Michael Seewald's
fishing adventures
for the FIRST half of 2013.
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* Lawrence Welk golf course pond, 19th
8 bass total of me, 0 for Mike C. 8
a.m. till 1 p.m..
I met at Mike's house at 7:15, his son
reported that he'd fished the resort three times and had caught a two
pounder each time, and did not get hassled, so we wanted to check it out.
When we arrived, about 8 a.m., we were stunned at how small the pond was,
you could cast across it. I checked the iPhone, GPS, and saw one four time
larger on a part of the property you'd have to get permission to enter
(this one you did not, it was more open to the public, restaurants, golf
course entrance, etc.).
I talked Mike into driving over close to
the area, and we saw it was only a couple of hundred yards from the road.
It was posted catch and release, as was the first one, and two gentlemen
were already fishing it. It was overcast, perfect for topwater. I got one
hit on a Gunfish, and then one on the whopper Plopper, before it broke off
on a cast.
I worked over by Mike, and got one on
the Gunfish, after a few followed it and I sped it it, competition got the
best of them. It was 10 a.m. at that time, the sun was out. That worked a
few times and had 5 by 11, two had got off. One I got by snagging a small
bass accidentally, and bass swam up and inhaled it just seconds later.
Click photos to enlarge.
My biggest ate a snagged baby bass while
working a suspending jerk bait.
I switched to a suspending Rapala, white
shad 4" jerkbait. I was amazed again how they can see a real bait from
such a distance in distress, whereas my bait worked like a dying fish
usually got uninterested stares only. My biggest was a four pounder,
caught that way, just seconds after snagging a small bass trying to eat
it.
As the sun got higher, the bite
diminished, although some older teenagers were catching bluegill and using
them, getting the 2 to 3 lb bass in short order with them.
*Delta-Clear Lake trip. June 8th-12th
First part- Delta:
Day 1, from noon till 9, solo- zippo.
Day 2, from 2 to 7, 2 bass me, James and John 0.
Second part - Clear Lake
Day one, from 6 to 9, 1 bass over 6,
Day two, one bass, over 4#, after dusk on frog in open water, at honey
hole.
6.8.'13 Delta.
1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Valerie and I arrived at the Comfort Inn in Stockton around
midnight, after starting out in San Diego around noon. Slept in somewhat
(breakfast ends at 9:30, so get up and eat), and then I got a 'summer do'
at a local hair salon. We arrived at Tower Park Marina around 1 p.m., and
I got Valerie set up with her internet connection at the store, as she was
going to hang out there, and at the van and read.
I headed to 'cheese bay', after tossing a frog across
from the ramp. It was 107 degrees, and not too breezy, not till 5 p.m.,
when it started to blow at 30 mph! I got nada, and took a break from 4
till 5, having a cold one at the store, Valerie was napping. I went to
'three islands' for nada, maybe one blow up, that was it. Worked my way
back at dusk, but the dirt blown up from freshly turned farmland was
horrendous on the eyes, looked like smoke from a fire actually, and
obscured the air just like it, and was brown. Off the water about 9.
Stayed with our friends that night in Davis.
6.9.'13 - Delta
- 2 p.m. to 7 p.m..
Sunday. After attending church with our good friends the
Olichney's, John, and his son James and I, headed to the Tower Park
Marina- it was about 1 p.m.. We stopped in Rio Vista, grabbing chow for
James at the Taco Bell, and at the Subway for us. It was super windy, and
we headed north towards Sycamore Slough, working the wind protected
western sides of the sloughs, fishing tulles and grass lines. Top was
dead.
Ran across two guys reporting many caught on there
white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, which I had tied on. Half hour later got
one on it. An hour later another yet. They then switch to the same bait.
Click photos to enlarge.
The spinnerbait comes thru again.
James looks on as his dad takes the snap.
Worked our way back into Sycamore, but nothing else
hit. We hit 'cheese bay' on the way back, the sunken tractor was
completely covered with water, all but 2" section, scary. Nada on the
cheese, we were very cold, as the bay winds came in, even though the day
before was 107, it was now about 68 and super windy, so we left early, at
7 p.m. (mostly as James had shorts on with short sleeves).
6.10.'13 Clear
Lake
7 to 9 p.m.
Valerie and I arrived around 3 p.m., and after checking in I
launched the boat and plugged in the trolling motor batteries in, they
were still drained from fishing the day before. A tournament, WON
Bass, was having a three day one, and I'd thought it was over the day
before, 'my bad'.
Then we had a great birthday dinner for Valerie's
girlfriend Jeanette, at a Thai restaurant downtown Lakeport. She lives
there and Valerie likes coming here to visit, gives her something to do
while I fish.
Click photos to enlarge.
So' fishy' looking, but this time none hit the frog,
first time getting nada here.
We came back and I hit the water, it was about 7 p.m.,
started at the docks with frogs and Whopper Plopper, surprisingly for
nada, that had never happened there. Worked the exit, same baits, more
nada. Worked the honey hole, towards Lakeport, the wind was not too bad,
and the weeds were also not to grown in. I tossed Kermit onto a weed patch
on the inside corner and ouila, a six pounder exploded on it. A hard fight
and she was landed, weighed, photographed and released, T.U.L..
Click photos to enlarge.
This one, a littel over 6 lbs, hit in a corner of my
honey hole, big explosion
and fought like a ten (not that I've ever landed one that size yet).
6.11.'13 Clear Lake
6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Started at 6 a.m., at the Tulle Point with big topwater baits,
Whopper Popper and the Lunker Punker, and the Flippin' Bird frog type
bait. All for nada. Worked both ends for a couple of hours easily, maybe
three. Then worked south to the big slough, and into it by 100 yards or
so, but was not feeling the love, no hits, on the frog.
Headed back around 1 p.m. and took a break. Took Valerie to an early
dinner around 5:30, a Mexican restaurant, Angel's Rock House, not from
from the casino, in Finley, headed towards Kelseyville.
Then I was back out to the honey hole. Got a nice 4 1/4 at 8.30, open
water on the popper frog. 'Flushed it', no explosion, just swam under it
and opened her big mouth. No skunky- cool.
Click photos to enlarge.
This one, a 4 1/4, hit in open water, 'flushed it',
no explosion, just
swam under it and opened her big mouth.
