BY MIKE STEVENS
LAKE ISABELLA — As the water continues to warm at Lake Isabella, the bass bite is steadily ticking in the right direction. It seems like the largemouth bass spawn was behind that in much of the Southland, which could make this particular lake a “spring extender” as most bass fisheries move into a post-spawn summer mode. A well-known Southern California guide and former WON BASS U.S. Open champion recently put an explanation point on that idea by adding another double-digit bass to his catch log.
“She weighed 11.16 pounds,” said Rusty Brown (RustyBassHook.com). “I caught her off Lime Dyke in about 15 feet of water on a custom bait I am working on. Water temp is in the low 70s, visability is about three feet and the water level is high. There are lots of bluegill and shad roaming around, and the bass are eating. Most fish are relateing to brush and rocks with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jerkbaits all getting bites along with some Senko fish. Bone-colored glide baits are also attracting some quality bass.”
Beyond Brown’s report, the overall chatter regarding “Izzie’s” bass scene has been positive with a lot of reports of success with big worms, jigs, jerkbaits, swimjigs, chatterbaits and underspins along with the obligatory drop-shot bite. Panfish are also cooperating with anglers willing to move around to different structure spots to find biters, and catfish are also an option at Isabella. Despite water temps in the 70s, there are still a fair amount of trout being caught, especially in the North Fork, but it’s going to fizzle out sooner than later as the mercury continues to rise.
