Agenda

[Calduke]

Great new forum

I have an Agenda. I am on a mission to get to the Upper Kern, find great locations to fish and enjoy myself. I am new to the area and will need suggestions. I hope there is help out there.

[Gary C.]

The road runs right next to the river from Kernville up to the Johnsondale bridge and with the water dropping so much right now you should find fish the entire way. Just drive until you see the kind of water you like to fish and pull over. It should be that easy, at least until the water gets too low and much warmer. After that things will get a little harder.
Gary C.

[Calduke]

Thank you, Gary

[admin]

Suggestion, camp at Limestone or Fairview. Pop over to where Roads End used to be (1 mile north of McNally's). Should be a historic marker there. Go just down river from the sandy beach, cast out and let the river drift your line towards the bank. You should hit pretty good with Fireballs, black/yellow rooster tails, or pink Power Bait. If you don't hit for awhile, move down river 20-50 yards at a time.

[Calduke]

Admin - thanks for your help. This is a great forum you have established.

[Jeff C]

check out my post. Fish N Fun Report. It says it all. Please, Please, Please catch and release.

[Calduke]

Jeff C - Great Report.

I want to catch and release, but, have never done C&R.
I want to use lures and they have treble-hooks. My experience in the past(way-way past) with treble hooks is that they cause a lot of damage. How do I handle this for C&R?

[wheelman]

Catch and release is simple with lures. Reel in the fish to a calm area of the river if possible get out your forceps or plyers grab the hook with said forceps and gently unhook fish while the fish is still in the water.In calm areas you will not even have to handle the fish which is best. If you do need to handle the fish wet your bare hands ( do not use a rag )first then pick up the fish and remove the hook. With lures you will always catch the fish on the lip area which is what you want for catch and release.

With bait fishing use a single hook. Before you start fishing get your plyers and squish the barbs down on your hook. You will then be able to release the hook a lot easier. However it also makes it easier for the fish to get away, keep your line tight when reeling in. If the fish swallows the bait you can bite off the line and release the fish. The hook will disolve over time in the fish. You will lose hooks this way but it keeps you from having to clean the fish because you have to keep it.

[wheelman]

One more thing in regards to C & R make sure the fish is ready to go back in the water after you catch it. They will get tired while fighting you. If you handled the fish hold it facing up stream in the current to let it get oxygen thru its gills. Do not hold it to firm. It will swim away when it is ready. Sometimes this may take a minute or way longer depending on how tired the fish is, be patient.

[Calduke]

WHEELMAN !!

This is exactly what I've been hoping to find out.
C&R is the way to go
This is a super help to me(a dummy) and I appreciate your time and effort to help.

Good luck to you.