Lake Amador 2-7-09

After reading about all the planting of big fish in Lake Amador, I decided to give it a try last Saturday. The lake is low. The end of the launch ramp is above the lake now, but people are still launching OK. A few more feet and they won't be launching PB's tho. The water was pretty murky near the launch, but cleared up once out in the lake.

It was a nice day between rainy ones, and there were lots of fishermen. Several float tubers working flies, too. I trolled around with a dodger/grub and a "trolling fly". Finally caught one on the trolling fly in one of the narrower channels. One of the smaller ones for that lake, I take it. (1st pic) I was using the PVC pipe trolling rod setup on my T-15, previously published on this list. It works well for trout anyway. (2nd pic)

By lunch time I had reached the far end where the creek enters, and there were a couple of boats tied up working the shallows. The one right at the inlet was doing real well, getting fish after fish. So I tied up too, tossed some lures and put in some power bait while I ate lunch. Tap-tap-tap and a nice 2-1/2 lb trout was on, a good fighter who eventually surrendered to my net. (3rd pic)

Nothing else bit the other lures I trolled back in the afternoon. I didn't stay late - had to meet my wife for WAF points. But as I was packing up at the launch one of the local kids was tossing this white crappie jig around the dock there, and hooked up this 4-1/2 lb trout! I netted it for him, and he was pretty pleased. Another guy saw this and proceed to catch another one right afterward the same way. They probably stock them right there and these are the fish that haven't ventured out looking for other food yet. Interesting.

It was a nice day on the lake. Saw some nice birds too, including a pair of bald eagles circling. (4th pic) Very nice day.

Nice fish!

I am really impressed with the rod holders though, can you adjust the angle of the rods also? I love to McGyver stuff too.

Fine report, finaegelin.  Way to go on netting that kid's fish and sharing your tale.   

I fished there in Dec with Uminchu and we kinda saw the same thing.  They plant the fish right at the boat launch so there are always some fish right there.  Power bait below a bobber was the trick.  Not exactly what I call fishing, but those trout are big.  There are some fish in there that could come close to a steelhead.  If you hit it again shoot me a PM, I like that spot.

Jim

i know amador pretty well after fishing it a lot from shore last year.  it has been slower this year than last according to the fishsniffer reports.  I am really aiming at a trip to pardee this week if I could pull it off.

Yes the rod angles can be adjusted. Up and down using the screw handles and fore-and-aft by lifting the rod holders up and rotating. Pointing the rods forward allows the holder to be removed from its base, which was fixed in place with screws into the sides of the base through the PVC. I was pointing the port rod downward that day to get a little depth since there was no weight on the line at all. I liked the Berkeley rod holders over the Scotty's for this application since they are smaller and won't interfere with each other as much. Don't know if they'll be sturdy enough for a really big fish, but I'll try to set my drag to deal with it.

Nice fish and very good report.
Can you put picks of your rod holders?
Tanks.
Santiago.

I got the rod holder design from Diroblo's excellent write up here:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,15635.msg148786.html#msg148786

It's under the Ocean Kayak section. I've got a transducer in the starboard scupper hole, so my rod hold tower sits on top of the transducer instead of down in the hole. I added a hold-down strap across the middle tube, which you can see in my first photo. Good luck.

i like the rod holder design any advantages of elevated rod holders?

can you change the height?

Elevating was my solution to getting the rods within very easy reach without impeding my paddling stroke too much. I played with the height and angles until I was happy with it. I kept it below my line of sight. No I can't easily adjust it in use.

i like the rod holder design any advantages of elevated rod holders?

can you change the height?

I think his main advantage would be having the poles pointed in a downward angle, more natural presentation of the lures and can get his lures deeper with less wieght or length of line out.  I could be wrong though.

I lived in Ione back in the 70's. My dad and I fished Amador often back then.
I'd like to go back in the near future. Please post a hookup or send me a PM next time out.

What did they charge you to launch your kayak?

Thanks for the report,
Al

Entry/Parking + fishing + launching = $19.  High for similar lakes.

Not sure when/if I'll be back. Maybe next season.

wow cammanche is $17

Entry/Parking + fishing + launching = $19.  High for similar lakes.

Not sure when/if I'll be back. Maybe next season.

are you sure that its that cheap?

From what I remember Amador charges full boat price for kayaks...but maybe I'm wrong here?  Thats what I was told although I've never went there in my yak.

Amador Fees as Follows:
$9 day use vehicle (up to 2 people - $1 more for each person above that)
$8 fishing fee per person
$8 boat use
float tubes are $2 or $3 if I remember correctly.  Did they charge your kayak float tube price?

If you ask me Pardee is a better value for its price.  The fish arent as big but its a much cleaner, better maintained lake and has more area to paddle.  $8 car + $4 kayak + $4 fishing fee. 

Of course that makes Mcclure seem cheap at $8 for car + cartop boat and turlock lake best at FREE =)