Mendo Pre-Tourny Scouting, 4-30

Bob and I hit Lake Mendo this morning for some pre-tourny scout fishing. Hopefully we didn't use up all our mojo.

We picked up some live minnows then arrived at the south launch around 8:30AM. We launched and paddled south. Neither of us has a FF, so we were just kinda hugging the shoreline. We paddled around the east side of the island, trolling our minnows in tow and checking out the sights. It was the first time either of us have fished the southern part of the lake. We were taking it slow, doing a mix of trolling/drifting. We bumped into Jim and Brian then headed further south and landed in a little cove to stretch our legs and have a quick bite to eat. After a Power Bar and a pear I launched back out and started heading East along the shore. I heard Bob call my name and say he was hooked into a nice fish, so I reeled in a dead minnow I was dragging along the bottom and started paddling towards him. As soon as I picked up the pace my other pole got nailed and I quickly brought in a ~15” chunky striper. Released it and paddled over to Bob and netted him the very nice bass pictured. It taped out at just over 30” and was thick. We both estimated it to weight just over 12lbs. It was definitely heavier than my 11.5lb’er I got there last year.

Bob swore that the striper sprayed him with milt, but I think that Bob was so happy to finally hook a striper here that he got a little....uhhhh....excited. 

We made a few more passes in the area where Bob landed his fish and I think that's where Bob also landed another little schoolie in the 15" range. It was getting hot and we were both tired so we started a slow paddle back towards the launch ramp. As I was paddling I could feel myself getting cooked so I picked up the pace a bit. Shortly after I heard a PFFFFF sound and look over and my pole is bent in half and line is just ripping off of it. I battled the fish for awhile and it kept diving down deep. It felt like a monster the way it was battling. I was thinking it had to be a 40"er, but up pops up a thick 27.5". Wow, sure fought like he was a lot bigger!

After quick photo ops and a little help all fish were released to go get their groove on. Both of the big boys were ripe with milt.

Nice...I saw you guys on 101 near Squaw rock.  Glad you hooked up!

Great Report.  I can't wait for the Tourney next weekend!   

John

It should be a good derby next weekend.  I see that everyone including the fished are aroused.  Yikes!

Oh yeah, the guy at the baitshop said they will DELIVER bait for a $5 delivery fee!

In the short trip from the baitshop to the south launch 4 of our 12 minnows died so you might want to pick up a few extras if you get some.

Can you bring your own live bait? At the saus. boat shop they have huge hybrid minnows- they cant breed- have a somewhat golden shine and last a LONG, LONG time. Up to 4 inches and a buck each. Oh, and how many poles can yiou use at a time? Ben. BTW, I still have site# 93 at kyen campground vacancies.

You can bring your bait and use 2 poles if you buy the 2 rod stamp

Way to go! Again I am jealous 

Jason

Way to go on the Stripers
Jack