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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, November 27th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: The striper bite has been all over the place the last few weeks. There are quick little windows where they chew, then hours of scattered bites and followers that won’t commit. The whole Delta feels like it’s in transition. Temps up and down, and water clarity changing every day.

      The fish are definitely around, but the more reliable groups are sitting where there’s good water movement, clean edges, and bait that isn’t stacked too heavy. Some spots have so much bait that the stripers don’t even bother.

      The west side has been the most consistent, mostly because the tide pull is stronger and the deeper current lanes keep flushing food right to them but even out there it’s not easy. The central and west Delta are loaded with bait clusters, but you’re only getting bit where those schools thin out or move off the main mass.

      Depthwise, the fish are sliding up and down all day. On slack tide they’re glued to the bottom, even in 20 to 35 feet or sitting in little dips and breaks. When the tide starts moving, they’ll lift into that 8 to 14 ft zone, and on a good outgoing push they’ll slide shallow onto ledges and flats to ambush.

      Water clarity is running 2 to 4 feet in a lot of the bigger channels. The clearer the water, the deeper and moodier they get. If you can find that lightly stained water with some flow pushing through, not blown out, the bite usually perks up.

      Tips: Live bait is doing best, but even that can still be hit or miss depending on tide. Fish are refusing baits when they rise too far off bottom or drift unnaturally in low flow.

      Reaction has been better when they are actively pushing bait, typically during the first hour of tide change, burning traps and lipless just above weed lines., 4 or 6 inch paddle-tail on 1/2 to 1 oz jigheads for deeper lanes, and white/chartreuse wake or glide-style baits are getting bit. Changing retrieve speed is key. Bites often occur mid-column, especially 8 to 2 ft over deeper water.

Saturday, November 15th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report Nov 15
      Fishing at Clear Lake showed strong weight potential, with productive windows developing later in the day. Fish responded to deeper cranking and minnow presentations, with changing weather patterns influencing activity levels throughout the event.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Deep-diving crankbaits were a key producer, with anglers using 6XD-style plugs in shad, craw, and bluegill patterns. These baits were effective in reaching depths of 22 to 24 feet, paired with fluorocarbon line to maintain depth and sensitivity. Minnow presentations were also productive, fished on light braid-to-fluorocarbon setups to target fish suspended or roaming offshore.

      Adjustments in head weight and bait size played a major role in increasing accuracy and triggering bigger bites. Jerkbaits contributed when conditions allowed for precise casts, and lighter heads helped anglers maintain the ideal fall and action needed to connect with quality fish.

      Weather & Conditions
      Weather swings influenced feeding periods, with anglers noting improved action after midday and stronger results during unstable weather. Slick-off conditions demanded more accurate presentations, while incoming rain was expected to activate bigger fish. Fog delays and shifting wind patterns also affected timing and positioning, pushing anglers to adapt throughout the day.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
      1st – Mason McAbee — 27+ lbs (Day One & Day Two totals)
      2nd – Luke Johns — 23 keepers over two days

      Tips: Later-day feeding windows and weather shifts were important factors, making it beneficial to stay flexible and adjust presentations as conditions changed. Deep cranking, precise minnow work, and accurate jerkbait casts performed best when matched to depth, line choice, and subtle weight adjustments.

Friday, November 14th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report – November 14 2025
      Cooling fall weather and shifting pressure systems created inconsistent activity across Clear Lake, with fish responding differently throughout the day. Anglers located feeding fish around bait concentrations from shallow zones into mid-depth structure as conditions continued to change.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Minnow-style baits and jerk-shad presentations were productive around areas holding bait, while finesse approaches with light line helped generate strikes when fish became less active. Reaction baits remained effective during short feeding windows, but slower techniques were necessary when the bite tightened.

      Dropshot and light-line soft plastic presentations helped coax additional bites, especially when fish moved vertically in the water column or held tight to cover. Adjusting weight, line size, and fall rate was essential for getting baits in front of roaming or pressured fish.

