Kayak Fishing Big Bear Lake

Kayak Fishing Big Bear Lake, California, in the summer is a lot of fun!

If you've been stuck on shore fishing and becoming a little tired of watching everyone else out on the water catching fish it might be time for you to invest in a kayak.  Kayaking is a great way to get on the water because there are no California Registration fees with the DMV and the lake access fees are usually less than  motor boats.  You can often find used Kayaks on Craig's List or Ebay for a few hundred dollars.  They also have decent ones during the summer at Costco for around 500 dollars.  If you want all the bells and whistles like rod holders and foot propelled with nice storage hatches and seats then it will likely cost you over a 1000 dollars.  Still much less than any other boats on the water.  Sit on Top fishing Kayaks are very durable  and will last you a long time.

Our first trip out to Big Bear Lake on the kayak was a July 4th weekend.  We paddled out the night before and watched the fireworks from the which is an amazing display over the water.  I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to go!  The next day we headed out fishing on the Kayak.  We tried trolling from the kayak which works decently, but you have to do a lot of paddling.  Pulling lures on lead line works the best at anywhere from 2-5 colors depending on the thermocline and the depth of the fish.  You can often find this information before you go of from the Big Bear Lake Marina website http://www.bigbearmarina.com/.  You should spool your real with the lead line and then attach about 20 feet of 8 pound fluorocarbon line as the leader.  Then you can attach your lake troll, Rapala's, spoons, or baits to the end of this line.  I'll post another blog to detail trolling at a later date.

When you get tired of paddling there is always the bait and wait game.  In the hot summer months as the lake temperature rises the fish migrate and stack up at the west side of the lake.  So head on down to the dam and grab yourself a big white buoy.  Don't be scared of the big motor boats.  Just paddle on by and tie off to one of the open buoys because you don't need any special reservations.  This area is great for fishing in the summer.

Once you are in position set up your rods with a slip bobber.  It really helps if you have a fish finder, but if not that is fine.  Watch the fish finder and look what depth the fish are marking at.  Usually anywhere from 15 feet down to 24 feet suspended off the bottom.  Set your bobber stop at these depths with a single night crawler hook and thread half a night crawler onto the hook.  Cast the float away from the boat and let the wind and current carry the float.  When you see that float disappear hold on tight cause you are in for a wild ride!  These summer trout fight fantastic.  Warm water conditions in the lake make it difficult to release the rainbows with a reasonable survival rate.  You may just want to keep a limit since you're bait fishing and call it a day once you catch your 5 fish.  If the night crawlers aren't working then you should switch to a small treble hook size 16-18 and put a small ball of power bait on.  This also works very well.

Don't forget to stop by the East or West Launch facilities for a boat inspection and to buy a day pass on the lake which is $15 or a yearly pass which is $45.  I usually get the yearly pass since you only need to go three times to make it worth while.

If you'd like information on how to rig a slip bobber then check out my instructional video here!

For a Big Bear Kayak Fishing Preview check out this video!

A Few More Pictures of really nice hold over rainbows.

Good Luck Fishing!

Hawaii Shark Fishing - Honolulu Oahu

Hawaii Shark Fishing Night Adventure.

My wife knows how much I love fishing so she went ahead and did some research on the deep sea fishing adventures available in Oahu.  Turns out a lot of them are very expensive and some of your most affordable trips are bottom fishing and SHARK FISHING!!!  The Sportfish Hawaii operation offers night fishing for sharks out of Oahu for $125 a person.  They pick you up at your hotel and take you out at 10PM till 1AM.

We were flying into Oahu for a short 4 day vacation, so we had to make every moment count.  We arrived in the evening of our first day and got settled into the hotel.  Shortly after we were headed back to the fish wharf on the shuttle that picked us up from our hotel.  We signed in at the dock and boarded the boat that would take us out into the darkness.

Once everyone was loaded on board the captain gave us the itinerary for the evening.  He then delivered the news that the average catch rate was approximately three sharks per night.  On board there were about 12 fisherman.  Right then I started to do the math... Three sharks divided by 12 fisherman... that doesn't leave much chance for us to catch a shark.  Oh well, I was still excited to go out with my wife on this little adventure with the chance of catching a big shark.  Plus I had a slight suspicion that my lucky fishing history would pay off tonight!

The bait was defrosting on the boat... it was huge.  I'm talking small tuna sized bait.  They cut it into two inch thick steaks that was then threaded onto a large single hook.  The rod and real combos were huge, super duty!  When we arrived to the fishing grounds they set out the sea anchor and we dropped our heavy waits a few hundred feet down with the large chunks of bait to lure in the predators.

