Eventhough the beach has yielded some epic views of snow on the local mountains it has yet to produce many quality fish since the last bout of rain and wind.

It's common for this time of year to turn slow at the beach. Cold, windy storms out of the North churn up cold water and put the fish in winter shock mode. They scatter and try to find a place to hide--as does their food--and we now just have to wait for better conditions and the bite will surely rebound.

Although we've seen some good perch fishing and a few halibut, yellowfin and corbina in the counts it may be another week before we get back to the business of catching lots of fish.

With the last two days we have seen a change in the wind direction, now from the southwest, that signals the coming of Spring. These winds will begin to push the warmer, cleaner water up from the south and the fish will move up with it. Additionally, a new swell from the South will also bring the "good water" our way and be sure to spark the corbina bite as it begins to fill in throughout the summer.

So while I sit and wait out the conditions it's always a good time to go inland and practic my skills on the local bass at Perris lake. Many of the techniques, rigs and tackle I use are almost the same for fresh water fishing and it gives me a chance to hone my skills when the bite at the beach is on the fritz.

Over the two days at the lake the two of us landed 13 fish (just two for me--ouch!). With my fishing buddy, Brad, catching the 5lb whopper.

We were delighted and privlidged to be joined on the spot by a veteran bass angler that put the wood to the fish. In less than two hours he landed and released 10 fish in the 3-6lb range. We were using a brass and glass rig and he was fishing the carolina. Our bait was a 6" worm curly tail in crawfish colors--his was a crawfish plastic with a rattle inserted inside. Boy, did he put on a clinic. Eventhough we saw many anglers that day we only saw one (besides us) catch a fish--while this guy just couldn't miss!!

This week we have some dismal tides but hopefully warming water and air temps will bring the fish back on the spots. Next week, we have some great tides (April 22-29) that will be sure to produce some quality fish.

Thanks to all the folks that came by the booth and to my seminars at the Fred Hall Show. I've added some seminars on the web site so if you have time it would be great to see you there!!

http://www.fishthesurf.com/

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