Top 10 Big Bass Lakes and Guides......

freebirdz · 04-24-06, 05:27 PM

Hi everybody. I've posted this on some other forums also to try to get everyones opinions. Hopefully you guys can help me.

I've never caught a 10lb + bass (my biggest is 6lb 12oz) and have made it a goal to catch one before I'm 30 (I'm 27 1/2 now). In order to speed up the process I was hoping that you guys could help me out.

I live in California and I want to put myself in the best possible big bass catching situation before I even cast my line. This is where you can help.

Please give me your Top 5-10 Big Bass Lakes in California and the best guide for each lake. I can't wait to see your responses!

Raul · 04-24-06, 06:31 PM

That´s not a difficult one, check the records of the lakes, Casitas, Castaic, Miramar and Dixon are the top four and most fish over 10 pounds come from out of them. In fact, most fish weighting more than 15 pounds come from those four. Which guide ? I have no idea.

freebirdz · 04-24-06, 07:24 PM

Where can I check the records at?

Freebirdz

senko · 04-24-06, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raul

That´s not a difficult one, check the records of the lakes, Casitas, Castaic, Miramar and Dixon are the top four and most fish over 10 pounds come from out of them. In fact, most fish weighting more than 15 pounds come from those four. Which guide ? I have no idea.

exactly wat i would say

senko · 04-24-06, 07:54 PM

i dont know in mags. mostly.try rainbow trout swimbaits

bassguy2004 · 04-24-06, 10:02 PM

Here is a few:

Castaic
Casitas
Dixon
Otay
Clear Lake
Lake Perris
the Delta
Lake Berryessa
and there are many others now that are kicking out really big fish. So, now all you have to do is choose. Good luck.

Raul · 04-25-06, 12:17 PM

I forgot to mention, before you grab your stuff and head to the like like a bat out of hell ready to fish: many of those lakes not open to the public all week long, there are days when they are closed to the public, check before you jump all over them.

youngbassman77 · 04-25-06, 02:42 PM

Lake New Melones, Lake Camanche, Berryessa, Clear Lake, and of course the Delta are my favorite places to fish for bass... Im not sure about guides... Check out this site, hope it helps...

http://www.1fghp.com/ca.html#Delta

~YBM

WTL · 04-25-06, 04:02 PM

We've really gotten a few more western anglers on here in the past few months. I remember when I posted that interactive map a while back an we had nobody from west of San Antonio. Its good to have a better geographical balance.

I wish I could answer the question that was posed, but truth is these folks know more than I do about california.

Deacon · 04-25-06, 04:07 PM

Hey Free where do you live in the state that would help dial in where you should go. I agree with all the reccomendations that the guys here have given. I think that they have left out a few lakes. But as I said it depends on where you live....

As far as guides and lakes here would be my suggestion......

If you want Clear Lake there are only a few choices I would reccomend....

Richard Pounds
Andy "Cooch" Cuccia(by far the BEST guide in the California. He is the MAN when it comes to jig fishin)
If you want to learn night fishin on Clear Lake try Larry Hemphill(another awesome guide)

The Delta....
Andy "Cooch" Cuccia
Bobby Barrack(He helped invent the Snagproof Perfect Frog)
Both of these guys are the leading guides on the Delta.

Lake Berryessa...
Larry Hemphill

Another hidden gem we have up in Northern Cali would be Trinity Lake. Huge smallies(5-6lbrs). Also a great LM fishery as well. You can catch 50-100 fish at this place on a good day. The guide of choice would be John Grey.

As far as down in SoCal unfortunatly I really cant help you out to much....

Try going here and this site will be able to really help you make a good decision.... www.westernbass.com

I hope this helps and Good Luck!

freebirdz · 04-26-06, 02:45 AM

Thanks guys for your help!

I live in NorCal (near Sacramento). Went to Rancho Seco today without a guide and threw a swimbait for about 6 hours straight....No luck. Anybody have any tips for catching a big bass at seco with a swimbait?

I chose seco because it is the closest to my house.

Jerod

1FASTLASER · 04-26-06, 06:25 AM

Freebirds
Welcome to the forum. As far as the question on who and where I would definatley check with the local bait shops. A lot of times you can get good info after you wade through the bs.

Gunny BBS · 04-26-06, 11:58 AM

I lived in SoCal for over 12 years while stationed on Camp Pendleton, all the lakes listed above are a good chance to catch a 10 + fish, but don't forget Lake Hodges (I have 4 over 10 from that lake, and they do not stock trout in Hodges), Lake Wolford (This is a big bass lake!!!!) Lake Murray, Lake Jennings, and the next one you will hear about is just as small as Dixon and that's Lake Poway. It's a cookie cutter of Lake Dixon, and Mike Long, Dickerson and those guys go back and forth between Dixon and Poway. You'er small lakes like Dixon, Poway, are open daily, the bigger lake are only open a few days a week. A new big lake that has some hugh fish is Diamond Valley! Now if you live in NorCal and go to Castisac I would stay in the Lower Lagoon instead of the upper lake.

Bass Ackwards · 04-27-06, 04:43 PM

Man I use to fish and swimming Rancho Seco when I was a kid, I'm surprised that I could have kids and I don't glow.

lizardsrule · 04-28-06, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebirdz

Hi everybody. I've posted this on some other forums also to try to get everyones opinions. Hopefully you guys can help me.

I've never caught a 10lb + bass (my biggest is 6lb 12oz) and have made it a goal to catch one before I'm 30 (I'm 27 1/2 now). In order to speed up the process I was hoping that you guys could help me out.