6.12.'13 Clear
Lake -
morning only, 7 a.m. till 10 a.m..
Tournament was still going on. Fished 'Gator's 8# slough', outside area
first to start, topwater frog for one blow up. Worked to the east corner
where I'd done well before, for nada. Then the bed fish, too murky today,
then into the slough for a big blow up on the frog under a tree on the
point. Nada all the way in, ended at the docks after working them too for
a few seconds.
Packed up and gone by 11 p.m., arrived back home at 1 a.m., without a
lot of dallying on the way too.
* El Capitan, So. Calif.,
5.16.2013
w/ Paul O.
7 bass me, 2 Paul?, 5:45 a.m.- 5 p.m..
We took the alum. boat, the Skeeter's TM is still down. It was nice out,
and we stopped at the usual points on the way east. Nada at 'ramp point',
but at major point we got into busters, I got three, one on blind cast by
boulders (after tossing two other topwater baits). Paul lost one at the
boat.
Click photos to enlarge.
My biggest of the three caught in first 1/2
hour, all on top. Two on Gunfish busters.
We then headed north to the shallows,
but saw birds across from boulder bay and started there. Some blow-ups on
shad were seen, nothing hit our baits.
Continued to the narrows, tried out
luck, nada. Worked out way back, then headed to the far back shallows, and
I got one on the Gunfish, at 9 a.m. now, and Paul lost another and got
one. The fog lifted and it turned clear, and the topwater bite vanished.
We slowed down, tossed plastics, spinnerbaits, etc., nada.
The wind came up and I went back to top,
Plopper and Super Spooks. We fished the big trees where I got a big one a
two weeks earlier, and then the submerges brush in the shallows near the
back right side, where I also got some before. We fished to the way
back shallows again, and I tried the frog on my new Quantum EXO 7.3:1 reel
on my Dobyn's frog rod, sweet. But no fish.
Decided to work the flats back towards
the narrows, about 2/3rds the way back out. Got nailed on the Plopper on a
deep drop off by a flat, in 8' of water on a 12' deep side- but she came
unbuttoned as I tried to finesse her so a gentlemen fighting a bass just
west of us would not notice I had one on too. We let the high winds
drift us back to the shallows, saving trolling motor batteries. I got one
on three more wind swept sides, only one stuck.
We made another pass, starting up by the
narrows more, but did not get any hits this time. Was dead tired by 3:30,
having only got 3 hours of sleep. We decided to hit boulder bay on the way
out, but it was taken, so we hit the spot across from it, and I got one
blow up on the Spook. The winds so fierce that the trolling motor hardly
slowed us at all. We got back by 5 and packed it up. Was a pretty good
day, but Paul was set back as he only got two landed and thought he should
have had much bigger numbers. I think his lack of loud baits hurt him, I'd
offered another Spook had, my favorite cream one actually.
*Murrieta
Hot Springs
5.26.2013
solo
1 bass/ 3- 4 p.m..
Prayed the security guard would let me wet the line for an hour or so,
Valerie and I were on our way back from Vegas (dropping off art) and had
an hour to kill before eating at the Sizzler there in town. He almost was
not going to, and waived us through finally. TUL.
Tossed topwater for the most part, starting at the island first, then the
new section (old plank area). I finally got one on a Zcraw over by
'fountain point'. A nice one pounder (large for this pond, average wise).
TUL.
*
Lake Meade, Las Vegas, Nevada.
9 to 9:10 p.m.,
It was dusk when we first arrived, and it took a half hour to find the
water, the first two roads into the west part of the lake led to
overlooks, and long launch ramps (100's of yards long) with NO WATER IN
SIGHT!
Finally made our way (Valerie was with
me, we were there to drop off some art in Las Vegas the next day and had
just got there) to Boulder Bay, where hundreds of yards down the ramp we
found water. It was now dark, and although I did not have a Nevada fishing
license (only going to fish- catch and release) for 15 minutes. After
casting the Super Spook on the 'do-nothing' bank (means just a small rocky
shoreline, not structure to speak of) I got a backlash on a spool w/
braid, and not having a flashlight gave up on the idea of getting one.
Really just wanted to see what the lake looked like, but since it was now
dark that went out the window.
*Barrett Lake 5.19.'13
Solo, 13 bass, 1 bluegill
Sunny all day, very foggy till 8 a.m. Windy by noon.
Was going to be joined by Alain but he cancelled last minute, so I went
solo. Had food poisoning two days earlier so my energy level was pretty
low. Was going to go in on the 6 a.m. train so I could get a bit more
sleep, but waking at 2:15 a.m. and not being able to go back to sleep had
me rise at 3:15 for a 4:30 entrance time. Laurie checked me in, I comped
her a J.I.B. egg sandwich, she lives at the lake and can't take advantage
of fast food breakfasts like those of us that go there, she was quite
happy.
Everyone was loading the boat and then waiting for her
to get back at 5:20 to sell lake permits. So I shoved off at 5:20 as the
line was long and tried my luck at the dam and after 20 minutes of nada
(top and jig) went over and got mine.
Click photos to enlarge.
Wonderful fog, but not productive, fish
wise.
Went to the island and tried my luck, both the spot I'd
lost a monster the week before, and all around it- chatterbait, topwater
and Zcraw, nada. Two guys off to the side said it was slow, unlike opening
day for them! Finally got one, but it ended up being a bluegill.
Went to pigs point to use the services, stomach still
effecting me, and then fished the cove, nada. Two guys went by and picked
up one on a blade, they both were using it, reportedly picking up 'one
here and there'. I tried my chartreuse chatterbait some more, but nada.
Click photos to enlarge.
Adam and his father whom I sold my tube tickets too.
They had limited success early too.
It was there first time there, and were basically skunked, as I was, and
it was already 8 a.m.! OUCH.
Decided to go up Hauser to see
what it looked like low, and found the two guys I'd sold tickets to, their
first time and took their kayaks, and man and his father in law. They had
not had much luck, it was now 8:15. I gave them some more advice (from a
guy that was skunked after three hours? Yeah right.) and took some snaps
of them together, then went east.
