Forebay Report 1-29

I showed up late.  Too much partying with the dancing girls.  I got there 10am.  Joel, Bill, Chuck and a guy we have not seen in a while.  Not, since Linda Mar for me....Fred.

Wind and waves were up when I started kicking.  I used my Hobie Outback.  Easier to troll with.  Got about 5-6 little ones and 2 keepers (only 18 1/2 and 19 inches).  

Fred and Chuck got some stripers that were 21 to 22 inches and Bill got one (maybe 19 inches.  Bill would know better).

Fred and Chuck got them drifting minnows (I think?) .  Bill and I got them trolling on my lure.

Good fishing with you guys.  I think everyone got atleast a few undersize and WE ALL OUT FISHED JOEL!!!!  I will let Joel talked about his BIG FISH OF THE DAY.  Joel can catch fish that I didnot think they hit lures.

Ken

Ken, that report about sums it up.  I only got two fish for the day, but the bigger one hit a small crankbait on the troll.  Your "favorite 4bay lure" made me a believer as it did out fished everything else we trolled.... in quantity of strikes anyways.

I spoke to Stuart on the drive home.  Although the state record striper may have come out of the O'neill Forebay (around 65lbs... I think), he said the area was notorious for producing quantity (little dinks) instead of quality fish.  I think he's right on.  It was a fun day on the water regardless.  Bill should have some nice pics.  I look forward to seeing'em.

Chuck,
Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the Forebay.  Back then, the limit was 5 stripers, no size limit.  Limits were very, very common, but large fish were RARE (for us).   I've personally seen a 29 and approx 25 lb fish taken from the Forebay, so I know they're there.  Plus, go to Lucky Larry's in Santa Nella and drool over the picts.  For us, the top end was one 10 lb fish in the Forebay, so I guess we never figured out how to get quality fish.
In the main lake, our average fish was much bigger, though the bite was more sporadic.  For us, it was tougher to catch fish in the main lake, but the average was 4-5lbs with a couple in the double digits.
Based on Barney's and Rickey's posts, the bigger fish in the forebay may be hangin in the weeds, more accessable to kayakers and float tubers.  Summer time that place becomes a haven for water skiers/jet skiers, so its better to fish the main lake, or better yet, the ocean.

Stuart

Or better yet, just go to Mendo.  Its not really all that far...about 1:45 from the gate, and the average fish is 8-12#.

Yeah it was a good day on the water, well at least better than hanging around at home... I finally got my high back seat dialed in right so it was one of my more comfortable days on the water.

I trolled from one end on the forebay to the other in the beginning with no luck. Ken was kind enough to let me borrow one of his Forebay killer lures and about 2 minutes later I caught my only keeper of the day, 18 1/2 inches. I picked up about 5 more fish all probably under 12'.

I am going to break Joel's secret though. Joel likes to hunt the exotic fish of his yak. First the elusive green sturgeon fell to Joel's charms, now the kayak record carp is in Joel's ever growing record book!!



That is Ken's first keeper in there as well.

This is my first time fishing with Fred and I think this guy has some kind of condition that prevents him from feeling cold. Here he is right after launching in the morning. It was about 46 degrees and the wind was blowing about 10 mph. This guy is in shorts    



Joel caught the most fish but no keepers (other than the kayak carp record) Here is everyones haul for the day:



Fred , Bill, Chuck and Ken

Nice weather once the wind calmed down around 11. I am ready to hit San Luis proper anytime!

Yes...there was no soup for me at the Forebay   But - I did catch 7 undersized stripers and one HEEEUUGE carp (15#). So, far I have caught a rare green sturgeon and a big carp (gigantus carpcus) off a kayak....gotta get some credit for catching the "exotics"  

It was a fun day as usual - Glad to see Fred made it out there!

Good seeing you Fred!

Peace out!

Joel / Hana Pa'a

Yes...there was no soup for me at the Forebay   But - I did catch 7 undersized stripers and one HEEEUUGE carp (15#). So, far I have caught a rare green sturgeon and a big carp (gigantus carpcus) off a kayak....gotta get some credit for catching the "exotics"  

I was trolling in 5 ft. of water when the carp hit - I thought it was a catfish at first but after a 5 min. battle on 8 # line, the carp went belly up. After a quick kodak moment, the carp was released.

It was a fun day as usual - Glad to see Fred made it out there!

Good seeing you Fred!

Peace out!


Joel / Hana Pa'a

Joel, did you keep that carp?  Are they good eating?  Looks like a giant goldfish...

Nope.  Nobody wanted the carp.  Not even Chuck and he has been know to says "that he would try to eat anything atleast once".

Joel did not want it because he said he does not know how to cook.  I think they made that Carl's Jr. commercial after him.  Some Guys Would Just Starve.

All carp were release unharmed.

Ken

Looks like a giant goldfish...

That's basically what carp is...if you release a tiny gold fish in the wild, they become BIG carp.

I've seen many BIG carp in Steven's Creek (I actually caught one on the creek below the dam with a rooster tail on 4# line) I remember seeing one big one by the launch ramp - and it was bright gold in color!

Speaking of Steven's Creek, I dropped by there yesterday afternoon after a trip to Fisherman's Warehouse. Apparently, DFG stocked trout just recently. There were a few fisherman with a couple of fish on their stringers - nothing big - typical planters.

Or better yet, just go to Mendo. Its not really all that far...about 1:45 from the gate, and the average fish is 8-12#.

Hey Sean - I though the bite was over with at Mendo?

It was about 46 degrees and the wind was blowing about 10 mph. This guy is in shorts  

Bill -    Fred is part human / part Hippo....this guy wears the same outfit when he fishes the ocean. He's definitely a tough guy  

Hana-I thought it was over too, but the Lake is starting to clear and I caught a nice fat 26-27 inch unit in about 1/2 an hour on Saturday test paddling the x-factor.  Went out for a few minutes on Sunday (had a major honey-doo that hogged damn near the entire weekend) and saw a guy with 2 on the stringer.  I am going to go Friday unless the ocean is nice.

Thanks for the update Sean - just keep posting about mendo stripers - I'd like to make another weekend camping trip there soon  

Hey Joel,

Remember, it's a whole $2 to bring your date (AKA Dog).

Ken