New Melones Lake and Reports

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Friday, Mar 29
Hi: 50 ° F
Lo: 41 ° F
Today
Rain Showers
Precip: 89%
Tonight
Rain Showers
Precip: 93%

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

  • Water Temp: 68-73

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The bass fishing on New Melones has been a little hit and miss. Some days we are finding plenty of fish, along with some giants and other days we are working for each and every bite. Even on the tougher days we are averaging 15 to 20-fish. New Melones is a great fishery and it is not uncommon to catch 30 to 40-fish in a day.

    Changing techniques and adapting to the conditions has been a major key to our success. We were faced with another week of unstable weather, cold nights, a drizzle of rain and gusty winds. However, we made the proper adjustments and found some quality fish on each trip.
    The fish are at the tail end of their annual spawn and are in a post spawn stage. When the surface warms we have been finding topwater fish in the mornings and evenings. When it cools we went with a subsurface reaction presentation. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and small swimbaits will put fish in the boat. The weather the next couple weeks looks like it will be fairly stable and the reaction bite will continue to produce.

    I had the pleasure of fishing with Rick Helmonds for a couple days. About an hour into the first day of our guide trip Rick stuck a giant 6.2-pound largemouth. We were targeting an area that would hold both spawn and post spawn fish. This beauty inhaled a swimbait in shallow water.

    Tips: Go fishing in the early morning and evenings to avoid the heat. Rovers and Ploppers are pulling fish to the surface for some exciting topwater action.

    Xperience Fishing Guide Service
    www.xperiencefishing.net
    xperiencefishing@yahoo.com
    John Liechty (209)743-9932

Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

  • Report: Fishing Report from Glory Hole Sports

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,053,748 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up nine feet this past week and will continue to rise with the recent and upcoming rainfall. It is currently at 950 ft. above sea level and 133 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in most of the lake with some areas clearing faster than others. There is scattered debris floating on the surface throughout the lake. The water temperature dropped, with the average being 49-52 degrees.

    THE MIDDLE RAMP ON THE GLORY HOLE SIDE IS OPEN!

    Trout
    The forecast is calling for rain all week long, with a break for the weekend. With the water rising quickly the lake is changing from week to week. Areas that have been dry for years are now well under water. The flooded vegetation will break down and provide the lake with nutrients. Many anglers have found trout swimming near the shoreline in these nutrient rich waters. Bank anglers have been finding some luck fishing off of Glory Hole Point and near the 49-bridge. When fishing with bait it is very important that your presentation remains afloat. If your bait settles on the bottom it will sink below the thick vegetation and become nearly impossible for nearby fish to locate. A long leader with a light wire hook is recommended. Power Bait dough is very buoyant and will keep your bait off the bottom. When fishing a crawler it is best to use a worm blower to inflate it. Try casting lures near the shoreline and over shallow point and flats. Trolling anglers have been catching planted and holdover rainbow trout. Brightly painted lures are still a very productive option. Lures that create sound and vibration will attract fish when fish in stained water. A faster trolling speed from 2.8-3.8mph will allow the angler to cover water and will force the fish to respond quickly, resulting in a reaction bite.




    Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Ted Campbell of Sonora. He caught a beautiful 3-pound, 6-ounce rainbow trout on Power Bait first thing in the morning near Mormon Creek.

    We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as there does not seem to be a large population of them in the lake. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

    Kokanee
    The kokanee generally will not start to bite until spring. April is a good month to start targeting the kokanee again.

    Bass
    Bass fishing has remained steady, even with the water temperatures being fairly cold. The spotted bass are feeding regularly and the largemouth bass are taking advantage of the flooded vegetation that is lining the lake. The lake level is rising each week and anglers will have to search for new locations and areas to fish. The fish can be found scattered throughout the lake, some shallow and some deep. Keep an open mind and fish various conditions until a pattern is detected. The grass that was down deep is starting to break up and float to the surface. This will make dragging the bottom a little easier. A heavy football jig can be used to target these deep fish. The grass near the shoreline can be frustrating to fish. Try using a lure that can be pulled through the grass without hanging up, or one that can be fish above it. A Texas rig is very weedless and the bullet weight will pull through grass without getting stuck. A Carolina is also a good choice. Small swimbaits can be fished just above the grass and down to deep water. Try rigging them on a weighted belly hook or an underspin to produce flash and vibration. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

    Catfish
    The catfish bite during the winter months is generally pretty slow. There will be small critters that are trapped during these conditions and the catfish will often take advantage. Nightcrawlers are a good choice for bait during the cold winter months and into the spring. A little scent will also help the fish locate your bait.