As I went by Becky's cove I noticed a lot of birds so
swerved over to get a better look-see. Fish were busting, cool. I pulled
up to the island and a kayaker was getting into them. "About 10 so far" he
said. I tossed the Gunfish and immediately hooked into a chunk, which all
I could do was hold on and he pulled off, dang. I worked my way around the
small island, watching bass bust all over Becky's, a large flat at this
point. When I got around to the other side the kayaker had worked out to
the point, and I worked the spot he'd been in, casting back over the hump
and hitting the spot I'd got my first. That was the ticket, they liked the
bait coming in from deep to shallow and it was on. I got 6 in short order
(1/2 hour, and another one a bit further in the cover (worked in all the
way to the inlet, it was dead back there) and back out. I knew the flats
would be good for the Plopper, and sure enough got two hits and one stuck.
All these were healthy to and three pounders.
Click photos to enlarge.
Gunfish and Whopper Plopper.
By 10 it had slowed down, I had seven under the belt,
all top. I headed to the very back, the original plan, to see and try. The
end was hundreds of yards closer than two years ago, and a few patches of
dead stickups showed in about 10', going to 4' by the last 100 yards of
water. Started in the deeper section w/ the blade, and tossed the Plopper
once and a while too. Nada.
Worked by way out stopping at large dead
trees, tossing plastics, blade and plopper, nada. Started the deep shore,
left side, on way out, rock piles, just past what used to be a large cove,
now not much of one at all. Was 12:30 at this time, and I took off the
Super Spook from a Dobyn's rod w/my new Daiwa Steeze reel was as the drag
had gone out. First cast working it along a do-nothing shore after passing
a rock pile and I was surprised to hear the giant explosion- I had looked
off for a second while working it, and it fought quite well. Did not have
my scale (was still in the tube from last week), and guessed it to go 4-8,
T.U.L. On the next cast, got another. Wow, mid day again and it was on.
The winds were strong, so I went 'upstream' and used the trolling motor to
slow me down to reserve the battery, sliding w/ the wind backwards. I got
another few blowups this way, and a few more fish. One hit twice, but
missed, and I followed up w/ the Zcraw and she ate it on the drop. The
only one on plastics I'd get for the day.
Click photos to enlarge.
At noon I tried the Spook, second cast got
a 4-8, TUL. Game on.
By 2 I had worked 1/2 way back to the 'split', and was
dead tired (only three hours of sleep and sick), and decided to rig up a
'tent' and take a nap, instead of calling it a day- recharge my batteries
and fish the dusk bite. I beached the boat and figured a way to rig a
setup to hold my jacket up, using the oars, the motor and my standing
poles from my bait box to block the sun from my face. The sun directly
beating my the rest of my body was cooled by the wind, and I napped
intermediately for three hours, having to only wake up only because either
a boat cruising by, or when the wind slowed and I got hot, or to turn over
on the hard aluminum bench -every 1/2 hour or so as it was uncomfortable
for that, so basically every 15 minutes. I used my floatation seat as a
pillow. It was still wonderful.
Click photos to enlarge.
Here is the setup that saved my life,
giving me the shade I needed.
I awoke to two guys fishing the shore and reporting they
where picking one up here and there (the usual response we all give), on a
chatter bait on this section. It was now 5 p.m. I thought heck, time to go
'to work', and this section looks great for the Spook, and as it was 'hot'
when I'd stopped, in more ways than one, I went back to work w/ great
expectations. Nada. Nada for the next 200 yards on the slide back in the
wind, slowing w/ the trolling motor. Weird. Tried the Gunfish, nada. Great
looking spots, steep rock walls. The wind was howling, and the waves were
bigger than at 2.
Click photos to enlarge.
Gunfish fish.
Went back to Becky's, working the big island first,
nada. Then back to the small island, soon to be a peninsula, where I'd
gotten the earlier bite. One nice three pounder came out to play, again,
over the hump- Gunfish. The water is only two inches deep on top of the
hump, so you have to play them over that, which causes a lot of ruckus,
and lessens your chance of landing them. It cost me one earlier, but it's
a challenge and thus a lot of fun.
That was it, so I went to the island by the docks, nada.
Back to Pig's point, 6.30 now, and nada at the right point, and not much
in the back, unlike the week before at the same time. This time no cars
were left on the point, and very few at the docks (could count eight). Got
a few finally, on top w/ the gunfish, one nice one coming undone. Up to 13
now, not a big number, and wanted to get it even at least. Not to happen.
Jewel came by and motioned it was time to come in, the sun still hitting
the water. Started to head in and saw boats still coming in from far away,
and decided to work the section to the right side of the dock for my 14th,
but no hits on top. Got back by 7:30, w/ Jewel giving me a friendly
warning to watch the time, "what time is be-back time" I asked, "7:15" he
said. Uh oh. Loaded up the car and was gone before a lot of other guys,
some still arriving back to the docks as I left, at 7:50. Was a nice but
tiring day, T.U.L., and most likely my last for the season; cost vs
results being the main factor, along w/ the heat factor that will only go
up as the year progresses.
*El Capitan, So. Calif.,
5.16.2013
Lee W.
4 bass, 1 cat / 2 p.m.. - 7.15 p.m..
We took the alum. boat, the Skeeters TM is still down. It was very windy,
so the trolling motor batteries did not last long. But we weren't out all
day, so they lasted. Hit the usual rock piles on the way to the back,
nada. Started to work back from the narrows, and Lee gets one on the
gunfish. He wasn't watching when it hit, so the next thing he knows he was
just fighting a fish. He was very happy, he's never caught anything of
size.
Click photos to enlarge.
More Whopper Plopper fish. The big one on
the right went 5-8, cool.
I got a nice one on the plopper. We worked the back
area. I got another nice one on the plopper, a 5-8, and Lee started using
the d/s and got a channel cat about 8 lbs. I got one on the last cast,
just as I said 'that's it, time to go' another 3 on the Super Spook.
Click photos to enlarge.
Lee got a big cat on the d/s, I thought he
had a 10# bass the way it fought.
*Barrett
Lake 5.11.'13
Paul 11, me 21.
Teamed up for tubing with buddy Paul O., his first time out. I got my
ticket through 'Conrad', he through 'heman', on S.D.fish boards.
We arrived at almost the exact same time at the gate,
about 4:05 a.m.. Paul pulled in behind me less than a minute after I
arrived. Jose checked us in by 4:20, and we were off like a heard of
turtles meandering down the dirt road, takes about 20 minutes. We launched
at Pigs Point. I decided to kick across and head down the bank to the
docks, and get our permits we'd paid for at the gate. It was still dark
out, about 5:05 I believe Paul said.
