Hey guys. This is my first time posting as a registered user but I am familiar with this and many of the other boards. I don't post much but I practically live on these boards when I'm not on the water and get much of my needed info. for upcoming trips.

Anyway, on with the report:
I decided to try Laguna on this rare day away from work. Never fished it before but obviously I have heard alot about it. Rented a boat and although everyone in the entire Western Hemisphere was out in front of the docks, the guy told me to try the flats to the right. Thanks to him, I was into to the fish real quick. I got out to the spot about 7:30( I live in Arcadia and had a late night out ) and there were 2 boats with me in the area. It was non-stop until 8:45! Hooked 9 fish and kept 4 with 2 popping off. The other 3 were released due to the fact they were hooked on spinners and I didn't want my limit just yet. All fish were caught on rainbow Power Bait dipped in Pro-cure garlic and white & green Rooster Tails. No biguns but all were fat 1 to 2 lbers. Did see one that went about 4 lbs and that was on one of the boats next to me, also caught on a Rooster Tail. After that magical hour, the bite slowed to just a pick and I managed another 4 fish until I left at 12:00( only got a half day boat ). I gave three of them to the boat next to me since they had three guys on the boat and kept my final fish for my limit. Needless to say, I will definately be back and might make this a favorite destination over Santa Ana and Irvine. Little bit of a drive but well worth it. Oh and before I go, I used short leaders. No more than 12 to 14 inches. Same tactics as Santa ana and Irvine. You all probably know that but I noticed alot of people using longer leaders and they weren't getting hit as much as I was. Anyway, glad to be a part of the board and I'll talk with you later.

Well, I thought I was registered at the time. Oh well, next time I will be.

Something you trout guys might want to try is useing a dropshot sinker. I use a drop shot sinker and a treble for my powerbait. This enables me to change my leader length without any hassle or retie...I just put the sinker up or down and pull. Since they swallow that powerbait, I just snap them off hook and all into my livewell and tie on another hook and I'm fishing again. Just some food for thought as I really don't like pinching anything on my line. Ever feel a spiltshot that's been in the sun...OUCH, and imagine what it does to your line. When I splitshot for bass I'm either useing a mojo weight which I peg with a square center round end toothpick or I use a brass and glass setup but I peg the bead from the hook side allowing me to tap the brass weight on my glass bead and the wood of the toothpick doesn't seem to tear up my six pound test like a split shot would.They are also easier to pull along than a splitshot which tends to catch on stuff a little more than the angle on the worm weight or the smaller size of the mojo. My .02 Kelly

Ya, you're exactly right Keldawg1. No splitshots on the line. I always use a swivel to attach the leader. Splitshots definately weaken the line and I HAVE learned the hard way by loosing some of the bigger fish. Smaller ones you might get away with but you should never take any chances, especially nowadays when you have a chance at a trophy at almost every lake you fish. The dropshot technique sounds pretty good. I'll give it a shot. And if I may recommend a very interesting but very productive rig you might want to give a try. Try using a medium size clear bubble( not too big but not too small ) where you would have a sliding sinker above the swivel. Fill it all the way up with water so that it sinks. This rig sinks very slowly and more often than not you will get nailed before it hits bottom. Works great at Santa Ana and Irvine. Didn't try it at Laguna, the water isn't as deep as the other two but I don't see why it wouldn't work. One thing to remember though, after the cast hits water close the bail and be ready. The bait needs some resistance to be pulled down effectively. It sinks with a nice spinning motion and seems to entice the fish more. Oh and before I go, two more bits of advice:

1) You might want to roll your power bait into the worm shape( please don't make a giant burrito or a huge gobulated mass of muck, you'll scare the fish more than gain their interest but JMO ). Like I said above, it sinks with a very enticing, spiral like motion that the fish seem to like.
2) Don't misunderstand me by thinking this rig works only or best on the fall. You shouldn't want to bring it in every time you don't get hit on the sink. The bubble has more than just the one advantage going for it. For instance, it seems to get picked up by currents and movements so it's constantly in motion keeping the bait moving around and keeping the fish interested.

This set-up really works for me so you might want to try it out sometime but that's totally up to you. Just thought I'd share this with you. Also, if you use mini-cast or ultra light rods it might seem a little heavy but don't worry. It works fine, just make sure you don't try and set a world record in the cast competition. You'll probably snap the line. Just make a nice, easy, rainbow type cast. Well, enough of all this so-called advice. We all have our own methods and if you're on these boards you probably don't need me telling you all how to fish. Thanks again for letting me blab and preach to you.

GO BRUINS....GO RAMS....GO FISHING....!!!!