best "sleeper" lake in california

[big bass beckstrom]

Ok better have a 4x4 and alot of battery but Loch Lomond up by Scott's Valley.Huge fish full of Trout but crystal clear.

I say this becouse the Swimbait guy's figured Pinto Lake has potential go figure.

2nd. I wouldnt say it is the most under rated but it is a really nice little reservoir, only electric, no water contact, and crystal clear.

Big bass there but the fishing pressure is crazy and the water is crystal clear. This makes for some spooky bass, it's not an easy lake to fish by any means. I think there are only northern strain in there.

I agree but there are some hard hitting swimbait fish in there. I caught my first hudd fish out of the Loch

[DAN]

Los banos creek

[Tin Can]

No swimbait fish for me yet at the loch. I had followers, and one come up and sniff a floater I was deadsticking.

[sTony]

Los Vaqueros and Bethany Reservoir. Close to the Delta so they get a lot less traffic. The stripers in LV are impressive but you have to deal with either the wind or the rattlesnakes to get 'em. Bethany also can be wind effected but there is a lot less traffic then most lakes.

In the Mother Lode I'd have to go with Salt Springs. Again a lot less pressure then New Melones, McClure, Don Pedro, Amador and Pardee.

In the Vineyard region I'd have to go with Indian Valley, if you can get your rig there and Sonoma gets a lot less bassin' pressure then most lakes that size.

Up north it has to be Trinity. Takes a bit to get there but the ish are impressive once you do.

sTony

[sTony]

Funny thing, it was Loch Lomond that really got me fired up more into bass fishing then I'd ever been before. I was living in Santa Cruz a decade or so ago and used to go to Loch Lomond and Pinto a lot. At Loch Lomond I used to go trout fishing but I couldn't get a hooked fish to shore because the big bass would nail it as soon as I hooked the trout. Never hooked a bass on a trout but had several dead fish by the time I could wrestle the trou away from the eager bass. They were huge fish then and I]'m sure they're even bigger now, hahaha.

Good times to be sure and that's when I started chucking the old Castaic Trouts up there. There weren't too many other baits of that type at the time.

sTony

[big bass beckstrom]

Loch Lomond got me started fishing, I caught my first fish there and my first bass there. There are big fish but they put out some algae killer in the water every year so almost none of the bass fry make it after the spawn and I have seen guys get their trout stolen by big bass almost every time I have been up there

[big bass beckstrom]

No swimbait fish for me yet at the loch. I had followers, and one come up and sniff a floater I was deadsticking.

throw your swimbait along the tire line at the opening of the marina all day and I guarentee a few fish because the bass wait there to ambush the trout. My friend caught an 8 on a BBZ out there last weekend

[CN]

Ok better have a 4x4 and alot of battery but Loch Lomond up by Scott's Valley.Huge fish full of Trout but crystal clear.

I say this becouse the Swimbait guy's figured Pinto Lake has potential go figure.

2nd. I wouldnt say it is the most under rated but it is a really nice little reservoir, only electric, no water contact, and crystal clear.

Big bass there but the fishing pressure is crazy and the water is crystal clear. This makes for some spooky bass, it's not an easy lake to fish by any means. I think there are only northern strain in there.

HHHHMMM I didnt think people in Santa Cruz knew what a Bass boat was???........just kidding

[Tin Can]

2nd. I wouldnt say it is the most under rated but it is a really nice little reservoir, only electric, no water contact, and crystal clear.

Big bass there but the fishing pressure is crazy and the water is crystal clear. This makes for some spooky bass, it's not an easy lake to fish by any means. I think there are only northern strain in there.

HHHHMMM I didnt think people in Santa Cruz knew what a Bass boat was???........just kidding

Mine is made from 100% hemp

[Tin Can]

No swimbait fish for me yet at the loch. I had followers, and one come up and sniff a floater I was deadsticking.

throw your swimbait along the tire line at the opening of the marina all day and I guarentee a few fish because the bass wait there to ambush the trout. My friend caught an 8 on a BBZ out there last weekend

I think I might have seen him out there. I saw a guy a couple weeks back sitting on that spot pretty much all day chucking a swimbait. I may have to try it now.