I live in California and I want to put myself in the best possible big bass catching situation before I even cast my line. This is where you can help.

Yeah move to FLORIDA

04-24-06, 05:27 PM	#1
freebirdz BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 10	Top 10 Big Bass Lakes and Guides...... Hi everybody. I've posted this on some other forums also to try to get everyones opinions. Hopefully you guys can help me. I've never caught a 10lb + bass (my biggest is 6lb 12oz) and have made it a goal to catch one before I'm 30 (I'm 27 1/2 now). In order to speed up the process I was hoping that you guys could help me out. I live in California and I want to put myself in the best possible big bass catching situation before I even cast my line. This is where you can help. Please give me your Top 5-10 Big Bass Lakes in California and the best guide for each lake. I can't wait to see your responses!

04-24-06, 07:54 PM	#5
senko BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manteca,Ca. Posts: 826	i dont know in mags. mostly.try rainbow trout swimbaits __________________ Manteca High Freshman Football V.O.L. Champions 2007 "Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever."

04-24-06, 10:02 PM	#6
bassguy2004 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 317	Here is a few: Castaic Casitas Dixon Otay Clear Lake Lake Perris the Delta Lake Berryessa and there are many others now that are kicking out really big fish. So, now all you have to do is choose. Good luck. __________________ Show me the water, I will fish. Redwood Empire Bass Club

04-25-06, 04:02 PM	#9
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	We've really gotten a few more western anglers on here in the past few months. I remember when I posted that interactive map a while back an we had nobody from west of San Antonio. Its good to have a better geographical balance. I wish I could answer the question that was posed, but truth is these folks know more than I do about california. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

04-26-06, 02:45 AM	#11
freebirdz BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 10	Thanks guys for your help! I live in NorCal (near Sacramento). Went to Rancho Seco today without a guide and threw a swimbait for about 6 hours straight....No luck. Anybody have any tips for catching a big bass at seco with a swimbait? I chose seco because it is the closest to my house. Jerod Last edited by freebirdz; 04-26-06 at 02:51 AM.

04-24-06, 06:31 PM	#2
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	That´s not a difficult one, check the records of the lakes, Casitas, Castaic, Miramar and Dixon are the top four and most fish over 10 pounds come from out of them. In fact, most fish weighting more than 15 pounds come from those four. Which guide ? I have no idea.

04-24-06, 07:24 PM	#3
freebirdz BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 10	Where can I check the records at? Freebirdz

04-25-06, 12:17 PM	#7
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	I forgot to mention, before you grab your stuff and head to the like like a bat out of hell ready to fish: many of those lakes not open to the public all week long, there are days when they are closed to the public, check before you jump all over them.

04-25-06, 02:42 PM	#8
youngbassman77 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 111	Lake New Melones, Lake Camanche, Berryessa, Clear Lake, and of course the Delta are my favorite places to fish for bass... Im not sure about guides... Check out this site, hope it helps... http://www.1fghp.com/ca.html#Delta ~YBM

04-25-06, 04:07 PM	#10
Deacon BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 314	Hey Free where do you live in the state that would help dial in where you should go. I agree with all the reccomendations that the guys here have given. I think that they have left out a few lakes. But as I said it depends on where you live.... As far as guides and lakes here would be my suggestion...... If you want Clear Lake there are only a few choices I would reccomend.... Richard Pounds Andy "Cooch" Cuccia(by far the BEST guide in the California. He is the MAN when it comes to jig fishin) If you want to learn night fishin on Clear Lake try Larry Hemphill(another awesome guide) The Delta.... Andy "Cooch" Cuccia Bobby Barrack(He helped invent the Snagproof Perfect Frog) Both of these guys are the leading guides on the Delta. Lake Berryessa... Larry Hemphill Another hidden gem we have up in Northern Cali would be Trinity Lake. Huge smallies(5-6lbrs). Also a great LM fishery as well. You can catch 50-100 fish at this place on a good day. The guide of choice would be John Grey. As far as down in SoCal unfortunatly I really cant help you out to much.... Try going here and this site will be able to really help you make a good decision.... www.westernbass.com I hope this helps and Good Luck!

04-26-06, 06:25 AM	#12
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	Freebirds Welcome to the forum. As far as the question on who and where I would definatley check with the local bait shops. A lot of times you can get good info after you wade through the bs. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

04-26-06, 11:58 AM	#13
Gunny BBS BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Quantico, VA Posts: 80	I lived in SoCal for over 12 years while stationed on Camp Pendleton, all the lakes listed above are a good chance to catch a 10 + fish, but don't forget Lake Hodges (I have 4 over 10 from that lake, and they do not stock trout in Hodges), Lake Wolford (This is a big bass lake!!!!) Lake Murray, Lake Jennings, and the next one you will hear about is just as small as Dixon and that's Lake Poway. It's a cookie cutter of Lake Dixon, and Mike Long, Dickerson and those guys go back and forth between Dixon and Poway. You'er small lakes like Dixon, Poway, are open daily, the bigger lake are only open a few days a week. A new big lake that has some hugh fish is Diamond Valley! Now if you live in NorCal and go to Castisac I would stay in the Lower Lagoon instead of the upper lake. __________________ *Scott "Gunny" Favors* 2005 Bass Cat Sabre, 150 Merc XR6 Pro Staff Director, Bass Boat Saver PRO's Soft~Bait Glue Cooks Go to Tackle Systems HeavyCover.com Gary Yamamoto Cust Baits

04-27-06, 04:43 PM	#14
Bass Ackwards BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 181	Man I use to fish and swimming Rancho Seco when I was a kid, I'm surprised that I could have kids and I don't glow.

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