Gathering Intel for the Ranch

Went out to the ranch today around 10 AM to gather some intel to improve my chances of landing a Mt. Lassen Trout!

At the boat ramp where 500 pounds of Mt. Lassen Trout were planted Friday, 1/18/2019, fishermen were giving up already.  That was a bad sign.  As a matter of fact, no one had caught any since 7 AM; hence, people were picking up.

I spoke with one of the locals for about an hour soaking in all the knowledge that was freely given.  He even gave me one of his homemade strike indicator made out of... wine cork! 

Homemade using wine cork!

He had been fishing since 7 AM with his wife.  They had four rods out with various power bait, power eggs, and mice tails combination.  They were using a water-filled bobber with a 3-foot leader.  They said that it was extremely unusual not the get a hit or see anyone catching.  They picked up and left at 11 AM.

I took their spot and tried using cooked salad shrimp 4 feet under a bobber on one rod; while the other rod had mice tail floating 15 inches from the bottom.

At noon, I picked up with "nada."

I decided to be adventurous and go explore the other parts of the lake that I had not fished.  I went to the North side of the lake by the hiking trails.  Walking around to find a good spot to fish, I ran into the gentleman that showed me his water-filled bobber rig last Friday.  Boy, am I blessed.  He was heading out and showed me his catch of the day!!!

I estimated these to be 18 inchers!

He showed me the spot!





Unfortunately, fishing time ran out for me too.  You know how I am going to rig up for my next fishing trip - water-filled bobble, baby!!!

Stay tuned....

Score: Mt. Lassen Trout - 2; JU - 0

Until next time, have a blessed day!

God is good!!!

-JU

Who is Keeping Scores?

Went out to the Ranch with WizTech at 10 AM.  We thought that was when Mt. Lassen Trout would be stocked.  We were wrong. LOL.

However, the fish truck eventually came at noon to a bunch of waiting and excited fishermen!

Unlike the last fish plant by Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, these babies were shy and scattered super quick!  I tried a bunch of lures.  Other fishermen also tried their best.  At the end of two hours of fishing only two fish were landed!  I got two bites, but none landed.

This is my first time fishing for Mt. Lassen Trout.  I heard they were good eating....  I will have to wait until the next time.

For now, it's Mt. Lassen Trout = 1; JU = 0

God is good!

When There is No Fish :-)

I went to the pond Friday, 1/11, around 10 AM.  Wow!  There were already over 40 fishermen there!  I looked for WizTech.  Said he was there since 9:30 AM.  But no fish.  What's up?

I came ready to catch, not to fish 😂

I brought with me four rigs to try out: Simple Trout Rig, Home Made Trout Stinger, Original Trout Stinger, and Home Cured Salmon Eggs.

In an hour and a half, the only dude I saw that was successful was fishing to my left.  He caught 4 trout.  He said that the pond was stocked with trout at 8 AM.  Wait, has he been fishing for two hours since I arrived?  But, I digress....  He showed me his rig; it was a rig very similar to the Simple Trout Rig.  See the video at the end of this blog.

I tried all four of my rigs.  The only one that was successful in an hour a half was the Simple Trout Rig.

8-inch?

Went home, broke out with the previously caught trout and baked them.  They were delicious!

God is Good!!!

Got Fish?

Yesterday, I made a tutorial video showing how to make a simple trout rig for catching stocked trout in the SacTown area.  For the most part, it has been a very successful rig for me.

Here's the video:

Today, I went in search of trout to get some YouTube shots of the rig in action.  I found fish, 800 pounds of them!  Unfortunately, the rig didn't workout as well as I'd liked.  The single size 6 hook that I was using was very difficult to set the hook on the fish.  I can see the fish swallowing the bait, but I missed a lot of hook set.  So I suggest if you are taking kids or new fishermen, you should try to swap out the single size 6 hook, with a treble size 12 or size 14 hook.  It will make the hook set better.

With that many fish, you can just about use anything and get your limit.  I tested out several techniques and ended up using a white with yellow tail trout stinger!  Almost every other cast, I would land a trout!

Trout Stinger

Twelve Inchers

Video:

May God bless your day!
-JU