Submit
Report

California Delta and Reports

Limit:
Click for interactive map

Thursday, August 3rd, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 78-80

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the same areas as Tuesday's report, but we only caught 3 keeper size bass. However, I caught my biggest bass of the year, 7 lbs 2 oz, on a 1/2 oz white chatterbait. Took a couple of pictures and let her go. Nice fat fish with no marks -- appears to be the first time that she's ever been caught.
    City: Dixon

    Tips: She was caught on the outside edge of a weedbed in about 4 feet of water at the point of an island.

Tuesday, August 1st, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 77-79

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Launched out of Paradise at 5:45A and fished Disappointment and Columbia Cut. We caught over 20 keeper size bass and plenty of small ones. Best 5: 15 lbs (largest 5.1 lbs). Biggest fish of the day was a 6.5 lb catfish that swallowed a 1/2 oz white chatterbait right next to the boat.
    City: Dixon

    Tips: Most of the time, we swam a 1/2 oz white or white/chartruse chatterbait over the top of the weeds or along edge of weedline. Also caught a lot of fish on white spinnerbaits.

Monday, July 31st, 2006

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the Sheriffs fund raiser tourney on Sat. Was a little tough due to the winds, but managed a very average 7 fish limit of 16 pounds for 6th place. Lost a 5+ first thing in the morning on a frog that would have really helped the limit, but that's frog fishing. Most of the fish were caught on Frogs and senkos. Though later in the day we pulled up real tight and started to puncture the mats with 1 ounce tungsten weights and beavers. Got 6 or 7 bites this way, but missed most of them . You have to be pretty quick on the hook set when you are using 1 ounce weights. One of the fish I did stick was a monster perch. What is it about the delta that makes the fish act/eat the way they do? Though I guess nothing should surprise me after drop shotting a 41 pound carp 2 years. I guess never knowing when that huge carp is going to hit a d-shot, or when that 30 pound salmon is going to hit a rip bait is what makes the delta so much damn fun.
    City: Roseville

    Tips: A little bit of a change from the week before. Temps drop almost 20 degrees and that always affects the bite on the delta. The winds really make for tougher frog fishing, by bowing the braided line and pushing the mats real tight together. Oh, by the way, to the nut who posted last week. That was pretty funny. Had me laughing the whole way through. Oh, and to answer your question on what type of knot for the bobber fishing. Definitely double palomar. :-)

Thursday, July 27th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 78-80

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Around 30 bass today. Largest about 6.5lbs on a wht frog in open water. Caught another one around the same size on senko. Otherwise mostly 1.5-2.5lbs. Senko, beavers, spinnerbait, ratltrap, and frog.
    City: manteca

    Tips: The bite didnt pick up til around 10am and continued on throughout the rest of the day til 3pm. Weeds, tules, rocks, and whereever else. Watermelon red/blk flake, green pumpkn, chrt/wht, and any color frog.

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Good afternoon guys. I was a resident northern californian for 36 years of my life and fihsed the Delta frequently.

    Two years ago, my job took me to Michiagn. My plans are to be back in Nor Cal sometime in 07.

    I enjoy getting on the web and coming to this sight to read what is going on in the delta.

    the person who is "expressing his feelings" has no clue about anything. Express you first ammendment right on a sight that DESIRES you to do so (and that allows it).

    This site is about what the fish are doing, not about being jealous about another fisherman's skills.

    If D. Pearson is making this stuff up, so be it. He is posting his report as the rules state.

    Don't be so consumed about your sorry fishing skills that you begin to highjack the purpose of this site.

    I enjoy reading the reports and cannot wait to get back to the Delta next year!

    Lastly, one of the differences between animals and humans, is that we have brain's that give us self control.

    Jealous Joe Carphunter, control yourself!!!!!!
    City: Berrein Springs, MI

Wednesday, July 26th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: hot

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Started early, pounding the banks with spooks for small fish here and there. Picked up a few dinks on a frog. Got sick of that so I moved to the Mildred Island area and got my pitch and flip bite going. Caught numerous fish just outside the tule line. Nothing bigger then 3.5 pounds, but a solid bite.
    City: Brentwood

    Tips: Used double wide beavers and brush hogs pegged.

