Berryessa shakedown cruise 2/5

Short version:
I skunked. Fish showed up scattered throughout the water column, bigger makes suspended or on bottom. Bait appeared to be high in the column and scattered. I found no significant bait balls in open water, in the backs of coves, or in Putah/Pope creeks. Surface temp 51 degrees. I fished the full range of offerings, trolled fasts and slow, tried both jigging and mooching.

More details-
Found this video (probably while looking at FB?)

 Tactic is pretty similar to my favorite way to target landlocked kings, though the cured herring is a new wrinkle. I will continue to try this method (just ask MooMoo how well it works!)



This is typically the time of year I would be toplining for trout. Targeting kings under bait balls is fun, and I had not done it at Berryessa. In the video above and some other he has put out on YT, he describes Jan/February as the better months to locate schooled shad and the fish gorging on them.

I also tried jigging and mooching gulp minnows in pond smelt pattern, as this has worked well for me at other lakes (mainly Almanor for kings).

I was surprised to see the fish so scattered and frankly, it doesn’t make sense to me. Shouldn’t they be on top if the lake has turned? And if it still hasn’t, wouldn’t they be on bait balls suspended about halfway down? Seems peculiar that they were throughout the column and as deep as 100’.

Edit*
I did a quick search on turnover to refresh myself on the details. Seems like what I noted at Berry is a sign that the turnover is happening. That may be why the life was so scattered, uniform temps through the water column. I also noticed some gunk that is likely organic matter from the lakes bottom pushed up by the turnover event. That’s my theory at this point!

I launched out of Putah Creek campgrounds and paid $20 for the launch. I won’t be doing that again, too steep for my blood at a freshwater location, and it appears you can still shore launch near Pope creek bridge if you can handle uphill back to the parking area. I didn’t feel like doing it this time so I laid the premium price for a launch ramp.

Started out trolling a custom willow spoon painted in a shad pattern with a strip of cured herring on the hooks to add scent. Trolled for 30 minutes about 12’ down going 1.5 mph. Switched it up to fast gear and tried a few colors of speedy shiners at a few different depths.

Upon arrival at Pope Creek, I started searching for bait and dropped the gitzit bait from the video as well as a gulp minnow. Worked the area and the bits of bait that I could find for about an hour before deciding to go and check out Putah. I fast trolled over there, mostly focusing on the top 10’ of the water column. Found similar conditions in Putah and gave the area the same treatment as Pope.

After a few hours, I got back on the troll and tried a variety of gear. Jay Fair Trolling flies, sepps grubs, spoons, speedy shiners…0 bites.

I saw no other fish landed by the dozen or so other boaters and kayakers. Not sure if anyone here has a thought as to whether the lake turned or not based on surface temps and the location of the fish. Anyone who can point out evidence to support one conclusion or the other would have my gratitude.

I did have a great time getting out after a few months off of the water. Also fun to try a new tactic and see some osprey and baldies in action (though they couldn’t seem to find any fish either!)

That why they called it fishing    Thanks for the video Sea-bree.

This time last year the Pope/Putah arms were already loaded with shad. I was there two weeks ago and found zero bait. I was targeting crappie and couldn't find them, but I did get one 20" king while fishing for crappie. The lake is way different from previous years in terms of pattern. If the shad don't show up in the creeks, there will be no fish there.

<quote>... it appears you can still shore launch near Pope creek bridge...</quote>
Thanks to the infamous Youtubers who blew up that spot last year, the authority had dropped two large boulders at the entrance of the path to specifically block kayakers. That happened last year right after those YB videos were published. Yes, you can still launch there, but you'd have to carry your yak over the two large boulders. There is a side path that avoids the boulders but is equally treacherous. If that's not called spot burning, I don't know what is. I stopped viewing their videos ever since. Sorry for the rant, but those MF's killed a great fishery for good.

Thanks to the infamous Youtubers who blew up that spot last year, the authority had dropped two large boulders at the entrance of the path to specifically block kayakers. That happened last year right after those YB videos were published. Yes, you can still launch there, but you'd have to carry your yak over the two large boulders. There is a side path that avoids the boulders but is equally treacherous. If that's not called spot burning, I don't know what is. I stopped viewing their videos ever since. Sorry for the rant, but those MF's killed a great fishery for good.

Most of those MFers are on this board.  Its ok to single people out and mention names.   

But on a serious note, its all about sharing man. If you're not burning at least 1 spot per video, you can't call yourself a serious YouTuber. 

Most of those MFers are on this board.  Its ok to single people out and mention names.   

But on a serious note, its all about sharing man. If you're not burning at least 1 spot per video, you can't call yourself a serious YouTuber.

I miss you, bro! 

Alan Fong is the man and I'm glad he's finally jumping on YouTube to share his decades of knowledge.  He, as well as other fishermen I've talked to, have stated that this year has been odd and Berry is late to turnover.  Haven't heard of many having success there in recent months.

Most of those MFers are on this board.  Its ok to single people out and mention names.   

and I know everyone of them, but that don't make it easy to swallow.

Thanks to the infamous Youtubers who blew up that spot last year, the authority had dropped two large boulders at the entrance of the path to specifically block kayakers. That happened last year right after those YB videos were published. Yes, you can still launch there, but you'd have to carry your yak over the two large boulders. There is a side path that avoids the boulders but is equally treacherous. If that's not called spot burning, I don't know what is. I stopped viewing their videos ever since. Sorry for the rant, but those MF's killed a great fishery for good.

Most of those MFers are on this board.  Its ok to single people out and mention names.   

But on a serious note, its all about sharing man. If you're not burning at least 1 spot per video, you can't call yourself a serious YouTuber.

Lol lol lol 

Alan Fong is the man and I'm glad he's finally jumping on YouTube to share his decades of knowledge.  He, as well as other fishermen I've talked to, have stated that this year has been odd and Berry is late to turnover.  Haven't heard of many having success there in recent months.

Very interesting video.  He makes the point that they stopped using that technique in the ocean due to the drifting/circle hook regulation, but prior to that, they were slaying ocean salmon deadsticking the jig... I understand the regs for a boat, and also know that the grey area for kayaks (trooching) may allow the use of barbless jigs of this type as long as you have a slow forward motion as to not be drifting.  Something to potentially try this season... it also sounds like a good way to conserve bait.  Hmm. 

This time last year the Pope/Putah arms were already loaded with shad. I was there two weeks ago and found zero bait. I was targeting crappie and couldn't find them, but I did get one 20" king while fishing for crappie. The lake is way different from previous years in terms of pattern. If the shad don't show up in the creeks, there will be no fish there.

<quote>... it appears you can still shore launch near Pope creek bridge...</quote>
Thanks to the infamous Youtubers who blew up that spot last year, the authority had dropped two large boulders at the entrance of the path to specifically block kayakers. That happened last year right after those YB videos were published. Yes, you can still launch there, but you'd have to carry your yak over the two large boulders. There is a side path that avoids the boulders but is equally treacherous. If that's not called spot burning, I don't know what is. I stopped viewing their videos ever since. Sorry for the rant, but those MF's killed a great fishery for good.

I didn’t notice the boulders this time. I saw the ones you are talking about when I was out there last year. Admittedly, I am not positive I didn’t just overlook them in the dim light. Does anyone know for sure if they’re still there or recently removed?

They were there two Fridays ago. My buddy and I had to carry our yaks over them. I doubt the boulders would ever be removed.

They were there two Fridays ago. My buddy and I had to carry our yaks over them. I doubt the boulders would ever be removed.

Thanks for confirming.