Long Hike with Great Rewards

[b.Lee]

Here in California although it may not snow it gets down pretty cold to our standards at least. Woke up this morning to fog and about 36 degrees. My parents were telling me about this place in the hills and that there is this pristine lake up there with no fishing pressure at all. So the night before I rig up my spinning gear with 6 # trilene and I just bought a pack of Fat Ika's not too long ago, and I didn't want to bring a lot of gear, so I opened the bag and pulled one out and a 5/0 Gammy hook. Grabbed my tube baits and one top water. This hike supposedly to the lake is about 3 hours. So I wasn't looking to carry a bunch of stuff.

6:00 am, Beep Beep beep, roll over cold and turn off my alarm. My hair all crazy and I go brush my teeth, make some breakfast and head out the door.

6:30 am, Get to the entrance of the park. It is set in this nice neighborhood so I don't think much of it. I start heading out and it is foggy and cold!!!!! About 30 minutes into my trip, this "hill" turns into 45 degree angel of hell with rocks and small boulders, my parents are 65 and I don't know how they do this every weekend. About an hour into I am sweating, cold, and I can't see more than 50 feet in front because of the fog. Sorry I didn't think to take pictures at this point.

9:45 am, I finally get to the lake and the fog by now has dissipated. And i come to this!

10:15 am, yeah I took a half hour rest and got my gear ready. So I bust out my one Fat Ika never fished it before. Night before I youtubed how to rig this and I tried. First Cast!!! Let it sit on the bottom for about 30 seconds and shake the tip then BOOM!

Im excited!!!! So I cast a second time, a third, I get a tick this time but miss the hook set. Fourth Cast, this one knocked it out of the water!

After releasing the two, I on my fifth cast I got hung up and lost my Fat Ika. Too my regret I only brought one having no confidence in it, and it is now my favorite bait. I tried tubes next, but no success.

I am a firm believer in Yam Fat Ika.

I would say both fish were around 2.5 pounds

[Thai]

Awesome! Looks nice and secluded, well worth the hike to me!

[paul.]

very cool indeed.  way to go man.  you'll have a well-worn trail to that little lake before it's all over with. ;D

[TrippyJai]

Awesome, I enjoy posts like these. Those were some pretty fish you caught.

Did you rig the Fat Ika backwards? What colour were you using?

[roadwarrior]

Fat Ika RULES!

BTW, nice fish and great pics!

8-)

[steezy]

Nice fish, gotta get me some of those baits.

[Grey Wolf]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

[b.Lee]

Awesome, I enjoy posts like these. Those were some pretty fish you caught.

Did you rig the Fat Ika backwards? What colour were you using?

Yes Backwards and I was using Watermelon with Black Flake

Thanks everyone, I am so sore but it was worth it and I suppose I got some exercise out of it.

[Rebel Angler]

awesome lake an I'd say it was well worth the hike

[fishntime]

Great report,  Yet another man has fallen victim for the Fat Ika.  I swear by them and have for 6 years now. ;D

[looking4structure]

awesome lake an I'd say it was well worth the hike

x2

gotta love the Fat Ika

[b.Lee]

its funny because they hit this bait hard. I was so amazed.

[brushhoggin]

you folks in cali make me sick with your abundance in bass. awesome story

[firefightn15]

I'd be packin' a tent and spending the weekend on that water.  A regular Garden of Eden.  Like TrippyJai said, post like this including these little secluded spots are awesome.  I notice in the one pic that there is a short railing and what looks like black top.  Is that part of the trail or maybe an area for hikers to camp?

[b.Lee]

I'd be packin' a tent and spending the weekend on that water. A regular Garden of Eden. Like TrippyJai said, post like this including these little secluded spots are awesome. I notice in the one pic that there is a short railing and what looks like black top. Is that part of the trail or maybe an area for hikers to camp?

that is a blacktop trail, I think it is the top of the dam.

[cowiemi]

Beautiful lake and Bass!