It ended up real slow in the morning. Got some blow ups
on top the first two hours, none stuck. Threw jigs on and off too, no
luck. Paul got a couple, and slowly got one here and there on plastics. We
worked the dam, and around towards the island, where we heard there was a
good bite lately. The wind had kicked up at 10, and that helped the top, I
got my second one off a do-nothing bank, but it had a deep dropoff and I
thought they might hold baitfish along it, like the dam.
We had lunch there, it was about noon, Valerie made a
great spicy turkey sausage sandwich w/ grilled red peppers and onions,
Dijon mustard topped it off, yum. TUL.
Right after lunch I cast towards shore and I got a
small hit it seemed, the lure disappeared. It came towards me and then I
realized I could hardly budge it w/ 65# braid, she'd really 'toilet
flushed' the Super Spook as most large fish would have made a very large
explosion, thus I first thought it was a dink, but I pulled the hook out
trying to turn her too quickly. The very next cast got exploded on big
time, and that one that went 4.5 and just 'surfed it in' on that heavy
line. Paul got his first jerkbait fish there.
Click photos to enlarge.
This one hit super hard, right after I'd
lost one I could barely move.
I worked the island for a bit, the moved north to the
big cove there, Paul stayed at the island. I worked it on foot, then went
and say Paul had kicked over to pigs, so I did the same, it was then 1:30.
When I got there MaxZumus and Cal were getting into lunkers on the north
point on plastics. I tossed the Spook and got a 2 1/2 pounder on the
point. Asked it that cove had been fished, they said yes, but zippo. I
thought I'd try my luck anyways, it looked too good. Got another, now up
to six already, as Paul loaded his car right above me.
We chatted a bit more and he left at 2, ended up w/ 11
total (had a nephews graduation party to attend). I was so pooped (did 13
hours at El Cap two days ago, and now these 11 hrs. kicking) and almost
left at 4:30, after going to the long cove and getting zippo, but somehow
hung in there.
Click photos to enlarge.
This one went for the Gunfish, which about
6 of my 14 fell for.
Click photos to enlarge.
The Zman Crawdad eventually lived up to all
the hype, and I got seven in about two hours, between getting them on the
Gunfish, from about 4:30 on.
Got a bunch on the Zman crawdad in that cover, and more
on the Spook about the other side of the point, and left at 7:45. Could
barely move, and on two hours of sleep, barley stayed awake driving home.
It was forecast to be overcast, a low all day, so what the hey. Went solo,
the aluminum boat (Answered Prayers' trolling motor down). Up at 4.45,
loaded up and on freeway by 5:20, launched a little after 6. Worked the
rocks opposite the ramp (topwater), nada. Then the pile on way to north,
same baits, nada. Then across from boulder bay, lots of egrets on shore,
nada. The to the back, where it narrows, nada. Then across the way from
there, one blow up on the Plopper, cool.
Worked my way to the back, working exposed tree tops,
some are very big conglomerations, nada. FINALLY, at 9, I got a two on the
plopper. Then, at 11, I got a big explosion on a batch near the back,
still in 14' of water, it was a nice one, a four.
Worked my way to the back, not al the way, then back
towards where I got the four. Got a 2 near shore, Plopper again.
Continued the assault to the far back, which was only a
few hundred yards further, the area narrows a lot now and a lot of the
back is now in 2' of water. Got a nice one on the Gunfish, but it went
into the brush. Got blowups on the frog, and the popper, none stuck.
Click photos to enlarge.
This one hit like a freight train, and I
fought it through the trees to land her. Exciting.
Towards dusk, on my third battery (windy as heck) I
worked my way to the front.
*Barrett Lake, So. Calif., opening day,
5.1.2013
20 bass / 6 a.m. noon (then break till 3:30) then till 6.30 p.m..
I really wanted to fish opening day, but getting a ticket is like winning
Willie Wonka's Golden Ticket, like on friend said. In fact, he was the one
who sold me a tube ticket the night before, at 9 pm. I checked the SDfish
board and he offered it to me. So I ran to the frameshop, where I'd just
left, and got my gear ready, and my tube, getting back home about
midnight. Got to sleep about 1ish, with a rise time of 3:45 a.m., time to
make coffee, get some breakfast sandwiches (for breakfast, lunch and
dinner) at J.I.B., and headed to the lake by 4:10 a.m., getting there at
4:55. Jose was at the gate, he'd let everyone in by 4.30 and would close
the gate at 5:05. I drove in without all the usual dust from folks in
front of me, and got to the docks and no one had left yet? Weird. When I
arrived, Brent called me from the gate, they arrived to late to get in,
and wanted me to find someone and let them know they were out there. He
said six other guys were too, but that's common, and Jose went out at 6
and let them all in.
By the time I unloaded, filled up my tube, launched and kicked to the
other side of the dam it was almost 6. I worked my way to the dam proper,
and got into them finally after trying the S. Spook for a few casts, then
the jig, then the Gunfish. There were a couple of hits the first 15 or 20
minutes, and then they started to eat it. Other guys were getting a lot,
on worms nearby, one a 7 on a jig I heard later.
Click photos to enlarge.
Shot with the iPhone in a plastic bag, was
a bit nervous about getting it wet.
After awhile I relaxed about it, taking it out of the bag for shooting.
Click photos to enlarge.
Nice shot of the lakes cape, sun creeping
up.
Click photos to enlarge.
More nice ones, including a bluegill which
ate topwater- Gunfish.
Slowly my numbers went up, and I even got a bluegill on
a topwater bait. I eventually worked my way along the dam, picking two up
along it on the Gunfish. Got more on the 'car side', which I needed to get
to as it was almost noon and the sun was beating me up, I had not put on
sunscreen as it'd been dark at launch. They were all over 2 pounds for the
most part, it was a lot of fun.
Click photos to enlarge.
another nice one on the Spook on the 'car
side'
Took a break and joined the SDfish crowd over on Pigs
Point have a BBQ: Kelly and his partner Alex, Chris, Andy and his son
Jackson, red haired John, Cal (jeepncal- who had caught an 8!) and others.
