Crappie Fishing at Del Valle 10/24

Had to start my 7 month salt water fishing rehab program so I took a day off and headed to DV. Took me quite a while to find and organize all my freshwater stuff. The Fish Sniffer reported top water trout action and stripers taken by bait soaking, specifically they said downriggers were not needed for trout so I left my downrigger at home. Got to DV at 9 AM and paid my $15 for day wich included $3 for the inspection.

Oh man what a great day on the water. Must have been 80-90 degrees and little wind. DV and LL are the nicest paddling lakes in the Bay Area and today was spectacular. The only problem was the water temp was 64-66 degrees and I was thinking that I should have brought my downrigger.  Decided to troll some deep diving plugs (Rapala JSR5 and SR5) and hooked a crappie just north of the launch. Released the crappie and started trolling and caught another. Since crappies are school fish, I stopped and jigged up 5 more releasing all except one for dinner. By this time it was 11 AM  and the PB guys were reporting trout near the dam so I started heading north. By the time I got to the dam at noon things had slowed down and the PB guys were all fishing grubs or worms on downriggers at 15-25 ft and slaying the trout. I was thinking that Fish Sniffer intel was as good as WMD in Iraq intel.  Trolled my plugs for nada then headed back in for some fly casting practice.

I brought a 8 Wt fly rod rigged with a SA streamer express and Flyaker hand rolled killer leach. Pulled up to the area just across from the launch for for some fly casting practice. I had bought the clear version of the streamer express so the fly line looks like thick mono. The only problem with this is that it is difficult to know how much line you have in the water. One cast I picked up the line way to early and the leach was INCOMING right at my face and I had to hit the deck. 

Left the water at 330PM and headed home. Really a great day, came in search of trout and stripers, left with crappie, a slight sunburn and great workout. BTW, after paddling a P15 for 5 months, paddling the Trident 15 was a pain in the ***.

Scott

Scott its only going to get better from hear on in . from the photos you could not ask for a better day . I bet you will be packing your downrigger next time. .

Pat R

Sounds like you had a terrific time Scott.  I didn't even realize that DV had a crappie population.  Hope to hook up with you out there this winter.

Michael

Saltwater rehab step 1.

Hello Scott,
Thanks for the report. I have not been there yet but I hear it is a very nice lake.
 Congrats on the dinner crappie.

Jedmo

Hi Scott. Good to see your reports again. Always entertaining. I thought about going to Del Valle today but just HAD to check out Bass Pro Shops.

Howard

Saltwater rehab step 1.

 

Great report and pics.

Nice good looking fish!!! Congrats.




Kiel

Scott,

Looked like a great day on the water and in our backyard.  If the Dungies come back closer to shore this year we'll have to drag you back to the salt for some crabbing.   

Gary

Great report Scott. Your reports always make me laugh. I have never been to DeValle. It looks like a perfect kayak lake.
I hope you enjoyed the warm weather as the SNOW season is right around the corner.
Time to switch tactics.

Scott

sounds like you had a good time anyway.

I was thinking that Fish Sniffer intel was as good as WMD in Iraq intel. 

I assume that you are refering to the 10/18 report on the trout board. I must remind you that on 10/18 it was cold and overcast. There was even some thiunderstorm and/or rain in some parts.  And yes, the fish were on the feed that day, even striped bass on top water lures.

Hey, you don't have to start rehabbing until Nov 30!

I've never eaten crappie. Er.... I mean.

Anyway, how do they taste?

hey, Scott -
great report and pics.   Wished i could have been there to fling a few flies with you.  Too bad the leech didnt produce yet., although i have caught a fair amount of crappie on them too.

I didnt know there were crappie out there.   Thats another fun species to target out there. 

NB -  crappie are delicious! 

Hey, you don't have to start rehabbing until Nov 30!

I've never eaten crappie. Er.... I mean.

Anyway, how do they taste?

Well Crappie in my opinion make trout taste like crap . NO joke crappie is probley the best tasting freshwater fish I have ever eatin as are all Panfish... That is what I will be targeting starting Nov 30 till May I cant wait till the spring spawn so I can bring in 25 crappie to fry up...

You picked a good weekend to go fresh. The road is closed to LK and the swell was going good from nw and s. I also have to admit crappie are a blast to catch and good table fare. They are the blue rock fish of the fresh water.