*12.22 El Capitan

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 7 a.m. till 4:45 p.m. 10 hours
Me 8 (4 between 7 and 11, with Bill C., 4 between 11 & 4:45, w/ Paul O)#, rest dinks)
Water: 52.5, up to 55 at 1

Lake was looking soooooo pretty as I drove in I had to stop and capture it. 

After the stripe at Otay last Wed., couldn't wait to get out to Cap for redemption. Met new backseater buddy William Campbell at the ramp at 7:30, and we ran to the back to start, landing at Boulder Bay when I saw it was 'empty' of other boaters. For some reason, an old post popped up on some social media (from last Jan.) the day before, and it showed my holding up a small bass caught on a gunfish. IDEA: Seems like a bad idea (top had pretty much stopped mid-Nov., but if it worked in Jan., it might darn well work in Dec.
 

This nice lunker hit on the third cast, TUL.

Since I still had it on one of my rigs, and after telling Bill of my plans, I tossed it shallow next to some boulders. Third cast, WHAMMO BAMMO, a lunker exploded on it and fought like crazy. Bill kept saying "Carful. don't lose it, lots of rocks and brush down there". Especially once we saw her come up and show her size, then go back down, twice. He got the net and did a great job of helping me land her. A lot of screams went up from me and high-fiving all around. Luck? Maybe, but two cast later, WHAMMO, a bit smaller, but now it's a pattern, right.

After the sun hit the lake, the top stopped. Went to the JB and hit the far back of the lake, looked great, did not produce.

We ran back to the front so Bill could get one, hopefully, but it was not to happen. He's working the bait better, and bought a new rod with a stiffer tip, that helped. I dropped him off at the docks and went over to the third point on right headed to the back, and worked it for nada. A gentleman was working the back corner, and getting quite a few on DS, the spot Vincent and Vick (the kayaker) do. Ran to the opposite point, the one on the left if your headed to the dam, and got into one pretty quick. Ran to the docks thinking Paul would be there, at 1, but forgot he'd be there around 1:30 instead. Worked where the DS guy was, for nada, till I saw Paul arrive. Picked him up, and tried it again, metering fish at 30', but not getting action. Ran to the left dam point to finish working it, nada. Then to the cove on left, before Dead Man's Point, to get out of the wind and cold. Then ran around the point and to the area on left just past the cove on right. Stared getting into them, ended with 8 for the day, Paul got 3 in 5 minutes, but two got off.

Jerk Bait is the ticket this time of year.

Bill left at 11, and Paul joined my at 1:30. He got 1, and lost 2 at the boat, all in 5 minutes, on the JB. 
Water started at 52.5, warmed nicely as the day progressed.

Nice thing, Paul reminded me, the days are starting to get longer again, we've turned the corner, and I was ecstaatic to hear that, it's so nice to know warmer weather is coming, as is spring, then topwater can really take off, TUL.
 

*12.16 Otay Lake

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 7 a.m. till 2 p.m. 7 hours
Me 0 Bill Campbell 0 Water: 55

Stuck with the jerk bait, shallow and med. diver, all over Harveys, honey hole on right, honey hole on left, back end, front left, mucho nada. Ran into Doc Todd Curry at ramp. He borrowed my jumper cables, found me on lake to give them back. Big battery was dead at launch. He had zippo too, at noon or so. Buddy Chuck Lei had zippo past two Wed., tough bite.

*12.14 El Capitan

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water noon till 4:50 p.m. 5 hours
Me 3 (5 between 1 and 2.25#, rest dinks), Paul 1 Water: 53

(Guessing some details, did not record)
Stuck with the ramp area. Jerk bait working for me. Paul w/ d/s.

*12.1 El Capitan

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 11:30 a.m. till 4:50 p.m. 6 hours
Me 10 (5 between 1 and 2.25#, rest dinks), Bill Campbell 0 Water: 58

Met him at ramp, worked local points around launch bay, island. 10 me, JB.  he got skunked. Can't work JB due to health, can't stand. 

*11.24 El Capitan

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 11 a.m. till 4:50 p.m. 7 hours
Me solo- 13 (6 between 1 and 2.25#, rest dinks)Water: 59, some areas at 2 p.m. up to 63

JB, all close to ramp again. This time point on left headed to dam, it was good. 

*11.20 El Capitan

Fri., with Mike Cast.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 6:30 am to 2 p.m.7.5 hours
Me 27 all jerkbait, Mike zippo (he left at 12:30) / Water: 59, some areas at 2 p.m. up to 63

Arrived at 6 a.m., Mike at 6:20, paid permits and out fishing by 6:30. Started the usual (past two weeks) locally, fished the third and longest point. Actually, the start of the peninsula, as another boat hit the point, so I fished towards the ramp instead. Got on fish right away, nice 2# on jerkbait.           


Got two or three dinks working to next point. Slowly upped my numbers, then ran to the Island and tried the popper, which was working at dusk, nada. Mike had worked the rocks with his JB, to no avail. I turned around and then worked mine, getting four more bass on his used water. He was not working it hard enough. 

*11.16 El Capitan

Mon. solo
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 11 am to 5 p.m.6 hours
Me 7 all jerkbait / Water: 63, down 6 degrees in one week.

Worked the points near ramp again. Tried top for quite a while, nada. Switched to JB quicker this time, and started getting on them, mostly dinks. At dusk threw the popper again, on rock point on island again, where I'd been getting blow ups, but this time she stuck, but got off in short order. Oh well. Nice day, to up to 90. 

*11.10 El Capitan

Mon. solo
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 11 am to 5 p.m.6 hours
Me 2 / Water: 63, down 6 degrees in one week.

