Lost: Huge rainbows from Irvine resevoir (pics)

nmbrinkman · Oct-29-2006, 07:18 PM

Got in line at Irvine Lake around 3:30 am and found it to be friggen freezing.. 38 degrees. Met BigSteve first thing and then took a nap in the heated cabin of my wannabe full size Chevy Colorado. Woke up a little later and found Captain Curt, Kevan (fishnfool), and Brandon (Saluki). Had some sausage and pancakes at BigSteve's powwow and then hit the tackle store for some necesities(sp?). Launched the yak shortly after and began slow trolling the rapala and the power worm with powerbait. It was a slow start for me, but then it picked up after a rendevouz with Hanna II. Dumped the powerbait and put on the Thomas Bouyant. A few minutes later I hooked up into back to back rainbows but farmed them both at the net:104167739 . I didn't realize how big the Alpers were and tried net them head first. They both had too many chances as I tried to get their whole body in the net and then gone. Lesson learned.... Then I lost my Thomas Bouyant as some idiot in a striper trolled right behind me with about 8 lines in the water and a couple were leadcore. He was bound to catch any of my lines out, regardless of how deep they were running. And to top it off, he reeled my gear in, cut my line and kept my Thomas Bouyant. It being my last one, I was forced to fish with only one trolling setup as a result. I bit later I did hook up into another rainbow. Got her to the side of the yak and netted her from the tail forward and she was mine. As soon as I got her on the deck, she began to release a ton of eggs all over my kayak.

A closer look.

She went 4lbs on my digital and was a carbon copy of the two I farmed.

The hen on ice

Had a great day and met some good dudes. Hopefully I can join you guys next weekend now that I know the plan of attack.

**Saluki** · Oct-29-2006, 07:22 PM

Nice to meet you Nathan.
You couldn't have picked a nicer day to yak on Irvine.
Hope you can make it up there again.

F15hK1ll3r · Oct-29-2006, 07:36 PM

Chum the eggss.haha

South Bend · Oct-29-2006, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmbrinkman

Then I lost my Thomas Bouyant as some idiot in a striper trolled right behind me

I can't stand those Striper owners!

Seriously though, that sucks. Looks like you had a great day anyways. Nice report.

bradmaralbacore · Oct-29-2006, 07:55 PM

down those bad boys

**Captain Curt** · Oct-29-2006, 08:24 PM

Nice meeting you Nathan. Glad you could make it up to the Irvine with us. As you can see we're just a bunch of nuts that like to have fun and catch fish of course. Some nice quality fish up here as you found out. I can already tell your hardcore. I get to the lake before 4 AM and your already there.

Hell yes I hope to see ya there next week. I'm sure we can find those fish you lost.

Curtis..........

The boat Little Hanna II...........

big steve · Oct-29-2006, 09:23 PM

nice meeting you nathan ,see ya at the vine agin soon. nice fish!

big steve:fishx: :fishx:

nmbrinkman · Oct-30-2006, 01:57 PM

I forgot to mention that when I cut open the stomach while cleaning it, was full of trout eggs..... no wonder the chartruese color is killing em...

knsss · Oct-30-2006, 06:14 PM

Nathan
I didnt get to meet you on the water, but I'm sure you saw me on the water. I was with a few buddies in a triumph. I saw the striper on the water and he was doing that to a few people and we were on the anchor and he was getting really close to us too. Well dont feel to bad on your one fish, we only got one too! Oh well better luck next week.

Stan.

pattyho · Oct-30-2006, 07:16 PM

Yep, the ones I caught at Cuyamaca were FULL of mature eggs, a small round ball of yellow power bait does the trick every time this year. I'll be up at Irvine this Sunday, hope to see you there.