That is a nice Whitefish 

Reds were a deep dark color !

Lasagna dinner remark was pretty funny 

Ah, the old Boat Ramp Chaos, there is always one 

They are a fun fish, only caught a handful but it was a blast

So when is your buddy coming back now that he got a taste of the action ?

8/23/2025
I adjusted my sight, sharpened my aim with a little practice. and set out before sunrise for another try at a 30 fish day. With my dolly with a trash can in tow, I got to the water about 5:15 which was about 30 minutes before Grey light. I could still see the reflection off the glassy water surface so it was enough to be able to see to shoot. I just needed a head lamp on low to see my sight.

Walked the first half mile with little more than the bait fish making any motion on the surface.
Then as Grey light started, I saw the first carp swimming off like a torpedo as I walked by. Looked promising.

Walked my second half mileage managed to find two groups of fish scavenging the shoreline with their backs breaking the surface. First shot of the day was a little low, trying to hit the fish midsection instead of dorsal fin. Second shot had two fish swimming side by side, looking to possibly hit both. Drew back, Lined up my sight an inch our two low, and let it fly. Arrow hit the water right as targeted. There was an explosion of the two fish and probably 3 or 4 others right next to them. Started pulling in the line and it came tight but there was no pull or line streaking sideways. The line was stuck in the base of bushes which had the tops chopped off and were all along the shoreline. They were my nemesis. Getting my line caught pulling in almost every time but I accepted it and would walk out to pull it out. This time though, my arrow was stuck in the base of one. First time one made me miss a shot, at least that I know of. I guess that's why I do better shooting further out. Shooting in six inches of water, I'm basically shooting through these plant stumps.

Walking the third half mile had my shadow cast out into the water. Couldn't sneak up on anything unless I walked along 20 ft from shore.

The last half mile I saw one more group of fish. My shadow cast about 45 degrees behind me at this one section of shoreline, so I was able to get closer to them. Picked one which was under the water in the shallows but I could now see it without its back sticking out. Pulled back, aimed lower, and let it fly. Must have been deeper than I thought because the arrow went over it and the fish was still there. Tried pulling it in quickly for another shot or at least to get the pleasure of dragging the arrow over its back to scare it. But, of course it was stuck in the stumps again.
Started heading back at this point. Covered more ground this time since there were less fish. Made it to the other end of the shoreline that Bowfishing is allowed.

The first half mile back it was pretty barren. My shadow was ahead of me but getting shorter.

The second half mile back, now about 8:00, was getting ideal light wise. I started seeing the fish further out where I like them. Was able to take a few shots but missing them. A few fish swam off slowly as I was readying to shoot.
Now while I was starting to see them I'm hearing thunder way off in the distance. The cloud had been blocking the sun now and then all morning but usually not for long.

The third half mile back the clouds were starting to become bothersome and I could see lightning hitting the mountain across the canyon.
I kept at it and was finding more fish when the clouds broke enough. Had a couple shots at fish which I had hopes but missed. Finally had one presenting broadside. Drew, aimed about 6 inches low, and let it fly. Arrow hit the water where targeted, but no splash. Started pulling in the line and saw it streaking sideways across the water as it loaded up. Fish on! Pulled it in carefully and saw I hit it an inch below the dorsal fin, a good solid spot. I was happy to get rid of the strip and it was a decent size fish.

Easily 5 lbs.

The last half mile back got interesting. Not good interesting unfortunately. The clouds had moved in and I could see sheets of rain moving toward me. I kept on looking and maybe saw one more before it started raining. Out of curiosity I stayed along the shoreline and kept an eye on the water as I walked back the last half mile. I was looking to see if I saw any backs of fish out of the water. It wasn't possible to see them under water because of the rain hitting the surface. Didn't see anymore so made a mental note, don't bother in the rain.
The rain got me wet but it was 75 degrees out so it wasn't bad. In fact, I enjoyed it. I don't remember the last time I walked in the rain in the summer.
That was it, but now I had a single fish again to dispose of. Well I had a tangerine tree which I had in a barrel, so I decided to plant it in the ground on top of the fish. It was two feet down and the base of the rootbal was one foot down. I can't wait to see what it does for fruit next winter.

-Keith

Nice day, really nice local whitefish. Both of those guys are why I like to avoid weekend crowds but I guess they're spreading...