The gentleman fishing the back corner of the boat was fishing a fly-lined chunk of bait that was drifting along with the current.  It wasn't long and his rod started to scream.  Now I was thinking... man just my luck, should have tried that corner bait.  After a good fight the fish was lost at a distance before we could see it.  Now I was excited that the fish were biting and I had a shot at catching one.

Then the guy on the back corner gets nailed again!  Drag is clicking, he's cranking and getting worked like I've never seen before.  After an amazing fight the 5 foot Pacific Gray Reef Shark is beside the boat.  Everyone crowds around to see the magnificent creature.  After a few snapped pictures the crew on board uses large bolt cutters to cut the hook and set the shark free.

Wow, now I was really excited!  What a fish!

We moved to a different spot to see if we could find some more willing sharks and then the back corner went off again!  This time it was the guys wife.  I'm thinking these two should buy a lottery ticket since they are the only ones getting into all the fish.  She pulls in another nice Pacific Gray Reef Shark which is soon released after a few pictures.  My wife was fishing right beside her and I'm thinking maybe she has a chance... but judging by this picture you'll see I wasn't too hopeful.

I was standing at my post as we drifted along doing exactly what the crew said.  Drop the weight to the bottom then crank it up ten cranks and wait.  I did this diligently, over and over and over.... to no avail.  THEN IT HAPPENED!!!  I got the sensation that something was pulling on the end of my rod!  Click, click, click the drag started to be pulled out.  Ok, something definitely has taken the bait.  Do I wait?  Do I set the hook?  So I start cranking as fast as I can and set the hook!  I feel the resistance and then the fish starts pulling drag.  I crank with all my might, but it takes everything I have just to hold onto the rod.  With some help of the crew I'm able to get the fish beside the boat for some pictures.  It is another Pacific Gray Reef Shark.  After some pictures the bolt cutters come out and set the shark free.

I was absolutely thrilled to have been lucky enough to hook up and land one of the sharks of the night.

The rest of the night had some more action with a few bites that didn't stick and one more hook up off the bow of the boat.  This turned out to be the largest shark of the night.  A 6 foot Gray Reef shark that probably went 150 pounds.  What an amazing looking fish.  After the release of that fish it was pretty much time to head back in.

It was a fabulous adventure and I was glad we took the few hours to go out at night for the experience.  If you enjoy fishing I recommend you check out night shark fishing on Oahu.  If you'd like more information I'm just volunteering these websites of the charter I went with.  Good luck on catching the big one if you get to go out!
http://www.sportfishhawaii.com/sharkfishing.htm
http://www.sportfishhawaii.com

Big Bear Lake Early April Rainbow Trout Fishing

Fishing Big Bear lake in April had been hot!

With the success my brother and I had just experienced I thought I would head back to the lake my next day off.  I checked the forecast and it was looking like a great day for fishing.  The sun was shining and it was much warmer than the previous time out.  The snow was melting and completely gone from the South shore as well.  The snow was melting and pouring off the hills into the lake.  

I had arrived early but only a few fish were interested in biting and action was kind of slower than usual.  As the day progressed the melt water from the snow started to run off into the lake.  With all the construction going on with the new bridge being built there was a lot of dirty water running into the lake.  Right at my feet there was this large dust plume developing in the water and extending out from shore.  I couldn't see into the water at all.  As time passed I started to see fish splashing right next to the shore in the muddy water.  The fish were going crazy in this murky water.  They were like sharks prowling in the ocean for unsuspecting prey.  They were so close to shore though I had trouble presenting a jig to them.  

I set up a bobber with a very short line about 24 inches long and tied on a small hook.  I had some american sliced cheese with me and decided to try some.  I know, cheese, how elementary!  Sometimes the most simple techniques produce fish and you should never get too old to go back to the methods that worked when you were a kid.   

I left the bobber sit a few feet off shore and started casting a jig with a Berkley Power Nymph in grey along the shore where I could see fish splashing in the water.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that my bobber had disappeared.  I reached down and grabbed the other rod and set the hook on a feisty rainbow trout.  After setting up again I soon had my jig rod bent over with a large rainbow that had inhaled the Berkley Power Nymph.  The Rainbows stayed very active through the day and I kept catching fish after fish.  

I noticed a fish that was splashing and splashing by my feet.  It seemed odd that he was staying there for so long.  I finally reached down into the murky water and grabbed a hold of some old fishing line.  I could feel the fish tugging on this line.  It turns out he was snagged on the fishing line.  I pulled the fish in and untangled him.  After unraveling the trapped fish I set her free to live another day.  She is pictured below struggling in the muddy water.

I ended up taking a limit of rainbows home for some excellent eating and to share with some good friends

Big Bear Lake Mini Jigs for Rainbow Trout - April

Big Bear Spring fishing is usually pretty good in the beginning of April.

