December 2nd, 2008 — Boating, Book Review, Fishing
Scott and Wendy Bannerot are two of the most well respected personalities in the world of Cruiser fishing and this book was certainly well received and a needed resource for those looking to get into cruiser fishing. It really is a whole other world and you'll need to go in with enough knowledge to make sure that your next cruiser fishing trip is a success. After reading this book, you shouldn't have any problems doing just that.
This is really a complete resource when it comes to learning how to fish from a cruiser. Everything you could ever need to know is covered in great detail and you'll get some hints that really only the pro's know and normally don't share. The first section goes into how to tie specific knots that will keep your bait on the hook even in the worst conditions. Right off the bat, they get to information you can really use and address one of the most common problems that face cruising fishers. This is a great way to start off the book and thankfully, it just keeps getting better.
Next up, you'll learn how to pick the right kind of tackle for your cruise as well as some great tips on maintenance and keeping everything organized. For those who are trying to pack before their next cruise, this serves as a great little laundry list to make sure that you have everything you'll need before you step on board. Since a lot of tackle isn't going to be available on board or at a destination, this is essential. We recommend going over this section a few times and making some notes so that you don't forget anything.
After this, the book goes into picking the right gear for your trip and how to stay on a budget. This was probably the best section, next to the one that helps you identify the thousands of species that you're going to come into contact with. Not everyone can afford the latest gear and this book shows you how to get professional results with budget equipment. Since you're already paying an arm and a leg for a cruise, it's great to be able to find ways to cut corners without cutting results.
The book also contains a vital section on first aid and how to deal with any injuries that can occur while cruise fishing. It's a sad fact, but you are at risk when you're engaging in this type of fishing. This book covers everything you'll need to know and what you'll need to bring with you. We really recommend keeping a copy with you during your trip for this section alone. They cover dealing with stings, cuts and worse injuries to help minimize the risks of infection and other diseases.
Overall, if you're into cruise fishing, this is an absolute must read. Even if you're not, you may decide to give it a try during your next vacation.
November 10th, 2008 — Boating, Fuel Dock, Full service marinas, Marina, Pump Out Station, Rentals, Tahoe
Tahoe City Marina is located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
Phone: 530-583-1039

Fuel Dock: Yes, this marina offers fuel. They did not state what kind of fuel is available - please contact the marina management for more information.
Pumpout: Yes, this marina offers a pumpout service.
Services Available:
This is a full service marina that offers just about everything you could ever need. Visitors the lake appreciate the free mooring service and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a travelift on site if you require this service as well as other chandlery services. The marina also has several restaurants either on site or within easy walking distance and there is plenty here to keep the whole family busy. A supermarket is close by if you need to restock and everything you need is literally just a few steps away.
What You Need to Know:
If you don't feel like bringing your own boat, the marina does offer boat rentals at competitive rates. Everything from sailboats to small fishing boats are offered but please keep in mind that rentals shut down if the wind exceeds 10 knots. They also have some restrictions for rentals when small craft warnings are issued on the lake. It's a good idea to reserve a boat before you arrive to ensure that it will be available when you get there.
You can rent space year round, or by the season. Special rates may apply depending on the time of year. Please remember that this is a busy marina so you may need to get on the waiting list. Short term renters usually are able to get a slip on shorter notice than those who prefer to rent for the longer term.
The marina also offers a pick up and delivery service which is perfect if you don't like messing with your boat. There is a fee for this but it is reasonable. Please note that all of their rates do not include haulouts or launching fees.
View Larger Map
Fees:
-Slip sizes from 18' to 50'
-Summer season from $3990.00 to $10,900.00 (May1 to October 1)
-Winter season from $2400.00 to $3600.00
BOAT STORAGE AND SERVICE RATE INFORMATION
WINTER - BASE RATES:
(Sept. 01 to June 15 )
SIZE BASE RATE
25' & under (rackable boats), no trailer $75.00 per foot; $1500.00 Minimum
25' & under (rackable boats), WITH TRAILER Add $400.00 to base rate
26' and over (unrackable boats), with trailer $80.00 per foot
26' and over (unrackable boats), no trailer Add $300.00 handling fee.
