Lake Del Valle / Livermore - Sat. Jan 6, 2007 (PICS)

Conditions: PERFECT - cold but sunny - no wind.

Got there at 8AM. Met a nice fella from San Jose on a small blue kayak (forgot his name) It was his first time kayak fishing and already had met Pat / Seabreeze a while back.

I paddled out right across the lanch ramp trolling a small shallow diving crankbait and instantly hooked up with a decent rainbow - 17 inches.

I made my way past the narrows and trolled some more towards the dam....got to one of the honey holes and managed to fool this catfish (I switched to a deeper diving rapala). Released after the kodak moment.

I kept trolling until I hit a point right next to some rock formations and started fan casting a rapala right on the lip of the shoreline...over a dozen casts and finally got rainbow # 2 to hit. The fish made some powerful runs and it turned out to be a 20 incher 

I then met another nice fella on a green Ocean Kayak - also from San Jose - He's name is Carlos. We talked story for a while then I headed back to the launch area for another try at rainbow # 3......

Rainbow # 3 never showed up.

Anyway, I also found out that the local Boy Scouts were out in force - bringing Christmas trees out to the lake's shorelines and tying 'em together with chains - to serve as fish habitat when the water fills up the lake again. Good stuff right there  I paddled in to tell them that they were doing a great job and jokingly told them that "the beer's are on me "...one of the parents didn't think it was funny  So I escaped while I could

Hey mooch ,

Nice report, guess Bill did not get loose. Like the Boy scott deeds!!! I was thinking about you guys this am while I was driving back from sac. Got to get out on that lake soon, there's a good amount of small mouth to be had there..........8 points right???.........Danglin

Hey Danglin....Bill called later on and just could not get off his comfortable bed 

IMO: Bigger small mouths at Lake Mendocino or even at the Russian River....I also hear Berryessa is another good place from SMB. Going to have to plan a trip there this year.

I've had 30+/- days on smallmouth @ berryessa, just nothing of size...

Great looking trout Joel, mine were pretty dinky (but yummy) next to them. Pretty cool with the xmass trees, little do those folks know you dont even drink!

How do you catch those trout DUDE!!   Way to Hookem' Mooch!  I must say," ever since my maiden-yak-voyage,I can't troll one up 30+mi. for zilcho!!  way to hit that target man!!

Nice report and trout.  Hard to believe you hooked a catfish on a crankbait. Still have to work on the smile for the swim suit calendar. Heading to Del Valle on 1/14 for my family fishing tournament, hope you left a few for us.

Scott

Hard to believe you hooked a catfish on a crankbait

I've had that happen 4 times now - in Del Valle

Adam - I've fished Del Valle for a long time know and every time I fish it, I stick to the areas that I know that usually produce fish and if all fails, I'll try new spots. So far, my "go to" spots have not failed me but then again, there are a lot of "go to" spots in Del Valle  Having a FF really helps me figure out where's the best spot to troll or even just stop the yak and cast out. IMO: the key is just looking for humps or any irregular bottom features where my lure can swim close enough but not snag. The flats can produce fish as well - but I try to key on the flats that have a sudden drop-offs close by.

So far - I have done well just right across the boat launch, right next to the Hetch Hetchy Camp ground, the rock formations right across Venados Camp grounds, Swallow Bay and the Dam Cove. I have yet to explore Heron Bay.

Hope this helps

Thnx fer'da extra-details Mooch!  I see them on the FF! but they wont cooperate!

Joel -

Thanks for the tips. My daughters team kicked my butt last year. If your fishing Del Valle on 1/14 join us for our family shore lunch at 12:00. Probably have Chinese food.

Scott

Scott - I would love to join you guys on the 14th.....but I will have to attend a yearly get-together with my H.S. buddies in Tahoe this weekend (last year, I did not attend cause I was busy hunting sturgeon )....so, I'm actually giving my poor kayak a "much deserved break" and will giving my snowboard some much needed attention 

Anyway, have fun with the family - IMO: family fishing is the best kind of fishing  Good luck and take plenty of pics!!!

Nice catch Mooch...you've got that place wired.