I was post call after a long night in the VA hospital and my brother was done working the night shift in the ER.  He called me up and asked how the fishing had been lately.  I told him pretty good and I could guarantee him some action.  You see my brother Dallas and I have grown up fishing together, but now that he has better things to do he'll only come fishing with me if I can guarantee him we will be catching rather than getting a big skunk!  It was already around 2 PM so we got things together and headed up for an evenings fishing.

Since we didn't have much time and it was mid week nobody was fishing by the dam.  So we jumped out of the car and headed down on the North side of the dam.  It was quite COLD and something was blowing in, but we got straight to fishing.  We both tied on a small mini jig lure in yellow and white and started fishing the shore.  I cast out the jig and let it sink down for a ten count.  I slowly reeled it in with a slight bouncing action on each cast.  Then I got a hit.  A rainbow trout slammed the jig and took a run, leaping out of the water and creating all kinds of excited laughter.  The beautiful rainbow was soon in hand and released after a quick picture. 

                                                                                                               Had to Keep This one       

The action continued to heat up with my brother hooking up as well on a few nice rainbows.  We decided to see what was swimming around the South side of the dam so we packed up quick and walked over the bridge.  We could see the fish swimming around near the dam and along the rock wall of the shore.  One of these fish soon decided to take a chomp out of Dallas' jig.  After a short battle with this worthy opponent the fisherman and fish were posing for a picture. 

As the sun sank in the sky and more dark clouds moved in the temperature plummeted.   With the dark coming the fish were becoming more difficult to convince to bite.  We decided to avoid frost bite ourselves and head back down the hill.    

Turned out to be an awesome after work fishing trip and it was back to work the next day!

How To Make Smoked Rainbow Trout

You may be wondering how to smoke your rainbow trout... well look no further this entry is for you!

Smoked Rainbow Trout is in my opinion the most delightful way to devour fresh caught rainbow trout.  So how do you get those slimy fish all prepared and ready to smoke?  Read on and check out the pictures to see how I do it.  

First of all you will need to clean your rainbow trout.
#1 Gut the Fish
#2 Cut the head off
#3 Cut the spine out of the fish and tail off
#4 Leave Skin on Fish and Rinse
#5 You can leave ribs on or cut them off
#6 Cut the fins off

When Done they should look like this.

Next you should make your Brine to soak the fish.  There are plenty of recipes online but here is one I use!
  #1 You will need a large pail that can fit in your fridge
  #2 1 Gallon of water
  #3 1 1/3 cups canning salt
  #4 2/3 cup of brown sugar
Mix all the ingredients until the sugar and salt are dissolved.  Then take your fish and layer them in the brine.  Place the pail into the refrigerator over night usually 12-18 hours will do the trick.  Rinse the fish off and lay out on counter to dry.  The flesh should get a night sticky shine to it.  This will be the best time to put it in the smoker.  If you can't wait then you can put it straight into the smoker.  I have a Charbroil Upright Propane smoker which I use.  There are many types that will work though.  This smoker gets very hot so it doesn't take as long.  Usually you will put some wood chips on the pan.  Hickory, Mesquite, Apple, Cherry... whatever you like or have available. 

Place the fish in the smoker on the racks.  Usually you can set the temperature on low with a propane smoker.  You don't want to heat the smoker to high or the fish will dry out.  As they cook the flesh will get shiny and the moisture with drip off.  With the temp set on low in my unit the fish will take 3-4 hours to cook.  They may take longer if the heat is lower in your unit, from 6-8 hours.    

The finished product should look something like this depending on how fast it was cooked.  The flesh should turn a nice golden brown and still have some moisture.  Now it is time to enjoy some fresh Smoked Rainbow Trout.  Keeps well in the refrigerator and great eating cold!

Big Bear Lake Rainbow Trout Fishing the end of March

Headed back to Big Bear Lake for some more Rainbow Trout Action!  

Started on the North Side of the dam and only caught one rainbow trout on a slip bobber with a night crawler at 12 feet down.  I looked over to the other side where I had fallen into the water a few weeks earlier.  The snow had now melted back and was no longer hanging out over the water looking slightly less dangerous.  I could hear the fish calling, so I decided to pack things up and head over to the other side.

I made my way down the snowy embankment carefully with my fishing gear and got into a somewhat safe position to be fishing from. Once in position I rigged up a couple of slip bobbers and night crawlers with varying depths anywhere from 8-15 feet in depth.  A short time elapsed before the bobbers started systematically disappearing and I pulled in a few nice fat rainbows.  It was a beautiful sunny day and once again caught my limit of big rainbows for the smoker.  Yum, love smoked rainbow trout!  Will post how I make smoked rainbow trout a little later.

