PAH and I shot up to Margarita for a little sight fishing Saturday morning. Got up there with a little help from a pot of coffee and we arrived prior to the crack of dawn (man, that's tough!). We launched a little before 6am and began with a new "ticka" in the engine. Ahh, now what is it? Anyway, we began by going over to the marina cove but no one was home. I felt a hit in a cove on the east side but he never came back to try again. The sun came up while we were there and at that point we were able to begin seeing the bottom and everything to go with it. We found a couple bass back in one of the coves on the west side, but they didn't stick to their beds. What they would do is leave the area, but after a minute or so would cruise back and check on the nest from a distance, then leave again. They were not interested at all at anything we offered.
We then went around the corner and fished the south shore between the Marina and White Oak. I was able to pick up a 2.3 pounder using the 7" M.S. Slammer in about 1-2 feet of water. After cruising the flats there, we went over and checked out the westerly cove in White Oak. Again we saw bass in the back of the cove but they weren't interested in what we were offering (and boy did we have a deal for them!!).
Since things were looking slim, we shot over to the right most cove in the Salinas Bay area. Again, the fish were moving and no one was staying on beds. In one of the smaller coves I was able to pick up a 1.1 pounder on the Slammer again, and PAH picked up a 3.2 pounder using a "Luhr Norman Lil 'Un" (I think that's what they call it) in a bright blue-ish green color. Boy that fish of PAH's was trying to be a bird as it was constantly launching out of the water. Very spectacular. As we worked our way back to the main channel, PAH got hit with something big when we were on a point. Again he was using his crank, and that fish was peeling line like there was no tomorrow. Then, it turns around and make a bee-line going the other way! Smart fish because he was moving so fast that PAH couldn't reel the slack fast enough, and the fish threw the hook. It was exciting to see to say the least. We then tried the east main point entering the Salinas Bay and fished that line past the cable closure for the dam into the first finger to the right of them. I managed to get a 1/3 pound baby bass on the Slammer, and from what I could tell the bass must have hit the Slammer, and when I felt the bump I pulled, setting the hook above his gills. Kind of a snagged fish if you will. After that, it was midday and time to get back home.
All in all, it was a beautiful day up at Margarita. The temperatures got up into the mid 80's while we were there and it was a good chance for us to see what was going on down below without the needs for underwater cameras and the like. It also gave us a chance to see how some of our equipment functioned and what we needed to do in order to fine tune our presentations. The water was about 65 degrees and like Pete said in his report, very clear. I would say water visibility where we were was probably in the 15 foot range. Of the areas we fished, we couldn't find any bass holding tight to beds. We also made close attention to the tails of the fish for signs of making beds, but all had clean tails (so to speak). When we were trolling along watching the bottom for beds and bass, we found they weren't as skiddish as we originally thought. As the boat slowly moved forward, they wouldn't move until we were about six feet away. Finally, I think someone asked in an earlier post what area of Margarita is closed off for spawning. By a (somewhat) reasonable level of deduction, I would have to say the areas back where the group sites are located is closed off this year becasue the areas near the dam are open.
It was a busy day up at Margarita. Both parking areas at the ramps were full and Mr. Ranger was on the lake keeping an eye on the Yogi's and Boo-Boo's making sure no one was taking picnic baskets. Now all I need to do is figure out what's making noise in the bell-housing of my engine. Hrumph.

Mickster,
Great report! I think there were alot of tournament guys up there prefishing for the WON Torunament next weekend. Sorry none of the bed fish stuck for you but it sounds like you had a great day anyway. Kinda makes you want to go back again soon.

Other details... The crank was a Bill Norman Deep Little N - Chartruse with a blue back. Both the crank fish were on points. All the trout fish were on flats.

Oh yeah, Pete (of Wilderness Outfitters). The new St. Crois rod works great for throwing the slammer. The only problem I had was that the Coriolis real doesn't hold anough 25 lb green P-line. After adjusting to the new rod, I was casting the slammer to the end of the line. The rod was a bit stiff for the 9" Castaic swimbait which is one heavy lure. I suspect it will be OK for that after I get more used to the rod's action, but it rocks for the slammer.

I hit the shop on Sunday and grabbed the Super Free Curado for the medium action rom the Coriolis came off. Also spooled the Coriolis with 20# blue P-Line, so I should be able to get a little more distance next time and still have line left for fighting the big slammer fish that I'm overdue to catch ;-)

Pete

Pah,
If you're looking for a nice price on a great trout plugging reel check out the Catala 300. I've been playing with mine for about 2 months now and have been very pleased. I think they go for $99 which is not bad at all. For your standard bass reel the Curado Super Free is just awesome. Love mine and all my next bass reels will be Super Free's.

Thanks for getting the CC Bass board going with the great reports and info too :-)

Catalas have been rocking out of the shop lately, mostly 400's but several 300's also. I upgrade the bearings and add a live bait handle for the 400 and 401 and sell it as the Special Edition Catala for $139 and people love them. I have a 300 that I have used for calico fishing and just recently put it on my big bait rod and you're right, Swimbait, it throws the trout great! I have extra bearings at the shop that will upgrade the 300's.

Catala, Huh? So being a 300 or 400 series, I assume it will hold more line than my Coriolis 200, right? What else does it have to offer that should coax 100-140 $ out of my pocket ;-) After all, I do have a boat (pronounced hole in the water to throw money into) and I just bought a new rod and reel. Plus I'm married... wink wink, nudge nudge, know what I mean... say no more.

Pete (PAH)

PAH,
I just sold a Cardiff 300 today and it is the first one I really stopped and took a look at and what a gem! Smoother and lighter than the Catala and the free-spool was also much better. Capacity is important and castability is almost secondary with heavy baits like the Osprey but the Cardiff was SMOOTH! These reels sell for $109 vs. the Catala that sells for $89, a little difference but put them side by side and you can see the difference.

Pete,
Glad to hear the new rod is a hit and you guys were hooking fish, too. Tubbin BoBo stopped in today and he should be posting a good trout bait story soon. WON is in Santa Margarita next weekend and I am expecting to see some great weights. Weigh-in should be around 3:30 so head up to see what was caught and how.

I think I say you fishing...were you looking for beds in the coves right across the lake from the White Oak ramp? I was in the red kickboat(pontoon). I picked up one just off the reeds there on a soft jerkbait, he took it right off the top.

Ken A.-
Sorry I missed you out there. I was so overdue to go fishing, my head was literally buried in the water looking for something to get on my line. I'll keep an eye out the next time I'm up for your red kickboat and I'll come by and say hello!

A couple other details...

Mick's 1.x #er on the slammer was around 7 in the morning. About the same time, I got a hit, but missed hooking it on a 9" Castaic rainbow trout swimbait in about 8 ft. The other fish were all after 11am.

I must say that "rocket fish" was a trip to watch. I think it studied with flipper and some of the other trained dolphins. It was damn near dowing full backflips about 18" out of the water. Very cool.

I really wish I had at least gotten to see the line stripper that got away. It was a strong one. Oh well, maybe on another trip.

Pete