Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing in and around Los Angeles. Today, February 8, 2025, promises to be an exciting day on the water, so let's dive into the details.

First off, let's check the tides. According to the tide forecast, we have a high tide at 5:47 AM with a height of 5.85 feet, followed by a low tide at 1:22 PM with a height of -0.95 feet. The second high tide of the day will be at 8:10 PM, reaching 3.73 feet[2].

The weather is looking pleasant, with a sunrise at 6:43 AM and a sunset at 5:31 PM. This time of year, the mornings can be a bit cool, so make sure to pack your layers.

Now, let's talk about the fish activity. If you're heading to the lakes, the BKO Fishing Derby is happening today at Ming Lake, and both lakes have been stocked with over a thousand pounds of trout, including some tagged fish worth up to $1000. Anglers have been having excellent luck with Powerbait, mousetails, spinners, and jigs for trout. For bass, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, and shad imitation plastics on drop shot have been effective. Bluegill are also active, particularly with wax and red worms[1].

For those preferring pier fishing, several spots are worth mentioning. At the Oceanside Pier, fishing has been good for perch, barred and walleye surfperch, and croaker, with lugworms being the top bait for croaker. Sardines and herring are still available for Sabiki fishermen, though shark fishing has been slow. The outer end of the pier is still closed due to reconstruction, but the rest remains open[4].

The Balboa Pier has seen slow fishing lately, but there's been a lot of bait around, including sardines and smelt. Fresh mussels have been the best bait for surfperch here. Keep an eye out for corbina, as they have been spotted in the area[4].

If you're looking to catch some lobsters, the season is open, and you can find them particularly around the piers in Santa Barbara. However, lobstering has been more successful in areas like Ventura, where recent rains haven't deterred anglers from picking up some nice-sized lobsters[4].

For gear, I recommend stopping by Tackle Shack USA in Sylmar. They have a wide selection of top-brand gear, live bait like worms, and knowledgeable staff to help you choose the right tackle for your needs[3].

In summary, today is a great day to get out and fish, whether you're targeting trout in the lakes or a variety of species at the piers. Here are a couple of hot spots to consider:

- **Ming Lake**: For trout, especially with the BKO Fishing Derby stocking the lakes heavily today.
- **Oceanside Pier**: For perch, surfperch, and croaker, using lugworms and other baits mentioned.

Remember to check the local regulations and ensure you have the necessary licenses and gear. Tight lines, and I hope you land some big ones today