      Weather & Conditions
      Wind shifts and pressure changes associated with the fall transition influenced how fish positioned throughout the day. Some groups of fish held shallow in clearer, protected water, while others remained offshore or suspended around bait.

      The most productive depth range varied from 5 to 30 feet, with additional activity coming from isolated shallow areas as conditions stabilized later in the day. Forward-facing sonar helped locate roaming fish, though many required precise, slower presentations to commit.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
      1st – Austin Bonjour — 29.75 lbs

      Tips: Reaction lures can help locate feeding fish during active periods, but shifting fall conditions often require transitioning to slower, finesse-oriented presentations. Subtle movements, lighter weights, and careful line control increase success when targeting fish influenced by cold-front conditions or pressure changes.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025

    • By

      Report: Report: Eastman Lake Fishing Report
      The bite at Eastman Lake remained difficult, with fish spread between shallow brush and offshore suspended positions. Transitional conditions kept fish finicky, and getting consistent bites required precision and subtle presentations.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Minnow-style baits and Neko rigs were the most productive for suspended fish holding around 15 feet over deeper water. Light weights, quiet entries, and slow fall rates were necessary to trigger bites, as fish reacted only when the bait landed softly and closely.

      Shallow fish in less than seven feet were caught on 4” worms worked through brush and rock. Additional bites came on crankbaits, Free rigs, shaky heads, Ned rigs, and mid-strolling presentations as anglers rotated techniques to locate active fish.

      Weather & Conditions
      Fish were highly selective, refusing baits that entered the water loudly or fell too quickly. Baitfish shifted from higher in the water column during practice to the bottom during the event, forcing adjustments in presentation. Productive zones ranged from shallow brush to 10–15 feet around rock and offshore structure.

      Tournament Spotlight – CVKF
      1st – Max Lee — 85.25”
      2nd – Jorge Mosqueda — 79.75”
      3rd – Damian Thao — 79.50”

      Tips: Subtle presentations and light weights increased success around suspended fish, while leading fish and allowing baits to fall on a tight line improved strike rates. In shallow cover, pulling finesse baits quickly from brush generated reaction bites.

Wednesday, November 5th, 2025

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: Report: Lake Don Pedro Fishing Report
      Fishing at Lake Don Pedro produced strong results, with several large limits coming from both suspended and deep-water fish. Bass were positioned from mid-depth to offshore structure, responding well to subtle presentations and deeper targeting in one of California’s largest reservoirs.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Strolling was the most productive technique, with topwater lures playing a close secondary role. Minnow-style baits, Sakamata Shads, and jighead presentations were key for anglers targeting fish from 50 to 85 feet of water. Light jigheads helped produce bites when fish were finicky, and downsizing to smaller baits improved results in deeper schools.

      Additional fish were caught on flutter spoons, winged flukes, drop-shot rigs, and small soft plastics. Topwater walking baits produced the biggest fish of the event, especially during active feeding windows near rocky structure and deeper water access.

      Weather & Conditions
      Fishing was generally strong for most anglers, though deeper fish showed picky behavior at times. Schools were found from 50 to 85 feet, with bait concentrated around deep water and dam-related structure. Light bites and selective feeding required adjustments in fall rate, bait size, and presentation style, especially when fish spooked from heavier offerings.

      Tournament Spotlight – Yak a Bass TOC
      1st – Joseph Silva — 96.50”
      2nd – Damian Thao — 95.00”
      3rd – John Myers — 94.75”

      Tips: Downsizing baits and using lighter jigheads helped trigger deeper fish that reacted subtly. Targeting areas with quick access to deep water, cables, and offshore points produced the most consistent results. Mixing presentations and adjusting lure profiles improved success when deeper schools became selective.

Monday, November 3rd, 2025

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: Lake Don Pedro Fishing Report By Bearded Bassin’ – from CBL Stop #2 (Lake Don Pedro) 2025 @BeardedBassin (Watch on YouTube)

      A prefrontal weather setup with wind had expectations high, but the bite proved far tougher than usual for Don Pedro. Fish were scattered, frequently following baits without committing, and anglers had to grind for every keeper. Despite fishing multiple spots, many areas held fish that simply wouldn’t eat, making for one of the toughest days the anglers had seen on this lake.

