NorcalBassin

Caught this fella at Clear Lake a few years ago on a wacky senko. Thought I had my PB at first but after it took a ridiculously long run under multiple docks I assumed it was 99.99% a carp. Since that .01% still existed I chased it around with the TM, but IME multiple long runs with no attempts to jump = carp or catfish.

If it was maxscent it would already be sold out...

Been following their drops for a long time and landed a couple 9's and jokers, but I was pretty excited to finally land this one that's been at the top of my list for quite a while.

I have some retired LEO's in my family and a number of friends who are local PD, sheriff deputies, or CHP. Fortunately we're in a part of CA where they're very respected and appreciated... can't even imagine what it would be like for the ones who work in the big cities.

https://www.wate.com/news/local-news/victim-of-fatal-douglas-lake-boat-crash-identified/ Hopefully they're able to get more details than "collided" to help educate others to avoid something like this themselves. RIP.

The SUPREME written across the velcro lunch pail on the back is the cherry on top. Talk about an invitation for some razzing by your buddies out on the water or stream.

Welcome to BR! Looks like a nice saltwater reel that should handle 1-2oz no problem. Once you get to 3 oz your rod is probably a bigger concern, but if that's the top of your weight range you should be fine with a 200 size reel such as that genpu.

Randomly had a school of shad roam or get pushed into the cove we were working and the bass were just wrecking them. Made for a fun couple hours until we had to call it a morning. Trout were rubbing elbows with the bass. Pops with his best one of the day.

Keitechs significantly outperform the others in my experience when the bite is neutral to off, but since they can be 1-2 fish per bait and nearly a buck apiece I gladly use Rage when the bite is on for the increased durability. Those Berkleys sounds interesting and I may have to give them a shot.

Definitely frustrating. California is very open with retail/warehouses and most of the state even has indoor dining at some percentage by now. It's pretty frustrating they're 14 days out to even get a package out to my place when the carrier (GSO or UPS) standard delivery for me is just 1 day. Read somewhere else they were having significant staffing issues that were causing the delays, and that makes the most sense to me since covid should be a non-factor getting orders put together. There are also some cynical reports of them enjoying all the extra $ from people paying for expedited service, but I sure hope that's not the case. Whatever the reason, upside down world when I get orders from BPS, Cabelas, Kittery Trading Post, and their competitor in KY at least a week before my "neighbor" can get it to me unless I pay them extra.

Gave another lake a shot over the weekend with the plan of finding a lot of quiet water... turned out this little lake was hosting two tourneys and I watched what seemed like an endless amount of boats blast off for a few minutes starting right at 600. By the time I was in the water all the best holes had multiple boats in them, so I just stayed on the TM and putzed around exploring new water. Good news was there was quite a bit of action with LM, SM, and spots mixed in... bad news is best of 'em was probably 2.5 pounds. Cool markings on this fella.

I have an old "beater" one with a Honda on it that stays outside all year, and after all these years it still starts right up and works great. Only maintenance is making sure the fuel doesn't go bad. The extra power and long term reliability is worth it over electric IMO.

Also a reverse sear fan and I like to smoke them at 225* until the internal temp is around 120* (roughly 4 hours for an 8 pounder). Favorite way to season it is by rubbing garlic butter all over it (softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and whatever herbs you like). Keep a drip pan under it to save the drippings and then you can drizzle that (strained) butter over the individual slices before serving. I reverse sear at 400* on the grill or oven until the internal temp gets to 130* and then let it rest for a good 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Nothing with any size to it but the males were destroying that dark sleeper. Little fella but the first topwater fish of the year still felt pretty great.

Had the pleasure of taking a late afternoon trip with the family. Feel super blessed to have a couple teenagers who love to go out fishing. Fishing wasn't as good as I anticipated (65* water) but we still caught quite a few on underspins. Another unusually big (for us) crappie Good times!

Funny the difference a week makes. Not any interest in plain Keitechs but they were on the underspin. Ran into an unexpected school of some serious slabs. Can't remember the last time I caught crappie this big. Pops got on the board with this little fella.

While prepping gear the night before heading out I was in the mood for an iced coffee or beer. Guinness said why not have both.

Crazy how big of a difference a week of warm weather makes. Water temps now in the low 60's, a few bucks were busy prepping beds, and the afternoon bite was nothing short of amazing. A-rig was the ticket around daybreak. The fish moved up shallow with the warmer water and wind in the afternoon, and the LM and spots were eating Keitechs like they were candy.

Water temps still unseasonably cold (52-54*) but with warm temps this next week we should finally start seeing some movement up shallow. Pops broke his 5 trip scoreless streak. Amazing how a small fish can make you almost as happy as a giant when you've been getting skunked. Picked up a much nicer one right after the little fella. They were liking the underspin swimjig with a 4.3 in 25-30 fow

That cove is a relatively short walk/hike to the water starting near the area where people park to climb Table Mountain. I hiked down from there with a float tube a few years ago and it wasn't bad at all even in waders. Kennedy Meadows is up closer to the pass right before you really start making the steep elevation gains. If you really get into summer trout fishing the east side of the Sierras has a ton of options for shore fishing lakes (or streams).

Park at your dad's and use his dock! Melones has some good shore fishing areas with a really good one being the water ski cove area you can access off of Shell Rd/Table Mountain. Not sure if you can park overnight or if it's just day use. If you shore fish out there just be sure to watch your steps (rattlers). If you're heading up 108 it may also be worth hitting up Lyons (in addition to Pinecrest). It's planted pretty regularly during spring/summer and, rumor has it, you may want to bring along a bass rig as well. There are a lot of small campgrounds with stream access along the highway between Lyons and Kennedy Meadows where you should be able to catch a lot of trout all through the summer.

Just wow. So much fail here and something I'd expect to be from a person who just bought their first boat, not an experienced pro. Glad he's okay... fortunate he didn't kill himself or someone else as he tried to take that inside corner to pass when there could have easily been a boat coming the other direction.

Almost embarrassed posting these latest catches after seeing Dwight's! Things still seem a ways from busting loose here, so I ended up "practicing" with a couple baits I rarely use: A-rig and a chatterbait. Had a slow trip as expected, but it was cool catching a few on those setups. Pretty cool it hit the one bait that stood out from the others just like Matt Allen said they usually will. Apparently it's not just Tennessee where the bass enjoy a jackhammer in fire craw. Absolutely inhaled it on a yo yo retrive.

Awesome story and congrats on the boat and giant bass!!! That was a perfect post until the pics were sideways. ?