gonediven

Depending on where you will live in Santa Cruz, the Delta can be as close as 1.5hrs away 2hrs at the longest. Its definitely worth a few visits. Loch Lomond as mentioned is not to far from SC, but due to drought conditions out here can close at any time. Outside San Jose are Anderson, Coyote and Calero which are 'currently' open to boats, Coyote will likely be closing sometime soon-- low water. Lexington, is in Los Gatos which is about 20 min from SC, no boats and is suffering from low water, but there are largemouth in there.

If you will still be in the area in the spring; there are a series of 3 reservoirs right across the CA/NV border in Truckee. Boca, Stampede and Prosser. Prosser and Stampede have smallies. I've not fished for the in Stampede but have in Prosser, near the dam. They are not large (least I haven't caught any large ones yet); but they are there and they put up a nice fight. From Reno to Truckee is ~30min.

Its only my first post; but i have have 2 Smokes (7:1) and 1 Energy (6.3:1). I'm not the complete loyalist type as I also have a Lew's TP (and Daiwa and Shimano spinning) . I really like all the reels and they all get lots of use. One of my Smokes has a little play in the handle, but nothing that even gives me hesitation in using it. I'm also looking at picking up two more Smokes or Lew TP's as I ordered a couple of new rods last week or so.