Year end fishing cruise

[FlyWright]

I was determined to sqeeze in one more fishing trip before my 2010 fishing license expired, so I headed for the delta. I spent the night on the boat Wed and the conditions looked horrible...rain, windy, muddy, high waters that were filled with floating debris from the recent storms. I decided to scope it out closely on Thurs before venturing out in what could be hazardous conditions.

I slept in and hit the road in my car at the crack of nine. I had an errand to run at the Ace Hardware in Rio Vista, but would travel along the Moke, SJ and Sac rivers on my way there to check out the conditions.

A few distractions along the way...check out all the egrets in there with the grazing sheep!

I liked the contrasting colors in this one...

(I know...lots of sheep today...)

I found light winds, clear skies and much improved water conditions. The Sac River was as flat as a pancake on the incoming.

The conditions looked right and the weather was beautiful, so I decided to head out and at least get a couple hours of fishing in. I stopped into Haps Bait and bought my 2011 fishing license. Also got some tips on sturgeon action near the powerlines, so I grabbed a 1/4 lb of grass shrimp and some nightcrawlers (no pile worms, yet) for the day's fishing.

I headed back to the boat, but again got detoured by the Delta sights...

The Dutra Tower has been moved to the east side of the river near the RV Bridge for installation at the Delta Information Center going in at Hwy 12 and 160.

http://www.discoverthedelta.org/tower.html

By noon, I was underway under clear skies and calm waters. The debris of yesterday had all but passed through...only a few small pieces of wood floating by. Most everything else was hyacinth and tules.

I motored through Threemile Slough, under the bridge and headed for the p-lines. The river looked good, but the winds were kicking up to 10-15 kts. With the ebb tide, I knew the waves would be building. Not bad though....at worst I saw was two footers and no whitecaps.

I marked a lot of fish on the bottom near the double p-lines and dropped the anchor. I spent a couple hours teasing the sturgies with eel and grass topped with nightcrawlers. I guess they wanted sardines! After a couple hours, I headed back. As I passed through Threemile Slough, I overheard the Happy Hooker replying to a friend's question...they were catching lots of fish on...get this...bacon-wrapped sardines!

As I rounded the bend over the hole at The Outrigger, my FF came alive with striper marks. It looked like the fish gods were handing me a year-end catching opportunity. I dropped the hook again and, since I had no sardines, set out some shad on two rods. Again, no dice and after 15 mins, needed to head home before dark.

Here's the obligatory sunset picture!!

It sure felt great to get out on the water.

Happy New Year to ALL of my BoaterEd Friends!!

 

[Flutterby]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I almost felt like was there, thanks to your pictures. Days like yours are unpredictable but special treats when they come along! GREAT sunset shot.

 

[dvan]

Thanks for the pictures. It gives me my boating fix while my boat is tucked away in the shop.

 

[jtybt15]

How do those 'balance' holders work? I've lost a couple a poles over the years. Them sturgies don't always bite soft.[:O]

...and I wouldn't always believe what jim smith says.[]

 

[yzer]

Great shots. Those shepherds have their work cut out for them. The sheep should be mowing down the levee bank.

Indeed, the Mud Duck is still afloat. I was out there yesterday afternoon to check things out. The water level at high tide is down quite a bit from what it was ten days ago.

 

[FlyWright]

You're right Charlie...sometimes it's a suicide bite that rips the line. I always leave my reels in free spool with the clicker on. The hard hitting fish rips line, but the rod stays put. And I only use 65 lb braid line so there's no stretch and every bump of the line is seen and felt.

 

[jtybt15]

Sorry, ain't been paying attention til now.

Yeah, gotta leave it on free spool but I lost a rig with the clicker on. Never knew what hit it. It was at the mouth of Richardson bay and going for the gate.[:I]

Oh, and I guess you're referring to braided dacron 'cuz braided nylon is like a rubber band.[D]

 

[Tim Bromund]

Nah, he's probably using what they call super lines like fire line or power pro. Braided spectra, no stretch and super thin. For instance 65 lb power pro has the equivalent diameter of 16 lb mono.

Tim

 

[FlyWright]

Thanks, Tim. Yup, spectra...65# Power Pro. Very strong, abrasion resistant, limber, small diameter and no stretch. More expensive than mono to purchase, but it lasts for years, so it's more economical, too.

The smaller diameter of the line allows the use of smaller, modern reels with plenty of line capacity.

 

[jtybt15]

[:I]
I guess I'm showing my age. I have some super line on my tuna rods but I prefer mono for salmon and bass, I didn't like the 'too limp' braided super lines. I used to use braided nylon mainly because it was very resistant to cutting whereas dacron was very susceptible to cutting. I went back to mono even for sturgeon, though I've quit fishing for them. I've caught way more than my share.