This whole summer I spent most of my time fishing trying out new baits and techniques, with limited results. Frustrated with the results that I was getting, I decided to go back to what worked for me years ago. Almost immediately, I started catching fish, which restored my confidence. When I’m fishing alone, which is 80 percent of the time, most of my time is spent trying out new baits or techniques. A lot of times, I’m fishing baits that I’ve made in my garage, or have never used before. I’m beginning to realize that I’ve been wasting a lot of time. Last night for example, I had a new technique that was working for me earlier in the week. After several hours of who knows how many casts, I didn’t catch a single fish. Frustrated, I tied on a bait that I’ve been ignoring all summer long, and immediately caught two of my biggest fish of the evening. One of the oldest anglers that I’ve ever fished with uses one bait all year long. No matter where he goes, he always catches fish. I seriously doubt that I will ever limit my tackle to one bait. There are a handful of baits that I have always done good with. It’s those baits that I plan on using more.
Delta Report:
Water temperatures have been in the high seventies to low eighties. The reaction bite for largemouth bass has been good lately, especially when the wind breaks up the surface. There are also a lot of small schools of striped bass found working throughout the sloughs right now. Make sure to have your favorite topwater bait ready in case you encounter an active school of fish. Catfishing remains good during the evening hours and bluegill can still be found in bunches along the shallows.
New Melones Lake:
Kokanee fishing continues to be hot along with the bluegill and catfish bite. Anglers fishing for kokanee are trolling as deep as 50 feet during the day. At night the trout are being caught by those fishing around submersible lights with live minnows and power bait. Bluegill are being found right now in the backs of coves and caught by those using worms for bait. Catfish are being caught all over the lake right now but mostly from the shore during the night on anchovies and clams. Bass fishing continues to be good for numbers as many bass can be found in schools off points and main lake structure.
Don Pedro:
Bass are being caught in the top 10 feet of water on jigs during the day and on top water baits early in the morning as well as in the evening. Kokanee are being caught as deep as 110 feet during the day by trollers. Bluegills continue to provide steady action for those fishing small worms under a bobber around shoreline cover.
Lake Pardee:
Fishing for bass has been fair to good as there are still a lot of fish to be caught up shallow on shaky head worms. There is also a lot of schooling activity to be found on the lake right now as a drop shotted Robo worm through visible schools of fish has been producing numbers.
Lake Amador:
Fishing continues to be slow during the day for anglers fishing for bass and trout. Bluegills have been biting during the day on small worms in the backs of coves and around the dam area. Bass have been pushing the shad into the backs of coves and can be found feeding close to the bank. Bass are being caught at night on spinnerbaits, buzz baits, jigs, and brush hogs. At night some trout are being caught near the dam while fishing under a submersible light.
Product Review:
IRod has been a great fishing rod for me. Several years ago, I purchased IRods “Fred’s Magic Stick” and have since purchased five more IRods. Price wise, they’re more affordable than other rods of similar quality. I’ve been very impressed with the rods that I have. They’re light, comfortable, and are very durable. If you could only buy one, I’d buy the “Fred’s Magic Stick.” It’s is one of the most versatile rods that I own, which is why I own four of them.