I'm sure a bunch of people are reading this though and I'll show up and see 20 boats sitting there.

[big bass beckstrom]

Yep thats happened to me before, told 3 or 4 of my friends and the next saturday I went there were 5 aluminum boats in the cove where the tire line is Needless to say I was pist

[bassenvy]

Yep thats happened to me before, told 3 or 4 of my friends and the next saturday I went there were 5 aluminum boats in the cove where the tire line is Needless to say I was pist

that's why you should give up your sleeper lakes to guys you don't even know

[MikeSouza]

I posted a few days ago on about this topic. I mentioned Del Valle and Shadow Cliffs. I recieved a private message from an individual saying "I had no class because I posted those two lakes" He is upset because he fishes these waters and can't believe I would post it on a public forum.

This site is about helping fisherman from begginers to pro. I have been posting here since 1998 when it was called NorthernCaliforniaBassFishing and have never had such a rude reamark on a private message.

[Steve]

Yep thats happened to me before, told 3 or 4 of my friends and the next saturday I went there were 5 aluminum boats in the cove where the tire line is Needless to say I was pist

that's why you should give up your sleeper lakes to guys you don't even know

This whole thread is making me laugh. Whats the definition of a sleeper lake? nuff said.

[sTony]

This whole thread is making me laugh. Whats the definition of a sleeper lake? nuff said.

I think 'sleeper' in this thread relates to lakes that are not as popularly fished. It seems like an okay topic to bring up.

sTony

[sTony]

I'm with you on this one Mike. We used to be able to talk freely about stuff in here without getting threats and the like. But then we also used to be able to debate without anger and so on and that seems to have changed also. And we have those that simply want to pee down someone's back anytime they can, anonymously.

This place was built for folks to share info and spread this disease we have, the need to constantly fish for bass, amongst the masses.

Sure there are some folks who want to covet more then share. Kind of reminds me of the Golem like mentality from Lord of the Rings. (The bass are mine, must... have... the bass to myself.) Rather ugly way to go about anything in life.

Anyways, anytime you get a group of people gathered together there will likely be as many differing opinions as there are people. This forum proves to be no different.

sTony

[g-man]

If you wanna share info great, if not then just don't post! I don't have a problem with that either. Lakes are for the public. Get over yourself if you think its your water! You can tell someone a spot on a lake, give them the right bait with the right conditions, and it still don't mean they are gonna catch em!

It amazes me how someone could be a d#ck about a topic like this!

p.s. Franks is all mine stay out of it! LOL

what a joke!

[CN]

Thank's Anthony.You know I have a hard enough time logging in to one of these damn box's and when I first visited this site I only went to the report section to post report's.I only read other report's and learned some thing's and believe me we all know an exagerated report.

Then one day I clicked on the forum link,is that the proper word,and I learned more and met a few people.

I was amazed at how many "open back seat"post's there were now a guy ask's a legitimate question and like every other post it turn's into a pissing match that I have a time or two contibutited to.

As far as that private message it's pretty clear the person need's help.You can ask Anthony himself I am not some sort of homer we have had our differance's in the past but stop and think what your doing.

You want my real sleeper.Laugh at this....................San Luis Res.and stay the hell off it it's my water.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I have heard there were LMB in San Luis, but never caught one..I do know they are in the forebay, and some good sized ones too..

mac

[big bass beckstrom]

Yep thats happened to me before, told 3 or 4 of my friends and the next saturday I went there were 5 aluminum boats in the cove where the tire line is Needless to say I was pist

that's why you should give up your sleeper lakes to guys you don't even know

I dont fish there anymore, mabey once a year.

