Float Tube Fishing NorCal? Next time perhaps....

I really need to get a bigger car/minivan and or roof storage - then I'd be able to pack the float tube in so I can explore NorCal.

I'm currently up here for the holidays and sorely miss being able to get out on the water. I met a couple guys at the church my family attends up here who it turns go out pretty often to Lake Almador. They told me the next time I'm up here to let them know and they'll take me out as they have extra setups. I think one of them knows of Float Tube forum but I'll definitely send them the forum once I get their contact info from my dad. They mainly troll around using electric trolling motors attached to their pontoons (I think Stealth Pros). Glad I have some connections for up here at least! I still would like to bring my FT though since it seems freshwater up here is more easily accessible including for watercraft and you don't get charged outrageous prices for launch and entry fees in general. 

The one thing I'd be a little iffy about is float tubing in the salt up here - not sure when a great white will show up out of nowhere LOL. 
One thing I just thought of is crab snaring from a float tube. It seems like it could work out well if you can find a good area and when the swells aren't bad. From what I've seen though, it would probably get a little sketchy. 

Anyway, this is what I've been up to while up here:

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My first ever largemouth bass!

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My PB trout (stocked from lassen) I've ever caught at 18" (not saying much compared to what many of you have probably caught lol)

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My first jumbo 6"+ dungeness crab on a crab snare at Pacifica Pier (left the pier with 7 dungeness crabs... this was yesterday)

Dam first ever large month nice work looks like a nice one.

It was a little chunker. Probably around 12"-14" or so - nothing monstrous but a good size.

Looks good and good to hear pacifica pier isn't a battle ground anymore. I wouldn't snare from a tube anywhere along the coastline up there but there are some areas that are maybes, linda mar and bodega bay areas dependent on conditions. I've thought about doing HMB/Princeton harbor before but no one has ever confirmed if tubes were allowed. I've thought about doing a tube session inside the bay several times, but the better areas have always been iffy due to strong current (crissy fields/ft baker/brisbane tubes). There are plenty of lakes up there to kick around. Most if not all of the EBMUD lakes are tube friendly, further up north, you have sonoma and clear lake as well. The delta is an interesting place but, mind you, i would choose locations carefully taking into consideration of tide/wind.

I found myself snaring off the beaches instead of the pier last month when I was up there. Did well considering it was right after a period of storm surges. Got one jumbo and one keeper along with four shorts for two hours of work.

Keep up the reporting!

Congrats on your trip so far. 
First ever LGM looks well fed. PB trout at 18 is plenty big.

Thanks for sharing.

Great trip and thanx for the report with pic's!

SP Dan     <"))><