Big Bear Lake Tips wanted - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

DennisMorgan · 05-19-2014, 06:27 PM

Guys heading from saltwater this weekend over to my first freshwater yakking trip. Will be hitting Big Bear lake, any tips on bait or techniques?

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MissileTM · 05-19-2014, 07:01 PM

Troll a flasher rig on the north side of the lake near the solar observatory. You can use Needle fish, night crawlers or my favorite a small rainbow or brown trout Rapala about 3' below the snubber. For flashers, use multi-bladed type, I like Sep's Colorado blades but have had good luck with Willow blades too. Red or green beads work, get both to switch it up.

Rig the flasher to your main line with a snap swivel then snubber with a 4-6lb leader. Leave your drag loose and troll in a zig zag pattern. This time of year they will be close to the surface so no lead core needed and you don't need to send out half your spool either.

Walmart in Redlands or Highland carries flashers and snubbers, so you can get them on your way up the hill. I know the Redlands store is open 24 hrs for early access.

You will need a net!

William Novotny · 05-19-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissileTM

Troll a flasher rig on the north side of the lake near the solar observatory. You can use Needle fish, night crawlers or my favorite a small rainbow or brown trout Rapala about 3' below the snubber. For flashers, use multi-bladed type, I like Sep's Colorado blades but have had good luck with Willow blades too. Red or green beads work, get both to switch it up.

Rig the flasher to your main line with a snap swivel then snubber with a 4-6lb leader. Leave your drag loose and troll in a zig zag pattern. This time of year they will be close to the surface so no lead core needed and you don't need to send out half your spool either.

Walmart in Redlands or Highland carries flashers and snubbers, so you can get them on your way up the hill. I know the Redlands store is open 24 hrs for early access.

You will need a net!

What he said

DennisMorgan · 05-20-2014, 08:06 AM

Anytime of the day better

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EastLosYaker · 05-20-2014, 08:38 AM

Early or late definitely, but not because the fish stop biting. Speed boats, water skiers, and ski doo's take over. There are areas buoyed off near the shoreline, but it still disrupts the fishing process. Also, there is another BBL post on the "reports" forum.

P.S. Don't forget to buy your permits before you hit the water.

IntrntFshrman · 05-20-2014, 12:31 PM

Any chance you have pics of the set-up you're talking about? Googled but seems could be several things.

Thanks for info!

fishingfiend · 05-20-2014, 06:53 PM

I spent 4 days up there last month for some great Big Bear trout action. That salmon like meat is delicious!

In order to put your kayak on the water, you'll need to get a muscle inspection and then choose which permit works for you. A single day use permit is $20 and annual is $50. If you plan to be on the water more than 3 days, you'll want to just get the annual pass. Why does this matter, the lake patrol will roll up on you and make sure you have your permit affixed to your rear starboard corner. If you have a boat, they will make sure you have enough life jackets. They are pretty tough up there for some reason.

http://www.bbmwd.com/Fees.html

As for fishing, I metered fish all over the lake but had our best trout bite by the observatory. If trout is not your thing, there were bass by the docks and I saw several large carp cruising open water.

It's a very relaxing place, so enjoy the fresh air and cool water.

alanw · 05-20-2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishingfiend

It's a very relaxing place, so enjoy the fresh air and cool water.

+1 It's beautiful up there, enjoy your stay

octico · 05-20-2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishingfiend

I spent 4 days up there last month for some great Big Bear trout action. That salmon like meat is delicious!

In order to put your kayak on the water, you'll need to get a muscle inspection and then choose which permit works for you. A single day use permit is $20 and annual is $50. If you plan to be on the water more than 3 days, you'll want to just get the annual pass. Why does this matter, the lake patrol will roll up on you and make sure you have your permit affixed to your rear starboard corner. If you have a boat, they will make sure you have enough life jackets. They are pretty tough up there for some reason.

http://www.bbmwd.com/Fees.html

As for fishing, I metered fish all over the lake but had our best trout bite by the observatory. If trout is not your thing, there were bass by the docks and I saw several large carp cruising open water.

It's a very relaxing place, so enjoy the fresh air and cool water.

I have had really good luck near observatory the observatory trolling a Rapala and Kastmaster.

William Novotny · 05-21-2014, 02:42 PM

Another area to try is by the dam fishing deep. Early morning best time. Once the boat yahoos come out chopping the place up I like to go back in the coves and fish bass. A lot of bluegill and crappie to be had too. I had fun taking them on 2# tackle using dry flies

octico · 05-22-2014, 10:04 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-DuqY5EDi0

05-19-2014, 06:27 PM	#1
DennisMorgan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 225	Big Bear Lake Tips wanted Guys heading from saltwater this weekend over to my first freshwater yakking trip. Will be hitting Big Bear lake, any tips on bait or techniques? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

05-20-2014, 08:06 AM	#4
DennisMorgan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 225	Anytime of the day better Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________

05-20-2014, 08:38 AM	#5
EastLosYaker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: East Los Angeles Posts: 220	Early or late definitely, but not because the fish stop biting. Speed boats, water skiers, and ski doo's take over. There are areas buoyed off near the shoreline, but it still disrupts the fishing process. Also, there is another BBL post on the "reports" forum. P.S. Don't forget to buy your permits before you hit the water. Last edited by EastLosYaker; 05-20-2014 at 08:43 AM.

05-21-2014, 02:42 PM	#10
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Another area to try is by the dam fishing deep. Early morning best time. Once the boat yahoos come out chopping the place up I like to go back in the coves and fish bass. A lot of bluegill and crappie to be had too. I had fun taking them on 2# tackle using dry flies __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

05-22-2014, 10:04 PM	#11
octico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: The city of Orange Posts: 1,278	Came across this ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-DuqY5EDi0

05-19-2014, 07:01 PM	#2
MissileTM Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 90	Troll a flasher rig on the north side of the lake near the solar observatory. You can use Needle fish, night crawlers or my favorite a small rainbow or brown trout Rapala about 3' below the snubber. For flashers, use multi-bladed type, I like Sep's Colorado blades but have had good luck with Willow blades too. Red or green beads work, get both to switch it up. Rig the flasher to your main line with a snap swivel then snubber with a 4-6lb leader. Leave your drag loose and troll in a zig zag pattern. This time of year they will be close to the surface so no lead core needed and you don't need to send out half your spool either. Walmart in Redlands or Highland carries flashers and snubbers, so you can get them on your way up the hill. I know the Redlands store is open 24 hrs for early access. You will need a net!

05-20-2014, 12:31 PM	#6
IntrntFshrman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 82	Any chance you have pics of the set-up you're talking about? Googled but seems could be several things. Thanks for info!

05-20-2014, 06:53 PM	#7
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	I spent 4 days up there last month for some great Big Bear trout action. That salmon like meat is delicious! In order to put your kayak on the water, you'll need to get a muscle inspection and then choose which permit works for you. A single day use permit is $20 and annual is $50. If you plan to be on the water more than 3 days, you'll want to just get the annual pass. Why does this matter, the lake patrol will roll up on you and make sure you have your permit affixed to your rear starboard corner. If you have a boat, they will make sure you have enough life jackets. They are pretty tough up there for some reason. http://www.bbmwd.com/Fees.html As for fishing, I metered fish all over the lake but had our best trout bite by the observatory. If trout is not your thing, there were bass by the docks and I saw several large carp cruising open water. It's a very relaxing place, so enjoy the fresh air and cool water.