October 23, 2026

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November 14th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing

December 12th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing

Fishing was fair for striped bass, with anglers reporting smaller-grade fish taking cut sardines and lugworms after the check gates. Lure anglers connected with 110- and 120-size jerkbaits in baitfish patterns after dark and at first light. Some topwater striped bass were also reported during those same time periods. Largemouth bass were a bit more cooperative, with fish falling for poppers at first light. Drop-shot stick baits and Flukes were also effective. Catfish anglers had the most success using SSS dip bait, chicken liver, and cut anchovies.

The lake dropped to 91% of its storage capacity, and water temperatures were near 70 degrees. An algae bloom covered the surface across much of the lake. Largemouth and smallmouth bass went after small finesse baits in salt-and-pepper, cinnamon, and dark green black-flake patterns. Stick baits like the C3 Slim Pro were effective for bass holding shallow. Bass held at depths of 5 to 30 feet, with most of the better catches occurring in 15 to 30 feet of water. The surface bite was slower, with some action occurring early in the day and again in the evenings. Striped bass chased bait into the shallow weeds, and anglers used single-hook white soft jerkbaits and topwater walking baits to hook up. The live shad bite was phenomenal for anglers lucky enough to scoop bait. Many local guides reported 20- to 30-fish days for each client on board, with more bass than stripers caught.

Pyramid Lake remained at 90% of its storage capacity, and fishing was fair. The algae bloom disappeared completely after recent high winds, although the same winds appeared to have slowed the bite. Bass went after brown jigs in shallow water along bluff walls. Jerkbaits and mid-depth crankbaits caught fish in about 10 feet of water, while A-rigs worked in deeper water along points. Spoons and tailspins fooled schooling bass suspended in the water column and holding near deeper rocky structure. Striped bass took cut sardines at a slow pace, and trolling umbrella rigs provided another way to put a few more fish in the boat. The catfish bite remained strong, with fish taking cut sardines and chicken liver at depths of up to 90 feet.

Lake Isabella is holding at 24 percent of capacity, with water temperatures cooling over the past few days. The bass bite remains very good, with anglers reporting steady action around rocky points, brush, and main lake structure. The North Fork arm has been particularly productive, along with Engineers Point, Rocky Point, and Pine Point. Early morning topwater action has been good on Spooks and poppers, while jerkbaits, crankbaits, football jigs, Texas-rigged creature baits, and 8- to 10-inch Rusty’s Big Worms in purple and black/blue are producing quality bass throughout the day. Crappie fishing remains good around the marinas and submerged structure in 18 to 25 feet of water, with live shiners and small minijigs producing quality stringers. Catfish continue to bite SSS Dip Bait, shad, and cut mackerel, particularly near Camp 9. Trout fishing remains fair to good for anglers trolling Needlefish and Flicker Shad near the dam.

Trout fishing remains productive along the 20-mile stretch of the Upper Kern River to Johnsondale Bridge, with anglers reporting steady action on Sick Jigs in various colors, pinched crawlers, and salmon eggs. On the Lower Kern, trout are being caught throughout the canyon up to Keysville on trout jigs and spinners. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting Senkos, small crankbaits, and jigs, while catfish are hitting SSS Dip Bait, cut bait, and worms. Bluegill fishing remains steady on live worms. At the time of reporting, flows were 329 CFS on the Upper Kern River at Kernville and 338 CFS on the Lower Kern.

Kaweah Lake remained at 10% of its storage capacity, and anglers reported plenty of largemouth and spotted bass taking baits. Finesse baits and jigs in brown, green pumpkin, and brown-purple produced bites at depths of 5 to 25 feet. Stick baits were also popular choices. Square-billed crankbaits were effective, as were smaller topwater poppers and walking baits. Catfish anglers reported success using Carolina-style rigs with chicken liver and dip bait near the marina. Crappie also took mini jigs and smaller swimbaits for the few anglers targeting them.

Success Lake remained near 10% of its storage capacity, and plenty of good-sized largemouth bass took jigs, hula grubs, and drop-shot finesse baits in baitfish, green pumpkin, and purple patterns. Bass held near the trees, steep rocky banks, and along the dam in 10 to 20 feet of water. Crankbaits remained effective around woody structure and riprap. Catfish anglers did well along the west bank closer to the dam, where cut mackerel, sardines, and dip bait all produced bites. Crappie anglers focused on submerged vegetation, using slip bobbers and small live minnows at depths of around 15 feet.

