Anyone out there up for a trip to Santa Margarita in the next few weeks? Gold Coast has a tournament up there in Feb and I would like to hit a few times prior to.
Stan
I'm game on 5 or 6 Feb. Can't toherwise as I have no backup to leave during hte week
Sounds like a plan Cal. Let me just check on the family schedule for that weekend. Anyone else want to go but during the week?
I will be going on the 3rd of February but someone from work already asked to come with me. Its suppose to be in the 60's for about 4 days prior to the 3rd that's why I picked that day. What time is the lake opening over there??
The gates open one half hour before sunrise and closes one half hour after sunset. It cost $6 per vehicle and $6 per boat.
Stan,
Looks like the only day I'ma avail is the 6th o a Sunday. Saturday I'll be in ventura. I may take the boat and go to Casistas..Helen has a class and isn't able to drive at nioght so I take her to the classes
I don't think I'll be able to swing it on Sunday. promised the wife I would go to church. Any other takers? I'll probably go on the 3rd of Feb same day as Tom, and then again sometime before the tournament.
ok...well I guess I'll se on the trny day then
Well, maybe somebody wants to go. I don't mind fishin' alone, I actually concentrate a little better. I just thought I would open an invitation to the guys in the club who don't get out on the big lakes much.
Stan, instead of the 3rd I may go on the 2nd. I will keep you posted as soon as I am definite on the date. I can bring you the book and other papers Cal gave too me.
Whenever I'm flexible.
TomG, you still headed out to Santa Margarita this week?
I will be there Wednesday morning and should arrive at the lake around 0700.
Okay last chance for Santa Margarita this week. I'm going tomorrow 0dark30. Any takers. I'll probaboy be going next week too.
Stan, how did it go out there today? Share some info.
Let's see, water was still pretty muddied up visibility was about 6 inches throughout the entire lake, water temp was 50-51 degrees. Man what a great to be out on the lake, partly cloudy skies warmed up to about 65 around noon and absolutely no wind. About 5 other boats out on the lake today I didn't see them catch anything. Got bit twice, and landed 2 fish both about 3lbs, I guess my zero days are over, I hope. Didn't know I would have to get my feet wet to launch the boat. The lake looks great I can't wait until it clears up to about 2 feet vis. It's going to be some good fishing in the next few months. Going again next Wednesday to see if the bite picks up. I'll keep you posted.
Stan
what bait did you catch them on and how deep were they when you caught them?
TomG
I sent an email to Bryan and you. the CE form 35 for the lake reed clean up has been approved by environmental. Adrian has the form. One of you needs to get the rest coord. Safety, etc. Adrian has spoken with the POC in CE and he said to be sure you make a copy of the form at each signature as CE has a habit of losing the forms. If we can do this before the month is out great. But at all cost we must have it done before the nesting season begins again. CE will be assisting with possibly the sickle bar mower to eradicate the reeds along the banks near the dam and where the picnic tables are. Lake two is included in the removal. We have to let them know when its all corrd as the Chumash Tribe will be hauling it all away and they will need at least a weeks notice
TomG
Give me a call at work. 606-3013
I will give you a call tomorrow I am on leave until the end of next week.
TomG, I used the kind of baits that have hooks. And I don't how deep I could only see 6 inches into the water. Hope this helps.
Oh, I see how things are now. So we are gonna play that way huh............... >:D
I can't tell you all my secrets. I'll tell you what, if I do better next Tuesday I'll give you more info on this last trip.
Stan,
give me a call this afternoon
Dean and I will be heading to Santa Margarita tomorrow........... no matter what the weather is like................ ~rain
Good Luck! Let us know how y'all do.
Actually Stan we did not catch 5 fish, that's all I will say. I think I know what area you were talking about were you got bit, which is the same area I fished last week and didn't get anything. We found our 3 to 4 areas that we will concentrate on for the tournament. If you go next week don't hook up on too many they won't bite come next Saturday. We did see areas that looked like some swirling water that was clearer mixed in with the muddy water.
