This is the site to get information of Rancho Seco and the number for reservations: http://www.smud.org/community/ranchoseco.html.

It is RECOMMENDED that reservations be made (says the park manager).

*Tent-sites are $10 per night.

*Two vehicles and two tents per site.

*Six people per site.

*Gate opens at 7 am and closes at 7 pm (need to camp to be there for blast-off at about 5:45 (unofficial)).

*Lake is approximately twice the size of Pinto.

*Lake is very clear (12 foot visibility) and choked-down with weeds in the coves.

*Water temperature was 54 degrees last Saturday (should get colder).

*Lake record is about 16 pounds (I think).

*There are three or four campsites with water access (May be able to do check-in and weigh-in from camp.... or across cove at small ramp).

*Nearest store gas is about 15 minutes to Galt or Ione.


DIRECTIONS: From Stockton take Hwy 99 north to Twin Cities Road/Hwy 104 (just north of Galt). Go east on 104 about 17 miles to Rancho Seco Recreation Area. (Recognizable by the 'Salt and Pepper Shakers',or, the cooling towers of the Nuclear Power Plant. (Hard to miss if you're going east toward foothills on 104).

Any other information that you may need, just ask.... I might know.

It states the park doesnt open till 7am. But i know people have fished it at night. Is this going to be an issue?

Yes, this could be an issue. You can fish all night in you want from boat or shore, but I do believe that the gate is closed at night and opens early in the morning. What time? Don't know. Have 2 call over there and find out.

I was there this weekend.
Dude was just opening the gate as I pulled up @ 7:10AM.

As stated above, if you are fishing the tournament you need to camp the night before to be there at blast-off. Unless you think an arrangement can be made with the park staff. Fishing at night is not a problem, but once you leave you can't get back in until the gate opens at 7 am. I think that with the distance that most people will be driving, they would want to camp just to keep from have to get up too too too early.

The attendant did tell me that if you're camping and leave to eat or something, you can get back in by pushing a button at the gate that alerts park security to come let you back in.

It could be a tough call beczuse of the weather situation in November. Another thought would be a 7-4 event. Just a thought

I think a 7-4 event is a much better option than moving it somewhere else. This is a great lake for a kickboat tournament and we need to fish there. It's not a rules heavy place at all so if we have to fish a little later, I think that's totally cool.

I wont even concider moving this event. I have a feeling this is going to be a regular lake for us BNT'rs. I am just throwing out suggestions. In my opinion I dont think its right that the only way someone could fish a tournie at Rancho with BNT is to be in saturday night at a certain time and be forced to camp. As things look right now there are only 2 options. #1 forced to camp #2 7-4 event. I think this could be a killer place for a night tournie in mid summer or even a 2 day event in the spring (where most camp anyways). I also dont want to ask for special treatment (opening gates early) from these guys until I get to meet then in person and they get a little more familiar with us. In my experience with dealing with "gate keepers" it seems easier for them to tell us "no" over the phone to someone they dont know, rather then a guy they just met standing in front of them.

Did I miss something? Did someone want to cancel? Why not ask the question about who wants to camp. If we share a site, it's only $5 per person. A 7am to 4pm event would be cool, but probably wouldn't get started right away with the gate opening at that time.

This would be a great spring time lake as long as we make sure it doesn't land on the 'Spring Trout Derby' day in March. I agree John, that after we have had at least one event, then we could talk with the park people. I have had many conversations with them and they seem to be willing to work with people having events.

Let me know if I can do anything to help. It only takes 38 minutes to get there from my house.

I'll be camping rain or shine. I'm pretty sure that Swampy and Dani will be doing the same.

Hey Lazyfish, in your original post you said "Any other information that you may need, just ask...."

So how do you catch fish in this lake?

Clint

IFISH say's,

Well gentlemen, after missing what appeared to be a " Killer Invite ", i'm not going miss the final B-N-T Tourney of the year ! I haven't been able to go fishing since San Antonio ! Needless to say i'm hurtin. Anyhow, i'm gonna roll up there sometime before noon on saturday ( Nov.9 ) to get in some pre-fishin', set up camp, etc... If anyone would like to roll up there around that time, gimme a buzz. Peace out and we'll see you at Seco, Seco, Seco....

IFISH

p.s. if you can't tell yet, i'm really excited, i've gotta fish SOON or i'll go MAD !!!!

Rob had mentioned cancelling probally because a lot of the new lakes we fish if there is an issue with gates,times,etc. The lake is usually moved. I just wanted it to be clear that Rancho would not be changed.

A head count of people camping would be cool.


Another question what time does the gate close at night?

I just called the reservation number and they only take reservations for two weeks in advance. Then sites become first-come, first-served. This should not be a problem as there are at least twenty tent sites and last weekend when Joe and I were there, there were only two sites being used. So you just get there, pick a site, go to office and pay, then go back and set up camp.

Also on the recorded message it said the park (gate) opens at seven and closes at SIX. When I mentioned above that it closed at seven it was still daylight savings time on Saturday. So now the park's hours are 7 am to 6 pm.

Clint, I wish I knew how to catch fish in this lake. I spent many days catching trout in the winter prior to ever trying for bass. In the 4 or 5 times I've been there for bass I was skunked twice and caught 1 or 2 on the other occasions. Dropshotting purple power worm, texas-rigged 3 inch Kalin grub, and a senco worked then. How's that for exact and explicit information on how to catch fish. It's a tough lake because of the clear water and lots of weeds. But I talk to people out there that seem to find a limit each time they go. But that could just be talk, like the guy Swampy met at the Quarry Ponds.

Oh Stevius,if I drove up fri after work and the gate was closed could i still get in to camp?If not I'll just leave early sat.
When will you be arriving?
Thanks,Swampy

IFISH say's,

Yo swampy, what time do you plan on leaving to get up there on saturday if you don't go friday evening ?? I think i'm going to jet at around 6am or so. That departure time is negotioble. Maybe we could go at the same time so that way we'll be able to help eachother with camp and get pre-fishin'. Lemme know what you think bro-ham. Peace out..........

IFISH

p.s. How do the FLOWMASTERS sound ?

It looks like I'll be leaving sat morning sometime.Call me & we can hook up.Maybe clint & Dani could caravan with us too.
Steve I hope you can make it after all it's so close to you.Imagine that.....finally a tourney where you don't have to drive for hours and you have to miss?What irony!
Thanks for the tip,swampy


P.S. Nick,I haven't got the flowbies yet,but I think they sound great!har

IFISH say's,

Kool bro-ham, i'll buzz you up tonight perhaps. That'd be kool to roll up there 4 guys deep. It's about a 2 - 2 1/2 hr drive you'd say ?? Once again, i've never been here before, but can't wait to try n get in um'. Anyhow, i'll try n hit you up by the end of this week.

IFISH

p.s. - i'll bet once those FLOW'S are on there, you'll REALLY be rumbling.........har d har

You'll have to wait until Saturday to come up. I think I'll be there Saturday afternoon, if I come at all.