Berryessa Report: Kayak Sat May 8th

Berryessa May 8th

Got out for the morning. Tried trolling from my kayak for a bit for the 1st time with a Kok setup. Went up and down the North bank towards the dam and back. No takers. I didn't have any speed indicator so next time I'll bring a GPS to make sure I am keeping it 2-4mph. Finally gave up after 2 hours of that or so. Of course on the reel back in I got a hit from a 10" bass. Well at least the rig caught something!


   
I hung out in the alcove I stopped at on the North side and landed 3 more varying in size from 12"-15" on split shot 5" Watermelon Senkos bouncing off the bottom on a slow retrieve. Most of them looked exactly like either the one above or:



Really pretty fish! Moved back across lake when the wind just got viscous. Got some good bites and lost a few, but landed 3 more as I worked my way back towards Markley.

All in all a good day with 7 fish landed, but sizes were a lot smaller than I have been catching. I wonder if the changing weather and wind sent the bigger fish deeper? Anyone have any ideas on how the wind/changing weather (today's storm) impacts bass?

Looking forward to reading more about trolling from the yak!

Roughster, When you bring that GPS try trolling around 1.5-1.7 mph. I've had better luck out around Skiers
Cove, last year that is, haven't been out yet this year. Launch at Capel. Good Luck

Awesome first  report Roughster. Very well detailed plus pictures too. Welcome
aboard and hope to fish with you soon.

Jedmo

Welcome aboard Roughster.  Nice Spotted Bass.  Thanks for the report and pictures.

Nice way to get your first post (with PICS! ) out of the way.
& WelcomeToTheMadness, Roughster!!  IloveTHATlake

IloveTHATlake

Amen to that!  I have been going once or twice a week getting my system down on my kayak and even managed to land a decent fish or two.  The biggest so far being:

You can tell by the look on my face, it was quite a surprise when that bad boy surfaced!  It was great to let that beauty swim back down deep to hopefully be caught another day!  Vjo.Hobie-Dave was hanging out next door when I got home and I showed the pics.

This is my first season kayak fishing so I am interested in how long this bite will last at Berryessa?  I was told that there is a usual post spawn slump.  Anyone have any experience with Berryessa over the summer?

that is a H-O-G!!  I really hate the lake(i cant ever seem to find a pattern there) but you look like you know what you're doing.
as for Berryessa in the summer?  better get as many days IN as you can, when you can.
itWILLbeOVERTAKENbyPLEASUREBOATERS

FishHunter:  I was afraid you were going to say that (pleasure boat take over).  I guess the good thing is I don't mind getting up early, so I'll probably stick to early morning sessions.  If anyone is interested in paddling Berryessa let me know.  I usually try to get out on Saturdays and I don't mind showing what I know (what little there is I do know hehe  )

This weekend I am going to try and get a camping spot up at Black Butte and try that lake out for the 1st time.  I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

I heard about you even before you post your first fishing report through Dave. WTG on the HOG.

Jedmo

Thanks!  It is the largest freshwater fish I have ever caught only being beat even for salt by a yellow tail tuna I caught on a party boat at the Coronados!  The one thing that sucks about single handed "self-portraits" is I typically hold the fish behind me which actually makes them appear smaller than they are!  I was concerned about keeping it out of water for too long, but next hog I land I'll get a scale/weight shot + a measure tape shot for a nice documented record.

Nice fish Roughster..I fished the berry yesterday though for kokes..I caught 4 kokes 1 trout. I kept the largest koke..a very nice berry fish! I launched from Oak Shores and fished Big Island and Goat Island trolling with a down rigger. Fish were caught at 15-30 ft all on a pink hoochie. I'll try the bass maybe next week. Maybe we'll see each other out there sometime!