Lake Sonoma Bass nonyak

 I got to backseat in my cousins bassboat at Lake Sonoma today.He wanted to prefish for an upcoming tournament.
 We established a pattern dropshotting,jigging,and throwing rip baits.Most of the fish were between 1 and 2 lb smallmouths which is unusual.It was typical fishing for this time of year,low and slow, 48-51degree water.My cousin had the big fish which was a 2 1/2 lb largemouth.
 I was dropshotting on our last past and threw a "no guts no glory" cast.The cast was tight into the crotch of a laydown submerged tree.I made about 3 shakes and the line stopped,it felt like a snag then it moved a little so I swung .The fish dogged me and stayed deep ,actually taking line on my 6lb test rig.When we finally got a glimpse of the fish subsurface my cousin promptly called me a 4 letter name.Then he got out his net!
Nice way to end a day OTW with a 5lb largemouth.
 On our way in I spotted a familiar looking yak trolling west.It was our own Mickfish.

Nice LMB man!!!!  Looks like Purple was the trick???   Did you go by mickfish in the bass boat about 40MPH and give him a huge wake?  That lake has great cove and structure!!!!

Nice fish Mark!  I also love the solidutude warrior that is Mickfish...WTG Mike!!!

Man was it windy. I got a late start and decided to cross the lake and  paddle against the wind for a mile or 2 I caught 1 12" Smallie dropshotting but nothing on the troll. When I saw Mark and he told me he caught a 5 lber I decided to stop trolling for LL Steelies and do a little dead sticking and dropshotting few bites but no hook ups. The wind was pretty fierce at times so I crossed the lake and put on crankbaits with rattle I was getting nothing on Shad Raps and the shallow water was a little muddy so I thought the noise might help.

When I got across the lake it was a differant world FAC, no wind, water was less muddy beautiful, small creeks cascading into the lake. Everypoint I came to one rod would go off nothing big and a mix of SMB and LMG 12-14" what a blast. Then my heavy rod with a Risto 9 got nailed fish was taking line not fast but not stopping either soon as I started cranking gone  . Next point my lighter rod goes off fish is heavy but sluggish I see color and its fat looks like a 4-5 lb LMB it give one last desperation jump and I realize its a big smallies out flies the lure  . Next point same rod goes off again this fish is full of fight jumps right away big smallie taking no chances I net it it's a pig  . Damn those fish fight I'm starting to rethink my Favorite Fish. Hook and lose another biggie and a couple smaller and head for home great day and nice seeing you Mark and thanks for spurring me on. Oh yea the lake came up pretty fast check out the launch.
Fish was Fat 19" I would guess at least 4 1/2 lbs of course the one that got away was bigger . My paddle Ruler is worn out not the longest Smallie I've caught but the Fattest. This lake is turning on can't way to go back.
 

beautiful fish!  nice to hear it wasnt deep and holding next to shallower structure.
way to shake it.

Nice report and photo's Mark and MickFish! Looks like you had a great time.

CHEERS!

Mark

Great report and photos. Beautiful fish and way to go. Pretty gutsy throwing 6# test into cover. I never finess fish in structure, maybe I should. Got to get over the fear of losing tackle.

scott

Mike - nice SMB How about a guided trip sometime 

Anytime

nice report guys with great fish to booth

Way to go Mark! You got me thinkin about bassin' now. Some nice weather coming too. Pre-Spring is big bass time.