    Crappie
    The crappie are starting to bite and the prime time to catch them is right around the corner. With the recent rising water level the crappie will start to move back into some of the coves and creek channels. They love flooded brush and vegetation. Try using small spinners or mini jigs to locate crappie. We will have live minnows in a week or so. They work extremely well for locating schools of fish.

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

  • Report: From Glory Hole
    We are very excited to report that the lake level has been drastically rising. The lake has come up thirty nine feet in the last two weeks.

    Along with the rising water has come a bit of debris and some colored water.

    The debris is scattered through the entire lake. Most areas are fairly clear and safely traveling across the lake has not been a problem. Take your time and keep your eyes peeled for floating wood. Above the Parrots Ferry Bridge the debris is socked in and you may not be able to go past that point.

    The water is colored in most of the lake. However, it is not chocolate milk (meaning there is still some visibility). The fishing has been good for both bass and trout anglers. A few adjustment will help you catch more fish under these conditions.

    Using bright colors will catch their attention.

    Trolling anglers should use brightly painted lures. This Rapala color is called Hot Steel and is a great choice for stained water.

    Speedy Shiners can be trolled at faster speeds. They have a very erratic swinging action and firetiger is a perfect color choice.

    Bank anglers should try using a chunk of nightcrawler in combination with a ball of glittered, scented, brightly colored Power Bait. A floating crawler fished alone will be tough for a fish to find. With the Power Bait your presentation becomes much more visible.

    While your bait soaks try casting an orange, green, gold or firetiger Kastmaster.

    We can only hope for more rain and water flowing into the lake. If so, the conditions will be like this for the next couple months. Keep these tricks in mind for the next time you hit the lake and you will successfully catch more fish.

    Thanks- from all of us at Glory Hole Sports









    Fishing Report

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 867,903 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up twenty three feet this past week and will continue to rise with the recent and upcoming rainfall. It is currently at 923 ft. above sea level and 160 ft. from full. The water clarity is stained in most of the lake with some areas clearing faster than others. There is scattered debris floating on the surface throughout the lake. The water temperature has cooled, with the average being 51-54 degrees.

    THE FOUR LANE CONCRETE RAMP ON GLORY HOLE POINT IS OPEN!



    Darren Jones of Angels Camp caught a 2-pound, 11-ounce rainbow trout while fishing a Kastmaster near the surface.

    Trout
    With the rising water the fish have scattered out some. There is also a bit of stain in the water which will reduce visibility. However, most anglers are still catching limits of planted and holdover trout. The fresh water flowing into the lake will provide the fish with nutrient rich, oxygenated water. Trolling anglers continue to find success fishing up near the surface. Top-lining has been the go-to method. With the water being stained, it is best to use a lure the will produce sound and vibration. Baits that have an erractic side-to-side wobble will attract nearby fish. Also, spinners create flash and vibration as well. Bright colors such as firetiger, orange and chartreuse will pop in stained water and the fish will be able to locate them. Add scent or use an Oregon Tackle Scent Chamber to create a scent trail. Bank anglers have been catching a few fish from the shoreline. The lake came up extremely fast and it may take a few days for the fish to move back into shallow water. Chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait with a chunk of crawler has been a productive presentation. Garlic scent is also a good choice when fishing is water that has low visibility. The fish will smell the bait and then hunt it down. Be sure to use a light wire hook to ensure your bait remains floating. There is quite a bit of flooded grass and vegetation lining the lake. Use a long leader and float your bait well above all the grass.



    Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Dan Jones of Modesto. He caught three rainbow trout while soaking Power Bait off the end of Glory Hole Point. His biggest weighed 2-pounds, 12-ounces.

    We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as there does not seem to be a large population of them in the lake. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

    Kokanee
    The season has come to an end and the kokanee most likely are done spawning. April is a good month to start targeting the kokanee again.

    Bass
    The bass bite has remained fairly good. With the rising water levels, the fish have moved into new areas and spread out. Anglers have been reporting catching fish from 5' to 65' of water. Many areas will be void of fish and it is best to keep searching and experimenting with different depths and lure presentation. Keep in mind that the shoreline has an abundance of flooded vegetation due to the rapidly rising water levels. Try using a presentation that will easily come through grass. A Carolina rig or a Texas rig would be a choice. These rigging methods are very versatile and can be fished deep or shallow and in practically and type of cover. Lizards and Brush Hogs are both a good choice of soft plastic. The lake is a little stained so it is best to use a soft plastic that has colored flake in it. Also, be sure to add a bead to both these rigging methods. You can use the bead and the weight to create a ticking sound this will draw bass toward your bait. In cold and stained water scent will help the fish locate your bait. Some anglers have found fish using reaction baits near the shoreline and into deeper water. Try using small swimbaits fished on an underspin to cover water and catch fish that are more aggressive and willing to chase. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

    Catfish
    The catfish bite during the winter months is generally pretty slow. Most of the cats will be caught by anglers targeting trout with either Power bait or nightcrawlers. During rising water conditions the catfish will move shallow and feed on any critters that have been caught off guard by the changing conditions. A large ball of crawlers will work well during the cold months and into the spring.

    Crappie
    The crappie are starting to bite and the prime time to catch them is right around the corner. With the recent rising water level the crappie will start to move back into some of the coves and creek channels. They love flooded brush and vegetation. Try using small spinners or mini jigs to locate crappie.

    Sonora Bass Anglers

    This last Saturday Sonora Bass held their first tournament of the 2017 season on New Melones. The anglers were forced to adapt to the rapidly rising water level. They club as a whole did a good job catching a bunch of fish with some quality ones in the mix.

    Congratulations to team Sheppard, taking home the win with a 18.01 lb. bag and big fish with a 9.24 lb. toad!

    Second place went to team Hemphill with 16.28 lbs.

    Rounding out the top three was team Broekema/Griswold with 14.76 lbs.

Wednesday, January 11th, 2017

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports
    Here are some pretty impressive stats for New Melones Reservoir during the last 5 days of storm activity. New Melones is the 4th largest lake in California by volume, holding 2.4 million acre ft. (326000 gallons of water = 1 acre ft.) Jan. 06, lake elevation was at 888.76. During the storm,there was a period where CDEC data indicated over 35000 cu. ft. per second was coming into the lake. At this point, current lake level is 910.46, a rise in elevation of 21.70 ft. This equates to an increase of 127361 acre ft., 41,519,686,000.0 gal. of water, around 62 % of Lake Pardee's capacity. This should be a great year for boating and recreational use of the lake looking forward.
    Glory Hole Point 4 lane boat launch is fully operational, Tuttletown concrete boat launch is in the water, and should be operational at any time.
    Happy Casting
    Glory Hole Sports

Monday, January 9th, 2017

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports

    Wow!!! The lake came up sixteen feet this past week!!!

    This last storm was great and the lake level came up extremely fast. We will continue to see the lake rise. The weather forecast is calling for another dumping rain storm.

    The dirt launch and the two lane concrete ramp are completely under water. The four lane concrete ramp off of Glory Hole Point is open and they are scrambling to get the docks put in place.

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 726,891 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up sixteen feet this past week and will continue to rise with the recent and upcoming rainfall. It is currently at 900 ft. above sea level and 183 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a slight stain in some areas. There is some debris floating on the surface. The water temperature has cooled, with the average being 51-54 degrees.

    THE FOUR LANE CONCRETE RAMP ON GLORY HOLE POINT IS OPEN!!