Worked the points near ramp, got 2 blowups third cast on popper, thought it was on. Nada next 2 hours working there some more and two other points neaby too. Ran to back, started on left trees, two blowups first cast, no sticky. Popper. Thought it was on, nada after 2 more hours. Again. Ran to front island, now peninsula, and got 2 in two cast-s on small gun-fish, then went back to popper two GIANT explosions on it, nada. hookups.   Finished 4:50. 

*11.2 El Capitan

Mon. w/ Paul O.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 6 am to 5 p.m. 11 hours
Me 4, Paul 2 Water: 69

Met at lake, I arrived 6:10, Paul already there. We ran to back trees, slight winds, staring on the left side where the trees begin. Top just didn't work, and not many busters as the past few weeks. Water down another foot or two since the 23rd! Finally, 10:50, I got one on the gun-fish in the back right side. Got hung up in the brush below for a few seconds, lots of that in the water. Got a smaller fish on the jerk-bait, not photo worthy, and Paul the same, but on an Ika.

I lost a monster about 3 pm on the smaller gun-fish, throwing on busters near shore. Giant explosion. Ran to the island back towards the dam and got another 3+ on a popper. The fourth came on it too, at closing time, about a 2+, over on the point headed towards the dam, just past island cove. 

Got a couple of nice ones on the Rio Rico Popper.
 

*10.28 and 29, Calif. Delta

Boat: 'Answered Prayer. Day 1, on water 8 am to 7 p.m. 11 hours
Me 12 day one, solo. (Dink Fest). Water: 59, darn chilly.

Day 2, w/ John O., 10 a.m. till 7 p.m., me 30, John 14 (Dink fest)

Left S.D. about noon on Tues.. Stopped at Harris Ranch at 5 p.m.. Tried to Zoom meet w/ Band of Brothers at 6 p.m., but it kept kicking me off, frustrating, as my buddy Kelly Magin was giving his testimony. 

Stayed at Los Banos Motel 6, room was only $59, whereas Lodi was $89. Good night sleep, up at 6 a.m. and drove to Paradise Marina. Lunched at 8 a.m.. Top was slow (non-existent), and got my first on a shallow diving jerk-bait an hour later, saw him eat it at the boat! It went about 2 lbs and would be the largest of the day.

Worked to the bridge, then under it. Got a few dinks on the popper, if thrown next to rocky banks. Lots of cheese, worked it w/ fluke and frogs, for nada but dinks ate the boot tail off. Worked it to the end, saw some striper busters but didn't get any, then worked the left side of slough to end and then to the left by a construction site. Stopped for lunch, then down that slough a few hundred yards to a housing project (new territory for me).  Top? Nope. Water too cool I guess, down to 57 due to very cool nights lately. Daytime temp was 70's. Water up to 59 by late afternoon (S.D. has been low 70's, good top bite). Ran to the other side of the bridge to where I stated, and just past a bit headed west, and worked the flats around the tulle islands. Tried my new iPhone headband holder and filmed me working the top, no hits. Worked till dark, 7 p.m.. Most bites came on the jerkbait this day. 

 

Moon rise during sunset. 

Went to Lodi and stayed at Motel 6, didn't get a great deal a 1/2 hour later as the lady said the price went up while I drove there, less rooms. Paid one night, then went to the car and called in to the 800# to reserve the next night and got the senior discount, as website deal/discounts didn't work. Found a place to plug in the extension cord, and recharged the boat batteries to full by next morning. At Golden Ox, my fav. restaurant in Lodi (eggs, bacon and pancake and coffee-incl. thermos fill up, for $10. 

Went to Tower Park Marina and got the boat ready, John was joining me at 10 or so, but ran late and got there at 10:30. We started by the cove on right past the bridge, nada. I threw big baits, he d/s. I then picked up the jerkbait and started getting them, then ties one on a rod for John, and then he started catching. He was soooo happy, as the previous three trips out he got skunked. We worked the slough just across from the cove, headed away from the bend and bridge, and in some places got fish every few casts, with followers almost every cast. We see them hit sometimes, I'd never seen such clear water there, everywhere we fished, both days. Dock talk reported it ruined the bite. I got a buster stiper at sunset, the busters were tiny, but the jerkbait got me a 2+. Ate it the next day, yummy. 

Before John got all his jerkbait bass he got this nice one on a boot tail fluke. 

Biggest bass of the two days was this 2# + striper, buster action. Thought it was a 5# bass, they fight like crazy. 

We worked till dusk, and then went to Chile's Rest. in Lodi for a steak dinner, split. Was soo good. Left for home the next morning, after my Golden Ox breakfast, getting home about 7. TUL. 

*10.23 El Capitan

Fri. w/ Mike Castaneda
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 7 am to 3 p.m. 8 hours
Me 3, Mike 0 Water: 72

Met at lake, I arrived 6:15, he 6:35. Ran to back trees, super windy at ramp, dead quiet in back= strange. Slow for top, finally went JB and got a dink, TUL. Later got two in back left stretch between trees and shore, two 3# on boot tail fluke, TUL.

Got two blow ups on frog at island on way back, some guy got 7 on buzz baits in shallows to left of island (now a peninsula). 

*10.21 Otay Lake

Wed.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 7 hours
Me 0, Chuck 4 Water: 72

click photo to enlarge

Met at 6:30, Lost a fiver on WP on third cast, back left honey hole of Harvey's, where we've been doing well right away. He got a dink on twin fly lined flukes and then one on popper and one frog fish end of day.

I lost one on spook far back and one on frog where he got one, working Harvey's out on left side, by rock pile. Worked the w. side of Otay for 1/2 hour, nada, 200 yards from skulllers ramp. Nice soft light first couple of hours, no fog, like two weeks back. He's getting a kayak, no more need to backseat, oh Well, tUL.  

*10.16 El Capitan

Friday / Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 7 hours
Solo 3 bass Water: 74

First came at 8:43, on the popper. 

Second one on the popper, this one at 10:22 A.M., back in the N. trees. 

