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Saturday, April 14th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 60-61

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: We fished from 7:30 to 2:00 and stayed on the Vineyards all day. It rained most of the day and the water temp dropped 5 degrees from last week, making it tough. There was a lot more color in the water and skies were overcast and very little wind. We got a few in the boat on Senkos early in the day then the bite shut off until about 1:00. We started to zero in on a pattern after lunch. Cotton candy/pink plastics were starting to get bit, but the action was not heavy like last week. The bites started coming in the afternoon on carolina rigged lizards and weightless worms dragged slowly along the edge of the weeds. When the sun finally poked through, I cut a pink/purple lizard in half and used the tail end on a brown/purple jig, hopping and swimming it fast through some shallow weeds and that got me a largemouth a little over 3 pounds. We scratched out a limit of about 10.5 pounds in some very tough conditions. The fish were caught in water from 3 to 20 feet and we had to work for them. We ran into some tournament guys having about the same luck as us.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: It looked like the cold weather this week backed the fish off. Last week, weightless senkos fished above the weeds was working, but this week the fish were definitely not in the same place and when we did find them, they were real picky. When water temps rise again, they should be back up on the beds.

Tuesday, April 10th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 59 TO 63

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: FISHED FROM THE NORTHEAST BANK .TRIED EVERYTHING FROM 6 TO 7 WITH NO BITES. STARTED BACK TO THE CAR AND SWITCHED BAITS. FOUR SMALLIES IN FOUR CAST TO ALMOST 20 INCHES ALL ON A POINTER MINNOW ON THE PAUSE.. MOVED TO THE COVES ON THE WESTSIDE OF THE LAKE SEEKING THE WIND BLOWN AREAS.CHANGED BAITS TO A WHITE SPINNERBAIT AND FLAT HAMMERED THE FISH. SPOTS SMALLIES AND LARGEMOUTH IN 2 TO 6 FEET OF WATER.... SMALL RATTLE TRAPS SHALLOW X RAPS
    ....,,,,...................................JERKBAITS AND DONT FORGET THE SPINNERBAITS

    BAITS
    City: SANTA ROSA

Monday, April 9th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 61am-68 pm

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: First time I fished this lake in about 10yrs, and forgot how beautiful this place was.

    We got a few smallies in the a.m in skiers cove with red robo worms, and pretty much got my a-- handed to me for the rest of the day. Lost about 6 or so on the Senko (watermelon)and deserved it because I tried it Carolina style and not "Wacky" like I should of, but got several bites on it.

    Later day was tough. Charted several at about 16ft on the sand flats along the shoreline, but couldn't get any takers on either Senkos, or 6in plastics in purple, red, or green weenies.

    Learned some lessons this day, but read Larry's reports carefully if you haven't been here for awhile as it sounds like he is obviously dialed in. I myself probably should have paid a little more attention to his postings!.

    Anyway good luck!
    City: San Ramon

    Tips: Fish slow! and good Pop-R movement in the a.m by docks at skiers cove!

Sunday, April 8th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 62

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fishing this week was good but what I would like to talk about is the future of fishing at the lake. The BOR would like to close off certain areas where motor boats cannot enter to fish or water ski and of course that would include jet skis. These areas include all of the back of big island, Putah Creek and Pope Creek. If you have enjoyed fishing and boating at this beautiful lake in the past, please call or email the BOR and let them know the lake is for everyone and shouldn't have restricted areas. ===========================

    Click here: Lake Berryessa, Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region Sid here are the names and email addresses, notice they are now called Park Managers and Asst park Managers



    Contact Us
    Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan
    Bureau of Reclamation
    Central California Area Office
    Lake Berryessa Field Office
    5520 Knoxville Road
    Napa CA 94558


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pedro "Pete" Lucero, Chief, Recreation Resources Division
    707/966-2111, x106
    707/966-0409 (fax)

    Janet Rogers, Park Manager
    707/966-2111, x105

    Karen Wagner, Transition Services, Supervisory Park Ranger; Interdisciplinary Program Coordinator
    707/966-2111, x102

