Berryessa 6/7.....giant catfish

I took the yak to Berry this AM for some fishing/exploring and self rescue practice (with a kayak it’s not “if” but “when” you fall in the water). I launched at Oak Shores just west of the Big Island and trolled out as far as the tip of the B.I. before exploring some of the “thinner waters” where I haven’t ventured before.  I had no elusions of landing any kokanee  seeing how my maximum depth was about 15 feet but it was a good day to be on the water none the less.  About 9 AM I landed a 13 inch SM bass. (not being a bass fisherman I think that was what it was).  It took a trolled nightcrawler behind a chrome 4/0 dodger at 2 colors out.  It wasn’t until 11:30 that I scored again with a larger version of the first bass at 17 inches.  It was getting warm so I headed for Oak Shores and just before I got there I got hit hard.  Fought this monster for about 10 minutes before slipping the smallish net under him.  Turned out to be a 29 inch/8 pound catfish.  He took a trolled yellow glow dodger with a crawler in tow.  Took a bunch of pics but released all the fish to fight another day.  Now for the self rescue practice.  I emptied out the boat except for the paddle and me.  I tried standing up in it and didn’t upset the boat.  I just wanted to see how stable it was.  Not bad but not for me.  I jumped out of the boat and tried to get back in.  It looks easier than it really is.  The boat is way buoyant and my fat ass aint!  Trying to coordinate the 2 was like watching an Abbott and Costello skit.  I did finally conquer the task at hand and got back in 3 times on the left and 3 times on the right.  I’m sure all the people standing around watching me got a good show.  I was tired after that so that was enough for one day.  A few photos for your approval…

Kinda of a late sunrise shot.



The first volunteer.



The FF says there be fish here.



The second bass getting sized up.



I think I need a bigger net.



I had to beach the boat to measure this oinker.  Maybe he was full of kokanee?????

That's one big fat Kitty!  Thanks for the report and pictures kokoloco.

Now that a big belly!
I landed a fat trout out there yesterday and she was 5 2" minnows in her stomach. I bet that kittie has about 100

Sounds like a good day to me. Nice.

Nice kitty bro.

Jedmo

Awesome Berry success Sam!

Gluttony!

Those big Berry channel cats keep thinking they're trout!

Nice fish.

Thanks for the report and pics.

Nice fish, what did you catch the catfish with?

Talk about a fatty,curious to if its been eating Kobe's and trout if it chase down a dodger

Nice fish, what did you catch the catfish with?

It took a crawler towed behind a yellow glow dodger at 2 colors on lead core at about 1.5 mph.  I was thinking a big trout but then "he" showed up!

That's a fattie!!