schplurg

Sometimes during a shallow retrieve I'll bring the bait up and out of the water to create a small splash, and I've been rewarded with bites before. First time was an accident, now I do it deliberately.

I don't know how central it is. Doesn't seem north enough to me I want to hit many good lakes this year. I'm so excited to leave Monday! I'd do the yak but tendinitis. Getting help with that though. May bring it next time. I chose Melone's mainly based on advice here but I will go to Clear Lake, Don Pedro, Delta, Sierras. I'm open to anything. I just need to get away. Wish I could leave right now. I have my van set up with a very nice 47(?)ah gel battery that was given to me brand new. Wish it was bigger but - free. So no fridge, but I can power lights indoor and out, cam and phone chargers, a fan, whatever. And if the battery gets low I'm bringing one of my two very thin solar panels and a charge controller. Also a free gift. Ya I know, nice gifts! It's a start. Oh by "set up" I mean I set the battery in the back storage area of the van, and made it so I can wire it up to my DIY portable battery box that has a few USB ports and other 12 volt connectivity. That's it. Anyways, I got juice for now. Bought a small fire extinguisher too while I was at it. Hurry up Monday!

Find some kids partying on the water..."Hey man can I borrow your beer bong for a sec?"

New invention....the Scupper Urinal. Piece of PVC and a funnel. Impress your friends! Sit and stand versions. Order now! Now that we've settled "Number 1"..... ?

Got a campground at Glory Hole for monday thru wednesday nights. My cousin will probably come hang out as well as another friend I've never actually met. Looking forward to not only fishing but relaxing and doing nothing. Can't wait!

Thank you very much, I think I will hit New Melones ASAP. Maybe a week or so. Great info!!! Edit to add: I just checked satellite view and saw all the parking areas. Very cool! I've seen this area on a map before but never gave it a good look. I will make this a multi-day fishing trip for sure. And my Dad lives one lake downstream on Tulloch. Maybe go into work this weekend and get er done early and take off for the whole week! I hope these areas are open they look like camping areas. Well nevertheless I'm going, and maybe I'll bring the yak. Update: according to the website, campgrounds are open there. I'll get one.

+1 for hook bonnets. If you have those you can dump your cranks in any box you want.

That's a great point. Thank you.

I did it once, but it was my first fish from that particular lake and I'd fished it like 25 times. It was TOUGH but only 2 miles from my house, so I never gave up. I did quit 'er once but we got back together soon after and that was the day I finally caught them! I still hate that lake! It is my official nemesis. So that's my one and only time. My apologies to the fish but I could have eaten you instead!

This is how I did mine. No holes or damage done to the van. Maybe it'll give you some ideas.

Went to Uvas Res. today. Man the waters are so low in the south bay. Really depressing, and not just the fishing. Haven't caught one yet.

Sat on a nice hard round rock today on shore for 4 minutes, that's about all I sat today. Fished and hiked for 3-4 hours around the lake. Can't carry a chair. I wouldn't fish in it though from shore. In a boat I'm good either way, but will stand unless my body says no. I took a break today before my tendinitis started to get uncomfortable, and quit for the day once it did.

Didn't go but I went today )day time), and nope not a bite.

Nah it's all the old folk.

If someone wants to irritate me, noise is the way to go. Certain sounds I just cannot tolerate. Other people's music usually is one of those, even if I like the music. I would have left too if the music wasn't going to stop. Then again, I hate obnoxious people. I may secretly call authorities instead if I knew there were noise ordinances or park rules. Depends on my mood and situation.

They may not have spawn points like other games. I started designing a fishing sim a few years ago and my fish behaved like fish. Hatched wherever the fish decided to spawn, etc. And they'd be frye anyways. I do doubt they'd go the extra mile and do that for this game though. That takes time and money and like I said, it's more than ever about profit over love of the game. Dovetail Games does make sims though, so who knows. I think the game will be like most modern games where you have to shell out real cash to have much fun, which to me is the opposite of fun. I quit game design because more thought goes into how to get money from the players than goes into the actual game design. Finally, if they want people to buy it, a lot of people, they will have to dumb it down for non-anglers. Kinda like fishing for numbers tournaments vs fishing for weight. In my opinion that was done for TV. Maybe I will be wrong, I hope so.

This. It's the same with driving. You can yell and shake your fist at people you don't know. But watch how people suddenly clam up when they are next to that person at the red light up the road. How aggressive are we when face to face with someone? We are strange animals. And I live my life for no person or supernatural entity. My family are happy with me, it turns out. That's good.

