PB 040614 - San Joaquin Trolling

Short and simple:  On the water at 8AM from Brannan Island.  Fished for a little over 3 hours.  Headed south to the SJ.  Nothing on the reeds so moved to rip rap. 

18.5".  My sons first solo striper.  He heard the pole go off and jumped up and was on it.  I cleared the other poles and just lived the moment of my son fighting his first real fish.  Trout don't count. 

The smile and high fives were worth a million, 18.5":





Cruised to almost Owl Harbor and I got this Mighty Mouse on Magnum Craw:



We had a good laugh and I was on the receiving end of some ribbing.  It felt less like my son and more like a buddy.

Hit Owl and turned around.  Down the rip rap and KAAABBBOOOMM!  I looked at Max , he gave the nod and I grabbed the stick.  He was deck hand extraordinaire, cleared the other two poles and grabbed the net.

After I grabbed it, I knew it was a good fish.  It didn't take imagination as it soon came to the surface and thrashed like an orca.  It went on a few runs, I kept it high and tight.

After three or four flashes of color, Max netted it like a pro.  There do be hooting and hola'ering!! 28".







I have fished a few times with my son, today I fished with my friend and fellow fisherman:



3.75 mph, caught 3 fish on 3 poles: clown Yuri, chart/ red Predator, and Rattle Magnum craw.  ~100' set back.  Cruised to 10' to 20' and back again.  Everything with a white trick except for the Rattle.

WTG, Aaron, putting a smile on your son's face.

Awesome bro, thanks for sharing your father son time. can't wait for my little man to fish with me.

That's an awesome report. Thanks for sharing.

-ed

Nice.

Can't wait for the water to clear up for the top water bite! Was up in prospect slough Saturday and saw no signs of bait life or stripers.

Way to go, there is memory for the both of you!

Awesome! Glad you guys had a great time.

Right on, Aaron - great stuff!   

Thanks guys!  I am trying to keep it fun and positive when he comes.  This was the first time it all came together quickly.  He is  psyched to do some Berry Koke trolling next week!  I am looking forward to it!

What size test are you using? Braid or fluro?

Thanks for the great report and pictures Aaron.

What size test are you using? Braid or fluro?

2 of my striper trolling rods have mono (20lbs) and the other braid (40 lbs) backing/main line.  I use a 3' 15lbs fluro leader on each pole to tie into the lure.

What size test are you using? Braid or fluro?

2 of my striper trolling rods have mono (20lbs) and the other braid (40 lbs) backing/main line.  I use a 3' 15lbs fluro leader on each pole to tie into the lure.

Sounds good thank you.

Very nice report! I like it when you considered your boy a friend and fellow fisherman.