Got some nice action, 2 popper, 1 Choppo (WP, med.). At 12:44 got a nice Choppo bass, then lost a monster on it minutes later.

*10.12 El Capitan

Monday/ Boat: 'Answered Prayer. On water Noon till closing, 6:15 -6.5 hours
Solo 6

WP off point by docks, then back trees for rest. Gunfish, fluke and popper. TUL.

Left ally and right ally. 

Got three on the boot tail fluke, back right 'alley', about 100 yards of 'skinny water', where I could barely get boat down the lane. 

*10.7 Otay

Wed. 85 degrees, foggy at first. Water 76 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Chuck Wei. On water 6:40 am till 2:30 p.m. -8 hours
8 bass me, up to 3#, all topwater but 2 on Senko at attenuator/ others on Rico Popper
Chuck 4, 3. on S.Spook, 1 small Choppo.

Click photo to enlarge

Met Chuck at Otay Lakes at 6:15 AM, they opened the gate around 6:25. He got the permits while I loaded the boat, launched and headed to the cove halfway back on the left side of Harvey's.

At 6:44 Chuck got one first cast on his super spook, same color as mine, bone white, and then get another one a few casts later. He was so excited, both pound and a half. I got one about 20 minutes later on a popper. 

We work that area including the place I lost a frog the week before, throwing over the cabbage and this time I only got a blowup. Small fish. Fog kept rolling in and getting thick, had been since we launched. Made great conditions. I got one on the popper, looked like a 4 but was a 2.7#. We worked down towards the far corner, Chuck got one on the small Choppo at 8:20 and I got my second on the popper at 8:50. At 10 we ran to the entrance of Harvey to see if there were busters, and there was three or four boats there. In short order we threw on a batch but that was it for the next hour buster wise, but I caught two on the attenuator on the Senko, both three pounders, cool. Decided to work the Otay Lakes Road side again which we did 1/2 way to the cove, then ran there and tried our luck again. Nada.

Went back and worked the cove area where I got one and I spoke. Again, working towards the east, then noticed the honey hole on the other side was open finally and ran over there. Fish the outside flats for nada, On my way in I had one hit the popper back right, just 20' from where I got my PB to date, the 11.6 on a popper frog. And I just held on as it went where it wanted, with braid on a spinning reel cranked down.

Click photo to enlarge

I dove down into grasses that were all over, 6' deep, and I came up with grasses only... it was big. Continue to working out of that area back towards the entrance to Harvey's, picked up another one on the popper. Worked all the way to the entrance in around to the rock pile and called it a day at 2:30. I ended with 8 and he got four. Thank you Lord.

*10.5 San Vicente. 

Monday 100 degrees, no clouds. Water 76 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. On water 7:30 am till 4 p.m. -8.5 hours
3 bass me, up to 3#, all topwater/ 1 S.Spook, 1 d/s, 1 Gunfish
Larry zippo

Met at my house at 6:20, Larry drove too, needed to leave at 12:30. We got to the lake and launched and started with the point towards the dam with my Lunker Punker.  I wanted Larry to throw his Spook along the rock walls on the other side of the buoy line, I've been getting action on it. He got it rigged up then tried but could not cast as far as I thought he needed, and could not work it properly either. After three tries I tried my luck, and tossed the S.Spook a mile, and third twitch got nailed. Fought her in, at least 3 pounds, TUL.

We ran to the other side of the buoy line, nada. Ran to the Island, left side, where I've been getting good Spook bite, nada. Some busters shown, too far away. Worked our way east, nada. Ran to Toll Rd arm, back by the docks, and worked our way in. The grasses were gone, bummer. Worked top, Larry threw a variety. Nada. Finally went to d/s, both of us. I got a dink on a watermelon color, he tried a TR brown worm w/ chart tail, nada. Then D/S, nada. We ran to point towards the water inlet bay, where I got blown up on, S. Spook. Took Larry back to docks at 12:30, and worked the dam again after a lunch break. Nada. Very windy.

Worked left side of island again, and worked to east end, got a small one on the Gunfish, 2:40 p.m., then all the way around to the small island, with is almost a peninsula now the water is so low. Had a hit on the Whopper Plopper. Then found some lures because of low water, one three piece swimbait. TUL. Left at 4. 

*9.30 Otay

Wed. 102 degrees, no clouds. Water 78 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry A.. On water 6:30 am till 4 p.m. -9.5 hours
3 bass me, up to 3.64#, all topwater/ 2 small prop bait, one boot tail fluke, a 3#.
Chuck 1, on a kastmaster blind casting at attenuator at 2 p.m..

Met at the lake at 6:15, they just opened. Chuck got permits and we were off. Went to Harvey's honey hole, secondary cove on right, and got a nice 2# on the S. Spook, third cast, on the flats just east of the cove, TUL.

Chuck was AMAZED, and said 'Again'? It was the third week in a row I landed one on the first three cast, first two weeks ago, and third last week too! Too funny, but what wasn't, it was the last one for a couple of hours, as the past two weeks also.

Worked the cove for nada, as stated, then ran to the entrance of the arm, worked our way back in a bit, then ran to back left corner, nada. Worked over to the middle tulles, more nada. Ran to arm entrance, and one boat was there by the attenuator. No breeze, so mirror like water showed signs of giant bait balls near the surface, so we camped out and had a few hours of fun, with very little results.

I tied on a Senko, flylined, and tossed on the attenuator. About the fifth time I got an nice one, about 15' down, a 3.64 per Chucks scale, TUL.

I had a couple hit the small gunfish, then decided to go big (Super Spook). Had problems in excitement and missed the first two sets of busters, where 10 fish hit the surface over a 10 second time period, then go down. Backlashes. Finally had a set 1/2 hour later in casting distance, and got hooked up with it, and did not ask for help with the net, which cost me. At least a 3#. Chuck got one on his Kastmaster. It calmed down, saw my buddy Jason, who throws Hudds, with. his wife. They were running around getting cooled off by the air created.

