Lake Casitas Bass Fishing Guide Report 01/16/2016 – As I was thinking about a topic for this column for my bass fishing guide clients I’m looking at weather.com showing me the forecast with two solid weeks of rain heading toward the California coast and Lake Casitas. I know it's a bit early and I know it's a bit risky but I'll go out on a limb and go with the thought that the West Coast will get the heavy dose of rainfall that everyone is expecting. Let's go ahead and assume that this scenario is correct. If the western United States gets the severe rain that is expected this could produce some of the toughest fishing that we've seen in quite some time. When I used to fish with the Bassmasters throughout the eastern United States this condition is what we call "fishing in the woods" The term "the fish are in the woods" is basic East Coast slang for fishing flooded fields, campgrounds, pastures and huge expanses of flats that are so prevalent in the eastern United States. Boy when there would be a torrential down pour and those fish would get up and swim through the woods it could be some of the toughest fishing you'll ever experience. Now granted we don't have as many flat areas and his many large reservoirs as the East Coast but we do have a lot of reservoirs and impoundments that have large flat areas that if the water rises as expected it can be a real chore trying to figure out exactly where these fish may move to when there so much flooded cover, especially at a lake like Lake Casitas. Add to that high flood like conditions a dose of cold muddy water. Water that's rising and flooding and area and then you add the fact that that water is muddy and cold can really boggle the mind of any angler. I remember this being one of the most mindnumbing conditions that I've ever faced. Without question the number one tool in these types of conditions is a spinnerbait. I remember this being some of the most mindnumbing conditions that I've ever faced. Without question the number one tool in these types of conditions is a spinnerbait. Taking a basic 3/8 or 1/2 ounce spinnerbait in a color that you have confidence in you can be without question the most effective tool for conquering high, cool muddy water. It's just the ultimate search bait for these conditions. First and foremost when water comes and floods into flats and areas that haven't been in the water in a long time there's just so much water to cover and you're really just looking for a starting point with your fishing. What I mean by this is you can take your spinnerbait and cover huge amounts of water and eventually get a strike and now you have at least something to work off of. Once you get a strike you can waypoint the area and you can really begin fine-tuning and pick away at that area. It might be an isolated fish but it also might be a signal as to an area where the fish have elected to move into. The spinnerbait at this time of year if we get the amount of rainfall that we're talking about can be your ultimate weapon to locate fish under these super tough conditions. It's super basic fishing. Tie your spinnerbait direct to 17 to 25 pound test line. I always use Izorline monofilament and it's always green. Nothing less than that. Never fish your spinnerbait on anything less than 17 pound test line and that would be in areas that possess a great deal of clear water. If there's any color to the water at all 20 to 25 pound test line is the choice. Remember you're also going to be making shorter casts than you're used to. Your a western angler and you're used to clear water but that's just not going to be the case if we get flood like conditions. The water will be stained and there will be lots of trash in the water. You're going to need some serious rope and 20 to 25 test line should be standard operating procedure. Fish a basic color don't get fancy. White or chartreuse for a combination of the two is about all you'll need. You can use nickel or gold blades and for the most part in stained water gold blades many times can be very very effective. We're so used to fishing clear water and using nickel blades but in stained water gold blades can be very very effective. Once again that's an adjustment that you have to make when the water gets stained in these reservoirs that you've fished for so many years that had always been clear. Use a stout baitcasting rod with the set up that we're talking about and get to work. Work slowly and methodically through the cover. Definitely keep the boat moving but don't get in a rush with your fishing. Remember the water is cool and you have to give the fish a chance to locate your bait in this off colored water. What I mean is develop a nice steady pace as you work through the cover and methodically work your spinnerbait in and around all the objects that will be flooded in the water. We have had virtually no rain for the last 5 to 6 years. We've developed so many habits because we have had stable or dropping clear water for so many years. We've had very little run off and so the waters have been very clear and stable. In these types of conditions a lure like a Senko or drop shot, these more subtle baits have been the most effective. But when you have rising cold muddy water all of that goes out the window. It's basically rendered useless. The spinnerbait will allow you to cover the water properly and at least locate an area that you have some confidence that the fish are in. Once you located the fish then you can slowly apply the baits mentioned above. Once you locate a fish or two with the spinnerbait you can slow down and really work the area methodically with a jig and plastic worm. And really really get to work and start to pick away at the area. It's just a new mindset that you develop. Be prepared and if we get lucky and get the amount of rain everyone's talking about get to work with the spinnerbait it's one of the absolute finest tools that you can use in these types of conditions.
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