Resources for a new bass fisherman in the Bay Area

[Hei]

Hey everyone! I'm a new bass fisherman (just started fishing in general this season) and former lurker here on these forums living in the Bay Area (SF/Santa Clara. I was wondering if any users on the board here know of any clubs or other resources for someone just starting out and trying to learn what to do. Very few of my friends fish, so I was hoping to find some other folks who wouldn't mind a newbie tagging along. I've been pretty persistent up to this point, but have been skunked about 12x in a row  so I figured that it's about time I try and figure out how to more consistently improve.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Caliyak]

I'm from the central valley. Welcome to the sport and you will not be disappointed when you finally get addicted. You have a Bass Pro shop in San Jose. You can start there. Go in and ask for seminars or guides. Do you use a boat, kayak or a shore guy? There are groups to join like NorCal Kayak Anglers. Many people in your area use kayaks. You can go to a tournament or an outing with a group of people to learn. There are many good and friendly anglers that are willing to teach and increase the sport. Just ask. 

What lakes have you tried? have you been to the delta by Tracy/Brentwood area? 

[Darren.]

Not from Cali, so can't help there, but welcome to the forums!!

[J._Bricker]

Welcome Hei to Bass Resource and the Forums! As far as clubs you can go to the top of the page, click links and click clubs. There are a couple of clubs down in the South Bay which should help get you on the water, expand your knowledge on various techniques and bass fishing in general. Good luck and good fishing, JB 

[Chefster]

Check out coyote bait and tackle.   The staff is very helpful.  When I started out they gave me some great tips and helped me with making the right purchases for the area.   Where have you been spending your time on the water at.   

[Hei]

Thanks for the warm welcome! @Caliyak — wish I had access to a boat or kayak, but I don't have the space to store one and I don't know anyone that fishes.

The club I found isn't being terribly responsive, but I may show up to a meeting. Otherwise, hopefully I can meet some folks out here who fish around the Bay Area!

[WRB]

Try Coyote Bait & Tackle in San Jose, good bass anglers hang out there and they know what's happening in the Bay Area.

Tom

[Chefster]

We have some good options for bank fishing in our area.   I would suggest spending some time at Anderson reservoir.  It can be great for numbers.   Woodchippers area is a good place to start.   Lexington has been getting better. If your looking to get out on a boat los vaqueros and Chabot offer half off rentals Tuesday-Thursday.   50$ gets you a full day rental and that includes the entrance fees.  

[Hei]

Thanks for the recs! @Chefster — my problem with these larger reservoirs is that I don't really know what I should be doing to increase my chances of finding fish. I do my best to look for cover or structure as well. Not sure how long I should spend in any given area before moving on to somewhere else. With these big rocky reservoirs we have down here, everything kind of looks samey as well (at least to me).

[bish0p]

There are several fly fishing clubs you could join in the Bay Area. I know some members fly fish for stripers, LM, and SM in the delta. Another online resource that emphasizes NorCal fishing is the The Fish Sniffer

[Hei]

On 3/15/2018 at 1:11 AM, bish0p said:

There are several fly fishing clubs you could join in the Bay Area. I know some members fly fish for stripers, LM, and SM in the delta. Another online resource that emphasizes NorCal fishing is the The Fish Sniffer

Thanks, I'll check that out!

[blckshirt98]

What's up @Chefster !  Coyote Bait is the better place to go (skip Bass Pro Shops) for local bass gear and advice.  One tip I have for the Santa Clara lakes is get there as early as possible - 6am-930am has always been the best times for me, once the sun comes out and hits that water the number of bites goes down tremendously, at least from the shore.

[Chefster]

@blckshirt98 how’s it going.   You been out yet this season?   

[blckshirt98]

@ChefsterThe past 5 weeks have been the best stretch of shore fishing I've experienced...double digit bites every outing except one tough morning the day before that rogue storm came through the day after the Coyote Mega Sale.  Besides that day, been landing about a dozen per weekend!  Highest count was twenty!