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Berryessa Lake and Reports

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Friday, July 4th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 76

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Took my wife fishing bet her $100.00 and a back massage that she could not catch a bass with a bluegill swim bait. She won 5 cast later. She caught another keeper on a wild eye swim bait. Caught my P.B. 7.14 LB on a dater head off a marked underwater island. Finished early due to engine water pump issue.
    City: W.Sac

    Tips: Berryessa is in beter shape water level wise than other area lakes. I hear Folsom will be reduced to 5mph by the end of the month.

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

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    Water Temp: 76-77

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I helped a father and his 9 and 13 year old sons experience their first bass trip. We started with basics like casting, rigging, and so on. It kept me very busy but the results were wonderful - a family excited about bass fishing and already talking about a night trip! As you could have guessed, the youngest caught the biggest! After landing a few that I hooked, his first solo bass was a bluegill - on a Power worm. His next was the biggest of the day - a 17" spot - about 2 1/4 lbs. I thought he was going to have a panic attack since the bass was pulling the rod under the boat! Was I ever happy to net that one!! The older boy struggled with his mechanics, but when he landed a 16 1/8" spot on his own - the grin said everything! Dad was very excited with his 4 or 5 bass - amazingly all largemouth in the 1 3/4 lb range. I was really too busy to keep track of how many we landed - 15 or so in a little over 6 hrs. Many were lost until they mastered the hookset - but they ended the day strong - AND hooked on bass fishing!!
    City: Yuba city

    Tips: The weather was gorgeous and light breezes made the fishing pretty good. I told them that the bite would get better as the day went on and it did (11 to 1pm was the best). I saw "tons" of fish on my Lowrance. Some were carp suspended after their spawn. We really isolated steeper points with scattered rock as the structure of choice with slightly off-color water the best. Our bass seemed to be at the 20 foot level more or less. Green pumpkin Power worms and red crawler/oxblood Robo worms were the best colors. We did a little drop-shotting but split-shotting couldn't be beat. We fishing the narrows almost out to the main body. Also caught one or two on off-shore structure, so the off-shore migration may be underway now.

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I fish Berryessa from shore or a float tube just about every Wednesday and the lake level is continually lower every week. I fish from 5pm till they kick me out of Oak Shores at dark (open till 9pm during the summer). I haven't posted reports each week but here is a summary of the fishing I've done in the last few months at Oak Shores Day Use area.

    There are coves with hydrilla that I've been catching bass on Senko's and 1/8 oz. Carolina rigged Roboworms. Some of the coves get muddied up by carp rooting around so I've mostly avoided them and fished the clearest coves and the ones closest to deeper water or any current bringing in fresh water. The most stagnant coves seem to be the least productive for me (but I have avoided fishing them much because of all the carp). Last night, however, I caught a giant largemouth on a popper in one such cove on my way back to the car and another 1 lb. bass in the same cove.

    The last half hour before dark has been the most productive for topwater and other reaction baits like crankbaits and jerkbaits. I have also caught fish on windblown points spinnerbaits in addition to the cranks and jerks.

    I'd have to say I've caught the greatest number of bass (all species) on darthead Roboworms. All colors have produced but the Aaron's magic has been my best producer.
    City: Napa

    Tips: Darthead worms around rocky points and islands, Senkos in and around weeds, Carolina rigged worms for both, and crankbaits and jerkbaits when the wind blows across points, and topwater at dusk. The next few months I'll try to put the rest of my tacklebox to the test to see when other lures work.

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

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    Water Temp: ?

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I helped some folks staying on a houseboat with their bass fishing - using one of their boats - a Ranger walleye boat! Two of the fellows did well on topwater before I got there and we got a few after I boarded. I mainly showed them good spots to fish the lake since they are learning. Some of the young children got on around noon and we did sosme drop-shotting with good results. We used Basstrix Flashtrix minnows and Robo worms. One of the young girls hooked a nice largemouth. She could hardly control it, but the adults cheered her on and she boated a 2 lb largie. We caught a bunch of bass in that hour and a half - mostly smallies - from 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. The kids had a ball. Best colors were ayu, morning dawn, and MMIII.
    City: Yuba city

    Tips: As was mentioned in the previous report, the lake seems to be dropping more quickly than normal. Most of our drop-shot fish were at the 20 foot level during the bright daylight, but shallow in the early morning. We fish points and small ledges mostly.

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the Narrows and Main body. Could not get a reaction fish. Caught 12 spots and 1 smallie on Gitzits, Darter head Robo Worms and Football Head Jigs. Most of my action came in the narrows shallow and deep. No cove fish all fish came on major points. My best 5 weighed 6.09 Lbs. The lake is going down quicker than last year.
    City: W.Sac

    Tips: Fish now before the price of gas gets too high.

