Fishing Fascination!

12-12-21

Hello Fishing Family!

Over the past three weeks, I have been able to go fishing six times.  Out of those six sessions, five were spent fishing at Silverwood Lake (3 night sessions & 2 day sessions).  One of the six  sessions was spent fishing at Mojave Narrows Regional Park at Pelican Lake.  I landed a total of twenty-four fish altogether (17 Trout, 1 Largemouth Bass, & 6 Striper), all of which were released.

Silverwood Lake Sessions

At the Marina, usually when the gates are shut down for the day, my adventure is just beginning.  Just so we are clear, night fishing is allowed at Silverwood Lake if you park on Highway 138.  Making a short hike down to the shore is not too bad of a hike, but will get you to where you can fish for free as long as you possess a valid California Fishing License.  Remember, bring a head lamp and pack lightly if you decide to go.

The Trout on one of these nights were going for a mini jig without hesitation.  As soon as it hit the water, I had another one.  One of my buddies, who I was also fishing with on this night, got on his first Trout ever by using the jig I gave him which I purchased at the Silverwood Lake Marina Store earlier during the week (Trout Teasers).

We both happened to catch eight Trout each, and with the temperatures dropping pretty consistently into the late night, we had to leave the fish biting.  It does get very cold out there fishing in the months of late November and December, but another reason I wanted to leave was because I saw a Bobcat.  While I’m fishing, I regularly spot him near the fish cleaning station, but my buddy and I both felt pretty safe as it was at least 75-100 feet away from us.

Coming back to fish the Marina during the day was a fun experience.  I linked up with one of my old students to catch some Trout.  He got one on some Powerbait, although he tried many different set ups throughout the day to catch one.  Perseverance and determination do pay off!  I knew the Trout were set on mini jigs, as they were the night before.  I was able to land two Trout and one very small Largemouth Bass.  It was definitely a good day for us.

It had been almost two weeks from my first night fishing session, since I hiked back to the Marina.  This time though, I was on a solo trip.  I have been wanting to catch Striper, but they were either well fed from all the baitfish options swimming around in the Marina area, or just tired of seeing my lure.  I tried and tried to no avail.  I then targeted Trout with a mini jig, and “Got ‘em!”  The night ended with a Trout limit!

Let me tell you again, “I love fishing Silverwood Lake!”  I was itching to catch a Striper, so I found myself back at the Marina a few nights later.  At that point, I had not caught a Striper in over a month or even had a strike from one.  It was definitely time for me to try something else, and I remember my buddy catching one a few weeks back on a lure I thought I would tie on my line first (Rat L Trap Lure).  Not even five casts in, I felt a small familiar tap on the end of my rod, and “Bam!”  The Striper I landed was near two and a half pounds, and the action didn’t stop there.  Twenty to thirty casts later, I landed another Striper weighing in at one and a half pounds.

My latest trip to Silverwood took place this weekend.  I knew I wanted to fish on Saturday morning, but preferred not to have to get up very early and wait in line to get lake access.  I was up early that day, but I really wanted to fish at Silverwood Lake Miller Canyon during the day.  When I pulled up, believe it or not, there was no one in line at 9 AM!

Making a hike into Miller Canyon from the Marina with a float tube and the rest of my fishing gear can wreck my body.  As I hiked, I kept signing to myself this old school verse, “I workout!”  just to make it to a nice spot in the canyon.

The first hour floating around yielded nothing, as do most trips.  The couple of hours after that were very exciting.  Using inflated Nightcrawlers as bait, I was able to land four very nice sized (2 Pound) Stripers. The sound of my drag peeling is still ringing in my ears a day later.  It was a really good day filled with awesome adventure.

Now, I realize why I haven’t caught many Stripers fishing the top of the water column and just below it.  The fish are on the very bottom.  I definitely need to keep trying different techniques to get on fish.  Locating fish on a lake is something I see as very challenging, but it’s probably the reason why I love fishing so much!

Mojave Narrows Regional Park Pelican Lake

I caught two Trout at Pelican Lake, but it definitely took me all day to figure out.  Good luck to you if you decide to go.  I know the trick for me was a Carolina Rig with Corn Powerbait (1 foot leader).  I know an angler who nailed an eleven and half pound Trout from Pelican Lake fishing with Powerbait.  Nice Job Allen!

Good luck out there and stay safe fishing family, if you decide to go fishing!  I hope you all have happy holidays! Also, please be sure to comment on any of these videos to be entered into my 200 Subscribers YouTube giveaway! Let’s go!!!