Too damn hot! Time to go night fishing the delta?

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.

Great report! That egret must’ve wanted to join you on your “hammock”…

Thanks NowhereMan!

Thanks for sharing your night fishing report and experience Albiec22.

That's pretty cool.  Thanks for the report.

That was a fun read, thanks for sharing!  Reminds me that I've had similar ideas that I need to turn into adventures. Also reminded me about the trip to New Hogan, think is next month?  Night time stripers