About Tash Creek, CA

Tash creek is a short stream located on the outskirts of Monterey County. The creek has an elevation of 1145 feet. Its water comes from just south of Paloma Mountains. From there it moves south until it joins Paloma creek.

The creek is part of Monterey County which was named after the Count of Monterey, who was the viceroy of New Spain. However, before European immigrants populated the area, it was the Rumsen Ohlone Native Americans who inhabited the resource-rich area. During Mexico’s independence from Spain and the succeeding Mexican-American war, the area was the site of a major battle that ended with the United States taking claim over California. Over the years Monterey county was home to many artists and writers including John Steinbeck, Percy Grey, and Henry Miller.

All About Fishing in Tash Creek, CA

As a river in close proximity to a natural reservation, anglers will have a lot of options when fishing in the area. Fish species in Tash creek include largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and if you’re lucky enough, an alligator gar. 

Largemouth bass are a pretty popular freshwater game fish for anglers. They are found in most rivers, ponds, and creeks. They also vary in size and weight with some fish weighing up to 20 lbs or more. Because of their weight, most anglers recommend the use of equipment that can handle tough and heavy fish. A 6-weight can handle most bass but an 8-weight can handle even more, just to be safe. It is also wise to use a disk drag. When preparing bait it’s good to know that there are a lot to choose from including minnows, plugs, worms, and jerk bait. Largemouth bass tend to stay in muddy waters among fallen trees, vegetation, and even debris. Because they swim in murkier waters, a colorful fly or streamer will help in getting its attention.

When speaking of getting a fish’s attention, the channel catfish also has a specific method. These fish are known for their strong sense of smell, which is why preparing bait like cheese and stink bait, both of which contain amino acids that produce a strong smell that attracts them. Otherwise, when preparing rods, a 7” to 7.6” rod will help as its length allows for using fishing techniques like pitching or flipping. Catfish in general are also known for their thick skulls. When preparing hooks, anglers recommend the use of sharper treble hooks in order to lessen the chances of the catfish escaping. Catfish are also very slippery. This is due to their lack of scales resulting in the need to secrete a slime-like substance. Anglers should remember to handle them properly as they cause some cuts. 

For those looking for a laid back fishing trip with easy fish to catch, then the crappie is definitely for you. Most anglers use this fish either for fly fishing practice or for starting out younger anglers. Both wet and dry flies work well against these fish. A variety of baits and lures are also effective including insects, worms, and nymphs, as well as spinners, pan-fish jigs, and crank-bait. Anglers can find these fish near fallen trees and bushes.

Anglers looking for a bigger challenge should try to catch an alligator gar.  These massive fish can weigh from about 100 lbs to 160 lbs. Most states allow a maximum of one to be caught per day, if you can find them. There are a few methods anglers can try to catch these fish including bow fishing, rod-and-reel, and using passive gear like jiglines and trotlines. Finally, as these fish are huge, fish like carp or gizzard shad are used as bait. 

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing in Task creek is great all-year long. Both the alligator gar and largemouth bass can be caught during the summer. Bass specifically are best caught during the end of their spawning season during late spring and early summer from May to June while alligator gar are best caught during the latter half of summer, during September onwards. Spawning season for crappie takes place from February to May which is the best time to catch them. Finally, channel catfish are best caught during fall and winter. 

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing in Task creek is great all-year long. Both the alligator gar and largemouth bass can be caught during the summer. Bass specifically are best caught during the end of their spawning season during late spring and early summer from May to June while alligator gar are best caught during the latter half of summer, during September onwards. Spawning season for crappie takes place from February to May which is the best time to catch them. Finally, channel catfish are best caught during fall and winter. 

All About Fishing in Tash Creek, CA

As a river in close proximity to a natural reservation, anglers will have a lot of options when fishing in the area. Fish species in Tash creek include largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and if you’re lucky enough, an alligator gar. 

Largemouth bass are a pretty popular freshwater game fish for anglers. They are found in most rivers, ponds, and creeks. They also vary in size and weight with some fish weighing up to 20 lbs or more. Because of their weight, most anglers recommend the use of equipment that can handle tough and heavy fish. A 6-weight can handle most bass but an 8-weight can handle even more, just to be safe. It is also wise to use a disk drag. When preparing bait it’s good to know that there are a lot to choose from including minnows, plugs, worms, and jerk bait. Largemouth bass tend to stay in muddy waters among fallen trees, vegetation, and even debris. Because they swim in murkier waters, a colorful fly or streamer will help in getting its attention.

When speaking of getting a fish’s attention, the channel catfish also has a specific method. These fish are known for their strong sense of smell, which is why preparing bait like cheese and stink bait, both of which contain amino acids that produce a strong smell that attracts them. Otherwise, when preparing rods, a 7” to 7.6” rod will help as its length allows for using fishing techniques like pitching or flipping. Catfish in general are also known for their thick skulls. When preparing hooks, anglers recommend the use of sharper treble hooks in order to lessen the chances of the catfish escaping. Catfish are also very slippery. This is due to their lack of scales resulting in the need to secrete a slime-like substance. Anglers should remember to handle them properly as they cause some cuts. 

For those looking for a laid back fishing trip with easy fish to catch, then the crappie is definitely for you. Most anglers use this fish either for fly fishing practice or for starting out younger anglers. Both wet and dry flies work well against these fish. A variety of baits and lures are also effective including insects, worms, and nymphs, as well as spinners, pan-fish jigs, and crank-bait. Anglers can find these fish near fallen trees and bushes.

Anglers looking for a bigger challenge should try to catch an alligator gar.  These massive fish can weigh from about 100 lbs to 160 lbs. Most states allow a maximum of one to be caught per day, if you can find them. There are a few methods anglers can try to catch these fish including bow fishing, rod-and-reel, and using passive gear like jiglines and trotlines. Finally, as these fish are huge, fish like carp or gizzard shad are used as bait.