Newport Harbor, October 31, 2009
 

I had planned to hit the water Friday and hopefully fish with SGV Rookie, but work issues had to be addressed, which meant Saturday was the day.

Launched around 12:30, with 2 hours left before the bottom of the low tide, so I still had some water movement to help with the fishing. Water had cooled (mid-60's), but nice green color, with a steady breeze out of the southwest, and the bay bass were hungry. I fished a crankbait exclusively and C&R'd 8 big healthy spotted bay bass; I found a nice underwater hill that the bass seemed hanging around and they pretty much hit the lure every time it went over the hill and proceeded to pull me around. Here are some pictures of three of the bass:

Attachment 1559

This bass swallowed the whole crankbait and took some effort removing the hooks while not harming the fishes gills;

Attachment 1560

Attachment 1561

I also caught and released smaller bay bass, so my total was 12 spotted bay bass. I would have fished some other areas, but I had to be out of the water by 2:30.

Very nice day on the water.

Kevin

Great Job
 

looks and sounds like you found a good spot. Great job!

Thanks.

What clued me into the spot was observing some terns dive on baitfish. I then paddled over the spot and metered the structure. It appeared on Saturday that the larger bass were tight to the structure, while the smaller ones were some distance away.

Kevin

I'm going out to buy myself a green and white rapala with a smiley face :D.

12 fish within 2 hours? I would love to have a day like that out there :you_rock:

The lure that is working for me is the Bomber Fat Free Shad in the 2.5" size. The lure dives deep and kicks up the bottom; the bass get attracted to this and hit the lure.

Also, look for where birds or bait is breaking the surface; this has been the ticket lately for me.

Please know that 12 fish in 2 hours was my best day yet; this may be the last time I experience that kind of fishing in the harbor!

Good luck to you!

Kevin

yes i can see from the pic where you were at, i call it "the Hole". that area is unique to the backbay, and no where else will you find bottom structure like that back there other then there. when things are slow that spot will almost always produce.

It definitely attracts the larger bass.

Looks like a fun day of catching. Gotta love constant action on bay bass.

Threadjack
We need everyone at the BRTF meeting to ensure we can keep fishing in the safest most accessible places:
November 10, 2009
9:30 a.m.
Sheraton Gateway Hotel
6101 West Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045