      Techniques
      Topwater was tested early but produced no keeper bites.
      The dropshot was the most reliable option of the day, accounting for nearly all of the keepers landed.
      Jigs produced occasional bites but overall action was slow across moving and finesse baits.
      Key structure included deep rock piles and an offshore hump loaded with fish—many of which followed but refused to commit.
      Most keeper fish came from deeper water, with fish showing on sonar from roughly 40–70 feet.
      Described this as one of their smallest Don Pedro limits ever, emphasizing how tough the bite was despite ideal-looking weather.

      Tips: Fishing pressure, constant fish movement, and a stubborn bite made finesse necessary even when conditions suggested a reaction bite should shine.
      Locating schools didn’t guarantee success—many fish followed jigs and other baits without committing, making persistence with the dropshot the key to finishing out a limit.
      Staying flexible, grinding through multiple spots, and revisiting earlier areas proved essential for scraping together the five-fish bag.

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report October 25
      A shifting fall weather pattern brought cooling temperatures ahead of the tournament, but a strong cold front with wind and rain challenged anglers and tightened the bite across much of Clear Lake. Despite tough conditions, several anglers located concentrated schools of largemouth willing to feed, particularly around shallow protected areas and isolated grass patches.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Minnow-style baits, reaction lures, and slow-drag presentations dominated the catch. Minnows and hinge-style baits produced early around offshore schools, while chatterbaits and spinnerbaits generated consistent activity in shallow water when fish reacted better to moving baits.

      As conditions stabilized late in the day, Texas-rigged soft plastics—especially speed worms and Senko-style baits—excelled when dragged slowly through isolated grass clumps. In areas where fish were pressured or inactive, downsizing and dead-sticking soft plastics produced steady bites. Shaky heads paired with buoyant worms were also productive around docks and adjacent rock.

      Weather & Conditions
      Wind, rain, and cold-front pressure made the overall bite challenging, pushing many fish into protected zones or tight to cover. Shallow grass and dock structures held the most consistent activity, while some fish remained offshore but were difficult to trigger.

      Most productive depths ranged from one to eight feet in protected stretches, with deeper fish holding near rock piles or isolated cover. As the day progressed and weather settled, the bite improved dramatically in specific locations with concentrated schools.

      Tournament Spotlight – Yamamoto Baits Event
      1st – Matthew Brannon — 94.00”
      2nd – Shane LemMon — 89.50”
      3rd – Dana Remy — 88.00”

      Tips: Shallow reaction baits excelled early, especially around docks, tules, and wind-blown structure. When the bite slowed, transitioning to slower, bottom-contact presentations around isolated grass or rock produced consistent results. Dragging or subtly shaking soft plastics proved especially effective during post-frontal conditions. Staying mobile and relocating to protected water was key to finding active fish.

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 5, 2025
      The bite remains consistent across much of the system, driven by shifting tides and cooler fall conditions that have fish relating heavily to grass and current seams.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Reaction baits and flipping presentations dominated the weekend. Anglers found steady success with vibrating jigs, swimbaits, and soft plastics around grass lines and current-driven edges. The fall weather pattern — a mix of overcast skies and warming periods — pushed fish into a variety of shallow to mid-depth vegetation where both moving baits and bottom contact approaches proved effective.

      As tides fluctuated, heavier weights and precise flipping around thick mats played a key role in finding quality bites. When the bite slowed, downsizing or changing color tones helped trigger additional strikes.

      Weather & Conditions
      Wind and mild cloud cover created ideal reaction-bait conditions early, while improving water clarity in select areas helped the punch and flipping bite. Most anglers reported strong numbers of catches throughout the weekend, with water temperatures beginning to slide toward classic fall transition ranges.