<<ALL STORAGE BOATS ARE SUBJECT TO MANAGEMENT APPROVAL>>
WINTER - PACKAGE RATES:(25' & under)
(Includes launch, haul-out, transport, bottom wash)
SIZE PACKAGE RATE
25' & under (rackable boats), no trailer $80.00 per foot; $1600.00 Minimum
25' & under (rackable boats), WITH TRAILER Add $400.00 to base rate
SUMMER RATES:
(June 16th - Aug 31)
PER MONTH (min)
Rackable boats, no trailer (under 26') $250.00
Rackable boats, with trailer (under 26') $300.00
Boats 26' and over $350.00
Trailer Only (minimum) $100.00
Related Posts - Sea World Marina, San Diego, CA Phone: 619.226.3915 Average Water Depth: 9 feet is the average at this marina, but it is always a good idea to check ahead before you arrive. Marine Standby Channel: The marina monitors Channel 16, but you can always reach them by phone if you have difficulty getting through. Is......
- Alameda Marina Alameda Marina is located in Alameda, CA Phone Number: 510.521.1133 Website: http://www.alamedamarina.net/ Email: info@alamedamarina.net Marina Features 530 Wet Berths Pricing for Standard Berths: BOAT LENGTH (LOA)PRICE PER FOOT 22' - 24' $6.50 28' - 32' $7.50 36' - 45 '$8.00 50' Plus $9.00 End Ties & Side Ties $9.00 Covered......
- Barry Bond's Last Game as Giant Rarely do the stars align as they did last Wednesday. Barry Bonds was playing his last game as a Giant, the weather was warm cloudless and clam in October, and there was no afternoon wind on the San Francisco Bay. Needless to say I took my boat to McCovey Cove......
- Breakwater Cove Marina Phone: 831.373.7857 Radio Frequency: The marina monitors both Channels 16 and 5. Average water depth? It is usually around 10 feet, but this can change with conditions. Please call ahead for exact information. Is there a pumpout station? Yes, the marina offers complimentary bilge and oil pumpouts. Is there......
- Bay Club Marina Phone: 800.359.7234 Average Water Depth: The average depth is around 11 feet, but this can change with the weather and conditions. We always recommend calling ahead before you arrive to check the current depth information. Marine Standby Channel: At this time, the marina is only reachable by phone. Is......
Online Stores
October 24th, 2008 — Boating, Book Review
Whether you are a lifelong fly fisherman, or someone that has been intrigued by this sport, the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide is one of the single best resources we have ever come across on fly fishing. This new edition contains more than 400 photos and illustrations and offers some of the best tips on fly fishing we have seen lately. Reading it was almost like taking an actual vacation and we could just about hear the sing of the line.
The first section goes into a brief overview of fly fishing and gets into the basic technique that you’ll need to learn. From there, the author goes into detail on the types of lines you’ll need, the equipment that every fly fisherman should have as well as, of course, flies. The section on leaders and knots is particularly interesting, especially if you are new to fly fishing or trying to pick up some new techniques.
Chapter seven goes into how to pick the right fly for the job and this one should be read at least twice. There is some truly valuable information here that would be hard to find anywhere else. The next two chapters should also be read and then re-read and cover tactics for fishing in streams and lakes. We found several areas for improvement in our own technique by reading these two chapters and it’s really like getting a lesson from a pro.
Salmon and steelhead are discussed at length, as well as some great tips on how to land one. Surprisingly, the book also contained a section on saltwater fly fishing and this was truly fascinating. We have not yet tried saltwater fly fishing but after reading this chapter, we cannot wait to give it a go. This was a truly fascinating chapter that had a lot of new techniques and methods to discuss.
The section on Striking, Playing and Landing is also incredibly useful and goes beyond where most instructional books do. You’ll be learning all those little techniques that can make a big difference in how well you do on the water, and for this alone, we would have bought the book. Last but not least, the book also covers the different accessories that you will need for fly fishing as well as how to take care of all of your different equipment and keep it well organized. By far, this is the single best resource on fly fishing we have ever come across.
We highly recommend this book to anyone that is even vaguely interested in fly fishing. If you are already a pro, it will only feed the fires, but if you are brand new to the sport, this book has the power to inspire as well as inform. This book would make a great gift for anyone interested in fly fishing and the pictures alone make it well worth the purchase price. It would be hard to find any other resource on fly fishing that is this complete or this useful.
