Lake sonoma 10/15

launched at the Main Ramp at 7 started raining as soon as I got on the water not cold and little wind it was really nice I love fishing in the rain. Started trolling for Steelies with shad raps but soon noticed that the fish were holding at 35/50' . So I tried a few things to get deep but it was slow, trolled for about 4 hours for 1 drive by and 1 3" LMB. Stopped at a few coves to cast for bass nada although at one cove I got hung-up pulled a little harder and it comes free with a nice crankbait hitchiking cool the line is hung on the bottom so I pull it up and it feels like a stick nope Rod and Reel cheapo little muddy but like new. At about 1 I'm heading in and the rain stops so I decide to troll across the Dam, get 100' feet and wham nice chunky smallie release and get 5 more before making it across not to big but fat and great fight on Koke gear. On the far side of the dam I see a line of fish just off the bottom in 25' of water. Dropshot to the bottom wham LMB dinks but fun it was like rock fishing as soon as i got down I would feel some weight fish on and they were spitting up shad. The sun was shinning pretty good and you could see the schools on fish hanging on the bottom you could see them attack the robo pretty cool. I decide to troll North a little before crossing back to the ramp then I see fish attacking shad on the Top(shades of Mendo) I can see the fish and they are Steelies I'm getting excited but no love. I could see them follow my lures but they wouldn't hit, they were really tearing into the shad. I think the water was too clear and too much bait to hit a piece of metal. So i had fun but it was very frustrating cause I really wanted a couple of steelies. Oh moment of the day when i was hitting those LMB a Big Bass Boat pulls up and wants to no what I'm using because they haven't had a bite in 6 hrs. I look at their poles and they had on the same DS rigs and same worms I was using. I love out fishing those guys   

Cool Mike ! I was wondering if the fall bait gorging was happening yet. I want to take Ty out to hone his bassin skilz.

Mark I think another week on two it will be on. Let me know I wanna go again, I bought Brians Venus Ty is more than welcome to use it anytime.

nice fish!
no steelies yet, huh!?  hopefully, all over the place soon, can't wait!!!

Nice Smalies...

  Whats your largest SMB on that lake.....any year..?

Nice Smalies...

  Whats your largest SMB on that lake.....any year..?

uh oh, Danglin's up for some up grade now...  We better watch out...

This Fatty

uh oh, Danglin's up for some up grade now...  We better watch out...

 Was I that Transparent?    But Hey,  That's where there the Big $$$ Is,

 19'... nice fishy Mick

 I've lost 3 Hawg SMB @ the Yak, It's getting frustrating....

  Berryesa Is Going to give me another Hawg Soon ,and maybe I'll land it........ Danglin

Nice work on the DR Mike.  That lake is on my destination list too.
...and i'll be down for a camp out there, as you mentioned.

thnx fer da port&pics!

Adam you gotta make it up as soon as the lake turnsover the fish are in prime shape getting ready for the winter. I have never seen as much bait up there as I did yesterday. I'll let you know my neighbor is a guide and fishes it 5/6 days a week.

   you got it, buddy!   

Mike - are the boat-in camp sites open all year long or do they close it during the winter months?

I'd like to hit that spot soon.