Stripers, Sacramento River. 05-09-2009

I have been reading this forum for long time. I’m preparing my kayak for fishing. It’s almost done. I want to do my first fishing trip in my kayak on the Sacramento River looking for stripers. I really need help from you guys I don’t want to go whit out the help of some one with experience.
I’m thinking on 05/09/2009. I’m open to any suggestions.
Tanks.
Santiago.

For your first outing I would strongly advise against the Sacramento river, its been moving relatively fast lately and debris floating down. Being unfamiliar with your kayak and trying to fish at the same time or if you snag it could turn into a bad situation quick. Plus there has been a lot of boat traffic and large wakes. The first time out your better off paddling around somewhere with no current like a lake and getting use to it. Practice paddling it,flipping the kayak over a couple times and getting back in, move around on it, etc. Then go fishing!

Ditto...

 There is a Very Kool and Fishy area in Sac to start out...

 Barge Cannal Access...  It's in West Sac by the port of Sacramento,

you should be able to goggle this, it's an improved park area, non-motorized boats only!!!!! 

just go south on Jefferson Blvd and you will see it on the right just as you cross over the Bridge that crosses over the Cannal that leads to the Lochs, approx 3 miles south of 80..

get some minnows at Broadway Bait, troll rapala's or throw one of these at the Banks...

 WttM........ 

Tank you for your answers; I have a little experience paddling. I went to Folsom Lake, Lake Amador, Lake Natoma, Rancho Seco. I also paddle on American River few times, I fell of the kayak a couple times in the American River. What I have never done  is a self rescue and kayak fishing. I’ll really appreciate any help!!!! 

What I have never done  is a self rescue and kayak fishing. I’ll really appreciate any help!!!! 

You've got to do yourself a favor and practice this.  If not for yourself, then for your family, friends, and others fishing along with you.

As for the help, basically, once you right your yak, from one side, reach across the seat to the far side, pulling yourself up onto the yak about midway, and then roll over onto your but and swing your legs towards the bow.

Michael

Tank you Michael!!!
I'll do. Do you know any place or instructor for self rescue?
Santiago.

That is how I do it in warm, fresh water, but when I have thick neo waders on, in cold water, I enter the back of the yak, and pull myself up like on a surf board, then just pop up and straddle the yak when you get to the seat.  Either way, but you should practice it.  The barge canal is a great place, I fish it at least three times a week.  Good fishing, and mostly no wakes.  I did have a ship pass me the other night, that was interesting, but nothing like bay waves, the port can get nasty as all heck too.  I took a friend out there, and I tethered off to a piling on a dock, because I could not stay in a fishing position because of the high wind.  Tether finally broke, and we went home.  You will catch a bunch of these stripers out there.

Santiago
Here's a picture I took this weekend, this is what you have to look out for when your anchored up. This log was about 12' long and was just one of about 50 or so I saw floating down while fishing.The water still remains high from the last several storms and debris is floating down non stop.

Abdiver,

Were you fishing the color line at Disco on 5/9? I took a nice 26 mile bike ride along the river on Saturday and stopped to watch the people fishing. Noticed a green kayak fishing the line, then between Jabboom and I-5.

Al

Yep, not too much was happening down there Saturday.The waters still high and dirty plus I only had a limited time frame before I had to get home and work on stuff around the house. There was quite a few people fishing some for stripers and some for shad, but the time I was out there I didn't see anyone hook up.

I do have to say that the morning entertainment was watching a sea lion who's been down there the last couple of times, swim up to a group of guys bank fishing and soak them with water numerous times.  I know I'm going to hell, but I'm just glad it wasn't me.

Danglin: get some minnows at Broadway Bait, troll rapala's or throw one of these at the Banks...

  Sound advice.  You can't go wrong here.