NorCal Fishing BS

looks like my Delta buddy has to work. therefore, it looks like a day that rhymes with MerryBessa.

 

What's a good rod/reel combo for bait casting? Chatterbaits, spinners etc? Is there a good one all around? I've never owned a baitcaster, and after reading about different types for months I'm even more confused then when I started.

 

Similar to the spinning rod/reel setups, there are so many different routes to go in terms of brands that its almost impossible to narrow it down without going in and holding them/using them. A good all-around cheap(er) rod that will do really all you want to do would be something like a Dobyn's Fury rod, an Abu Garcia Vengeance, Vendetta, or Veritas rod, Fenwick HMG or HMX rod, the list goes on. Id say, if it's your first one, I would definitely not spend a ton of money on a setup. Maybe $50-$80 max on a rod and $100-$150 max on a reel. For casting reels, a Daiwa Tatula, Abu Garcia pro, silver or black max, Lews Mach series, there are a ton of decent options around or under $100.

They key for me was I started off cheap, got the hang of properly casting a baitcast reel, then started moving up in price. I started on an Abu Garcia black max casting reel and honestly, at $50, its a pretty dang good reel. Go with a 6:4:1 or similar gear ratio though no matter what you get. That will allow you to have "best of both worlds" when it comes to retrieval rate. Its not too slow, but also not blazing fast like a 7+ gear ratio would be. Will allow you to work a number of different baits.

 

I was seriously considering going out there on my kayak this weekend. Lady wants to "go exploring" Saturday so I may be gone Friday and Saturday, but Sunday I think I might go out. Lately it seems like people are HAMMERING the bass out there.... would like to get in on the action. If not Berry, I may head out to Lake Sonoma instead.

 

you ever take a swing at Shasta? it looks wild!!

 

you and me both.

with the reels, you consider gear ratio. punching you want fast retrieve so you can pick up the slack fast and set the hook..plus you can crank it out of the weeds fast. you match it with a long rod so you can also pick up more slack with the same rod movement.

crankbaits..apparently, you want that big parabola of a slow action. the rod bends towards the middle so you can slow the hook set, and not yank it out of the mouth..and the rod keeps the line taut and hook pinned. oh, you want a slow gear ratio.

between that..the water gets fucking muddy for me. i know Guru makes a killer chatterbait rod, but i have zero clue what makes a good chatterbait rod.

i'm buying another Dobyns Fury 703, maybe the 704. i have the 703 and it is a sick multitasker so far. the 704 should be a tick heavier.

 

Not with my kayak. Was supposed to hit it a couple of months ago but the fires kept us from going up and hitting it. REALLY want to to try it though. Thinking maybe this spring.

 

Thank you both for taking the time to write these responses. Maybe I'll head to Bass Pro on Sunday and check out some rods and reels. Wife and I are headed out on Saturday out of Big Break to try and have some fun.

 

Definitely man! Hope you find something good. It will take some practice mastering a baitcast reel, so don't give up on it when you birdsnest it the first 50 times

Id say too, dont get too lost in the actions, length, styles, etc. Really all you need is something like a 6'5"-7' length, medium or medium heavy fast action rod and you're probably going to be ok just starting out. That will handle most cranks, jerks, chatters, etc.

 

i hope to be out there this weekend as well

 

i heard early spring. end of feb is sick. big big mean spots.

 

goooooo...

i;ll be the camo kayak waaaayyy up north. hopefully i am not shaking my fist angrily at the sky when you see me.

 

Yeah same thing I heard. Id love to go up there in the spring. Water is still pretty high and the temps are starting to rise. Nothing better than a good spring bite! From what I hear from buddies, Shasta is more of a numbers fishery, not really size, which is cool with me. 20+ spots will wear down anyone, big or small.

 

your thumb all worn out and shredded. hah.

yea. i'll go. i already googled earth the hell out of that lake. i think i know my jumping off point.

 

If you go this winter let me know how it is. I’ve also google mapped the shit out of that lake. Lol. At this point just waiting for warmer weather to go. I’m lacking a dedicated kayak fish finder right now, so it’s kept me from going out to the bigger lakes during these colder months since it can be hard to find them.

 

ill be up by the bridges most likely.

 

Fished the San Lorenzo today. Steelhead opener, had 8-10 rainbow shakers, nothing bigger than 6". We need more rain for the bigger guys to start cruising but I'm getting stoked. More than half were on drys, always makes my day.

 

Do you fish them more for sport or do you keep any?

 

I practice catch and release with all wild trout here in CA. My main fishing buddy does keep some keepers when permitted, and I've bleed out plenty of salmon up in AK, but I mostly fish barbless and keep them wet when it comes to trout. I'm pretty much a dry fly angler and am not fishing for many other species these days. But I do enjoy some rock fishing and poke poling from time to time. Used to fish berryessa and the delta a bit on a boat I restored with the same bud, but our interests have shifted. Here, some shots of the ol' boat.

 

Right on! Boat looks awesome too. That looks like a PERFECT size for something like the delta. Would love to having something that size. Kayak fishing is fun, but having a boat would be a game changer out there.