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Topics - bbt95762

Pages: [1] 2 3
1
Hey all, planning a Fish n chill at Bullards Bar, Dark Day Camp/Launch the weekend of May 10-12th, 2024

Similar setup to last year, same target (MONSTER 10-12" Kokes), the lake also hold some bass and trout...so you might be able to check off 3 fish on your AOTY list!

We'll base out of the Dark Day Campground and Dark Day boat launch.  Friday afternoon pre-fish, and should be some campfires and barley pops to be had.  Saturday morning fishing, Saturday afternoon we'll have a pot luck.  Plug-n-jug will be organizing our friendly competition again (Photo based, so keep or release as you like) $10 donation, 100% payout

For those not familiar with Bullards, it’s a super nice place to go fishing.  If you go on a weekday, you'll have the lake to yourself…and be listening for any unwanted banjos.  Come on a weekend, especially in the summer, and you'll need to share the lake with a few folks.  Spring can be gorgeous up there, you get the early morning crisp air of the mountains, the unmistakable smell of pine in the air, and generally a lot of -----quiet---- which is nice.  The Kokes tend to be easy to find, but can hide on some days, they are small, with a limit of ten.  They cook very nicely whole, or just slice them in half, and pull the bones out after cooking.  Personally, I prefer the small BB Kokes to the larger kokes in Fallen Leaf Lake - I cannot yet compare them to the larger cokes over at Whiskeytown.

Camping spaces are limited so get one now if you want to join, and ideally plan to share it with another NCKA camper.
If you're not up for the camping - just join for the day - it a lovely lake and a nice drive.

Agenda
   - Friday 5/12 pre-fish and/or arrive
      ○ Friday evening, walk campfire to campfire, chatting
   - Saturday 5/13
      ○ AM Fish (comp from 7am to noon)
      ○ Afternoon: Biggest Fish comp picture turn in
      ○ 5 PM Pot luck



hope to see you all out there,
Brian.

2
Hey Any Sacto folks or others in the region.  The Sacramento International Sportsmen’s Expo comes to town 1/18-1/21/24

I'm planning to make a day of it on Friday 1/19 - anyone else want to join?

hoping to find some deals on Koke reals this year

See ya,
Brian.

3
General Talk / Natomas Salmon - non fishing/non kayak
« on: October 11, 2023, 10:22:12 AM »
Went out for a bike ride after work yesterday.  Went along the American River Parkway - which is an awesome resource.  Stopped at the Natomas dam and hatchery.  The salmon (big old slabs) were jumping from the water...I've honestly never seen this before in my ~30 years living here.  To be fair, this section would normally be lined with fisherman...but not this year.  It was non stop jumping action - fun to watch.  Also some police shenanigans...and a YouTuber on the spot...which seemed odd?

4
General Fishing Tips / San Diego Lobster opener - no kayak, no fishing
« on: October 02, 2023, 08:21:04 PM »
Found myself in San Diego again for the opener of Lobster season.
but this year, no kayak, no fishing poles, no hoops...

but did get to spend time with my 1 mo old grandson (Lucian), Son, Daughter in law, Daughter, and Dad - good times...
but, next year I'm bringing the Yak...and a life preserver and wet suit for my then 1 year old grand son!


5
General Talk / San Simeon / Leffingwell?
« on: August 14, 2023, 11:35:22 AM »
Hi folks,

anyone have any first hand experience you can share for San Simeon, or Leffingwell for either Shore fishing, Pier fishing or Kayak?

Camping down there next weekend, and looking for any first hand experience folks care to share.

Thanks,
Brian.

6
overdue report

tl;dr
Read the title

Full story
Had a free 3 day weekend, wife busy, time to head to the coast.  Goal, simple, catch squids and halibut in Monterey…that is all, nothing more, nothing less.

Targeted three days of fishing, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

JoeDubC came up and joined me.

Friday, I decided to launch from the Monterey Bay launch.  Lots of work being done in the parking lot, launch was fine - a maze to get out of there, and no fish cleaning station - won't do that again.