Did you guys check out the weather forecast for next week all the way up to the tournament. Looks like it will be a very tough bite once again................ :surrender:
Went to Santa Margarita today. Weather was light rain from 0630-1000 then on and off til 1200. Water temp has come up since last week 50-53. Water Clarity was about the same as last time on the lower end of the lake 3-6 inches, but on the upper end it's starting to clear up about 2-3 feet vis. No wind to speak of until around 1330 it started to blow around 10-15mph. Caught a total of 7 "that's right 7 fish", 5 Bass with a total weght of 12.6 lbs, 1 huge crappie about 2 lbs, and some sort of fish that I have never seen before, warden said it was called a Sacramento something or other. All fish caught out of scattered cover in 7-15 feet. Bad news Cal one of the best spots I found over the last 2 trips has been closed for spawning as of today until May. OUCH that hurts! So much for trying to get an edge by pre-fishing. Flippin is the way to go out at SM these days. Hope that's not to vague for you TomG.
Thanks for the update stan, are you serious about 2 - 3 feet visibility? What area did they close off for the spawn?
it won't be that way come this weekend woith all the rain
Yep 2-3 feet vis. They closed off from about 1/2 a mile from the narrows and up. That's where the 2-3 vis was.
Take a look at the weather forecast they are calling for an 80% chance on Saturday........... ~rain
You want to catch the fish, you must be the fish, WET :-*
I like tough conditions anyway it levels the playing field a little. Hey since you guys are boat #4 and we are #5 I was wondering which way you are heading when you leave the boat ramp, will you be turning right or left??
Hey the 80% is only for V'berg. Up there it is ONLY 50-60%. Tom, I got some skinny from previous tournament success and we are right on track. Should we pull out the stops on that 20# sack, or wait until Casitas and just do 30#s??? lo
Seriously though I did find some dirt that says what we already planned is great. Will talk more later, so as not to give away that bit about the orange optimum swimbait...
Well word has it that very large Pink fuzzy flies are working...at least that's what I heard
Well I got word also from a pretty reliable source, the guys that won two weeks ago. And as you can see my success improved 5 fold. Alot depends on the weather. Our plan is to go east, you guys just keep that ranger 100 feet back. Don't make me Rooster tail you, Ha Ha. Good Luck you guys. All I have to say is find the cleanest water you can. And don't listen to those guys at the meeting they're just trying to side track you. Do what you know and fish strenghths, don't listen to the head games.
What were they saying to side-track us? They talked about jigs and worms.
So Tom what did you guys end up using on Saturday to get your two fish?
One fish was caught on a Creature bait by me and the other was caught by Dean on a Jig.
The word is Santa Margarita is RED HOT fishing right now!
where did you hear that?? Did you get my e-mail?
One of the kids dad that goes to school with my daughter. He fishes alot of tournaments in California.
Ok, I think its going to be Santa Margarita on Saturday. Any takers???? I will probably fish until 2:00 or 3:00pm somewhere around that time.
I washoping someone was going. Dean if your not going with Tom, then Tom I'll go to SM with you or Stan, I just might go alone if no one wants me :'(
Sounds good Cal, call me at home tonight and we can work out the details. You could meet me at the house and we can leave from here, I will call the lake today and find out what time they open. So call me after you get off work.......734-4903
roger that
So what's the verdict Cal? Did i send you guys to the right lake?
Ok, here is the total for myself and Cal. We caught 8 fish and they were....
1- 6.1lbs
1-4.13lbs
1-4.0lbs
1-3.3lbs
3- in the 2lbs and something range
1- 1.12lbs
We also had 3 other fish on and lost them. All and all it was a great day, we started around 0700 and fished until 1430. We were fishing in water that was about 2 to 2 1/2 foot visibility and when we started water temp was 55 degrees and by 1000 was at about 58 degrees. The fish we caught were definitely moving up, most fish came from 6-12 feet of water. I will post some photos I took later this week, I need to develop them and find out from Dean on how to post them in here.
That'll be $20 for the 411.
That was a fun day....forgot how fun it can be, don't think my blood pressure has gone down yet. When Tom pulled that 6.1 along side the boat it reminded me of Cachuma...only this one was well hooked
o.k. my turn for the 6+ pound bass! I think it'll come at casitas (or at least I'm hoping) and maybe times 2 as in 12+ pound bass!
;D
I'm looking for my first double didgit this year. it's coming I can feel it
So anyone pre-fishing Santa Margarita before the tournament in April?
of course.............. 8) hopefully at least 3 to 4 times.
You and Dean pre fishing together? I know you guys said you were taking some time off to do some fishing.
Stan let me know of some times you want to pre fish and I'll forecast the leave.
Roger that!
I don't think we are because we are taking leave at different times. I am planning on taking leave on the 7th next Thursday because that's like two days before a new moon.
