Irvine Lake bite topped by 21-12 blue cat
Very good catfish action was on tap for those who located a concentration of fish, according to Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "If you're on fish, the heavy limit stringers fill up fast", observed Getty. "If you don't get a bite in about 45 minutes, you should make a move. Also make sure you are flylining your bait, no sinkers is definitely the way to go."

Productive baits this week were mostly mackerel and shrimp, but the presence of skipjack tuna on the local saltwater scene has provided astute anglers with an exceptional bait for the whiskerfish. All catfish rigs should be set up with no sinker at all, as the sensitive cats will immediately spit out the bait if they feel any resistance.

Productive spots include the west shore, Woody's Cove, Santiago Flats and boat dock cove. Most catfish on the stringers are in the 2 to 8-pound class, but some better fish up to 20 pounds were being caught.

Bass anglers have found mixed action ranging from slow to good on largemouth in the 2 to 4-pound range. Best bet was dropshot-rigged baits at 10 to 20 feet near Rocky Point and the red clay cliffs.

The few crappie anglers who ventured out found limit action on slabs up to a pound using white Atomic Tubes or Gulp! Minnows. Plenty of bluegill and redear sunfish were caught on mealworms and waxworms in shallow brushy areas.

The Kids Lagoon was relatively slow for families with children age 12 and under. The main lake's water level continues to drop slowly, with surface water temperatures at 75 degrees.

Irvine Lake's annual trout season opening day will be Friday, November 6, with 20,000 pounds of trout planted just prior to the opener. For the first time ever, Thursday November 5 will be "VIP Day", and for $150, members of the public will be allowed to fish a day ahead of everybody else. Price includes a New York Steak lunch, and shared motor boat rental [5-trout limit in force]. Advance reservations are required for VIP Day; call Daniela at the Pro Shop [714-649-9111] no later than October 28.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:

- Phil Hildebrandt of Anaheim, 21-12 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the flats
- Terry "Pontoon" Lairson of Huntington Beach, 14-8 catfish on mackerel at the flats
- Elaine Dickerhoof of Artesia, 10-14 catfish on mackerel at the flats
- Adrian Pintor, Alex Brenton, Frank Duarte of Anaheim, 12 catfish totaling 100.1 pounds on mackerel at Woody's Cove
- Larry Brandon and Blake Woodward of Chino, 10-catfish limit totaling 47-7 on mackerel at boat dock cove