Delta 10-07

[Hairstacker]

Scott, regarding leaders, I’m almost embarrassed to say, as I suspect I’m in the minority these days. I know a lot of well-respected guys like to use a 6 or 7’ straight piece of 20 lb mono for their bass leaders and for good reasons: you eliminate knots, which decreases the potential number of points-of-failure, and topwater bass are not leader shy. And I’ve seen some of these guys catch some amazing bass that way.

I admit I have yet to try such a leader and have continued (thus far) to use an 8.5’ – 9.0’ leader that is tapered from .023 at the butt to .011 or .010 at the tippet. I like the way it fishes, I haven't had any knot failures thus far, and I do believe bass can be line (as opposed to leader) shy, so I like the little bit of extra length. Nevertheless, I’ll get around to trying a straight piece of mono one of these days. . . it would certainly eliminate time spent futzing with leader construction and tippet-tying when on the water.

[Bluegrass Bill]

Hey Mike,

Very nice report . I would like to try and get out on the delta with you one of these days if you would be up for that. I have a hobie quest kayak that should do pretty well out there and I love to fish for both largemouth and stripers. How often do you make it out there and do you primarily fish on the weekends? I can occassionally slip away from work during the week. Let me know what you think.

Bill

[Hairstacker]

Hey Bill! At this point in time, I fish every Sunday morning, as I go to church in the afternoon, I work all week, and Saturday is reserved for my family. I did make special arrangements, though, to make the Kiene's board bugfest out at Lundborg Landing this weekend -- I'll be out there Saturday morning with the inflatable kayak. Are you planning on attending?

[Bluegrass Bill]

Hey Mike,

Boy I sure wish I could be down there for the bugfest this weekend as it sounds like it will be a ball. Unfortunately I have a commitment with the band as we have a gig we are doing Saturday night in West Sac. I am tempted to zip down there to the bugfest for a few hours Sat morning but gig days are pretty busy getting stuff ready and I wouldn't really have much time at all.

Sounds like you have your priorities set very well. God knows a person has to set priorities with all the things going on these days. Right now I have a very busy weekend schedule for most of October but November looks like some opportunities would be there. I will be in touch as November gets closer so we can see about setting up a little delta excursion down there .

Thanks Mike, look forward to getting down there on the delta to fish with you !

Bill

[k.hanley]

Nice going there Mike. Good looking bass.
Cheers, ken