Nor Cal Fishing

[Tok]

Hello!

Just thought we might start a thread for trout reports.

I've fished lake Chabot numerouse times with various levels of success. I mostly troll on one of the rental boats and have had 50+ fish days. The largest bow I caught was about 8 lbs, caught near the dam.

How's the fishing right now?

I'll be fishing the lake sometime after thanksgiving, so I'll give you and update then.

Thanks!

[steve]

Haven't been out lately, though have read that trout action has picked up. Hopefully with this cooler weather water temp. will drop soon. Trout action gets going, usually, after Thanksgiving through April. I've caught the majority of trout bait fishing. Although have had some good days trolling. With over 30 years fishing Chabot, I have covered nearly every trout hole on the lake, one way or another.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

[Luk]

I fished for trout today from 6:30 to 12. I used charteuse powerbait and green power nuggets and i fished at coot's landing an the second dock. There wasn't much action on the bait fishing, but i got some bites on kastmaster and panther martin. last week the action was much better, i dont know why. I think because of the unusual warm weather (it was very warm today) the trout season might be delayed a couple of weeks. It should hopefully pick up next week or so.
see you aroud

[Northern Boy]

I've tried for trout at Chabot numerous times and never caught a thing!

I have trolled with kastmasters and dunked powerbait into the murky green water.

Can anyone give me a tip or two? I think a location would help.

and how exactly do you apply the powerbait to the hook?

[Northern Boy]

and a rig as well?

[steve]

Rig yourself sliding sinker with a 3' leader to a #12 or #14 treble hook. Remember, the lighter the line the better. I use no more than 4 pound test for trout at Chabot. Have caught several large trout, 5-10 lbs., on light tackle.
As far as location, everyone has their favorite holes. It's no secret that most trout caught from shore are between Indian Cove on the eastside to the Burner on the westside. That being said, Alder point has produced as many large trout as anywhere on the lake. Explore several areas during the course of the day. Trout fishing at Chabot is all about going to the fish, not the fish coming to you. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

[Northern Boy]

Thank you sir.

what sort of weight should I be using? 1oz?

And do you keep the line tight?

Should I sit with rod in hand (as it were) ready to strike or can I clip on a bell and sit back with a cup of tea?

I have been shark and striper fishing in the bay all summer, haven't opened the freshwater box for a while.

[Vo]

Northern, use a sliding sinker. I use a 1/8 oz sinker (football shape) with a 2-3' leader like Steve recommended. Use powerbait, power eggs, worm, or any combination of the above. The important thing is make sure the bait floats up from the botton so check before you make your first cast. Have slack in your line. Once you see the line being taken out (tightening), you can set the hook. A lot of shore fisherman hang a bobber on their line to make it easier to see their line tightening.

You can also use bobber and hang the bait anywhere from 8' to 20' from the top depending how deep they are and where you're fishing.

Dont be afraid to stop by and ask anyone fishing along the bank. Most people are more than willing to show you. Aslo read the postings. The weekly updates are good at letting you know what color and where they're being caught.

Good luck.

[Northern Boy]

Well chaps thanks for the advice. I got out there for a couple of hours saturday lunchtime, had no luck with a 1/2 oz or 1 oz sinker, power bait and nightcrawlers. No-one around me was doing too well either, i think were all a bit late as the guys leaving (as i arrived) all had limits.

Anyway I put a full 2ozs with a nightcrawler on and threw a hail mary cast, thinking that later in the day the fish might have gone deeper. 5 min later I had my first trout. Hallelujah.

Going to try again as son as I can, and get my arse out of bed much earlier.

[LarryPicklestein]

So is there any trout being stocked. I want to go out there and fish but just wondering if there is any trout out there.

[Northern Boy]

I think they are being stocked (the Chabot report on this site says so), but the water is like chocolate milk.

Anyone got any tips on how to get trout out of chocolate milk?

[vdub]

longer leaders, dips, gravys, and cross your fingers