      The most productive depth zones held fish between five and eight feet, particularly around submerged grass lines with active current flow. As the season shifts further into October, expect more fish to pull toward these zones as bait concentrations increase.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
      1st – Bryant Smith — 27.26 lbs
      2nd – Ken Mah — 22.88 lbs
      3rd – Randy McAbee — 19.70 lbs

      Smith took top honors after adjusting from a reaction approach to a power-flipping presentation late in the event, while Mah stayed consistent by targeting grass along currented banks with craw-imitating plastics. McAbee locked down third with an efficient punching pattern through dense vegetation, cycling through several grass lines for near-constant action.

      Tips: Flipping heavy cover continues to be the most reliable way to target bigger fish, but anglers should not overlook reaction baits early in the day. The transition from topwater to subsurface vibration baits remains strong in the Delta’s fall pattern. Covering water, reading the tide, and committing to productive grass stretches are key for both numbers and size.

Saturday, October 4th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 4, 2025

      Bass action on the California Delta has stayed hot through early October, producing heavy weights and steady numbers as the fall transition continues to take hold. Fish are feeding aggressively in classic Delta grass and riprap zones, with reaction baits leading the way for both quality and quantity. The key has been adjusting to daily weather swings and keeping baits moving through productive stretches.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Chatterbait: A dominant player, especially in stained or moving water. Anglers reported strong bites mimicking bluegill patterns in wind-affected areas and along outer grass lines.
      Soft Plastics: Versatile and effective when fish slow down. Subtle color shifts, such as PB&J or green pumpkin, have been key for pressured fish or when the sun breaks through.
      Jerkbait: A proven choice for generating numbers of bites, particularly under mixed clouds and light wind. Keeping a shad-colored jerkbait in hand has produced consistent limits.
      Flippin’ & Punching: As water temperatures cool, more fish are tucking under mats in the 5–7 ft range. Heavy weights and compact plastics continue to pull reaction strikes from tight cover.

      Weather & Conditions
      Changing skies and shifting tides have played a major role, with overcast periods fueling reaction bites and clearer conditions favoring slower presentations. Cooling temperatures are grouping bait and bass more closely, creating “feeding lanes” along weed edges and troughs. The Delta is showing strong health this season, with impressive catch rates across multiple areas from Frank’s Tract to the West Delta.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
      1st – Bryant Smith — 27.26 lbs
      2nd – Ken Mah — 22.88 lbs
      3rd – Randy McAbee — 19.70 lbs

      Tips: Cover water and stay adaptive. Early in the day, reaction baits like chatterbaits or jerkbaits can quickly fill a limit, but as the sun rises, switching to soft plastics or flipping heavy cover can trigger key upgrades. Focus on areas with grass in 6–8 feet of water and keep an eye on tide movement to anticipate feeding windows.

Friday, October 3rd, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 3 2025

      Bass activity on the California Delta has been steady with anglers reporting consistent numbers of fish throughout the system. The fall transition is underway, and fish are beginning to group more tightly as water temperatures gradually cool. While some quality bites have come early in the day, anglers are also finding sheer volume by covering water and adjusting techniques as conditions shift.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Buzzbait: Productive in the early morning, generating key quality bites in the first light hours.
      Jerkbait: A top producer throughout the day, especially once the early bite slows. Anglers have reported catching large numbers of fish by keeping a jerkbait in hand.
      Swimbait & Crankbait: Effective along grass lines and troughs where bait is present, drawing strikes from both roaming and staged fish.

      Weather & Conditions
      Wind and cloud cover have influenced feeding activity but not in a way that significantly disrupted the bite. As daytime highs shift and cooler periods move in, bait is beginning to “bottle up,” creating better opportunities for multiple bites in single stretches. The seasonal transition continues to push fish into more predictable fall patterns.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
      1st – Marty Lawrence — 26.39 lbs
      2nd – Zack Thompson — 23.94 lbs
      3rd – Aaron Britt — 18.31 lbs

      Tips: Staying mobile remains the key. Early morning topwater bites can deliver quality, but the most consistent action has been found with jerkbaits and reaction presentations later in the day. Covering water and making small adjustments in bait choice have been crucial to success.

