Hey all:

I know there is a preponderance of bass fisherman on this page but is anyone into trout?

Went out on the kayak to target trout. By 7:15A fishing a crawler by the steep cliffs had a 6 pound cat on that dragged me around but good. Then tossed out a silver blue kastmaster toward a fallen tree and got hit good. Turned out to be a 14 inch bass. What a bycatch, huh? Rounded the corner to cove for windprotection and saw fish busting the surface like crazy. It was a trout frenzy. Tried tossing the kastmaster at 'em but no trout takers. Picked up 5 more small fry bass while casting for trout. I hadn't noticed but the breeze had drifted me near the shore and as I heaved back and casted I heard my line snap on some overhanging branches. Damn! that was my only silver kastmaster. Threw a small gold one for no action whatsoever.

The trout were still boiling up top so I tried to throw minijigs at 'em, so cal style. No takers. #2 Needlefish got one short hit. Tough boat control in the breeze.

Casted from shore awhile to stretch legs and float a crawler off the surface. Crawler got a big hit; turned out to be another bass, around 3+. I was all 'huh'? Pretty stoked after that fight on ultralight.

Finally found the trout spot. It's the first beach on the left hand side after the first cove as you are going from marina to dam. Clay shoreline that led into muddy bottom. Floated chartreuse PB on a 2 foot leader for 3 chunky trout. The were biting good so I threw a 1/2 ounce gold kastmaster that I bought in Kona last year from this guy named Yamo. Instant it hits the water I got hit by a very acrobatic and chunky trout. 30 minute limit from this spot. Biggest went 2 pounds and all bass released.

Upon eviscerating the trout, found that 2 had some major gastric distention from all the shad or minnows they were eating. I mean stomachs packed full of little silver baitfish. The fish didn't look as bright as fish from, say, Kern River or other flowing waters.

All boaters seemed to have limits and the guys fishing from shore on the marina side had it tough.

Lake level is full and water in low 60's.

hey, i have had the same results too!! trout fishing from the boats are great at del valle. . usually what you look for is a cove or beach like you were talking about and thats where they are. pb works really well and so do the kastmasters. i'd definitely go back for another fishing trip. happy fishing!

Another trout fisherman here and I appreciate the report. Sounds like you had a great day.

I was particularly interested to hear you throw a 1/2 ounce Kastmaster - I've never thrown something that big. I usually throw 1/6 - 1/4 ounce Kastmasters, Mepps Spinners and Super Dupers with good success.

yeah, I'd not have tossed that one but I figured what the hell? They were boiling all over the place so I figured I'd try something that might be adequate provocation for a lunker to smack. Lunker it was not, but my biggest trout that day(~2lbs) came off that lure.

I haven't heard from you in a while. We ought to get together and hit the coast.

Tight lines,
Wade

Yes there are other trout fisherman on this board! Nothing against the bassers out there since I like doing that too. I guess I am just the lazy kind. As for Del Valle trout fishing, that is great to hear that the fish are starting to bite. I fished there a month or two ago a few times to catch some nice cats and was home every time within 2 hours. I normally troll for trout there using flashers and crawler/kastmaster until I locate where most of the fish are holding. Probably tough to substain trolling speed in a kayak though :-). Sounds like you already have the pattern that works for ya anyway. Del Valle does hold some BIG trout too. I have caught 2 7's and a buddy that was with me caught a 9 there(trolling a silver and Blue Kastmaster)... I also lost half a Castaic trout last year on a monster striper that was trolled right off the bottom. I will have to go out soon and see what is shakin out der... Thanks for the post and the info it sure is nice to see other people posting trout info.

Z-Man out...