Anyone here ever fish the game refuge in Los Banos on henry miller road? I've been fishing there for about three years and do really well on catfish throughout the summer. Usually fish between 14-18" and anywhere from 5-15 a night. But I've heard a lot about big bass, 25"+ being pulled out of there and have yet to find a single one! If anyone knows how when and where to hook into some bass out there, let me know thanks. And if anyone has questions on the catfishing out there, just ask. Thanks
Hunter

Where is Los Banos Game Refuge??? Direction to get there from Fresno? Is it open to the public? Thanks in advance.

Take 99 south to merced, exit on v st, turn left on v, the your tak your next right (highway 140). 20 miles later you'll get to a flashing red light, make a left, 15 more miles and make another left on henry miller road, the entrance is about a half mile down henry miller on your left. Good Luck.
Hunter

I lived in Los Banos for 14 years (I moved from there in 95)Unless they have really changed their bass management...I don't think the 25" bass info is good.Your right on the catfishing,I always did well there....and the bass I did catch were generally 1-2lbs...Like I said, it's been almost 9 years...things could have changed..Nathan
www.Bettencourtbaits.com

i had thought that myself (about the 25" bass being bad info.) but I have seen in person a 19.5" largemouth pulled out of there. But the guy was fishing in a boat and said he had never caught bass that big off the bank. THe 25" could have been a striper, but could have also been a lot of b.s. Where about on the refuge were you catching these bass? I've tried a few things, live crawdads, jerkbaits, all kinds of rubber baits along reed lines and haven't gotta one so far. But couldn't just been a bad day....

Upsidedown..I missed your question....I did well working the the weed edges fromm the bank with a jig.I found that no one lake was any better than another.If you like to bow hunt for carp....this is a great place..Nathan
www.Bettencourtbaits.com

If this lake is the Los Banos lake I heard of then I would suggest throwing the big trout plugs because it's stocked with trout.

Your thinking of the Los Banos detention Res...They stock the trout..These two areas are about 15 miles apart..Nathan
www.Bettencourtbaits.com

no, you're thinking of the los banos reservoir, and yes, it's stocked full of trout. But the game refuge is actually about three or four small lakes and a whoooooooooooole lot of wet lands and fields and sloughs etc..

Have you guys ever fished the Volta wasteway by the duck hunting station?
Tight lines,
Wade

I hunted alot of ducks at Volta,but I never did fish that spillway.I bet it would be pretty good for catfish..Nathan
www.Bettencourtbaits.com

I've only got kitties to 2# there. The baby stripers attack the bait too fast. A spook on the other hand will almost always get me 1-2 Stripers 12-24" (usually just under 18") and occasionally a LM 3-4#. For so little water it's amazing how many fish are in there. If only it were legal to grind up some of the micro-stripers to feed the bigger stripers. The fish here are always med to skinny bodied, never fattys.
Tight lines,
Wade

Never fished there, actually never even heard of it. Where about is this place at? Any info on it is appreciated,. thanks.
Hunter