NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Kayak Fly Fishing => Topic started by: mendolunker on August 24, 2016, 11:15:22 AM
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I just recently moved to Vallejo and have been trying to hook into the striped bass. I have managed to catch a few on swim baits, but my goal has been to get the fly action dialed in. I have only tried the Napa river so far, any tips trips or ideas are welcome!
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There are a lot of guys here who consistently get Striped bass on the flyrod. I wish to do so someday but a rarely flyfish except for Steelhead. I am sure ScottV and Golfish will chime in with there awesome words of wisdom. Listen to these guys they are gurus. :smt001
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Clouser minnows are the ticket. They take a little practice, they are like bullets coming back at you on the back cast so wind is crucial to pay attention to. I love having a rod ready if I come up on a boil. Really the only time I fly fish for stripers.
I tie my own flies, and tie downsized versions of clouser minnows, I love catching crappie on them. Catch bass, small stripers, red ears, and catfish on them.
I am starting to get back into it, too much fun.
Talk to the guys mentioned, there are a few more, but fly guys are unique, and love to talk fly fishing. Just gotta get the convo started!
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Pm Elusive. He always hit somewhere north of Kennedy park around this time of the year.
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I usually launch kennedy but there is a launch by the yacht club too. I mostly fish between 121 and 12 bridges. Horseshoe bend slough is often full of schoolie sized stripers with an occasional double digit.
If it's too muddy it doesn't fly fish well. I like the outgoing tide and fish all the little places the sloughs drain back into. Watch the FF, you could go over a school of big stripers at anytime/anywhere in the river. Check out the FF in the picture.
Usually throw my medium to larger delta sized flies there, can't go wrong with chart over white. T14 in the main river, Type III or sometimes int. sink in the sloughs gets it done...just how I do it, there are lots of other ways...
Heard there was going to be some dredging so it might mess the fishing up for a while. ---good luck!
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The fish finder screen in the pic is da' bomb!
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I fish the Napa river all the time if you want to go out. Mostly using casting gear but I have a 9wt striper rod I want to break in
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I just tried the Napa river last week (launching out of Kennedy park) and it was fairly muddy as mentioned. I only used casting gear that day and did not have much for luck... looks like I better get a fish finder! Next time I go out I will use some minnow type deals I will try back in the sloughs (I tie my own flies too). Hit me up next time you go out Lineside!
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I mostly fish between 121 and 12 bridges. Horseshoe bend slough is often full of schoolie sized stripers with an occasional double digit.
I am browsing the satellite map of the area and am unsure of what bridge would be considered the "121" bridge (I am guessing it is the same as W. Imola ave...). Last time I went out I petaled south of the 12 bridge and then hit horseshoe on the way back (incoming/high tide). I will have to give horseshoe another shot on the outgoing tide, I recently upgraded to a revolution 11 and that quelled my worries of traveling against the current. I also only have a floating line currently so I will order a sinker to put on my extra spool. Thanks again!
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I am browsing the satellite map of the area and am unsure of what bridge would be considered the "121" bridge (I am guessing it is the same as W. Imola ave...).
correct. right below that bridge along the back of the condos is a good deep spot. but yeah, get a sinking line or get a chunk of T material to make a shooting head to loop to your choice of running line. steelhead is my priority fall/winter, i usually go out there in the spring.
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Hit the tules on both sides of the river right above the Imola Bridge as well. The west bank at high tide is a popular spot for fly guys. That's going to be one of the dredge locations in a few weeks so hit it before all hell breaks loose.
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Right on guys, I think I will give it a try on tomorrow morning's outgoing tide. I purchased my steel head card at the the beginning of the year but have not given it a go... feel free to pm me for one of those adventures. Since moving here fishing is about all I have been doing other than job searching.
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I've been fishing for stripers with a fly rod for ~20 yrs. now. And here's the best piece of advice I can give anyone at this point: Buy & read (& reread as often as desired) Mike Costello's book "Fly Fishing the California Delta." That's really all you need to know! It's all in there!
And as a bonus, he gives some great info on catching largemouth on the fly as well.
Bill
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Better yet, book a trip with Mike. It's well worthwhile. Not only will you learn the basics of striper flyfishing, you'll also get a boost in terms of casting, how to position yourself for the best cast, and fly line management.
An easy way to learn is to flyfish San Luis Forebay, as the stripers are more concentrated. It's my version of "bluegill fishing for beginners".....Right now, the stripers are transitioning as the lake turns over. There are a lot of diaper stripers in the 20" class....perfect for practicing!
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Better yet, book a trip with Mike. It's well worthwhile. Not only will you learn the basics of striper flyfishing, you'll also get a boost in terms of casting, how to position yourself for the best cast, and fly line management.
An easy way to learn is to flyfish San Luis Forebay, as the stripers are more concentrated. It's my version of "bluegill fishing for beginners".....Right now, the stripers are transitioning as the lake turns over. There are a lot of diaper stripers in the 20" class....perfect for practicing!
Any advice for where to launch at the Forebay and flys... Is it Clousers on a sink tip?
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Most folks launch at the main ramp near the San Luis Creek Campground. Be sure to read the invasive species rules & arrive with a very dry & clean boat. They are strongly enforced at both San Luis & the forebay.
Clousers on a full sinking line is usually the way to go, rather than a sink tip. I would also bring a 2nd rod rigged with floating line & a gurgler. Working top water over weed beds can be very fun.
Good luck!
Bill
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I launch down by the towers. The first dirt road that goes to the right after you come in the park. But get inspected first.
I use a 5 weight for the little guys in the weeds when I can't get the big ones to bite.
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I picked up some eye dumbells to tie up some more clousers so once I get my topwater keeper on a spook, I am going back to chasing boils with tthe fly rod. Just too much fun!
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My old boss was an avid fly fisherman and used to spend 6 months out of the year guiding for stripers on the Delta. I went out with him in the delta and had a great time catching stripers using various streamers, poppers, clousers, etc. We used shooting heads to gain some distance and depth.
If you want some good advice, hit up Fish First in Albany. Old boss used to co-own the shop, not sure if he still does.
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Always take pointers! I used to be a die hard fly guy, kids kind of made me go to more kid friendly methods, like powerbait lol
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A lot of good tips here, sounds like I need to throw a full sinking line on my empty spool and hit the water! I was too late on the draw for simply fishing so this might be what I end up doing this weekend.