El Capitan Lake
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El Capitan Lake Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Football Jigs
Structure
Baitfish
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Spoons
Structure
Baitfish
Forage
Shad
The bass are in their fall transition big time! The ice jig bite will be heating up anytime. I caught one on the ice jig last weekend. The bait fish are tiny right now, and matching the hatch is really tough. Baits like the Ice Jig and an underspin like the 6th Sense Divine Underspin are key baits for this time of year, and into the winter months. Pair that underspin with a small swimbait. The underspin is going to need some light line like FC Sniper in 6 or 8lb test.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Points
The Fall feed is going on in a big way. The fish were busting on shad really well in the morning. The hard baits did not get bit. I used the Strike King KVD Dream Shot and caught a bunch of fish in a very short period of time. I had it rigged on an Owner Cover Shot Hook. I was using a spinning rod a Shimano NASCI Reel. I had a braid to fluorocarbon set up as well. Thread the bait onto to the shank of the hook with the hook exposed and fish it like a soft plastic jerk bait and hold on.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Drop Shot
Structure
Flooded Brush
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
73°
Omnia Community Member
Bronze Ambassador
1/14/24
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Carolina Rigs
Structure
Boulders
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
69°
Had a great day on El Capitan on Jun 17th for the ABA tournament and was fortunate to take home 1st place. In the morning I found fish up shallow chasing bait agains large rocks / boulders and was able to catch them on an underspin and senko. I moved offshore from the same area as the day went on and found them on rock piles, where I caught most of the quality fish on a Carolina Rig, which helped fill my winning limit.
Omnia Community Member
Bronze Ambassador
1/15/22
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Drop Shot
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Shad
Slow
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Spinnerbaits
Structure
Brush Piles
There has been a fair amount of rain in the fall of 2019, and there has been some rising water and the fish have stay shallow a lot longer than in years past. A technique I have caught some above average fish on, is a spinnerbait. The spinnerbait can be fished over the submerged rocks and brush and through the lanes created by the exposed brush. Slow roll the bait and make sure to be coming in contact with the cover you are fishing. There may not be a ton of bites this way, but the quality can be there.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Carolina Rigs
Structure
Points
El Capitan is a great structure fishing lake. There are a number of points and rock piles that can be fished. The fish are in the 20' zone. Some can be caught shallower and some can be caught deeper. The carolina rig has been a great option as of late, and should continue to be a good option throughout the winter season. Baits like the Zoom Brush Hog can be a great option.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Shakey Heads
Structure
Rock Pile
There are fish all over the lake right now at El Cap. There are fish up shallow, there are fish in 20', and there are fish out chasing shad in open water! In my most recent trip I caught fish on a large rat style swimbait, a shakey head and carolina rig. A topwater popper also caught fish for the back seater with me.
