Friday 9/11 San Luis Res. Anyone?

Looking to catch a couple stripers- company welcome.

Any lure suggestions/ bait suggestions would be appreciated- my first time fishing freshwater in Cali.

I am a fly fisher at SLR and the Forebay--I always bring a spinning rod, some plastics for Bass, and lures for Stripers, but never pick them up once I start catching with files., but I think trolling and casting Rapala-like lures in blue silver or white silver, Rattle traps in Shad, Hair-raiser jigs in white, and spoons like the Kastmaster and Crocodile work fine in shad and silver patterns from what I hear. Someone else can weigh in. Of course live bait works well too.

I recommend the Forebay over the lake--the lake is really drawn down and you need to drive and slog the kayak through lots of reservoir mud to get to the water. They keep the Forebay filled as it is the equalizing basin for the Delta Mendota Canal and it's always cold because the water comes from the bottom of the reservoir--100 or so feet deep.

Call the wind line for the Forebay (1-800-805-4805) before you go--it was roaring at 14-26 mph yesterday--only slowed down to 7 mph for a few hours and then climbed back up. It isn't quite time for FAC at the Forebay yet but it's only a month away when the weather cools down. sometimes and offshore flow gives us a break this time of year but it is usually hot as Hades at Los Banos when that happens--still great evening fishing.

I might go to the Forebay next week if things settle down and I get out from under projects I am working. But the wind will decide on any given day.

Thanks a ton for the wind advisory hotline- I've read wind gusts can reach 30 mph on a rough day. My plan was to troll several different rapalas, spoons, and plastics- approx 60 ft behind me and just paddle most of the day.
Now being inland, I should be safe in normal clothing? No wet suit needed in that kind of heat I hope.
Wheres the place to launch from for the forebay???

You don't need a wet suit, I usually wear waders, a shirt (maybe a jacket/gloves/ depending on time of year/conditions) and booties (I have a pair an extra size larger for wearing with waders in kayak or float tube with fins).

There are two roads into the Forebay: 1) San Luis Creek leading to the boat launch you can launch from the shore around the boat launch, there is a right branch that goes to the Islands area across from the Medeiros (great evening boils and top water in 2-3 ft of water) Flats and you can shore launch there, or a left branch that goes to Check #12 ( a 42 pounder was caught there in August on a Pile Worm from the shore).

2) Medeiros: instead of turning into San Luis Creek continue on and exit Gustine/Santa Nella to 33 Turn left at the stop sign and a 1/4 mile on the left is the Medeiros Entrance after teh pavement ends you can go right to Check #13 or left along the flats campgrounds to the islands and down to the bridge over 152--park anywhere and launch anywhere. The fish tend to stay in the channel by Check #13 during the day, but move into the flats in the evening and morning.

Lee Haskin gives all-day guided seminars on float tube fly fishing the Forebay--well worth the $125--I paid $90 over a decade ago and it was worth every penny. I still run into Lee there and he still remembers me. No better fisher and all-around guy than Lee.

From Western Bass: http://www.westernbass.com/nevada/library/view.html?id=2286

i've got friday off and am planning to hit the water somewhere.  either the forebay or the delta to try out my new kayak.  will be dependent on the wind conditions.

Another kayak? Where have I heard that before?

The marine forecast for the wknd looks kinda nasty. Might have to resort to freshwater. If so, the Forebay on Sat w/b a decent option. Just thinking out loud....

I love to join u guys. I'm heading to Reno for the Reno Balloo Race to take some photos. Have fun.

Given the uncertain ocean fcast for the pre- and full-weekend, I'll likely end up at the Forebay if the wind is tame (under 10)--either in float tube  (high wind--small area to fish) or kayak (low wind--large area to cover) depending upon the wind level and fish setup seems to be when I get there. I may well be there Thu afternoon-PM, Fri afternoon-PM and Sat AM. Have a commitment Sat evening so have to return before sundown.

Friday anytime is perfect by me... start off with sunrise if i can...
if the reservior is reachable without trouble/MUD I'd like to try it, if not the forebay is just as good.

since the marine forecast is for big waves I was thinking maybe San Luis on Saturday. Haven't heard of any yakkers doing the main dam, however that's where the next state record is hiding. You could possibly hit it from pre-daybreak to 9-10 AM when the wind comes up. If so I would go to the launch on the south east side, by the dam and paddle west towards the back end and let the wind carry me back toward the launch. Last time I was there (main dam - San Luis) I was going for American Shad in July, but the water level was down too low for my favorite shad spot. I did catch one legal striper right on the mudline with a 3-4 inch stormbait, Threadfin shad imitation. They say the island near the dam is a good place for striper. You could also try trolling crappie jigs or shad darts for American Shad.

I am going there this afternoon with the float tube (tube is light and is easy to shove in the back of the SUV and drive around to scout--kayak launching is more involved and best done once a day) to scope things out--kayak tomorrow and or Sat at dawn if the wind holds off. It was 0 mph at 0630 when I was walking my Springers--I have the wind line on speed dial on my mobile .

Forebay though--no mud slogging in a very low reservoir for me and less chance of wind spoiling the party. Sure, they (DFG) once netted a 101# or so female in the reservoir. But someone caught a 42#er in August at Check #12 in the Forebay. So if size and sport are your goal, the Forebay is just fine--it holds about half the Striped Bass records for the State I believe (most from float tubes BTW). Plus it is more easily negotiated in float tubes and kayaks and other small craft safely. As for fishing conditions: it gets a bit less wind than the reservoir, it is always near full unlike the reservoir,  and stays cold because the water comes from the bottom of the reservoir making the Stripers feisty all year round. I love that place--it is my fresh water temple.

A word about size and macho test-your-mettle-against-nature stuff. Just my perspective--not preaching just sharing. I did that in the military and got it out of my system against more worthy foes (myself, others, weather etc.) in more equal combat. I feel that I am part of nature and not there to dominate and plunder it into submission. Don't get me wrong, taking some fish is fine and even helpful to winnow the population in most places--and it's an individual choice and I make it sometimes often enough. It is legal for now as long as we keep things in balance and we need to remember that balance is key. But I mostly C&R at San Luis and the Forebay since they don't offer spawning and I don't keep the big ones anyway--the little ones are more numerous (less missed) and taste better. Plus as I get older I revere older things in nature that have struggled to survive and won--they deserve to not have me end it because I am smarter--because I am not better and I too struggle to survive. I am not starving and don't need to kill them to survive either. Just my ethic--not pushing it on anyone just sayin' FYI in case you want to consider it at the Forebay. Most of those fish are raised in pens there--most did not get there naturally--nearly every one you take was put there by someone's hard work and money.

My plan is to try the res. tomorrow launching from dinosaur point, if the mud is too much to handle i will launch the forebay near san luis creek.
trolling rapalas most of the day for stripers and fishing structures for anything that bites

Good Luck
Just IMO you will likely end up fighting the wind in you go to Dino. The Basalt launch might work better and you will be closer to O'Neill Forebay if things don't work out Take Basalt Rd right after you hit the valley floor
http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=h&lat=37.034136&lon=-121.091788&zoom=16&q1=santa%20nella%20ca

Will def take your advise on it. dont want to get stuck in the wind, i know it can pick up without notice around so i'll fish as many structures/drop offs I can.