Melonies

I got to Angels cove about 9:30am, nice cold breeze coming from the north,
I kept to the east side of the cove for the first float down, letting the wind push me, I threw everything spinner, panther martin, copcar, and cast master, No hits the first hr. All the time I'm throwing lures I'm dragging a night crawler too. I finely catch one on the crawler 1 1/2 hrs into the morning. Get to the end of the cove, troll back up to dock, nothing. I then floated the west side of the cove. Same thing as the east, just one more trout.  No monsters, but good enough for dinner

everyone I talk to was having the same type of morning..  Slow

well done craig! great report too! getting fish on those slow days is an achievement.

when 2006 gets here, my two rod stamp will be in effect, I'm going to try stevens creek
reservoir and/or lexington with bait, grubs and worms and also I'll try my lures. can't wait!

Hi john,

Were's Lexington res, it sounds familar but I can't place it.  I've never heard of Stevens creek, is it close to Lexington?

Craigh,

Lexington is just off of HWY 17 - you can't miss it.

Steven's Creek is in Cupertino - right off HWY 85.

NICE BOWS!

Ya those are some nice trout, im thinking of trying Melones sometime.
But I cant wait to get some more action up at Stevens Creek like before.

I figure I should get skunked at my local lakes before I head further afield.

lexington reservoir and stevens creek are close and supposedly have trout.

traveling to them from elsewhere would not be a good idea I think.

mooch likes del valle, but the east bay scares me,  .  melones
doesn't count that's beyond the east bay! so it's either the local
neighborhood for me or further afield to melones, don pedro, etc.

I have been working _and_ taking care of my boys the last three days, the nanny's
on holiday, wife is working, I'm going crazy, I need to get out. I will paddle
in the pouring rain and cold (I ain't made of sugar) , but unfortunately lighting is forecast
for this weekend, so I might not even be able to do that.   

there's also Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. It's been a while since I've been there but I remember catching a lot of Bass during my float tube days.....



For More Information:

For fishing and boating information you can contact Lak Chabot Fishing Outfitters 510-247-2526. Fishing information is also available from Walton's Pond 510-352-3932, or Castro Valley Sportsmen's Center 510-537-8191. For camping and facilities information, call Lake Chabot 510-544-3202.

...or Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton. I caught my biggest trout (8 Pounds) and my biggest bass ( 5 pounds) in this lake. IMO: this is the best lake to go to during the rainy season. It used to be a rock quarry so there is not a lot of mud in the lake. It tends to remain clear even on the heaviest down pour. There is also a swimming section on this lake for kids during the summer AND a water slide adjacent to the lake. A good place for a family fishing trip.

The back ponds are FULL of bass and bluegills 

I have not been to this lake for a while now - let's just say that the lake was better before the new owners took over - just my opinion.



Notes:
Rainbow trout fishing is best when plants are made during late fall, winter, and early spring. Bait fishing is effective off the Stanley shoreline and dock areas. Trolling is best along the backwall and in the Panhandle.
Channel and white catfish action is most productive in summer and early fall, though fish can be caught all year. Fish mackerel and other baits in the Panhandle.
Black bass are active in the spring, summer, and early fall in the main lake.Use finesse techniques with small plastic worms and grubs. In Arroyo Del Valle and island pond, fish worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits for bass from the bank.
Bluegill and crappie angling is most productive in spring and summer. Use small jigs, red worms, and nightcrawlers along reservoir shoreline.

Thanks for the info guys,

I've never realized the bay area had lakes you could fish. 
I just go that way to get to the Ocean,

Drop me a note when you head to Melonies, I'm off most weekends. I think a week or two after these storms
the bite will be back in full force... Looking forward to meeting you in the future..

I think our lakes are more like ponds. at least the penninsula ones
and southbay ones.

craigh (or hd), do you have a net for landing those trout or do you 'leader' land them?

I always use a net, it's just a cheap one. It's got a 2' handle and I keep just within reach on the bow
I keep the fish in it until untill I get it in the laundry bag. I use the bag instead of a stringer, the bag keeps them alive
all day. Just in case I feel like letting them go at the end of the trip..

Reading some the post about the size of fish being caught in those lakes, gotta be more than ponds..

And I'll bite, whats (hd)?

 

I'm guessing HD is me.  I always bring a net for the bigger ones.  If I can tell is a small one I just pull it up by the leader.  Otherwise I net them.  You never know how you have them hooked and I don't want to lose a fat one right the end.

Just a little cheap net.

Craigh - tell me about the laundry bag and how you keep the alive all day?

Here's a pic of the bag, it's 24" long x 18" wide and has a draw string at the top. It's a soft material mesh
I attach it to the side, and leave it in the water. It isn't 100% but it works pretty good for Bass and trout.  In the first pic you
can see it in the water, and the fish causing ripples... That was taken as I was getting ready to leave..

I've lost my share of fat ones, right at the boat   A couple of losses like that, I had to get the net.

I guess I'll have to get a little net of some sort. I have a big cheap one, but I think the holes
are too large.  the laundry bag looks like a good idea.