Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I'm looking at a possible transfer soon and I will have the choice of the LA (Near LAX) or the San Diego area. Without causing controversy, if you had the choice between the 2 which would you choose if Bass fishing were the deciding factor...which it is for me. LA has Castaic which I have fished a coupe of times, Casitas etc. San Diego has a bunch but I am not familiar with them all. Would I also have the option of Mexico for Peacock Bass fairly close to San Diego or is that not within driving distance?

I have been fishing all of my life and it is my release from work.
I am from Ohio and fish all the time. I caught a 24 pound striper 3 weeks ago btw. I am talking about largemouth in this post though.
Thanks!

San Francisco for the Delta, Clearlake. After that it hardly matters.

J/K (in a way).

San Diego is my area, and the mussels are not a problem as they are everywhere here, so LA is tough in that respect as they don't allow a lot of boats in the water without a waiting period (one month or blah blah blah).

Smog is getting better up there, but I'd still rather live down here, but you make less money as everyone want to live down here.

I'm sure that helps...

PS, If you end up down here I be glad to 'show you the ropes' at the various lakes. Let me know.

Rick,
There is way more then Castaic for the LA area. Yes, Casitas has a waiting period (10 days after inspection), but Piru, Castaic, Pyramid, DVL, Puddingstone, Perris and many other have no waiting period as long as you come clean and dry. San Diego has some great fishing as well so you really can lose either way you go. The only lakes really going over board on the mussel issue as of now are Cachuma and Casitas and they are both more then an hour north from the LAX area (where I live). Good luck with your choice.

John

make sure u sell all your bait casters and stock up on spinning rods and 4 lb test nor cali is the way to go its bass fishing paradise

LAX area is a ways from most of the lakes. Depending on where you're located, San Diego is pretty close to some really good bodies of water... Hodges, Otay, Dixon, there are several to choose from. Here's a decent link with the line-up:
http://sandiego.about.com/od/outdoorrec ... _lakes.htm

There are some really good bass to be had, and the weather is ideal in much of the area.

As for driving to the Mexico destinations, it is a long drive, as all are located in Mainland Mexico, not Baja. You would also be close to world-class deep sea fishing.

Good luck with your decision,
Roger

I have lived in LA and San Diego... San Diego blows it out of the water for a multitude of reasons.

I would go with San Diego all the way. Besides the great LM Bass, and offshore fishing, you also have San Diego Bay and Mission Bay.

not to mention the weather...the surf...the ladies.. over all attitude of people in san diego is more laid back then la.

the other factor is that we have been looking at homes and it is nearly impossible for me to find a house near LAX with accommodations for my bass boat and all my gear and san diego seems to have a bunch of options. Thanks for your replies and anyone else that may have a point of view I would love to hear it.

If San Diego is anything like the IE, or the areas we were looking up at the Delta, now is definitely the time to buy and relocate. Much of the pricing we've found had slipped 5 years or more, with much inventory priced at or near half of peak. That's one of the biggest reasons we're moving to the Delta.

Real prime opportunity for you - best of luck!
Roger

IE and San Diego are completely different.. San Diego it seems like everyone either surfs or fishes.. up in LA....not soo much.

I live 5 minutes from LAX, and the closest lake, Castaic, is 45 miles from my front door.
I tow right at 60mph, which gets me my best mileage without making me feel like I'm standing still.
45 minutes in the morning, 1-2 hours in the afternoon, depending on traffic.
Pyramid is another 25-30, going and coming, and so is Piru.
Casitas, if you want to do the inspection, and then a 10 day quarantine, is a good 1 1/2 hours in the morning, and twice that if there's traffic.
Perris is the same as Casitas, but going east instead of west.
I don't know the pros and cons of your work in terms of LA and San Diego, but, all things being equal, I think there are more lakes available a lot closer, or at least with less traffic, in San Diego.

LA Sucks....And YES...I've lived here practically my whole life. My home mailing address is in Los Angeles proper. 30 mins to Castaic, Pyramid and Piru are another 30 minutes. I don't even bother with Casitas anymore.

If you're gonna live near LAX be prepared for exaggerated driving times. A routine drive to Downtown LA for example which may only take 20mins without traffic from LAX, will take you well over an hour during rush-hour. To say its crowded here is an understatement. San Diego is so much more refreshing, unlike LA which can suck the life right outta ya sometimes. Also like John mentioned, the people's attitudes are waaay more laid back in San Diego. Not to mention the women!
When you wanna fish on a weekend in San Diego, you probably won't be shoulder to shoulder with 100 or more of your closest buddies, that are all trying to beat the water to a froth.