Saturday, September 27th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report – September 27, 2025

      Bass fishing remains solid across Clear Lake this month, though anglers are noting scattered patterns. Fish are being caught in 5–15 feet of water around docks, submerged wood, and heavy vegetation. The bite has been described as “junk fishing” — multiple presentations are needed throughout the day. A shad die-off has been reported in several arms of the lake, lowering oxygen levels and concentrating fish in healthier water. Photo in the forum of the die-off from Clear Lake guide Paul Bailey. Bass are chasing bait in short, aggressive windows and spitting up crawdads, showing they’re feeding on both shad and bottom forage. Morning periods are most productive, delivering a strong topwater and reaction bite before fish transition deeper.

      Area-Specific Notes
      South End: Football jigs and chatterbaits are producing around deeper rock and transition structure as bass shift from shallow grass to harder cover.
      General Lakewide: Punching mats and pitching plastics continue to catch fish in vegetation-heavy areas.
      Mid-Lake & Rock Zones: Reports indicate fish are beginning to stage on rocky edges and docks, setting up for fall.


      Best Techniques & Baits
      Punching Heavy Cover: Heavier rigs effective in thick mats and grass.
      Chatterbaits & Crankbaits: Crawfish-colored baits producing especially well in the South End.
      Topwater Early: Frogs and walking-style baits in grass lanes during the first 30 minutes of daylight.
      Jigs & Plastics: Effective on docks, rock transitions, and submerged wood once the morning flurry ends.

      Tips: Avoid zones hit hardest by the shad die-off — fish are moving to oxygen-rich water.
      Start early to maximize short topwater and reaction windows.
      Mix techniques: anglers cycling between punching, cranking, and finesse rigs are finding the most consistent success.
      Focus on the South End for jig and chatterbait action on deeper rock, while keeping mats and docks in play lakewide.

Friday, September 26th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report – September 27, 2025


      Striped bass activity is starting to build across the system. The most consistent catches are still coming from the west Delta (Rio Vista to Pittsburg), with more fish moving into central areas such as Liberty and Pearson’s Slough. Schools are mixed size, but quality fish are beginning to show.

      Water clarity is slightly stained in several main channels, creating tougher conditions and forcing anglers to adjust presentations. For largemouth bass, the “junk bite” remains in full swing. Heavy cover — tules, mats, and reeds — continues to hold fish, while shallow rock and shaded pockets provide bonus opportunities.

      Topwater action has been strongest in the first 15–30 minutes after sunrise. Once the sun climbs, fish pull deeper and require slower, more precise techniques. Local updates confirm striper activity is “still good” on both live bait and artificial presentations, and trolling remains a steady producer for anglers covering water.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Stripers: Live bluegill, big glide baits, and walking topwater lures are producing in western zones and near slough mouths. Trolling deep divers remains reliable.
      Largemouth: Punching thick mats, frogging shaded areas, and pitching plastics to heavy cover are producing steady bites.
      Topwater: Walking-style baits and prop baits shine at first light, delivering quick strikes during short surface windows.
      Finesse / Suspended Rigs: As fish slide deeper, drop-shot plastics, slow jerkbaits, and subtle suspended presentations are proving effective.
      Electronics: Forward-facing sonar has been critical in identifying roaming schools and targeting depth transitions.

      Tips: Hit the water early to maximize the short topwater bite.
      Cover water aggressively — success is coming to anglers who rotate spots and stay mobile.
      Keep multiple tools on deck: a glide bait for searching, a punch rig for mats, and a finesse option for pressured fish.
      Electronics provide a major edge in stained conditions and shifting currents.
      For stripers, focus on main river channels, slough mouths, and current seams. For largemouth, target shaded cover and vegetation edges.

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: Lake Don Pedro Fishing Report – CBL Season Opener

      By Bearded Bassin’ – from CBL Stop #1 (Lake Don Pedro) 2025 @BeardedBassin (Watch on YouTube)

      A calm, bluebird morning and prefrontal conditions set the stage for the first CBL event of the season. Despite expectations for a strong bite, the action proved inconsistent as fish followed baits without committing, forcing anglers to grind through multiple areas. Early schools were present but finicky, and the majority of feeding activity came in brief windows around isolated structure.

