Often I see fishermen point at an area or spot and say “It looks good over there!” For someone who’s new to the sport he or she may wonder to themselves what exactly are they looking for? First, you have to realize that fish live under water and not on top of the water. Part of the learning process for anglers, is their ability to distinguish between what looks good to them and what the fish may be attracted to. You would be amazed at the amount of spots that get very little fishing pressure because they don’t look like anything special from above. Some of my most prized spots are all by themselves, where there is no identifiable landmark. Often, a strategy professional anglers use is to seek out areas that look the most unappealing. There’s a good chance that the average angler is going to overlook such areas, and if there are fish in the area, they’re going to be less reluctant to bite. Next time you’re out, force yourself to fish areas that don’t look appealing to you. By doing that you may be surprised at what you find.
Delta Report:
Early in the morning anglers are doing well while fishing for bass with top water lures. During the day anglers are either catching them with reaction baits like Rattle Traps or flipping heavy cover with sweet beavers. Bluegills are plentiful right now and can be caught just about anywhere while using red worms. I haven’t heard of any striped bass reports yet, during this time of year it’s always good to have a rod with a top water lure tied on just in case a school of striped bass appear.
New Melones Lake:
Fishing for trout has been fair to great lately. Anglers trolling for trout are getting bites between 50 and 75 feet deep. There are a lot of good sized fish being caught, which has been attracting a lot of anglers lately. Those trolling for trout are using a variety of baits, needlefish seems to be the favorite bait amongst those anglers. Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing cut bait throughout the evening hours around all the lake’s recreational areas. Bass fishing is fair right now; there are a lot of bass following the schools of shad found all over the lake. Anglers are using shaky head worms or drop shot rigs through the schools of bait for small limits of fish.
Lake Don Pedro:
Trout and bass fishing is fair to good on the lake right now. Anglers fishing for trout are finding them while trolling around the schools of baitfish being found from the surface down to 35 feet deep. Bass fishermen are employing similar tactics as there are many schools of fish being found around main lake points.
Lake Camanche:
Trout fishermen are finding trout while fishing with power bait at depths between 35 and 40 feet deep. Bass anglers are having luck early and late in the day on top water lures. During the day, the bite has been tough as anglers are working small plastic baits slowly along the bottom as the bass have become very lethargic during the day.
Lake Pardee:
Trout fishing is tough right now; those that are having any luck are fishing between 30 and 60 feet deep. Bass fishing is fair right now; key areas are around isolated islands with jigs and worms. Top water baits are working well in the morning and evening hours.
New Hogan:
There are still striped bass that are chasing baitfish to the surface. Anglers targeting them are having luck with a variety of top water baits and flukes. As the weather has cooled in the past couple of days the boils aren’t as prevalent. Most of the action is taking place during the morning and evening hours of the day.
Tip of the Week:
Ever since I had a wheel bearing go out on me, I make it a habit to check my wheels at just about every stop along my way. It’s as easy as feeling for excessive heat which can be an indicator of a bearing that needs to be greased or replaced. In my truck’s toolbox, I always keep a grease gun and an emergency set of bearings just in case.