Is it just me, or are Castaic bass the smartest freakin' fish around? And they fight twice as hard when they see the boat also. Its rare to catch a finesse fish on light line at other lakes and have them make 2 or 3 or more runs from the boat at the surface down below...constantly yo-yo-ing up and down. The fish know what's up. All I'm saying is don't expect alot of wide open days, where the fishing is just stupid. These fish have seen everything in the book practically. Be prepared to work hard for your bites.....

Alex M. wrote: Is it just me, or are Castaic bass the smartest freakin' fish around? .....

Now that's funny. And true. I think every fish in that lake has been caught at least once.
Especially now that Casitas is "closed".
Except for the ones that Mike Hart has trained to jump into his livewell.

Now that's funny. And true. I think every fish in that lake has been caught at least once.
Especially now that Casitas is "closed".
Except for the ones that Mike Hart has trained to jump into his livewell.

I think Hart & Zank have special silent whistles for their "pets", kinda like dog whistles, but for bass. Those guys can probably make 'em jump through hoops too!

But seriously....
Have you noticed that the bass @ Castaic(even the 2 pounders), fight alot harder than bass at other lakes? If you chained a 2 pounder from Castaic, bumper to bumper, to 2 pounder from...let's say Piru, the Castaic bass would drag that little guy from Piru all over the lake....

They're also expert "hook-shaker-off-ers"......Sigh

Alex M wrote:I think Hart & Zank have special silent whistles for their "pets", kinda like dog whistles, but for bass.

I remember having one of those special silent whistles

Obi

ps. Can't seem to remember where I put it since I have only been to Cashtaic a handful of times since January

hmmm...this is getting really interesting. I am going to be in the San Diego area at the end of October with a real estate looking in Carlsbad, Poway, and Scripps. I'll be looking at the LA area too. I'll post my striper catch if you all want to see it!

You guys out there ever hear of the famous Raystown lake in PA? Place is like heaven. Fishfinder is constantly full. I am also 1 hour away from Erie...one of the countries best small mouth fishing not to mention Coho, Steelhead and Walleye....wait a minute....why am I leaving again?????

hmmm...looks like I can't upload pix here...I have to link to them huh? Sorry I don't have my striper picture up on a site anywhere...[/img]

okay now....check out my avatar!

Rick,

You can upload your picture to the photos section and then paste the link from that page in a post here.

Obi

No contest IMHO. San Diego is BY FAR one of the FINEST if NOT BEST places you could ever live. Traffic is getting crummier by the year, but the weather is the country's best. Carlsbad is awesome, go for it. Rick G.

Thanks guys! This board is way cool! Is there a horsepower limit on a lot of the San Diego lakes? Not that I am am not a considerate boater but I don't know how limited I will be out west with my Triton.

I don't know of any HP restriction but I believe every lake south of the Tehachipi's in So. Cal has a speed limit

Obi

I have an answer we already have enough people in cali please don't transfer if you do, the gov. is going to cut your pay to minimuim wage . you don't want to come to ca. to much smog, everything is expensive, everyone is in a hurry , to much traffic, and most people are a holes. oh and theres a lot of HOMO's in ca. I PERSONALLY KNOW ONE . IF YOU GIVE ME A KISS I'LL TELL YOU WHO IT IS.

The Poway/Scripps area is definately more central than Carlsbad. Carlsbad is nice, but a bit further to the local San Diego lakes and to Central San Diego, but it is a very cool city. I have lived in the Scripps area for 20+ years, its a great area. Poway is nice as well, if you want larger lots of land, Poway has that over Scripps, and both have the traditional suburbs as well. Not sure if you have kids, but both Poway/Scripps have great schools, and they are two different districts. Now is a great time to buy in San Diego, a lot of good deals available, Ive seen houses sell for 30% less than what they were a few years ago. Definately a good time to buy, but San Diego real estate is still higher than most depending on other locations. Weather is the best, traffic can suck at times, that is one downside of Carlsbad, is the I-5 through there can be a parking lot frequently. Not sure where your office would be located in San Diego but Scripps/Poway may be more central/allow you more freeway/road options to get there. Good luck in your search.

