Last week while driving to a favorite camping spot of mine, I got behind a boat that was being towed by a small SUV. It wouldn’t have been too bad if the boat being towed was small but the boat was a lot bigger than the SUV which is very dangerous. Just because a car or truck can pull a boat or trailer, doesn’t mean that it’s safe. In the event that they were to blow a tire or have to suddenly stop, there’s no way they would be able to gain control of their trailer. The desire to get out on the water can sometimes override common sense in people. I’ve learned over the years that safety is more important than anything when towing a trailer, with stopping power being number one on the list of safety features.
Delta:
Shade is the most important factor when fishing for Bass on the Delta right now. Really pay attention to the banks and look for any shade pockets. This past weekend the bigger Bass being caught were caught on Sweet Beavers on the shady side of isolated islands. The top water frog bite has remained excellent for those willing to toss it all day. Anglers are catching frog fish in both open water and above matted vegetation. Catfishing has been very good recently along Whiskey Slough for anglers fishing with clams and anchovies.
New Melones Lake:
The Kokanee bite has remained wide open for those fishing the right depths. Anglers are reporting that the Kokanee are being caught fairly shallow during the morning hours and between 45 and 80 feet deep during the midday. Bass fishing has been good for smaller fish on small plastics during the day and top water lures early morning and right before sunset. Catfishing has been really good for night fishermen fishing just about anywhere on the lake right now. Bluegill and Crappie are also cooperating as many anglers are doing well fishing the backs of coves with minnows or worms under a bobber.
Don Pedro:
Bass fishing is good for anglers fishing with live minnows. For those fishing with artificial baits they are having luck in the morning and evenings with top water lures. Once the sun gets high they are switching over to small worms or jigs fished down to 30 feet deep. The Kokanee are scattered right now making them hard to target but the Trout are biting for anglers trolling between 50 and 70 feet deep while using ExCels, Needlefish, or Sockeye Slammers behind a small Sling Blade.
Lake Amador:
Lake Amador is a night fishing lake this time of year. Not many anglers are braving the heat right now as the fish have become very sluggish during the day. Bluegills are about all that is being caught right now. At night there are some big Catfish being caught and even an occasional Trout for those fishing the dam area. There are also reports of Crappie being caught on minnows at night by those fishing around the dock area. If you do plan on fishing Amador at night make sure to get there before 9 p.m. as the gates are locked after 9 p.m.
Lake Pardee:
The hotter it gets the better Pardee becomes for Smallmouth Bass. Crickets are a must for sheer numbers of Smallmouth Bass. Rig and fish crickets just as you would a split shot rig with a smaller hook of course and get ready for some action. Bigger Smallmouths are usually caught by those who anchor and drop a line over the side and wait them out. The nice thing about using crickets is that you have a chance at catching just about anything that swims in the lake.
Lake Camanche:
The bite is really good right now for those fishing for Bluegill and Bass. Bass are being caught right now just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Lures that are being used are spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while the bigger fish are being caught by those dragging plastics along the bottom. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of bays.
