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Berryessa Lake and Reports

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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2000

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    Water Temp: 65-69

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got on the lake by 12:00PM and fished Putah creek north end. Picked up my worm rod and put on a baby brush hog watermelon/red flake hooked 10 in about 20 mins small bass 2 1/2 pounds biggest. Then switched for some topwater action hit 7 and lost 5 and then alot of short strikes also. Switched back to the brush hog caught another 3 and they were 2.1 2.5 2.0 also caught a channel cat on a brush hog about 2.0 lbs 20 bass and 1 cat.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: lt's been slow but if you get up there before the sun comes up try a topwater lure and before the sun goes down. Work plastic worms, brush hogs or whatever else you like been catching a few on witches T's 4" and 6"

Sunday, April 30th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I went out on Sat., managed to catch about 25 in the last 4 hours of the day. Carolina riggin' smk/pepper reefers, power lizards, and anything that was soft plastic. The fish were still kind of in spawn mode. Not extremely active like during the summer, but nonetheless and great day of fishing.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: Many of the fish were holding close the beds, had to throw directly in the cover, and near and around rocks to make the fish move. Once I keyed on certain areas, caught more than one or two. But each spot cooled within half an hour. Drag and jig the rocks hard, they're in there, but you got to find them. Good Fishing TH

Thursday, April 27th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 62-72

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished dark to dark, 60+ fish on just about everything. top water early & late (mega bass). Yamamoto twin tails, 1-4 oz jigs. Rip fish (pointer minnows), flukes fish. Fish starting to form wolf packs, saw several big groups chasing in Putah and north end of lake. Still quite a few fish on or near beds, especially mid-lake.
    City: FOSTER CITY

Wednesday, April 26th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 62-72

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at Putah creek resort at 7:30 am and fished baby bass zoom fluke got one on by the third cast then nothing for about 2hrs. Switched to everything I could think of to use in a situation like this. Then I changed areas and began site fishing found a few fish on beds but nothing to write home about, stayed on one bass until she got tired of my worm pounding her in the head and bam hook set. Set out for the north end of putah creek, hadn't been since March so I figured it was about time. I started again with the fluke and nail a nice 2 1/2 lb smallmouth then hit another but alittle smaller most of the bass were dinks but as the sun was just about right I made a switch to a Chug Bug and here's where I started having some fun just about every cast I had a hook up and the bass were nice 3 and 4 pounds and some others were small also but what a kick. I ended my day with 23 large and smallmouth bass.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: Zoom flukes, Chug Bugs shad pattern, splash-it's, rico's or whatever you like to throw.

Saturday, April 15th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 61

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the Reapers tournament with a buddy and finished 5th with 13.09#, and second big fish of 4.79#. Decided to stay away from sight fishing because of the overcast. Caught most of the "better" fish, including our kicker on a white spinnerbait. Also, caught a few 13" clones split shotting a watermelon/red flake baby brush hog in 10-12' of water. Fished primarily Skier's Cove and Oak Shores.
    City: Oakley

    Tips: Cover lots of water with a blade and look for wind blown banks.

Sunday, April 9th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 60-65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished from shore the whole day. My buddies and I managed to do far better than the guys in the boat in our vacinity. Between my brother and I, we landed about 30 fish in just over three hours. We got to the steep banks past the second bridge about 1:30 pm and left the banks for home about 5:00 Fish caught slip-shotting Witches Tea Magic Worm, and split-tailed reefers, along with some other plastics. All colors with bright green tail working. Tried rippin' for about half-hour, but only managed only 2 dinks. Biggest fish caught a 3.5# smallie on a 6' FLW spring lizard. Mangaed some 2.5# largie's, and some smaller spots. I was wishing I had a boat when I left, but the day was so nice and quiet, I didn't need one on this day. Fish aren't in full spawn mode yet, but it's coming......
    City: Castro Valley

    Tips: Try anyting you got. The brown/char. combo in any style worm seems to work. Some fish did like the brown/char. lizard, but make sure whatever it is you got lots, the plastics were being torn off the hooks. Some guy in a boat said all his bites were on cranks. I didn't see him land a fish for an hour. Smallies like the rocks, but largie's hangin' with them also. Fish are very active, be an active angler. Walked about a mile of shore, until the water got to high. Fish deep, shallow bite very weak. Good luck.........

Friday, April 7th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 62-65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got a late start on the lake. Started fishing around 12:00 pm. Fished my usual spots but no taker I couldn't understand why just two days ago I was able to rip fish like crazy and now I couldn't even hit a fish and then I remembered that 2 days ago the water temp at 12:00 was already in the mid 60's and at the same time today the water temp was a lot cooler low 60's, so I pulled out my worm rod and stated fishing alitte deeper, Bam a 2 1/2 pounder then got hit again, a 2.0, I stopped worming when the water temp hit 65 and started to rip I ripped fish till 6:30 pm all in all caught 25 small,large and spoted bass. Caught a few bass on makeshift beds but nothing over 2 1/2 lbs. Saw some whopper catfish about 10 and 2 catfish that would go atleast 15 to 20 lbs WOW!!! The bass I caught related to wood,trees and chunk rocks.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: Used Lucky Craft 110 Ghost minnow and 4" black grape with chart tail and green flake I poured about a month ago.

