More Sherwood Bass

[Caveman]

Snuck in a couple of hours between the storm and darkness yesterday. Had a blast! Posted a blog about it (pics, too).

[Byron]

Nice -- I used to fish sherwood as a kid with my father in the late 60's early 70's. Caught many bass around Bob Denver's (Giligan) dock.

[Caveman]

Very cool! Which one was Bob's? I'd like to make a cast or two over there, in your honor, when we finally get the boat out there.

[Byron]

It's been many years since I was there and I'm sure many houses have been added in 30+ years. I remember it was opposite the skinny launch ramp thats all that comes to mind. Ask around to some of the old timers - I'm sure they watched Gilligans Island and remember Bob.

[Oldschool]

Lake Sherwood is a private lake requiring a trespass permit to fish. The Lakes concessionaire was shut down in the late 70's, so the boat rental, store and public camp ground are no longer there.
Murdock Corp took over the lake ownership in the mid 80's, condemmed the dam and drained the lake. The lake bottom and upper half was reconfigured and a small island added. So trying to use historic information in regards to the lakes bass locations has little value.
Lake Sherwood before it's restoration project was one of the primiere bass fishing lakes in southern CA. The lake had every type of cover and structure, a good big bass population plus a multi specie crappie, bluegill, channel catfish population that attracted family fishing.
I sold my property back in 1980 and have not fished it since, so my knowledge is historic, although my 10 lb 1 oz bass caught in 1961 may still be the lake record.
Tom

[Caveman]

Byron,
I'll ask around and see what I can find out.

OldSchool,
Didn't realize they had drained it and reconfigured it back in the '80s. There's actually two islands on the lake, that I know of. But, I still haven't gotten to explore the back half of it yet. Hopefully, MikeyB and I will be doing that on Wednesday (weather permitting).
Now, there seems to be a very healthy Bass population (both, Largemouth and Spotted), as well as Bluegill, Redear, and Kitties. I've heard tell of Crappie, but yet to see one. Plus, I know there is at least one Bass over 10 pounds - he snapped me off on a swim ladder earlier this year.
Thanks for the info!

[Oldschool]

Norm Dye was the concessionaire at the time FLMB were planted in the mid 70's and some may have servived in the small pool near the dam during the reconstruction years or it's possible FLMB were replated. Why would anyone put spots in Sherwood, it is totally the wrong ecosystem.
There is so much you don't know about this lake, have fun learning. Big bass have a way of looking bigger than life in the water when they get away.
Tom

[Oldschool]

FYI; Did a little research on Sherwood and it doesn't have any spots as far as I could determine. The lake does have a major problem with over population of nothern strain largemouth due to low forage base of silver side minnows and the locale residents don't harvest enough bass. A few local tournament bass fisherman who fish the lake regularly have indicated some bass to 7 pounds have been caught and it is possible for lager fish to there.

[Caveman]

Old School,
Thanks for all the Sherwood info!
If they're not Spots, I'm not sure what they are. They have a MUCH smaller mouth than their LM cousins, a connected dorsal fin, and an obvious tooth patch. They also tend to fight quite a bit better than a comparable Sherwood LM. Maybe they are an olive green strain of SM or some type of hybrid. But, there are a bunch of Black Bass in there that are not pure FLMB!
I've also heard a couple of reliable reports (one from a DFG officer) of double digit LM in the lake. Plus, like I said, I had one in that class snap me off on a swim ladder late this past summer. Hopefully, I'll have one coming my way soon!
BTW, Sherwood is a C&R lake exclusively. Which is leading to the Black Bass overpopulation you mentioned. I have a feeling they may introduce a temporary forced harvest in the not too distant future. It would probably do the lake a world of good.

[Oldschool]

The bass you discribe must be spots, teeth on the tonque.
PM me and I will put you on a few big bass locations at Sherwood.
Tom

[some guy]

where is this place and can anyone fish it?

[Oldschool]

Sherwood is a private lake near Thousand Oakes CA., read the above thread.
Tom

[DougH]

where is this place and can anyone fish it?

It's behind Westlake and completely private. You cannot fish there unless you know somebody. Also with the Tiger tourney coming up, fuggetaboutit...

The fish have been sick the last couple of years, so they're not as big. It's also way too easy to catch fish there, they'll eat anything.

[some guy]

right on...that sucks.

oh well...im happy with mission viejo.

[Oldschool]

Mission Viejo is a much better choice, bass 18 lbs have been caught there. West lake is also a private lake, must be a resident and the bass fishing is fair. Maybe someone wil invite you!
Tom

[some guy]

MV is prime...i havent hooked one of those 15lb + donkeys but i have seen them on a few occasion..we got 7 fish over 10lbs biggest being 12.30 this year alone...i love that little pond.

[Oldschool]

MV is prime...i havent hooked one of those 15lb + donkeys but i have seen them on a few occasion..we got 7 fish over 10lbs biggest being 12.30 this year alone...i love that little pond.

Will be more than happy to play with your freinds, if you need help with jig fishing , let me know.
Tom

[Brian Linehan]

Hey John-

Mission absolutely blows compared to Sherwood. Sherwood is like a real lake in the respect that you can flip, throw blades, cranks, etc. Mission is great for dogs, but lets face it...it's an acquarium. You'd love it!!!

[Caveman]

The fish have been sick the last couple of years, so they're not as big. It's also way too easy to catch fish there, they'll eat anything.

Doug,
While the fishing at Sherwood is "easier" than many of the other So Cal lakes due to the decreased fishing pressure it gets, I wouldn't say that they'll eat anything. You still need to be employing the right bait, in the right color, with the right presentation, for the current conditions to be successful there.
That said, if you put together the right combination, the action can be brisk and exciting. Plus, the Bass are on the mend and definitely getting bigger and stronger.
And, as Brian said, the varied fishing terrain makes for a fun day on a very scenic lake. If you get the opportunity to fish Sherwood, jump on it!

[bantam1]

I have been fortunate enough to fish both Westlake and Sherwood a few times. Sherwood is a very cool little lake. Tons and tons of toolies, islands and lots of docks. It seems that the fish are 2-4 pound average. I did manage to hook and lose a 10+ one day to one of those foam block/bouy things There are still big fish in there

The fishing there is closer to a natural lake in terms of terrain and cover. LMV is a giant aquarium but I still love it!!

Westlake is reminded me of a bigger Lake Forest with a stream running into it from Sherwood. Good jig bite at Westlake in the early spring

[Caveman]

The bass you discribe must be spots, teeth on the tonque.
PM me and I will put you on a few big bass locations at Sherwood.
Tom

Tom,
You've got mail!