      Techniques
      Early attempts with topwater and double-buzz presentations produced no quality bites.
      Most keeper fish came on deep presentations, including jigs and dropshots fished around rock piles, trees, and the offshore “magical hump.”
      A key early upgrade came on a jig—a solid 4-pound largemouth.
      Multiple culls came later in the morning by dragging jigs and dropshot rigs in 40–50 feet.
      LiveScope revealed large groups of fish that followed baits but often refused to eat, requiring repeated angles and slow presentations.

      Tips: Lack of wind was the biggest factor, completely changing the pattern found in practice. Fish that previously reacted to moving baits became neutral, pushing success toward deeper finesse and slow-drag presentations.
      The offshore hump produced multiple upgrades late, proving key for salvaging a strong finish.
      Even with a tougher bite, consistent grinding, rotating through structure, and capitalizing on deep fish allowed the team to secure a top-10 finish in a full field.

Monday, September 22nd, 2025

  • Plumas County
    • By

      Report: Lake Almanor Fishing Report – September 22, 2025

      Bass are being caught in ultra-clear water, holding close to bottom structure and occasionally suspending just above it. Productive areas include shallow rock banks and sparse stump fields, with roaming fish on gravel flats. Consistent movement between areas has proven more effective than sitting on one spot. Weather shifts have been a major factor. Cloud cover slowed the bite, while sunny periods sparked short but productive flurries of activity. The overall bite remains pressured and anglers have had to make constant small adjustments to stay on fish.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Dropshot / Finesse Rigging: Small plastics on light line, rigged with screw-lock or size 2 hooks. Fluorocarbon leaders in the 10–12 lb range have been standard.
      Color Adjustments: Subtle browns under clouds and green pumpkin under sun. Plastics treated with scent have drawn extra bites.
      Jigs: ⅜-oz tungsten jigs with craw trailers fished in 8–20 feet.
      Topwater: Limited windows produced bonus fish in low light or cloud cover.
      Electronics: Forward-facing sonar has been critical for locating groups of fish and maintaining efficient presentations.

      Tournament Spotlight – BAM Pro/Am Championship
      1st – Brennan Osborn — 64.73 lbs
      2nd – Logan Huntze — 62.15 lbs
      3rd – Bryant Smith — 57.75 lbs

      Tips: Subtle adjustments in depth and color have been key as conditions shift throughout the day. Mobility has remained the deciding factor — rotating spots frequently and covering water is producing the best results. Finesse tactics continue to dominate, but keeping a topwater or jig ready has delivered bonus bites.

Saturday, September 20th, 2025

  • Plumas County
    • By

      Report: Lake Almanor Fishing Report – September 20, 2025

      Current Bite & Conditions
      Bass are being caught in super clear water, holding tight to the bottom or hovering a foot or two above it. Productive areas include shallow rock banks and roaming gravel flats. Consistent boat movement has been key, as sitting on one spot has not produced steady results.

      Weather has played a major role. Cloud cover pushed fish to respond differently, while periods of sun improved activity. Fish grouped up in bursts, providing short but productive flurries where multiple culls were possible. Overall, pressured conditions remain tough, and small adjustments have made the difference.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Dropshot / Neko Rig: Jackall Flick Shake on a 7’ Edge Black Widow spinning rod (dropshot model), 2500 series reel, 10-lb hi-vis braid to a 12-lb leader.
      Color Rotation: Brown with white under clouds; green pumpkin under sun. Plastics treated with scent for added attraction.
      Jig: 3/8-oz Keitech tungsten jig (dark green pumpkin) with a Yamamoto Fat Baby Craw trailer, fished in 8–20 feet.
      Topwater: Floating Rico-style bait used in shallow water for bonus fish.
      Other Notes: Forward-facing sonar critical for locating fish; keeping presentations moving and covering water was key.


