Sat 14 Forebay

I got on the water right at sunrise with some Fly fishing tubers. The first thing I noticed is that the water level had fallen about 3-4 feet. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal but wth the amount of weeds at Forebay it made it snag city. Paddling across the lake to the channel was tough because all the weeds would snag on my Mirage Drive so I had to pull it while heading out. There were a few boils but short lived and not too active. I trolled a RatlTrap across the rockwall with little action. Cast some jerkbait and got about 4 dink LM bass and one decent one. Went back to the weedline and cast around some more but no action. Dunno if the water lowering effects the fish or not but it seemed that the fish were a bit timid.

I wanted to cast some in the weeds but the weeds were so thick it was impossible. So I decided to try from shore before I left. There really wasn't any wind to speak of the whole morning but then, one small gust, and the next blew hard... and didn't stop! It was like someone hit the switch to the wind fan. So it was definitely time to go. A little slow but live bait might have been the ticket. Will try some next time.

BTW, anyone know how long minnows will last in a bait bucket without an aerator? I wanna fish early but the bait shop won't be open then so I'll have to buy the evening before.

Z

BTW, anyone know how long minnows will last in a bait bucket without an aerator? I wanna fish early but the bait shop won't be open then so I'll have to buy the evening before.

Coyote Bait and Tackle opens at 6AM ... http://www.coyotebait.com/home.html and is kind of on the way.

Sorry to hear the conditions changed so much from last weekend.

-Allen

Nice try. At least you had nice weather. Man that wind can roar when it wants to and I am sure the reservioir was even worse. Once the Central Vallye really cools down for the year, thigns will get a bit better. It has no business being in the 80s in mid-October. None 

Coyote Bait and Tackle opens at 6AM ... http://www.coyotebait.com/home.html and is kind of on the way.

Nice! THanks Pole2

I just want to say I appreciate Marmot taking the time to post his report late Saturday after a long day (on a different thread).  I'm sure it would have been easier to post it the next day.  But I was able to read it at 4 am the next morning in time to cancel my trip.  Saved a lot of grief and gas and it wouldn't have been fun to show up and have no company to fish with anyway.

I just want to say I appreciate Marmot taking the time to post his report late Saturday after a long day (on a different thread).

No problem Doug--that's what reports are for to help each other out. Its temptlign to only psot good ones, but the negative ones are just as helpful sometimes. Always call the Wind Line before you go--its updated 24 hours a day and gives the last 60 minutes of wind by twenty-minute intervals. Even if we all agree to meet, check it anyway particularly if we are plannign on a sunrise launch--it can save you a drive for nothing. +1 800 805 4805.

Minnows...there is Ly's 1051 E. Capitol Expy, San Jose....408-629-9644 and Fishery Supply  978 Story Rd, San Jose...408-293-6593.  Call the stores sometimes they open early on weekends.

Ken kickfish

BTW, anyone know how long minnows will last in a bait bucket without an aerator? I wanna fish early but the bait shop won't be open then so I'll have to buy the evening before.

Z

Thanks for the report, I have experienced those weed and even with the paddle they are a nuisance.

There is Larry's bait and tackle just past the entrance to the forebay, if you keep heading east, it's about two miles up on the left (north) side about a mile before HWY 5.  I think it is officially called Luck Larry's or Leapin Larry's, either way it has always been open on as drive by it on the way there.

Also, I have purchased minnows the evening before an outing and they have survived the entire next day.  I just keep them in a bucket in the garage, assuming it is not too warm.  I don't know if this helps, but a few times in the evening and in the morning as I am getting read to leave, I take a scoop of water from the bucket and dump it back into the bucket to manually add more oxygen.

Brian 3Dog

The wife and I got there at about 2 on Saturday and found the wind blowing hard, so we hung with the fly guys for the night and had a great party, crashing sometime past 2am.  The wind blew clear through to about 10 when it let up for 10 minutes and came back with a vengance.

Great party though....