Catfish anglers didn't have to wait for dark this week at Irvine Lake, but doing so definitely got them into the best bite, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "The catfish bite starts rolling at about mid-day", observed Getty. "It keeps on building as evening approaches, and just goes bonkers after dark. The golden depth is between 10 and 15 feet, but there are catfish being caught above and below those depths.

"Some pretty interesting baits are being used for the catfish, including Norwegian mackerel, skipjack, barracuda, and even bluefin tuna. All the usual baits like mackerel and shrimp are also working."

Getty added, "Most of the catfish are prime 'eating-size' 2 to 6-pound channel cats, with some bigger ones and a few trophy blue cats mixed in. Check out Santiago Flats, and Boat Dock Cove for the best catfish action."

Bass anglers had to focus a little deeper this week. Good numbers of 2 to 5-pound largemouth were still available though, mostly for anglers practicing deep worming and jig techniques near Rocky Point and the Red Clay Cliffs. Some buzzbait and topwater bass were available during evening and night-time hours, but that bite has slowed.

A few hybrid striped bass in the 6 to 10-pound class were caught incidentally by catfish anglers soaking mackerel and shrimp. Very little effort was expended in the pursuit of crappie or bluegill, but some good stringers of carp were caught using specialty European techniques.

Families with children age 12 and under caught good numbers of 1 to 3-pound catfish in the Kids Lagoon. Surface temperature on the main lake was as high as 82 degrees, with underwater visibility rated very clear. Lake level is dropping 6 to 8 inches per week.

During summertime, the lake is open Thursdays until 11 PM, on Fridays and Saturdays until Midnight, until 4 PM on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, and closed on Tuesdays.

For anglers planning ahead, the big 2012-13 public Trout Season Opener will be Friday, November 2, with the special "VIP Fishing Day" taking place on Thursday, November 1.

Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Ron Gay of Corona, 22-4 blue catfish [released] on mackerel at the flats
Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 10-14 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 8-10 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats
Donnie Peterson of Anaheim, 5-2 largemouth bass [released] on a BassChow worm at Crawdad Point
Ted Nugent of Orange, 7-1 wiper [released] on mackerel at the flats
Kaylen Lemos of Orange, 5-8 carp on corn boilies at the Kids Lagoon
Gutierrez family of Orange, 25-catfish stringer totaling 49-8 on mackerel at Boat Dock Cove
Terry Lairson and Chris Hagopian of Redondo Beach, 5-catfish stringer totaling 44-1 on mackerel and shrimp at the flats