Hi I am Jodee and this was the first time I ever went bay fishing. I come from the San Joaquin area and I river fish loyally almost every weekend. So I have been staying out here with my boyfriend and we have been getting into saltwater fishing pretty seriously. Just 3 days before this catch he had caught a really good size catfish on the delta mendota and I did not catch anything but a few baby stripers. He thought it was just great. You gals should have seen how bent he was when little ole me caught a batray our first time out within 1/2 hour (he did not catch anything). This was over in Redwood City in the Belmont Slough 5/28/03 high tide in the afternoon squid #4/0 and 4 ounce sliding sinker setup. ohh ya girl power!
May 30, 2003

 

In July '03 my cousin Harvey offered to take me fishing for red fish. As a fish artist, I call this "Field Research." He, being a bait fisherman, was not too sure about my ability to catch a red with a fly rod...at least not a big one. That day he was right about me not catching a red on a fly rod; but there was to be another trip in October '03. Again he had his doubts and again he was right on the first day of fishing...as I proceeded to break my 8-weight Orvis rod while trying to follow a big red under the boat. After discussing what I did wrong and how I could correct my mistakes we fished the next day with fly-fishing guide, Captain Leland Ledet. What a day!!! This was not only the day I would catch and land a Big Red, but it was the day I learned what that, little used thing called "drag" on my reel was for. It also was the first time fishing felt like hunting for me. I not only caught my first Red Fish (23"), but it was also the day I would catch my largest fish (27 1/2 inches, 7 pounds. What a difference from my usual fishing in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the 6 - 12 inch trout.

 

After weeks of hearing about me catching 20 to 30 lb. Salmon, Janet finally decided to make time to go Salmon fishing. We started just above the Minnow Hole Tuesday morning and watched several nice fish, up to 30 lbs., being caught by other anglers. About 9 A.M., Janet switched to a 93 mm Morning Dawn Duh spoon and it wasn't long before she hooked up.

At first the fish didn't do much but then it woke up, peeling off almost all the 20 lb. Cuda line from her Curado reel and jumping several feet in the air. "OH MY GOD it's a big one", Janet shouted. After she stopped shaking and I was able to tighten the nut that held her handle on, Janet was able to tighten the drag and start putting some pressure on with her 6'-6" heavy Loomis rod. 20 minutes later I netted her Biggest Salmon ever. The big male weighed 42 lbs. on boat scale and 40.2 on another scale at home, 3 hours later. I think I enjoyed watching her catch this one, more than she did. The story gets more exciting every time I hear it. Thanks: Rick Tietz
February 4, 2003

 

After hearing about my friend that fished for Halibut out of a Zodiak in the ocean, I was quite skeptical but willing to go. We set out just short of a mile off shore near Anchor Point, AK and wouldn't you know it, I had the time of my life! Especially after catching this 62 pounder. The guys all made fun of my technique on landing this fish... but never made fun of the beer battered Halibut we had that night at camp!! What a great time!!! Tina Wooley
July 17, 2003

 

This is a picture of Kate and Ted Kemp of Guerneville. Kate caught and released this steelhead on Jan. 10th on a fishing trip with Hagen's Guide service. This beauty weighed a strong 19 lbs. It was caught at Jed Smith park, sidedrifting yarn and a puffball only. Kate
March 26, 2004