Where are the best areas to try for the Northern Pike at Yuba? I would love to hook into one. Also, what seems to be the best techniques both from boat and shore? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]First of all...welcome aboard. Hope you have found a good place to hang out and talk fishin'.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The good news about northerns in Yuba is that there are some...and quite a few...and some bigguns. The bad news is that they are not always easy to find and catch. Just like the walleyes there are probably more pike hooked by accident than on purpose. They do not feed all the time, but when they are hungry they will smack almost anything that comes by.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yuba is chock full of perch, and pike usually do not have to work to hard to find a meal. But, they often set up near structure or ambush points where perch either hang out or cruise by on a regular basis. A key, then, is to find perch nearby and then look for the underwater points, rockpiles and brush that they use for cover. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Unfortunately, in low water conditions, there really is not much structure in Yuba. For that reason it is not uncommon to find northerns either cruising or just suspending over open flat bottom. Lots of them are caught on lures or worm harness rigs being trolled for walleyes...and perch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you have a boat, you need to move around the shoreline, looking for the most obvious places where rocks come down into the water...or where you can see the tips of submerged brush. Neither of those conditions are plentiful right now. Same with pronounced points or coves. But, if you can find something out of the ordinary, it is worth working over thorougly. Even if the pike have a full tummy, with a couple of undigested perch (or trout) in them, they can sometimes be provoked into a "reaction bite" with a noisy and/or flashy lure or spinner.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are not too many places easily accessible for shore fishing that also have pike. Quite a few are caught off the rocks near the bridge, during high water conditions. They move out when the water gets shallow near that area. You can also fish directly across from the main boat ramp, if you are willing to do some hiking. Several spots of shoreline rocks and some brushy points.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ditto for the Painted Rocks area. There are proven spots both west and east of the ramps. Again, look for anything on the shoreline that might indicate underwater pike condos. If fishing from shore, first cast shallow, parallel to shore and work your lures slowly through the "zone". Keep casting into deeper water until you either hook up or get discouraged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Timing can be important. During the warmer months, pike will set up shop in pretty shallow water. As the water cools, the perch go deeper and the pike follow. By the first of November they may be as deep as 35 to 40 feet. But there can always be a surprise toothy critter showing up for the trouters who cast for rainbows along the shoreline. Pike with a taste for trout will come shallow for their groceries.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yuba is not complicated. It is easy to see what it is at first glance...a long reservoir that fluctuates widely in water level and quality subject to irrigation demands. Because conditions and fish activity can be completely different from one trip to the next, you have to fish it a lot over several years to really get a feel for it. Only after you have "experienced" Yuba during the good, the bad and the ugly will you be able to make more educated guesses on each trip...after seeing the water levels and clarity, taking water temp readings and watching your sonar for awhile. But, when you hit it right, and you make the right guesses, it can be a fun lake to fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am sure that other Yubaholics will chime in soon. This will be a funky weekend for fishing, and the hunting season takes a toll on the fishing boards, but you will get more info.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
earlier in the year we hooked a few trolling bottom bouncers and worm harness. not sure of the name of the spot we caught the most but it's the bank across the lake form east beach, that north point gave up a couple of good fish for us. some guys have caught them close to the dam area from tubes and shore, not sure what lure. some kind of jig or spinner. hope this helps. later chuck
[signature]
Thanks for the tips guys. It is good to find a new forum after the DWR shut theirs down. I really appreciate the tips. I was also wondering what you guys think about Redmond? Are there any nice pike in there? Also, about Painted Rocks at Yuba, there is still some sticks sticking out of the water clost to the boat ramp there. I don't have any idea how deep that is there. Do you guys know if that could maybe hold any pike? Also, do the pike like areas near rock walls like the cliff area at painted rocks? Just wondering. Again, thanks for the tips. It is good to be on this forum.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]I haven't personally visited Redmond for a couple of years, but I have heard that there are some decent pike coming out of there again. They were few and skinny during the drought, but a couple of good water years seemed to have helped them. The next couple of months should be good on spinners or on minnows below a bobber. Some guys soak anchovies below a bobber, on a wire leader rig. One of the best spots is just to the west of the ramp, where a spring comes in. Otherwise, they can be anywhere around the lake. Lots of reeds. Good pike habitat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Haven't been to Yuba for over a month so I do not know what current water levels are. But, there are good spots within easy hiking/fishing distance from the ramp at Painted Rocks in both directions. There are almost always some rocks and stickups to fish, except in the very lowest water conditions. During the drought years the water did not even reach the Painted Rocks area and in some years you can walk out to the islands. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The last time I was down there, in August, the water was about 25 feet in mid channel, between the ramp and the islands. It should not be too much lower since the water users slow down their drawdown at the end of the irrigating season. In fact, if there are any fall storms, the water level starts rising again and the lake can be spilling by early spring. Let's hope.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have never heard of anybody catching pike next to the rock walls, but that does not mean they would not be there. However, it is more likely that you will find them on points, humps, rockpiles and brushy areas...if you can find any of those.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
If yout thinkin Painted Rock, head up river as far as you care to hike, after you think you've gone a ways, look for a point to fish from.
Cast your first rod out as far as you can with a large dead minnow on it.
To rig the minnow, use a long shank hook through the minnow, I use a double hook with the two barbs hidden by the back of the fish as the back of the hook protrudes from the anus and the eye of the hook from the mouth of the bait. I use a seeker rig that allows the minnow to free fall weightless, after I have thrown the rig. To make a seker you need to slide a solid ring swivel on the line above the sinker, tie a leader about 24-36" of florocarbon to the other end. Slide on a bead, any bead, then tie your sinker on.
I throw a pretty heavy sinker, 3/4 to 1 1/2 oz. It takes practice but really long casts are possible.
With your second rod, if you have a 2 pole permit, throw big spoons, spinners, or jigs tipped with some sucker meat.
If you doo all that I and Tube dude say, you may not catch a pike, but you'll have a good day.
[signature]
I have caught more pike from shore than from my boat. I have caught most of them from the bridge area as TD stated. I have caught them on red shiners,chartreuse and yellow curly tail grubs,cranks,spinners,jakes lures.They will hit anything when they are hungry.It is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you have a boat trolling would be your best bet. I only troll artificials since the perch will chomp your minnows or worms constantly!
[signature]