Headed out to the red buoy, checking the fish finder all the way out, not seeing much on the finder, not seeing any of the commercial guys out, not even many kayaks and small boats at the red buoy, a bunch of PB's out past the point, but that was too far, especially with no intel on the space.  I started fishing my one and only squid rig…I felt hits occasionally, but not able to land anything, Joe was having modest success.  Heard a radio call from Johnny Ab on the radio…ok this must be it, pedaled over, did our say howdies,  and, this is not exactly how it went…but this is how I perceived it.  I'd drop my line, feel nothing, reel up a bit, jig it, feel nothing etc.  Johny, his buddy on the PB, Joe, they were all giggling like school kids, just catching boat loads of squid.  Me…0 goose egg, nada, nothing,  them…I think they were dumping squid overboard they had caught so many.  Like I said, My impression….may be *slightly* off…but accurate.

After about 100 limits of CnR Johnny and his buddy had to go to work, they called me over gave me some squids for fishing and eating (generous) and then Johnny asks what in my kill bag…I'm thinking, probably a  dead skunk…but I blurt out, just some ice and bait, he quickly tosses in a nice Cabezon he caught…thanks buddy.

You know, I was frustrated with my (poor) fishing skills, but I was loving the day.  Weather, wind and waves were perfect, nice overcast morning that I so appreciate coming from the blue sky sunny heat of the valley.

After a while, Joes boat is about to capsize with so many squid and Mable.   So he's like, "Hey, lets' catch Halibut with all these squid we've been catching….errrr….I mean, I've been catching, and before the Coasties come over and tell me I'm not seaworthy with all this squid on board…meanwhile, he's popping some squid sashimi in his mouth, and playing squid fetch with Mable.

I tell him I'm (atypically) dedicated to squid and stay behind. An hour or so later, he calls me on the radio, one Hali in the kill bag…I'd better hurry over…I'm still stuck at 0, goose egg, skunky for squid. 

I finally start pedaling over, realizing I'm now so frustrated….I'm just no good.
I occasionally drop a sabiki on the peddle over - nothing. I get to the hotel area just in time for the skunks to do back strokes across the ocean.

End of day, 0 fishies, 0 squids.

I cooked Johnny's Cabbie with some butter and served with grilled peppers and ricearoni - delicious - thanks, Johnny!


Saturday, thought I'd try CG pier launch, straight out access to the bay, parking lot jammed with divers, no fish cleaning station - headed over to MBK and shore launched.  I'll stick with MBK going forward.

Launched from MBK, straight to the halibut sands. I caught zero Halibut, crossed paths with a fellow who immediately caught a 40 incher, within seconds of when my bait passed….awesome fish, so cool to see him catch and land.  He was using a big smelt he'd sabiki'd up.

I started fishing the sabiki, caught a rocky of course - freed him.  Caught a few smelts, and began fishing them.

I ended up catching two RF and keeping one…though I'm not sure why I did, after that I was limited to 1 pole, so I could not fish for bait and Halibut at same time.  Not that it mattered in the end.  I think I just needed re-assurance that I could actually catch a fish, and lunch too.

Sunday Morning, the wind came up early, and I packed up and headed home.  It was a fun weekend, though still frustrated to skunk for my target species. 

Things I need to change, 1. get a stiffer rod, 2. get a new squid jig from FW - I think my (Amazon) jig may have some issues - possibly not sharp enough?

7
General Fishing Tips / Casini Ranch / Russian River / Duncan Mills
« on: April 06, 2023, 10:50:30 AM »
I'm camping with some (non-fishing) friends in a few weekend (Mid April) at Casini Ranch, which is on the Russian River near Duncan Mills.

any local knowledge on fishing that section of river?  probably won't bring my kayak, though will throw a few rods in the truck - any knowledge/info much appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian.

