Mendo Bendo Solo 083108

A second weekend away with friends, a second weekend promising to cook fish and chips. This time for 10 people in Guerneville. Only this time gale force winds and 15 foot seas in the forecast meant we were scratching in the freezer for leftover rockfish fillets. We had enough to feed ~5. I woke up early this morning and thought I might as well have a crack at Lake Mendocino for the rest before resorting to Safeway. With M’ladys back playing up I flew solo up 101 to Ukiah having studied “Stripers on a Kayak at Lake Mendocino”. 

The girl in the bait shop sheepishly sold me some “medium” sized minnows (her description not mine). She also told me they now open at 7am.

I was finally on the water at 10am. The wind was already kicking up. The launch ramp was busy with fisherfolk leaving and the jet skis and power boats were taking their place. With no fishfinder and no clue where I was going, I just pinned on a minnow and trooched east through the wake. After an hour or so I had made it all the way across without even a bite. After getting used to rockfishing that’s a long time without any action! I figured I might as well toss senkos at the shore and see if I could have some fun with LMB. I left a moribund minnow dangling in the shallows while I rigged up a bass rod. I was just done when, to quote, well, every Lake Mendocino report I’ve read, my minnow got slammed. Really, there was no other word for it. Hallelujah, I was bendo at mendo.

He went straight under the boat and surfaced on the other side, which caused some anxiety. Luckily I had been generous with the drag setting and it paid off. After some more tense moments I had him in the boat. 28 inches and perfect for my needs. I packed up and headed back to Guerneville.

Nice fish.  I can't wait to catch another striper from the kayak.  Did your minnow do a death dance before getting slammed, or were you too busy tying on the senko?  That is what was fun for me fishing with minnows: the little guy going crazy before getting devoured and being able to see/feel it on your line. 

Nice work NB.  Solid fish.  If I could land 2 of those in about a month, I'd be a happy camper.

Michael

Nice fish.  I can't wait to catch another striper from the kayak.  Did your minnow do a death dance before getting slammed, or were you too busy tying on the senko? 

Nope. That was one of the reasons I decided to switch to senko's. I bought 6 minnows. One was dead by the time I got on the water, the second lastered only a short while. The third one had some pop at the beginning but was also pretty moribund by the time he did his Jonah and The Whale into the Stripers mouth.

Part of this was my fault. I had packed for weekend of saltwater fishing. I knew I had some live bait hooks but when I actually got them out I realised that 2/0 was a bit of a mismatch for the "medium" minnows!

Nice striper Northern Boy, WTG!

Jed

Great report and congrats on pulling out a nice fish when you needed one.   

mission accomplished

after a slow start this season, NB is suddenly hitting out of the park.  Speculation stirs...is he juiced?   

so how close to Balco is your home?

after a slow start this season, NB is suddenly hitting out of the park.  Speculation stirs...is he juiced?   

so how close to Balco is your home?

I do believe that NB works in the medical research field, coincidence? 

Nice catch! Of course you and the Missus will be attending BAM IV right?

Juiced? Have you looked at my arms in that pic? After holding up the Striper for a photo I had to sit down for a breather. People are always asking me, with a mixture of pity and concern, if I need a hand putting my yak on the car. I'm not sure juicing would help me tho'. For every Barry Bonds there's a Marvin Bernard. Allegedly.

We are giving serious consideration to BAM. My wife currently cares only about catching a Lingcod. Preferably 31.1 inches and 14.1 lbs. If she can do that before BAM then we'll be there!!

I flew solo up 101 to Ukiah having studied “Stripers on a Kayak at Lake Mendocino”.

Congrats...glad you found the article useful.

Way to get it done!

Did you use your new rockfish rig?

Dude!  your becoming quite the targeter...way to hunt it down, when you just HAVE TO.

Congrats...glad you found the article useful.

I did indeed, thanks a lot. I wasn't sure whether to thank you or Bill or both (errrr, you're not a Bill right? You're a Sean?). Anyway, thanks.

Eric; yes I used my rockfish rig, it was perfect for the job.

Adam; I'm hoping this streak continues. Maybe I should go sturgeon fishing?

salmon too!