Tackle Notes

Bait, gear, and tackle tips for SoCal waters

Shrimp — best all-around catfish bait, fresh or frozen

Nightcrawlers — trout, bluegill, catfish love them

PowerBait dough — stocked trout staple

Cut mackerel — oily scent trail for channel cats

Chicken liver — messy but deadly for catfish

Stink bait — dip bait in a jar, works on tough days

Plastic worms — bass finesse, Carolina or Texas rigged

Live minnows — crappie and bass can't resist

Crickets — bluegill and panfish favorite

Spinnerbaits — covers water fast for bass

Leader material: Use 20-40 lb test mono for catfish, 6-10 lb for trout, 12-17 lb for bass.

Hook size: 4-6/0 circle hooks for catfish, 6-10 for trout, 2-4 for bass.

Sinkers: Egg sinkers for still water, no-roll for slight current, bank sinkers for casting distance.

Swivels: Always use a swivel above bait — prevents line twist from bait movement.

Rod setup:7' medium-heavy for catfish, 6' light for trout, 7' medium for all-around bass.