Hi everyone,

I've been curious about night fishing the delta, but I never got the chance to actually do it. With the heat wave, I was debating going early to HMB for the opener. But then I remembered the zoo the last few years during salmon opener, and that decided it. Got to Tracy by 8pm, still was 90 degrees! By the time I rigged up and launched, it was already dark. I didn't want to navigate the river in the dark, so I went a short distance past Hammer Island into the Old River to find the cove that I had been scoping. With a 6000 lumen spotlight in hand, navigation lights and an LED pole, I made sure I was very visible on the water. Night time is spooky time, and I slowly made my way to the cove. I had a 10lb anchor with me in the bow, along with a small 3lb kayak anchor in the stern. Definitely did not want to drift off into the pumps.

I brought shrimp only this time (forgot the chicken livers, will remember that next time), and I had a hard time keeping bait on the hook. It seems the crawdads are really good at stealing bait. I also need to add a small float to the leader to keep the bait off the bottom, away from the crawdads. All learnings for next time. I pumped my sleeping pad, and got onto the ama. Man, it was comfortable! Like fishing from a hammock! There was a slight breeze to keep the mosquitos at bay, but every time I turned on a light, I was invaded by a thousand bugs. I figured out that if I just had my navigation lights on, the bugs were kept to a minimum while still attracting the bluegill and redear! Note to self, bring a light flyrod and poppers! Next time!

I turned in at midnight, lulled to sleep by chirping crickets and sonorous bullfrogs. It was sooo peaceful, a complete 180 from the daytime when every other minute a red-flaked bass boat blasts by. At around 3am, I was suddenly startled by a flapping and a piercing shriek. I opened my eyes in time to see a great egret soar 6 feet above my head. My first thought was that it was the Delta Ghost come to get me and gave a startled yell. The egret skimmed above the water and landed just beyond my bow. I had to take a few breaths to calm down before I drank some water, checked my bait (gone! Damn crawdads!) and went back to sleep.

I awoke to the sounds of the first bass boat buzzing by at 5am. Once awake, I saw rings surrounding me and again highlighted  to bring a flyrod next time. By the time I made it to launch, I already had 10 bass boats passing me. Packed up and home in time to make breakfast for the family.

No fish, but a great learning experience and an awesome adventure. Next time, I will definitely start earlier. Navigating the delta at night is not fun, and every familiar landmark looks like a capsize about to happen. Will most definitely be bringing a flyrod next time, along with a crawdad trap.

Tightlines and sorry for the long-winded post. I've been lurking for many years and have run into many members either in my yak or in my portabote. This trip was inspired by the adventures of Mr. X. As long as you know your limits, and have safety as a priority, it's OK to challenge yourself every now and then.

Hi everyone,

Can anyone recommend a good primer on servicing an outboard? Like an How to use an Outboard for Dummies (me)? I see there are a few recommendations on Amazon, but I trust NCKA opinions more. The one I'm looking at is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1574092359/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

And I am someone who is very much NOT mechanically minded. But talk to me about communication switch network design, and I'll talk your ear off....

Welp, my outboard crapped out on me this past weekend at HMB. I'm the original owner of this POS outboard, still on warranty, so nothing out of my wallet, but 3 services for the past 2 years?!? First service was an issue with the compression in July of 2019, they had to replace with new cyclinder and head. 2nd issue was impeller, less than a month after I got the outboard back. This last issue, looks like oil was leaking from the oil compressor before it is injected into the top gearing.

Did I get a lemon?!? To add insult to injury, this outboard always seems to dislike salmon season, as it finds ways to crap out during peak salmon season. I mean, seriously, WTF? To top it all off, the local authorized Suzuki repair shop has a backlog of 1.5 months! That means I'm out of an outboard until October!!

I shoulda followed the recommendation from the dudes at the Capitola boat rentals and saved some $/headaches/heartaches with a Tohatsu.....

Sorry for the rant. I purposely bought this thing for salmon....and now I don't trust it anymore! 2+ miles offshore is no place to not have faith in your outboard.

Yes, I know. I'm speaking about my outboard the way I would talk about marriage commitment....

I need therapy. Or a good mechanic.

ARGH....cabin fever and waiting for sturgeon bite is getting the best of me...anyone thinking of going out and hauling traps? Magicseaweed, Windy, Windfinder, NOAA all say it should be doable...Need to feel that I can bring home the bacon once in a while and redeem myself in the wife's eyes....

Hi everyone,

Checking the weather and swell forecast, 12/29 HMB seems borderline doable early in the morning before the winds pick up in the afternoon. Is anyone up for one last shot? Backup is sturgeon, so I'm going fishing, regardless.

I've tried a Cobra MRHH350 and a West Marine-labeled radio....both units last for about 3 years and then the Li-ion battery loses charge. A new battery costs $30-50.

I wish Cobra made an IP8 version of their MRHH125....because I really like the ability in emergencies to use standard AA batteries.

Is there a handheld that is at least IP7 and has the ability to use standard AA *AND* Li-ion batteries?

Is there a cheaper source than the Big Hammers? I love using swimbaits, but at $3-4 a pop for the 3oz, I don't fish them as much as I'd like. Anyone have a source?