Related Posts - Cohasset, MA -- Striper Fishing [pics] Here are some photos from a fishing trip I went on in college from Cohasset, MA. We caught a couple of very nice (32-34 in) Strippers. I know the locale isn't the bay area, but the fish caught can also be caught in the bay area. We caught these fish......
- Salmon Vanish Off California, Oregon From CNN: Salmon disappearance could bring fishing ban Story Highlights: 90,000 salmon in California's Central Valley last year, down from 775,000 in 2002 Wildlife officials say salmon numbers below what's needed to maintain population Meeting this week could put total ban on salmon fishing off California, Oregon coasts Not clear......
- Oyster Point Fishing 9/23/2007 This morning I went fishing off Oyster Point. Again they were out of live bait, so I went with frozen anchovies. I was only able to spend a couple of hours... It was a glorious morning. Dead calm. Incoming tide. Was using a standard 1/0 halibut rig. I started on my......
- eBook Fishing in California The Complete Guide to California Fishing Download Your 32 Page FREE eBook Are you planning a vacation to California? Looking for a better way to fish the more than 1000 lakes throughout this state? You'll find everything you need to know inside The Complete Guide to California Fishing! We've......
- Fishing Trips This Weekend I went fishing on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. In both cases I was fishing between Oyster Point and the San Mateo Bridge. On Saturday I used freeze dried bait from Big 5 without success. On Sunday I used frozen and live bait and caught several soupfin sharks.......
Online Stores
August 25th, 2008 — Bait, Tips and Tricks, mackarel
Trolling is a great way to catch fish, in lakes, rivers or even out on the ocean. If you have never tried this type of fishing before, it’s actually quite enjoyable and chances are, you’ll be able to catch quite a few fish. There are a lot of different trolling methods that have been used throughout the centuries, but there are a few techniques that everyone can use to improve their trolling. Here are some great tips to get you started.
First off, let’s talk about bait. That is an essential part of successful trolling. After all, if the fish just aren’t interested in your bait, you can troll all day and never catch a thing. We have found that live bait works best, but there are those that swear by dead bait. However, the key can be found in the size of the bait that you are using, as well as the type.
Mackarel works best and is just about the right size. For ocean trolling, we definitely recommend squid, especially during the summer months. You can play around with different types of bait until you find the one that works best with your own methods. The larger sizes will probably work best, depending on the type of hook that you are using.
Speaking of hooks, this is also an important part of trolling successfully. Since the bait is moving ahead of the fish, this allows the fish to strike at it, and if you don’t have the right hook, it can simply strip the bait and head for the hills. To prevent this, we recommend using a little bit larger hook, and you may want to thread the line through your bait to increase your chances of a successful catch.
Now, let’s take a look at your speed. While you will be moving, it is essential to check your speed to make sure that you are not going too fast. It is much easier to troll when you are going about 3 knots. Any slower and you’ve defeated the purpose, and any faster, you’ll be outrunning many of the fish you’re trying to catch.
Your line is also very important when it comes to successfully trolling for fish. You’re going to want to make sure that the test weight is durable and that it won’t break under pressure. Go for a little bit heavier line to err on the side of caution. Most of the fish that you will be trolling for will require at least a 30 pound test weight so this is a great place to start. Again, in many cases, experimentation works best to find the right weight.
Last but not least, it is important to hold your rod correctly. If you keep it too close to your body and your line is too tight, you may miss out on the first strike. It is best to hold the rod at an angle away from your body and keep the line a little slack. You can snap to when you feel the strike, but stay relaxed until you do.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Posts - How to Catch Rock Cod If you are looking for a fish that is both fun and challenging to catch, there are few that can top the Rock Cod. This is a wily fish that will require a good deal of patience, but there are a few tips that you can utilize to make sure......
- Fishing Tahoe While in Tahoe I thought I would try my hand at fishing... I grew up on the east coast of FL and one of my favorite hobbies was fishing. At times having more or less success. My first foray into Tahoe fishing was with guide service, bait, and tackle shop......
- 5 Tips to Landing a King Salmon If you are up for a challenge, there is nothing like the feeling of being able to land a king salmon. These fish have an incredible amount of fight in them and they will really make you work to land them. There are however some techniques that you can use......
