Is anybody going to fish the opener on the 16th? I'd like to go out in the float tube but it might be too cold. My wetsuit (!) is a 5mm slickskin with no booties. Can somebody advise against or for it? And the following week is my spring break so if anybody wants to hook up at the lake and float it together, drop a reply.

What's the water temp there? I use wetsuits also, right now I'm wearing a 4/3 w/ 2mm booties. The coldest water I've dealt w/ was around 54 deg. It was cold, but bearable. You have to have booties though. Even when the water is in the low 60's your feet get cold. It's not like surfing where you move your feet enough to keep them somewhat warm.

Amish Ed

Sorry, forgot to mention that my feet get cold easy, and the 2mm booties aren't enough for me. Garanteed iceblocks if the weather isn't warm enough to warm the upperbody good.

Amish Ed

Damn,
If I wasn't going to Naci I would be at San Pablo in a heartbeat. Do they allow tubing there? I figure I will be up there in March.

Feedback so far has been mixed about allowing tubes. One guy says they don't allow em. One gal says she's seen tubers before. I guess I should call. Can you give me some pointers on that lake?

I fished it 6 or 7 times last year. Caught the one big one on a 9 inch MS Slammer. every other fish I caught on black and red 5/8 and 1/2oz jigs. I would go with the black jigs, trout plugs, and maybe some 10 inch red shad power worms. I think you could spoon some fish out of there too if you knew some good deep water spots. There are a lot of small silvery bait fish in the lake.

I think you should be fine with a 5 mil as long as you keep it zipped up. Yesterday Ken A. and i fished lopez lake and the surface temp was 49 degrees. We did fine as long as we kept ourselves well fed and took breaks. That brings up a good point, keeping yourself hydrated and well fed is very important. It sucks when you have a long paddle back to your car and you run out of energy. So as powerbar says: Dont bonk! But hey, arent fisherman know to eat a lot anyways :) ?

Till Later,
Joel


To fish, or not to fish, what a stupid question!!

GET BOOTIES or DIE! Hypothermia KILLS too many outdoorsman to even think about messing with the chance of it. I've seen hypothermia almost kill a couple and have found a new respect for it. It messes up your reasoning so you don't realize your getting too cold until your TOO cold.
As for going with you I'd love to but I'm getting over a cold so lets see how I feel and what the weathers like and maybe we can walk the bank or something, as I still don't have new waders.

Tight lines,
Wade
P.S. How much is a wet-suit compared to waders?

Tight lines,
Wade

Wade:

I do triathlons in the spring so I get more utility out of a wetsuit than waders. But the neoprene waders run around $50 whereas I got my wetsuit on a clearance (top quality tri-suit) for $39. There's this dude down in so cal whos trying to get rid of two pairs of waders (shoe size 8 & 9) for $15 a pop. I'm going to call him tonight and see if they're still available. Let me know if your interested and if that's your size. I'll score it and you can pay me back. I'm an 8 or so. You a 9?

Garage sales are great. Most of my wetsuits have been from them, but new. The only reason i needed to buy the waders new is because i could not find any used, and i have size 13 feet! Kinda sucks having to go up a size just so youre feet will fit in! Till then, dont be afraid to go garage saling!

Till Later,
Joel


To fish, or not to fish, what a stupid question!!

I'm not sure how they size them but my shoe size is 8 1/2 or 9 depending on the shoe and I have a shameful 36" waist and 32" inseam. $15 sounds great if they are in fair to good shape. If he doesn't have them anymore don't sweat it, because I might try the wet suit if I don't find waders at a good price soon. I've been thinking about getting some for an abalone trip I've been invited on anyways.

Tight lines,
Wade
P.S. I'm feeling somewhat better, but not 100% yet. Keep me posted on San Pablo.

Tight lines,
Wade