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Berryessa Lake and Reports

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Sunday, April 6th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 59

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Slow start then found fish busting on shad in afternoon. Would not hit spinnerbaits or cranks so put on swimbait and WAM!!! Caught several 2-1/2 to just over 4 lbs. left area and came back 1 hour later and hooked into 3 fish over 5 pounds (largest was 7.5#'s This is the berryessa I have been waiting to see for a long time. It has been quite a while since I have landed this many "hogs" out of this lake (especially in one trip) even caught 2 crappie over 1-1/2#'s on jerkbaits. best 5 went 23-1/2 lbs (Have not done that in quite a while on this lake) THESE FISH WERE HUNGRY FOR SOMETHING BIG! Love this time of year. Clouds & wind did not hurt.
    City: pleasant hill

    Tips: Swimbaits & Jerkbaits HOT item (clear w/yellow on jerks). Castaic swimbaits. water was absolutley clear and could see fish down to 11 feet. This site is having a hard time accepting (uploading) pictures and hope to figure this out soon. (WATCH OUT FOR $25 RIP-OFF LAUNCH FEES AT PUTAH CREEK & MONTICELLO. LET THEM KNOW YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT AND THEN TURN AROUND LIKE I DID AND USE PUBLIC RAMP!)

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    Water Temp: 58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: This past weekend was a little tougher fishing then my last report. I got to the lake
    late Friday afternoon and headed out for awhile to see how the bass were biting. I
    landed a few bass using brass and glass and a senko. On Saturday I took out Jeff
    and his son Dustin for the day. My plan was to start at the Ranch house and head
    towards the vineyards. We stopped at a few points and tried brass and glass with
    very little luck. The first fish of the day was caught on a R2S crawdad and Procure
    crawdad scent. We continued on to the vineyards in a better frame of mind. At the
    vineyards where we could see the tree stumps in the water, Dustin threw out a senko
    watermelon with black fleck and was hit almost immediately by a bass. We kept getting
    hits and reeled in some nice size bass (see photos). As we were heading back I
    decided to try my favorite cove and it turned out to be a good decision. Dustin got
    very lucky and landed five crappies one after the other. His father and I have to
    take lessons from him on how to catch crappies!!!!!! It was a very enjoyable day.
    Sunday the weather played games with me all day. One minute it was sunny and
    warm and the next the wind picked up and it was cloudy and cold. But that didn't
    stop me from landing a few nice bass and a couple of trout. Bass are starting to go
    to the shallow water and the top water bite hasn't turned on yet but I hope it will
    soon. '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: Starting to go shallow to bed,

Friday, April 4th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 54-58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: We held our Annual Fab-4 Spring Fly Fishing Derby on Friday 4/4/08 at Lake Berryessa. The water was very clear, with 15+ feet of visibility. The wind was blowing strong all day. Most fish were showing at 18 - 25 ft deep which meant throwing LC-13 on 8wt or 9wt rods. First place went to the team of Frank & Gary of San Jose while 2nd place went to Tom & Karl of Fremont. All fish were caught in 18+ deep on light-green colored baits. Rocky points with some protection from the wind were the most productive areas.
    City: San Jose

    Tips: Fishing slow and deep were the keys to success. One fisherman who broke ranks by using spinning gear reported that drop-shotting minnow patterns in 20+ feet of water produced smallmouth, along with Carolina-rigged 4" worms of light green with sparkle.

Thursday, March 27th, 2008

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    Water Temp: about 63

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I went to berryessa with 2 of my friends and i got 10 my friend got ll and my other friend got 2 our bigest fish was about 3.5 pounds our fish were all about 1 pound the fish are geting bigger and starting to move up we were also site fishing for some fish
    City: vacaville

    Tips: we used plastics

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: ATTN: Retired from Pinole
    So me and my buddies went up to the lake wednesday morning we caughtand released 6 bass between 930-1130, we were on the water at at 800 but they didnt bite till it warmed up a bit. Biggest fish was 21in, the rest fell between 13-17in. The next morning we went out at 900 got off at about 1200 after catching and releasing 8 more bass all about 12-18in. Thanks for the tips and the launch was still free at berryessa marina. all fish caught in the flats on plastic worms.

