Rainy Friday at Shadow Cliffs

Took the day off go fishing, weather reports looked fine for Friday up until the afternoon.  Was planning on going to Del Valle with a buddy of mine, but when I woke up the rain was pouring and he backed out.  So not wanting to waste all WAF points that have been building, decided to hit up Shadow Cliffs by myself instead.

Got to the park around 7, only a couple guys out there in the rain fishing from the shore. Had the entire lake to myself, since no one else was hitting the water.  It was only sprinkling to drizzling really, and I had prepared well for some wet weather getting a pair of warm gloves, and neoprene socks this time out.  Started trolling from the launch ramp to the left leg of the lake trying out GSR-5 and this Yozuri mino I haven't tried before.  Did a nice loop round the lake with no hits. 

Decided to head to the back of lake and troll the reeds along the far back for some trout or bass.  Found that the yozuri was about as action less as a stick in the water   , so I got to the end and decided to do some bait fishing.  Cast out my favorite artificial setup for trout, a power worm, and power egg on a barbless single egg hook.  Rigged up another rod with an inflated worm drifting with a split shot. 

Saw my line go taut and reeled in an o.k. trout on the artificial worm while trying to take a quick video. 

Once in the net I notice my other rods line is on the other side of the yak, fish on again!  This one was jumping out of the water, skipping across the water till I had him in the bag. 

Rigged up another set of baits and cast out again, had one within a couple minutes that broke off my leader just before I got him to the yak gonna have to learn to snell someday .  Caught one last trout with the powerworm setup, this time only hooked in the corner of the mouth.  He seemed eager to live, so I gently released him back into the water:

It started to rain a bit harder, and I was cold and getting a headache so I decided to head back in.  Had one HARD hit on the Rapala but by the time I reached for the rod it must have thrown the lure out... Oh well, no biggie trout for me that day, but I was happy with the two I bagged earlier anyway!

And then the pictures:

Pic #1) Arrival at Shadow Cliffs

Pic #2) Getting lures ready

Pic #3) Little sprinkling going on

Pic #4) Dinner!

Pic #5) Ummm... Its raining pretty hard now

Haven't been there in a while - thanks for the report!

Cool video & nice catches!
that look like good dinner!

Nice work Al and great report.  Although I've read many Shadow Cliff reports, I never knew where it was until I just looked it up.  It explains why you skipped DV, man its not far from us South Bay guys.

How big would you say SC is?  It's hard to tell from the online map.  Maybe half the size of DV?  A quarter of the size?  Just curious.

BTW, I love your net.  I'm doing a little research about rubber nets.  How do you like yours and where did you get it.  I'm leaning towards the white rubber net, supposed to not spook the fish as easily.  Probably just a gimmick to sell more of them.

Michael

Great report, Al!  I love the videos and of course the pics.  Throw in some commentary (sorry if you're a mute!   ).  Great release video, and I noticed the rubber net too.  I bought one and I find it to be too heavy - I don't like it. 

Thanks again for a report that got us in on the action!   

Also - I checked out your other youtube stuff - cool bobcat!

Eric

Great report.

Nice job setting up the video and the pics.

Thanks,

PS....Abking, can I have your net?

Great report Al. You were fishing where I got a 3 pounder troling a firetiger Shad rap in Januasry. I marked a lot of fish right there but couldn't get them to hit. At least you did If the weather isn't so bad I just may have to hit that lake next weekend.

PS....Abking, can I have your net?

Sure - it's just the net, no frame.  Next time you're coming up this way send me a message.

Eric

Michael,

Shadow Cliffs is a quarry lake at 80 acres, compared to Del Valle at 700 acres and 16 miles of shoreline.

Del Valle is only about 15 minutes further than Shadow Cliffs.

I got a Dan Hernandez Series Promar LN 622 Rubber Net 20x22, 48 inch handle $49.99 (from Charkbait www.charkbait.com/) and like it a lot.  No hook hangups!!!  I cut the handle down to about 2’ and filled the handle up with packing peanuts for flotation.
Chuck.