Larger trout mixed in pan-sized stringer fillers
BY MIKE STEVENS
IRVINE – While Southern California anglers are still longing for the full-features Irvine Lake of years past, it still shows flashes of its former self, and hopefully these reminders of what the fishery is capable of keeps hopes of “The Vine” returning to glory on the front burner.
Currently, anglers are taking advantage of four rounds of stocking in January, and that once-a-week trout plant cadence is slated to roll right into February until trout plants come to an end for the season at the end of the month. Even then, it’s safe to expect holdovers from over two months of weekly trout plants to remain as worthy targets into spring.
Western Outdoor News reported on some large trout being caught at Irvine a couple issues ago, and it’s become quite clear that there are still more of these trophy fish on the prowl. Recently, the big-trout bell was rung by 8-year-old Jacob Wels who was working a Kastmaster on January 25 when he connected to an awesome hookjaw rainbow.
The pan-sized trout make up the majority of the haul at Irvine right now, and limits have been common for anglers using microspoons, minijigs and floating baits, but anglers should be advised to have drags set for one of these bigger trout decide to cooperate.