Friday, July 21st, 2006

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Another solid day on the delta. 35-40 fish up to 3 pounds. We left a lot of our good water alone with the Sheriffs tourney coming up this weekend, but found good numbers in dissapointment with poppers and plastics. Had some huge swirls on the frog, but they would quite commit to it. the plastic bite was solid when the tide dropped. Very easy to find fish when the tide falls. They were on the outside weed lines chomping on the fry and shiners. Can't believe how much fry was in the water. Sometimes the fry would be non stop for hundreds of yards at a time. So much for people thinking the tourneys hurt the spawn.
    City: Roseville

    Tips: Top water is the ticket right now. Whenever there is a ton of fry the topwater will be on. The bass are done protecting and are now eating their own.

  • By

    Water Temp: 71

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at first light and had a great day. Caught 20 fish, mostly 2-3# and couple of 4's. Fished the south end of Franks with Persuader Buzz Baits and R2S frogs. Tons of blow ups. Moved to little venice island on high tide and landed fish after fish on frogs. Did find some senko fish on the tule line on the west side of Franks. Offwater at 10:45am. Too Hot!!!!!
    City: san ramon

    Tips: Senko Watermelon, Buzz white, frogs all colors

Sunday, July 16th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: high 70's to lo

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: fished with my dad and brother caught 40-50 fish all around 2-3 lb. Fished around Franks in the morning throwing frogs,buzzbaits,spinnerbaits. Later in the day flipped plastic craws and lizards around tule islands.
    City: el cerrito

Saturday, July 15th, 2006

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Well, I had taken a month of from the delta and doing some night fishing and was looking froward to getting back. It didn't let me down. Started at 1st light and the top water bite was hot. Put 20 fish up to 3 pounds in the boat by 7:30. When the sun got on the water we went to Zippers and drop shots and put another 15 in the boat by noon. Had good water levels and started froggin' and got on fish right away. Biggest was 5'4, but had a few more 5+ fish pull off. Overall had 10 blow up in an hour and a half or so and landed 3. Very thick vegetation hampered the hook ups, but that's frog fishing sometimes. Hit another 5 pounder on the last cast of the day right at the lauch ramp on a beaver. Best 5 around 17-18, but had a chance at 22+. I can't say where we were at due to upcoming tourneys, but I can say to chase shade. In my 10+ years of delta fishing I have realized that on the hottest days chasing shade can save you. I hope the heat continues. The delta is weird when it comes to temps. Sometimes, all it takes is for the wind to shift from the north to the south to slow up the top water bites. My best top water/frog days always seem to be the hot north wind days. Yesterday, I sent a couple of buddies out to the area I was in but on the opposite side and they had 2 6's and a 7. Also lost another 7+. They had 22 pounds for 5 and had a chance at 25. All top water 5. They only got a dozen fish or so, but all were over 2 pounds.
    City: Roseville

    Tips: Stay patient. Sometimes bites are few and far in between in July, especially in the afternoon. But, when you do get blown up on there is a good chance it's going to be a nice one.

Monday, July 10th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 77

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: SPLASHED THE KLAMATH BASS BOAT AT BETHLE ISL 6:00
    A/M SATURDAY WITH A FRIEND, BOTH MANAGED 15 FISH EACH 1 TO 2 LBS, ON PLASTICS UNTILL 10:00, TOOK MY DAD OUT OF ORWOOD SUNDAY6:00 AM, DADS FIRST BASS TRIP, HAD A BALL HE CAUGHT AND RELEASED 12 FISH, GREAT 2 DAYS FISHING, PLASTIC WERE ROBO WORMS AND SINKOS, DARK RED WITH RED FLAKES.. TOP WTAER BITE WAS NOT AS GOOD AS LAST WEEK-END SAME PLACES, WATER TEMP WENT UP, MAYBE THE REASON?
    WELL GOTA GO , KEEP TIGHT LINES, FISH-ON YU ALL!
    City: PITTSBURG

    Tips: FISH TIGHT TO THE ROCK WALLS, PLASTIC WORMS AND POPPERS DO WELL, CRANK BAITS AT TIMES (RED)

Tuesday, July 4th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 78 deg

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Went out of b&w 5:00 am Bite was slow On the incoming tide went to my usual spots close by. caught a few dinks . was throwing 51/2 inch watermelon tube t style. was slow till water started out. found them stacked up caught some really nice fish my brother fished top water he had a few blow ups nothing big. caught 13 fish by 9:30 am we got the hell out before boat traffic . had a good short fix in . kicker was a 5 pounder lost a really nice one, when i went to set hook i hit the bail release and you all know what happens.. yep it sucked .bird nest from hell....Going out on sat or sun early tight lines to all c you on the water
    City: Elmira

