11/23 late Irvine Lake Family Fishing report

Limits · Nov-26-2005, 02:19 AM

The week prior, Paul (Fishnfu) brought up the idea of fishing Irvine Lake with the families. I've been dying to take my daughter out (1.5 years old) and my wife's had the itch for some time so it was a no brainer.

We gave the kids a chance to sleep in a bit and got to the lake around 8:30. Since Paul and Alyssia had such good luck at the kiddie lagoon a few weeks back, we decided to give it a shot again this time around.

Pulled up the closest spot to the gate, backed the SUVs up to the water's edge and were fishing within minutes.

Lake was sparcely fished with only 3 other groups/families fishing it. The closest ones to us was a father/son duo who were about 30 feet to our right. They didn't have anything yet, but the day was still young.

Quickly set-up the rods with Paul getting 2 out, while I wrapped up some video footage and photos. 10 minutes later, we had all 7 rods out and were in business. About 9 months back, I bought a Bugs Bunny rod for my daughter in anticipation of this day. . The rod was your typical kids pole, complete with 6# test. At $2 (yes, $2) it was a steal and a no brainer purchase.

The nice thing about Irvine Lake is that they stock both the kiddie lagoon and the big lake with some quality trout. Lately the larger fish have not been the 20#er lunkers, but a still respsectable 3-4 lbers, with most running in the 3/4 to 1 lb range. The size of the fish didn't bother us. Besides, when you're fishing the kiddie pond, it should be about quality time with the kids; catching fish is a perq, catching nicer fish is icing on the cake. We were just excited to spend the day enjoying our passion with our families.

About 30 minutes in, Paul's first to register a fish for the Lopez family, nailing a nice 3#er on the blue fox. That quickly got the Lopez kids (Alyssia and big sister Ashley) amped and ready for some fishing. My daughter Hayley was just happy to be out with her "cousins".

Another 20 minutes would go by before the Yoshinaga Clan would get on the board. And wouldn't you know it, the first of our 3 rods to get bit is Hayley's Bugs Bunny rod. After a quick RUNNING hookset (it's hard to set the hook when the rod is only 24 inches long!), I handed off the rod to momma and Hayley. The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Hayley's first ever fish!! Not bad...she's only been fishing for an hour and she's caught her first ever trout. And at 12 inches and respectable one at that.

From that point on, its was a pretty steady pick at trout and catfish (!!!). Paul would hook a fish and Ashley and Alyssia would take turns bringing them in. Paul's wife Avery, was content watching the kids having a blast.

After the first trout, Hayley pretty much lost interest in "catching" and was more focused on snacking, playing with her cousins and sitting in our truck. This worked out great because my wife Hazel was happy reeling in the trout.

The Lopez's wrapped up around 12:30 PM with 5 trout and 4 catfish.

We stuck it out until 2:30 ending up with 9 trout and 1 catfish. All in all, a great day out on the water. Our biggest one taped out at 17 inches and probably around 2.5 lbs. All but one lonely trout was caught on nightcrawlers.

The best part was that 3 were caught on the Bugs Bunny rod.

**Saluki** · Nov-26-2005, 07:17 AM

That's great!!!!
Oh man, what an awesome report with the family!

It just goes to show you that you don't need alot of fancy gear, ya just got to get there and get a line wet. The pictures of your daughter are priceless!!! Congrats on the trip & thanks for the post, very cool!!

Slayer · Nov-26-2005, 07:27 AM

Look at those happy kids!!! Way to get the family out for a memorable day!!!
Thanks for the pics and report!!

bocker · Nov-26-2005, 07:56 AM

Great report. Man your little girl looks just like you. Priceless day with the fam. When I take my kids they seem to just get wet from head to toe in about 20 min. Looks like you have a real fiaherwoman on your hands.

Pickleboy · Nov-26-2005, 09:09 AM

priceless memories that was a great report and defanitely some quality time with the kids , glad you got out and enjoyed the day with the family , thanx for sharing the pics and report

ready to do it again ???

several members of this site as well as a few other sites will be doing a fishing camping trip this coming weekend on 12-3 the details are on this board somewhere feel free to join the party and make sure to bring the family

thanx again for sharing the report

Buttchaser · Nov-26-2005, 09:22 AM

Sweet , Exellent report , Glad that you got out with the family , and caught fish. Thanks for sharing the pics..

**fishnfool** · Nov-26-2005, 10:00 AM

Looks like a great day at the lake. The little one is really a cutie. Thanks for the report...I have to get my grand daughter out there real soon.

greeper · Nov-26-2005, 10:22 AM

OUTSTANDING REPORT!!! Your kids will remember those days forever. I love taking my kids (4.5yrs and 2yrs) fishing I just wish they'd let the line stay in the water. They love casting and my son loves dragging the line around. We should have a kids day with all BD'ers at the Vine?

Limits · Nov-26-2005, 12:05 PM

Hey gang...thanks for all the kind words. It is definitely nice being able to spend time with the family doing what I love.

Hey Doug, that family outing to Irvine sounds pretty good. I'll be on a charter the 3rd, but the 4th is still open. I'll discuss with the wife and see if she's up for a day trip.

And yes, my wife is a keeper. She loves to fish...almost as much as I do.

2 signs I've got a keeper of a wife:

1. When looking to buy a boat a number of years back, I was comparing the Seaswirl 2101 model with the 2301. When the wife got in the 2301 and had a look around, she had the biggest grin on her face and said "I like this one better!".

2. When I come home from a fishing trip on my boat, she comes out of the house and starts helping out with cleaning duties. Once, after a LONG day on the water, me the guys picked up lunch and brought it home. While we were eating, the wife got out the bucket, the hose and brushes and was about to start cleaning WITHOUT us.

Tell me I'm not a lucky man..

fishnfu · Nov-27-2005, 07:59 PM

Here are a few photos that we had taken while out with tommys and my family!!!

This is a picture of my god daughter

Here is one of aunty Hazel and Hay Hay catching her first fish!!!

End results to the photo above!

Here is a picture of Uncle Tommy, Aunty Hazel and Baby Hayley (also known as Hay Hay)!!! Great family photo!!!

Here is one of my oldest daughter Ashley and me. She allready landed the fish and i was getting it to dry land for her!!!

Here is one of my youngest daughter Alyssia with fish on (action shot)!!! It was the first trout for the day and turned out to be the biggest, about 3plus pounds. Nice trout!!!

It turned out to be a great outing. Our families get along great (One big family)!!! Tommy, we will have to get out there again soon and let the kids pull on some more fish!!!

muskyman · Nov-28-2005, 10:00 AM

Way cool man, you know those kids are gonna remember all those fishing trips for the rest of their life. I know I did. And look what a sick person my dad turned me into. I think he had no idea just exactly what fishing did to me.