LAKE HODGES
One other lake I have to talk about, home to many bass that were transferred to other impoundments, is Lake Hodges.

Biologist Larry Bottroff has been keeping a close eye on this lake and feels that this could be the year the lake returns to its glory days.

“The population is way up and almost the same as the good old days,” said Bottroff. “But lowering water levels will quickly change the bite at all the lakes, including Hodges.

“The fish here need the tules and relate to and rely on them greatly.”

Lake Hodges has a very diverse shoreline. Rockpiles, tules, trees, brush and gravel shores -- every type of structure a bass fisherman could want. The bass here grow big, and trout have never been planted, so they are just plain healthy and giant on their own.

Fish grown here have been transported to other lakes to start them off with a strong stocking. Diamond Valley Lake is just one lake that has benefited from Hodges-strain bass. Their record largemouth is tied for 10th place on the all-time list.

To make the Top 25 Heaviest Bass List, it takes one heavier than 18 pounds, 13 ounces. An amazing 22 of those 25 fish were caught in Southern California.

The fish here will eat every lure in your tackle box. So go with the flow, and you should score well at this impoundment. If the water comes up and gets way back into the tules, you will really see this lake regenerate itself!

PYRAMID LAKE
And finally, I just have to mention Pyramid. This lake can be hot for smallmouth, and in April and May the fishing can be out of this world!

Plastics, both drop-shot and Texas-rigged, will also score some surface action. And don’t leave the hard baits and blades at home, either.

GETTING GEARED
Hopefully, your boat has already gone through its prep stage for the new season. Batteries are checked and running strong? Trolling motor works well? Electronics ready to go?

A lot of fishermen don’t realize that unless the transducer on your boat is shooting through the hull, it needs to be cleaned off every so often. If there is a temperature sensor, it needs cleaning as well.

Another important item that too many of us forget to check is the livewell. You don’t want to turn it on in a tourney and find out that it isn’t pumping water just when you need it most.