever they are stocking Steelhead! I actually might fish with the crowds this weekend for a chance at some of these beauties.
Well, I continued my quest for a bass and still saw no bass signs. I was ready to quit and gave it one last try at one last spot. I dropped my bait right where I would have thought a bass would be sitting and saw the line twitch... then start moving sideways! I gave it the old Roland Martin Hookset and fish on!
This was one of the best bass fights I had! This thing did not want to quit and get caught and I had a fun drag burning session with a bass. I can't believe I'm even saying that for a Largemouth! Definitely one of my biggest from the puddles.
(https://i.imgur.com/rcWiSIf.jpeg)
Well, that was it and I called it quits. It started getting warm and I could barely dodge all of the old women walking and blocking up the roads as I was driving out. lol
Well, this weekend starts my trout adventures!
Still no job, but had some interviews. I hope this crap gets better soon.
Too much of a coincidence with the pelicans.
Great fish. About how many pounds do you think it was?
- Keith
Nice bass, look forward to seeing how you do on the steelhead and lightning that get stocked.
: Dark_Knight_9C1 October 29, 2025, 02:07:27 pGreat fish. About how many pounds do you think it was?
I really have hard times guessing largemouths since I don't usually weigh them. My guess is 6# +/-0.5.
Nice Pre-Trout reward, the stars are lining up for a Steelhead report soon 8)