Shasta Lake Kings 6-22

[1sast]

So my beautiful wife allowed me to go fishing again on Monday. So I called up my co-worker Keith and he said he was game and I also got ahold of my co-worker Jerry who had I have fished for trout with before but never kings. We left Mount Shasta at 0 dark thirty and were on the water at Packers Bay by around 0630. After a short boat ride to the darn we were fishing. Now if I thought the wind was bad Saturday while I was out there I was in for a pleasant little suprise. I honestly think the rollers were between 3 and 4 feet. While trolling into the wind I would have waves breaking over the bow into the boat. It was not a day to be in open water on a little boat. I started off in the shelter of Dry Creek but after not getting anything I headed to the open water towards the darn. We were cruising right along when the top pole on the passenger side down rigger went off. I saw the fish hit and new it was good for the initial strike. But Jerry who had never caught a King was first up and I did not want to make him nervous so I kept my thoughts to myslef. I coached him on the retrieve and helped him to adjust the drag. After a lengthy battle he boated a beautiful 22 inch 4 pound King. His first and a personal boat best for me. This fish came at 95 feet on a small pink hootchie trolled behind a Shasta Sling Blade dodger which was pink and white. As on previous trips this combination was by far the best producer of the day. I ran some larger gear trying to catch larger fish but to no success at all. All our fish came on either the affore mentioned combination or a naked blue/silver criplure at 35 feet I had marked fish again in the 40 to 25 foot range so I brought up some gear to try for them. I assumed they were trout but figured what the hell, the action was not exactly off the hook. Well we ended up catching 3 of our kings at this depth on that combination. Well after a very enjoyable day on the water we left with 8 kings in the cooler and a happy crew. I unfortunately lost some of my new gear but thats the price you pay. Besided the one big King all our fish were in that typical slot range that I have become to know so well, 10-13 inches. They either came at 95 feet or 35 feet, no where else. I again did not mark many fish at all, but that seems to be the norm this year. We were all over the lake from Dry Creek, darn, Toupe Island, Waters Gulch, Packers Bay, and the Pit River Bridge. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoy what few pics I have. If your headed to Shasta "Think Pink".

Jerry with his beautiful King:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/1sast/DSC00217.jpg

A very rough day at sea:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/1sast/DSC00218.jpg

Keith with a King for dinner:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/1sast/DSC00220.jpg
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[BOTCH]

whats the water temp if you happen to know?

[mkwerx]

Looks like a good productive day - way better than working :) Nice fish in both photos.

[1sast]

whats the water temp if you happen to know?

It was 72 at the start of the day up to 75 by the end. Its going to be very hot down there this week though so I expect it to get much warmer.

[chartreuse moose]

Great job on the Kings Eric , glad to see you upping the size each time you go out. Will not be long till you get into those 8 & 12 lbers now. Keep up the great work.