      Tournament Spotlight
      At the 2025 Bass Cat Boats Pro/Am Championship – Day Two, the leaders after two days are:
      Brennan Osborn (Beaverton, OR) – 44.66 lbs (22.70 Day Two)
      Brian Cogburn (Oakdale, CA – Co-Angler) – 20.41 lbs (15.04 Day Two, biggest co-angler bag of the event)

      Tips: Subtle adjustments in color and depth have proven essential as conditions shift. Forward-facing sonar has kept anglers in the zone, while finesse tactics like dropshotting and dragging jigs continue to dominate. Topwater produced bonus fish when conditions allowed. Mobility and efficiency remain the deciding factors.

Friday, September 19th, 2025

  • Plumas County
    • By

      Report: Lake Almanor Fishing Report – September 19, 2025
      Current Bite & Conditions
      Bass are being caught on roaming gravel flats in 12 feet of water or less, with suspended fish reacting to constant movement. Covering water has been key, as staying on single areas has not produced consistently. Pressure is already affecting bass, making the bite tough and opportunities limited. A combination of finesse tactics and long casting strategies has helped trigger bites, though windows remain short.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Neko Rig: 1/64-oz with creature baits, targeting suspended roamers seen on electronics.
      Dropshot: Wacky-rigged with a green pumpkin Flick Shake; weights adjusted from 1/4 oz (calm) to 3/8 oz (wind).
      Line/Leaders: Light braid with fluorocarbon leaders in the 6–12 lb range.
      Rods: Long spinning rods (7’4”–7’11”) aiding hooksets and long casts.
      Other Gear: Forward-facing sonar, strong lithium batteries, and proper livewell management were critical for maintaining fish health through the day.


      Tournament Spotlight
      At the 2025 Bass Cat Boats Pro/Am Championship – Day One, the top three pros were:
      Brennan Osborn (Beaverton, OR) – 21.96 lbs (Big Fish: 4.54)
      Logan Huntze (Discovery Bay, CA) – 20.62 lbs (Big Fish: 3.87)
      Joe Mariani (Winters, CA) – 20.52 lbs

      Tips: Mobility and efficiency are driving success. Finesse rigs dominate both shallow roamers and pressured fish, while power presentations have played a minimal role. Long casts, quick drops, and electronics-supported targeting continue to produce the most reliable action.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: by BigBaitBailey » Wed Sep 10

      We are having a major shad die off the last few days. Catfish are trying to hang on but the bass are managing a lot better than anticipated so far. I was out all day yesterday and every where I went the shad were shooting from my motor roost. Im no biologist but this never happens in September. What ever the cause may be, let's cross our fingers and hope it ends soon. The bass fishing yesterday was decent. We had a couple just over 6 lbs. One on a crank bait and one on a 7' swimbait. We went out to try for big ones and he did get a couple great bites. I always want to catch 30+ lbs when we go out but that just isn't in the cards every single day. It will be interesting to see what happens the next few days with the chad die off. Sometimes that needs to happen for this place to pop off. We are waiting patiently here.

Monday, September 8th, 2025

  • Napa County
    • By

      Report: Lake Berryessa Fishing Report – September 8

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Lake Berryessa is producing solid limits with schools of suspended fish made up of largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass chasing baitfish. Clear water, large flats, steep walls, and offshore structure are all playing a role in how bass are positioning. Fish are being found in the 20–40 foot range, often underneath large bait balls or suspending over deep water.

      When bass are suspended around bait, don’t waste time on the smaller schools. Focus on larger marks or wolf packs of 4–5 fish, and use a flutter spoon or mid-stroll swimbait to trigger the bite. If fish won’t commit, let the bait fall back on a yo-yo retrieve — that change in movement can make inactive bass strike.

