Welcome to the area. Your closest and best lake for finding quality fish is going to be Cachuma located just outside of Santa Ynez. You are looking at about a 30-40 minute drive from the base. Your boat will be fine for Cachuma. There are no water sports outside of fishing allowed on Cachuma so you don't have to put up with the raging watercraft. You will have some good quality ponds on the base from what I hear, I've never fished them, but word is that they are good. Lopez is good but the wind can be an issue on the lake. Santa Margarita is the best I've found yet as far as quantity. Most are smaller spots and largemouth, but I've had several hundred plus fish days in the early spring on that lake. Fresh or Salt, your going to a prime area. Shoot me a line when you get ready and we can set up a day to meet on Cachuma. It can be a tough lake if you don't know the prime spots to fish. I have no secrets and will show you some good areas. I check the board every other day.

mak