X marks the spot. Lost a frog to a monster here!

We ran to the cove on the left, by Otay Lakes Rd., and fished the main cove, where a lot of hydrilla looking stuff grows. Got a blow up on the Spook, and then got one on my yellow Spro popper frog, in an opening in the back hydrilla, with 30' of it to cross, and the bass broke off my frog. No blowup, just toilet flush, indicating a big one. DARN. That was it for the day, left 1 4 p.m., TUL. 

*9.28 El Capitan

Monday. 90 degree, no clouds. Water 78 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry A.. On water 7:30 am till 2 p.m. -6.5 hours
3 bass me, up to 3#, all topwater/ 2 small prop bait, one boot tail fluke, a 3#.
Larry 0
 

Met at house at 6:20. Launched at 7:30. Ran to back left side and started along shore w/ topwater. No busters to speak of. Two small on prop bait, 1 fluke, lost some nice busters off small gunfish. Three and four pounder went of in back right side of back arm, in the bushes.

After getting one and it getting off by the boat, I threw it by where some had been and one set hit my small gunfish four times in 10 seconds, felt weight one each, and none STUCK! Unbelievable. I honestly thought the hooks had come out, and was astonished they hadn't. 

*9.25 San Vicente. 

Friday. 90 degree, no clouds. Water 78 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Mike Castaneda. On water 6:30 am till 1:30 p.m. -6.5 hours
3 bass me, up to 3#, all topwater/ 2 Rico Popper, 1 S.Spook.
Mike a 3.25# on spinnerbait

Click photo to enlarge

I got to the lake, odark hundred, got in the wait line, about 6 a.m.. They opened up at 6:15, and was on the water fishing the point by the dam at 6:30. Low clouds covered the lake. Mike met me at 6:45, at ramp, and we started with busters at the dock, nada. Then back to the dam. At 7:20 got a buster on the buoy line, a real fighter for being 2#, then 5 minutes later another 2, off the rocks by the dam, on the S. Spook, cool. Went to the other side of the buoy line, nada. Ran to the back right opening of Kimball arm, the flats, but they were out of water by 3' from last visit two weeks ago, wow.

Click photo to enlarge

Worked to the cove, far end on the right, then out a bit, nada. Had a blow up on the popper twice, no sticky! Ran the N. side of the island, where I've been getting Spook action, nada. Worked to the east side, nada. Ran to the entrance of toll road point, and worked back into the arm. At 1 p.m. Mike got a real nice one on the spinnerbait, yeah! We called it a day at 1:30, had to get to the gallery, try to make a sale. TUL. 

*9.23 Otay Lake

With Chuck Lai
Wed. 95 degree, clear. On water 6:20 a.m. till 1 p.m.. 7 hrs. Water 72.
Boat: Answered Prayer (my '87 Skeeter)
1 bass 2#,  popper/ 1 Chuck 3#, kastmaster on attenuator

We met in line at 5:55 a.m., opened 10 minutes later. He grabbed the permits while I launched, and we hit Harvey's honey hole ('secondary' cove 1/2 back on right), and I got one third cast on the Rio Rico popper, cool. Like last week, thought it'd portend a great day. THAT was not to be, as it was my only fish. We worked that area hard, Chuck had got two blowups on the frog in the far back last week, now nada. Ran to back right corner, where I'd got one last week, got a blowup on the boot tail fluke, stole the boot. Worked towards the middle, nada. Over to the other corner, nada. Back to the outside center, nada.

Saw guys fishing busters mid-arm, so made a run. A few went off right away, no takers, and then slow for next hour. Most guys left in 15 minutes. Went to east side of Honey Hole cove, worked towards the big cove, then ran to it and fished it from outside to back area, nice 'cheese', with indicators it'd been fished that morning. Ran to the entrance of Harvey's and worked the tulles back towards the Honey Hole, gave up after 2 or 300 yards and went to the entrance of the art, could see guys fishing busters. It looked dead, 15 minutes and all but one kayaker left, than all heck broke out. Fished it for 45 minutes with very little action, lots of blind casting and waiting. 

Chuck got one last 1/2 hour, on the attenuator there, 70' depth (I told him big ones hung below, and we saw lots of bait when we pulled up) fishing a Kastmaster. We made on run to the next one down headed to the docks, but didn't see bait. Nada. 

*9.18 El Capitan

Solo
Fri. 95 degrees, clear skies. 7 am to 1 pm, 6 hrs.
Boat: Answered Prayer (my '87 Skeeter)
3 bass me out of 5 fought, up to 4#, all topwater/ 2 Rico popper, 1 4# on WP.

Got out there at 7 a.m., went to the second main point across from the island, right side headed back, for nada. Big top. Then hit 'dead man's point' I call it, for more of the same. Ran to far back where the trees narrow and started there. Slowly worked back, it's getting very shallow, and worked as far back as I could, probably an hour for nada. Working back out got a nice one on the popper near shore, small rocky point on right, but it got off half way back.

Click photo to enlarge

Kept working my way out, nada. Saw busters on my way to 'honey hole cove' and tried for them for about 1/2 hour, but slow. Went over to the cove, now 10:30, and finally got one on the popper, 2 lbs. 

Click photo to enlarge

Slowly worked the area, WP and poppers, some Super Spook, nada. Lots of action, buster in the trees and along shore.

Finally got a nice 4 on the WP (Choppo actually), now 11:30. Worked the trees for another 1/2 hour, then noticed the others side looked great, so motored over, same action w/ bass busting all over in the trees. Got a dink, and then a lunker hit the Choppo. As I got her to the boat reached for the net but it had a rod's guide tangled in it, and trying to unhook it with one had while trying to keep tension on the fish didn't work out, and she shook off. At least a 5 pounder, ouch.