After an hour, and having a sausage and a beer comped by the guys, I went
and parked under a tree by the dam and took a siesta, I was bushed.
Click photos to enlarge.
The motors have been raised, the boats go a
lot faster now.
Got up at 3:45 and went to see if my 'people' had left,
and Laurie confirmed they had, allowing me to take the boat out instead of
the tube again. Cool. I went out to the end of Pine Creek, to see how low
it was, and to get some fish. Got a nice one on the S. Spook off a very
windy point, and then nada in the shallows, towards the creek and then
towards the honor camp. As it got later a lot more hits started to happen,
landing a couple of more on the Gunfish. Probably should have thrown the
buzzbait. Also put on the 'flippin bird', a frog type bait, but it did not
seem a fast enough pattern for the time, as they were on the chew. Got
back to the ramp a bit early, and started the drive out by 7:20, just 5
minutes later then the be-back time Laurie had told me about.
Click photos to enlarge.
The road out is as pretty as anywhere
around.
California Delta,
4.11 and 4.15-16 & 4.25-26, 2013
*Day
one, 4.11.2013 - 2 bass / 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m..
Plan was to fish all day the Thursday before my three day photo workshop I
gave over in Carmel. Left on Wednesday night, about 6:30 p.m., a bit later
than planned.
Got to Hwy 12 and the 5, the truck stop, about 3 a.m..
Now the plan was to get up at 6.30 and hit the morning rush of fish
blasting topwater. I was dead tired when the alarm went off, snoozed till
9 or so.
Once I got my Subway sandwiches, egg and bacon for
breakfast, 12" for lunch/dinner, I hit the Tower Park Marina and realized
I'd have to take quite a while to get to my favorite area, 'three island',
where I lost a big one, as the winds were just shy of hurricane force,
about 15- 20 mph..
So I went back and took Eight Mile Road off of Hwy 5, about three miles
west of the 12, as I figured it'd be wiser to launch closer to where I
wanted to fish. But I saw a marina before the one I was going to go to, on
Disappointment Slough, and went and launched there so as to fish 'new
water'. It's called King Island Resort. (11530 West Eight Mile Road,
Stockton, CA 95219 (209) 951-2188).
Fee was self service, $10 in the box, and the ramp was a bit sideways-
"launch at your own risk' was posted next to it. The tide was starting to
head out already, bummer. I got out and started around the ramp with the
Whopper Plopper, it was now about 10.30 a.m., expecting a big one. I
continued along the levy, and headed left, west. When I was near the end a
big one slammed the lure, and immediately I started reeling like crazy,
for about 10 revolutions and bam, it was gone. Bummer, guessed her to be
around a seven from what I got to see of her, it was close when she hit!
Dang. I went out on the main canal, and went right, working the levy
there. Nada. I went across and worked some islands, nada.
I then worked my way back to the marina by around 2 p.m., got a beer at
'Coco Tackle, Bait and Deli' and ate my sandwich tied to the dock. The
winds were still strong. Fished the little islands near the tackle store,
and then motored to the right, past the ramp and under the bridge, way
down and round the bend, up White's slough, to an island I'd thought I'd
reached from Tower before, but after trying to reach the same spot from
Tower a few days later I realized it was much further.
Click photos to enlarge.
My first day back on the Delta I lost a 7
or so, but got this four as the largest of two.
I worked my way back to the ramp along the levy, and
pulled out the Super Spook and got a four pounder. After working down to
the bridge almost I tossed the Gunfish, and got one right away,
thought I had it figured out again, but that was it. Fished till dark,
about 8 p.m., then drove to Carmel.
*Day
two, Monday- 4.15.2013
7 a.m.-6 p.m. 2 bass
I slept in the van at the truck stop so I could get an early morning
start, and got on the water by 7 a.m., at Kings Marina again, and worked
the same levy going west, like before, with the W.P., nada. Worked around
the comer and the winds were horrendous. White caps and the trolling motor
did not really take me forward into the winds, went backwards instead.
Went to a nice point and let the wind shove my downwind, the trolling
motor just slowing the boat a bit, and got a nice four pounder off a point
with the Super Spook, she really hit it hard. I thought I had a pattern
but that was the only one I got like that.
Worked a lot of island 'points', but no luck. Went to a
spot further into the winds, nada, then a nice island cross-wind, with a
nice shallow (7' average) bottom on the slough. Worked it hard, twice, and
had one real nice hit on the spook but she missed. Another point deal.
The winds had really beat me up, and I decided to leave
early, around 5:30.
*Day
three, Tuesday- 4.16.2013
Zero fish, 11 a.m. till 8 p.m..
I stayed at my friends house in Davis, and went to Tower
Park this time, the winds were 20 mph again, minimum, with gusts to 40!
I launched around 11 a.m., and immediately went to 'three island' spot,
and worked the islands in white caps. I got a so-so hit on island two,
that was it. I was being blown by these at such a high rate of speed.
I tried back towards Tower Marina, the first long island where I've got a
lot on the jerkbait and Gunfish, but nada. Went further towards Tower and
then up Whites Slough. I went way back, working a lot of islands, then put
on a jig and worked the levys. Nada. At this point I'd only seen two
boats, most just did not want to hassle with it. Worked my way back to the
main slough, Little potato, and figured out if I ran the big motor on
idle, it did not push the boat extremely fast, and I could control the
boat with the trolling motor. I just tied the motor handle as it wanted to
vibrate right within seconds.
Towards dark I was almost back to the marina, and was
working the 8" Lunker Punker when it got exploded on, but she missed. I
got skunked this day, only two hits all together.
One thing to mention, a river otter was
slapping his tail so hard I thought an M-80 had gone off nearby. I'd heard
loud explosion sounds before, but never knew what causted it, almost like
a small cow falling into the water from the sky, it's that loud. It
must scare fish so it can catch them better, and it did it a few times as
it swam in and out of the tulles.
You tube video of winds and me at 'three islands':
Well, wanted to get out at pre-sunrise, but got a later start than I'd
planned as a gentleman in Placerville wanted to trade a few thousand
dollars of his wine for my art, TUL, but could not deliver the first batch
until 9 a.m.! So I did not get to the Delta and on the water until noon.
The tide was still going out, so it was good for the incoming at 6 p.m..