    Trout
    The lake has turned over and the trout fishing has been really good. Most anglers are catching limits of both planted and holdover rainbow trout. The lake level has been quickly rising with fresh water flowing in all the major tributaries. The trout can be caught in many different areas of lake. Trolling anglers have been top-lining to find success. Try using billed trolling plugs to target different depths near the surface. A Floating Rapala will dive 3' to 7' and a Shad Rap will troll down 8' to 12' depending on line diameter, speed and the amount of line let out. It is best to let out 200' of line to ensure you clear the boat wake. Some anglers have been using spoons tipped will a crawler to catch limits. We have a few cloudy days in the forecast making gold and copper good color choices. It should be clear by the weekend and natural shad patterns will work well. Be sure to experiment with different presentations and colors when you are on the water. Bank anglers continue to haul in some really nice rainbows from the shoreline. Most anglers are catching both planted and holdover rainbow trout. Try using garlic Power Bait with a live crawler or an artificial crawler. The trout are swimming near the shoreline, so a long cast is not needed. Make a short pitch into shallow water and let your bait soak. With a second rod stamp you can use a casting lure to search for fish while your bait soaks.



    Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Aiden and Aria Carr. They caught a 3-pound, 8-ounce holdover rainbow while soaking Power Bait off of Glory Hole Point.

    We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as there does not seem to be a large population of them in the lake. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

    Kokanee
    The season has come to an end and the kokanee most likely are done spawning. April is a good month to start targeting the kokanee again.

    Bass
    The bass bite has been good for the last couple of weeks. Most anglers are catching some healthy wintertime spotted bass with the occasional monster largemouth being caught. The lake is coming up extremely fast and changing daily. Some fish will hold deep and wait for conditions to stabilize, while others will move up immediately to investigate newly submerged structure. The fish that are holding on steep banks are less likely to be effected by quickly rising water. Try using a darthead worm fished down rocky bluffs and steep dirt banks. A darthead is a good choice because the fish will eat it on the fall in shallow water or pick it off the bottom in deep water. Natural crawdad colors work well and a bit of chartreuse will trigger strikes in stained water. Many of the shad can be found in the major creek channels. This fresh water flowing into the lake should bring the shad up to shallower water. Look for balls of bait on your fish finder and then try lowering a spoon or dropshot down. If the water has a little stain to it, the spoon is a great choice. Gold is a good color and the vibration of the spoon popping and fluttering will attract fish from a distance. Many fish will hold tight to the bottom and can be caught on jigs and shakeyheads. A jig can be fished slowly across the bottom to tempt those bass that are feeding on crawdads. Try using a light jig when fishing in shallow water and switching to a heavy jig in deep water. The shakeyhead is very weedless and is a great rig for fishing near wood. Try switching soft plastic baits throughout the day until you find the size and color they are looking for. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

    Catfish
    Fishing for catfish during the winter months is usually pretty slow. Large fish can be caught at this time each year, but not many. It is best to use a ball of Power Bait or Float a crawler. This way you will have a chance to catch both trout and catfish. For specially targeting giant cats, try using a whole mackerel with a double hook rig. These fish tend to hibernate during the cold months and will only move to eat a substantial meal.

    Crappie
    Very few anglers have been targeting the crappie. The winter months can be good and the crappie will move into creek arms.

Friday, January 6th, 2017

  • Report: Glory Hole Sports
    January 6 at 5:21pm ·
    Water levels at New Melones Lake have risen 2 ft. above the high water mark of last year, which was 886.90 on 6/14/16. With the impending storm coming we could certainly see the 895' mark. That will bring in the 4 lane ramp on Glory Hole Point and 4 lane Tuttletown ramp come in the water within a week!!

