Lake Sonoma 12-16-07

Got off work at 0700 and had an AMR hangover (Danglin knows) and decided to head for Sonoma instead of drooling in front of the boob tube all day. Launched at Yorty at 0900 and thought about going to Cherry Creek to see the eagles but instead decided to brave the wind and head to my favorite spot. Told myself the next time I went to Sonoma I was going to experiment with some different lures and color combos and troll with Spectra on my level wind for the first time (more on that later). Trolled for about four hours for nada. Put on the tried and true Rapala for the trip back towards the ramp and within five minuets had a 14 inch (approximate) Steelie at the side of the yak. She self released as I was getting the camera out for a water shot. Well that was interesting; put a Needelfish on for the next hour for nada. As I approached Yorty my rod gets slammed and line is ripping of the reel. As I reach for the reel I realize that I have a huge birds nest, I put the reel in free spool in an attempt to give the fish some line but it’s too late. I glance over my shoulder in time to see a nice Steelie (18-20 inch maybe more) jump, land, pull, snap and gone. I don’t know what happened with the Spectra, was my drag to loose or did the line “dig in” and cause the mess? Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Now I was cold and it was raining, time to go home.

As I had thought, a good day of FISHING and the CATCHING will be for another day.

Matt

The two lures that did work today.

Hey Matt sounds like you had a good day.  Sorry I couldn't be there with ya!  Oh wait what is that I here?  Is it rain?  Ah yes  !!

Bring on the rain!!!

Ah yeah Kickin Bass, I know, you know what I mean !

good on you for gettin out! and thanks for the pics of the lures......i found that if the drag is TOO LOOSE, when something does hit it, it will nest-up everytime, put a little bit of tension on the line and the fish will(supposed to)hook itself....sure reads good/easy doesn't it.
keepthehuntup!