Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Larry Hemphill

When Santa is done delivering gifts, he should take the month of January off, or go to one of the many sports shows. January is the slowest month of the year for northern California bass fishing, though toads are sometimes caught in January if you know how and where to fish for them. Fishing for spo...

Larry Hemphill

Thanks for the comments Smokie. I just wish I could spell " coastal"

Larry Hemphill

Every year is the same - just the timing and the extremes are different You could name seasons like this: winter - cold spring - unstable, combination of weather summer - warm and hot, except the coast fog patterns fall - most beautiful stable weather - nippy nights, beautiful days Yes, San Francisc...

Larry Hemphill

I was reading all your comments about the lack of big bass bites this fall Anyone been out on a cold night lately? Probably not. We have had a very nice, boring fall - no rain, snow, or cold nights. I can tell you after many years of guiding at Clear lake and Berryessa, the big fish don't really sho...

Larry Hemphill

Bob is an excellent guide with years of experience - and success! I have had clients that fished with Bob and had a great time! We have talked many, many times about the lake and some fun stories about guiding there. I would recommend him highly. The experience he has on the lake is priceless!! He h...

Larry Hemphill

Don't see many bass photos shot from that angle! Great photo (and bass!!)

Larry Hemphill

Was hoping to see the markings on that great fish!
Face the sun to see the beautiful marking on photo of a trophy bass
Smallies that big are rare

Larry Hemphill

I don't doubt that those bass you show are nice, large bass. Good job! I have a suggestion for you. Don't make your photos looking up at the bass (unless they are really small - LOL!) I can make a 2 pounder look like a 5 pounder by that type of upward photo. The true picture of the size (girth) of a...

Larry Hemphill

He helped me into the computer age!! He helped me learn computer basics and got me on WB.com We talked a lot on email and the phone I only fished with him once, taking him to Oroville He said he always wanted to fish that lake. We did well, but missed a lot of bites - laughing too hard most of the t...

Larry Hemphill

Congrats on a GREAT photo of a GREAT bass from Camanche!! I used to fish that lake a lot when I still lived in San Jose. Never caught one that big there, but that was when the lake was very young. 12's didn't exist then! I was fortunate to fish the lake before it was open to the public. No monster b...

Larry Hemphill

I fished the lake many times about 10 years ago as it was a new "toy!" Quickly found out it wasn't worth the time it took to clean up truck and boat after!!! Even night fished it once and didn't hit a single tree!! Bite was ok in the moonlight I quickly realized Clear lake was a much bette...

Larry Hemphill

All boats and tow vehicles that come out of there are the same color - basic dust!! I haven't been there for many years. Felt the fishing didn't match the effort - dirt road, cleaning every inch of the boat after, dangerous rocks and trees. Don't know if it is any better now. Didn't want to guide th...

Larry Hemphill

Wherever you are fishing in the next few days, the upcoming heat spell will change something
about the bite.
These may be the hottest few days ever in Nor Cal. Time will tell. Maybe 112-113? Wow!!
Find the coolest water or depth you can as the bass will need to be there.

Larry Hemphill

Not sure about the weight - doesn't look ten lbs.
That bass will never make it to 10 lbs if held by the lower lip forever!!
That bass needs to be supported by both hands!!!

Larry Hemphill

Totally agree with the previous post! Name recognition is the name of the game for resale Ranger has earned and maintained that for decades It will be important to you when you sell the one you might buy The motor brand might not be as important as they are all good now Boat features are probably mo...

Larry Hemphill

It looks dark out there! Those bass only bite in the daytime!!! Congrats!! I need to find my black lights!!!

Larry Hemphill

Sorry - I meant 1st and 3rd big fish! I shouldn't be posting at midnight!!!

Larry Hemphill

I think 8.20 is heavier then 8.06.
Was that the correct results for 1st and 3rd place?

Larry Hemphill

I would like to see the "pan" that fish would fit into! Great fish and photo!!! When looking at a big "panfish" like this one, the photo will only show left to right and top to bottom Where the trophy "panfish" put on much of their weight is side to side. Same for a tro...

Larry Hemphill

Great looking "panfish!".. Not sure it would fit in a pan!!! Congrats!!

Larry Hemphill

Bass fishing wasn't the big deal it is these days, back in the mid-seventies when I left San Jose. Club tournaments were just beginning in those days I knew Coyote was something special before it was "discovered' - whenever that was. Had a lot of 5 MPH areas which made it less popular - not a b...

Larry Hemphill

Great memories after reading these posts about the San Jose lakes. That is where I learned to bass fish - mostly at Coyote and Chesbro. is Chesbro still there?? I took a summer school fishing class I was teaching to Chesbro - yes - on a yellow school bus!! About forty 5th to 8th graders. Hope the la...

Larry Hemphill

Wow!! Not sure which one of you caught the 12 - but the other guy had the pressure of lipping or netting her!!
That is a monster from Camanche!! Hope you guys didn't break a hand hi-fiving each other. Congrats to the net man too - NO pressure of course, if nets were allowed)!

Larry Hemphill

It is a lake with steep walls around it and doesn't get a lot of early spring sun, especially when the lake is low.

And it is at the 2000 ft elevation - warms up slower.

It may turn on a bit earlier this year as the winter has not been that cold. Beautiful lake!!

Larry Hemphill

Congrats on the near 10 pounder - great fish!