Thursday, January 5th, 2017

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports

    Bass
    The winter bite is in full swing and most anglers are catching some really nice spotted bass and largemouth. The water temperature continues to cool, but is not extremely cold yet. The fish are relatively active and willing to bite. Many fish are going to be holding in 30′ to 50′ of water.
    Some fish will move shallow periodically to feed and can be caught near the shoreline. The shad and trout have moved into creek channels and pockets off of the main lake. The bass will follow the bait. A great deep water technique that will work during the cold winter months is a vertical jigging spoon. Try locating large balls of bait and fishing a spoon near the edges, under and above. Sometimes the bass will hold in large standing timber near the edges of creek channels. They will wait for the bait to push into them and use the tree to coral an ambush. Try using a weedless worm fish in and around standing timber. A Texas Rig with a shad patterned worm or a Senko is a good choice for catching fish in heavy cover. Small swimbaits fished at various depths will also coax these fish into biting. Many fish will scour the bottom and feed on crawdads and other bottom dwelling creatures. A football head jig will work great fished slowly across the bottom. Light jigs work great when the fish are biting on the fall. Use heavier jigs for bumping into structure and grinding the bottom. Some anglers are catching big largemouth on trout patterned swimbaits. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

Tuesday, December 20th, 2016

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports
    The lake came up nine feet this past week! The lake has been beautiful and the fish are biting.
    The weather forecast is calling for blue skies and nice weather for most of the week.
    The concrete ramp is open and many boats are launching with ease.
    The right side of the ramp is plenty wide and the concrete extends past the end of the dock
    The left side is a little narrow, but still wide enough to launch most boats. The dirt launch is also still available for use.

    Last year on December 19, 2015 the lake was at 801 ft in elevation. We are currently at 877 ft in elevation. The lake is in much better shape than this time last year. At this rate we can expect to have a concrete ramp and a dock in the water for the entire 2017 season.

    We still need the next few months to produce some serious rainfall, but we remain very optimistic.

    Stop by the store on your way to the lake and we can set you up with everything you would need to have a great day on the water.

    Thanks- from all of us at Glory Hole Sports

Saturday, December 17th, 2016

  • Report: Glory Hole Sports
    December 17, 2016 at 9:30am ·
    12/17/2016 This last storm has pushed water levels up in New Melones Lake.
    Lake elevation is now at 875.36, up 4.25 ft. from midnight Dec. 15.
    The volunteer ramp now in the water (lower right side on Glory Hole point) is a two lane ramp with courtesy dock. ( 860.00-900.00)
    We look forward to seeing the lower 4 lane ramp on Glory Hole Point going in the water at 899.00

Monday, November 21st, 2016

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 515,711 acre-feet of water. The lake level came up just a little this past week and should start to rise quickly with the recent and upcoming rainfall. It is currently at 861 ft. above sea level and 224 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a slight stain in some areas. The water temperature is cooling, with the average being 57-62 degrees.
    The concrete ramp is CLOSED and should re-open once the lake reaches 865 ft. There is also a courtesy dock on the dirt launch which will be in place until the concrete ramp is open again.

    Bass
    Many bass anglers have been doing a little better as the fish transition to a fall-like pattern. The bass will feed heavily in preparation for the cold winter months to come. The shad are constantly on the move and the majority of bass are following them around the lake. There are areas that will be loaded with fish and then be vacant a few hours later. The key is to make multiple stops in search of actively feeding fish. The productive depth seems to be 35'-45'. Look for areas that the bass will push and ambush bait. Shad patterned worms fished on a darthead or shakeyhead will work well. Many fish are suspended and swimming a single tail grub in the middle water column will trigger strikes. Some fish will completely ignore the schools of shad and strictly target crawdads. Plus, fish are opportunistic feeders and will pick up a crawdad even if they are in the process of busting shad. This makes a football head jig a good choice. Use light jigs in shallow water and heavier jigs as you work out deep. Keeping contact with the bottom is very important when fishing a jig. ¾-ounce jigs in 45' of water will trigger bites from now until spring. Use natural colors and switch trailer until the fish tell you what they prefer. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

Monday, October 24th, 2016

  • Report: Fishing Report from Glory Hole Sports

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 520,678 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped one foot this past week. It is currently at 862 ft. above sea level and 223 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a slight stain in some areas. The water temperature is slightly cooling, with the average being 63-68 degrees. The concrete ramp is CLOSED and is no longer in use. There is also a courtesy dock on the dirt launch which will be in place for the remainder of the summer and until the concrete ramp is open again.