Friday, June 6th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 70+

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Took my two boys out on Friday before the weekend crouds. Another great day on the lake. Started out with topwater that was still working good and the spinnerbait bite was on in the morning with the wind blowing. The mojo rigged brush hog was working well, very well cought a 9 pounder on it in the morning and thought we had another big one later in the day but it was a 8 pound cat fish. Over 20 bass total 5 best at 20 lbs.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: There were none of the big schools of shad up shallow like last time so the fish are starting to pull off shore. We did find a couple shad schools shallow and just killed them on topwater. The spinnerbait only worked in the morning with the wind up once the wind died down the bite stoped. Topwater worked all day even when the lake went flat and the brush hog bite was all day. The big fish was in a offshore creek channel and most of the other brush hog fish came on the outside edge of the weed lines. Take a kid fishing.

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: thanks for your email plus pictures i will post on N C B F .com


    www.fishingconnection.net

    www.projectpridelostchild.com
    Sid # 650-583-3333








    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: abdezign@hotmail.com
    To: bestguide@hotmail.com
    Subject: RE: Fishing with Sid #5
    Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 23:30:47 -0700

    Hi Sid

    You know, I could tell something was wrong with you the last time we went out. You breathing was labored and you had to stop frequently to catch you breath. My wife and I will mention you every day from now on in our morning prayers. I look forward to the day when we can go out again on the boat. As you know I came but your cabin last weekend looking for nurse Ester. Heres why:

    Last Saturday I decided to go down to the Lake and fish for Carp. I just wanted some action and I did not care what kind it was. You know the feeling. Well I staked out a spot over where the swimming pond empties into the Lake. There I could see a school of 12 or so hugh Crap cruising and looking for food. I took a treble hook and baited it with Whole Wheat bread in a dough ball and doped it with 3-4 drops of Vanilla extract. Within 5 minutes I was getting bites but nothing serious. I got hungry and started to eat my lunch at the read picnic table. I took one bite out of my ham and cheese sandwich, when all of a sudden the rod bell began to ring vigorously. The rod bent violently at a 90 degree angle and looked as if the rod would come out of the holder any second. In my excitement I rush down the steep slope and fell. I rolled down the hill and turned over at least 3 time before getting up. I grab the rod and began to reel in what felt like a tank, it was pulling drag like crazy. It was a huge 6.00 lb Carp. During my roll down the slope I skinned my right knee real bad and I could feel it bleeding through my pants. That's when I decide to go see nurse Ester at your house. When I got there I met Sarah and told her want happen. She gave no second thought about helping an injured stranger. She bandaged my injury and send me back to the Lake to do battle once again. Tell Sarah want a blessing she is and how lucky you are to have her as a daughter-in-law.

    I went back down to the Lake and caught another nice 3.0 lb Carp and a 2.5 lb Catfish.
    Get well soon. When can I come by to see you?



    Best Regards

    A. Brown

    'The worse day fishing, is better than the best day at work'




    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: bestguide@hotmail.com
    Subject: FW: Fishing with Sid #5
    Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 17:34:20 -0700




    www.fishingconnection.net

    www.projectpridelostchild.com
    Sid # 650-583-3333








    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: bestguide@hotmail.com
    CC: bestguide@hotmail.com
    Subject: Fishing with Sid
    Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 14:44:45 -0700

    To all my fishing friends,

    I have not been able to write my article for the past two weeks because I had a quadruple by pass over Memorial day weekend. I am happy to write that it was successful and the doctors say that I should have a full recovery.
    I will not be able to fish for the next 4 weeks but you can bet that the minute I get on the boat to fish for the first time after this operation you will hear about it.

    Till next time,good fishing and good health.

    Sid



    P.S. If you have any fishing stories e-mail me them and I will share it with everyone.




    www.fishingconnection.net

    www.projectpridelostchild.com
    Sid # 650-583-3333
    City: NAPA

    Tips: I am on the road to recovery,and enjoyed over 250 get well emails from fishing buddies.thank you for your good wishes and bless you for thinking of me.GOD BLESS SID

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

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    Water Temp: 72

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Went out with my wife and fishing buddy. He was in his boat. My wife and I caught 26 fish mostly Spots. They were sooo skinny. They looked like Trout. Our best 5 weighed less than 5.00 LB's. My buddy caught the biggest fish 2.02 LB. They fought hard though and were a lot of fun to catch.

    Like the previous report we concentrated on the Narrows. We had boat trouble my engine would not tilt down.

    We used Drop Shot and Split Shots to catch them. Zero reaction strikes. We tried Cranks and Spinner Baits.Next time we'll head to the main lake to look for bigger fish.
    City: W.Sac

    Tips: Take your wife, friends and kids fishing!!