I have said this before - "on your next bass trip the first bass you catch will be a "dink" - even if 5 lbs!!!

Larry Hemphill

Good luck getting ahold of Johnny Morris!! Unless I bought my Ford truck from my local Ford dealer, why should I get the best future service appointment consideration? Local dealer support is very important in our country - as it should be. You get to know those folks and they will go the extra mile...

Larry Hemphill

I haven't fly fished for bass very much - mostly for trout and late spring river shad on the Yuba river. Fly fishing for bass can be really fun when the pre and post spawn shallow feed is on!! They will hit most light baits or large streamers that can be fished on larger flyrods! Since bass are fair...

Larry Hemphill

Surely you caught the biggest spot in the lake!! THAT is a special fish! Congrats!!

Larry Hemphill

Larry Hemphill

Sunset or sunrise? Great photo either way!

Larry Hemphill

Great photo! The 4 bass fill the photo, with the bellies in plain view!
That's what you want in a 4 bass photo - full view of the bass from top to bottom!!
When taking a multi-bass photo, one needs to hold the bass in full vertical view - top to bottom of the belly.
You guys looked ok too!!

Larry Hemphill

I netted a world record spotted bass two springs ago at Bullards Bar. It was the potential world record for that species caught by a female angler. I was taking Clara Ricabal to Bullard Bar for her first visit to that beautiful lake! We only fished for about 3 hours on a warm afternoon. I got broke ...

Larry Hemphill

Forgot to mention - great photo of the two monsters and you. Perfect!! All 20 lbs in perfect view!!!

Larry Hemphill

That is a major accomplishment - especially back to back!! That experience could be the high point of your total fishing career! I always ask this question - were you just going "down the bank" or was this a special area that you were targeting trophies - like an offshore rockpile for exam...

Larry Hemphill

Sure glad I don't night fish in the areas you do! Dangerous out there!!!

Larry Hemphill

I used to fish and guide on Folsom for many years before the traffic from Yuba City became too much. I love the lake, but also respect the structure very much. I know the floating buoys are very good, but be very careful anyway!! At this level - and lower - rockpiles are found where you least expect...

Larry Hemphill

The fall will be a good time for you to check out the structure all over the lake. You might take some photos because a lot of the lake looks the same - very FISHY!! Keep your eye on your meter because there are lots of shallow flats in places you might not expect them. Most of the quality spotted b...

Larry Hemphill

Good luck finding those "trout!"

Larry Hemphill

I don't usually comment on tournament results, but was very happy to see Duke and Brandon do very well on the recent Clear Lake tournament. They were great guys and fun to be with! I guiding them once or twice about 10+ years ago - I think on Clear Lake, or maybe Berryessa - can't remember. Obviousl...

Larry Hemphill

I couldn't believe my eyes after seeing several nice 2 or 3 lb bass under a bridge, seeing a 6 or 7 pounder on the edge of the bridge shadow. NEVER have I ever wanted, so bad, a fishing rod in my hands!!!

Larry Hemphill

Nice bass - congrats!! A jig with Yamamoto grub trailer is truly a "year-round" bait! Trophy bass just can't pass up a properly fished jig - even in the summer!!

Larry Hemphill

Very good points made in your post! The one thing about fishing a large, open body of water, is that the main lake swells can be very scary! If you are fishing the Berryessa narrows at night in sudden heavy wind, the swells will be manageable for most boats. One can have serious problems if a heavy ...

Larry Hemphill

That is - or was - the rule at Lake Oroville.
There wouldn't be many night tournaments with that rule.
You could fish the launch cove!
They just put in lighted buoys at Berryessa in the narrows. What great news if you are night fishing dark of the moon!!!

Larry Hemphill

I thought one only caught dinks at night. Something must have changed at Clear Lake! Congrats!!

Larry Hemphill

Ash is right - that is the fish of a lifetime since it was from Oroville. A fish that size is rare indeed! I wanted to say how wonderful to have a perfect photo of a perfect bass Markings, color, fins, photo in general was great. Perfect amount of background scenery while making the bass and the ang...

Larry Hemphill

Not Again!!! We need a special lake closure for you - LOL!!! Congrats! And I knew you when!!

Larry Hemphill

I couldn't agree more with bsapp's post. Bob was a big help to me with up-to-date info before a guide trip to Clear Lake! Of course, he would expect me to bring in clients after day trips to buy stuff "they should have used" - LOL My clients would just marvel at his shop - so much stuff in...

Larry Hemphill

Hard to compare this virus with 9-11. The attack on the trade center buildings was an act of war, planned by humans, in full view of everyone who watched the videos after. We could see the enemy - giant airplanes.

Can't see the virus, and, it is a much slower process. Travels unseen.

Larry Hemphill

As I got to know Gary Dobyns after moving to Yuba City, I was able to admire his tournament success as I was gaining success as a guide during the 80's. I eventually talked him into team teaching with me at my huge Sacramento and Yuba City bass classes. I told him that we were the perfect pair to co...

Larry Hemphill

I am proud of you both for the nice bass you landed! I am even more proud that you know how to hold a big bass for a photo!! Holding it left to right (horizontal) and supporting the bass with both hands is perfect! No lip holds for BIG bass if you are going to release them. Too much stress on their ...

Larry Hemphill

You mean here?? Then everyone would post a bigger bass photo - LOL!!!

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