San Pablo Dam

Went fishing at San Pablo Dam today lots of other PBs out there I don’t think they have a speed limit crazes  . Had light winds all day but warm, started trolling from the launch ramp at 7:30am made my way down to the dam on my way I caught a 10 inch crappie on a needle fish in 50 feet of water go figure  . I ended up with four Trout and lost two, the largest was 6.5 lb the smallest was 1.5 lbs I caught them on a fire tiger broken back on the surface. Talked with others and the kasmaster blue and silver was also working, also on the surface, off the water at 3:00 all in all a pretty fun day  .

Pat R     

Nice fish and today was a perfect day but I had "Honey Do's" to finish.  They have a speed limit of 25 mph but I think you have to call the main office to report the problem.  Their number is (510) 223-1661 to report problems.  I had a power boater speed by me real close and I called the main office and reported him.  It's a small reservoir and the Park Police station is at the main rec area near the entrance.

Boat Launch information

$4.00 Monday - Friday daily boat launch fee,
$6.50 Saturday & Sunday daily boat launch fee.
$4.00 daily float tube launch fee.
3 lane launch ramp.
No 2-cycle engines, dry stack jet boats, water skies, personal watercraft (jet skis) or windsurfers.
25 MPH speed limit.
Electric motors only in preserve area.
All motor boats must be registered.
Minimum width is 23 1/2 inches on all types of boats.
Minimum length for sailboats, skiffs and inflatables is 7 feet 10 inches.
Minimum length for kayaks and canoes is 10 feet

Pat

Way to go. Got skunked at Chabot yesterday. I did try out my new downrigger. It worked great except for a annoying hum from the wire and I didn't have a clue on what to troll or how far back from the clip. I will have to get a downrigger lesson from you. What size rapala were you using, 5, 7, 9? Let's hookup in the next month.

Scott

Isda I think I may have over reacted I got so use to fishing Del Valle this winter where the speed limit seems to be 5 mph all in all they where OK, but thanks for the info I will keep the NO. on board.

Scott the broken back was a J-7 fire tiger but I caught most of the fish on the surface. I was marking tons of fish from the surface to 15 feet could not get the deep one to do any thing. Don't let that pic fool you I have been to that many times and come home with a sun burn. Let me know be glad to show you around the lake now guarantees  .

Pat R

Pat

Is the humming from the downrigger wire normal? It was surpising loud. I have flush mount scottys which may be amplifying the noise.

scott

Scott I have fished with downrigger most of my life have not found one that did not hummmm while trolling. On one of the posted I think it was Tote had swooped out his wire with 65# sectra not sure if it quited it down or not. I think its the friction of the wire going thru the water and not the way you have it mounted.

Pat R

When I fished with Raymac his two outriggers also hummed.  They resonated at slightly different frequencies even though the setups were identical.  Be interesing to hear from Tote if he gets that because I would think that the braided line would have less tendancy to transmit the vibration up than the rigid steel cable.

On the humming noise.Something you have to live with, or Remove the wire element.Put on a heavyer weight. Put trolling lure farther Back.They say if the fish are interested they will attack.In my trolling experience with planters(electric Boat) it doesn't seam to matter.I use the humm to tell me if i am going the right speed.They put rattles and noise makers. E-Clips to attract fish.Ever put your head under water on a lake and hear all the sounds around you.The humm sound makes for debateable imput.I have heard put a cork on your downrigger line with a big enough hole so that it stays on water serface elemanates the humm.Think of the fish getting ready to attact your offering, the right lure will make the humm go away.Enough.Have a limited day
                                                                                       Ray(raymac)

That's true you can hear the different frequencies when a fish is on but does not have enough weight to pop the clip. I guess you get use to the sound.

Pat R

With Braid you get only a little hum.

Ken kickfish

I have always had the hum from day one. I think Ray is right the right lure always makes the diff. My main concern is length of my lure line. With a dodger in line I think I am more comfortable with a 20" -30" leader. Any thought on that?

Frank,

I think a lot has to due with water clarity and how active the fish are.  I think the fish come up or look at the flash of light.  Thinking it is a school of baitfish.  If the lure or bait is  too far away.  The fish looses interest.  If too close and the fish misses it chance to grab it.  Also, too close and the lure bounces around. Too long and you may not get the right action the fish are looking for.

If the fish are not active the long leader is better.  Or, do what I do slow troll, drift or bobber "the stinky powerbait."

Over at Topaz, 2 years ago.  I was nailing the 15" to 16" trout with a rainbow dodger & worm.  I was hitting bottom and reel back up a few feet and letting the Yak drifting in front of the Casino.  Also, would let the trout eat, before setting the hook.

Ken kickfish

pat

Sorry to highjack your string. I re-posted under fishing tips. May head out to San pablo this Friday or Saturday if conditions are OK. let me know if you want to hookup.

scott

Pat!! you slayed em'!  I thought I did good on friday,came to work on tuesday and saw your post.....DAM better than mine!
Way to work that place.I trolled a fire-tiger like hell last year and could not get a hit.
Thanks fer da report and see you out there,somewhere

nice pic of your fish dad it almost makes me want to cry seeing my yak sitting there collecting dust for a cuppla weeks now well i will get out there soom love ya
matt