Bass fishing at River Walk continues to improve, with the best action coming during the early morning and late evening hours. Anglers are finding success with small flukes, Ned rigs, shad-patterned plastics on drop shot rigs, and green pumpkin Senkos. Bluegill are also biting well in both lakes, with wax worms and red worms producing steady action. Looking ahead, the Bakersfield Firefighters 14th Annual Trout Derby and Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2026. More than 1,000 pounds of lightning and rainbow trout, including fish weighing up to 5 pounds, will be stocked for the event. The angler who lands the trout with the lowest tag number will take home the $1,000 grand prize.

Bass fishing at Lake Ming has picked up this week, with anglers reporting improved action on small flukes, buzzbaits, walking baits, Flicker Shad 4s, and chrome or white poppers. Flukes fished on drop shot rigs and Ned rigs are also producing steady bites. Crappie fishing has been best later in the day, with small minijigs and live shiners producing good results. Catfish remain active on cut bait and SSS Dip Bait, while bluegill continue to bite well on wax worms, mealworms, and red worms.

Fishing was fair at Buena Vista Lakes last week, although some anglers reported good days on the water. Bass anglers found success using drop shots with four-inch curly-tailed worms, Senkos, and spinnerbaits near the inlet, islands, and surrounding vegetation. Green pumpkin and Aaron’s Magic were productive colors. Crappie anglers caught pan-sized fish using small live minnows and mini jigs near the islands. Catfish anglers had success using dip bait, cut anchovies, and chicken liver fished on the bottom.

Fishing was good at Hart Park last week, with largemouth bass caught on Senkos, Texas-rigged plastics, and jigs near the inlet and floating weed beds. Baby bass, brown, and orange crusher were productive colors, while topwater lures produced surface strikes after dark. Catfish anglers had success with dip bait, cut hot dogs, and nightcrawlers, while bluegill remained active and readily took redworms, waxworms, and mealworms.

Nacimiento Lake dropped to 33% of capacity as water temperatures continued to fall, with fishing remaining good overall. Spotted bass were caught in 10 to 30 feet of water on drop shots, Ned rigs, and small jigs, with dark green, brown, Aaron’s Magic, and Smoke Shad among the productive colors. White bass responded to spoons, inline spinners, and tail spins, while crappie held near submerged structure and responded to mini jigs, small swimbaits, and live minnows. Catfish anglers found success using cut mackerel, chicken liver, and dip bait on Carolina rigs.

Fishing remains very good throughout Orange County and Los Angeles waters, with yellowtail and yellowfin tuna continuing to highlight the offshore action. Anglers are also finding plenty of bonito, calico bass, sand bass, and occasional dorado. Boats working the islands and offshore waters are reporting some impressive mixed catches, while local half-day trips continue to produce steady bass fishing. Out of Dana Point, the Fury returned October 19 with 79 yellowfin, 64 yellowtail, 74 bonito, 95 calico bass, and 2 dorado for 25 anglers. Newport Beach boats are also finding excellent yellowtail action, with the Western Pride reporting 135 yellowtail, 16 yellowfin, and 2 dorado for 38 anglers on October 19. Out of San Pedro, the Gail Force landed 100 yellowtail and 30 yellowfin for 20 anglers on October 18.

Fishing around the Channel Islands continues to offer a good variety of species, with yellowtail, white seabass, calico bass, rockfish, and whitefish all showing in the recent counts. Surface fishing remains productive on select trips, while anglers targeting the deeper reefs are finding consistent bottom fishing. The islands continue to offer opportunities for quality yellowtail and occasional white seabass, particularly around kelp beds and rocky structure. The Island Fox reported 18 white seabass, 61 calico bass, and 6 sheephead for 16 anglers on October 17. The Mirage returned October 20 with 170 rockfish, 165 whitefish, and 2 lingcod for 17 anglers. Offshore action has also been impressive, with the Ventura-based Endeavor reporting 70 yellowfin and 33 yellowtail for 17 anglers on October 19. Rockfish and whitefish remain reliable options for anglers fishing the islands, with occasional lingcod and sheephead mixed into the catches.

Bottom fishing remains excellent along the Central Coast, with rockfish and lingcod providing consistent action for anglers fishing out of Port San Luis and Morro Bay. Boats working the rocky reefs and deeper structure are reporting good catches of assorted rockfish, including bocaccio, copper rockfish, and quality lingcod. Out of Morro Bay, the Starfire returned October 17 with 179 rockfish, 41 lingcod, and 15 copper rockfish for 25 anglers. The Endeavor also reported 156 rockfish, 60 bocaccio, and 17 lingcod for 23 anglers on October 16. Farther south, Port San Luis boats continue to find similar success, with the Patriot reporting 64 rockfish, 19 bocaccio, 18 copper rockfish, and 10 lingcod for 27 anglers on October 18. Squid, cut bait, and larger jigs remain popular choices for targeting bottom fish.