8
General Fishing Tips / Halibut Rig - tie my own
« on: March 16, 2023, 09:28:05 AM »
Hi All,

I'm planning to tie up some of my own halibut rigs again this year.  I've had mixed results with store bought, and enjoy tieing them.  Biggest challenge - which hooks to use.  Last year I went to FW in RC, picked up some hooks they had - worked well.  This year, I'd like to get more, and looking for recommendations on which specific hooks people use, and where they get them.

Thanks,
Brian.

9
Fishing Tournaments and Events / Bullards Bar fish and Chill 5/12-5/14
« on: January 19, 2023, 11:47:23 AM »
Bullards Bar Fish'n'Chill Friday 5/12-Sunday 5/14, 2023

Hey all, planning a Fish n chill at Bullards Bar, Dark Day Camp/Launch the weekend of May 12-14th, 2023

We're going to catch some of those *Monster* Kokanee Salmon that lurk the depths of Bullards Bar.  These Kokes are the stuff of legend (said nobody)….if you eat one, you'll be so satisfied and stuffed…you might just eat 5 more.  There are also some bass and trouts to be had, but the Koke bite at BB is really a fun one.

We'll base out of the Dark Day Campground and Dark Day boat launch.  Friday night should be some campfires and barley pops to be had.  Saturday morning fishing, Saturday night we'll have a pot luck.  It has also been suggested we have some sort of fish competition, with a buy-in pot.  Sounds fun, still need to work out the details…after all, a sub-legal bass would still be bigger than a nice spring Koke from Bullards.  If we have a comp, I would plan on it being photo based - if you want to keep and eat the fish - do it, but I wouldn't want anyone to feel compelled to keep a fish, just to have it measured.

For those not familiar with Bullards, it’s a super nice place to go fishing.  If you go on a weekday, you'll have the lake to yourself…and be listening for any unwanted banjos.  Come on a weekend, especially in the summer, and you'll need to share the lake with a few folks.  Spring can be gorgeous up there, you get the early morning crisp air of the mountains, the unmistakable smell of pine in the air, and generally a lot of -----quiet---- which is nice.  The Kokes tend to be easy to find, but can hide on some days, they are small, with a limit of ten.  They cook very nicely whole, or just slice them in half, and pull the bones out after cooking.  Personally, I prefer the small BB Kokes to the larger kokes in Fallen Leaf Lake - I cannot yet compare them to the larger cokes over at Whiskeytown.

Camping spaces are limited so get one now if you want to join, and ideally plan to share it with another NCKA camper.

Agenda
   - Friday 5/12 pre-fish and/or arrive
      ○ Friday evening, walk campfire to campfire, chatting
   - Saturday 5/13
      ○ AM Fish
      ○ Afternoon: Biggest Fish comp picture turn in
      ○ PM Pot luck

04/25/23: for the fun competition, I' thinking all fish must be caught between 7am and noon, either text the pic to me, or we'll setup a WhatsApp group so all can see (would be more fun as long as all have WhatsApp).  In the case of a tie, we'll look at the second fish.  Everyone throw some $$ into the pot for the prize ($20? or $10 each?), we'll do a 50%/30%/20% split for 1, 2 and 3 (assuming we have 10 or more fishing).  Never done this before so any who are going - feel free to provide feedback.

For the potluck, I'm thinking start at 5. more on the food later.


the list I have so far
1. Brian (bbt95762) and Elena Tucker (non Yaker): Site 4T
2. Kevin (PlugNJug): tent in 4T
3. Ken (?): tent in 4T
4. Al's Hobie: 7
5. John (3$J): 8
6. FishGr: 5
7. FishCmpGuy (is this Ken?): tent in 4T
8. Corey: 3T
9. Joe: tent in 4T

Canadian Jerkey day trippin' Saturday

10
AOTY / AOTY site down?
« on: January 03, 2023, 08:41:16 AM »
I've not been able to access for the past few day? anyone else having this issue?

Thanks,
Brian.

11
Hobie Kayaks / Railblaza C-Tug-R for PA?
« on: January 03, 2023, 08:40:03 AM »
Hey,
do any of you have experience with the RailBlaza C-Tug-R with a PA or even an outback?

getting tired of using the hobie through scupper cart, and dumping my yak when I want to load it back to the car.

