Irvine Lake monster 40-0 blue cat tops catches; new summer hours take effect on August 4


One of Irvine Lake's legendary whopper blue catfish showed itself this week, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "Lake regular Marty Sauceda got a huge 40-pound catfish on a whole bonita head doused in Bite-On scent", observed Getty. "Another expert catfish chaser, Ronson Smothers had a 5-catfish limit totaling 47-13 on mackerel. These anglers specialize in bigger catfish, and were fishing in 25-40 feet of water. There were plenty of good stringers of eating-size channels in the 2 to 8-pound range that were being caught at 5-15 feet, and we also weighed in 6 catfish over 9 pounds between 10 PM and Midnight on Saturday.

"The catfish are being found near structure, with 4 PM to 10 PM being the best 'bite times'. If you fish during the daytime hours, stay near the weeds. Good bait is important for success, with added scent like Berkley Catfish Dip being important. All of the popular oily bait species like mackerel, bonito, and skipjack are working well."

Getty added, "Starting August 4, our new summertime hours of operation will take effect. The lake will now be CLOSED on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, open 6 AM-11 PM on Thursdays, 6 AM-Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 AM-4 PM on Sundays. "

Bass anglers did well on 2 to 4-pound largemouth on a variety of lures. Most popular were topwater lures and frogs, with floating moss for "froggers" being present at the back of the flats. Schools of baitfish are also popping up, and anglers who react quickly and cast into the schools with shad-replicating lures are being rewarded with both largemouth and wipers. Plenty of plump bluegill and redear sunfish were available on meal worms and waxworms.

Anglers with children age 12 and under did very well on 1 to 3-pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon on M&M combos. Surface temperature on the main lake is 76-78 degrees, with the lake level receding slowly. Underwater visibility is variable. The West Shore Road is open to vehicle traffic.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Marty Sauceda of Anaheim, 40-0 blue catfish [released] on Bite-On at mid-lake
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 14-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Ronson Smothers of Los Angeles, 11-6 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Don Peterson of Anaheim, 4-5 largemouth bass [released] on a Senko at Rocky Point
Aaron Titleman and 13-year old Lauren Titleman of San Fernando, 5-catfish limit totaling 37-14, on Bite-On at the flats


Follow Irvine Lake on Facebook, on the web at IrvineLake.net or call 714-649-9111