New to fishing @ Vandenberg

[Kory.Morton]

Hey all, I'm active duty here at VAFB, and am new to fishing at Vandenberg... So far I've spent 4 days out in Pine Canyon with a crankbait and not even had a single hit on Pond 1. I've been asking around, and doing some reading... is it true that the little pond in the back (punch bowl?) and Pond 2 (one you can launch boats in) are the only 2 ponds to fish from?

Also... can anyone provide tips on what I should do to at least catch a fish.

Thanks,

Kory

[Dean]

would be fishing a very light (1/16) t-rig, or a drop-shot rig in the day/early evening or a bandit footloose (wake-1 ft crank), or spro 60 frog (from a boat) in the early morning/late evening.

all of the lakes Pine Canyon 1, 2, 3 and Punchbowl are o.k. with boats just no gas motors in the water.


Any thoughts Stan, or Tom?  Maybe something that starts with S and ends with ko?

[Dustin]

t-rig anything (worm/craw) will work or jig. throw it as far into the cat tails as you can.

[garland7]

Also fish SLOW!!!!! with as lite as line as you can

[JonBoatMike]

Kory,

First off, someone has given you bad information.  Pine Canyon has 3 ponds, pond 1 is nearest the gate (USUALLY the best pond for non-stop catch & release, however seems like they've already entered lock jaw), pond 2 is the next one you'll stumble upon on the dirt road and fish are still pretty active (especially from a boat and just like Dustin described t-rig or shaky IN the reeds, top in morn and late evening),  Pond 3 can be reached by going left at the Y near pond 2 and stay right at the campground (don't fish there much, but usually have pretty good luck from the dock and casting way out to the edge of the reeds).  Punch Bowl is near the horse stables if you go out the Utah Gate (Housing) great pond when filled.  Unfortunately, it's more like a swamp right now and not sure if it will ever come back to life.

[Kory.Morton]

would be fishing a very light (1/16) t-rig, or a drop-shot rig in the day/early evening or a bandit footloose (wake-1 ft crank), or spro 60 frog (from a boat) in the early morning/late evening.

all of the lakes Pine Canyon 1, 2, 3 and Punchbowl are o.k. with boats just no gas motors in the water.


Any thoughts Stan, or Tom?  Maybe something that starts with S and ends with ko?

Thanks for the info guys... as far as my rig setup, I'm using a 40$ ugly stick/reel combo from Walmart. Its the "glowtip" with florescent line, and a florescent tip... the reel isn't top notch, but it gets the job done.. has 3 bearings so it should last a while. And I'm using 10lb line (came with the reel). My rigging is just a rappala sinking lure cd-3. I can fling it out about 20 yards, and the only problem with fishing near the over abundance of reeds is... it gets snagged so freakin easy. So are you suggesting I use some of the eyehooks with grubs or plastic worms attached to them with the hook completely imbedded into the worm to prevent snagging? I've never rigged something like that, but I'm sure I can figure it out... Also, would you use weights on a grub/plastic worm setup? and how much?

Thanks for helping out a nooby! I'm going to post the first fish I catch out of the lakes... even if its a tiny little 8ounce guy!

Kory

[Kory.Morton]

Kory,

First off, someone has given you bad information.  Pine Canyon has 3 ponds, pond 1 is nearest the gate (USUALLY the best pond for non-stop catch & release, however seems like they've already entered lock jaw), pond 2 is the next one you'll stumble upon on the dirt road and fish are still pretty active (especially from a boat and just like Dustin described t-rig or shaky IN the reeds, top in morn and late evening),  Pond 3 can be reached by going left at the Y near pond 2 and stay right at the campground (don't fish there much, but usually have pretty good luck from the dock and casting way out to the edge of the reeds).  Punch Bowl is near the horse stables if you go out the Utah Gate (Housing) great pond when filled.  Unfortunately, it's more like a swamp right now and not sure if it will ever come back to life.

Is lock jaw just a way of saying they arent biting anymore? Or is there a medical problem with the fish?

[Kory.Morton]

I found this video to give me finer points on a Texas Rig... looks pretty simple!

[Dustin]

Lock jaw is just a way of saying they aren't biting anymore. your setup sounds fine since your just starting out. the only thing i would change on your setup is your line. never us the line they supply. get your self some 6lb to 10lb fluorocarbon. once you figure it out then you can update your equipment.

[Stan]

Kory, with the rod and reel set up you have texas rig a senko on a 4/0 EWG hook and throw to the edge of the reeds or to the edge of the grass.  You'll catch them that way for sure.

[Kory.Morton]

I actually just caught my first fish today... Was a 3lb bass and he tasted oh so good! Caught him on Pond 2 with a robo worm simply attached... no texas rig or anything... i tried Texas rigging and didn't even get a nibble. Put it on like a nightcrawler and did just fine!

Can't wait to go back tonight and try again!