- Fishing Trips This Weekend I went fishing on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. In both cases I was fishing between Oyster Point and the San Mateo Bridge. On Saturday I used freeze dried bait from Big 5 without success. On Sunday I used frozen and live bait and caught several soupfin sharks.......
- What Fish Don’t Want You To Know By Frank P. Baron If you love fishing as much as boating, then chances are you’ve experienced the joy and agony of this sport. One of the best reasons to take your boat out is to see what you can land, and if you’re fishing in fresh waters, this is definitely a book that......
August 11th, 2008 — Bait, Boating, Fishing, Tips and Tricks
Go into any bait and tackle shop and you’ll be astounded by the sheer amount of selection that is available. Do you really need all of this stuff? Depending on the type of fish you are looking for the answer is both yes and no. The key is finding the right mix of equipment that is essential. Not only will you save money, but you will be able to enjoy a higher success rate on your fishing trips. Let’s go over the essential fishing equipment that you really can’t do without.
1. A quality rod.
Buy a cheap rod and you’ll probably regret it, especially if you are going after bigger fish. Your main investment should be in a really good rod that will last for several seasons. The material is completely up to you, but most prefer a composite rod that will hold up to the stress of a big fish, but not completely overwhelm the smaller species. Check out these quality rods: Fly Fishing Rods, Freshwater Rods, Saltwater Rods, and even Vintage Rods.
2. A great reel.
If you have ever hooked a fish only to end up helpless snared in loose line and knots, you know how important a good real can be. A great reel however will never let you down. You may need to test quite a few before you find the one that fits your technique the best. Again, this is an area where it is ok to spend a little more money, since you’ll be ending up with a reel that will last for several years. Check out these quality reels: Saltwater Reels, Freshwater Reels, Fly Fishing Reels, and even Vintage Reels.
3. Colorful lures that mimic nature.
While you can spend loads of money stocking up on all of the latest lures, it is often the old standbys that will outperform them. Look for lures that are bright and do a good job of mimicking either real bait or a real insect. The brighter the better, especially if you are going after fish that prefer deep waters. Check out these quality lures: Fly Fishing Flies, Freshwater Lures, Saltwater Lures, Big Game Lures, and even Vintage Lures
4. Get the right bait.
This will depend largely on the type of fish you are seeking and it pays to do your research before you head out. At the end of the day however, you can pretty much guarantee that a freshwater fish will be happy to get a nightcrawler. Worms may not be expensive but they do get the job done, especially when compared to the more expensive bait that never seems to work.
5. A good net.
No matter how good you are, you’ll still need to have a good net at your disposal. Look for one with a smaller weave so that you can use it for any kind of fish and make sure that it can hold a heavier fish as well. If you’re noticing a few rips or tears in your net, get it replaced before you end up missing out on the catch of a lifetime.
6. A GPS system.
A fish finder with a GPS system can help you determine the terrain at the bottom of a lake and point out where you will be most likely to find the kind of fish that you are looking for.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Posts - Fishing Oyster Point This morning I went fishing in the bay for the first time. I was targeting California Halibut off Oyster Point in the San Francisco Bay. I choose Oyster Point because I had heard that it had excellent Halibut and it is the home of Oyster Point Bait and Tackle, which......
- How to Catch Yellow Fin Tuna If you eat tuna, then chances are you’ve already sampled this delicious variety of the popular fish. While blue fin tuna are also popular, yellow fin tuna are by far the most commonly caught variety and the one that is commonly used in commercial foods. While you may not have......
- Lake Chabot Lake Chabot is located in: Castro Valley, CA Phone: 1-888-EBParks Park Hours: 5am to 10pm. There may be some restrictions or changes. Please call ahead to verify times before your trip. Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle, $4 for trailered vehicles. Are Dogs Allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed at Lake Chabot......
- DVD - Fishing Ten Pack This is a five disc box set featuring ten different features with top fishing pros from around the world. This DVD box set has ten different features starring Bob Nudd, Phil Hyde, Mike Ladle, Clive Gibbons, Des Taylor and Billy Makins. The ten features are as follows - - "Long......
- Is Saltwater Fishing Right For You? Saltwater fishing can be a lot of fun, but it isn’t right for everyone. Before you head out on the ocean and discover you are miserable, there are a few things you should think about before getting started. Here are some great tips to help you determine if saltwater fishing......
Online Stores