Lower Otay Lake Fishing Report

The bass fishing at Lower Otay has been quite good recently. Water temps have pushed into the high 70s, and the post-spawn lethargy is behind us... fish are lining up on points and transition spots, eating well on T-rigged worms and creature baits throughout the day. Mostly 1-2 pounders. The bite for better fish has been in the mornings, ripping chatterbaits along weedlines and through thicker cover (multiple 4 and 5 pounders caught this way). The frog bite is building too and should really heat up in the coming weeks.

Lower Otay has been right in the middle of San Diego’s big bass run this month. With Jennings producing a 17-pounder, Otay answered with a recent 15-plus pound fish of its own. Unlike Jennings, Otay doesn’t have a major trout population, so big trout-pattern swimbaits are less effective. This giant was caught on a custom-painted glide bait, the Hinkle Shad.

Beyond the headline fish, bass action has been good, with fish moving toward spawning areas thanks to San Diego’s extended stretch of warm winter water. Jerkbaits and chatterbaits are picking off shallow prespawn fish, while others are finding success dragging jigs in deeper water.

Lower Otay was producing well through early fall, but the bite has slowed lately. Water temps have dipped slightly into the low 70s, which should be triggering some aggressive feeding before winter… but bass aren’t exactly responding yet. But overall, most active bass are still locked onto bait. Many folks are chasing blowups around the lake in the backs of coves, throwing Flukes, jerkbaits, or underspins at the action, pulling fish in the 1 to 2 pound range.

The bigger bites are coming off rocky points and harder structure, where dark colored creature baits, football jigs, and Senkos are getting hit, especially late in the day during that last hour of light. Catfish reports are light, but this is typically a great time of year to land big catfish at Wohlford. Chicken liver or mackerel are always staples.