I don't know much about socal but california in general especially northern and central california lakes and rivers are full of bass. Northern California lakes hold some records especially in lakes with kokanee salmon and little planter trout. For fly fishing though you'll need to hit up the shallower waters in spring while avoiding the trees,shrubs and reeds that will often be behind you or in the water where they're hiding in. Sometimes especially on sunny calm days they are easily put off and timid but they're around just difficult.

How do you work the dry flies like grass hoppers etc