Shasta Lake 03/09/2010 results

Well Tad and I hit Shasta Lake around 9:15 am.  The trip up there was an adventure in itself.  I was plagued by bad luck all day, but the fishing was good!

It started by an old lady running a stop sign in front of me.  My hard brake application may have loosened my straps, as a short time later while passing a big rig I found my kayak hanging alongside my truck instead of on the roof racks!  Luckily I strap the bow and stern during transport.  This kept it attached to my truck until I could pull over.  I still got a nice dent out of it.  I re-strap and hit the road, only to have a truck kick up a rock and chip my windshield!  Argggg, bad things only come in threes right?.........

So Tad and I meet at Phil’s Prop Shop for our minnows and supplies.  We then head to the lake.

The launch is debris strewn but not bad for the kayaks.  We hit the water to a bit of wind and waves.  A few large enough to break over my bow.   I almost felt I was in the Ocean!



Tad hooked up a nice salmon about 10 min into our paddle. 





We paddle on for nothing, until Tad hooks into a monster Salmon on the other side of the lake. 



Joy turned to concern as it was a big fish!



It was quite a fight, and Tad finally worked it into the kayak.  It all looked good and I got it on video when……well something went wrong and the fish lives to bite another day.  Tad was understandably heart broken.

Here is the video I threw together.  The light reflection messed with the camera some, but it was a good fight.  I was torn between laughter and tears when the fish got off:




We paddle into Dry Creek, and out of the wind.  I put on a minnow and start hammering the bass.  Caught a lot of little minnow stealers and a few decent fish around 14”.  I was preparing to put another eater sized fish on my game clip.  I reached back and…..no clip!  My poly line slipped (threaded into itself) and let the clip sink to the bottom.  It was a nice large on too with 4 bass on it, so no chance at floating.  Darn….the bad luck continued.  But the view was nice:










I catch several more fish and one of the small ones doesn’t look so good.  I toss it back and it flounders, attracting a bald eagle!  I am too close for the eagle to grab the fish, so the bass finally recovers to the dismay of the eagle, who proceeded in circling and yelling at me to let me know just how he felt at losing a free meal.

I tie on a green baby brush hog and get a few more bass, and loose a nice 3 lb bass right at the kayak.

Tad and I found the bite shut down not to long after that, so trolled our way back to the ramp.  The wind was picking up again, and it was getting cold.





Over all a great day fishing and I had a good time hanging around with Tad.  We talked game plans on GMS IIII and what we were going to do with the new kayak. 

Overall I caught around 14 bass.  Tad had the Salmon karma today and caught some nice bass and crappie!  Nice to get out and paddle.

Matt

Nice Bendo on that light tackle.

Sounds like you both had a fun day catching fish!  Thanks for the report, video, and pictures Matt.

Some more Video
http://www.youtube.com/v/dZIxqFVqtTc&hl=en_US&fs=1&">


It was a good day of fishing filled with both highs and lows.
The salmon I lost was about 20in.
Matts loss of his game clip full of bass
I had a multiple species day
Matt hammered the bass

Thanks Matt for the great hookup/report/pics and vid of me losing that monster at the boat.
Let's do it again reel soon
Tight lines all!
Tad

Despite all of the bad luck, it is quite obvious that you guys had a terrific time.  Good fishing, great company, and an even better report.

It was difficult watching Tad lose that fish though.   I found myself screaming, "No, not the lip grippers!"

I couldn't really tell what was said when the net was mentioned.  Any reason why it was deployed?  I guess hindsight is 20/20.

Great report - too bad about the lost salmon.  Where was the net?!   

It was difficult watching Tad lose that fish though.  I found myself screaming, "No, not the lip grippers!"

I was PISSED
Actually I abandoned the lip grippers, and tried to lift it on the yak by the 4lb. test line when the line breaks and I watch the monster swim away with my Rapala still in its mouth

I was PISSED
Actually I abandoned the lip grippers, and tried to lift it on the yak by the 4lb. test line when the line breaks and I watch the monster swim away with my Rapala still in its mouth

Yeah, I had a hard time telling what was going on with the paddle slightly obstructing the view.  I was wondering what you got him on.  That answers it.  Were you toplining or was it a countdown?

My heart still aches, although probably not as much as yours.

It would have been a perfect day if it wasn't for your misfortune along the way. I'm sure you still had a wonderful time regardless Matt.

WTG on the salmon Tad. Sorry about the big one that got away from you.
Don't worry though, the new blue kayak may have your name on it.

BTW Matt, you weren't kidding about the water condition you had at the lake.
Truly an ocean condition almost.

Jedmo

Nicely done guys, sounds like quite the adventure.  Don't worry Matt, lady luck will find you on the next trip.  I fished Shasta Saturday (non-yak), and between the 3 of us in my boat we only managed 8 bass, and no luck on the troll...I'll blame it on the Pale Ale's!  I'm looking forward to getting out there with you guys on the yaks, maybe next weekend we'll have to put something together.

-beenfishin

Next time try getting out of the other side of the bed...   Glad your yak survived!! Great to see the lake mostly full. I was wondering if she had filled this year. A fish lost is better than a fish never hooked right? That's what I tell myself......ya, that what I keep saying, it's better, it's better, it's better..............still hurts 

Good stuff fellas! Way to document the trip 

Tad, at least you got to see the brute

Sounds like a great day despite the misadventures.

What a heart breaker. Sorry you missed that one. Thanks for the great report/pics/video. A quality report.

-FF

What a great report guys!!!  It had EVERYTHING!   

Matt, wow... I have dreamed of that situation before, glad it didn't turn out too badly! 

Tad, my heart goes out to you man    Better to loose a fish like that than to be skunked like me for the last 4 outings...

Great pics and video capturing the whole event!  AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! 

I'm sure you wont forget that day for a while!