    Launch fees went up at all the marinas.
    Markley Cove is now $20.00 to launch. The good news is there appears to be less skiers out due to the high gas prices.

Friday, May 30th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 68-72

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Took my dad up to the lake. He is a worm fisherman, so we stuck to worms. Fished the narrows from 10-7. The bite lasted a long time from 10-4. We caught small spots, one smallie and one largemouth. I tried to get a little bigger bite with 6" or 5" worms (5

    Tips: Find points with mud lines or color to the water. It is easy to do with the past week winds. The water has been stirred up nicely throughout the narrows (don

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 65+

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Took my 3 year old out for some perch fishing that plan did out work out unable to find them. The post spawn smallmouth saved the day. My son was able to catch 6 dragging a baby brush hog in 12-20 ft. I was able to get over 15 up to 4lbs. got up there at 8am left at 12 only 4 hours on the water and missed the morning bite, so I think it is safe to say the bite is on.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: 3/4 of the fish were post spawn smallmouth that were running in small groups all the hooked fish that came in had a couple following it. All the ones I cought came on a Vixen and the bite just got better as the day went on but had to go home at noon too bad the bite is real good and will get better as the shad were just starting to show in the shallows for there spawn.

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

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    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I was just wondering how the bass fishing is in mild rain. thanks

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

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    Water Temp: up to 77

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fishing with Sid‏
    It was an extremely hot weekend at the lake. Friday night I went out from
    6:00 PM to 11:00 PM and caught over 40 bass mostly on top water. Some
    of the bass was as big as the 'chugger' (see photo). I also used weightless
    senko (watermelon with black specks) and that worked pretty well. There
    was no real size to the bass most were in the 1.5 to 2.5 pound range but
    it was alot of fun especially the top water bites. Saturday I met up with my
    family in a cove near the BOR that had a long point going into the water
    which was ideal for fishing from the shore. I fished the shoreline with my
    weightless senko and 'Procure' crawdad scent which made a difference in
    the numbers I caught versus my sons who used the same set up but without
    the crawdad scent. All along the shoreline you could see the 'fries' (baby bass)
    swimming in the grass. There were millions of them. Sunday I spent the day on
    the dock fishing for carp and catfish. I was joined by a few of my neighbors at
    the dock and we all had a good time catching carp up to 10 pounds (see photos).
    'til next week....................................................good fishing!!!!!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to
    share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: NAPA

    Tips: this next week will be busy adopt a cove and enjoy

  • By

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: In late at Cappel Creek, 8:00am, water still down maybe 25 ft. Ramp still good though. Started on point across from Spanish Flat boat ramp. Got 2 there 1 on a pb&j senko 1 dragging a mm worm. Ran into S.F. boat dock area and picked up 5 more all on senko's then went to rock pile out in front of S.F. picked 4 more on senko's and 1 on a spook. Finally to many boats running past me, so I head back towards Cappel, pick up a few more on the way dragging the worm. Boat out at 11:45am already getting crazy out there....
    City: Suisun City

    Tips: Drag worm slow and feel the pressure bite for the better fish or bang the bank with a senko for numbers.....

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: You can launch for free at cappell cove. just takes more gas to get to the destination.
    City: el cerrito

    Tips: Berryessa is awesome this time of the year. Use mini lizards by zoom. B-hogs and robo's. never stop fishing.

  • By

    Water Temp: 74

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished from 6am to 11am, 15 in the boat largest was 2 lbs, caught on darter head robo's,drop shot, spinnerbait, chatterbait, cranks.
    City: Sac

    Tips: $20 dollar launch fee I won't be back! Who do thet think they are the oil companys?

Friday, May 16th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 64-66

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I had the pleasure of taking our westernbass.com website boss, Tony Stoltz, to Berryessa yesterday morning where we shot an instructional video - when we could find areas to fish during the 3rd day of tough north wind!! We had to stay in the narrows because of the wind, but that area can be a video in itself. I think it will be fine. We Texas-rigged and drop-shotted Robo Worms in oxblood (good color yesterday), morning dawn, and green pumpkin. I was having us use the 6" worm - biting an inch off to make a bulker 5" version. We did alright and yes, Tony caught the 2 biggest! Contrary to rumors - he really CAN fish, har!!! In the time we did fish, we probably boated around 15 bass - all spots except one lm and one sm. It was nice that a couple of the structures I was describing in the video DID produce some bass. We found bass on windy banks to be quite shallow and others about 10 to 20 feet. The mudlines that were forming with the wind were probably very good in the afternoon - a great pattern at Berryessa on the clay banks.
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: I really can't say much about other techniques since we really only fished worms. I did try a little topwater but felt conditions wern't worth the effort. Structures that I describe in the video did hold fish as they usually do most of the year. After we were done, I realized that we could have shot 4 videos - I wasn't done talking and we had more structures to fish!!! Fun day with Mr. wb.com!

