Freshwater Report
Name=Jeff
Date=2/27/99
Area=Laguna Niguel Lake
Bait=Power bait, nightcrawlers
Water_Temp=
Report=Well, I finally had one of those "double-limit" days that the staff at this lake always brags about. But that's the end of the story, let's start from the begining... Started off heading to Irvine Lake to fish the tagged trout derby. I sat through horrendous traffic yesterday just getting my validation at the Longfin and I was ready to catch the $25,000 fish. When I got up to the entrance, (about 5:45) I could not help but notice the parking lot COMPLETLEY FULL of cars waiting to get in. I just played "battle with the tanglers" last week at SARL and I was in no mood to do it again. Started heading back with two alternate choices in mind. Prado or Laguna...Hmmm.... I hesitated all the way to the freeway entrance south - north - south. Missed the north turn-off so went south heading towards Laguna Niguel. I knew this was an "off" week ( they stock every other week, last time on the 16th) but I figured the crowd would be light and that was just fine with me even if I didn't catch any. Set up in my usual spot around 6:30 and had only 1 rainbow and a few bites by 8:30. I decided to move to the back side of the lake which requires parking by the dam and walking around. It paid off bigtime. I was hooked within the first minute of casting and had non-stop action after that. All the action attracted the attention of the "Trout Police" lake patrol who pulled up just as I was landing my 5th trout. He said I have to buy another pass to keep fishing so I gave him the money and he went across the lake to get me another pass. He came back with another pass but also told all the other boats where the hot spot was. Soon there were three boats surrounding my spot but they were all polite enough to keep their distance as I continued to catch my second limit only hooking onto their lines once. I packed it up at 1:30 with 2-full limits of rainbows between 1 to 2-1/2 pounds. I'm sure I could have easily caught a third limit if I stayed longer but at $12 a permit, my fishing expenses were done for the day. Long hike back to the car with all the gear and fish. Getting old... Bass Note: I saw another huge 10+ pounder, this one chased one of the smaller trout that I was reeling in. His eyes must have been four inches apart! Also a 2-pounder kept me company all day as he appeared from time to time eye-balling my stringer. Probably could have hooked him on a crawler but bass wasn't the target for today besides, the trout were keeping me too busy. One of these days I will have to bring some bass gear with me...
Rating=Excellent
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