SF Peninsula, CA

[BiteArray]

Hello!

I'm looking for some advice for a beginner based around the lower peninsula area. Have several years of mostly saltwater experience but only just started targeting bass last summer. I've caught several bass, all from some of the local ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, and am hoping to get tips on better places to target.

 

Being based in the peninsula limits my freshwater options, since much of the best waters are off limits to the public. Due to family circumstances I also can't make it out early or late in the day, so this summer I've typically been fishing in subpar conditions - mid-day, bluebird skies, etc. I've tried a few of the local spots with limited success - Stevens Creek, Lexington, Vasona/Campbell, Almaden, Calero, Quarry - and most of the time end up with a skunk.

 

Any advice or suggestions on how to get fast tracked onto more fish so I can get into the rhythm of learning different baits, presentations, reading structure, etc.? I'm also limited to fishing from shore.

 

Thanks!

[schplurg]

Howdy neighbor! Welcome to the forum!

 

The best place for me from the bank is Coyote Creek in San Jose and Morgan Hill. If you're interested in driving down this way send me a private message and I'll PM you some exact spots where I've been catching bass almost every trip lately. Or I'll take you right to them one day if you want.

 

Evidence:

 

 

If you don't want exact spots then search a map for Coyote Creek and you can figure out the access points between Morgan Hill and SJ. It took some scouting to find good spots and I'm willing to share, just not on the main forum. I'm afraid the litterbugs will see it here.

 

There are also big carp here - I see them all day just cruising by ignoring my baits  3 - 5 pounders I'd guess.

[BiteArray]

Thanks for the tip on Coyote Creek! I'll have to make my way out there at some point. I also noticed this update from the county about potential flooding due to releasing water from Anderson, so probably good that I didn't venture out there this past week: https://twitter.com/SCCParks/status/1285973186438283264

 

[Jason.Domingo]

All the South Bay lakes you listed are notoriously difficult. Lexington I found much success throwing 3in swimbaits since the Spots in there are rather aggressive.

[schplurg]

On 7/26/2020 at 9:14 PM, BiteArray said:

Thanks for the tip on Coyote Creek! I'll have to make my way out there at some point. I also noticed this update from the county about potential flooding due to releasing water from Anderson, so probably good that I didn't venture out there this past week: https://twitter.com/SCCParks/status/1285973186438283264

 

Cool maybe the flooding will wash out some of the log-jams. Some areas are solid mat right now because of them. It would have to flood a whole lot for it to reach the bike path, at least where I fish. Interested to see what happens. The creek water used to be higher years ago.

 

Hard to tell from the sat image you linked to, but the areas I fish are east of there.

[schplurg]

Fished the creek today and saw no sign of flooding. Caught two 1.5 pounders at around 6:00 pm. One was in 2 feet of water under some roots and dead branches, the other in a deeper section, shaded by tall trees.

 

There are also 4-5 pound Carp, maybe bigger if you're into that. I might try for them someday. They are almost always in sight, cruising and ignoring my baits. I wish they were bass, that would be crazy, there are so many.

 

A small machete would really open things up.  Gonna go tomorrow morning and see about that.