NorCal Fishing BS

Me too. Until the 19th. Let’s get that boat gently slimed.

 

I am seriously considering supplementing my Toyota Tacoma with a Toyota Prius. Faack. Gas prices were $4.30 in the boondocks. I drove maybe 379 mikes to find bass. The fuel prices; I can’t imagine them going down.
I need my Tacoma for off road stuff. Hunting, camping, etc.

But I think I could live with roof topping my Hobie on a Prius. Finding distant fishing waters is kinda my thing.

 

how much cash outlay is a Prius and what kind of mpg does one get pushing a hobie on the rack?

 

I hit Yorty creek today. Launching my kayak was a chore! The water is really far away down a steep hillside. Coming back up at the end of day was brutal.
I got about 18 fish. One was a decent smallmouth bass. Bunch of barely keepers.

 

Mixed bag.

 

Hilarious that we were both at Sonoma today, but in different areas. I did pretty good out there for only being able to fish two hours.

Got into some smallmouth and largemouth today - 7 or 8 total. The smallmouth spawn is definitely happening right now out there and the largemouth spawn will likely follow pretty quickly.

(Sorry for the crappy photo quality... screen grabs from the GoPro videos I take.)

 

Local lake this morning. Just fished a few hours because I left my water supply on my garage floor. I was Parched!

no skunk! Makes me happy

 

Another try this morning. Another local lake. Got a 3.5 and a 1.5. Now going to happy hour with coworkers. Ahhhh

 

how do some of you not work?!

 

I’m on vacation. Stay at home vacation. It’s fishing or yard work. My yard looks like ass.

 

Jinxed myself. Did two days of yard work. Faack!

 

Went to the delta yesterday. Wasn’t a great tide but was beautiful out. Got skunked. But was a good day on the water. Hoping to go out next weekend to try again.

 

Tried to get to Clearlake today. My truck had other ideas. My neglectful nature bit me in the ass. My serpentine belt shredded. Ugly.
I’ll go tomorrow.
Upper and lower radiator hoses getting changed as well.

 

Brother and I did a super last minute trip to Lake Sonoma on Saturday.... got out there as the sun was setting and stayed until about 11:30. Hardly prepared, but still fun. I managed between 20-30 bass and my brother got around 5. We went out in search of Catfish, but didnt get lucky. I told him to come back out in another few weeks when its warmer and we could probably find some.

 

Tide sucks this weekend too unless you head out there when the sun rises. The following weekend looks decent though... tide rolling back in about noon. Be a good excuse to go out in the evening for a topwater bite.

 

I have always had the best catfish bite going deep into Warm Springs Arm. Not awful with the Kayak, go after the smallmouth at the submerged island (typically submerged till late summer or so) as you go into Warm Springs from the main launch at the bridge.

 

What was your bait of choice for them out there? We had worms and liver on Saturday, but I’d like to use cut bait next time on at least one pole.

Also, have you seen how low Sonoma is lately? It’s a bit scary.

Here is a video some dude took out at yorty a few days ago:

https://youtu.be/DTnAEQolwtQ

 

I have NOT seen how low Lake Sonoma is now although I have seen it very low (I used to work as a ranger there). I always used cut up chicken or turkey gizzards for catfish. I have also used beef fat and did just fine.

Wow. That video is pretty revealing. I have never seen it this low in the spring.That is a problem. I used to live in Healdsburg and Geyserville and have spent a great many hours on that lake. The spring pre-spawn bite should be pretty crazy up in Dry Creek Arm.
If not then just start jigging for crappies.

 

Glad to hear I’m on the same page bait-wise as you. I grew up fishing for nothing but catfish (hence my username) but it’s been awhile since I’ve done it. Wasn’t sure if the cats preferred something different at a lake like Sonoma. Lol.

Yeah isn’t that crazy? Just last spring I was pulling bass out of that rocky part next to the ramp and now it’s all dried up. Super bizarre to see it and makes me nervous for what’s to come.

I’ve heard the crappie bite is HOT out there right now but haven’t really tried for them yet. I need to. Would be nice to take a few home for a fish fry.

 

I have absolutely had more fun catching crappies than any other fish (outside of steelhead). I would happily take one winter run wild steelhead over a 100 largemouth. We all have our thing and that is good.