Mendo Wednesday!

After such a poor showing on Sunday with Ty,when I saw Sean's Mayday post I got jacked up to hit Mendo again.My older son Chad was free,so we hit the lake at 7am.The bait would not cooperate,but I finally made 8 or so.We only saw a few busts on the north end then a PB put them down,so we started paddling south.
 After making a pit stop my rod started bouncing while still parked on the beach,it was a dink smallie.Then we just shove off and Chads reel starts buzzing while he was just starting to let out line to troll.At the same time it starts to rain and the wind is ripping.I helped Chad stay off the rocks while he played out his fish.It was a 12.5# striper,32.5".
 Soon after BigEyeDave showed up.Chad hooked another fish,it was a nice largemouth that threw the hook when he went to lip it.
 Dave,Chad,and I  trolled back to the launch for nada.Chad caught another largemouth with a fluke from the dock,while I made a couple baits for Dave.We packed it up at noon and Dave paddled of to the Western shore.     

Nice fish Chad!!!!

Nice Cobra CHAD.  ALSO VERY NICE TOAD.... WTG.. show up the ole man.......

Great job! I wish I would have known you were in town, I would have came to the lake and hassled you. I sure like the yellow stringer....hint hint.

CHEERS!

I'll tell the rope splicer Mahi!

Wow... nice striper!  Congrats to Chad.

So... Fishshim..... is your son more stoked about kayakfishing now?

ChuckE,I think he is!He seemed receptive to the possibility of doing a rockfish and abalone trip.Chad was really miserable on a spring storm striper trip last year.Sean,Bluefin17.Chad,and I paddled into a HUGE boil on the south side,fish were coming up a rod length away.But it was cold and then it started raining.I asked if he wanted to go,and Chad(in my maurader)took off for the dock.I was in my Tarpon160 and I couldn't catch him.After his winter in Tahoe Chad claims to be alot more tolerante of the cold.

 Way to hooka fat one Chad!  and other species of the lake too!     you got my best beat.  
 
did you guys start at the S. launch or the N.?   where did you find/see most of the NETABLE bait.I'm lookin for most recent bait-intel.

Thanks for the pics to get me through and the report to make me PUMPED!!

Adam the bait has been hit and miss.The shad are showing on the north and south end.But any boat launching and people moving around are putting them down.:smt013Catching bait can be the hardest part.Powerboat movement really spooks the stripers.At the launch we saw smaller boils but a PB zoomed in and they were gone.At least you have a visual place to start your troll.I brought my net on the yak in case I spotted a good school while paddling.
 Are you going up this week?

next thur. crack of dawn.   trying to get a plan of attack together, go to n.-side first or s.side?.......get there early to make bait, MAYBE?........       get there after 8:oo and hope that the lazy-bait- shop will be open?......so many desicions to make....  
Thnx for the latest scoop fishshim!  it will be applied.

ChuckE,I think he is!He seemed receptive to the possibility of doing a rockfish and abalone trip.Chad was really miserable on a spring storm striper trip last year.Sean,Bluefin17.Chad,and I paddled into a HUGE boil on the south side,fish were coming up a rod length away.But it was cold and then it started raining.I asked if he wanted to go,and Chad(in my maurader)took off for the dock.I was in my Tarpon160 and I couldn't catch him.After his winter in Tahoe Chad claims to be alot more tolerante of the cold.

Nice striper's mendo produces, good job,

You have padled the Tarpon and Maurader, which do you like better?...Danglin

I researched along time before buying.At the time it was Tarpon vs Prowler,and I went Tarpon(non tankwell).
 The Tarpon has a better fit and finish and would be my choice for a fast semi touring type boat.It cuts through swell,is fast,low profile in wind,and has rudder.But it's initial stability can be scary to beginners.I bought a tankwell insert but it doen't drain and the storing of rods can be a tricky balancing act in rough water.
 The Marauder is rougher in finish but with the rocker in the hull it performed well in rough water(Elk last year).The wide beam makes it really stable and the abundance of easy access storage is great.
But with convenience comes weight.
 If you want a minimalist faster easy paddling boat for distance that can handle rough water,Tarpon.For a more all around boat with ridiculous storage and rigging options Marauder.I can comfortably carry my little kid and my livewell,rods,etc,and feel very stable.
 Fuzz talked me out of the Tarpon last year,and I have sellers remorse.It would be nice to have for salmon or distance paddling.

I thought I would just add to this thread, since it was all the same day.  The title should be, "Mr. Shim's magic minnow", or "The little shad who could."  After no love for me with Mark and Chad I decided to take a few more laps around the N. end.  Mark was kind enough to catch me 2 shad before he left.  The weather was looking crappy and the wind was starting to blow but I had the whole place to myself and I thought I would make the best of it.  It was nice trolling with the wind at your back because you didn't need to paddle.  Coming the other way was another story.  Anyway, I made a huge loop to the west for not, then paddled back to the creek mouth on the N end.  At the bouys I reeled in my last shad and decided if he was still alive I would make just one more loop in the little cove out and front of the boat ramp and then call it a day.  He was still kicking so I started paddling into the wind up the cove.  I had pretty much given up and really wasn't paying attention when my rod was almost ripped out of the rod holder and line started peeling out.  I picked up the rod and new it was a good fish.  I played it for about 10 minutes and finally landed it.  36"  16 lb female.  It is my biggest ever at the lake.  Thanks Mark.

I played it for about 10 minutes and finally landed it.  36"  16 lb female.  It is my biggest ever at the lake.  Thanks Mark.

  Nice one!!!!!

WHoa!!!   Nice stripers there, way to stick it out.  jtf..