Saved this bluegil, but took forever as the fins kept keeping it from coming out. 

Saw my buddy Vincent in his aluminum boat and we chatted while I fished for 15 minutes. Was 1 and I had to go. Work at the La Jolla gallery was calling. Nice day, TUL (but was hot as heck). Oh, my Garmin finder had a water temp reading of 95! Yeah, right. Vince said his read 75, more like it. 

*9.16 Otay Lake

With Chuck Lai
Wed. 90 degree, clear. 6:30 am to 1:30 pm. 7 Hrs.
Boat: Answered Prayer (my '87 Skeeter)
3 bass me up to 3#, 2 top on popper, one crank/ 0 Chuck

We met at the lake at 6:10, they'd just opened. Chuck got the permits, and we headed to the back left side of Harvey's to start. I threw the Rio Rico popper start and got a nice 2# on 2nd cast, 6:36 a.m.. NOW we're cooking with oil. BUT NO, nothing more for a few hours. We fished that whole back corner, and back west a couple of hundred yards, then back to the corner and then towards the middle, nada. Worked the tulles in the middle, nada. Then the back right side, nada. Chuck was throwing plastics by now. A little after 9 I thought the shallow diving crank was called for, and got a nice 2# on it, at the outside middle of the tulles. Kept with it for 1/2 hour, for nada. Ran out to the floating bathrooms and saw 4 boats in the middle of the arm entrance, must be busters, but did not see any. They left by the time I was done in the bathroom, and we ran to the back of Otay arm, no busters and worked the whole back area w/ the Choppo, Chuck with the frog.

Ran back to Harvey's and worked the left side with med. diving cranks, nada. Picked up the popper again and got a nice 3#, TUL. Ran across and worked the right side back to the honey hole, using Choppo, nada. Last 5 min. Chuck got blown up on w/ the frog back there, neither stuck, darn. Left at 1:20 back to the dock.

*9.11 El Capitan

Fri. 85 degree, nice- clouds.
Boat: Brian Day's, 8 am to 2 pm, 6 hrs.
4 bass me out of 5 fought, up to 3.5#, all topwater/ 3 Rico popper, 1 3.5# on WP.
Brian 3, popper

We met at his house 6:30 am, left by 6:50, on water by 8. Ran to the back, last cove on the left before the 'trees', and busters were working shad in the brush. I got a hit on the popper, then landed one. Brian went to one, and got two within the next hours. I went back to it also, and got 2 more, one being about 2.5. We worked out way to the far back, it's 3' lower than last time there, a month ago. Some shad action, not like out front. Worked it for about an hour or so, then worked out way back to the starting cove, and I lost a nice 4 or 5er on the WP, then got one about 3.5# 15 minutes later. That was it, we headed back in at 2 p.m., fun day.

*9.10 San Vicente. 

Thursday 90 degree, no clouds. Water 82 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. 7 am till 4:20 p.m. -9.5 hours
3 bass me out of 10 fought, up to 3#, all topwater/ 2 Rico Popper, 1 frog .
Larry 0, had 4 blowups, was stoked-= TUL.

We met and left from my house 6:30. He had to be home by 5:30, so we quit early. Fished waterfall first, nada, then to the right of it, nada. Then ran across and fished the opposite bank towards the back of the cove, nada. A skier came into the cove so we left, fished the outside points nearby, then worked in and started getting a lot of blow ups on the frog. I missed about 10 overall, landed one, about the 8th. Larry had four blowups, he was quite excited about them. We were just unlucky. Went back to the point, worked our way into the cove across from the island, nada. Ran to the island around 1, worked it for nada, until we got to the east side, where I usually get them on the gunfish lately, and got two on the popper. Around 3:30 ran to the dam and worked it, then around to the ramp cove and worked the dry inlet area for more nada. Back to ramp at 4:30.
 

*9.3 San Vicente

Thursday 90 degree, no clouds. Water 83 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. 7 am till 7:20 p.m. -12 hours
3 bass me out of 5 fought, up to 3#, all topwater/ 1 Gunfish and 1 boot-tail fluke.
Larry 1 on Rio Rico popper, TUL.

We met at 6:30, Larry picked up the food at the usual Mex. place. Stopped for supplies at ECBT for Larry, then launched and on water by 8. 

Worked the far back again, got a blow up here and there, slow till landed one at 10, a dink. Got a nice one on a kick tail fluke at 12:30 p.m., and worked to the far buoy lines, then ran to the island around 2:30. Let Larry work the zara spook along the rocks I got them on the week before, but he couldn't 'walk the dog' that well. I tossed the Super Spook, which Larry had just worked for nada and instantly got two giant blowups, neither stuck! WOW.

Larry got one on the Rio Rico popper. My third and final of the day came on the Gunfish, which worked well for me the week before.

A bit later, 3:30, he got a nice one on a Rio Rico popper. YIPEE. 

Notice this boulder looked a bit like a great white shark coming out of the water, toothless. 

Sure looked like some sort of throne, huh?
 

*8.27 San Vicente

Thursday 100 degree, slight clouds. Water 83 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. 7 am till 7:20 p.m. -12 hours
7 bass me out of 15 fought, up to 5#, all topwater/ poppers, gunfish and mostly Super Spook.
Larry 1 on frog, TUL.

We met at the house at 6:30, Larry picked up breakfast and lunch at Mex. rest. on the way. Launched at 8 a.m., tried the dam area for nada, then ran to the back right side of the 'flats', someone was on it. Got a blow up on the frog. 

Larry got the stripe off his back, and the boat, with this frog fish. Funny, the frog fell out
of his mouth inside the net. I'd kept telling him to 'set the hook' while fighting it, but he didn't. Small miracle he landed it. 

1:53 pm then 1:57 pm, both on Super Spooks. 

1:46 p.m.. Nice 5 pounder.

