Summer vacation has officially started for my family, this week we’ve been spending the first part of it camping at Lake Pardee. Actually, I’m typing this report from the picnic table of my campsite. Currently, we’re the only family camping mid-week, making it even more enjoyable. The fishing has been good; the early morning kokanee bite is great, I’ve even been able to catch a few during the middle of the day. The first night was rough though, as expected, my 2-year-old wasn’t on the same sleeping schedule as the rest of us. Night number 2 went a lot better and it’s finally is starting to feel like a vacation. Unfortunately, we only have one more night here and tomorrow we’ll be heading home. Then again, I’m on vacation, maybe I can convince my significant other to stay a few more days?
Delta Report:
Right now there are a lot of smaller bass willing to bite with a few bigger fish being caught for those willing to stick with big fish baits like top water frogs and buzz baits. Currently, there are a lot of large colonies of bluegill making their way shallow for the spawn. A lot of the bigger bluegill are striking out of defense Anglers doing the best for them are bouncing small crappie jigs around spawning areas. As the summer patterns start to develop look for a lot of baitfish up shallow in and around shade.
New Melones Lake:
Kokanee fishing remains great right now. Anglers are catching them while trolling right off of Glory Hole Point and around the spillway and the dam. Kokanee are being caught from the surface down to 50 feet. Most anglers are doing the best have best while fishing between 30 and 45 feet deep. Bass fishing is hit or miss as anglers are having a hard time putting together any real pattern. Most anglers are either fishing jigs down to 30 feet or searching for schools of fish off of main lake points.
Lake Don Pedro:
Kokanee are still being caught between 50 and 70 feet deep. Anglers fishing for them are reporting good action but not as good as what’s happening at New Melones. Bass fishing is tough right now as anglers are struggling to catch them. One of the most consistent patterns right now seems to be fishing with top water lures. Zara Spooks along with other walking type baits are doing well for anglers that are willing to stay with the baits throughout the day.
Lake Pardee:
Kokanee fishing is good right now in the mornings and the evenings. For kokanee try trolling between 40 and 50 feet deep with pink wiggle hootchies tipped with shoe peg corn. Bass fishing is good right now, during the day the bass are seeking the shady side of the various rock walls. For bass try top water baits during the morning hours and Senko’s during the day.
New Hogan:
Getting out on the lake during the week is the key right now as there are a lot of pleasure boaters on the water during the weekend making fishing conditions tough. There are a lot of bluegills up shallow either spawning or getting ready to spawn. The bass aren’t far away. Bluegill patterned crank baits and plastic creature baits are working well. For bluegills try wax worms or crappie jigs.
Lake Camanche:
The trout fishing has really slowed down but the bass fishing has been excellent recently. Most bass have been caught fairly shallow with plastics such as lizards and tube baits. The crappie bite has been great for anglers fishing between 15 and 20 feet of water while fishing stick ups and brush piles. Night fishermen are also doing well using live minnows and crappie jigs under lights.
Tip of the Week:
For some anglers the mere mention of color selection can bring up fish story after fish story. Personally I prefer to stick to the basic colors, my favorite being watermelon red flake. There are times when a change is necessary though, in muddy water darker colors are going to be more visible and in clearer water something more natural is always a good choice. Also, if you ever find yourself getting short struck, a subtle change in color can make a world of difference.