[FIVEtenthz]

I have heard there were LMB in San Luis, but never caught one..I do know they are in the forebay, and some good sized ones too..

mac

Just had an cool image pop into my head if that be true... a 30lb striper eating a 5lb largemouth, that would be a sight!

[Tin Can]

Yep thats happened to me before, told 3 or 4 of my friends and the next saturday I went there were 5 aluminum boats in the cove where the tire line is Needless to say I was pist

that's why you should give up your sleeper lakes to guys you don't even know

I dont fish there anymore, mabey once a year.

I'm writing you a nasty PM right now for giving away my lake!

[Greg_Cornish]

whatever happened to putting time in? are we tivoing the best sleeper lakes now?

He asked a simple question, I don't git it? Folks ask about what we think is the best rod, reel, boat, swimbait all the time, where's all this negative BS come from guys?. PUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!

equipment and tools are one thing. Finding a good "sleeper" lake should be earned imo. I'm sorry I thought that was good forum etiquette. Should we start naming off everyones spots that they have put time in on?

I thought it was about an entire lake, not a spot. I have a solution. If you don't want to give out your sleeper lake, don't post.

[Chaozu]

He asked a simple question, I don't git it? Folks ask about what we think is the best rod, reel, boat, swimbait all the time, where's all this negative BS come from guys?. PUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!

equipment and tools are one thing. Finding a good "sleeper" lake should be earned imo. I'm sorry I thought that was good forum etiquette. Should we start naming off everyones spots that they have put time in on?

I thought it was about an entire lake, not a spot. I have a solution. If you don't want to give out your sleeper lake, don't post.

WORD!

[Tin Can]

Well, Chaozo you posted. What's yours?

[Chaozu]

I would have to say Lexington. no one ever fishes it, only trout guys and even they dont go there anymore. Those bass love slammers! Next would be Shadow Cliffs but that spot is getting blown up now. Then of course you have your local golf ponds

[bassenvy]

If you wanna share info great, if not then just don't post!

this comes from a guy with 6000 posts? sorry I couldn't resist

guys I recede...just don't forget your elbow pads next time you go out to that small pond!

[Greg_Cornish]

this comes from a guy with 6000 posts? sorry I couldn't resist
....

He shares a lot of info.

[Iafrate94505]

I certainly would much rather share, trade, give or receive anything
as it relates to bass fishing. As I know share with you......

My choice of a Sleeper lake would have to be.....

Lake Of The Pines. It's a PIA to get on that water....
but well worth it for number's and easy fishing with the kids....

good fishing...

[g-man]

If you wanna share info great, if not then just don't post!

this comes from a guy with 6000 posts? sorry I couldn't resist

guys I recede...just don't forget your elbow pads next time you go out to that small pond!

I resent that! LOL... Blame it on the Lounge! LOL
Don't hate cause my job lets me be lazy! now wheres your hot spots?

[big bass beckstrom]

I would have to say Lexington. no one ever fishes it, only trout guys and even they dont go there anymore. Those bass love slammers! Next would be Shadow Cliffs but that spot is getting blown up now. Then of course you have your local golf ponds

What about your swimbait ponds

[Tin Can]

I would have to say Lexington. no one ever fishes it, only trout guys and even they dont go there anymore. Those bass love slammers! Next would be Shadow Cliffs but that spot is getting blown up now. Then of course you have your local golf ponds

It's sad what is happening to Lexington. Soon it will be nothing more than a mud puddle. They are draining it down to about 3% Capacity to fix a water line. It's a good lake if you put in a little time to learn it. It's been so low for so long now, I don't really fgish it since I can't launch the boat anymore.

[plungers]

Eastmen

[procraftrob]

Calero is great for size and numbers if you know what your doing, LosBanos is also incredible especially in the summer, but my number 1 sleeper is the one that will remain asleep due to the zebra mussel is San Justo res.

[j-dogg]

Folsom!!!!!!