    Tips: Big plastics produce big fish must have patients

Saturday, July 1st, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 74-78

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Hit the water at Wimpey's Marina just at 6am. Headed down to Beaver Slough using frogs, spooks, buzz baits and spinners. Got our first three on a chartruse/white spinner. Then the senkos came out in black/red flake. With a out going tide we worked fast up in the rocks and tules find most of out fish in 2-3 lbs. The tide was a slow mover, but as it came back in we found the points with rocks our best place to be. Worked the weed mats, but no takers.
    City: rocklin

    Tips: Dog Days of Summer is here, fish slower and deeper.

  • By

    Water Temp: 74

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: SPLASHED THE NEW KLAMATH BASS BOAT AT SUNSET MARINA 5:30 AM, HEADED FOR SAND MOUND SLOUGH, TURNED UP THE FIRST SLOUGH INTO THE ILANDS, TOSSED A TOP WATER POPPER INTO THE WEEDS, AND ONLY SAW A SWIRL IN THE WATER, LURE DISAPPEARS DOWN, NO SPALSH, SET THE HOOK AND LANDED A 7.2 LBER, NEXT 2 CASTS, 2 5LBERS, BEST WEIGHT FOR ME TO DATE, HAD 17 FISH LANDED TOP WATER BY 7"30, FISHED WITH PLASTICS TIGHT TO THE LEVY WALL ROCKS NEAR FRANKS AND NAILED 5 MORE 2 LBERS BY 10:00, GREAT DAY ON THE WATER, NOT TOO HOT, SLIGHT BREEZE, WATER CALM UNTILL THE SKIERS CAME OUT AGAIN**, ROBO WORMS AND POPPERS WERE THE TICKET, OFF THE WATER BY 11, WAITING FOR NEXT WEEK END TO DO IT AGAIN, KEEP TIGHT LINES SEE YA ALL* FISH ON*
    City: PITTSBURG

    Tips: POPPERS AND BUZZ BAITS REAL EARLY A/M SUN RISE TIME, TIGHT TO THE OCKS AND IN WEED POCKETS, HAVE FUN**

  • By

    Water Temp: 86

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: got out @ 530am w/our tubes. top h2o bite was on black buzz bait,outside weedline few 2#rs. stick bait in weed pockets, one 4#er,few dinks. noticed that the green moss disapeard(were i nailed an 8#er last sat. w/ the heat late evening on a frog)frog bite still gr8 butt in open pocket behind weeds tight next to bullrush(cattails)lo & behold another 8#er WOW!continued to nail bass 2 to 3#ers tight in pockets.
    City: salida

    Tips: bet everthing on black/retie frog ever so often when using mono(weeds)/look both ways be4 crossing/ braided line is mobeddah bhradda!/early 2 bed early 2 rise... damn catches the bigguns/ wipe from front to back!

Wednesday, June 28th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 66-77

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: I have had some of the best fishing on the Delta after days of hot,hot,hot weather & then the forecast does a complete 360 & this happened yesterday the 28 th. of June. High clouds, Thunder & about a 10 degree drop in the temp.Yesterday I could do no wrong (well almost), my biggest fish was a 7.8 lb. on a frog in shallow "OPEN WATER" I didnt drag her in with a huge clump of moss on her, YOU KNOW THE EASY WAY TOO CATCH FROG FISH, so I have herd!!! I had another very large fish jump right over the top of my frog. I thought cool no harm done,so I went for the back-up offering a big ol SENKO hooked MJB style. Sure enough I slip it in right past the area where she rolled on my frog & stopped the fall by thuming the spool so the bait would swing right into her direction. Saw the line jump & set... HOG ON!!! Turned the reel handle to engage the spool, spool engages but nothing but loose drag. Got a good look at the fish before she gave me the FIN & went bye-bye. From what I saw she looked to be between 7-8 lbs. but hay, I am a bad judge of fish & how much they weigth. I had a great day catching several frog fish in the open water. & They were eating these frog's not just slapping at it. I had a 4 lber. hit my frog in the open water, I swear I felt pressure & set for a blank. The frog land's about 8' from my boat. I let it sit for what seemed to be 10 seconds, when this fish SLURPS MY FROG UP .No need to set just swing, all in one motion this fish hit's the deck (I love 50 lb. power pro braid). What a great day on the delta. Lot's of solid 2'S-3'S with a few 4's, aswell as the 7.8 lb. & the other SLUG that I SCREWED-UP ON. I also caught 4 strippers up to 14 lbs. all released. what a blast... ~mjb
    City: Walnut Grove

