Santa Ana River Lakes wide open for rainbows
Limits were common all around the Santa Ana River Lakes complex over the past week, and there were at least 65 trout topping four pounds reported at the lakes' tackle shop, including 22 over seven pounds.

There will be another plant of Nebraska Tailwalkers this week to keep the action hot, and a video clip of the plant will be posted on The Lakes web site so you can see the quality and volume of the fish being planted.

The two biggest fish this past week were a matching pair of 9 1/2 pounders. One was landed by Rick Avila, La Habra, fishing the green Nitro Bait dough at Levitz' Corner, while the other was caught by Jennifer Rodriguez of East Los Angeles in Chris Pond on the same bait. Jason delaCruz, Lake Elsinore, landed a nine-pounder to top off his three fish, 16-4 limit fishing corn yellow Nitro Bait.

Vincent Virgen, Buena Park, had the top stringer of the week, with his five trout weighing in at 34 1/2 pounds -- nearly a seven-pound average -- and his top rainbow was an 8 1/2 pounder. Mike Taylor and Jeff Verharst, both Sunland, had nine trout that weighed 53 1/2 pounds, including an eight pounder.

Other eight-pound rainbows were caught by Frank Corral, Los Angeles; Jay David, Hawthorne; Joe Romero, Covina, and Vladimir Kaye, Costa Mesa.

In spite of the great fishing, none of the huge trout planted last week, those over 18 pounds, were caught over the holiday. There was a whole load of these super trophies from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms and they averaged 21 1/3 pounds each when they were planted, but it frequently takes a week or more before anglers land any of the huge rainbows.

"This is the week. Those big ones should start coming out this week," said Craig Elliott.

All the usual baits have been catching trout, but Eagle Claw Nitro Bait dough in green, rainbow, and corn yellow doused with Nitro Gravy in garlic or anise have been the best bets, but nightcrawlers are also a top standby. Lure anglers fishing small jigs and Kastmasters are also getting fish. The key is to fish no deeper than two to three feet of water. The fish are focused in shallow water and near the surface, even for boat anglers at mid-lake. The bigger rainbows are chasing the shad and boiling on the surface.

Anglers should also note that a couple of nice two-pound crappie were caught by anglers tossing small, white jigs this week.

Photos are being uploaded daily to The Lakes website so anglers can keep tabs on the fishing. In addition, anglers who catch fish and report them to the tackle shop and have photos taken are eligible for a weekly drawing for a package worth $300, including lake passes, pontoon boat rentals, and fishing gear.

This past week's drawing winner was Gary Dew, Hacienda Heights.

As a way to say thanks for all the anglers using Eagle Claw Nitro baits and Gravy, the company is sponsoring a $20 off boat rental coupon on The Lakes web site. From now through December 23, anglers can download the coupon off the web site (www.fishinglake.com) and use the coupon for $20 off on a boat or pontoon rental at Santa Ana River Lakes.

Anglers are reminded that private boats are no longer being allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes do to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system.

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.. on an evening pass. Each of these passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are sold once a month on Friday and Saturday nights nearest the full moon with the next event set this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. These passes remain just $60. Anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.