    Janet Sierzputowski, Public Information Manager
    916/978-5112

    Mid-Pacific Public Affairs Office, Website Contact

    Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region
    Public Affairs Office
    2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825-1898
    Main 916/978-5100 | FAX 916/978-5114 | TDD 916/978-5608


    passing along this article for your review

    Have a Happy Easter

    Henry (Hank) Howard
    700 Fleming Ave. E.
    Vallejo, CA 94591
    7076458367
    hazmatking@aol.com
    Berryessa For All - Co-Chair
    City: Napa

    Tips: IF YOU LIKE THIS LAKE DONT HAVE THE GOVT MAKE THE WRONG CHOISES CALL THEM NOW

Saturday, April 7th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 63-64

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I was concerned about the weather change as I drove to the lake today. No rain but very gusty wind made fishing tough for my clients. One was new to bass fishing as he was an experienced trout fly-fisherman. It was fun getting on him a bit as he kept setting the hook with the rod over his head like a fly-fisherman would do. He eventually got the hang of dragging the worm and setting with the rod tip down and caught 7 while losing 70, har!! His partner, the back seater, was an excellent bass fisherman and caught fish all day in tough conditions - hey, - I did my best controlling the boat in swirling wind! He even caught 2 smallie near 3 lbs and a 3-2 spot - nice fish! We just stayed in the narrows and fished off-shore structure and sloping points with a drop-off. We needed to do that because the fish had moved off the bank some. The air temp had dropped about 10 or so degrees today. Actually we did much better than I thought we would with 34 bass in the boat and a 7 1/2 lb channel catfish that had the back-seater pretty excited for awhile!! Our five best bass - not the catfish! - went a little over 14 lbs! The drive home is always better when the trip is better than expected!!
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: I fished different baits while I had them Texas rigged with 4 and 6 inch Robo worms. Everything I did - rippin', drop-shotting, cranking, and jigs produced a big "0"! When I was split-shotting my Robo worms, I caught all the smaller bass. I got them out of the way for my clients! I think my biggest was 1 3/4 lbs - wow!! That's the way I like the trips - clients catch the big ones! They had a double hookup but one came off. Maybe because of the cool-down, the first hour or two were quite slow. As the clouds thinned a bit, the bite just got better and better inspite of the increasing wind. They were still biting good when we quit at 3 pm. Most of the quality bass were 12 to 20 feet deep. We used 6 or 7 colors with MMIII being the best in the morning. We went to lighter colors as the day progressed. It was fun to watch the fly-guy go through my box and try nearly all the Robo colors. I think he got a bite on nearly every color. Prizm Shad was the best mid-day color by far! Bass love those Robo's!!!

Friday, April 6th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 59-67

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Wow..!!! 2 person guide trip with a girl that never caught a bass before. 1/2hr out she got her first one 1.5-lb spot and we let her know the tradition that you have to kiss your first fish she did and I have the pic, posted. We finally got some reaction fish today I down sized to 6lb line and a small deep pointer we ripper about 5 fish early then that bite died off, biggest was 2-lbs. From there we fished a bunch of off shore humps and caught lots of fish one spot we got 6 smallies all 2.5 to 2.75 lbs. We ran a bunch of coves but couldn't get any big ones and after a coupe hours of catching tons of 14-18 " fish all species we went to the north end and, the wind picked up and the spinnerbaits came out we landed another 20 or 30 fish some in 1 to 5ft of water. You could throw to the bank and not see anything then have a fish on. For the day we had well over a 100 fish only 2 dinks and didn't land one over 3 lbs. We lost one really big smallie

    Tips: We caught fish in 1-15' of water a few on a 4"lizard, most of them on a Sniper 4" bait that looks just like a Senko, best colors were chartreuse or a white sandy color with gold flake we caught about 30 on reaction baits Persuader southern shad and a small pointer in ghost minnow

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: FAIRFIELD SUISUN REAPERS TOURNEY IN THE MORNING....GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HAVE A GREAT TIME

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    Water Temp: 57-65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: This placed is off the hook....!!!!
    Fish Friday short day and caught about 15 fish to 2.5lbs But today I got 50 or so launched early at Cappell ran out to the main lake and about the 3rd cast got a 2-lb smallie, then a small spot wnet to the bank and saw beds galore no big ones but tons of 14-17" fish all species are up spawning NOW. I bet I saw 200+ beds today some of the fish would swim away but most were catchable. Didn't get any big one and no big ones on beds that I saw. Caught 5 or 6 3-lbers "all species" and 1 4lb spot Caught fish on a pumpkin jig and a drop shot using a sniper bolt worm. No top water, rip or swim bait fish 3 bites on a blade but no hook ups
    City: Martinez

    Tips: If you want to learn how to sight fish now is the time. Lots of fish to be caught w/o fishing beds also.

