Sports : Fishing Report - Kern Valley Sun

Matt Freeman/Special to the Sun

In the wintertime here in the Kern River Valley, Rainbow Trout are the main species fished for and caught.

The other local species are caught as well, but in the winter the warm water species like Bass and Catfish become harder to catch, while Trout become more active due to both increased stocking by the DFG and the local Chamber of Commerce and the fact that trout like cold water and cold weather. First, what the latest fishing reports are, then we talk about how to get the trout!

The Kern River is fishing pretty slow right now, even though the water is down. However, for those getting out on the water after the sun comes up, they are being rewarded with some nice catches. The Upper Kern is still fishing pretty well for this time of year despite the cold water, and there are plenty of trout to be caught. They are biting in Kernville Park, and on upstream to the Fairview Dam.

The catch and release only stretch above Johnsondale Bridge is fishing very slow, but for those who are taking the whole day and fishing hard with flies, there are some fish being caught.

The Lower Kern is fishing slow as well due to reduced water temps, but trout and Bass are being caught at Hobo Campground, Sandy Beach, and other Lower Kern Campgrounds. The campgrounds are the place to fish, because that is where the stocking is taking place.

Trout on the lake are biting well, with the normal spots like Paradise Cove, Camp 9 and French Gulch producing quite well.

Bass on the lake are biting a bit in the deep water. A few huge fish have been caught this winter season already, and if you know what you are doing, you can really catch a lot of bass on this lake in the wintertime.

Catfish are not really biting, but they are not being targeted very much either. They are deep like the Bass.

Crappie are few and far between, but some are being caught on deep structure and at French Gulch and North Fork Marinas.

Now, here is how to get those trout that are biting so well on the lake right now. In the wintertime, the trout are spread out; they are not tightly schooled up like in the spring and summer when they are either preparing for the spawn or smashing into deep water baitballs of threadfin shad.

The best way to get the trout is to fish bait, and to do it from shore although trolling works well this time of year but can be hit and miss. The trout swim the shorelines of the lake like the hunters they are, not staying in one place for too long but always moving, always looking for food.

Find a nice spot on shore, and fish with no more than four pound test, fish a two pound test florocarbon leader with a swivel and an egg sinker so when the fish picks up the bait, it will run with it since it cannot feel the weight. Powerbait, inflated nightcrawlers and mealworms are the way to go in the wintertime.

Another important factor, pay the extra money and get yourself a two pole stamp, trust me it is worth it. You can fish both lines with bait, each with something different or you can fish one with bait and cast a lure on the other, either way works well.

When you first cast in, cast shallow with your bait, oftentimes the fish are not deep. If not bit within 10 minutes or so, reel up, check your bait and cast a bit deeper. Keep this up til you find where the fish are, trust me, you will!

Til next time, tight lines and loose drags!

via kvsun.com

THE DAILY CATCH http://fishingnews.posterous.com/sports-fishing-report-kern-valley-sun Matt Freeman/Special to the Sun In the wintertime here in the Kern River Valley, Rainbow Trout are the main species fished for and caught. The other local species are caught as well, but in the winter the warm water species like Bass and Catfish become harder to catch, while Trout become more active ...