Bass fishing continues to be solid


by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
8-29-2025
Website

Lake Isabella has dropped to 42 percent of capacity and continues to release water, but the bite has remained steady for several species. Bass fishing continues to be solid, with the best action coming in the early morning and late afternoon. The North Fork shoreline and rocky areas are holding fish, and while many of the bass have been smaller, more quality fish are beginning to show. Productive techniques include Whopper Ploppers, Buzzbaits, Poppers, Crankbaits, Texas rigs, and jigs, along with finesse tactics such as drop shots, small jigs, 4-inch Keitechs, squarebills, Flukes, spinnerbaits, and Senkos in shad patterns. Larger worms in the 8- to 11-inch range in darker colors, as well as dropshot worms in oxblood or purple worked down points to about 20 feet, have also been effective. The topwater bite remains solid in the early hours, with Rocky Point producing some of the better fish. Crappie action has been excellent in 5 to 20-feet of water near offshore structure, with anglers catching fish on live shiners and minijigs tipped with nibbles. Anglers have been scoring slabs from the bank and on a boat. Catfishing has improved this week with good reports coming from the Dam and Camp 9, where SSS dip bait, shad, and mackerel have been working. Some trout anglers soaking floating baits have also reported catfish as bycatch. Trout fishing has been very good, with anglers reporting limit-style action near the North Fork on floating baits. Trolling Tasmanian Devils, Needlefish, and Flicker Shad near the dam has also been productive.



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