Noob help. Freshwater lake, San Diego

[stewiegriffin]

Hello,

First off, I'm a noob. I've fished before off of piers at Shelter Island when I was a kid, but have never caught anything. I've decided to take up fishing, and need some help and advice. I'm trying to catch trout.

I have a medium flex rod and a spinning reel. I'm using 4lb test and powerbait ( the kind you ball up and coat a hook with). Im using a small weight on one side of a three way swivel, and a #14 treble hook on the other end. I make sure my bait floats and does not sink to the bottom. The leader of the hook is about 18 inches, and the leader on the weight is about 8 inches. I think im using a 1/4 ounce weight.

I've been to Miramar Lake several times and have had zero luck. I usually go very early in the morning till about noon. I use the small piers on the back end of the lake. I'll cast, take in some slack, and let it sit. No bites. I'll let the pole rest on the rail for 30 minutes at a time, check to make sure bait is still floating, and recast.

Since i've got no experience with fishing, I often doubt that I am "doing it right..." I've read alot about rig setups, and I believe I have that part covered. I've even practiced and gotten proficient at tying knots. I'm just curious about the patience and/or technique involved.

Do you just sit, and wait? Do you play with the rod? Is it a bad time of year for Miramar?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CamHat]

I don't know any information about the lake, but I suggest that you use a different rig for powerbait. All you need is a regular size 14 two way swivel, a 2-4 lb leader that's about 18in, and a size 16 treble hook (anywere between 14 and 18 is fine), and powerbait, and a 1/4oz sliding egg(egg shaped with a hole through the middle) weight.

1. Slide the weight onto your main line.
2. Tie your main line to one end of the swivel.
3. Tie one end of your 18in leader to the other end of the swivel.
4. Tie your treble on the free side of the leader.
5. Cover the treble with powerbait, but not too much. You want just enough for it too float, nothing more.
6. Cast it out, and keep your reel in freespool until it hits the bottom.
7. Once at the bottom, you line will stop coming off the spool.
8. Reel in the slack.
9. Wait.

This is how I first started to catch trout. Its not too much fun for me anymore, but at the time, it was a blast when we caught a trout.

As for color of the powerbait, I have had huge success with the Salmon Peach color. Another one I always have is chartuese, but the salmon peach color is my first choice anywhere I go.

You can change the length of your leader if you are not getting bit.

If you have any more questions, you can pm me. This is just a way to get started with trout fishing. It will only get more fun from here.

-Cameron
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[kbolland1]

ive always likes the rainbow colored powerbait, but if you get the chance, ask the local shop about whats been hitting lately, trout are uber picky about color and presentation. if they have been hitting luers, try to do that. i personally prefer a 1/4 oz. kastmaster, or red devil. but ive had luck with rooster tails before. all of those are good choices. again, look to find a good color.

 

[stewiegriffin]

Camhat and kbolland1-

thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I've read all I can before asking the questions, but when you venture out into something new and think you are doing something right, and nothing happens, you start to second guess yourself.

I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions. I'll keep you posted !

 

[umoa]

captain america seems patriotic, i bought 2 jars, but yellow, chartruese and rainbow gets bit way better.


try inflated nightcrawlers next time. same rig, just take a hypodermic needle or a inflater and pump air into a nightcrawler. another thing i used to do was take one of those needles, put attractant in, pump the worm with it then pump some air in it. Floating attractant leaking worm.

 

[benitosan]

you might have better luck at poway lake, i always do

 

[stewiegriffin]

I caught my first fish. Sorrento Cove, off of the shore, Miramar Lake. Over the last two weeks, I went fishing probably 10 times. Yes. 10. One week of the two I was on vacation. Followed the Powerbait intstructions for rigging for trout, nada. No bites. Sittin' around nothing happening.

So in my noobness, I've been doing a lot of reading, and baitcasting reels caught my eye. Bought el cheapo at big 5, a few lures, and headed to Miramar. Suprisingly enough, I didnt have a problem with backlashes or birdnesting. I guess I got a natural thumb for it.

Caught this trout with a Blue Fox Super Vibrax #2. Silver. Cast out with baitcast reel, cast back in. Bite. Set hook. Reeled in. I couldnt stop smiling for 10 minutes. I caught it a few hours ago... I've already cleaned it (not as bad or messy as i expected) and it's in the oven.