Did not get any topwater action, or flat lipped crankbait on the 'corner'
out of Tower Park right side, which surprised me. I always had until then.
Click photos to enlarge.
My first jig fish since Loveland in Feb..
This one hit in on the fall on the outside tulles.
It had been eaten by something, it's back had a gash.
I worked the bay on the right side, where I usually get good frog
action, but it's too early in the season, no 'cheese' yet. Worked it top
over the center flooded 'island', with the big bait, W. Plopper, and got
one strike, but no 'sticky'. Oh well. Winds were howling, so basically
every day I've gone out this trip was TOUGH! Went out front and fought the
winds, then went to a jig again after the Gunfish and S. Spook let me down
(had got a dink of 10" on it earlier, at 1 p.m., cool, as it's not a 'go
to' bait for me. Blue/Black w/ a Yammy Twin Tail grub in the same color,
black w/ blue flake).
Click photos to enlarge.
Got some better grade jig fish as the tide
came up and the sun went down, although
this one came at 5 p.m., sunset was at 7:50.
As it got later, the bite picked up. Fished the outside tulles, and got
three more, two were 2 pounders. Not bone jarring hits, mostly saw the
bait swim off, but one machinegun hit from a 1 pounder.
Click photos to enlarge.
Sunset on the big Delta.
Went to the 8" Lunker Punker at sunset, hoping for the DD to go for it,
but the winds never died down and made it so tough, as I fished in the
breakers, windward side. Left right after sunset, very strong winds, and
cold. Got wet from the boat hitting into the waves, oh well.
Drove all the way home that night, getting into San Diego at 5 a.m..
Sutherland Reservoir, E. San Diego
County, Calif.
3.29.2013 Friday, on water from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m.
(Tubing).
Water 64 degrees, air about 80. Slight clouds to heavy (after 2
p.m.) and slight winds all day.
Click photos to enlarge.
Paul snapped my photo here a little before
he had to leave, at noon.
Wanted to wait and get a shot holding a nice bass, but I'd not caught one
yet.
Went solo but met fishing buddy Paul O.. Was my first time out in my
new Fish Cat float tube, and it took awhile to get the thing set up with
the new pole holder Paul had made for me. That's after I went to the
shallows now in the narrows, the water is a full 40' below my last time
out, which is just shy of a year ago.
Click photos to enlarge.
Here are a couple of snap with Paul and his
bass. Left was first I saw him get, at 8:40 a.m..
He was getting them on Neko rigged light green worms. The next one was at
11:30 a.m., just before he left.
I finally got the tube and pole setup and shoved off to
tube fish by about 8, and met Paul by a rock outcropping by 8.15 or so. He had
already landed four, with one going about 5, and lost a couple of nice
ones. I took a pic with a 2 and a 3 pounder he got in the next couple of
hours, and he took a shot of me, fishless, to memorialize my first trip
out in my new tube. I'd had it a few months and this broke it in. I
sit a lot higher than the first one I'd owned for a few years now, and
that's more fun.
After trying a lot of patterns I went with something I
thought would be sure fire, and it was. A 5" watermelon/red flake Senko
wacky rigged. I got six hits in short order, landing one. Then got a
dink on it an hour or two later, on the boulder pile I'd first come across
Paul on. Did get one blowup on the Gunfish, on the small rock outcropping
the netted me my first fish, and two that got off, one into the brush and
one from jumping in front of me, a good four pounder.
Click photos to enlarge.
A 5" watermelon/red flake Senko wacky was
the ticket
I worked the rock pile to the sticks, north side, and
then kicked to the ramp, fishing the shallows for another 20 minutes where
a small rock pile entered the lake, nada. We 6 p.m. by the time I drove
off. Noticed folks were tubing right on the dam as I'd left- hummm!
*El Capitan Reservoir, Calif.
3.25.2013 Monday, on water from 2 p.m. till 6:30.
Water 64, air about 80. Sunny, fairly windy.
Went solo. Got 5, two off beds at far back of Choc. Arm cove, then three d/s
fish in short order (avg. 2-8 lbs each around 4:30 p.m.) working my way
out. Then went to the back and worked my way out again, nada second time.
Then to the
Dam Arm, first left side at buoy line, working back to check in booth, then the right
side buoy line and let the wind blow me back, as the trolling motor (82# Minn
Kota) started going out. Pretty much out last two hours, was
'intermittent'. Threw the big baits here and
there, especially last two hours at both sides of Dam Arm.
*El Capitan Reservoir, Calif.
3.23.2013 Saturday, on water from 7:30 a.m. till noon
Water 64, air about 80. Sunny, fairly windy.
Went with John O., down from Davis. He got one on the Gunfish right off
the bat, off the rockpile by the turn to go to the end of the lake, and I
got one off a bed at the same place.
Click photos to enlarge.
John O. with two nice ones. First on a
Gunfish, topwater, the second off a bed.
Both went well over 2 lbs.
We fished beds from there on out, never even getting out of Chocolate
Arm. We both got one, me two actually.
*Murrieta Hot Springs, Calif.
3.20.2013 Tuesday, on water from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30p.m.
Went out with Valerie to celebrate her new job, before it starts. Got one
on the first cast, a 2-8, on the popper at the small pond, which is large
for these two ponds.
Click photos to enlarge.
Wow, first cast netted me a 2 1/4 pounder
on the popper.
Then another next cast. Thought it'd be easy after
that, but I had my work cut out for me. Did get 11 total before taking a
break two hours later, going to Sizzler Steak House. Got one more, on the
Super Spook, between 9;30 and 11, and lost a big one in the small pond at
11, just before going in.
Next morning, starting at 7 a..m., tossed the S. Spook again, getting
four before we left at 10 a.m.
*Loveland Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
3.12.2013 Tuesday, on water from 10:00 a.m. till 3:30p.m.
Sixth time to Loveland this year now.
Sunny, cloudless. Warm, slight winds.
Air was 80 degrees, water was about 60.
Me 1 on red rattletrap, Mike C. 0
Supposed to meet 8 a.m. off Penasquitos Blvd, Mike got lost, came at 9.
Got there and worked the shallows by 'dock', which
almost has water back under it, for 10 min., nada.
