Where we fish

Two lakes, both close

Everything I run is within an hour of Paso Robles. Which lake we fish comes down to the season and what the bass are doing that week — we'll sort that out when you text me.

Aerial photograph showing Lake San Antonio to the northwest, Lake Nacimiento in the middle, and the town of Paso Robles on Highway 101 to the southeast. — Both lakes and Paso Robles in one frame. Aerial imagery courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey — tap a directions button below for the real route.

Most trips

Lake Nacimiento

Northwest of Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County

Drive from Paso: 15–20 minutes
Surface area: 5,400 acres
Length: 18 miles
Shoreline: 165 miles
Maximum depth: 200 feet
We're after: Spotted, white & largemouth bass

Nacimiento is a spotted bass lake first and foremost. We're targeting spotted bass and white bass, with real opportunities at bigger largemouth mixed in. It's the only lake in California with a white bass fishery, and when they school up they are genuinely non-stop.

It's also the most fun lake around to bring people to. There are a lot of fish in it and they're willing, so everybody in the boat catches — which is exactly what you want if you're bringing the family along.

Eighteen miles long with 165 miles of shoreline means there's almost always somewhere out of the wind and holding fish. Knowing which arm, on which morning, is the part you're paying me for.

We meet here. Oak Hill Market, in the morning. We'll go over the plan for the day and head out from there.

Directions to Oak Hill Market

Lake San Antonio

Further northwest, Monterey County

Drive from Paso: About an hour
Surface area: 5,720 acres
Length: 16 miles
Shoreline: 100 miles
Maximum depth: 200 feet
We're after: Largemouth & smallmouth bass

San Antonio is a different lake in almost every way. Here we're fishing largemouth and smallmouth — no spots, no white bass — and the largemouth in this lake get big. If you're after one good fish rather than a lot of them, this is the water for it.

It's wider and more open than Nacimiento and there are usually fewer boats on it. It sits over the county line and takes a bit longer to reach, which is exactly why it's worth the drive some weeks — when the fish here are doing something better, I'll tell you and we'll go.

Meeting point varies. If we run San Antonio I'll give you the spot and the time on our call.

See it on the map

Which one will we fish?

You don't have to decide.

That's my job. I'm on these two lakes year-round, so I know which one is turning on and which one has gone quiet. Text me when you're free and what you want out of the day, and I'll pick the water.

Text me about a trip (805) 635-5243