Sounds like a good day to go. I really prefer the new moon, unless it's a ful moon with cloud cover all night then that is just as good. What's with the wind today, it must be blowin' 50 mph glad I'm not out there today. Waves are probably pretty viscous.
Should be good and there should be lots of fish that are in either pre-spawn or on the beds.........because of the cold fronts last week. I think the majority still have not spawned yet.
Are you going to be able to make any of the days I'm taking that next week? The Friday before is a picnic, etc. but hope we can be on it as close as possible to trny day.
what days are you taking that week, what are the dates? STAN: what days are you and Cal planning on going??
11,12, and 15 April. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I would go the other days if I could, but hafta go to DE class :(
I am not sure yet Dean.
Stan, I am still fishing on the 7th however I may end up staying for the majority of the day...........I am not sure yet.
Alright. I'm pretty much game to fish whenever, Cal, Tom Dean.
The 7th is fine with me, any other days you thinking of going????
I may end up staying until 1500 or so since we have a meeting that afternoon.
Well, I don't think I will end up going to Santa Margarita on Thursday, I think I will end up going to Cachuma since it is still a ways out from our tournament at Margarita. I think my wife is going to go with me.
Dean, I will get with you so we can discuss our pre-fishing strategy for Margarita.
Will stop by this afternoon with the money from the last tournament. Had it on me the other day when I saw you at the shoppette and didn't think about it. Thinking about stealing Stan's drift sock before the trny. He needs a handicap! lo
You'l have to come out here to get it. I'll be waiting on the porch with my shotgun. I think Cal and I will fish SM next week, probably Thursday and then again the following Mon or Tues.
I will fish Santa Margarita on the 18th the Monday prior to the tournament and Dean is pre-fishing the week before that. Stan, sorry I can't take you or Cal with me on the 18th. I don't want to give away myself and Dean's secret spot's or our even more important "Top-Secret" lures............ ~shhh
Wow, that's a high dollar drift sock, maybe I'll shop around! ;D
You guys got Top secret lures??? We just fish regular lures, and then present them the way the fish want them!
Dean that drift sock is like gold to me especially on the base lakes, it really helps in the proper presentation on those windy days which is about every day out there.
Stan,
I'm open for a pre fish next week 11-13 April
Tom or Dean, you guys plan on going to SM this week? Cal and I can't go together, it jsut doesn't work out for us this week. Cal can go tommorow or Wed, but I have a guy coming tommorow to fix my dishwasher and Wed I need to take my wife to Santa Barbara. So I will probably be out there on Thursday or Friday. What's y'all's plan?
I'm also open next week as well...so don't forget that week. Open as of now any way
Dean went today and caught over 11 lbs of fish he also lost a fish that was estimated at over 8lbs. We are both going to Cachuma tomorrow and we are heading back to Margarita on Friday.
Cool, keep us posted on Cachuma. Was that 5 fish 11 lbs or 3 fish 11lbs? I would ask what Dean caught them on but I know you guys don't want to give up your top secret baits.
Actually, 4 fish went 11.6 lbs on the same bait, and had another (on a different unmentionable bait) that was 19", but it was hot by then, so I didn't put him on the scale! ;D
Yeah, I guess I need to work on getting those big ones in the boat :'( Quite a ride while I had him on though!
Sounds like you were in the right place, I guess I'll be out there on Friday as well scouting you guys.
Cal, I think I'll be going to SM on Thur or Fri, depends on the wind. I'm also going next Tuesday, does that work for you?
Tuesday works for me
Tuesday is too close to tournament time..........if you hook too many they may not bite come Saturday.
Don't worry we wont be hooking our fish on Tuesday we'll be hooking yours!
Cal, next Tuesday is a go. Be at my place at 0715, I'll get the kids off to school and we'll head out. I'll see if my Dad can pick up the kids so we can stay a little later.
COOL, I'LL BE THERE IN PLENTY OF TIME
That means you won't be on the lake until almost 0900, thats way to late you are going to miss the prime time for getting the good bite.
Maybe your prime time but our prime time is whenever we're at the lake.
I just hope you guys figure out how to use something other than a SENKO..........because once summer gets here you guys may be in trouble............ lo
Stan, what are your plans for this week??
Going to SM on Tues with Cal. Other than that no real plans for fishing.
I don't know, I just don't like hooking bass that close to the tournament.
