NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: forumname on August 18, 2017, 02:01:39 PM

Title: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: forumname on August 18, 2017, 02:01:39 PM
Planning on taking the kayak to Lake Mendocino this weekend but I've never been there and don't know much about what to expect or what species to target this time of year. Anybody have any intel or tips?
Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: Dale L on August 18, 2017, 03:20:02 PM
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=78310.0

Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: forumname on August 18, 2017, 04:14:16 PM
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=78310.0

Awesome, thank you. I did a search before posting but I don't think that thread showed up because it only says "Mendo". Some good info there for sure.
Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: ThreemoneyJ on August 18, 2017, 08:03:16 PM
The lake is not fishing like that right now. Water is really clear and surface temps are 83-85. Fish are either deep or really tight to cover. You can't get the fish that are right to cover very easily because you need light line for the clear water and will probably lose a lot of gear.

I would fish the south end of the lake it seems to be fishing better than the north end. Small swimbaits and jigs usually produce. My favorite to throw is a gulp minnow.

You'll probably catch a few largemouth, maybe some crappie, and some catfish. The stripers are hiding and the smallmouth are really deep.

What day are you going? I may be at the south launch Sunday morning looking for crappie.
Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: forumname on August 19, 2017, 02:38:07 PM
Great advice threemoneyj, thank you!

I'm here right now camping at Miti Campground and will be fishing around here tomorrow. I tried a little shore fishing when we first got here and pulled out an 18" largemouth pretty quickly on a swimbait. I'm extremely new to bass fishing and that happens to be my personal best, so i have high hopes for the rest of the weekend. If you're around tomorrow I'd love to tag along and try to learn a few things. I'm here with my girlfriend on a blue tandem if you see us.
Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: Fisherman X on August 19, 2017, 02:42:38 PM
I'm to the northwest of the lake by several clicks and the smoke from fires to the North is awful right now. Is it better at the lake?
Title: Re: Any tips for Lake Mendocino this weekend?
Post by: forumname on August 19, 2017, 02:47:19 PM
It's pretty smoky, but not bad enough to chase us away.