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: got on the water about 6:30 started with a popper back in coves got none. Then started throwing a green pumpkin senko on points .We got about 12 lg and 2 smallies. later in the day start dropshooting a 4inch finese worm in oxblood light red flake or aarons magic.The fish are starting to bed up in the weedlines.
    City: castro valley

    Tips: throw senkos in morning sun and later in day dropshot. keep it wet!!!!

Sunday, April 1st, 2007

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    Water Temp: 57-62

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I fished the north end on 3-30-07, the bite was consistant on sinkos and drop shotting grubs, but I saw something I have never seen before. On the north end of the lake I drifted over about 50 or 60 bass ranging from 1lb. to gigantic !!!I threw every thing I could think of but nothing worked....has anyone seen this before and what do you think they were doing, so many in one spot in about 8ft. of clear water. I did not think bass spawned with this many numbers....
    City: martinez

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    Water Temp: ?????

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: FISHED FROM SHORE WITH MADDY, HOOKED BED BASS THREE OR FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. LOTS OF FUN. TAKE A KID FISHING BMFD
    City: mountain view

    Tips: ITS MATING SEASON LOOK FOR BEDS GREAT FISHERY

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 67-75

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Started fishing the lake at 7:30am and caught about 30 LM. Biggest fish came at 7.4lbs. Off the water about 4:00pm. We are gonna go back to lake next week and see if the bites get hotter.
    Bass was about everywhere we went cuz of prespawn so we had no problem locating them. All fish was caught on plastics and jigs. All bass was C/R.
    City: San Francisco

    Tips: Had four Rods with me today rigged with 5'black gold glitter senkos, 4'powerbait worm, 4'yum lizard, and 3/8 jig with red mudbug. So yeah, plastics was it for us....enjoy! Catch and Release.

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Hey folks, are the bass shallow yet? How deep? Im thinking about going up next week.

    Thanks
    City: San Bruno

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 61.7

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I had a very productive fishing weekend. On Friday my wife and I headed out mid-morning to the east side of the lake. Where we had planned to start fishing there were boats pre-fishing for the "Future Pro" Tournament. So instead of starting at our usual point we went on the side across from the point. It was a very good decision. The bottom was hard ground and grass, fairly shallow with an access to deep water. We fished the ridge and by the time we came to the point, we had a limit. We fished it again and caught a few more. Most of our favorite spots were being fished so we headed towards the vineyards hoping it wouldn't be too packed with boats. When we got there it was pretty empty so we set up in eight feet of water and positioned the boat to drift with the breeze. We landed some nice size bass. Again my wife used her favorite brass and glass with a senco (with great success she landed five bass on her own) while I used various tackle but landed most of my fish with plastics. Our total weight for the best five fish for the day was fourteen pounds three ounces. On Saturday we left at about the same time. The water was alot rougher and the wind had picked up. We decided to fish in the Monticello Ski School hoping it would be sheltered from the wind. The total weight for that day for five fish was ten pounds one ounce. Of the total 160 boats that were in the "Future Pro Tournament" the winner weighed in five fish for a total of twenty-two pounds!!!!!! One bass weighed fourteen pounds!!!!!!! Sunday I thought I would stay by the dock and relax. I saw a small boat fishing in the marina with three people on it. Of course I asked them how they were doing and they said they had no luck. I asked if they would like to follow me and I would show them where the fish are and hopefully how to catch them. I took the young lady on my boat and the two guys followed us in their boat. I took them to one of my favorite coves and showed them the tackle that had been working well for me and my wife all weekend long. The two guys had a double hook-up but the bass were under-size. Then I picked up a two pound bass. Going to about four feet of water I gave May a minus one lure that only sinks down to a foot and she trolled it behind the boat. She got a bite and brought it to the boat. It was a bass and she was so excited that she left slack in the line and you guessed it the fish spit it out. Learning the first lesson, she tried again and caught a trout which she brought to the boat and picked it up and it shook free. She had a few more hits and finally was able to land a trout. As we were heading back to the Marina, I threw out a "Lucky Craft" similar to a rattle trap and let her hold it. She yelled out that she was stuck and I said no it's a fish we are in deep water. She reeled in a two plus pound bass and this one made it into the boat. She is now hooked on fishing!!!!.
    'til next week.......................................good fishing!!!!!!!!!!
    www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to share email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
    City: Napa

    Tips: Slow or fast ,Top or bottom,big or small,this is the time of year to try try try.