Walked the long, high hike over the crevice, took 20 minutes (found the
proper trail on way back, was a bit lower, from the port-a-potty). Had one
hit the Whopper Plopper, looked to be a three, right off the bat (11 a.m.
now), then an hour later switched to the Red Rattletrap and got a 2 where
the first hit was.
Click photos to enlarge.
Got one on the red Rattletrap
Worked it some more, nada. Went to the blue jig and got another 2 pounder
but she got off on the jump, it was a 'Barrett Lure'. Lost that lure on
the hookset of a nice one 1/2 hour later, and then tied a 10" curly tail
worm I'd found, nada. Mike wanted to leave early, 3.30. so I headed back,
getting to parking lot by 4.10, sweaty.
Click photos to enlarge.
Wow, swimbait fish at Otay this week
(2.25.13)
Left 13# by Coulton Hallauer, right, 17# (by Mike Gilbert)
*Murrieta Hot Springs, Murrieta, Calif.
2.19.2013 Tuesday, on water from 1:00 p.m. till 5.30 p.m.
Sunny.
Air was 75 degrees,
water ?.
Me 6, 2 counted, 1 on chatterbait, 1 on Gunfish. Mike C. 6 also, one
counted, an 11ouncer.
We met at Mike's and I drove. We got there about 1 and fished for 'big
fish' and 'most'. He took big with a 11.4, and I got most with a 7 and a 9
oz. Lost a big one on the red rattletrap by waterfall.
*Loveland Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
2.11.2013 Thursday, on water from 7:00 a.m. till 4:10p.m.
Fifth time to Loveland in three weeks. Sunny but cold today, and a bit windy/rainey
in the afternoon.
Air was 60 degrees,
water was 55.
Solo- 3, 1 on chatterbait, 1 on TR Hula Grub- Blk/Blue flakes, 1 on Jig w/
blk/Blue flake twin tail grub.
Got up at 5, on road by 5.30 w/ two J.I.B. egg
sandwiches, and at parking area by 6:20. Unfortunately four other
cars were there already. Worked my way over to the 'condos', and fished
the shallows just before them. Nada, cranks, topwater Wopper Plopper,
etc..
Click photos to enlarge.
First one came on the T/R Hula Grub,
Black/Blue flake.
Finally got one on a TR Hula grub at 8.30, about a 3#.
Next one came at 12.30, on the Condos, on a chattebait, 3-8#.
Click photos to enlarge.
My second one off a chatterbait.
Riley got about 7 for the day, said a couple of 7's. This one around 3
p.m.,
just after a sprinkling that came out of nowhere.
I got my last one on the condos, straight down, on the
jig, at 4 p.m., first dink there - a 1#.
Click photos to enlarge.
Shot of the lake from the condos.
Riley showed me a shortcut back, a spot to go over the
muddy flats just where it narrows.
Loveland Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
2.7.2013 Thursday, on water from 9:30 p.m. till 4:10p.m.
Fourth time to Loveland in two weeks. Again, it was sunny and warm,
and a bit windy all afternoon.
Air was 60 degrees,
water was 55.
Paul 4, me 3
Got to meeting place at 7:45 a.m. in Santee, the Olive Garden, and car pooled with
Paul again from there. Parked at the lake, unfortunately five other cars
were there, as the area to fish is not too big.
Walked our way to the other side, our fishing boot idea
did not work, still too muddy to cross streams/mud with them. Ran across
Riley (Don Zee dless on sdFish), who we've seen at El Cap, and he and his
friend were working the 'main boulder' point that we'd done good on three
days earlier. We stopped at the shallows before it and Paul got two or
three in a half hour, while I lost four on the square bill crankbait,
couldn't believe my bad luck, even made sure the hooks were sharp.
Click photos to enlarge.
Paul got on them good, getting them
on chatterbaits, pumpkin and red,
square bill bass crankbaits, and red rattletraps.
Just past the boulders, which we fished around on the
west side, I finally got one on a Rapala 10" floating diver, crawdad
color, right on the shore, a nice 2.8, but swam off while washing her for
her pic, oh well.
Later on, after walking towards the buoy line and
fishing traps along the shore, and having two followers, went back and
joined Paul on boulder point. I got another one on the trap.
Click photos to enlarge.
My third and final got at about 4
p.m., just before leaving. It ate it at the shore, as did my other two.
Click photos to enlarge.
While leaving noticed the soft light would
help make a nice shot of the lake at the new lowered level.
Loveland Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
2.4.2013 Monday, on water from 9:15 p.m. till 4:10p.m. (as
long walk back)
Third time to Loveland in just over a week. This time sunny and warm,
and a bit windy all afternoon.
Air was 75 degrees,
water was 55.
Me-1@5.8, Paul 6, two a 5+.
Got to meeting place at 8:15 a.m. in Santee where Paul O.
suggested, the Olive Garden, and car pooled with him from there.
Click photo to enlarge.
Shot of Paul on the dock, looking
back the east,
where the water comes in from a stream.
His first time to the lake, and we started at the dock
area first, which was almost out of water with the lake drain-down going
on (last of two weeks tomorrow). Some of the areas I'd worked a week ago
were out of water by 16'!
After 45 minutes we started to make our way to the
other side, taking about 20 minutes to get straight across from the
narrows from the bridge. We had to cross the stream where some folks had
thrown some dead trees, the mud was very soft and we'd sink down -past our
ankles if we stepped in the wrong place.
The sides of the lake are fairly steep, and with the
lake going down it was mostly sandy sides, where it wasn't rock wall that
is. We started to work down and Paul got the first of many on a red
Cordell rattletrap, a 2-8, cool.
Click photo to enlarge.
Paul first ever bass on a lipless
crankbait, but not his last for the day!
We worked that area a lot more, as the gent that had been camped on it
left to go home (he'd got three bass on worms), the largest he tossed
back, keeping the smaller two and a catfish. Paul got a couple of more in
short order there, losing a 6+ as there was not a good place to land it,
but landed one that went 5+ there by reaching way down and lipping it.
My white chatterbait was not working the magic it'd done just a few days
ago, nor did the TR worm or hula grub that I tossed just as much. I was
working way out, in 20' of water, almost casting to the other side, fairly
narrow on that part now, especially with the lake so far down.
Click photo to enlarge.
Paul had the hot ticket, and was on
some nice 5 pounders.
