No End in Sight for Rainbows

From the Colorado River at Bullhead City, Ariz., Larry Cozad of Smitty’s says, “I don’t know how long it will last, but we’re having a lot of fun catching rainbows.”

Anglers drifting Power Bait or gold bluefox lures are having the most success. For a change of pace, some three-pound striped bass are showing up in the early morning near the dam.

BIG BEAR LAKE--Trout fishing as good “as it’s gonna get,” Lin Crawford reports, but not many anglers. Trollers using flashers with night crawlers, or swimming minnows, to get their attention. Few catfish on Power Bait while fishing for trout. Bass fishing fading for winter.

BULLHEAD CITY--Trout highly active, running from 3/4-pound to three pounds. For stripers, try the lake in early morning in dam area, with white sassy shad and chrome rattletraps.

SALTON SEA--Corvina biting best between state park headquarters and Salt Creek, 4-6-pound average, using talapia minnows or trolling with thin fins. Big bite of sargo is consistent throughout Sea. Croaker at Bombay Beach. Temperatures mid-80s during day, low 50s at night.

LAKE CACHUMA--Red-ear perch jumping by Johnson Bay, with night crawlers. Catfish continuing to come in--one 12 1/2 pounds--on cut mackerel. Trout planted twice last week. Some limits from shore on Power Bait.

PYRAMID LAKE--Ron Morgan, Lake of The Woods, caught and released 15-pound striper, using Zara spook in the marina. Smallmouth bass stirring. Tom Thomas, San Fernando, caught three on night crawlers at Serrano. Crappie also starting on mini-jigs and meal worms. Fishing picking up as water temperature drops.

LAKE PIRU--Lake turning over from bass to trout as water cools. Anglers trolling lead-core line, three to four colors deep, using red and rainbow needlefish. Stillfishing good with Power Bait. A few bass up to 1 3/4 pounds. A few catfish up to six pounds.

LAKE CASTAIC--Michael Calloway, Pacoima, 9 1/2-pound catfish on meal worm. Bass deep. Steve Tate and Dennis Taylor, West Hills, limited 10 bass in 65 feet of water on plastic worms, released alive. Tony Marik, Little Rock, 11 1/2-pound catfish, on cut mackerel.

IRVINE LAKE--Trout good off west shore for trolling and by dam at Sierra Cove, using blown-up nightcrawlers, Power Nugget-mealworm combo, salmon eggs, gold and silver Kastmasters, frog grain rooster tails and bumblebee rooster tails. Sal Mennuti, Irvine, 9 1/4-pound trout on night crawler. Rudy Benton, Orange, seven-pound sturgeon, on shrimp from boat near flats. Anglers releasing sturgeon will receive free fishing pass for conservation effort.

LAKE SKINNER--Catfish coming along, using shrimp, all over lake. Trout in shallower waters, on Power Bait and night crawlers. Some bass coming to live worms in north end in reeds.

LAKE SILVERWOOD--In a lull, but one 35-pound striper in Cleghorn reported, no name. Crappie good around marina on a morning bite, with bullet jigs, clear and smoke sparkle, chartreuse. Several largemouth 4-5 pounds caught and released on jigs in channel. George Nelson, San Bernardino, 12 1/2-pound catfish on anchovie in channel. Frank Roski, Yucca, five-pound largemouth on rubber trout near dam. Mike Lemieux, Canyon Country, 60 crappie using bullet jigs.

LAKE CASITAS--The 5,000 trout planted last week showing up along shoreline. Many limits, on Power Bait or Zeke’s. Catfish good on mackerel, in 50 feet of water. Pat Brixey, Ventura, 13 1/2-pound cat, on mackerel. Bass slow. Trout fishermen trolling lead-core line and needlefish lures by dam picking up spring planters.