Del Valle 2-17-08

Hit Del Valle to day with some jumbo minnows thought I would try to fine Valentine cove instead I fished heartbreak point. Power paddled to the Dam first thing in the morning checked out the area and found hordes of fish on the fish finder about fourth to fifth foot down, so down went the minnows well three hours later after hitting several spots with no hits I thought I would sloooow troll the minnows back to the launch ramp fighting my urge to troll for trout but I was there for stripers. I got to the NCKA campsite and picked up a 17” striper so I did not get skunked I was starting to worry when the sun was going down. I will defiantly try to make the next trip with the MASTERS (Joel and Frank) I did meet a couple at the launch ramp Ariane and Coutney fellow NCKAers who had two trout on board, nice to have met you guys, until next time.

Pat R
   

Glad to hear that you got out Pat.  I've been hearing about those deep fish near the dam.  Many seem to think they are stripers.  Whatever they are, it sounds like they weren't biting today.  At least you avoided the skunk.  Way to give 'em hell!

Michael

I was there on the bank.  I knew before I got there that I would get skunked (trying for LM bass), but I had to get out of the house and get my line wet.  Beautiful day anyway.

Pat, The striper's that we caught at Del Valle have always been in no more then 30' of water with a big drop off just off the shore. Sometimes they are suspended near the dropoff in no more then ten feet or at times they can be at the bottom in 30 feet.
Truthfully, I do fish a couple of locations regularly but, these fish are always on the move and I have found that the best bet is to always work the banks at drop offs. What I mean by that is where the water is a few feet then drops to a quick double digit depth.
Always watch for the boils which seem to happen there early morning or late afternoon to early evening. The boils that I have experienced happen more often when the lake is shallow say October. I think last year Zeelander and I got into one that lasted quit a few minutes and always seem to occur on the North bank near the first island going towards the dam or in the flats opposite side of the bay from the dam.
It is as if the striper's are pushing the bait fish to the shallows where picking them off is easier. When this occurs, which I am sure anyone who has this experience, you no longer are fishing but catching. Are latest hoodie sweatshirts depicts this action with amazing clarity. What a amazing rush to be in the middle of these boils. Even the Mendo crew will tell you stories of these blessed occurrences.
I don't know of another lake that you can fish locally that has the abundance of striper's that Del Valle has contained amongst its banks. Further south of course in San Luis Reservoir but for local fishing I think Del Valle is your best bet.

Love this sport Frankfishing

Thank Frank it seems I was fishing way to deep, that 17” was in 18’ of water close to shore. I did not fish the opposite side of the dam, keep looking at all those fish on the FF at the dam . I still would like to fish the lake with you how about Thursday Feb 28th I got my Birthday off and I will buy the jumbo minnows .

Pat R

I think last year Zeelander and I got into one that lasted quit a few minutes and always seem to occur on the North bank near the first island going towards the dam or in the flats opposite side of the bay from the dam.
It is as if the striper's are pushing the bait fish to the shallows where picking them off is easier. When this occurs, which I am sure anyone who has this experience, you no longer are fishing but catching. Are latest hoodie sweatshirts depicts this action with amazing clarity. What a amazing rush to be in the middle of these boils. Even the Mendo crew will tell you stories of these blessed occurrences.
Love this sport Frankfishing

I remember that one. First and only boil I got to witness and it was pure madness. I've never had my bait thrashed so badly and my hands shaking... it was OOON! Hope to get into more of that @ BAM IV.

Z

I still would like to fish the lake with you how about Thursday Feb 28th I got my Birthday off and I will buy the jumbo minnows .

Pat, I'm off work on the 28th. I'll be seeing you out there! I'd be more than happy to show you where "Valentine's Cove" is 

I'm in for the 28th also,but I get the first drift this time Mooch.

Pat -

WTG on not getting skunked. BTW, if you want to target stripers, the forebay is another consideration. Will be heading there for a fly fishing trip in March.

Scott

Way to get your hunt on Pat!...seeing them on the T.V. and then waiting for them to cooperate is as frustrating as report of fish being caught and NO PIC?! 
from someone who "we" know has a camera Dude?
IwishIcouldFINDoneTOcooperateTOO!   

I did meet a couple at the launch ramp Ariane and Coutney fellow NCKAers who had two trout on board, nice to have met you guys, until next time.

Pat R
   

Good to meet you Pat.  Hope to see you out on the water again.  Ariane and I fried the two small trout Monday night.  We have tried several ways of cooking them, but I think we just found our favorite.  We coated them with a mix of polenta meal, jiffy mix, flour, and salt before pan-frying them. 

We caught the two trout on power bait after trolling 3 hours for zilch.  Lots of motor boats on the water Sunday--some where fishing, some were just cruising at mach 2 with the family.  It gave me a chance to practice kayak-surfing before Mavericks comes around again next year.

Pharmer

Joel / Frank the 28th it is, let me know how many jumbo minnow you want me to pick up.

Adam no pic you seen one 17” striper you’ve seen them all I need a big one .

Pat R

I have the first week of March off for vacation, but I may try to join you guys on Friday. Maybe I'll bring you an eggroll with a candle on it, Pat.

Hojoman that would be great but the 28th is on a Thursday hope you can make it.

Pat R

Whatever day it is, I'll try to be there. I'm working too hard...losing track of time already.