    Trout
    The water temperature continues to cool and we are getting closer to the annual turnover of the lake. The rainfall in the forecast should help expedite the process. This will bring those 3 to 5-pound trout that have been holding in deep water up into shallow water. The trout will follow the shoreline and feed on the surface throughout the cold winter months. Trolling anglers are still catching them in deep water from 70' to 100'. Trolling at faster speeds has been working well. The next couple weeks we will be having cloudy/rainy days. Typically brightly painted lures will work best under these conditions. Try using baits that have fluorescent green and orange on them. Gold and copper are good choices for blades. We can expect them to start to move up and anglers will be able to use a leadcore line or a top-line to catch them. Bank anglers should start to soak Power Bait and toss Kastmansters to catch some of the first fish that move shallow. During rainstorms, fish will pull into areas that have fresh flowing water. Look for drainage ditches and creek channels that have flowing water. We do encourage catch and release of brown trout, as there does not seem to be a large population of them in the lake. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

    Kokanee
    The season has come to an end and the kokanee will be spawning in the creek channels and upriver.

    Bass
    The bass bite was a little better this last week and anglers reported catching some nice spotted bass. The bass are in transition from summer to fall as the water temperature cools. The next couple weeks we can expect them to be in more of a fall-like pattern. Many fish are holding in deep water and feeding on schools of shad. The shad should start to move up in the water column as we approach the winter months. Try fishing with reaction baits and lures that can be used to cover water. Small crankbaits, ripbaits and swimbaits are all good choices. Shad patterns work well, but on cloudy/rainy days try incorporating a few bright colors. If the fish are not willing to chase a faster moving presentation, try slowing down and fishing a presentation that will remain in their strike zone for a longer period of time. A vertical presentation can be used to keep the bait in the strike zone. Jigging spoons and dropshot rigs are both good choices. Some fish will be holding tight to the bottom and can be caught on a variety of soft plastics. There is quite a bit of brush lining the lake making a weedless presentation a preferred setup. Try using a Texas Rig or slowly dragging a jig across the bottom. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

    Catfish
    Glory Hole Sports Fall Catfish Contest will be going for the entire month of November. We are signing up contestants daily and will throughout November or until we reach 50-entrants. The fall is usually a great time of the year to catch large catfish. The catfish will feed heavily for the next couple months and bulk up for the colder winter months. They will act much like a bear and will hibernate during the winter, feeding much less. With the water temperatures dropping and the fresh rainfall running into the lake, the catfish will scour the shoreline. They will feed on small fish and crawdads that have moved up to feed on small insects that are washed into the lake. Try using frozen shad, mackerel and sardines to catch these fish eaters. Preserved crawdads are also a good choice. Catfish have very poor eyesight and will be drawn by scented baits. Dough baits can be fished alone or added to a frozen bait rig produce a more powerful scent. Night crawlers and chicken livers work well and can be soaked in Mike's Lunker Lotion or Power Bait Catfish Attractant.

    Crappie
    The crappie bite has slowed, but a few anglers have reported catching some nice 2-pound slab. They will be holding in tall standing timber near deep water and feeding on schools of shad that swim past. Live minnows and mini jigs fish under a slip-float will work. Try fishing near the mouth of any of the major creek channels. As the water temperatures cool the crappie will school up and start to feed heavily on the shad that are migrating into creek channels. Follow the bait and the crappie will be nearby.

Monday, October 3rd, 2016

  • Report: From Glory Hole Sports

    Water Conditions
    New Melones Lake is currently holding 527,076 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped one foot this past week and it appears more water is being held and less is being released. It is currently at 863 ft. above sea level and 222 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a slight stain in some areas. The water temperature is slightly cooling, with the average being 67-73 degrees. The concrete ramp is CLOSED and longer in use. There is also a courtesy dock on the dirt launch which will be in place for the remainder of the summer and until the concrete ramp is open again.

    Joe Caccamo of Arnold caught two really nice rainbow trout while trolling a tandem spoon rig in deep water.

