San Pablo Reservoir opening day

Woke up early and was ready to go but i discovered that I lost my cell phone.  After searching for the electronic leash and then contacting everyone by email to inform them I was not reachable it was already around 9am.  Didn't want to waste the time off so I said screw it and headed for the reservoir.  The lower parking lot was 75% full and the reservoir was pretty high.  The fishing was slow and the water condition was OK but not clear.  It was not muddy but some parts of the reservoir is full of floating debris.  I trolled the whole lake using jointed Rapala in blue and firetiger and did not get a single hit.  Some fish were caught on the other side but it was slow near the Main Rec. and only a few fish were caught when I arrived.  I was just glad to get out and get a chance to workout on the yak.  This is one reservoir that I can't dial-in using the trolling method but I have caught fish on bait.  I just didn't want to fish using bait so I paddled and paddled until I circled the whole body of water.  Here are some shots of the launch ramp and the lake but no fish.

Nice try Isda. I will be fishing that lake once it clears up a little more. Thanks for
the report and pictures. We'll need to hookup sometime there bro.

Jedmo

Left the trophy for me.... thanks... 

 That's to bad, nice try,,,, I like how high the water is to making a rec launch much more comfortable, thats Great....

Thanks for the report....

Sorry for the skunk on opening day!  Thanks for the report and pictures Luis.

Those fat ones in there are bound to be caught sooner or later.  nice try

I organized a NCKA hook up for the SPR opener 2 years ago and we had more than 10 experienced anglers and skunks for everyone. Water clarity was so bad you would have to snag them to catch anything. At least the shore lunch was fun. 

Are you allowed to launch at the rec area? I'd like to do that, but I've always thought kayaks had to go in at the marina (and pay the boat launch fee, plus get inspected?)

mikechin

Are you allowed to launch at the rec area? I'd like to do that, but I've always thought kayaks had to go in at the marina (and pay the boat launch fee, plus get inspected?)

mikechin

Launching at the main rec. is new this year.  Once you have the Zebra inspection sheet it is good for 30 days and you can launch at the main rec. area.  It saves you a lot of paddling time compared to the main launch area.

Isa thanks for the report what kart is that? I used to fish that lake a lot when they used to fill it up and the best areas for trolling were the shoreline between scow and the dam and the shoreline by the tower.

Isa thanks for the report what kart is that? I used to fish that lake a lot when they used to fill it up and the best areas for trolling were the shoreline between scow and the dam and the shoreline by the tower.

The cart is a modified child jogger with push button removable wheels.  Works great when rolling on hard surface.

I am thinking of posting in hookup section for thurs. morning..
interesting...  i have a love hate to this place... hate the petty fees and miffed that the boat launch is closed since last season on mon-wed... I prefer the launch vs using the cart....but if the fishing is better oer by the main rec. /Scow canyon area..I guess the main rec. launch will save me 30 mins of peddling..

I am with you Isda...if prefer to catch the trout on the troll vs the bait but I may have to succumb to the power bait / or worm if it remains murky.

I bought the 3 mo. combo park / launch for $44 since this place is so close to me..but I will still have to throw down another $4.50 for daily permit...but the 3 month deal is worth it for me cuz I can get onto water in 10 mins from home..

Are you allowed to launch at the rec area? I'd like to do that, but I've always thought kayaks had to go in at the marina (and pay the boat launch fee, plus get inspected?)

No you still need to do the inspection if you launch from main rec. plus you pay for launch..you will need cart plus the launch is right in front of main rec and handicap pier.

I live 2 seconds away for san pablo. I just wanted to say its at its highest that its been in 8-10 years. im super excited. My jaw dropped when i seen it. A good trolling method if to go with a mono leader and a blue fox or something of that nature. ive had the best luck going for cats there. there thick in that place and you dont have to go far to find them. if your lucky you might spot a bald eagle. point being. its super full. Thats when ive had great trout catches