FISHSTALKER

Last weekend members of Lunker Hunter had a fest at Brannon Island on the Sacramento Delta. It's always great fun with a super bunch of people. The Saturday night BBQ (20 to 30 people) was great and a lot of laughs were had by all. The icing on the cake was the fishing. The limit is 2 per man. Three of us fished in my covered boat as it did rain most of the weekend. These photos were from Sunday and we limited out. One large fish culled itself as it jumped out of the live well and went overboard. We soon replaced it. We fished the out going tide and the prime Lure was a Yo Zuri with a pink bellie. A white Zoom trailer worm completed the rig.

Stan - Are you being the guide again? I don't see any fish in your hand. It's your boat so I guess that counts. Those are some good sized Macks. Are you saving the thirty pounder for me? I still need to upgrade my lure hooks to 4xxxx. I see they have moved down to 80 feet.

Stan - This all sounds like too much work to me. Why not just try jigging for them?

Stan - If memory serves me right, it cost $12.00 to launch and $30.00 for the inspection. With a two fish limit and a two hour drive for me plus the entry fees, I think the hoity toity Tahoettes have succeeded in keeping the out of area undesireables (me) out of there. It's still a beautiful Lake with the multi-multi million dollar homes spread around it. I guess the reality is that they are trying to keep it that way. Exclusive!

I haven't fished Tahoe for a while now because the local home owners Ass. have gated/locked all the ramps. They unlock at 6AM and lock at 4PM. If you don't make the 4PM, tough. Plus the Dept. of Fish and Game conducts a thorough Quagga Muscle inspection that you pay for before you launch. You can use bait fish caught in the lake to catch Lakers, Bows and Browns. The Lake also has a strong population of Kokanee Salmon. These photos are of a small Mackinaw. (2 fish limit) The big one shook lose after belching air and shook lose at the boat. The main set up was a Dodger and bait fish rig sent down the downrigger to 196 feet. In the early Spring and Fall Trolling the shoreline produces big Browns, Macks and Bows. A lot of fish in the teens up to 30 lbs. range are regularly reported by the charter Capt's. Anyway, I thought you guys might like to see water that is still clear enough to look down as far as 40 feet in some places. Dale

On the Left Coast I use stick baits more than I do spoons and have found one Lure that definitely out produces most of the other major brands. It's an Abu Garcia Tormentor. Because here there is different water clarity and color in our Lakes mostly depending on the altitude they are at, I find these Lures work better in the lower elevation greener Lakes. The Lures do have rattles inside. Because Abu Lures are no longer available in the U.S. except for E-Bay, I have to order them from an outfit in Malaysia. It takes around 2 weeks to receive the Lures. Stan and I have caught Kings with them on Lake Shasta as well as some good sized Trout. The Vampire style I would rate as the best, second is the blue with orange belly. The Rainbow model is no longer made but I always get fish with it. When I lose that one, it will be a sad day. http://www.knkfishing.com/pd-abu-tormentor-floating-fishing-lure.cfm

Yeah ............he adds Coffee to it to kill the taste.

There ya go .............. someone taking advantage of an opportunity to move some merchandise. Times must be tough! I watched a program on the Dish the other day about guys prepossessing boats. When the chips are down the boat is the first thing to go.

WOW!.... Stan has announced my "old age" from Coast to Coast. It's just another day guys but thanks for the memories.

Can't be all that great if you're losing your balls Stan.

I was out with Stan fishing inline planers. I decided at that time that Stan needs wheels on his boards. They spend almost as much time running on shore as they do in the water.

Man! You guys are cold blooded................

I guess if you are of the mind to sledge hammer your boat or drop it from a crane, then maybe you would have an interest in a Triumph. Most of the Aluminum boats manufactured in Oregon are built with diverse things in mind. Many fish the boulder strewn rivers of Washington and Oregon or the cold Coastal waters of Alaska. Going across the potato patch out the Golden Gate can be a thrill too! Aluminum boats have found a strong market on this Coast.

Apposing metals are the major places to watch for corrosion. My boats manufacturer used plastic washers to insulate. Even down to the stainless cover snaps. I keep a digital voltmeter on board and test the boat every now and again. I have found that a product named Alumiprep is excellent for cleaning the zincs. Just spray it on and hose it off. (It's an acid.) Alumiprep is a product carried at automotive paint and body product stores. Mainly I used this product to clean the hull and then paint the hull with Sharkhyde. Another product I can highly recommend.

Whoa - 65? ........... Calif. you can only tow at 55MPH. Thought I'd try posting a photo of my boat.

This strength test comparison may shed more light. http://www.charkbait.com/article/2007/FLuorocarbon1.htm

ugh! ............tough room.

Is there an age requirement for this site or can anybody's kid join? Ray - Good to meet cha! ........ NO! Actually it's an alternative name I had to come up with in order to get back onto LOU. Most other sites I'm on I'm known by FISHSTALKER.

Hookedup - I've heard that excuse many times out here. The only thing the manufacturer warrants is the boat. Everything else from the motors to the electronics would be serviced by those manufacturers. If there was damage to the boat frame it would be on me. If it is a crack or superstructure failure then it's on the manufacturer. That would be a case that supports your argument. Though I believe the chance of it would be very rare. The odds are that because of distance the manufacturer might authorize a closer fabrication shop to do a small crack repair.

You have to pick and chose your days very wisely for the Ocean here. Our bigger Lakes like Tahoe or Pyramid (in Nevada) can be just as unnerving if the wind picks up. The advantages of the aluminum for me has been towing, cleanliness and speed. At sea level the Honda 225 will push the boat to 50 + mph with two souls on board. I do use a Dodge 3/4 4x4 Cummins to haul it up the mountain but I also spent a lot of money on a trany upgrade and the Edge with 'attitude" chip. Both are worth their weight in gold in my opinion. With the market in such a funk I'd think new boats are probably as inexpensive as a good used one?

On the West Coast, an ever growing number of us who fish Ocean, Rivers and Lakes have gone Aluminum. I haven't found information about your boats or preferences here other than what is for sale. I own two boats. One is a 15' Klammath that I use for small Lakes and rough to get to areas. The other is a 22' Motion Marine custom made in Oregon. I realize there is a Ford vs. Chevy type of argument that exists between Fiberglass and Aluminum but I have a curiosity what you LOU guys prefer. Or is it a bigger is better world? What manufacturers would you promote and why? On the West Coast "North River" Aluminum Boats has taken a big market share although Trophy and other brands are very well represented.

I'm not familiar with Ray yet........ but years of fishing and socializing with fishermen has educated me with the different inch and pound scales utilized as compared to Municipalities, construction industry and laws of weights and balances. Before Derby laws prevailed, breaking a fishes back and stretching or pouring lead shot into its belly did add credence to the "tale".

You know what ................. that looks like the same fish I released in Lake Tahoe two months ago. That's a long swim.

doublehaul - It's great to see so many of you big Lakes fellas joining us at LH. Since Stan gave me the heads up, I have been doing a lot of reading here on LOU myself. It's especially interesting to find new sources for gear and useful technics. Your fish photos and tall tales help pass the time during these cold winter days. I look forward to reading your comments on LH. FISHSTALKER

Hey guys, here's a thought........Stan won't be allowed to fish this tourney since he's responsible for helping to put it together. So how about we get together and fish in his boat. We stay on his house boat, eat all his food and win a lot of money? Does that sound fun? FISHSTALKER