TIP FOR THE DAY!  If the fish down seem to be biting well on the slip bobber try varying the depth.  Also cast that float as far out into the lake as you can to get it where the hungry fish are waiting!  Good Luck out there.

No near death experiences this time to share about.

EXTREME FISHING - Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Spring has arrived in Southern California and one of the most exciting fishing opportunities to be found is the Fabulous Rainbow Trout Fishing starting in MARCH and going right on through MAY.  Starting usually in the first few weeks of March the large spawning rainbow trout will start to find there ways to the streams that run into the lake.  While fishing for these fish in or near the streams is illegal you can usually find them close to the shore around the lake.  They will swim by looking for any trickle of water running into the lake.  I've even seen them leap out of the water right onto the rocks where a small trickle was entering the lake.

One of the best ways to catch these fish is using a yellow and white mini jig or crappie jig.  Use a light action rod with four pound test and a 1/32nd ounce jig.  Cast it out and let it sink down for ten seconds.  Then slowly reel it in with a small bouncing action.  Wait for the rainbows to chase this presentation right to shore and hold on.  Strikes can be violent and sometimes really soft, so pay attention.  Tipping the crappie jig with a meal worm sometimes helps.

There I was early in the morning standing on the side of the lake.  I could see fish swimming near the shore, but they really weren't that interested.  It was a slow morning and I only ended up landing one fish, so I decided to try the other side of the lake.  There was a huge snow pile on the other side that was still overhanging the water.  It looked pretty dangerous which was good for me because no one else was fishing there.  I went around to the other side and slowly worked my way down the mound of snow.  I toed my foot holds one at a time on this steep bank and carved out a platform for myself to stand on.  I then created steps down closer to the water to net any possible fish I'd catch.

Turns out that I made an EXCELLENT choice as my bobber vanished within a few moments of casting it out.  I had a slip bobber rig out with a night crawler sitting from 12-15 feet down in the water column.  The fish kept coming and it was turning out to be an excellent day fishing.

THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!    As I was making my way down the steps the snow drift broke off and I fell into the FRIGID WATER up to my waist.  I was now stuck waist deep with nothing but a shear cliff of snow and ice above me to try to climb out on.  I clawed my hands into the snow and with all my strength pulled myself out of the water.  To this day I have no idea how I was able to pull myself out.  Check the pictures out.

It wasn't too cold out so I just kept on fishing and dried off slowly.  Caught my limit of 5 nice rainbow trout and released a few more to grow up for another day.  We'll Chalk that one up for another crazy adventure with the Fishing Doctor!

My Fishing Platform on the Snow Bank

 Where I fell in and the chunk that fell in with me.  Notice the angle, straight down!

The Days Great Catch Well Worth the Effort!

Kayak Fishing La Jolla

La Jolla Kayak Fishing - Valentine's Day 

I had been reading about the amazing fishing in La Jolla even prior to getting my very of Malibu Pro 2 Tandem Kayak.  I had been reading the forums and intrigued by the giant fish that lurk in the near shore waters of La Jolla.  Pictures of Huge Yellowtail and White Sea Bass litter the internet and I couldn't wait to sink my hook into one.  

I convinced my wife that Valentines weekend was perfect to go and visit La Jolla.  So we booked a hotel and headed down for the weekend.  Valentines Day we got a late start... really late.   My wife is not a morning person and getting her to go fishing in the early am is like waking the dead. 

We head out to the La Jolla Shores launching area and unload.  The sun is now high up in the ski and people are already packing it up after the morning of fishing.  We load up the kayak and jump in for the paddle out to the fishing grounds.  We make it out past the protected area and try to drop down for some bait.  No such luck for any use able baitfish.  

Good thing I have a few Irons and read a ton about Yo-Yoing fishing.  So I hook up an Tady and start casting it out and letting it fall to the bottom.  Then crank it back to me at a good pace.  Dropped it down here and there and everywhere for absolutely nothing.

Then ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!  It Happens!!!   No not a fish but a loud spout of water and air shooting into the air right behind us.  About 50 feet away from us two Grey Whales on their migration past La Jolla decided to surface for air right beside us and swim along the surface.  We paddled a bit closer to them before they dived down out of site.  Wow that sure made the paddle out worth it. 

Before finishing up we caught a few small whitefish near the bottom.  None of the Huge Yellowtail Homeguards I had been reading about.  I knew the odds were against us with the late start.  This place is awesome with so much sea life I was determined to come back and give it another shot!  

TIP FROM GUYS WHO OBVIOUSLY KNOW MORE THAN ME:  Saw some other guys who were out there much earlier then us and caught some yellow tail and WSB on weighted live bait, mackerel or sardines.  So if you want to give it a try I'd recommend their method fishing near the bottom in 80 to 100 feet of water.  Good Luck out there and watch out for the Great White Sharks!