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Fishing Report
fishing1

 

For the first time in ten years I purchased a Power Ball Ticket. Like many of you who purchased a ticket, it was nice thinking and talking about all the things that I would do if I won. I’ve always dreamed of someday going on tour with the Bassmasters while competing against some of the world’s greatest fishermen. I figured that I would buy the best motorhome and bass boat that money can buy, while taking my family on the road with me across the country for at least one season. To be able to fish without worrying about entry fees and traveling expenses would make it that much more enjoyable. As soon as I saw online that someone living outside of my zip code had won I was in no hurry to run to my car and retrieve my ticket. Instead, I continued on with my plans of being prepared and on time for work in the morning.

 

Delta Report:

The water temperatures have already begun to increase, making for fantastic fishing conditions. Those fishing for bass are doing fair while fishing with jigs and creature baits along the edges of the grass. Some are predicting an early spawn but as mentioned above, I’m holding my breath until the storm season passes. Fishing for striped bass remains good around the Rio Vista area with anglers doing well while fishing with live and cut bait.

 

New Melones Lake:

Trout fishing is still tough as there are very few reports of anglers catching any. The lake continues to rise but is still around 14 percent full. Bass fishing is decent with the majority of fish taken off of main lake structure at depths from 25 to 65 feet. The fish are fat, healthy, and gorging themselves on threadfin shad. As a result, shad-patterned plastics on the drop shot are working with reports of a good jig bite as well. As far as launching, a tow vehicle equipped with 4x4 is still recommended as the launch is unpaved without a courtesy dock. Currently Glory Hole Point is the only open launch site on the lake.

 

Lake Don Pedro:

Like on New Melones, trout fishing is very slow right now. Most anglers have been content with waiting for the spring to turn the bite back on. Currently the lake is 35 percent full which is still very low. Bass fishing is your best bet on the lake right now as there are a lot of fish being caught by anglers fishing with jigs from the shallows down to 20 feet deep.

 

Lake Camanche:

Anglers fishing the North Shore are doing well while fishing with Power Bait early in the morning. There are also trout being caught along the South Shore area on Power Bait as both the main lake and ponds are being planted weekly by the Department of Fish and Game. Bass fishing is slow; anglers are searching out schools of bass holding around main lake points or Islands. Once finding them anglers are fishing slowly through them with either a drop shotted worm or small jig.

 

Lake Amador:

There have been some giant trout brought to the cleaning station recently. Several of those trout have been close to 10 pounds. The lake is being planted weekly, making it fairly easy for anglers that are fishing with Power Bait under a bobber. Green seems to be the hot color on the lake right now. Anglers trolling for trout are also starting to catch fish as the lake remains relatively clear considering the recent rains.

 

Tip of the Week:

When faced with tough conditions such as cold muddy water it’s important that there be some changes made in lure selection and presentation. Most people look down into the water thinking how can a fish possibly see my lure? A lot of times the muddy water that we see from standing above the surface only extends a few feet below the surface. The only true way to know this is to stick a camera down there or swim down and take a look for yourself. Personally, I try to fish a little deeper than normal and keep close to grassy or weedy areas. The grass and weeds help filter the floating particles and can actually help create a clearing beneath the surface. I also prefer to fish with baits that have some chartreuse in them or are dark such as the black and blues, glowing baits can also be excellent when fishing dirty or stained water. Glowing baits not only glow in the dark but also glow in muddy or stained water.