No contest - San Diego is where it's at. LA is gross!

One thing both LA and San Diego have in common.
Neither has an NFL team.

you suck the Chargers are a real team, not some transplant from Oakland...one of the few teams I agree with Foreman on!

You don't like the Oakland Traitors? Awwwwww...Cmon MAN

TT,
Nah, nah, nah!

Alex,
Priceless LMFAO!

Not sure who I dislike more...The Traitors...Or their idiotic fans???
Could you imagine wearing all that crap...basking under the hot sun all day...Then draggin your a$$ home and doing the walk of shame as a result of your team losing(AGAIN)......While wearing all that garbage/regalia...

Friggin' Losers.......It really doesn't get much lamer than this

I would pick San Diego myself. I was just down there, and Dixon & Hodges look like outstanding bass country. And of course you can also fish Barret in the sprint if you don't mind using a 16' boat with a 7 HP motor to get around, and catching an average of 40 bass a day.

Oh yeah.. Nice to see ya back hippie..

wow. Barret sounds cool but it looks like you would only be able to get in like once a year huh?

Due to the fact that the entrance road passes through private property, all parties must be escorted on and off the premises.

Ticketmaster will be handling all reservations for Barrett fishing. The lake will be open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The 2008 season runs from May 7th through September 28th.

Reservations can be made by calling (619) 220-8497 or on Ticketmaster's web site at www.ticketmaster.com. Reservations will be available one month at a time, always beginning on the second Tuesday of the month before at 7:00 p.m. May's reservations will go on sale April 8th at 7:00 p.m.

The cost for a reservation is $50.00, plus Ticketmaster's normal fees. One reservation is good for up to four people and includes a boat and motor. Plus each person must purchase a daily fishing permit at the lake for $10.00 per person (cash only please) and those anglers 16 years of age or older must have a California state fishing license. The lake does NOT sell fishing licenses.

There is a limit of one reservation per household (same address or computer) on the first day reservations go on sale. After the first day if there are any reservations remaining, then patrons can purchase as many reservations as they want. Ticketmaster will sell one-half the reservations per day on their web site and one-half at the call-in center, so if one shows the date you want as sold out, try the other.

rick wrote:wow. Barret sounds cool but it looks like you would only be able to get in like once a year huh?

[/quote]

Actually you can get in as many times as you want to stay on the phone getting reservations. But the bite in the sprint is unreal sometimes. You could actually get tired of catching!

please stop the nonsense do not move to ca. there are evil people here and we all soon will have quagga in our colons

Hey guys, thanks for your input! I am in LA this week looking around. I took my Dad to Castaic and rented a boat and basically got skunked. we threw everything from 7Am to 1pm. nada. Anyway, are there some really small lakes near LAX that are just quick fun fishing for Bass? I remember someone on this board mentioned some park lakes in Long Beach maybe? We would just like to get a "fix" for our addiction and even hook a one pounder at this point!

I did a search for long beach but couldn't find it. I'll google it to in the meantime. Any help with any other small lakes or ponds would be greatly appreciated.

I found this! Maybe we can get lucky here!

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/ ... d-coi-pond

Go to el dorado park off the 605 fwy.
Guy Williams

Thanks Guy! We'll go this morning! I suppose it is too much to think that the LA area would have small scattered lakes a few acres in size to fish huh? They're every other mile it seems in PA and Ohio but this used to be a desert out here I guess. Btw, going to scripps this week with the agent to look at homes. I really like it in LA though...call me crazy!

I think El Dorado opens at 8:00, but I'm not certain. Call ahead.
The ponds are on the north side of the road as you enter, and the Nature Center is on the south.
There is a road that winds around all the ponds. I think there are four main ones. It's a big loop/type system, so you can't get lost.
Take the road under the tunnel to the last two. Those are usually better for bigger bass, at least for me.
They're stocking trout there again, so throw swimbaits in the third one, the big one with the rental boats and the Ranger Station.
And walk the shore around the last one, with a toad and plastic worms. The last one is the most "natural" one, with a dirt bottom, and lots of weeds and bottom cover, and tules.
Shorter rods help on the last one.
I usually fish braid there, since there's so much junk in the water.
There are shad, so they may be chasing right now. Don't forget to throw a top water.
And watch your speed as you drive there. The Rangers are picky about that.