Calaveres Lake???

**LIL' RAT RED** · #1 05-01-2012, 02:03 PM

If I ever get a day off I was thinking about going to Calaveres Lake and trying to catch some reds.. I was watching Lone star Surf and Turf on one of the outdoor channels, and it seemed pretty easy. I've got a bluewave and dont live very far from the lake. Does anybody have any advise for when I make the trip. I will Probably take my wife and 2.5 year old son. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

**justletmein** · #2 05-01-2012, 02:43 PM

I used to fish Braunig and Calaveras 5 days a week 15 years or so ago and I never could manage to pull a red out of Calaveras though hauled in some monsters from Braunig. I got into the biggest mess of ugly skinny channel cats I've ever seen at Calaveras, must have caught hundreds that night, and actually pulled some really nice channel cats out while trolling diving crankbaits LOL... The reds are in there though and everybody else catches them, I just never could. If all else fails it seems the regulars will pull up to the Crappie wall and float a lemon rig down into the power plant channel.

**Jeff SATX** · #3 05-01-2012, 03:38 PM

i remember the one time i fished calaveras i was probably 16 or so, we anchored up in the channel and used live crawfish. crushed their head and sent them on their way. the three of us ended up with 2 reds each but the guys i went with were using penn 209's on heavy action rods, it wasn't very fun. perfect time to pick up some live crawfish.

**justletmein** · #4 05-01-2012, 03:58 PM

That's funny Jeff, the guys I fished with back then also used 209's and some other kind of Penn reel I remember that had a heavy Dacron braid on it. I actually joked about putting the anchor out with his reel LOL. I used small spinning rigs mostly and an Abu 5500 and 6500 were my primary.

**Jeff SATX** · #5 05-01-2012, 04:04 PM

talk about overkill!!!

i didn't have the heart to tell them that i had caught larger reds on my (brand spanking new - at the time) cu-200 curado, medium action falcon with 15# test mono.

**justletmein** · #6 05-01-2012, 05:15 PM

op, I forgot to mention that I caught most my monster reds at Braunig freelining small tilapia in aboot 2' of water at night. Also caught a lot of really healthy and fat channel cats that way. During the day I did well on what would be lower slot size reds, if there was a slot, and hybrid stripers using medium shad on the middle of dropoffs around 10' or so. Now having said that, this was a long time ago and I've gone back a few times more recently and couldn't catch a red to save my life. Also lotta guys catch them on rattletraps and spoons along the rock walls. I don't have a trolling motor anymore so haven't tried it.

**sharkie2576** · #7 05-01-2012, 05:19 PM

I had the opportunity to learn how to catch reds from a good buddy of mine who was a guide at both lakes. He used down riggers. When I was younger my dad and I would go and use crawfish and catch a few but nothing like using down riggers. I had 4 down riggers on my boat and it was awesome to go through a school of reds and have all 4 rods hook up. We would use tony acceta spoons. My buddy(Billy Robinson)has passed on to a better place now and is no longer with us. I sure do miss him. Good luck to you.

**Mr. Breeze** · #8 05-01-2012, 05:25 PM

Many years ago, we hired a local guide and he trolled with spoons, we all caught 3 or 4 monsters. Time? Pretty sure it was this time of year. There was a bait and tackle store there back then. Might be worth a call.

yep, like sharkie said above, he beat me to it...LOL

**LIL' RAT RED** · #9 05-01-2012, 06:11 PM

I sure appreciate all the advice guys.. thanks a bunch

**Whoopin It Up!** · #10 05-01-2012, 09:33 PM

I live about 15 miles from this lake. I take my Baby Cat there on occasions and try my luck at these so called "freshwater reds."

I have discovered you can catch them on at least 3 baits:
1. Fresh Dead Shrimp
2. Crawfish
3. Artificial lures

*** I prefer fresh dead shrimp or artificial lures.***

Fresh dead shrimp is usually put on a hook, floated out (try a balloon for floatation) under the balloon, and is set for a depth of about 6 to 8 feet below the water surface. You allow the balloon to drift using wind. Or, you can use a cork float.

My second choice (my favorite) is to use a Chrome with Blue Top Rat-L-Trap or a Storm Swim Bait (wild eye shad - silver). The Rat-L-Trap is very effective, if you tie it with a loop knot, allow it to sink to the bottom, then retrieve at a steady slow pace. Do the same with the Storm swim bait.

I generally fish the so called "crappie wall" which is on the intake channel for the power plant. You will need a boat or a yak to reach the wall. You can tie up at the wall, get out of your boat, and fish standing on the wall.

I have caught reds at the wall measuring small (15 inches) to large (30+ inches).

I find going to Calaveras Lake an alternative to going all the way to the coast (I live in San Antonio) and sometimes this lake is just not worth passing up at times.

If you have a boat, the boat ramps are solid and parking is plentiful. There is a small admission fee to the lake with a boat. Other than that, it is productive for "fresh water reds." By the way, the catfish action there is excellent, too.