Outdoors : Largemouth Bass Biting
Largemouth bass are beginning to stir at many Southland reservoirs, which are reporting increased activity by both the bass and bass fishermen.
One of the biggest catches during the past week was a 13-pound 9-ounce largemouth taken from Ventura County’s Lake Casitas by Harold Choe, who was fishing with a guide.
Los Angeles County’s Lake Castaic produced an 11 3/4-pound bass for Gary Harrison of Castaic, and Riverside County’s Perris Lake yielded a 9 1/2-pound bass to local resident Mark Pettle.
LAKE MEAD--Fishing is slow for all species.
LAKE HAVASU--Striped bass are active at about 40 feet, biting on spoons, frozen anchovies and live shad. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are fair on anchovies and mackerel.
BULLHEAD CITY--Surface bite for striped bass has slowed. Most are being caught by trollers at 35 to 60 feet. Several limits of pan-sized trout have been taken from river. Berkley Power Bait is the best bet. Catfish and crappie are most active at Topak Marsh. Anything with an odor is working for catfish; minnows are the best bet for crappie.
SALTON SEA--Orangemouth corvina, averaging about eight pounds, are favoring artificials, primarily at Bombay Beach and Red Hill. Channel catfish are biting consistently in All-American Canal. Croaker are most active at Salt Creek.
LAKE CACHUMA--After two recent trout plants, most limits are coming from marina on nightcrawlers and cheese. Trollers are using five colors and needlefish lures. Largemouth bass are most active near drop-offs. Mike Glenn, Simi Valley, caught a 7 1/2-pound bass.
LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass action is picking up, mostly off points, on plastic worms and plugs. Harold Choe caught a 13-pound 9-ounce bass. Trout fishermen are averaging four fish per stringer. Trollers are using three colors and rainbow needlefish. Power Bait is the best bet for bait fishermen. Catfish are most active at 30-40 feet, biting on mackerel.
PYRAMID LAKE--Striped bass are most active at the dam and near the marina, averaging about eight pounds. Phil Brook, of Fillmore, caught a nine-pound striper on nightcrawlers. Largemouth bass are slow and are biting best in front of bait shop. Catfish are in deep water, biting on mackerel.
LAKE PIRU--Trout are biting at 10-15 feet, best near the dam and at the east end. Trollers are using frog needlefish lures. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are best bets for bait fishermen. Largemouth bass are biting in the shallows near brush. James Wells, of Arleta, caught a 6 1/4-pound bass. Dayton Grant, of North Hollywood, caught a 4 1/2-pound bass. Catfish are slow, and are best near the dam at 60 feet.
LAKE CASTAIC--Trout are biting in both lakes on small spinners and most baits. Largemouth bass are active in the lower lake. Spinner baits and mudsuckers are working best. Gary Harrison, of Castaic, caught 11 3/4- and 4 1/2-pound bass. Catfish are slow.
IRVINE LAKE--Trout are picking up, biting primarily in Sierra Cove, along buoy line and the west shore. Ben Breese, of Laguna Nigel, caught a 7 1/4-pound trout. Jim Haggag, of Norco, caught a 6 1/2-pound trout. Mike Hansen, of Orange, had five trout for 21 1/2 pounds. Jim Lockard, of Long Beach, caught a 10 1/2-pound sturgeon. Tony Yamaoka, of Gardena, caught a 10 1/2-pound sturgeon. Largemouth bass and catfish are slow.
PERRIS LAKE--Largemouth bass action is picking up, primarily near dam. Mark Pettle, of Riverside, caught a 9 1/2-pound bass on a plastic worm. Catfish are most active at the east end, biting on cut mackerel. Linda Mullins, of Moreno Valley, caught 8 1/2-, 15- and 16 1/2-pound catfish. Trout and bluegill are slow.
BIG BEAR--Lake frozen over, no fishing allowed.