help with Kern River fishing - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jettytaco · 08-25-2014, 11:46 AM

Hey guys,

I'm going to Kern River this weekend for camping. I've always fished salt water. So no idea on how to fish the river. Your inputs are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

jruiz · 08-25-2014, 12:30 PM

Wen't there during 4th of July weekend. Fished everyday, upstream and downstream of the frandy campground. Even though they recently stocked i didn't get one bite. Water is relatively warm. Plenty of carp jumping.

TroutBum · 08-25-2014, 12:36 PM

Try Kernriverflyfishingforum.com

They have a fly shop in Kernville. They can set you up with a guide or give you info where and what to use to fish. 1.760.376.2040

Hope this helps

Stephen

Lipripper92592 · 08-25-2014, 01:09 PM

Depending on where you are camping. Just below Kernville can have lots of action, heavily planted, and the hold overs in the lake can reach that area. Right before you enter into Kernville, you will see the "rotary" sign on the right hand side. That stretch produces, splitshot half an earthworm on a small bait holder. Cast upstream and reel in to keep the slack at a min. Above Kernville, Check out the Johnsondale Bridge and upstream.
Small spinners, crickets, worms and PB seem to work. Nymphs and drys work if your into the flyfishing thing. Small bead nymphs and royal wolfs have worked for me in the past.

pok · 08-25-2014, 01:55 PM

I know the river very well. You will want to fish the deeper holes, although I fly fish it, a light spinner rod with your usual trout lures will work (very small mepps, black panther, etc.) Salmon eggs work if you get them down along the bottom. Catch and release if you can. Good luck. Just Outstanding IPA is the catch of the trip at Kern River Brewing.

If you are fly fishing I have a lot more info.

dewinwa · 08-25-2014, 06:12 PM

Spent all day on the Kern river today. Was throwing salmon eggs out around river park in Kernville and threw some salmon eggs and lures up near Corral Creek Lodge. Had quite a few bites but nothing committed. Tomorrow we are taking the kayaks out on Isabella to try for some action there. Let you know how that goes.

jettytaco · 08-25-2014, 06:46 PM

Thanks for all the advices guys. I'm just using light weight spinning rod and reel. My dad does have a fly fishing setup that I could bring. I'm camping at Sandy Flat Campground. I'm also bringing my dualsport bike so I can move around pretty easily with a milk crate in the back.

jettytaco · 08-25-2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewinwa

Spent all day on the Kern river today. Was throwing salmon eggs out around river park in Kernville and threw some salmon eggs and lures up near Corral Creek Lodge. Had quite a few bites but nothing committed. Tomorrow we are taking the kayaks out on Isabella to try for some action there. Let you know how that goes.

are you guys going for catfish?

dewinwa · 08-26-2014, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jettytaco

are you guys going for catfish?

No, we are just going to go for trout and bass. No if we happen to catch a catfish then so be it. If your fishing the river I would concentrate on trout gear as that is about all there is aside from sucker fish. Don't expect monster trout either, all you'll really need is #8-#12 hooks and a small split shot just big enough to get you to the bottom but small enough for the current to still carry it down stream or small trout lures for the deep holes. I haven't fished the lake in a very long time and it is so low it's sad but I have the kayaks up here so figured I'd wet a line while paddling around with the family. Last but not least, you won't catch anything if your lines not in the water.

Lipripper92592 · 08-26-2014, 09:29 AM

That's the Kernville Park in the background. Everyone seems to lazy to walk downstream to this spot. There are a lot of pools between this spot and the "old Cemetery"
When the "holdovers" spawn out the cemetery area is loaded with large fish, both bass and trout.
I think I probably landed over 20 that day which was in late May.

08-25-2014, 11:46 AM	#1
jettytaco Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 61	help with Kern River fishing Hey guys, I'm going to Kern River this weekend for camping. I've always fished salt water. So no idea on how to fish the river. Your inputs are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

08-25-2014, 12:30 PM	#2
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,002	Wen't there during 4th of July weekend. Fished everyday, upstream and downstream of the frandy campground. Even though they recently stocked i didn't get one bite. Water is relatively warm. Plenty of carp jumping.

08-25-2014, 12:36 PM	#3
TroutBum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: OC Posts: 62	Try Kernriverflyfishingforum.com They have a fly shop in Kernville. They can set you up with a guide or give you info where and what to use to fish. 1.760.376.2040 Hope this helps Stephen

08-25-2014, 01:09 PM	#4
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	Depending on where you are camping. Just below Kernville can have lots of action, heavily planted, and the hold overs in the lake can reach that area. Right before you enter into Kernville, you will see the "rotary" sign on the right hand side. That stretch produces, splitshot half an earthworm on a small bait holder. Cast upstream and reel in to keep the slack at a min. Above Kernville, Check out the Johnsondale Bridge and upstream. Small spinners, crickets, worms and PB seem to work. Nymphs and drys work if your into the flyfishing thing. Small bead nymphs and royal wolfs have worked for me in the past.

08-25-2014, 01:55 PM	#5
pok Junior Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 3	I know the river very well. You will want to fish the deeper holes, although I fly fish it, a light spinner rod with your usual trout lures will work (very small mepps, black panther, etc.) Salmon eggs work if you get them down along the bottom. Catch and release if you can. Good luck. Just Outstanding IPA is the catch of the trip at Kern River Brewing. If you are fly fishing I have a lot more info.

08-25-2014, 06:12 PM	#6
dewinwa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 33	Spent all day on the Kern river today. Was throwing salmon eggs out around river park in Kernville and threw some salmon eggs and lures up near Corral Creek Lodge. Had quite a few bites but nothing committed. Tomorrow we are taking the kayaks out on Isabella to try for some action there. Let you know how that goes.

08-25-2014, 06:46 PM	#7
jettytaco Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 61	Thanks for all the advices guys. I'm just using light weight spinning rod and reel. My dad does have a fly fishing setup that I could bring. I'm camping at Sandy Flat Campground. I'm also bringing my dualsport bike so I can move around pretty easily with a milk crate in the back.