SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Clear Evening Gives Up Single Channel Cat

4mph breezes and clear water greeted our fishing group on July 1, 2025. Fishing pressure stays modest on weeknights, and the fence line near the El Pollo Loco sign offers easy casting room starting around 5 p.m.

Cisco soaked a Carolina rig which included a 1oz egg sinker, one-foot mono leader, and 2/0 circle hook, baited with fresh cut mackerel. He lobbed the setup fifteen to twenty feet off the bank. At 8 p.m. the rod loaded up, and a two-pound channel cat came ashore after a short burst toward deeper water. No additional bites followed before lines-out at 11 p.m.

Expect the bite to rise as July heat pushes water temps higher. Bring plenty of mackerel or shrimp, refresh baits every twenty minutes, and keep casts short to shoreline cover once the sun drops.