Berryessa Bass

[John H]

I have been to Berryessa to fish for bass three times this spring. Twice in a kayak and once walking the shoreline on foot. The last trip was on foot so I got to take the dog and the camera both of which don't work well in the kayak. Fish were caught - mostly largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass but also some bluegill and pike minnow. We found an area with schools of shad along the shoreline and packs of bass loitering with intent and attacking at their leisure. It was pretty wild and it turns out a sparse Clouser makes a pretty good shad imitation.

May should be declared national bass month.

https://i.imgur.com/6Puv6oEh.jpg
My well trained dog helping to spot cruising fish.

https://i.imgur.com/dPjVDTmh.jpg
A nice cove with a speedy bass boat.

https://i.imgur.com/ImSImnkh.jpg
Nice bait ball! A pack of hungry bass could be nearby looking to make some hay.

https://i.imgur.com/WHBfbb5h.jpg
Break time for a tired dog but the angler's work is never done.

https://i.imgur.com/QZVzJAph.jpg
A nice spotted bass that was busting a bait ball.

https://i.imgur.com/eatrcFGh.jpg
Mr. Smallmouth and his buddy Mr. Clouser.

https://i.imgur.com/d5oRu26h.jpg
Nice markings on this one.

https://i.imgur.com/XutGdFMh.jpg
Beautiful spotted bass. Pretty good size also.

http://i.imgur.com/s3PD2efh.jpg (https://imgur.com/s3PD2ef)
Here is a snake along side the trail.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I heard the bass were in the shallows in many of the low elevation reservoirs and ponds.

Thanks John................

PS: Most fish Berryessa from a boat.....pretty cool.

[steveg137]

Great report and photos
Thanks for posting
Need to give that a try

[Ryan]

Absolutely epic post John. The bait picture is breath taking. Great perspective from the bank. Those things are just cornered for those predators! Wow. Fat fish. Great shots. Local, close to home for many. Too cool.

[MikeFish]

I sit and admire your catch ..
What breed of dog do you have?

[John H]

That dog is a Nova Scotian Duck Toller as far as I know. Probably a mix with an Australian Shepherd. She was loose in the streets and ended up in a shelter so age and breed are a guess.

Good to see someone from London commenting. We had a guy from Sweden once.

[OceanSunfish]

Curious to know how much zoom on the lens to take the picture of the snake?

Awesome pictures...... as always. Thanks

[DLJeff]

Nice shot of crotalus oreganus oreganus, John. Gary Nafis at Cal Herps is always looking for pictures of northern Pacific reptiles. His site is excellent for identifying reptiles and some amphibians you might come across.

http://www.californiaherps.com/index.html

[John H]

DL - I used that site to identify the yellow legged frog I saw in the Sierras and put in my last post. I was impressed by the info and effort that was there. Gary is serious about herps. I thought about sending a photo but it seemed like he had a lot.

Sunfish - I took that picture with a 70mm lens but I have a lot of resolution so I can zoom in and crop it later. That snake was in the trail coiled up when I came along. I got my dog on the leash and tied up first. By then he was under that bush but photo cooperative. I came by later and looked for him of course but he was not around.

[DLJeff]

Yeah, he does have quite a few photos. But because the reptiles can vary slightly with various locations he likes to get photos. I sent him this one I took up in the Box Canyon, Upper Sac. I've been seeing a large skink with a fully striped tail and trying to get a photo but it hasn't cooperated. Not sure what lizard it is.
14903

[Randy Lee]

John - Excellent photos as usual.

DL Jeff - Could your lizard be a Whip Tail? They resemble a skink to a certain degree and are some what secretive and extremely fast!

Randy

[DLJeff]

Yes Randy, that's what I think it is. It's too big for a skink. I just haven't been able to get a good, solid look at it. Hopefully one of these days before cold weather sets in it'll show itself.