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

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    Water Temp: iono

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: My dad and i went out today thinking they would be a least thinking about spawning but not one bed.All 15 fish came off of frontside and backside of points some on points. Use dropshoting or drag a worm with a split-shot draggin on the bottom.
    City: castro valley

    Tips: Use dark green worms like aaron's magic or green weenie.The fish arent even thinking about spawning yet i think the water was too cold still.

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

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    Water Temp: 58 thru 60

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Easter weekend was just perfect at the lake. The weather was great, the water
    was clear and the fish were biting. Friday I headed out to the vineyards at 11:30
    with my wife. We had a limit by 1:00. We were both using brass and glass with a
    5' senko (I keep telling you it works!!!). After she brought in her second fish, I
    figured why should I be stubborn I switched to her color senko and sure enough I
    started to catch fish. The conditions were perfect and I followed my own advice.
    On Saturday I took Tom and Tony out for the day. We trolled from the ranch
    house to the vineyards with no success. We fished the vineyards for over two
    hours with no bites. No matter what bait we tried..........zilch!! What a difference
    a day makes. I decided to try my favorite cove. I had Tom and Tony start by
    bouncing a split-shot and minnow on the bottom. The first two fish that were
    caught were under size. You should have seen their faces when I let those two
    fish go. The bite picked up and we began to enjoy ourselves. They landed two
    good size crappies and a limit of bass (see photos). At about 1:30 I threw a brass
    and glass with my wife's favorite color senko into a recess in the rocks and was hit
    immediately by this five pound four ounce bass (see photo). After taking two
    pictures, I released the fish and I thought Tom and Tony were going to jump over
    board to grab it. They were happy with all the fish that they were going to take
    home. Sunday my wife and I went to my favorite cove for a couple of hours. We
    both used the brass and glass with the senko and landed a few nice fish no size to
    speak of. All in all it was a good fishing weekend and I hope it continues to get
    better and better. 'ti 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.
    One of my friends from the Highlands caught a 12 pound bass fishing from shore
    this past week (photos at Steele Park Marina).
    City: NAPA

    Tips: It looks like the lake is turning

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 57

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: On water at 0900, fished to 1300. brush hogs and jigs. No fish, maybe one bite. spoke with another boat who claimed they caught 6 bass on worms 30 feet down. that must have been our problem. cuz we were fishin 15 feet down. No fish on beds. another 2 weeks of warm weather this lake should open up.

    Tips: 30 feet down, very slow.

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 55 - 60

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: My buddy and I fished on the flats (vineyards) between 9:30 and 12:30. The water temperature was 55

    Tips: The bite should turn on when the water temperature reaches 59

Monday, March 17th, 2008

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    Water Temp: ?

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got on the lake about 10AM, hardly any wind and caught 2 right off the bat...1.5lbs ea. Put in @ Markley. I was using football-headed blue/brown jig w/pig. Everyone one is right about fishing slow. I threw some other stuff w/no luck...fished about 4 hrs. I made a journey to the far end of the lake...thought the water would be a little warmer w/ a better bite. Nothing and the water was real muddy. I sure am looking forward to that mean Spring bite!
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: I need'em!

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    Water Temp: 52.8 morning to

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Dart head, Drop shot, and weighted senkos in narrows on step rock banks. Most of our fish came off secondary points in cove inlets 15 to 26 feet. Better bite for us on sunday then the blue bird Monday. On the lake to late and missed any reaction bite. Wish we were there this weekend. Good fishing!!!
    City: Fernley, Nv

    Tips: As previous, fish slow and dark (green pumpkin, Purples and blues all caught fish for us.

Sunday, March 16th, 2008

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    Water Temp: getting warmer

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: As we head into this coming weekend there will be a full moon and all the
    water conditions are conducive for the spawning of the smallmouth bass.
    I plan on fishing Friday the 21st. My first stop will be the vineyards and I
    feel the fishing will be great. I have received many calls asking me what I
    would use at this time. For those who are in Tournaments, I would throw
    swim baits all day only. Since I am not in tournaments, my arsenal would
    consist of a carolina rig with a 5" french fries. My second choice would be
    brass and glass with a dark senko 5" worm texas style. Thirdly, would be my
    favorite confidence bait, a R2S crawdad with Procure crawdad scent. If I see
    any top water activity at all, I'll be throwing a chugger or a pop'r. My boat
    will probably be in seven feet of water throwing to the shore. Of course these
    are only my intentions for the coming weekend which can change due to the
    weather and fishing conditions. Please read my next report to find out what I
    ended up doing. 'til next week...................................good fishing!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any questions or stories you would like
    to share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: Napa

    Tips: Hopeing for good wether, that means no rain in the forecast.

