first time trout fishing shore, lake chabot

so im planning on going fishing this saturday for trout at lake chabot
how far do i have to cast from shore?

what is your preferred color power bait?

what is your prefer rig setup?

i have size 8 j hooks already with 4lb test line already. i heard of the float method but dont know how long to make the rig.
and i heard of the egg sinker method with power bait.

Those are all great questions! Every answer is different for where at Chabot you fish. I won't lie, Chabot is tough from the shore. There is still lots of fish caught from the shore, you just have to be in the right spot. I would go talk with the guys at the docks (that rent to boats), they know whats going on!

I know zip about Lake Chabot so take this for what it's worth.

I would use the sliding egg sinker/split shot method and run about a 2 foot leader length between powerbait and sinker.

I like the rainbow (green/orange) or the green chartreuse. Never had much luck with the other colors. Thin/quality hooks and 6 lb test. Keep the bail open on your propped up rod/reel and put a small piece of wood on the line so the wind doesn't put too much bow in the line.  I like to fish two rods for trout and the other one would be flinging a small Kastmaster lure. Make sure you have a 2 Rod stamp on your fishing license if you do this though!

You can also crimp a small split shot sinker on the hook shank and fish power bait under a cork/lead casting bobber.

Good luck with the trout. 

i heard san pablo dam is doing really well
but im gonna have a dog with me this weekend and san pablo says the dog has to be on paved roads only.. most of the fishing is done on non paved roads..

so chabot was the next best bet. as the dog can sit with me on leash.

Way back in the late 70's.. Uncles, cousins,Dad and I would fish the west shore. Parking on Chabot drive, and walking down to the water off a trail. 
 My uncle would look behind him ,as he's standing at the waters edge. Look across the lake and walk along the shore to  sight " His Spot "..  Pull out his little stick branch with a wye in it , stuff it in the ground.
 Load up a mini marshmallow/ salmon egg and cast out. He always put some english on his cast like he was at the Bowling Alley knocking down pins..
 If it didnt go right where he wanted it to... he'd quickly reel back in and do it over.

Within minutes of his cast, the bobber on his line between rod guides would raise up and , wham. Fish on.
He'd continue this, as we struggled to even get a nibble ...untill we all had "limits' . ( yeah I know, not within the law, but I was like 11-12 yrs old... I didnt know any better)  We're talking like 5 limits.

He was  " The Man" in the group when it came to fishing... 

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.
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Years later... the water was drawn down and I happened to pass by one day.
 Looking thru the trees as I walked to our old haunt. I saw old Concrete pipes.about 4-5 feet round.  Stuck in the ground open to the sky. about a casts distance from the normal waters edge...

 AH HA !... that sob had them marked and knew he had to get right in them to get a bite.. While everyone on both side of us for 1/4 mile skunked.. 


You already got some great advice... figured I'd share a story.