Who said anything about hooking...we're just going to coax them to come to the surface so we can see where they're from and what their weight is.... lo
Stan is that battery charged for that stun charge.. ~shhh
Why were you guys fishing in some of my areas today??
We didn't even go close to your areas, out of courtesy. But we did arrive at some conclusions as to how the bass are behaving at SM these days. Hopefully the things we learned today will help us on Saturday.
They are almost behaving like they do in the summer time. Did you catch any or were you mostly just scouting out areas?
We caught our limit+, of good fish, 2-3lbs each. We were just trying to figure out some sort of pattern because I just started to figure it out last friday before I had to leave. We stuck to that pattern I was fishing last friday before I left and it payed off.
Cal, I'll be going up to Santa Margarita next week some time. My kids have the week off so I'm going to take them, weather permitting. You have any plans on go up to prefish for the Gold Coast Tournament? How about you guys, Tom and Dean?
I saw a post on Westernbass late last week and they said the lake was muddy and was actually closed for a day or two because of the rising water and debree on the lake. Might not be a good tournament. When Dean and I went two weeks ago I did find a few new spots that I think will be very good once the water clears up I caugth a few fish from these areas, they were small but the area looks very good.
If anyone gets an update on water conditions............please post.
I was up there on Thursday and the water was very muddy but clearer at the backs of the narrows. Water temps that morning was 58 degrees and the by the end of the day the highest I found was 64 degrees. Caught my fish for 4 keepers in the clearer water and caught my last in the some of the muddiest water (kinda reminded me of home). The water should be even better this coming weekend because they didn't get the rain forecasted Friday. Wish I didn't buy those NASCAR tickets for the Phoenix race on Saturday. Also, saw a lot of baitfish activity. Hope this helps.
Longhorn, thanks for the post.
Stan,
Did I say I'd meet you at your place at 0345 or 0445, how about 0430, time for stop and plenty of time to get there
Well, how did you guys do today?
IT WAS HOT!Water temp was 79-83, air temp was 78-108, no wind, about 3 ft vis, caught about 20 fish, lots of dinks, best 5 went close to 10lbs with a 2.5-3lber as our kicker. How did the surgery go? Are you able to fish?
Didn't have it, I am putting it on hold for right now.
I'll be headed baack up there for a peak either tomorrow or Thursday, you guys been up there?
Glad I wasn't up there today, it was 107 here in Los Alamos ~sun, can't imagine what it was like up there.
Yea, it was even hot on base if you can believe that.
When is everybody going up to Margarita for a little pre-fishing? Only 3 weekends left until tournament time again.
I will be out with the wife this weekend, and you??
I'm heading there Saturday next. 8 Sep.
Tom, How was the lake? Weather, water temps, fish caught, weight, presentation used, lure color, type, etc.... You know the usual non-descriptive stuff. :bang :bang
I think I'll be going up tommorow, and then every Wednesday or Tuesday until tourney time.
Must be nice to be "Retired" / "Rancher" ................................... lo
Retired, YES, Rancher, well sometimes it can be a little hard on the OLD body. But I get by.
Stan,
BMy scale has already turned black on the majority of the screen. I noticed it this weekend trying to weigh the 15 pounder I didn't get It's been protected from direct sunlight, I'd think twice about getting one if you are still interested in doing so. I think I'm going to order the X-Tools scale instead. The Berkley was hard to read the colors assigned to the fish you weighed. The X-tools screen looks like bigger numbers. Wish I had one to look at close up
Well I'm glad I never got it. I think I'll stick to using the scale I have and the culling beam. Takes a little extra time to cull but that's what the backseater's job is :roll2: :roll2:. Thanks
Yea, so remember that next year when we start Anglers Choice and you are putting all my big fish on the cull beam from the back seat................... lo
That's fine Tom since you did it for me this year! From the front seat! ~sweat ~shhh
Hey, I caught fish from the front......................the only time I didn't catch was when I was in the backseat of your boat and you kept putting me up against the bank like Bryan used to do...................... ;D
he usually stops doing that after a few crank baits fly by his head..guess he wants to stay out of the way :shocking:
Just a heads up if you didn'y get the message. The lake will be off limits one week prior to the fish off. Trying to find out if that means 7 days prior or Mon-Friday prior. Will let you know.
Yes I saw that too. If it turns out to be 7 days then saturday the13th begins the off limits period. That means the ony day I'll get to pre-fish will be this coming sunday thru friday next week
Yeah I'm still waiting for an answer from Bob. Doesn't look like I'll be getting much of chance to prefish either.