      Berryessa’s bass are roaming in schools, feeding heavily on bait. Finding suspended groups of larger fish is key to separating from the smaller schools. Productive depths are 20–40 feet, and anglers who adjust between flutter spoons, swimbaits, and finesse rigs are finding the best success.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Flutter Spoons (Jackall, Nicklos, and 6.5” styles) for suspended bass and fish relating to bait.
      Drop Shot Rigs with finesse worms to cull and add key keepers.
      Mid-Strolling presentations with swimbaits (Mega Bass Sling Shad on 3/8 oz jig heads) for targeting larger suspended fish.
      Tube Jigs and finesse plastics near rock piles and points.
      Yo-yo retrieves and moving the bait quickly away from fish helped trigger inactive bass to strike.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Shisiah – 103.25” (Isiah West & Shaun Leytem) – Big Fish: 22.25”
      2nd: The Lone Rangers (Joey Silva & Jesse Hoover) – 101.00”
      3rd: Quality Control (Reed Fraizer & Nick Doring) – 97.25”

Monday, September 1st, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76-80

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Its been a fairly tough August for the bigger baits and day time fishing in general. The hitch never showed themselves on most of the lake after they left the creeks for their Spring spawn. So the fish seem to be eating on their own time. Early in the morning and the 45 minutes before it gets dark. When the hitch are hard to find, the fishing usually is not wide open during post spawn and Summer months. The silver sided minnows were super small this Summer as well. So the grass bite in August never transpired. Most anglers and guides were forced down to the mid lake section to get more than a couple bites a day. Jigs, shakey heads, flipping and crank baits have ruled this Summer. Here we are and its September 1st. We are all waiting patiently for the temps to drop so those bigger shad move up shallow and the hitch come out of hiding. There ARE cooler temps in the forecast and this place is about to bust wide open. Fall is really fun and you can catch them any way you like. The swimbait bite will get going and targeting shallow rock will be the key for that bite. For the bottom baits, the 2-23ft zone around rocks and docks is always golden during the Fall but is relatively spot related. Ledges and rock piles will be the go to for the more advanced anglers. Call me and lets see if we cant get you that big one Clear Lake is famous for.
      Paul Bailey 818-584-5257

      Tips: Pick up your confidence baits and just throw them. Keep moving around and you will find it working somewhere. Thats what great about Clear Lake in the Fall. They bite everything!!!

Sunday, August 31st, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report – August 31

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Clear Lake remains the bass capital of the West, with average fish topping 4 lbs and tournament limits pushing 30–40 lbs. During the Yak-A-Bass West Coast Championship, anglers found success both punching heavy mats and working docks, while others struggled to even get consistent bites. The South End featured deep rock piles and docks, while the North End produced shallower vegetation and mat bites.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Punching Rigs: Yamamoto Flappin Hog, Missile Baits D Bomb, and DrancKrazy Deranged EX, fished with 1–1.5 oz weights in mats of cheese, duckweed, and grass.
      Frog Fishing: Early morning topwater frog action produced big bites, with a 23.00” (~8 lb) kicker caught on day two.
      Dock Fishing: Strike King tungsten ½-oz jig paired with a 4.75” Flappin Hog (green pumpkin/black flake) around shaded docks with boat lifts.
      Drop Shot: Roboworm for key fish on grass edges.
      Heavy Line: 65 lb Endurx P-Line braid, 80 lb TPC braid, and 20 lb Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon were used to pull fish from cover.

      Key Depths:
      1–3 ft under mats (punching/frog)
      4–12 ft on docks (day one)
      12–14 ft deeper docks (day two adjustments)

      Clear Lake’s best bites came from punching heavy cover and working shaded docks. Early morning frog action provided a window for giant fish, but as the sun rose, anglers had to rely on punching and dock jigs to fill limits. Bait rotation and persistence in small productive areas made the difference.

      Tournament Spotlight (Yak-A-Bass WCC):
      1st: Damian Thao – 198.00” (Big Fish: 23.50”) – Punching & Frog (Yamamoto Flappin Hog, Missile Baits D Bomb, DrancKrazy Deranged EX)
      2nd: Obedie Williams – 196.75” – Punching & Drop Shot (Roboworm, prototype punch bait)
      3rd: Thomas Willingmyre – 193.00” – Dock Jig (Strike King tungsten ½-oz + 4.75” Flappin Hog)

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      Clear Lake’s big bass are relating to heavy vegetation mats and shaded docks. Start with a frog early when skies are warm and overcast, then switch to a punching rig with 1–1.5 oz weight to get through the cover. For docks, target those with boat lifts — they provide extra shade and consistently held larger fish.