This is an excellent large lake for bass fishing but bass are catch and release only at this lake. Below are a few tips for successful fishing in the grassy and weedy waters of Irvine Lake.

One of the more enjoyable aspects of fishing is the social friendliness it brings, and this is especially true of bass fishing. Around Irvine Lake in Southern California, anglers get together on an annual basis to fish for bass, concentrating on weedier areas and grass flats.

The reason that bass fishing in weedy waters is so popular is that the weeds are a good supply of oxygen, and this an excellent breeding ground.

Should you be fishing in for bass in more weedy and shallower waters, you will find that there are more productive areas than others. This is because bass like to hide their food, or prepare to hunt. Another reason is that bass are not keen on direct sunlight, so the weeds tend to shade them more from the heat of the sun. Therefore, fishing for bass in grassy areas will usually produce more productive and successful catches.

Yet it's not just surface weeds that you should be looking for when bass fishing. If you find an area that has lilies floating on the water, this is usually a good sign that there are underwater weeds too.

The advantage offered for catches here cannot be underestimated - with bass disliking sunlight so much, they will tend to gather around any areas that offer shade and protection, and this is where the sprouts that underwater weeds offer become so attractive to bass. Try dropping a line in an area near lilies to see the results for yourself.

To help you maximize your catch possibilities, there are a variety of different baits available, and all offer an advantage over the others, depending on the type of bass you are fishing for.

Using lures such as crankbait, jig and spinnerbait amongst others is a good starting point. Other variations, again depending on the bass you're fishing for, can also include Carolina Rig, brush guard jigs, worm sinker jigs and Texas Rig.

If you need to use live bait, it's recommended to use lure such as grasshoppers, crickets, traditional worms and minnows. However, professional anglers are also known to use artificial bait, so you may wish to check this option out before you set off on your bass fishing trip.

Irvine Lake is a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Orange County. It attracts fishermen from all over Southern California. In addition to fishing, Irvine Lake provides a host of other water activities so it is an ideal location to take a fishing vacation.