This winter is a great opportunity to catch big fat striped bass in Los Banos during this drastic weather change from a blazings 100° to a cold 62°.
Fishing in hot weather is not the best, from the beaming lustful sun caressing your neck to the rapidly flying demonic creatures that we call mosquitos feasting on your flesh as you try to catch your next breath. The scorching hot sun is enough to scare away the stripers to the depths of the water where no lure could be seen. Stripers tend to migrate where it’s cooler when the heat begins to creep up. Fishing in the heat can prevent a fisherman’s possibility of knowing where to cast, knowing where to fish is one of the biggest parts of being a fisherman. Casting is based on pure instincts and superstition. It could be perfect weather and it wouldn’t matter.
Although it wouldn’t matter, fishing in the cold weather is where fish flourish the most is best. Fishing for stripers is certain as winter prevails in Los Banos. Los Banos is known for its hellish atmosphere; it’s not so often that people can enjoy its coldness. So why not take advantage of this opportunity and start fishing for stripers? During this time, tournaments are held in Los Banos for striper fishing and are worth attending for grand prizes.
D. Rosales, a Los Banos local, won first place by catching a grand-winning striped bass that was 37 inches and 20 lbs located at the O’Neil Reservoir. The tournament was hosted by anyfishcangetit, a well-known fisherman of the 209 area. Besides the grand winner, many competed and won small prizes from this tournament.
Stripers are boiling for schools of small baitfish to devour so why not seize the day !
Sophomore, Elias Salvatier, a fishing fanatic stated, “It’s the time and season where they come out to eat… it’s the fall season, that’s where all the baitfish come out.”
As the name states, “Boiling” is when stripers jump back and forth up and down for schools of small fish to destroy, giving the water a boiling effect. When boiling it’s guaranteed to catch a striper, some say it’s so easy.
Omar Blas, an inspiring fishing rapper, rhymed (12), “When I catch stripers it’s as if I’m wrapping wrappers because it’s so ezzzzz.”
Even with all the active stripers, it’s hard to decide which lure is the best to use. Top water baits, spoons, shad baits, swim baits, umbrella rigs, chatter baits, jerk baits, whopper poppers…the list goes on. They all work perfectly for these boiling herds of stripers.
Salvatier stated, “I either go with the top water or swim bait… topwater lures are effective because they inmate an injured fish.
Mr. Martin Salvatier, our soccer team coach stated, “If I’m on a bank or dock, I use topwater lures, and on a boat, I use jerk baits.”
No matter which lure of choice a fisherman chooses in the end it’s all about preference depending on the situation but either way capturing a striper is inevitable throughout these months.
The best spots to fish in Los Banos for these legendary boiling stripers are in the San Luis Reservoir and the O’Neil Reservoir. It’s best to go to the Forebay because that’s where the water is bubbling for action. Occasions like these should be spent fishing with family and friends.
Coach Salvatier stated, “I take my kids; they love it.”
Good advice Coach Salvatier would like to share is, “Just have patience, that’s it, patience and stick to it.”
