By Paul Lebowitz

February 15, 2008

Plastic Navy Takes on the Irvine Lake Trout Experience

IRVINE LAKE –A recent winter weekday found a half dozen kayaks plying the heavily stocked waters of Irvine Lake. This place is no stranger to the handy little fishing boats.

Well, they ain’t seen nothing yet. On March 15 the Plastic Navy will make its freshwater debut here in an event dubbed the Irvine Lake Trout Experience. Look out, here comes a fishing kayak armada.

“We’ve been threatening to move into freshwater for a number of years,” said Plastic Navy tournament director Drew Clark in his usual jovial and entirely non-threatening tone.

750 acre Irvine Lake is an ideal place to introduce the freshwater world to Plastic Navy’s fun and friendly kayak fishing competitions. First off, the lake’s attractive foothill setting feels miles away from urban Southern California. More importantly, it is stocked to the rim with hungry trout; the lake staff boast they offer Sierra style fishing without the long drive.

“We put 5,000 lbs into the lake every week. That follows our initial 20,000 lbs stock. The fish range from one to 20 lbs, with the average going 3 lbs,” said Jimmy Getty, Irvine’s assistant manager. They’re not all rainbows; browns and brookies spice up Getty’s counts.    

Using Getty’s math, the 3-trout tournament stringers Plastic Navy has set for this initial freshwater offering could run anywhere from 3 lbs to 60! While the latter is unlikely, it’s nigh on a sure thing the winner will have a trophy or two.

THE IRVINE LAKE TROUT EXPERIENCE – Kayakers who take on Plastic Navy’s first freshwater contest will be treated to Sierra-style fishing in the foothills. John Near kayaked to this nice brown in January.

BE RIGHT, GO LIGHT – Think light line tactics for the best shot at hooking up with Irvine’s trout. 2-lb test, landing nets, and whippy rods translate bites into catches.

Pre-registration for the Irvine Lake Trout Experience is $35 per person, plus a $20 on-site gate fee. For the money an angler gets a 5-trout limit (bring your best three to the scale), a catered lunch, and a raffle entry. A fishing license is not required. The lake is waiving the normal $8 kayak launch fee for the tournament. Competitors may use kayaks, canoes, or float tubes. No shore fishing or trolling motors please. Check the Plastic Navy website (www.PlasticNavy.com) for bait restrictions and other rules.   

Paddle (and pedal) powered anglers have a wide range of tournament tactics from which to choose. “Troll CD-3 Rapalas, Roostertails, and Kastmasters; drift minijigs; or still fish,” Getty suggested. Consistent hot spots are the west shore, the Trout Island area, the base of the damn, and along the weed lines. “Fish brighter colors in the stained water,” Getty added.

Irvine Lake Pro Team staffer Steve Carson generously shared more tips. A premium ultra-light line such as Berkley Trilene Maxx is critical. Anglers can get by with 4-lb test for Kastmasters, or 6-lb when trolling the little Rapalas. Those who use 2-lb test will draw the most strikes. When using such fine line, a light drag setting is a must. Keep the rod tip up to protect the line. 

Minijigs such as Berkley Powerbait Atomic Tubes can be fished without added weight, dangled from a bobber, or with a  small split shot squeezed on about 18-in up the line. Powerbait Trout Worms are another popular and effective option; the tube and worm combination is available ready to fish as the Powerbait Atomic Teaser. Carson recommends the chartreuse and orange peel colors. Or try imitations of natural baits such as Gulp! Earthworms. The latter can be fished just like their real-world analogues. Dangle them 3 to 4-ft below a bobber.

Don’t overlook the extra appeal a scent product adds to any artificial bait. Irvine Lake favorites include Powerbait Trout Dip and the new Gulp! Alive spray scent.