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: COLD IN THE MORNING BUT TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT DAY, CAUGHT A LIMIT WITH MY PARTNER WHO CAUGHT THE MOST MAINLY ON CLEAR COLORED 4 INCH WORMS AND SMALL WHITE TUBE JIGS, SLOW BITE. HEARD OF DEEP RUNNING CRANK BAITS ON MAIN BODY CRAW COLORED WORKED AND WHITE SPINNER BAITS THROWN IN THE MORNING UP TO SUNNY AREAS NEAR THE SHORE WORKED AS WELL
    City: EL DORADO HILLS

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    Water Temp: 52-56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the narrows. Grn/chrt senko fished traditional got the early bites, fished painfully slow. Later carolina rigged senkos and worms darks and greens.
    City: SAC

    Tips: Fish super slow, soft bites so, if it fills heavy set the hook. Mainly on the inside edges and middle mouths of coves 15 to 35 deep.

Saturday, March 8th, 2008

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    Water Temp: Up to 56

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Took my two sons out for a short trip. This was my 3 year olds first bass fishing trip. He was able to put 4 keeper fish in the boat including a 3.5lb largie that he brought in all by himself. Yes I am a proud papa. All tegether we cought 15 fish 5 best going around 11 lbs.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: It was a little tougher than I thought it would be. Most of the fish were cought on worms and brushhogs along breaks off the spawning areas. I was able to pick up 3 on crankbaits no rip fish. Also dumped 3 swimbait fish still trying to figure these things out. The senko bite really took of at the end of the day as the fish did move up around 2.

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 54

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The Reaction bite is still slow but the fish are
    moving up
    City: TheWoodpile

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The Fairfield-SuisunBass Reapers are hosting their annual Open Tournament April 5 on Berryessa. The entry fee is $100per team including a $20 big fish pool. For more info call Curt (707) 448-9113, Floyd at (707) 425-8505, or go to www.BassReapers.Com and download the entry form. The entry form is at www.bassreapers.com/images/08OpenFlyer.pdf.

    This is a fun tournament with payback to 20% of the field.
    City: Fairfield

Saturday, March 1st, 2008

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Don't have a report, just bring someone new to bass fishing on my boat tomorrow. Will probably stay in the narrows as there's supposed to be wind. Any tips? I need advice badly. Have only been out once this year and no luck!
    City: Sacramento

Friday, February 29th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 50-55

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Went here friday and started around 9am. A beautiful day, no need for gloves nor my insulated hat. Tried experimental fishing with the usual "no luck." Went to try to catch fish on the main body near skiers cove. In a 200 yd stretch I got about 6 bites and hooked only 3. Bites were in 12-30' on jigs. Took what I learned from this spot and applied that to my many stops up into the narrows. Over the next 4 hrs I jigged, dredged, fished wood, ripped, threw shakey heads, and even trolled for zero bites! I'm sure the weather change didn't help, but the rest was on me. Knowing nothing else, I went back to where I orignally caught fish and got 4 more bites and 3 fish.
    Felt a little better about myself and called it a day at 4:30 as it was becoming windier with more clouds. Even tho the weather was kinda wacky after 2pm, what a nice day. 6 fish with one dink. largest was a 2#spot. Found some water as warm as 55, but it didn't seem like the fish were aggressive at all.
    City: orinda

    Tips: I'm sure someone did well today, but I only got bit in one area. Most of the bites were pressure bites. I boated one fish from 40,', but the rest were in the 12-30' range. I thought the fish would be a little shallower, not so.

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

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    Water Temp: 58

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Thanks Retired, and Firejon, for the reports.
    We were at berryessa yesterday,with similar results. We stared fishing in the narrows and
    caught three small spotted bass on darter heads.
    We moved to Spanish flat area on the way home and
    got two more small fish using the same darted heads.
    City: Santa Rosa

    Tips: With the water warming it will get better any day