The Railblaza looks nice, easy for one person to load the yak onto the cart - fully loaded - but looking for first hand experience before I drop some cha-ching on it.

Thanks,
Brian.

12
General Fishing Tips / Fishing navigation apps
« on: December 15, 2022, 10:47:15 AM »
Hi All,

considering making the leap to Navionics ($25/yr) to get live charts in my hand, especially like how they include the various restriction zones as well.  very much don't like the cost...for an app that is essentially just showing me charts they get from the government for free.  Now, the app is capable of much much more...but on a kayak, I won't be using many of those capabilities.

I really just want an app that reads the charts, overlays the MPE's etc.

anyone using something different?

I looked into C-MAP (free) but the free version is online only, and no MPE support.

13
General Fishing Tips / Preparing Crab bait
« on: November 10, 2022, 08:15:48 AM »
Hey all, hoping to learn a little from y'all on how you prep your crab baits.

my routine.  I pull all my frozen baits from the freezer the morning I head out, then cram them into my bait cans.

what I use:
1. fish carcasses and heads I've saved
2. fish baits that have taken too many trips with me (chovies, squids, etc)
3. can of 'bad' cat food if I have one
4. chicken leg zip tied to the bottom of the hoop.

I was wondering if maybe I should let the baits thaw and 'stew' for a while before sending them under, to let the aroma build up more.  Maybe pre-pack the cans a day early, and let them sit without ice or refrigeration?


14
General Fishing Tips / fishy NorCal piers
« on: November 01, 2022, 11:22:45 AM »
I'm looking for a good pier to take my Dad fishing.  why a pier? free helps, and also very stable, I think he'd have a hard time on a boat - unless it was perfect glass, and jetty would be a non starter.

I took him bank fishing on the Sac a few weeks ago, and he really enjoyed that.  Got a tug on his line, and a bunch of follows.

any pier that might produce some fish would be fun, even catching bait fish supplies a tug on the line, bonus points if we could drop a hoop for some crabs.

I would appreciate any recommendations, and what are the target

Thanks in advance,
Brian.

15
General Fishing Tips / Not Kayak Related: Ft Klamath Red Band
« on: October 24, 2022, 07:09:44 AM »
Visited some friends on their property near Ft Klamath Oregon this past weekend.  The area is primarily ranches, and our friend has access to many of the ranches to fish.  The area is known for the population of Red Band Trout.  We fished the same area in June '21 (I think I wrote a report)  didn't land any on that attempt.  Went back to the best of the holes, and fished it only once.  I brought a fly rod, large spinning rod, and a ultralight spinning rod.

I floated a fly up and down and sideways with no response from the fish.  after a while, gave up on that.

switched to my regular spinning rod, with a couple different baits - no response.

switched to my ultralight (backpacking rod) with 6# mono (same line that came with the rod 15 years ago).  Tied on a silvery glittery squid on a 1/8oz head, toss it a few times - boom, get hit, get tugged, pop off it goes.  I toss it a few more times - no takers.

I switched to a road runner slab runner, silver with a spinning blade.  Toss twice more BOOM, set the hook, and work to bring in this fish that is beyond the drag capability of my small spinning rod.   I tried tightening down more - but no avail, all I could do was keep grinding it in while it was pulling it out.  I worked him up river a bit to a flatter spot in the bank, git him in shallow, then he wallowed in the shallow water for a while, and got him up to the bank where I could get under his gill plate and lift him.  Red Band trout, measured out to 24", and guessing about 5#.  The creek we were fishing is CnR for trout - so after admiring the beauty ...back to the stream it went.  I resuscitated it for a while, then splash off he went back to his hole.  Easily my PB trout.  I will be back, and will try to find some in a Catch and Eat stream or lake.

These fish love to hang under the banks.  The banks over hang the creeks/rivers a few feat as the beaver or otters burrow and their burrows collapse.   I'll be tying up some new flies for next time.

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