Caption: 3rd place Sat. Danny Eumatsu

Irvine Lake trout bite still wide-open; bigger fish to 13-8 showing
The phenomenal action of Irvine Lake's opening weekend just kept right on going this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The trout bite has been just insane", quipped Getty. "The fish are biting on the troll, bait, and plastics; and trolling is probably best of all right now. The few people not limiting out are either using line that is too heavy, or are not paying attention to what those around them are using."

Legendary trout expert Marlon Meade of Anaheim offered a technique that has worked consistently at Irvine Lake so far this season using the 3-inch Power Trout Worm in 5 to 30 feet of water. "Use a size 5 or smaller split-shot and a small light-wire fly hook", said Meade. "Hooks that are too large make the worm sit on the bottom and will not be effective. When casting from a boat, shore, or float tube; let the worm sink to the bottom, and start popping or dragging it in. Another technique is 'dead sticking', which means letting the worm sink and not moving it. The trick is to use a small fly hook for best results."

Meade tipped, "The best colors are chartreuse, fluorescent orange, orange peel, pink shad and bubble gum."

Best Power Bait colors for trout this week have been chartreuse, white, salmon peach, and garlic. Most of the trout filling the stringers are in the 1 to 3-pound class, but a sprinkling of better-grade fish from 4 pounds and well into the double-digits is keeping things very interesting.

Good locations include the west shore, red clay cliffs, mid-lake, and near the dam. Decent numbers of incidental catfish in the 2 to 5-pound range are also being caught by trout anglers using nightcrawlers.

The Kids Lagoon remains very good for families with children age 12 and under. A group of 40 Boy Scouts had all nailed their limits [3 fish] by 9:00 AM on Saturday. Both the main lake and Kids Lagoon will be restocked on Thursday afternoon of this week.

The Irvine Lake Pro Team will be conducting a free trout fishing seminar at the lake on Saturday, November 21 at the Catch-Out Pond. Time will be 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, allowing anglers to get in a several hours of fishing beforehand. Topics covered will include trolling, bait selection, and mini-jigging. The seminar is free with a paid day-use or fishing admission, but advance reservations are required by calling 714-649-9111.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Eric Takaki of Torrance, 13-8 trout on a Kastmaster at Trout Island
- Jeff McGaha of Victorville, 12-4 trout on Power Bait at the west shore
- Matt Wong of Irvine, 11-8 trout on a Gitzit in boat dock cove
- Paul McHon of La Habra, 11-2 trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
- Ledell Edmedson of Corona, 10-8 trout on a mini jig at Trout Island
- Danny Eumatsu of Orange, 9-8 trout on a Rapala at mid-lake
- Ty Taylor of Torrance, 7-8 trout on an SC Shiner at Crawdad Point
- John Gilbert of Santa Ana, 7-2 trout on a Thomas Buoyant at mid-lake
- Terry Moore of Norwalk, 2-2 brown trout on a Roostertail at the west shore