Lake San Antonio smallies 10-13

I fished Lake San Antonio today from 10:30 to 3:30 in my kayak. Primary objective was to catch a smallmouth. Secondary objective was to catch a striper. Unfortunately, I only went 1 for 2 -- got the smallie but no stripers.

I launched at Bahsam Pt ramp on the South Shore. I was tempted to paddle back into Harris Creek to flip into all of the structure. The water is low and there are a lot of exposed trees---looks great for largemouth. But I had a mission to complete, so I paddled out across to some rocky points and worked the bottom with various jigs and plastics.

It was a pretty good day considering I fished in the heat of the day. Final count was 9 smallies and 2 largemouth. Got most of the smallies on a 3/8oz rattle jig in craw color. But also got a few on plastic -- a 4" Renegade cheapo purple worm and also a couple on senkos. The 2 largemouth both came on a senko knock-off too. The smallies went from 12-15 inches and the largemouth were only about 13 inches.

I caught my biggest smallie on a 1/2oz rattle trap, after throwing into a quick boil. It was weird because the fish were breaking on some shad in open water so I rushed over and threw in my trap and BAM! Fish on! I thought for sure it was going to be a striper. But I pulled in a chunky 15" smallmouth. The thing fought like a champ and I had a lot of line out from a mega-distance cast. Almost forgot how hard these guys fight!

A side note: there are more shad right now than ever before. It's crazy. I would love to throw topwater in the early AM. Fish were blowing up pretty frequently but they seemed like individual fish breaking.

There was a slight breeze when I got there but it died down by noon and it was HOT. It felt like 85* which is a heck of a lot hotter than it was in Monterey today! I even got a little sunburned.

It was also a good change from the saltwater rockfish scene. No swell, no wind, and no salt. After spending 98% of my time fishing in the ocean the past few years, it feels really weird to fish freshwater....just a little bit slower and more relaxed. I just puttered around the lake, enjoying a sandwich and beer. 

Here's a couple pics for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy,
PK












 

Nice work on the smallies SC. Those are some cool red eyed devils. Gotta love those days when the action is so fast and furious!

Z

very impressive work and fantastic report, thanks!

Great report of some sweet action, PK!  Nice work.   

Ah, Sin Coast

Practicing for the Silly Valley fun fish? J/K 

Nice work, those smallies are so much fun on a trout pole. Too bad we don't have any in the county.

Good job nice fatties that last one is super dark bet he fought great.

That's a great trip...I've fished there quite a bit and it is a tough lake at times.  Way to go on the smallies!  Next time you'll get a striper too.

It's awesome when you can set out with a specific goal in mind for a specific species and succeed.  Good job! 

  

It's awesome when you can set out with a specific goal in mind for a specific species and succeed.  Good job! 

...I soo0O0oo agree!..cuz it sure pisses the hell out of ya' when you target them for three straight days for NOT!   WTG!! SC!...they sure look purdy.

Nice catch there my man! WTG on the smallies. Better luck next time on the stripers..Andy

I love smallmouth. My favorite bass to catch.

If those fish seem to be on shad, try dartheading the 4 1/2" Roboworms in shad colors like Morning Dawn, Hologram shad or Prizm Shad (). Dartheads are crack for fish. Don't understand why, it just is.

FYI - your spinning reel has the handle on the wrong side, you might want to fix that...........

rob
jrsyboy

I love fishing the shad schools! Wish I was there, nice fish.

I just puttered around the lake, enjoying a sandwich and beer. 

I was hoping for a pic of the sandwich and beer!
Sounds like a relaxing, enjoyable day

Thanks guys! Before yesterday, my best day at San Anton' was probably 3 fish. So I was stoked to finally get into some nice bass.

Yeah, I setup my spin reels "goofy-handed" LOL. My dad taught me to fish and he is a southpaw....so that's how I roll. Although, I still can't cast accurately with my left arm, so I cast with my right and then switch hands.

It was nice to catch a fish on my newish Ugly Stick Tidewater casting rod. Now I've caught a fish on each one of my 29 rods LOL! (This makes me both sad and proud)

Some more details: I was running w/3 rods---2 spinning and 1 baitcasting. All were spooled with either 6 or 8lb mono. I will definitely invest in some dartheads soon. I've heard a lot of good reviews, especially in regards to San Anton' smallies. So you're probably spot-on there, Rob.

Also forgot to mention I got to see the nesting bald eagles that live at the Lake. They were fighting with some other random birds near their nesting tree. That was pretty cool. I would've attempted pics if my camera wasn't such a POS.

Nice report and good fishing. I have always wanted to get down there and never managed. If I remember right Spring is supposed to be great because the eagles are nesting--nice to watch while fishing.