For me I use Google maps, and use street view whenever possible. Sometimes you can see signs (no parking, no fishing), sometimes you can even see people fishing. You can find parking this way as well as find actual spots to fish. A lot of bike paths have street view too. I've used them to scout any creek that may run next to them. Next, I check the rest of the internet, Youtube etc. Search for people fishing that exact spot. Try to find any info on the area you want to fish. Maybe call a tackle shop in the area and ask about all of this. Search the state wildlife sites and look up fishing regulations in the waterway you are considering. Some are closed to fishing certain times of year, or have special requirements. Finally, go and check it out yourself. Most of my spots are local so I will eventually get out of my chair and hike around, tramping through weeds and bushes to get where I need. It is very rewarding when you find a good spot. You need to - find a close place to park - find a way to get to the water without crossing private property I can usually do this using Google maps. Then I find out if it is legal to fish, and if I need to use barbless hooks or artificial bait.

I'd say now is a perfect time to start. In fact I may do so tonight now that you mention it! Caught my first real night bass last year and it was very cool. Kind of a trip really.

My only advice is don't sacrifice price of the kayak for the roof rack. You're going to sit in the kayak for hours on end so get what you want. Getting it to the water will work itself out. Maybe that type of thinking doesn't work for everyone, but for me it's all about the kayak. Maybe find a used rack, or a sale. 2x4s? If you don't like the yak it won't matter.

I have extra batteries, that's how I do it. GoPros overheat when using external power supplies, but usually only when shooting high resolution or high framerates. My GoPro dies after 15 minutes or so plugged into a battery. Gets over 120 degrees near the lens. It is hot. It's because it is waterproof. It isn't as easy for heat to escape the camera. I've read many discussions about this on GoPros forums. All the techs say the same thing - the camera dying is a safety feature when it gets too hot. I have experimented and can use external batteries at 1080p, but I prefer to shoot higher resolutions. So I swap batteries, and I don't leave it on all the time. I only record when I'm fishing, most of the time. If I use a second camera, say on a tripod I will plug that one in and shoot at 1080 or so.

Cool thanks for the details! That's awesome. I did my first overnight trip in the van. Wasn't exactly camping. I drove to Lathrop one evening, cooked in Target parking lot, and slept in a neighborhood I felt safe. Minivan blends right in. I'm not a kid and I don't intend to do "stealth" camping, but I needed to give the van a try, and the levy where I was going to fish didn't seem safe to sleep. It may be. It was cool. Comfy bed, watched a movie on my phone, had a beer (shhh). I couldn't sleep because I'm not used to sleeping in a van on a residential street! Drove to the levy early, rigged and threw in my line, then cooked breakfast. Did dishes. Oh new tackle shop in Manteca called MEGA BAIT & TACKLE. BPS was closed and nobody else had bait. Cool guy and glad I found it. Anyways it was fun! The van is definitely a good setup. so far Here is a growing list of features: - the PVC rod rack. - bed with storage underneath - 5 gallon water bottle with a $10 rechargeable pump (Amazon). - ice chest - something to use as a toilet. I'll give details if someone asks - camp stove, gas, spices, oil, canned food, ramen, plastic plates, silverware, cups. - Curtain to block cab from back of van - covers for the windows (Reflectix with black felt on one side) - DIY battery box for 12 volt lights, charging cameras and phones. 16 amp hours. NEW - solar panels, a controller and a 47 ah gel battery (all free!). Haven't used any of it yet. - gonna build a small wood cabinet next to the bed to organize stuff. - a table I'm designing. Kinda hard to cook without one - Making an awning with telescopic poles from BPS ($10 each pole). - I got this cool little rechargeable fan. Charges with USB and lasts many hours. Perfect for a van and blows some impressive air. Also has a light on it.. Amazon. Who knows what else! I'm enjoying designing this stuff.

Axle is pretty wide, however most of the pressure is on the end caps where the end of the axle comes out. I made mine as narrow as I could. I don't like the kickstands. It doesn't really get in the way, but I dunno, I'd like a cleaner solution. but it does work, so can't argue with that! I don't feel like mine is close to breaking. Hard to tell of course, but I ran all over the property with it and jumped it over ruts and so far so good. I almost used aluminum, but one step at a time.

I agree with all of it. Almaden is so pressured it's insane. Chesbro is my nemesis. Uvas has nice fish but it's tough as well. And water is very low everywhere. Calero - at least you can launch a boat or yak on it. So sad that we can't use our waters like we used to. Fishing a yak on Uvas would be awesome. Nope, can't do it! Used to swim in Chesbro as a kid. Take out little boats. For free. Not anymore. Oh no someone might get hurt! Lame. California: looks great on postcards! Okay rant over. I took a drive to the Delta last Monday evening. Spent the night then fished in the morning. Got some bites going for stripers with frozen anchovies. Wind was bad where I was...Empire Cut. By the way - I needed anchovies and found a new tackle shop in Manteca that opens at 6 am, 5 on Sundays. The local Bass Pro opens at 9:00 so screw them. Place is called "Mega Bait & Tackle". Guy seems cool, and he had my anchovies at 7:00 am so he gets my business. Anyone asking about Bay Area fishing, the Delta is going to be my only answer from now on. At least it's always full of water!

That is the answer to almost every "What is the best/favorite..." thread ever started here. There is never a best bait, or line, or rod, or Youtuber. Cracks me up