Saturday, March 24th, 2007

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the lake the 23rd and 24th. On the 23rd cought some reaction fish on rip baits and Voo-Doo baits. Later in the day the flip bite turned on using stick baits. Not the best day around 15 fish best 5 at 13 pounds. The 24th went much better. Changed things a little bit the Voo-Doo produced better first part of the day by burning the bait just over the grass fish to 3 pounds. Then started throwing the top water with some flipping thrown in. Over 40 fish 5 best pushing 17 pounds.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: Fish the Voo-Doo by burning it over the shallow grass first part of the day on main lake flats chart shad color. Stick baits in the wood,green watermelon. The top water bite went all day main lake flats. Did catch some bed fish up to 4 pounds the big females have not locked on the beds yet.

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: how are you doing yall. I am in the army and getting ready to deploy and I am coming home to folsom ca. for block leave in april. I have never fished lake berryessa, but am looking foward to it the weekend of april 6th. I have fished for bass for the 14 years and have only fished the areas around folsom. what works at berryessa? I am trying to find out where the hot spots are and basically where to fish on the lake. I am also trying to find what works the best in regards to bait and lures. If anyone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.

    respectfully, spc mcfee, doug
    proud warrior
    City: ft. lewis wa

    Tips: tight lines,good luck and god bless america. HHOOOAH!!!

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 63

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got onto the water at 8:30am. We had our first fish 4 minutes later. Fun day. We caught 28 bass between 2.5 and 3 pounds. All were caught on plugs between 10' and 16'deep on the north side of the lake. All were smallmouth except, for 1 largemouth and 1 spot. These fish were slamming the plugs hard. We left the lake at 12:30. All in all a very nice day on the lake. Only saw 3 other boats.
    City: Santa Rosa

    Tips: Long casts, a speedy retrieve with a pause here and there.

Monday, March 19th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 59-64

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Putah Creek from sunrise 'till about 12:30. Great day, had a 15 lb limit in the first hour. It slowed a bit in mid-morning, but then picked up again. I went through an entire bag of Senkos. Caught a few spots, 2 smallies, and the rest were LMB up to 4.5 lb, nothing deeper than 10 feet. Caught fish on points, coves, and on nothing banks. Areas with standing timber worked particularly well. Fish seemed to like pumpkin colors best on the plastics and a white spinnerbait was working too. Putah had good color. The main lake was gin clear, even with a 10-15 mph wind.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: Bass in the clear water were spooky. Cast ahead of them. Fish shallow.

Sunday, March 18th, 2007

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    Water Temp: 61.4

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I got to the lake Saturday night and you could feel the wind howling. I hoped that Sunday would be calmer. My buddy and I left the dock at about 9:00 AM. We headed out towards Monticello Ski School fishing along with no results to speak of. The water was crystal clear where you could see down at least sixteen feet. Saw some crappies and small bass in the trees. We fished by the Ranch house with only a little luck and small fish. The water temperature was over sixty degrees so I thought the vineyards would be a good spot. There was a slight wind and a slight chop on the water which made it ideal to drift along and work the bottom. I landed a nice bass that was over three pounds on a weightless worm that was just tipping the top of the grass. We were in seven feet of water. The other fish we caught were on brass and glass with a senco worm. They were all nice size. Did not notice any top water activity. The lake looks like it has turned or is in the process of turning. Fishing should only be getting better and better as we head into Spring. 'til nex week.................good fishing!!! www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories to share, please email me at bestguide@hotmailcom or call me at 650-583-3333



    San Pablo Reservoir - March 12, 2007

    COMMENTS: Sunny skies, beautiful surroundings, and hot fishing. Did somebody say San Pablo Reservoir? The fishing continues to provide an eventful day out on the water. The water clarity is great and warm weather continues to slowly increase water temperatures. Get ready for the Bass!

