01/13/2013 Irvine Lake - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jruiz · 01-13-2013, 06:15 PM

I had hopes and aspirations of fishing dana point today but the news media succeeded in its scare tactics and I had to look for something else to do. Since team sewer has scheduled their camping/fishing trip next weekend I thought why not pre-fish the lake. Its been more than ten years since I've attempted trout fishing and the techniques used today have changed quite a bit. I also remember my first and last trip to Irvine Lake probably 15-20 years ago was a very muddy, crowded, and miserable shore fishing experience. I'm told that there is a line before they open especially on weekends. So I opted to arrive and launch just after sunrise. I figured I would have plenty of time to fish and I wouldn't have to hassle with the early crowd. I'm used to people inspecting my watercraft(jetski, kayak, etc) at other lakes so when I asked the tackle shop when and where do I get inspected he just asked if I had a PFD. Apparently the lake is already infested with the mussels.

Forecast was cold morning and sunny during the day with winds picking up in the afternoon. My plan was to get out before the winds picked up. This is what today looked like. It was pleasant throughout the day and the winds didn't start to pick up until 1:00PM.

This was my first catch of the day.

This is what I went home with. There were pontoon boat full of people fishing and I saw a handful of them head for the landing before noon. Only thing I could think of was that the whole boat had limited. Bite was ok during the morning then slacked off after noon.

JarrodMc · 01-13-2013, 06:20 PM

Not a bad day on the water. Nice catch.

StinkyMatt · 01-13-2013, 06:52 PM

Looks like a fun day.

Thanks for leaving the larger ones for me.

ericko · 01-13-2013, 06:58 PM

Come on Matt we all know its Brian (his son) that will catch the big one!!!

ful-rac · 01-13-2013, 07:11 PM

Oh cool! Nice you got to catch a few.

Its going to be pretty windy next week, its scheduled to calm down for the weekend. Hopefully they're right.

Biggameaddict · 01-14-2013, 12:44 AM

Makes a great dinner and no need to clean gear once you get home great job!

jruiz · 01-14-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Looks like a fun day.

Thanks for leaving the larger ones for me.

I heard there were lunkers in the kiddie lagoon

janines.fishtales@cox.net · 01-14-2013, 09:08 AM

What a great day. I have yet to get my kayak into the freshwater. I think next time I take it out it will be to maybe Lake Murray for some trout. After all, I haven't had much luck in the bay! Good job!

Janine

01-13-2013, 06:15 PM	#1
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,008	01/13/2013 Irvine Lake I had hopes and aspirations of fishing dana point today but the news media succeeded in its scare tactics and I had to look for something else to do. Since team sewer has scheduled their camping/fishing trip next weekend I thought why not pre-fish the lake. Its been more than ten years since I've attempted trout fishing and the techniques used today have changed quite a bit. I also remember my first and last trip to Irvine Lake probably 15-20 years ago was a very muddy, crowded, and miserable shore fishing experience. I'm told that there is a line before they open especially on weekends. So I opted to arrive and launch just after sunrise. I figured I would have plenty of time to fish and I wouldn't have to hassle with the early crowd. I'm used to people inspecting my watercraft(jetski, kayak, etc) at other lakes so when I asked the tackle shop when and where do I get inspected he just asked if I had a PFD. Apparently the lake is already infested with the mussels. Forecast was cold morning and sunny during the day with winds picking up in the afternoon. My plan was to get out before the winds picked up. This is what today looked like. It was pleasant throughout the day and the winds didn't start to pick up until 1:00PM. This was my first catch of the day. This is what I went home with. There were pontoon boat full of people fishing and I saw a handful of them head for the landing before noon. Only thing I could think of was that the whole boat had limited. Bite was ok during the morning then slacked off after noon.

01-13-2013, 07:11 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Oh cool! Nice you got to catch a few. Its going to be pretty windy next week, its scheduled to calm down for the weekend. Hopefully they're right. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

01-14-2013, 12:44 AM	#6
Biggameaddict The Kayak Peddler Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 591	Makes a great dinner and no need to clean gear once you get home great job! __________________ Keep your rod close, your gaff closer, and your paddle on a leash.

01-13-2013, 06:20 PM	#2
JarrodMc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 411	Not a bad day on the water. Nice catch.

01-13-2013, 06:52 PM	#3
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Looks like a fun day. Thanks for leaving the larger ones for me.

01-13-2013, 06:58 PM	#4
ericko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntington beach Posts: 594	Come on Matt we all know its Brian (his son) that will catch the big one!!!

01-14-2013, 09:08 AM	#8
janines.fishtales@cox.net Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 555	What a great day. I have yet to get my kayak into the freshwater. I think next time I take it out it will be to maybe Lake Murray for some trout. After all, I haven't had much luck in the bay! Good job! Janine