Oroville afterbay?

[fishfan]

Any one fish the afterbay? I'm thinking of going out this weekend and any help would be great! Water temp., baits, colors, etc.

Thanks Jeff H.

[crawdaddy]

Saw that True Bass show with Dave Rush eh? Looked like some prime froggin' water to me.

[492slayer]

We fish it here and there. My buddy Stuck a 12-9 a couple weeks ago on a frog. Bad thing about the afterbay is there are nice fish, but I think a lot of the locals keep em. Be careful down in the south end if you launch off 162 side. It can be shallow! Take that south point wide towards the levee.

[fishfan]

Thanks for the tip! I think we are going to launch off 162!

Thanks Jeff H.

[Basslab]

Fish it quite regularly and here's a tip for you. You want to be sure to have enough water to get into all the good spots and not be held only to the walls when water is low. I start calling the Oroville info line a few days before my planned trip and see if the water is on the rise or drop and plan accordingly. The number to call is (530) 534-2307 as they update every day at 9:AM but you will listen to all the info about Oroville and they will eventually say what the Afterbay level is....something like 128 but remember the level is stated at "sea level" so don't think they are crazy. If the level is 128-131, you have the perfect level but when it is less than 127, you will have very, very low levels and can't get to the back tules. If it is around 135 then you have too much water and getting under the bridge without removing your seat will be a challenge, not to mention the fish really spread out and are harder to find. Always get beautiful, healthy fish there but remember the water there is taken from the bottom of Oroville and will be 10-20 degrees colder than the "Big O". Hope this helps and have a great time.

[Kelly Jeffers]

It is a good place to hook 150-180 lbs jetskier's I'd use 3oz lead and 7/0 Ewg in any color

[fishfan]

called this morning and the level is at 132. Thanks for the info.

Jeff H.

[gt5bass]

Bite should should be really good at 132. Although one of my best days at the Afterbay was when they were droppin' the bottom out of it, like a foot and a half while I was fishin' to 126'. In one hour I caught a 27 lb limit on a lipless crankbait.

[bryanw80]

I have heard of the afterbay before, but never knew exactly how to get there? COuld someone give directions from Sacramento? Also is the state boat pass good for the afterbay? Thanks for the help

[Basslab]

Very simple to get there from Sac or anywhere. Just take Hwy 99 north to Yuba City off I-5 just as you go past Arco Arena, go through Yuba City and about 6 miles further you go through Live Oak and about 10 more miles you go through Gridley. This will be your last town and about 5 miles north of Gridley you will pass an old fish hatchery on your right and will start seeing the dirt berms of the afterbay and will come to a traffic signal. That will be Hwy 162 which will take you to Oroville and you make the right turn at the light. This will take you directly over the afterbay and about a half mile or so on your right will be a paved road to one of the launches which has a restroom facility and beach area with tables. Now for the best part.........forget your passes as it is a free launch. You need to be careful and if you have never been there, a graph showing the depth is very important as you must swing wide to your right when heading south from the ramp as it is pretty shallow in some areas and the average depth is only 5-12 feet, depending on water level. You will like it but try to stay away on weekends in the summer as it is very popular with our jet skiing buddies. Enjoy

[troutnut]

It is pretty easy to wade and fish the shoreline too!

[Kevin Evans - Kap]

Is that the same body of water/canal that you drive over 70 on towards Lime Saddle? I have driven past the 162 portion many a time and didnt think it was that big? Or are we talking about two seperate bodies of water here?

Thx,
Kap

[Farres]

It's been my experience that anything under 131 is not worth going. The water is just too low to effectively fish the coves.

Also, how long the water has been up is almost as important as the water level. They can and do drop or raise the AB 4-5 feet in a day. If it was at 127 yesterday and it's at 132 today, the fish will have not yet adjusted. The water needs to be high for 3-4 days for the fish to adjust.

Finally and most importantly, the AB is the single best place I know of to wreck a boat. There are at least seven reefs/bars that will detach your lower unit if you hit them. Unfortunately, none of them are marked or obvious in any way.

The best advice is to go when it's very low and look around at idle. Then, go back when the water is high and stable and you know where to swing wide, swing in or areas to avoid.

[Ba-Ba-Bass]

forget the lake anyone up for a turkey shoot at the bay ????

[fishfan]

I believe the one off of 70 is the fore bay! I hear the trout fishing is good at times in their!

Jeff H.

[fishfan]

I would fish a turkey shoot at the AB! Just let me know when and Im their.

Tahnks Jeff H.

[Basslab]

Oh yeah, just let me know and I shall be there!

[Kelly Jeffers]

Now on this Turkey Shoot, can we make it worth putting a boat in the water???say 50-100.00 per boat??

[cleb19]

Hey Im in for the turkey shoot... let me know I love the afterbay at times this water can be great place to fish.........




CLEB19

FISH ON!!!!!!!!!!!