    HOURS: 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. All boats are required to be off the water by 4:00 pm. April hours will be 6:00 am - 7:00 pm.

    SURFACE WATER: 52 degrees. Water clarity is good with small particulate matter.

    PLANTS: San Pablo Reservoir is following a strong plant schedule this season. Over 10,000 pounds of rainbow trout have been planted at San Pablo Reservoir since opening day, February 16th, 2007. Another 2,400 lbs are scheduled to be planted this Friday March 16th.

    TROUT: Trout, trout, trout. Need I say more. I saw an eight year old girl pull out a 5 1/2 pound trout this weekend. The trout fishing is hot. Both bait fishing and trolling have proved to be able to pull in both limits and whoppers. Hot spots for shore fishing include the bank off of the main rec and down by the launch area. What's working? Power Bait, in chartrause, rainbow glitter and lime twist is working good as well. Also, nightcrawlers with a Power Egg combo, yellow or white has showed well. Trolling, needlefish and broke back Rapalas are a personal favorite. Go shallow; I recommend no more then ten feet. The real hot spots are on the east shore. Scow Canyon, the rock wall, and Sandy Point, are a few of the hotspots.

    Scow Canyon, the rock wall, and Sandy Point, are a few of the hotspots. Try fishing shallow; 8-10 feet deep is as about as deep as you want to be. Same goes for trolling. The trolling has been hot for those who have stayed at similar depths. Bait fishing is recommended with Power Bait, both chartrause and rainbow glitter are hot, lime twist and greens are working as well. Nightcrawlers have been a sure way to grab those limits and whoppers. Try blowing them, throwing on a Power Egg, or the old fashioned marshmallow technique. Trolling has been hot with broke back Rapalas - fire tiger and needlefish, clown, silver/ blue. Feel free let our staff know whats been working best for you.

    BASS: The water temperature is warming up and so are the bass. Look for bass fishing to really pick up in the next week or two if this warm weather continues. With DFG planting smaller trout at the launch, bass have been making their way over to feed. It is going to be a great spring.

    CATFISH: Catfish are hitting also. Even a few shore fishermen are landing them by accident. Sounds like the catfish are ready for a hot season as well. Chicken liver and sardines are showing great catches. As with the bass, look for an increase in action over the next several weeks.

    CRAPPIE: Crappie are showing well. On average at least two or three crappie in the two pound range are brought up every weekend to get their time on the scale.

    BLUEGILL: No reports yet.

    WHOPPERS: San Pablo Reservoir needs to develop a whole new website just for the display of our whopper club. To be considered a whopper, the fish is any trout or bass officially weighing in over 5 pounds. There is over 125 whoppers at San Pablo Reservoir since opening day this year. Keep in mind these are only the fish that have been brought up to the main rec, weighed, photographed, and recorded. There have been countless other whoppers that have been caught over at the launch (or, as I did just the other day) caught and then released so the large fish are out there for the enjoyment of someone else.
    City: Napa

    Tips: the lake is turning today,call for info or guiding trips booked till april 7 book early,the lake is down 6 feet.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MAY 19th BBQ at Steele Park you would take on a project to Shows kid how to fish from the banks and provide the bait and gear for the kids. We intend to use the large pavillion below the SP Park Office. I will call you and discuss this with you.

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    Water Temp: 60-62

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Took the boat for a few hours todya Didn't get on the water till 10:30 and fished till 2:30
    Checked a fcouple of the my usual spots with someone either on them or no fish to be found. Decided to look for new water nd ended up on School house ISland with a bevy of spots and large mouths hitting anything plastic. Double tail Yamamoto Grubs on brass 'n' glass were most effective, but also caught one on a senko and one on a single tail grub on a drop shot. Put six in the boat and had numerous others hit and I, being out of practice, just plain missed them. Had one nice fish break off. Never saw it but it felt big! Best five went probably 9-10 pounds. All-in-all, a nice few hours. Wish I could get out more often.
    City: Sonoma

    Tips: Check what's going on before you leave the house. Some sort of tournament must have been out of Capell, so ended up paying way too much ($25) to launch out of Spanish Flat. But who wants to turn around when you drove over an hour to get there.