Wednesday, April 5th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 58-65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Started out for School house Island and some shallow water wow gin clear to atleast 13 feet took out a Lucky Craft Ghost minnow cause the wind had come up a bit first cast hooked up with a 2.0 pound smallmouth then hooked up with another but alittle smaller, fished the outside of the island close to main lake was able to rip 6 bass to 2 1/2 pounds. The smallies that were caught had small amounts of gravel on their belly's so they were on the bottom coming up to get the minnow, should have thrown plastic but I was having to much fun ripping. Pulled up off the island and headed to Pope creek and ripped 12 out of the shallow creek. Saw some nice 4 and 5 ponunders back swimming in there but not interested in my bait the water temp increased throughout the day to 65. All in all I was able to catch and release 20 mixed bag bass also a 5 lb squawfish that almost ripped the rod out of my hand. The bad part was I lost aleast 20 bass rippin so I didn't get a 40 fish day I had a great time, Saw wild turkey,quail,green head Mallards and deer.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: Ripbaits worked for me that day but you might think about using other lures in your arsenal and stay with a pattern that works.

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    Water Temp: 59-60

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Started at 7:00 am, didn't get bit until 8:00 am then it really broke loose. Next three hours caught at least 30 largemouth, smallmouth and spots, all between 1-2 pounds, all on 6" #1 or #11 magic worms, splitshotting in shallow water on wood. Just toss it in and hang on. This is the best fishing this lake will have all year. Glad I took vacation this week. Was thinking about the delta or Clear Lake but think I'll just spend the next couple of days at Berryessa while the fishing and weather is so good. And to think I spent all day Monday here for 3 fish???? What a difference.
    City: Vacaville

    Tips: Magic worms, Magic worms and more Magic worms (I should own stock in this company)

Saturday, April 1st, 2000

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    Water Temp: 56-58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Did a Guide trip, Clients Justin Lucas and Johnny Lopes, Both in there teens. They caught and release a dozen fish under tuff conditions has it was very windy. Couldn't even cross the main lake under these conditions safely. We fished in Wraggs Canyon most of the day. They caught fish from 15-25ft useing Brown jigs/green trailers, a first for them using jigs. Also did a instructional sonar with them in locating fish on the screen and teachin them topo reading. They'll be tough to beat in the future gentleman look out and watch for there names to appear in the future.
    City: Castro Valley

    Tips: Being it was abnormal conditions at the end of this week, I found fish on points and into the coves, but only on the secondary in. Fished mud and rock (Shale) combination banks, found the fish hangin in 15 to 25ft. Caught most of their fish on brown jigs with a chopped brush-hog watermelon in color. Deepiest fish caught came out of 45ft creek channel. With the warmin comin in this week, look for fish to be movin in to the backs, some fish have already, but the major move hasn't accured has of yet. Looking for that to happen very soon.. Good luck!!!!!

Monday, March 27th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 58.5

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Future Pro yesterday. My partner and I had our oppotunity but blew it. Our two kicker fish broke off 12 lb. test line. (Don't forget to check your line for frays, especially fishing a lake with spots). We were culling fish by 8 am but without a big fish only managed 7.07 lbs. for 5 fish. Started out in Little Portugese Canyon. Found the males in 5' to 10' prepping the beds. Split shotting 6" worms worked for us. Wasted the first hour with spinner and crank baits for zero. If your familiar with Keeper Worms we used 082s with red and blake flake or red and green flake. An 082 is a brown top and lime green bottom worm.
    City: Delhi

    Tips: Split shot a 6" worm and work it slow. Look for the line to move off with no hard hit.

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2000

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    Water Temp: 60

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: For the guys who fish Berryessa, Berryesa marina is free launch and parking until May 1 2000. Well got a late start fishing but every march I try to work the same color every year and it seems to pay off. Started fishing the shallow water coves going up to the north end of Putah creek. I was using a 3/8 chartruse blade #5 spinner bait I made, and was able to stick 3 largemouths to 3lbs then I switch to a 4 inch black grape with chartuse tail I poured just a week before and nailed 7 to 3lbs, then I went in the cove as far back as I could get my boat and counted atleast 20 largemouths schooling around I flipped my 4" worm in the 3 foot gin clear water and was able to coax a 2 1/2 lber.
    City: Fairfield

    Tips: With the rain coming in on Friday night and saturay the fish may back out into deeper water. I was slow rolling the spinner bait and shaking and hopping the worm give it a try.