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Clear (4-6 feet visibility)
    Report: Got out around 8:00am Markley cove great weather. Fish some of the narrows got a few little spots dart heading. After boat traffic goy big went to the main body picked up some large mouth on top water and some good smallies 2 that were over 3lbs draging a worm. Ended up with 22 fish then the wind kicked in.

    Tips: Tips: Berryessa is hot when the wind not blowing.

  • By

    Water Temp: warmer

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Early Saturday morning I took the Taylor clan out. The head of the clan had just
    celebrated his 84th birthday and his two sons and son-in-law were taking him out
    fishing. I decided to head towards the vineyards with a few stops along the way.
    Col. Robert (Dad) had brought a collapsible rod that he has owned forever which
    he wanted to show me. I asked him if he would like to catch fish with that rod and
    he said sure if it was possible. I checked the line on the rod and I tied some mono-
    filament to the dacron. We trolled towards the Ranch house and sure enough he
    caught the first bass!!!! He was so excited after landing the fish he had a smile from
    ear to ear. He continued to land a few more and said to his sons 'I told you I would
    catch the first fish and that's how you do it!' When we stopped at the Ranch house
    I showed Robert how to use a top water bait. After throwing the 'chugger' many
    times, he was rewarded when a nice size bass exploded on the bait and he landed it.
    This went on for awhile where he caught a few and lost a few. The water was
    crystal clear no problem seeing down 12 feet. When we got to the vineyards the water
    was stained and we had a problem seeing down 1 to 2 feet. Matt was using brass and
    glass and a senko and Robert was using a weightless senko and we were aiming at the
    tree stumps in the water and got a few good fish in about 2 feet of water. After awhile
    we starting heading back and I told them we would stop at my favorite cove before
    calling it a day. All the Taylors had landed fish but poor Bob didn't have any luck and
    they were giving him a bad time. Col. Robert asked me to help him catch a fish. I said
    I would do my best. I had him throw out a weightless senko (watermelon with black
    flake) and on the way down he hooked a spotted bass which he landed. Everyone was
    quiet now. We went to another spot and I showed him where to throw the bait to the
    shore. He was using brass and glass this time and remarked that he would catch a
    big fish this time. He slowly reeled the bait through the grass and he thought he was
    stuck but I told him to set the hook and sure enough he brought in the largest bass of
    the day a 5.5 pound large mouth (see photo). Needless to say no one teased him for
    the rest of the trip. On Sunday I stayed at the dock all day cleaning up my boat and
    fishing for carp. Using 2 pound test line, I lost about 5 and landed about 5. Great
    fight on very light tackle. Egan (8 years old) and his friends brought in a 4 pound
    carp on their own. 'til next week.............................................good fishing!!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to share,
    please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.


    www.fishingconnection.net

    www.projectpridelostchild.com
    Sid # 650-583-3333
    City: Napa

    Tips: better fishing days and nights to come

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

  • By

    Water Temp: 67

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at 6a.m. out of markley, fished all the way out to the 5mph bouys and caught 10 or so, 3 on a baby spook clear blue color. Moved to steep points with chunk rock and shade with a little wood and caught 10 more on dartheads,6" fat body robos warmouth on 4lb test. about midday when most of shade was gone started fishing mudlines as the boat traffic picked up.Off the water at 1p.m. with a 40 plus fish day and off to little league.
    City: knightsen,ca

    Tips: Dartheads in 5-25ft of water depending on the sun, move extremely shallow as boat traffic picks up and fish the darkest mud line you can find on steep chunk rock points main lake and dead stick a dart-headed worm for fish up to 2.5lbs and numbers. Had a BLAST!!!! Thanks to my buddy james for being patient and making a great day of it. Back to the delta next week(three miles from holland) ticht lines scott h.

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

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    Water Temp: ?

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Put in @ Markley around 3 o'clock; not many skiers on the lake and it was cooing down. Started off with a purple worm w/fire tail and the fish kept eating the tail off! I shortened the worm up a bit and that got'em. Saw some breaking fish next to the bank so I went to a rebel topwater and I never looked back...they were all over it. I caught 25 in 4 hours 75% of those were on topwater. The size range was from 1-2.5 lbs and every fish had been on a bed, dirty bellies and split tails. I had a blast! While worm fishing I did notice that the fish were gently moving my worm off the bed and not really inhaling it so look out for that soft bite...
    City: Vacaville