We move further west, and after Paul had lost another he offered me a
similar, but smaller, rattletrap, which I refused at first, trying my
chatterbait some more. He got another, so I borrowed a white rattletrap,
but that did not work.
Also, I'd tossed the smaller red one on a corner set of boulders a few
time but got nada, and he tossed his heavier one on the same spot and
landed two nice ones, and one got off there too.
I eventually got the red one, and after a half hour of nada decided to
watch Paul's working of the bait, he basically was stitching it, pulling
it up a bit, sending out vibrations, and slowly winding in the slack. So I
started to do the same, figuring I'd lose the lure in short order, and
ended up getting a nice one finally myself, at a spot that Paul and got
one and lost one at too, TUL.
Click photo to enlarge.
Paul loaned me a rattletrap, and
soon I was having fun too!
This beauty was the largest of the day, going a little over 5-8!.
I did lose the red loaner bait about 10 minutes later near a set of
trees, and went back to the chatterbait. I put a pumpkin hula grub on it,
trying to imitate the crawdad that the rattletrap must have done so well,
but only got one hit over on 'massive boulder point'. He lost his red one
too, and threw a chatterbait and got one on it towards 4 o'clock, the time
we had to start making our way back, being about 35-40 minute walk away
from the parking lot, they close at 5. We got back at about 4:50, and
chatted with the ranger, the only ones there. It ended up being Paul's
best day in his life, getting about 7 or 8 total, with many over 3 lbs,
some over 5, TUL.
Loveland Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
1.31.2013 Thursday, on water from 11 p.m. till 4.35 p.m.
Second time to Loveland, went three days ago. This time sunny and warm,
last time cloudy, cold and windy all afternoon.
Solo- 4, 1@4.8, 1@5.8.
Air was 70 degrees,
water was 55.
Got there about 11 and worked the dock area first. Some of the
areas I'd worked three days ago were out of water, it dropped about 5-6
feet, they are having a take-down to fill Sweetwater, 'downriver'. I got a
hit right off the bat on the hula grub, but it didn't stick, on the
boulder cliffs area. After an hour walked back to car, got cell phone I'd
forgotten (glad I did, for the photos), and then went to 'the narrows',
first working the corner, then as some folks arrived, went to back, to the
shallows. Had not worked that far back on Monday, but now it's only 3 to
4' deep.
Worked plastics then a couple of young guys with one of their
girlfriends came by to walk to the other side. I wanted to time them as I
might go there next time myself, as this side gets a lot of pressure.
After they were a ways off I threw the chatterbait at 1, a nice 3-8.
Click photo to enlarge.
First one of the day came on a white
chatterbait w/ white thin trailer w/ red tips.
In short order I tossed the lure and again it got slammed, but I missed
it. Next cast I hook into another nice fish, wow.
Click photo to enlarge.
Second one came moments later.
Got a quick shot and tossed again, felt a hit, but it no sticketh!
Decided to speed up the retrieve, and as it got close to shore I stopped,
let it fall, reeled fast and got slammed by a monster. How do I know, it
ran straight out towards the brush, oh no. I got some back in, it got
close and jumped, wow, an eight easy.
At this point the group had made it across and were now close by, and I
did not want to alert them to my successes, so I went to plastic to see if
that might work. They camped not far away, so I stick with plastics for
the hour they were there. They lost a big one, then left to walk back
around.
As soon as they were out of sight I threw the chatterbait, and sure
enough, that's all they wanted. I got a nice 5-8, and with the self timer
got another quick shot and tossed her back. Working further down a bit, I
got the fourth, another nice one that went 4-8. Wow.
Click photo to enlarge.
The fourth and fifth went 5-8 and
4-8 respectively.
At this point it was getting late, as they close at 5, and it was 4.30,
so I packed up and got back a few minutes early, about 10. Chatted with
the ranger, he mentioned they may stay open later earlied than planned (as
to 6 pm, which is not supposed to happen until March or so, but it's now
light later already, 5.40 or so.)
Loveland Reservoir, E. San
Diego County, Calif.
1.28.2013 Monday, on water from 12 p.m. till 4.45 p.m.
Second time out this year. Cloudy, cold and windy all afternoon, storm finishing
going through the county.
Air was 50 degrees,
but with chill about 40- water was 55.
Solo- 2, one a 5-8
First time to Loveland, was not as far from parking lot as I'd feared,
not like Ramona. Only about 10 minute walk, all downhill (but tough getting back
up).
Fished solo, threw the Super Spook at first, for about an hour, but nada. Went
to blue jig, nada after an hour. Went to TR worm and got a two. Then went to TR
pumpkin Hula Grub and got a 5-8 toward the end of the day, in the narrows, TUL.
Ranger made a call on the loudspeaker calling us up at 4:50, locks gate at 5 pm
this time of year. Lake opens at 6 a.m..
Click photo to enlarge.
Second bass of the year was pretty nice
sized, a 5 and a half. Fell to the Hula Grub.
____________________
El Capitan Reservoir, E. San Diego County,
Calif.
1.25.2013 Friday, on water from 2 p.m. till 4.30 p.m.
First time out this year. Rained all day, guessing air was about 65 degree air,
water was 55.
Fished solo, got 0, on the Answered Prayer (my '87 Skeeter w/ 115 Mercury motor, same
year).
Well, was a good test for my 100 MPH Bass Pro Shop rain gear. Last
month it did not work well, and sprayed water repellant on them. All but jacket
pockets seemed to repel perfectly.
Got out and tried the rock pile across from the ramp, and
then then one before leaving that bay going north. Nada on big baits (new 3:16
Baby Wake 6' bass), or on the jig. Went to far back, started working the rock
pile across from boulder bay, nada, then one further back on left, nada, then
corner at the narrows, nada. By then the lake ranger kicked everyone out (but it
was only 4:15, so I stayed and fished until 4:40, for more nada.
Met Vincent O., one of my fishing buddies, back at ramp, he'd
done ok, fished sunrise to sunset for 7, all on the spoon. Said it'd been tough.
Michael Seewald
Galleries
Del Mar Plaza
1555 Camino Del
Mar, Ste. 312, Del Mar, California, 92014 USA
Phone: 858.793.3444
Open Wed. thru Sun., 2 p.m. till 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturdays till 10 p.m..
Call first if
going out of your way, we sometimes close to run errands.