Tuesday, March 21st, 2000

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    Water Temp: 57

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: I was pree-fishing Lake Berryessa the other day and the fishing was good. I cought and released 20 keeper bass . I was fishing near the Spannish Flat Resort. I was fishing between 15 to 20 feet of water with a Carolina Rig. I was using the Witches -T and the Baby Brush Hog Water mellon color... It was a mixed catch some small mouth and the rest Large mouth...The small mouth were the most active ....The biggest Small mouth went to 2/1/2 pounds ..The biggest Large Mouth 3/1/2 pounds ...I will be heading out there real soon fishing is picking up day by day...You better get out there.... Fish hard or don't fish at all .....LOL Steve
    City: San Mateo

Sunday, March 12th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 50-54

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the East side Sunday AM. Found a few - still deep, 20-25 feet - using 4-inch plastics north side of points. The boys caught 1 smallie that was big (3#??) and three largies that were smaller (1-2#), missed a few more. Tried shallower 5 -15 ft, coves, no luck. Quit at noon. Lots of fishermen on the lake - everybody's trying out their new Christmas Gismos. Looked like more running around than fishing.
    City: Montara

    Tips: One sunny weekend doesn't make it Spring, but a slightly faster presentation seemed to work better than dead slow crawl. Two colors better than one.

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    Water Temp: 57- 58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Looking for a fellow slab fisherman who would like to chat and share Crapppie secrets. Went up to the Lake 3/12/00 water was clear on the main lake and in most spots. Muddy up in the ends of the coves. Worked a little spinner bait for slabs and instead cought alot of Bass, nothing large though. Anyway it would be nice to talk with a crappie fisherman.
    City: Napa

    Tips: Dont mean to bug you Bass fisherman but alot Bass starting to make the spring ritual. Tight Lines <"//>><

Monday, March 6th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 49-56'

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Had tough time early on West side of main lake. Ran all the way in the back of Pope creek,also with no success. It was dirty to the headwaters. Went to the East side, and began catching a few carolina rigging baby brush hogs. I think the cold front coming shut- er -down!!I had trolling motor problems at 1 pm and went in with three fish, and one that broke me off in a bush.
    City: San Leandro

    Tips: I could not buy a jig bite.

Sunday, March 5th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 51-56

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Started on points first one fish up n went p creek stuck 2 more went to the narrows started working the coves, picked up 9 small spots and smallies on wrooms and jigs bite was very slow.try
    City: Pleasanton

    Tips: try worms and jigs in the coves for spots did not have any luck largemouths.

Saturday, March 4th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 52

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Guided a husband and wife today and found the fishing fair. We worked hard for five largemouth and three smallies - seven were tournament keepers. The lady caught her biggest bass ever - a 2-15 smallmouth. They missed several too. We fished the narrows and west side from Steele Park to the ranger station. We found the fish in the back of coves with murky water and on secondary points. Because of the wind, it was hard to fish them in much open water. One fish on a terminator spinnerbait, one on a morning dawn Magic worm, and the rest on purple or brown Rodstrainer jigs with matching Yamamoto grubs. Big smallie was in 4 feet of water - back of a cove - caught on a jig. Tried a little rippin, but it didn't work for us. No matter - the jig bite was ok!
    City: Yuba City

    Tips: Jigs are hard to beat this time of year for quality fish. I find purple worms and jigs work well at Berryessa year after year. Even when the water warms a little, I like to work them slow, with frequent pauses. I find jigs hard to beat this time of year for q

Wednesday, March 1st, 2000

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    Water Temp: 52

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished Berryessa and found the bite to be slow. Found spots back in the coves and had 10 fish. The best was 5 for about 8.45lbs. Fished the narrows and I think the better fish are at the north end.
    City: Dixon

    Tips: Try shacking in 15 to 25 feet of water. Watch your debth finder to locate fish. Fish are stacked when they are found. Also another good bet is a jig in the brown color, with a brown pork trailer. The spots are getting in the pre spawn mode, the bite should realy turn on for them shortley.

Saturday, February 19th, 2000

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    Water Temp: 52-54

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Very tough bite for my first tournament of the new millenium. Hooked a 3 lb. smallie near Steele park Resort on a crankbait, but came off at the boat. Felt plenty of fish while wormin' around 25 feet, but it was the strangest bite I've ever encountered. It was a pressure bite, but the fish would only pick up the tail and just hang on. Teeth marks all over my worms and even some half worms, but no solid takers. Caught a short fish right before weigh-in. Total talley 0 fish for 0 lbs. Tough day for me.
    City: ROSEVILLE

    Tips: Lots of guys were hitting the submerged weed line in about 5-8 feet of water with darter head plastics.