Santa Margarita Lake / Aug 17-19

I had a great weekend camping and fishing with TomB, an NCKAer from Visalia, at Santa Margarita Lake. The campsite was primo (on a hilltop overlooking the lake), the water level was low but still scenic (not like a bathtub ring), the fishing was slow (some LMB, bluegill, redear, crappie), boat traffic was minimal (lots of no-wake zones and max 30 mph elsewhere), and the food and company were outstanding (no fish dinners, though).

Tom left early on Sunday, but I got out on the water again till about 3:30 p.m. I marked fish on my FF, and I both cast and trolled Rapalas, Kastmasters, and trolling rigs with nightcrawlers in anywhere from 8-20 feet of water. I don't have GPS, but these are my stats (take note FisHunter!): 440+ miles of driving (8 hours towing the trailer) and 9 hours on the water for ONE puny bluegill...but it tasted mighty good for breakfast this morning! I'm glad I like to paddle because I sure got my exercise...and I'd do it again in the blink of an eye. Santa Margarita Lake is SO relaxing.

Janice aka "Big J"

Nice work J. That's the way it goes sometimes but there's a whole lot more to a fishing trip than the fish. Looks like an awesome time!

Z

Hi Janice,

Its nice to see you can make bait. You could have sent it back in hopes of a large bass it does work. Thats what they eat. Glad you had a good time.

That place looks really "peaceful" 

janice -

Looks like a nice place. should have hit Cambria on the way home.

Scott

Great pics&port Janice!  GOODTIMES can be found in and around everything we do!,don't measure it by the fish you do or do not catch on the way.(someone needs to print that somewhere!?)
was that a "secret  date" you guys were on? I don't remember seeing it in the"hook-ups"(no pun intended)

Thanks for the totals and the shoutout BigJ.......and i can't believe you didn't toss a few SENKOS into that structure?!? 

was that a "secret  date" you guys were on? I don't remember seeing it in the"hook-ups"(no pun intended)

Not a "secret rendezvous" at all, and I'm sure Tom's wife is pleased at that, too! Nope, another quality NCKA outing.

If NCKAers would be interested in fishing Santa Margarita Lake, we could get a trip together in Spring 2008 when fishing is supposed to be better, especially for trout and crappie. Avila Beach, Morro Bay, and Cambria are close by, too, but I don't know what ocean fishing is like then (or if it's even "open"). We could meet our Central Coast contingent and rely on their expertise to help us out.

It truly is a peaceful place, other than the potential for Cal Poly revelers in the campgrounds.

Janice aka "Big J"