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Go get 'em!!

Please do!

Trout don't get stocked all year, as there's better success of survival n colder water. That said, the last trout stock was in June (schedule here: nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/Default.aspx?water=Santa+Margarita+Lake&time=All). There are some good sized catfish in that lake, as I caught an 8 pounder and my buddy caught an 11 last year while we were looking for bass. Good times! Margarita is beautiful and I'm glad you found it. Fishing can be a challenge at times but stay with it!! Here's a good resource: 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california/

Last time I fished from shore was in 2020 and had success in the spring. There are lots of access to the lake from shore, but I don't know which are good versus not. I would think it would depend on the time of year. My recommendation would be to pop into the marina store when you get there to see where the recent success along the lake is.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I cannot get out on the lake enough to be able to do guided tours. I try to be accurate in my videos to help others, but that's the best I can offer.

@@mjhoss Thanks for the great videos. I'll be visiting the lake soon. Tight lines.

Referring to Google Earth for measurements, I saw him when he was about a 1/3 mile away. My 12 foot kayak, vertical rods, and red PFD makes me visible, as well as the 4 mph wake I was leaving behind me. The width of the channel where I crossed is approximately 525 feet. I was around 425 feet across when he passed in front of me, putting 50 feet between his boat and me and 50 feet between his boat and shore. You can see the path in the water and its close distance to shore after he passes. My only thought to why he did that was he wanted to put his wake to my bow and not the stern, but that was a pretty close pass compared to the amount of water that was behind me at the time. There was no other boat traffic in the water behind me, so he would've had the full width to pass behind me. To be honest, I don't know who is right versus wrong. Common courtesy would have maximized the distance between his craft and mine to minimize his wake to my craft. It would have also allowed me to fish the bank I was crossing to but after he drove over it, there wasn't a fish found (I checked).

And we make decisions all the time, some right and some wrong, and I wasn't saying you were in the wrong... But when you took off to cross you had already seen the boat coming and in the video you can hear you breathing real hard trying to make up for the fact you could possibly be in the line of fire... he chose in front of you rather than behind, and not being able to get his side of the story I'm sure its a total guess WHO was in the right OR wrong.. Common courtesy, and safety, especially on the water is everyone's responsibility !! And by the way, nice rig you have and a quality video

​@@mjhoss You are absolutely not in the wrong, it's common sense that people with motorized boats should be more cognizant of kayakers/nonmotorized boats in most situations and 100% in this situation.

@@ruralroute312 It's no guess. The dick couldn't care less about the smaller unpowered boat. Not rocket science. It's lack of respect, which is increasing daily.

PS, a lot of the lake is 5 mph. So go get your GPS.

6:00 am.

That's the first time it performed so well for me. Great confidence boost!

True!

Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL

Ryan, SML is known as the "humbling" lake, so don't feel bad. Having a boat will help with accessing other spots on the lake. I went yesterday (7:30a - 5:30p) by boat with a friend, and while he caught 7 including a nice 5 lber, I skunked. Currently the water is very muddy and visibility in some areas was 4 inches. At this point, wait for the brown water to return to the normal greenish stain before heading out (water temps will also rise making the fish more active). There's a webcam out there that you can keep an eye on: 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california/ Two baits that have worked well for me year-round: 2.8 Keitech Swimg Fat Impact in Electric Shad or Pro Blue Red Pearl (any of the shad colors would work also) on a Dirty Jigs 3/16 oz Guppy Head, and a dropshot using a size 2 or size 1 hook and a 3/16 weight. Bait would be a 4.5" Roboworm Margarita Mutilator or M.M.III. Both those rigs can be thrown on a spinning rod and 8 lb flouro. Start with fishing main lake points and fish from 0 to 15 feet deep. I typically let the Keitech hit bottom before I start slow reeling it in, and with the dropshot, less action is better, so slow hops or slow drag and let it sit before moving again. Last recommendation is to fish during the week, Tues-Thurs being the best days. The weekends can throttle up the fishing pressure and by the time you go to a spot, it may have been pounded quite a few times. Finally, make sure there wasn't a fishing tourney there the day before (if you go on a weekend). You can find the tournament schedule for Margarita on the 805 webcams page mentioned above. Give those a try and keep me posted.

@@mjhoss will do brotha, thank you very much for the info

Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL

I have considered tournaments, but I fish to relax and enjoy, and I feel entering tourneys would provide me the opposite effect.

The el Nino/warmer weather really helped, and the 70+ degree weather last week got the fish biting!

It's an Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL. oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/kayaks/fishing/sportsman-pdl-120

Spent 6 hours trying but no takers. There was activity in the middle of the tules, but I suspect those were carp and not bass. Water temp was 54-57, clarity was 18 inches. I did see a couple of guys first thing catch a couple of baby bass, but they looked smaller than the bluegill. At least they caught something.

@@mjhoss cool, im hoping to hit santa margarita a week after the rain clears. Do you happen to have fishbrain account? It would be cool to follow you there

I did, but a this point, I just post my fishing trips here. I feel there is more information provided in the video than what I could post elsewhere using photos and text. I hope to be back at SML next weekend also. Weather is looking favorable (mostly sunny and 60, few clouds, slightly breeze). Of course, that is if the lake is open after all the rains we're supposed to get. If it is, I hope to see you out there!

@rogeliorojas28, looks like I am not going to be able to make it to SML this weekend, as I am needed at home. If you go, please let me know how it was out there!!

It'll be fun to see how the fish react to the lake being 100%+ full again!

I totally agree. I feel like I'm in the Sierra foothills at 3,000 - 5,000 feet, and not 1,300!

I did mention it, but the video did not get released. I did bring it up in the video that was released yesterday (Early Christmas at Santa Margarita Lake).

I see that on your data tables: wr.slocountywater.org/site/?site=&site_id=25

Good question! Park rules are that all boats must be off the water by the stated time marked on the boards next to the ramp. Typically it aligns with 15-30 minutes after sunset. Currently, that time is 5 pm. The park closes 30 minutes after that.

I am using my BFS setup to throw a 3/16 oz Dirty Jigs Guppy head with a 2.8 Keitech swimbait. The rod is a St Croix BASSX, 6'8" Medium with an Extra Fast tip. The reel is a Shimano Curado BFS with 10 lb braid and a 7 lb flouro leader.

I have NEVER had a November like this. Simply amazing!