Lake Sonoma sunset smallie explosion 6-24

I left work at 4:30 amd jammed for the lake. Mickfish was already there and I was huurying as fast as I could go. I got set up inrecord time and was on the water by 6. I tried hailing Mike on the radio but no one home. I started out at the dam again and hooked and released a smallie about 12in. Worked across the dam for nothing. The fish that were holding on points and coves a couple of weeks ago werent there. I was thinking OK this is going to suck. Keep fishing you fool. The wind was blowing over the top of the dam and straight to the west. So I just worked along the shore staying in the 25ft range and casting to shore and reeling out to the kayak. Oh yea I forgot to say that I bought some new stuff and still went back to the rooster tail that I just cant stop throwing. All my fish were on that lure tonite. 6lb test on an ultra light rod and small spinning reel. Around 7:30 or so the radio came to life and it was Mike. He was fishing the other side of the lake. We never saw each other but we stayed in contact. Right after we checked in with each other I get a nice smallie around 14in. Then another. I call Mike but he cant talk. Wherever the hell he is the bite turned on also. He has fish on. For the next hour we just kept radioing each other saying FISH ON. I caught and released 16 fish in one evening. The largest going 16.75 inches. These fish are fighters. On the ultra light the rod was doubled over and in the water. So this goes on and on and its just too much. here we are both fishing alone in our spots  amile or so apart and yet we are right there filling in each other with blow by blow and measurments. Mike got off the water and I caught a few more and the sun was going fast so I had to get off the water because I dont have a light. Lake Sonoma is really fast becoming one of my fav spots and its in our county. 3 bucks to launch no inspections. Heaven man.

Sounds like you both had a blast catching fish in that lake.   Thanks for the report and pictures Craig.

That's alot of fish for an after work session. Bite was on. WTG!

Ive never been into bass fishing but now that i have a kayak imma start haha lol more money to spend the grl is gonna be heated  man sounds like you hell one hell of a tripp someone will be sleeping good tonite Jai Boi

Keo

Nice - WTG Craig.  Sunset smallies on UL with a roostertail.....priceless.  Sounds like a great evening!

Great job! Sounds like a very enjoyable afternoon/evening of fishing. Can't beat that.

A few more shots

   Craig, I should have taken you up on the invite. Great Job on the smallies.

Good job .. I was up there last week and caught a few by the Island on the west, right in the middle of the day.  I was ripping "rattlin' raps" in blue/silver color.  But, got a few largemouth, too.
Not holding to the points, though.  Got most where rock turned to mud or grass to no-grass.

Lake New Meloines has turned on.  Bass and Kokanee were hot there last weekend.  Saw a few big catfish coming out of there and lots of pretty big crappie.

Unfortunately -- in my bass boat 'cause I have not taken the yak fishing yet. Need a mentor to go out with and see how it's done I think.

nice smallie craig, i almost went up there last night, i hit the fort in the morning was back in the burg by noon, got all the gear washed and repacked, but wind was coming up and the couch was getting real comfy, hahaha, glad you and mike did well, cameron

Great report.  Gotta love it when people who met over the computer are out there "together" corresponding only electronically on the lake too!  Classic, and a great example of this modern phenomenon we've tapped in to.   

WTG on the smallie Craig. It seemed like you are on a semi retirement. You're
all over the place. If you ever fish for SMB  again on a Friday, could you please
think of me? That is one more fish I need to learn how to catch. Not
that I have been hot on catching anything lately. Stupid halibut just keep kicking
my butt.

Thanks a bunch,
Jedmo

Nice smallie upgrade there Craig.  I like to way you get after those fish...keep it up.

HB

Can a brutha get an invite?

Nice action on the smallies. I left work early yesterday and a buddy and I went back to our roots and shore fished Campbell Cove aka Contaminated Cove for Sharays.

That looks like a lot more fun!

Way less toxic too. What a plus. Next time your on Dustin