Stan let us know before this weekend. I wasn't planning on fishing this weekend either and was just going to go up one more time before the tournament.
Do you leave this Friday for Texas?
Well I'm waiting for word from Bob. If he doesn't get back to me by Thursday I'll call Glenn to get the heads up on the off limits period. This is pretty important because you know the bite out there is changing every week right now. Yeah I'm leaving Friday morning and won't be back until Monday afternoon, so if I pre-fish it's got to be next week or the weekend prior to the tournament if that's allowed. Will keep you posted
Couldn't wait any longer so I called Glenn. Here's the deal, lake is off limits Monday 15 Oct-Friday 19 Oct. So I will try and get out there maybe one time next week and again on the 13th or 14th. See ya out there.
Cal, why do I see you as calincalif50 and calincalif52?
Had troubles logging in one day so created an account at home, the 52 was supposed to be deleted. :bang
So I think I'll hit the lake the 10th and again the 14th
Well now I'm confused again! Glenn said off limits Mon-Fri but the last issue of the newletter says Sat-Sat. Any word on this? Dean how 'bout you?
Ya I saw that too, so somewhere between the 13th and the 19 is off limits. I'm going out tomorrow and again on friday. How was your trip? I couldn't think of anything I needed. You see the latest lake report. Truth or bull@@##
Could be the truth they just had a trout plant last week.
You've got to take those reports for what they're worth. It's good to have that info in the back of your mind but I wouldn't rely on it for a pattern especially for a tournament. Got to get out there and figure it out yourself. I usually read them and take the WX and Lake conditions into consideration but that's it.
I would agree with most of that except there are exceptions to that rule and swimbaits are that exception in my mind. From all the research I have read from Casitas to Clear lake is that when they are feeding on trout or hitch like after a plant if you arent' throwing one you will probably get beat if they are still on that bite come tournament time.
Well the BoD's have a meeting tonight to discuss the payouts for the tournament at SM and schedule for next year so I will find out exactly what the off limits period is.
When should we start fishing Cachuma again, in prep for AC?
I will be on Cachuma about a week or two after the Santa Margarita tournament. Maybe later in Nov we can have a small base tournament.
SM lake is off limits Monday - Friday 15 -19 Oct. So the weekend is free. Anyone going. I went today with pretty dismal results, might go again on sunday
Well Tom how was the fishing. Saw you pull into the Bx Station that morning, I was spying on you from the armory
Cal, I got the campsite! It's under my name for arrival on Friday, you can check in as early as 1300 but I won't be up there until around 2000 or so. I have a meeting that I have to go to for the kids school and after that I'll be on my way up. I paid for the first night and the reservation fee. The confirmation # is 2171, if you need it. It's campsite C3 in the Coyote area. I'll see you at the meeting on Wednesday and don't forget the Meeting tommorow at 1900 for the 2008 BoD's to make up a tenative schedule for next year. NO NACI!!!!!!!!!! :-*
Cal, the bite was very tough....
Tom any thing worth keeping?
only 2.
sounds familiar
Stan, I forgot to ask about the inflattable life vests. Did you end up trying any on at Bass Pro and if so which ones were comfortable?
Not that you were asking me, but I looked at them awhile back and bought the Mustang competition model. It is WAY more comfortable than the sterns and quite a bit more comfortable than the SOSpenders. It sits a little looser on your neck, and the inside of the neck is a soft neoprene kind of material...
Yep, that's what I was telling Tom on Saturday. Those things are Okay it would just take a little time to get use to having that strap on the back of your neck.
Still not sure if I will get one of those or not. I was just thinking it would be nice to have in the winter when you are fishing alone and have all that clothes on and boots just in case you were to fall in.
Yeah, they are nice if you are hitting a lot of spots and moving a lot too. You can just clip your kill switch and go.
I'm still debating on the purchase. I may have to go to BPS down south and spend a day or 2 fitting, looking, buying, ( don't tell my wife I said buy) ;D
I think I'll hold off on buying until I actually need too. Like when my lifejackets are not in good shape anymore.
Just read a post on centralcoastbassfishing that some guy caught a new lake record at Margarita, 13.6lbs but the fish later died. He caught it on a Rat-l-trap and the fish swallowed the bait. You know how that goes when they get trebles on those gills.