1:59 p.m., still on 'em.

Then one at 3:20 p.m..

*8.18 El Capitan

Tues. 100 degree, humid, no clouds. Water 83 mid-day.
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. 9 am till 7:30 p.m. -10.5 hours (Larry left 5 p.m.)
2 bass me out of 5 fought, up to 3#, all topwater/ 1 frog and 1 boot-tail fluke.
Larry zippo.

We met at the lake at around 7, Larry ran late (wanted a 6 a.m. departure). I fished the dock area till he showed. Nada. Ran to boulder bay to start, nada. Took a 1/2 hour, then ran to the last cove on left before the trees start, noticed busters behind us, and worked them for about an hour, nada. 

First one came on Kermit, the next on the boot tail fluke. Slow day overall. 

Worked our way back, more nada. As two boaters went by they reported only 2 fish between them, 2# the largest. Unusually slow compared to renent trips out. Big storm from down south coming soon. Lost a dink at the boat on the popper, spot where Larry got one two weeks earlier. Finally got one at 3 p.m.. on the frog, at Larry's honey hole after it sat for 1/2 min. while I got an overrun out just 10 yards away. Twitched it and bamo, fish on. Worked the shallows some more, including the far left side where I got a nice 3# on a boot tail fluke. It got caught in some thick walled hydrilla but I kept working it and it got over (half a miracle). That was it back there, and took Larry back to his car at 5 p.m., then worked the points in the bay at the docks, some of the points underwater, now humps. That's where I got a giant explosion on the plopper but it got into hydrilla roots seconds later. Was gone when I went up to unhook it. 
 

*8.13 San Vicente

Thursday 95 degree, thin clouds all day- magical. 
Boat: 'Answered Prayer w/ Larry Acker. 9 am till 7:40 p.m. -10.5 hours
6 bass me, up to 3.5, all topwater/ 4 rico popper, 1 frog and 1 boot-tail fluke.
Larry zippo (lost one on DS, and one took his Rio Rico back hook at dusk).

I arrived frameshop at 7 a.m., Larry about 7:15. Picked up burritos at Pueblo Mex. across from Flower Hill mall, then hit ECBT for Larry, he needed MM Robo worms, hooks and cylinder sinkers. On water and fishing by 9.

Started at dam fo nada, then ran to back right point of Kimball Arm. I saw great grasses that have come up since last trip. Got one on a BOOYAH Poppin' Pad Crasher in yellow at 9:50 a.m. Minutes later tossed the popper on the outside of some bushes and got another nice one that got off in the grasses near boat. Kept working the shore back towards the mouth, getting blowups on the popper. One was giant, and then a nice one on the kick-tail fluke, at 4.5 lbs. at 11:15 a.m.. Continuing over to the flats, I got one on the popper again. 12:25 p.m.. Larry said he missed one on the DS.

 Then hit far corner with all the trees on the south end, nada. Went back to where the biggie missed and continued back to our starting spot, got another on the popper at 3:40 p.m..  Worked the point, got a blow up and then ran to the small cove across the way, nada, then worked out along the west shore all the way to the point. Got one at 6:30 and missed an easy sixer in the back of a tiny cove. Larry had casted back, missed the 'sweet spot', I fired the popper back up and under a giant boulder overhang (need super skill to hit it), and got blown up on on second twitch, fought it out and it came to the surface, MONSTER, and then down and got off! DANG, at least a sixer. Worked down to the end point and buster started. Larry reported losing one (later we notice back hook gone on the Rico popper) and I lost one on the popper, a biggie, at 7:35, just after the ranger told us to head in. 

*8.4 El Capitan

El Capitan, Tuesday
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, solo -7 hours
*4 bass (2 under 12"), up to 3.5, all topwater/ rico popper, frog and whopper plopper

I arrived at 12:30, fished solo. Ran to the back and started on the left side just before the sunken forest, where the little cove on the left is, with a lot of boulders. Worked the popper then noticed the point with a protected corner cried out for the S.Spook. Got that rod out, tossed it and worked it twice and KABOOM, one went airborne and fought like crazy, an easy 3 or 4 pounder, but got stuck in the top of a bush and got off. Was on a spinner setup, and changed that right away, don't want to lose he next one. Tossed that lure for awhile, nada. Picked up the Whopper Plopper and stared working the 2/3rd's sunken trees and got a nice one on the edge.


First one landed, on the Whopper Plopper, TUL.

Continued with the Plopper deeper into the trees, and one of the casts the lure stopped 1/2 way out, jerking the rod out of my hand as I was switching hands to start reeling, and landed just out of reach and started sinking. I had tried to reach it and lost my balance and went in. Swam over to it, all of 3', then dove down 2' and grabbed it. I really had no time to think what I may not want to get wet in my pockets. Well, my phone was in one, and the bluetooth in my ear, neither good to get wet. Threw the rod into the boat, then swam to the back and climbed out using the prop to help. Once in, I noticed the rod almost was getting pulled back in, the Plopper had gotten stuck in the tree (which if I had time to think, I could have used to pull the rod back in the first place) and the strong wind was blowing me down the lake. I took the phone out and shook the water off, a new iPhone 9. It was 'water resistant' the salesmen had said, and I had a water resistant case on it too. What a blessing, it worked fine afterwards. The earpiece did too, TUL.

I took off most all my clothes, shoes and socks, and spread them around the boat. Since it was 95 degrees out, they dried in about an hour. I kept fishing in my BVD's. Couple of boaters went by, they probably figured out what happened after looking at me! ;/0 

Kept working the Plopper, and worked back to the shallows and worked the area with the popper and the new Fat Ikas in watermelon red-flake for nada. 

