woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

We booked a few days at Thanksgiving time at Berryessa...this is a confusing big lake with arms and coves over a mile deep. My wife and I have been turned around and confused about where we were in relation to where we were trying to go...

I got a big full sized mylar map that has all the popular coves and hot spots identified. It helps tremendously to be able to see where we were in the arms we got turned around in when we gave up and headed back to what we knew. We also got GPS tracking on new fishfinders so that we could get back the way we went which is a big plus, but I feel like I now know where it is I am when I do the things we did again. Plus the last time I was out my friend and I went to the dam, and out to the main part of the lake which helped better orient me to the lake.

The main key here is that I've been watching guide videos of the fall fishing, they show what lures they are using, how to rig, how far back, speed, etc., but the key piece was often not knowing the area they were fishing even though they would call it by the geographic reference. Now I can see several great places to troll, how fast, and what to switch over to when the fishing slows down in the mid morning. I'm set up to do everything like several guys have shown, and knowing exactly where to go is a huge confidence builder.

Now if we can get the usual nice but cold Thanksgiving weather without rain we're on!

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

Woodguru-

Was it one of the ones put out by Fish-n-Maps?

I've got their SF Bay and their Delta maps and absolutely love them. Mine are all marked up with notes.

Highly recommended.

PapaD

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I have a couple from FHS, Fishing Hot Spots. I like to have an overall view, which doesn't work with the chart images on the fishfinders. Then I fold it up to show where I'm fishing, and put it on a clipboard.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

Yes, the notes have info on the popular trolling lanes, I've found the guides putting out some really informative videos tell you where they are fishing, but it hasn't meant anything...now it does. The delta map sounds like an excellent idea for anyone spending time out there. I remember as a kid some scary moments on the delta getting truly lost.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

I'll have to see what they have for Berryessa.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Nook Loc: Vacaville CA

Now all the lake needs is enough rain to raise the water level enough to use the ramp at Cappel Cove so us kayakers can launch without hiring young strong dudes to lug our gear across steep terrain for half a mile to put in.
Happy to hear you are getting the info, because the lake can be confusing like you said.
The availability of info, along with the determination to dig and put time in finding it is one of the great bennies of the internet.

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

My friend I have fished the lake on a regular basis for over thirty years. It is my favorite trout/ salmon lake. My boat is equipped with a simple Hummingbird locator that I utilize for depth , speed, water temp and marking fish. I have never used a chart map mostly due to my experience on the lake. There are many known structural markers that many us use as a reference point when navigating the lake, ie ranch house on the east side of the main lake, putuh bridge at the northern end of the lake, and the overhead wires denoting the coves to Pleasure Cove and the damn area towards Markey Cove. As far as technical info goes, my most productive lures have been a chrome Speedy shiner along with my old faithful, chrome and blue cast master. I’ve caught more fish on this lure lake then all lures combined! When the lake turns over there have been many times that we have limited out never leaving Pleasure Cove. 2 to 2 and half mph is our trolling speed. One hundred feet back. I’m planning a four day trip up there at the end of this month saying Pleasure Cove. Before you go check with the resort that u will be lunching out of. Many of the ramps are currently out of service due to the low water. Pleasure Cove ramp is only available to 4wd only to launch. Good luck fishing and hope u have a great trip

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

p.s unless u are kokenee fishing don’t wast you time fishing the main body of the lake!

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Another tip.. free lining a marshmallow with a with a night crawler has put many fish in the boat!

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

The internet is an amazing tool, there are several professional guides that are doing 15 to 25 minute videos of specific lakes, they share the time of year, lures used, how they rig them, trolling speeds, everything you need to do what they are doing.

I am looking forward to cove spotting looking for birds and bait balls, they were hammering fat nice trout and salmon like that with half ounce lures in skiers canyon coves, now I can see where that is.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

They were hammering trout in Silver Lake this year for several months of the summer like that, not huge fish but 45 minute limits