Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Gents,

Due to the uncertainty surrounding Clear Lake this year, the wife and I have opted out of our annual spring bass vacation there. We had a house rented, but cancelled when they closed the lake. The owner emailed me a couple of days ago and said her formerly floating dock is now aground in her backyard. I think we made the right call...

Instead, we will be spending a week at Lake Tulloch, which I am wholly unfamiliar with (we live in San Luis Obispo county). For those that have fished it and know the lake, I am all ears to any advice, tips, and guidance you may have.

Additionally, I can see us making a day trip to New Melones, and as I don't know that lake either, any advice you might be able to offer would be appreciated.

Finally, you guys know of any good tackle stores in the area? I know what ever the fish are eating at either lake, I won't have it amongst the 40 metric ***-tons of tackle that I currently have in my boat. It always seems to work out that way...

A quick update on the lake levels in northern SLO county:

San Antonio - 49%
Nacimiento - 86%
Santa Margarita - 101.1% (!)

Last I heard, they were all poo-brown and full of debris, but we're actually going to be able to fish over here this year!

Thanks for the help,
Justin

The Staysee 90 has got me some good 3+ pound smallies on rocky points. Other than that, chartreuse and blue does well for bigger fish, but it's a challenge for sure! I've gone there and caught 30 fish on the d-shot without catching a keeper!

There are some GREAT Smallies in there !! Tubes, Blades, Hula Grubs. Largemouth, Jerks, Cranks, Blades, jigs, and SENKOS !! Drop shot too !

The state is holding back most of the water coming into Melones and not releasing it downstream into Tulloch . I assumed Tulloch would be it's usual clear condition but when I drove along the lake and over the bridge crossing the lake on O' Byrnes ferry road earlier this week the water all over the lake looked like chocolate milk . You didn't say when you're coming up but if Tulloch doesn't clear up by then Melones might be a better bet .

If you get there at the right time you might get into some good sight fishing. I can only remember sight fishing for smallies and a good bait to throw at the time was a 4" chartreuse ring tail worm. Find a bed drop it in and they would generally hit. I haven't been there this year but i'm sure the water is clear enough. It's a pretty lake and there is some biggun's in there just not in the quantity that they are in Clear Lake.

Pm sent