Thanks for the help.

 

[stumble bum]

way to go man! always nice to get em on the artificials.
haven't fished there in a while, and i really suck at trout fishing, but have seen more than a few caught along the shoreline below the park in front of the main parking lot. there's a deeper spot (mo's hole) near the spillway. good luck.

 

[SubLime]

pan fried is better then the oven.......

 

[ROBB]

check out upper otay try some dark worms u should have some luck. look into getting a float tube..

 

[Jacobk123]

Just my thoughts (I prefer fishing for trout during the coldest parts of the year)... Try and get to lake Jennings as early as they open in January and use the same setup that you have going for it. What I do is use powerbait on a small treble hook with about a 15 inches of 4lb. lead and tie that to a 2 way swivel and on the mainline I use 6lb. or 8lb. with a 1/4 oz. egg sinker. Cast it out and just sit and after the first bight the game starts. On a good day my buddy and I catch 2 limits (5 each) in about 2 hours and spend the rest of the day looking for bass off shore. Also you could try using a kastmaster trolled slowly behind a rental boat at the lake, all you need is a trolling motor and car battery and you can troll in one if the paddle boats that they rent out at most lakes. Hope this helps and good luck .

 

[Wayne K Dolik]

I was taught a good tecnique by one of the best trout fishing guys who ever lived several years ago. The fellow was the lake naturalist in Santa Barbara, Ca.

Here's what he taught me. When the waters clear or the fish a finikey think small. Size 12 double swivels, attached to light leaders like 2-3 pound. Small treble hooks like 14 to hold your floating power bait. Tie off a small bullet weight above the double swivel, (on the reel side of the line). Throw it to deep water and let it sink, take up the slack and wait for a bite.

Hope that helps.

 

[Kurt]

I don't know any information about the lake, but I suggest that you use a different rig for powerbait. All you need is a regular size 14 two way swivel, a 2-4 lb leader that's about 18in, and a size 16 treble hook (anywere between 14 and 18 is fine), and powerbait, and a 1/4oz sliding egg(egg shaped with a hole through the middle) weight.

1. Slide the weight onto your main line.
2. Tie your main line to one end of the swivel.
3. Tie one end of your 18in leader to the other end of the swivel.
4. Tie your treble on the free side of the leader.
5. Cover the treble with powerbait, but not too much. You want just enough for it too float, nothing more.
6. Cast it out, and keep your reel in freespool until it hits the bottom.
7. Once at the bottom, you line will stop coming off the spool.
8. Reel in the slack.
9. Wait.

This is how I first started to catch trout. Its not too much fun for me anymore, but at the time, it was a blast when we caught a trout.

As for color of the powerbait, I have had huge success with the Salmon Peach color. Another one I always have is chartuese, but the salmon peach color is my first choice anywhere I go.

You can change the length of your leader if you are not getting bit.

If you have any more questions, you can pm me. This is just a way to get started with trout fishing. It will only get more fun from here.

-Cameron
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It's refreshing to see a younger guy that can write.

I caught my first fish. Sorrento Cove, off of the shore, Miramar Lake. Over the last two weeks, I went fishing probably 10 times. Yes. 10. One week of the two I was on vacation. Followed the Powerbait intstructions for rigging for trout, nada. No bites. Sittin' around nothing happening.

So in my noobness, I've been doing a lot of reading, and baitcasting reels caught my eye. Bought el cheapo at big 5, a few lures, and headed to Miramar. Suprisingly enough, I didnt have a problem with backlashes or birdnesting. I guess I got a natural thumb for it.

Caught this trout with a Blue Fox Super Vibrax #2. Silver. Cast out with baitcast reel, cast back in. Bite. Set hook. Reeled in. I couldnt stop smiling for 10 minutes. I caught it a few hours ago... I've already cleaned it (not as bad or messy as i expected) and it's in the oven.

Thanks for the help.

It appears you now have it figured out.

 

[Mfish618]

It's pretty late in the season for trout. Poway is done, although you might get a carry over here and there. I'd try Cuyamaca for trout this time of year. The water stays colder at it's higher elevation. The previously stated rigging information is right on the money. Good luck.