Spring is prime time for big bass at Hodges, and just like in 2021, this announcement was made during red hot fishing. At least a pair of double-digit bucketmouths including a 10.9 pounder that grabbed a Rapala OG Slim Shad Squarbill cranked by SoCal guide Rusty Brown, and another from a former local angler who now takes an 8-hour round trip to fish Hodges.
“Fishing is basically the best it could possibly be,” said Chip Gilbert of Yuma, Arizona. “Texas-rigged worms, jigs, drop-shots, shallow and mid crankbaits, and the bigger bites have been coming on the Basstrix swimbait. Now is the time to go catch a Hodges monster.”
A WON BASS tournament pro, Gilbert has been vocal for years about what he believes is deplorable mismanagement of the San Diego City Lakes. Still, Lake Hodges still draws him from his new home state, but it’s hard for him to maintain any level of optimism about the future of those particular Southern California fisheries.
“The City of San Diego will be draining off a drastic amount of water that will basically kill all the bass fry and bass nests in shallow water. Again proving the powers that be do not care about the fisheries in the county.”
He did manage to catch a “Hodges monster” before making the long drive home, a 10.19-pound largemouth to go along with a 6.8.