I spent the last week pretty much fishing.  I've been noticing a trend over the last 5+ years and need to try and correct it.  This losing my job has about really discouraged me and the process of looking for these type and level of jobs are enfuriating.

Thus, the only time I seem to smile anymore is when I'm out fishing, so off I go on another adventure!  Target: Yellowtail.

I get to where the action was right away.  There are more boats out here than I thought would be on a Thursday morning.  Radio chatter sounded more like a busy summer Saturday than a mid-week day.

I didn't have live bait and didn't even see any.  Actually there was less on the meter than just a few days ago.  I had some asian market squid, so dropped on down mid water column to see what was lurking.  I avoided the bottom so my squid would stay whole.

I also grab my bass rod and first cast with the mini-iron and bass!



Believe it or not, but even the bass fishing slowed down since the other day.  I mean I still caught a lot, but it wasn't the biomass we were on prior.



I put a squid head on my mini iron to see if that might entice more strikes and then I get slammed!  It was big and heavy and screaming out line.  Then it was just a matter of getting it turned upwards off the bottom.  I ruled out a yellowtail since it wasn't making numerous blistering runs, but thought it might be a big WSB due to the big first run and bull dog fight. 

Wrong gear, I know...



After 20 minutes I finally have it coming up.  I look down and see deep color.  No yellow tail but a massive fish.  I couldn't completely identify, but still thought it was a big WSB due to the shape and color.

I get the gaff ready and keep bringing him up when he gets to the surface and I see.... Mr 6-foot Soupie.  Good god!  So depressing.  Then he made matters worse by rolling on the line and busting me off.  He took my last jig of this type and sounded back to the abyss.

I had to switch up jigs and it worked, but only for more bass.



I then get slammed and thought I may have a small yellow on.  Holy smokes!  It almost looked like a yellow and tied for my biggest whitefish ever!



I kept getting ganked so I decided to switch up to a smaller jig and get my limit of whitefish at least.  It didn't take long before I got that limit along with some pretty little flea cod.



I also found a cloud of baby vermillions!  I didn't keep any, but they were quite colorful!





I moved to a spot that I had labeled "Sheepshead" on the chart.  I couldn't remember when I saved this spot, but it was a low number so it was a while ago.  First drop and VOILA!  Unreal!  lol

Beautiful Male Goat!



I wanted to leave by noon so I started to hit the piles.  I knew at this point I wasn't going to get my yellow, so I stuck with the bass.... and they fully cooperated.





I saw a boat about a mile away then literally drive up right next to me.  The entire time he was looking at his sounder and hitting buttons so apparently saving the reef I was on.  He asked what I was catching and what I was using for bai, so I replied "How about you come over for dinner tonight and I'll bake you a lasagna.  I'll let you know all of my secrets then".  I know, not the coolest thing of me to do, but I like my boat so I can get away from people but they always want to come over and ruin my peace and quiet.  He puttered away after saving every spot around my boat on a few laps.



I didn't want to go to another reef so he could get that one also, so I stuck with brownie fishing until it was time to head to the barn.





Then I get to the ramp and some ass was parked sideways blocking 1/2 the ramp as he was getting his boat ready to launch.  It was causing a traffic jam, but this dude didn't give a crap or know what the hell he was doing.  I saw other people give him sh!t, but heard his reply "You don't own this ramp"....  Sounded like the good old :You don't own this kelp paddy" type of guy.



Oh well, I'm ready for the fall already.  Now I just need to find employment.  I spend 30 hours a week just applying, looking and working with a career coach.  It's like a fulltime job.  lol


Well, thanks for reading another fishing report.  I have been on a roll lately.

Quote from: jrodda on August 20, 2025, 05:36:03 PMI wish we had those up here (reliably), looks like a blast.

Look for a big incoming evening tide date and let me know. I'll try my best to get you on the top water bite.

Quote from: jrodda on August 20, 2025, 05:40:21 PMAyayay, I thought 3k for the suspension mess I had with my Volvo was bad. Glad you're taking it in stride. What tipped you off that you needed the work done?

Tires were starting to wear so I took it in for an alignment, the inspection revealed all the worn parts and then I realized my tires were 5+ years old and starting to crack. Also I had noticed for a while that it was a chore to keep the steering wheel straight while driving on the freeway.

Ayayay, I thought 3k for the suspension mess I had with my Volvo was bad. Glad you're taking it in stride. What tipped you off that you needed the work done?

I wish we had those up here (reliably), looks like a blast.

Awesome