Rainbow Trout fishing on Big Bear Lake has become the crazy days of summer. One day the fish are caught in areas they shouldn't be this time of year and other days you can't find them anywhere. Limits of hold over trout have popped up near Lagonita and the observatory in 74 degree water! While west of there the fishing has been tougher, very unusual for this time of year.

For bait anglers a slip bobber rig is a must this time of year and should be set from 20 feet at the west ramp, down to 45 feet at the dam to a minimum of 10 feet. Trout are also showing near Lagonita Pt. and the observatory at these points set your slip bobber at 23 feet. Drifting in a boat down the middle of the lake with a simple sliding egg sinker rig is a good way to spend a day on the lake. Be sure to use Eagle Claw NITRO, and inflated night crawlers for the best catches.

Trolling for trout is best with leadcore line. With leadcore you can present your lure at the levels noted above. Most of the trout have have been caught at 3 to 4 colors in the areas noted above. Flexibility is the key now. Try all the areas noted and vary lure type and colors often. Luhr Jensen Speed Traps in chartreuse, small CD Rapalas in gold and black, and copper colors Neddlefish have been best.

Crappie and Bluegilll are hitting in Boulder Bay and in Mallard Bay. Try mini-jigs in assorted colors or simply hang a mealworm or part of a night crawler 4 feet from a clip on bobber. Catfish continue to bite on nocturnal offerings ranging for mackerel and shrimp to stink baits presented off the bottom. Try the east end of the lake after the sun goes down.

Brandon Aguilera and Anthony Avial of San Fernando caught this nice limit of pink meat hold overs on a charter trip with Fish Big Bear guide Curt Dills.