First off, I think everybody knows how crappy San Pablo Dam Res has been (and seemingly getting nothing but worse as time goes on).
Then, many of you probably know that I have been severly sidetracked this year, with my whole new passion of photography.
But anyhow, in light of the recent news about the Dam at Pablo, and the likely draining of the lake, I decided to go back for one last trip of rememberence. I would have given myself about 5% chance of catching anything at all, and maybe about .01% of a double digit bass.
I started at about 11 am, and spent more time talking with my friends at the concession area, than I did fishing. But I did throw the the trout lure around on most of the likely spots, without so much as a sniff or a follow. Flipped crawlers around with my ultra light too. Again, not even a sniff. Where are all those dang Spotted Bass ?
Anyway, I end up back at the ramp at about 3:30pm. Lake closes at 4:30 now, since daylight savings time changed back. I decide to stitch a crawler around beside the ramp for a bit, before I pull the boat out. I actually stuck one 1 1/2 lb, one-eyed scrub of bass after about 15 minutes :-) Ha' ! That was more than I really expected. Well, just a few more casts..... Tick.... Wham ! Fish on ! This one was really staying down too, and just kind of wobbling around..... and I was thinking, Wow ! This feels like a pretty good kitty ! Come on 20 plus :-) It never made any long runs, but just basically hugged the bottom, while slowly circling the boat about 1 1/2 times. I think I had the fish hooked for a solid 5 to 7 minutes, when it finally surfaced, for one small, labored jump.... and wholly $#!+ ! It was a bass ! And a good one too ! It ended up going 11.1 lbs, and I just can't think of a more fitting ending, for a place that will always be a part of my strongest memories. I have decided not to go back in the next two weeks before Pablo closes, as I want to ensure that my last trip there (possibly ever) was a great one :-)

http://www.trophybassonly.com/c56ef7f0.jpg

Peace,
Fish

Good to hear your still fishing F.C.! I havent seen you post anywhere in a while. Congrats on the toad. Nice way to remember your lake. I think I would be sick if they were to close my favorite lake.

www.mattlures.com

but honestly, I have mixed feelings about the draining of Pablo..... On the one hand, it will mark the end of an amazing chapter in the Pablo book. But, the Spotted bass had gotten so thick, and the Carp population, along with high nitrates from fertilizer runoff, had really turned the place into an ugly mudhole.
Drastic as it may be, draining the lake and starting over completely from scratch. might be the only thing that could ever turn this place into a great lake again some day, but considering that it might be 15 to 18 years from now before the lake is kicking out 17 plus bass, I won't hold my breath.

Peace,
Fish

Gorgeous Hawg young man!

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

Good Fish Buddy. I replied to your email, but I don't think you recieved my email. Maybe one of those Spam protector's is filtering mine out. Anyways I was confused on your email until I read the post here. I thought you were saying in the email that you were done fishing for good, but it appears what you meant was that the lake was being drained. I agree that it may be for the best in the long run. Just think of the trophy fishery in 10 years without the nuisance species. Keep in touch.

P.S. I also had a decent night in the northern country on Halloween. Night time fishing I landed a real surprise around 5 am. Something totally unexpected! I tried to email it to you, but I don't think you recieved it. So I'm sorry for having to post it here. The report is on my forum. Had a couple decent bass in the mix too. After day break I only caught smaller fish with a couple over 3 lbs. The boat will only be out for a couple more weeks, and then I'll have to look forward to cutting a hole in the ice to catch them. You guys in California are lucky you can fish year round.

Rick's Ultimate Bass Fishing

http://www.geocities.com/rdvtavssvjnm/BASS/BASSx.html

Yeah Buddy! Nice way to go out! Kinda reminds me of the good old days when TrophyBassOnly had a fish talk forum.:) It was fun to hear the excitement in your voice also on the phone!

Only Fish Chris could catch a double digit on the last cast ever on San Pablo! Kinda reminds me of a story that I heard 2 years ago and that fish went 16.5lbs! It must be magic!


Josh D.

Good to hear from ya Chris. You've got to be one of the best teachers of catching big bass that I've seen. Thanks for sharing yours and others experiences. Don't be such a stranger.