September vacation to NorCal kayak fishing.

[kenmitch]

I'm in the process of planning my September vacation and will be doing some lake hopping in Northern California and will mainly be targeting Spotted Bass, but will settle for LMB or SMB.

 

I'm currently leaning towards the week of the new moon(Sep9th) as I like darkness when I'm trying to sleep, but I also kind of like the idea of doing some night fishing with the full moon(Sep24th).

 

I'm still looking at lakes and trying to decide if they are kayak friendly as far as access and distance to good places to target Bass. I have a peddle kayak so it's not like I'd have to row, but don't want to have to launch and then peddle mile after mile to get to the better ground. 

 

So far I've decided to go to New Melones as I've had good luck there fishing from the shoreline before I bought my kayak. Lake is Kayak friendly as I can launch from the campground without much effort.

 

I'm looking at lakes around that area and further up north.

 

The most enticing lake currently is New Bullards Bar as it seems to be the current trophy Spotted Bass lake. Is this lake kayak friendly? 

 

Any other lake suggestions up that way that have potential?

 

Thanks,

Ken

[WRB]

The problem with any California lake during the summer vacation time period that allow water contact sports like water skiing or wake boarding. As long as you are not bothered by big boat wakes and can find restricted areas where the boats can't create big wakes you should be OK.

Check the foothill lakes along hwy 49 that restrict water contact sports. New Bullards Bar can get hectic allows water contact sports, few good camping areas with boat launhing, main marina is at the dam.

Good luck, I could help you more!

Tom

[camman]

How long are you looking at being up here?  Are you looking to lake hop or just stay at one.   If you are staying during the week you should not have much lake traffic as all the kids are back in school.

 

 

[kenmitch]

I'm leaning towards lake hopping for week. Couple days/nights at possibly 3 starting on the Sunday the week I pick. Looking at lakes still and debating. I know New Malones has easy kayak access from campground with decent areas not far away. Not sure about other lakes yet.

[camman]

Well not sure how much you want to drive, but probably the best Spotted Bass lake I've fished has been Shasta in terms of number and size.  I've fished New Bullards Bar once years ago and if I remember it was a scratch bite, probably a timing thing.

 

Other options would be Berryessa for more of a mix between Spots/SM/LM.  I fished Melones maybe a month ago and it was a dink fest of Spots....Basically fishing 10-20 ft of water off of points you could not miss, bigger fish came off topwater in the morning.

 

Maybe start at Shasta for a few days then work your way South?

[th365thli]

"The Narrows" section of Berryessa has a lot of spots. But you gotta go during the weekday, because on the weekends it's a cluster f of pleasure boaters. However, there are lot of coves you can hide in. 

 

 

[kenmitch]

12 hours ago, th365thli said:

"The Narrows" section of Berryessa has a lot of spots. But you gotta go during the weekday, because on the weekends it's a cluster f of pleasure boaters. However, there are lot of coves you can hide in. 

 

 

That lake is currently on my radar. What part of it is considered the Narrows? It does look like there would be kayak access from multiple areas which is a plus. I just don't want to have to peddle mile after mile to get to some decent spots but don't really mind it if I wind up doing a 6-7 mile round trip outing in the end. I will mostly be fishing wherever it is on the weekdays and doing my travel up on Sunday and my travel back on Saturday.

[th365thli]

On 7/14/2018 at 9:58 AM, kenmitch said:

That lake is currently on my radar. What part of it is considered the Narrows? It does look like there would be kayak access from multiple areas which is a plus. I just don't want to have to peddle mile after mile to get to some decent spots but don't really mind it if I wind up doing a 6-7 mile round trip outing in the end. I will mostly be fishing wherever it is on the weekdays and doing my travel up on Sunday and my travel back on Saturday.

So if you look at a map of the lake and look at the south east portion you’ll see the huge long river channel with coves and sub coves, points and secondary points . That entire section is the narrows. I would launch from markley cove marina if you wanted to fish there. Otherwise, up north has some arms near putah creek. If you want to catch smallmouth I’ve had luck at rocky shores on the main lake. If I were a kayaker I would do putah creek campground launch. I think most of the pleasure boaters are at the south part of the lake and in the narrows. But depends on how bad you wanna catch spots. 

[kenmitch]

2 hours ago, th365thli said:

So if you look at a map of the lake and look at the south east portion you’ll see the huge long river channel with coves and sub coves, points and secondary points . That entire section is the narrows. I would launch from markley cove marina if you wanted to fish there. Otherwise, up north has some arms near putah creek. If you want to catch smallmouth I’ve had luck at rocky shores on the main lake. If I were a kayaker I would do putah creek campground launch. I think most of the pleasure boaters are at the south part of the lake and in the narrows. But depends on how bad you wanna catch spots. 

Thanks! I'll take a another look at the lake. Does lake have tweaker issues? 

 

My PB for smallmouth is 0lb as I've never caught one. My PB for Spots 4lb. My preference towards Spots is due to their aggresive behavior. I really enjoy the way they strike and fight. Smallmouth I'd be down for as from what I see are spotless spot like.

[th365thli]

9 hours ago, kenmitch said:

Thanks! I'll take a another look at the lake. Does lake have tweaker issues? 

 

My PB for smallmouth is 0lb as I've never caught one. My PB for Spots 4lb. My preference towards Spots is due to their aggresive behavior. I really enjoy the way they strike and fight. Smallmouth I'd be down for as from what I see are spotless spot like.

Not quite sure what tweaker means? Like crime? I think years ago it was maybe an issue but Ive talked to the rangers and some locals and it's fine now. Just follow standard sense and make sure car is locked, valuables hidden etc. I don't think you'll have any trouble at all in the paid marinas/campgrounds, it was really free launch capell cove that I heard had issues. 

 

If you have never caught a smallmouth before you're in for a treat. I personally think they fight harder than spots. Beautiful fish too. Definitely tie on a drop shot with a finesse worm. Make sure you use good fluoro or fluoro leader.

 

These fish are smart. Particularly the spots. At September, it might still be pretty hot. Downsize what you can. Look for fish in deeper water. I would say just reading on lake reports and listening to people, a finesse drop shot rig will reliability put fish in the boat any time. If they are in fall patterns then they should be actively feeding on baitfish and it will be amazing! They will eat craws year round, so if you're not sure, a finesse jig/craw and a dropshot is a good place to start. 

 

Here are some pics. I'm the asian, white guy is my fishing buddy.

 

3.86lb Smallmouth. 

 

 

Friend with a beautiful spot. Didn't weigh it. Maybe 2.5 or 3lb?

 

 

 

Very nice smallie on the right.