I did get a couple of dinks on the popper, as I had the previous two weeks, and this one came in the same location Larry A. got his two weeks earlier. I had to take a pic and send it to him, saying it was the same one! ;/)
 

Worked to the far back right, where it opens up, "Larry's honey hole' it's called now, and got one on a frog, as I saw it move under the cheese right next to the boat. Worked to the corner, what I got one the past two weeks, nada. 

Worked my way out as the shadows got longer, using the S. Spook, Poppper and Plopper, all for naught. Went to the long point on the way back, 'dead man's point' we could call it, two young men were run over in their boat there about 6 years back now, tragic. Got nada. Got back to the docks around 7:50, sunset at 7:45.

*7.28 El Capitan
El Capitan, Tuesday
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, Backseater: Paul Owens -7 hours
*9 bass me (2 under 12"), up to 3.5, all topwater/ 6 Paul, Ika's and top.

I arrived at noon, Paul to meet me at ramp at 12:30, but it was 1pm instead. I worked the cove while I waited, got one on a WP third cast, dink. Continued towards back of the cove, about 1/2 way, then back out at 12:40 and then kept working the area till I saw him on the dock about 1. We ran to the back north. Worked the entrance to the trees, middle, with Paul getting one in short order (12' depth) on a watermelon red Ika. I threw the popper here and there, but put on a pumpkin Ika so catch up with Paul, no bitey though (then put on watermelon crawdad w/ beads, more nada). 

Paul got one at 2:30, on the watermelon red Ika, cool.

We continued back and worked the shallower trees, with me getting a dink on the popper fairly quickly. We worked the trees, Paul getting another, dink, no photo wanted!

My first 'keeper' came at 4:10, the first was a dink. 

At 6 p.m. we hit the far back right, and I'd got a 2 last week on the edge of the cheese, and this time I got one over 3. Went over and found it to be 4' deep, not 2' like we sat in further out!

Working back to deep got a nice one just shy of 3 on the boot tail fluke.

The highlight for me was at dusk, when I turned around to see how he was fishing 'his side' of the boat and saw a spot I'd sure like to hit. Well I watched as he made a fine cast some 70' away, landing right in front of a small bush, and started working his topwater bait back in. But I thought he missed the 'sweet spot', the area between that small bush and the big one right behind it and fired my lure there (only 5' away from where he'd landed) twitched my bait twice and explosion city! Too cool. 

Paul was tossing the River 2 Sea 'Rover' topwater walking bait, looked like a larger gunfish, chartreuse back, and it was working great. He got four or so on it, two in last 10 minutes back at the 12' deep entrance of the trees. We ran back at 7:45, a couple of minutes before sunset, and got back last to the docks, by just moments after 'CL8BAIT' did. 

*7.21 El Capitan
El Capitan, Tuesday
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, Backseater: Larry Acker -8 hours
*8 (2 under 12") bass me, up to 3.5, all topwater/ 1 Larry, med. diver crankbait (a dink, and one bluegil on it too).
 

Met at frameshop at 8:30, worked on Larry's gear, worked on trailer lights, stopped D.M. mexican rest. for breakfast, and finally got to lake and on the water by 11. Ran to the back and worked the trees, starting middle area, 11', with plastics and top. Nada. 

First one came at 3:10, Rico Popper

Worked toward shallows, and I got three dinks on the Rico popper, not photo worthy. At 3, got my first 'keeper'. Popper.

This one came at 5 p.m., back in the shallows still. 

Stripe off his back, a dink, but it counts! Yippee 

And working busters in the area Larry got a dink. Medium diver crankbait.

Larry also learned how to control the trolling motor a little bit more, first time was at the Delta two weeks earlier. 

*7.19 El Capitan
El Capitan, Sunday
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, Backseater: Larry Acker
*5 bass me, up to 3.5, all topwater/ 0 Larry
Noon till 4 pm. 4 hours

Met Larry at Frameshop at 11:30, Valerie had to babysit, so got 1/2 day w/ Larry. Went to church, Grace Point, first, 10:30, indoors and spaced apart, then met Larry at Frameshop.

Yellow frog bass.

On water by 11:30, and first bass landed on a frog at noon, fishing in 2' shallow water waaay in the back, just before the 'Larry Honey Hole', the last trees on the right where it opens up to giant flats. TUL.

Another yellow frog bass.

At 1 pm got another, under the floating cheese in far back right corner, has seen some movement as we got back there. 

Rico popper bass.

And at 2:14 got a nice one on the popper. We finished till 4, so we could get back and go out to dinner with the wives. 

*7.14 El Capitan
El Capitan, Tuesday
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, Backseater: Larry Acker -8 hours
*4 bass me, up to 4.5, all topwater (one buzzbait, 3 popper / 0 Larry)

Met Larry at 10, on water by noon. 

First bass this day came in 2' of water, way in the back.

Worked the back trees, finally got first keeper at 4:45, on Larry's buzzbait, second cast, which he'd been using for over an hour in deeper water and had recently put it down!

Another Rico popper bass.

An hour later got a nice one on the Rico popper, a 4, TUL.  Next cast, into a little pocket, got a dink. Next cast again, got a 2. Cool. The two had two other bass trying to eat the lure.

Popper continued to work.

At 7 p.m., dusk starting, got a nice 4.5 on the popper still in the shallows,
working out way back right side.

Got another an hour later, last cast at 7:53. What a great day on the water. 

7.5-7.9.2020 Calif. Delta/ Clear Lake
Boat: 'Answered Prayer, Backseater the whole trip: Larry Acker
*11 bass total me, 1 Larry

*7.6 Calif. Delta
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. -11 hours

Departed San Diego Sunday afternoon, about 3 p.m., stopped for lunch at In and Out before the grapevine, then arrived in Lodi Ca. that night, about mid-night.  Stayed at the Econo Lodge, Choice Hotels $76.50 w/ AAA disc., (Motel 6 was $81 after discount) Up at 6, got breakfast at J.I.B. and went out of Paradise Point Marina, off 8 Mile Rd. Stated working the north area to the left of the ramp, whopper plopper and frogs. Nada, and it looked so great, high tide. Worked the tulle islands down to the bridge, that took an hour or more.