    Tips: Shimano recomends that you back your drags off after each outing, which I do sometimes but not all the time. The problem is forgetting to crankem down the next time you hit the water. Which is why I never had a chance with that second SLUG! TIP , If you do back your drag's off (which you really should) put a note somewhere to remind you too crak-em back down prior to hooking into a SLUG!!!When I set on that second slug (WITH MY THUMB ON THE SPOOL, SPOOL NOT ENGAGED) I felt like I could catch any fish in the Delta that day, until I started to reel down on her & couldnt.ALWAYS SOMETHING!!! ~MJB

Tuesday, June 27th, 2006

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Had a fairly good day on the water today. Started throwing frogs on the high tide and had no success. Went to my fluke and started to catch 2-3 pound fish. The bite was very light. After the turn of the tide, I went back to the area where I started the day and threw the frog again. Wham, first cast, 4 pounder. Moved up a little way and had several blow ups and then I nailed a 7 pounder. I followed that up with more fish in the 3 pound range. Best five around 20 pounds
    City: Brentwood

    Tips: throw that frog!

Sunday, June 25th, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 74 - 78

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: started late, about 7AM - first three were all frog fish and the bigger fish for the day. Frog in the AM, weed edges rather than in the weeds - my hookup ratio was about 50%. If they missed on the first try, I could not get them to go again on a frog or a followup plastic. Switched to beavers for the rest of the fish - tule islands with deep water access nearby - where the tules and weeds met, they were in that seam (right nest to the tule), taking it on the initial fall - but all were 2-3 lbers. dropshotted some docks but only caught small ones. Caught about ten, honest best five was about 12 - 13lbs. off the water by 2pm.
    City: belmont

    Tips: look for stained, not muddy water. pleasure boaters wakes pressure the fish, so stay out of those areas (nice eye candy tho). the frog bite is very good in the right areas.

  • By

    Water Temp: 72-73 degrees

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Did a Guide trip with a Gentlemen from Pleasanton. What a day, it started out slow but ended HOT. It was an Instructional from the beginning teaching him how to use a levelwind in Flipp'in and Pitch'in. Started him off with a jig (Weight) and worked down to a senko. Worked a couple of spots around Franks in the morning with Zero results. Went all the way down to Cruiser Haven area with the same result, He did get hit acouple times but missed. After looking at the water color, I started back up and was headed for Potatoe Sl when I noticed that one of my Favorite tule lines was calm enough to fish (Windy in the Morning)pulled in and drove the boat right into the tules and started fish'in..by this time the Gentleman was good with the Pitch'in and flippin. Sett'in the hook was at first a problem. He missed two straight, I started fishin and put two 2's in the boat inwhich showed him how to set on fish. From that point on he put a 3# and two 5#'s in the boat. The last one was hilaris, I don't know who had who. I never seen a Five demolish tules like that before. We ended the day and dead low around 2PM. The week before in the same area, I was fishing with my Son and I Hit a 9.1lb and a 6lb.

    See Ya on the Water

    Rich Thiel
    www.calbassguide.com
    City: Russo's Marina

    Tips: There are still fish spawn'in (Small Amount) late blummer's.. If you are fish'in a shallow flat, pitch your jig, brush hog, senko into the center of whatever you feel that will hold a fish no matter how small of tullies, especially know that we're having cloudless days. Run your boat up into the tullies and just flip or pitch ever 1-2ft. Move the boat half the distance of length and repeat. All I can say is hit them hard and start reel'in.

Thursday, June 22nd, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 69.2

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Launched out of Ladds about 2:00 P.M. Fished few spots on main channel, mostly tule points. Used Helix worms/weightless- rootbeer w/ small green and cooper flakes. Caught about a dozen fish. Best 5 went about 18. Very few boats out. Went home around 5:30 P.M. Most hit on the initial hop.
    City: Sacramento

    Tips: take the time to let the worm hit bottom.