First, middle seven and the last bass all came on the Plopper!

Worked past the bridge, down the left slough, and got one in the shallows on the left with the Plopper, getting the stripe off my back and the boat- TUL.. Lots of cheese, no frog action. Worked to the end of the tulle island, for nada. Worked the slough bend, and the dust from the farm trucks, with the wind not howling, made it so dusty it was making our eyes red. Looked great, great shallows, nada. Then worked back to the bridge, and got another in the shallows. Ran up the slough, worked a couple of points, then up to Honker slough, went thru no wake zone, then worked it for the rest of the afternoon, picking up one here and one there, no giants. Ended with 8, Larry none. Finished towards dusk, beat, and had to drive to Clear Lake that night.

Drove up and got a call from the Konocti Casino Hotel at about 10, they reported they close the office at 11! Asked when we'd get there. The map on the phone said a bit before midnight. He said they'd leave the key with the casino cashier, the reported they close the casino, due to Covid, at midnight! WOW, that's cutting it close. We prayed we get there by then, so as to not sleep in the car. Besides, it's was paid for. Drove like crazy, and got there with 10 minutes to spare. Some downhill spots made me nervous, the brakes were warped and needed changing, they vibrated terribly when slowing down a hill, and I was not even sure, with the boat, I could stop. The Grapevine had been nerve wracking, and I swore I'd get them fixed in Lakeport, which I did.

*7.7 Clear Lake, Ca (Con't)
(stayed Konocti Vista Casino Motel $110 with AAA discount).
Skunked day one, had some blowups on the frog early evening in the marina,
and one hit on the punch bait early morn. Fished 10 a.m. till 8 p.m..- 10 hours

As stated, got in at midnight, had the second floor marina view side. Could not wait to get on the water, be we had to get the boat inspected before launching, mussel problems they don't want or need. We were up at 8, had casino breakfast, and got boat inspected by the lady working the food shop. About $15. Launched and loaded up the boat, then drove over to the tackle shop for info. After that, with a report the auto repair right next door was good, I worked out a deal to get the front brakes replaced, along with new discs. Ran about $350, and they took us back to the casino, would take a day.

We worked the marina, probably 10 or so by then, and I got a nice hit on a punch bait, but missed the hook-set. Continued around with that and the frog, Larry with the Plopper, nada. .That was surprising, I almost always get one to three on the frog.

The cheese was there, plus this other 'stuff' was everywhere too. 

We went out to my honey hole, more nada! I heard the bite had changed and it sure had.  The cheese was all over the place, usually great for frogs, nada. The smell has been worse. Ran over to tulle point after a couple of hours, then worked the tulles south, nada. First day, skunky!!! While working the marina that night, we saw a gentleman get one on a popper from the dock! WOW, and then another. INSULT TO INJURY! We picked his brains, he reported it was a Rico Popper, made lots of rattle sounds, really calls them up. He said he'd got a bunch with his son off some island, a bunch of 3's and 4's in the 'shadowed parts'. NOTE TO SELF, get a Rico (which I did, but I had other poppers in the meantime, I'd use them!). 

*7.8 Clear Lake, Ca. (Con't)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - 8 hours

Next day we slept in a bit, we were so tired from fishing all day and not getting much sleep. Up at 8, and breakfast by 9. Fished the slough towards Tulle Point, where a friend had gotten an 8 on a frog years ago. We worked the slough to the back, and had heard a man fishing from his dock had got some on the exits of the sloughs, so we went out and started working them, and I got one a popper. YEAH, at 12:20 p.m..

First bass at 12:20 p.m., on the Rebel popper.

Got a call, car ready, so we headed in at 2 and called and went and picked it up.

This bass jumped on the frog, at the little volcanic point just N. of Lakeport town.

We took a break and went back out at 5. At 6, past Lakeport town headed north, I got a nice one on a frog, nailed it on land down, love it. We continued north, to the slough under the bridge, and stared working the cheese, looked great, but nada.

Larry's first, and last, bass of the trip. It was tough for him, but he gave it the old college try day after day. Good job.

Continued to the back, hit shallows, then started with the popper. Larry got one on the buzzbait. Yippee, skunk off the back. Funny, the buzzbait broke off in the bottom of the boat, small miracle it didn't do that during the fight.

It get's so nice at dusk.  Most of the area was only 2' deep, but the edge of the slough, right side in this shot, was about 10'. 

Taking a break for a 'group selfie', nice later afternoon light and lower temperatures. 
 

Rico Popper bass.

Not long after, I got a nice one on the popper. We salvaged the day. Got back on the main lake and ran the 10 miles or so back to the casino basically in the dark. 

*7.9 Clear Lake, Ca
Final day, launched out of Red Bud Marina, Clearlake town, down south.
Fished 10 am. till 3 p.m., nada - 5 hours

Well, I decided to hit Clearlake town and launch from Red bud ramp. Launched about 10 and figured we could fish deeper water, and we did here and there. Went to the island first, tried our luck, nada. Poppers in the shadows. Had one blow up. Fished the entrance to the south slough, nada still.

Larry with his trusty buzzbait, the lure he got one on the night before. 
Water was super stained, as usual in the summer. Sometimes the stench from it is unbearable, not this time, TUL! 2:45 p.m..

Ran up N. a mile or so, fished the deep cliffs with scattered houses and docks for more nada. Worked back to the south per the wind blowing us south, to very shallow water. Called it a day at 3 pm or so, long drive home. Around 7 p.m. Stopped at Harris Ranch (Larry's first time) and had a splendid 'celebratory' dinner out on their spacious patio (Covid decree). Got back to San Diego by midnight, TUL for a great, if not super-productive, safe trip.