    Trout
    We had a good week of trout fishing and saw some of those big New Melones rainbows. Many anglers are catching some 2 to 5-pound rainbows while fishing in deep water on the main lake. We are very excited to be seeing fish of this size and can expect the bite to improve. As the water temperatures cool the fish will become more active and move up closer to the surface. Trolling anglers are not catching a bunch of fish, but the ones they are hooking into are very impressive. Try trolling from 70' to 90' over the deepest portions of the lake. The fish are feeding heavily on shad, so most anglers are fishing with shad patterned spoons, plugs and swimbaits. There is very little visibility in deep water and darker colors will work best. Black, blue and purple are all good choices. Also, try adding scent to your presentation or tying a scent chamber inline. Bank anglers should start to anticipate the fall/winter bite and the lake turnover. The temperatures are dropping and the fish will be moving toward the surface and shoreline. The lake will generally be turned by the first couple weeks of November. Try fan casting a large Kastmaster in search of the first big fish to move up.

    Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Matt Rice of Modesto. He caught two chunky rainbows with his biggest weighing 4-pounds, 14-ounces. He reported catching his fish on a Pro Troll Trout Killer in 95' of water.

    We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.

    Bob James of Murphys spent a couple days chasing these large trout. He brought in some big ones weighing up to 3-pounds, 8-ounces.

    Rod Smith and Reel Habit of Sonora caught three nice trout. They used an Apex fished in 90' of water to find success. Their biggest weighed just shy of 3-pounds.

    Bob Scruggs spent a couple days on the Take it to the Limit Guide Service boat and caught some beautiful rainbows. His biggest weighed 3-pounds, 13-ounces.

    Kokanee
    The season has come to an end and the kokanee will be spawning in the creek channels and upriver.

    Bass
    The recent cooling trend in the weather should help the bite and make the bass a bit more active. There is an abundance of shad and the bass are gorging on them. Use your electronics to locate these large populations of shad and the bass will be nearby. Many of the shad are small and the bass will key in on their size. Try using small soft plastics that are similar in size and color to the shad. Many fish are suspended and feed in the middle of the water column. These fish can be targeted with small swimbaits and deep diving rip baits. A dropshot rig is also a must have for fall fishing. Try using a light weight and be ready to detect a bite as the bait drops. Some fish will stay down closer to the bottom and feed on crawdads and other bottom dwelling creatures. Even the bass that are feeding on shad will come down to feed on the bottom when they get a chance. Try using a light football head jig in shallow water and switching to a heavier one when fishing deep. California Reservoir Lures makes a selection of jigs that will catch big fish in the Motherlode. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.

    Catfish
    We are very excited to be bringing back the Glory Hole Sports Fall Catfish Contest which will be going for the entire month of November. Sign-ups start October 1st. Stop by to register and secure a spot. We are seeing some big catfish being caught and we hope to see some giants come to the scales during the month of November. Now is a good time to go out and scout out some of those catfish holes. Many of the biggest catfish will be caught on frozen fish. Shad, mackerel and anchovies are all good choices for bait. Use miracle thread to keep your bait secured to the hook. Catfish have very poor eyesight and will feed by smell. Add scent to your bait or use scent catfish bait. Each year many large cats are caught a ball of crawlers. Be sure to grab a box of crawlers before each outing and try using them in combination with other stink baits and dough baits.

Thursday, September 1st, 2016

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    Water Temp: 76-80

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The bass bite has been okay for the last couple months. The summer heat and dropping water levels will push the fish off of the bank and out toward deep/cool water. There is an abundance of shad schooling in deep water and many of the bass are feeding on them. Small topwater baits early and late will work from day to day. Switch to a subsurface bait once the sun is up. A small swimbait is a good choice and can be fished at various depths. When all else fails a dropshot rig will catch a bunch of fish and some nice one's too.

    Tips: The concrete ramp is in the water with courtesy dock. There is and will be a dock on the dirt launch for the remainder of the year.

Monday, August 1st, 2016

  • Report: From Glory Hole
    Fishing Report
    August 1, 2016

    Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 582,745 acre-feet of water. The lake level dropped three feet this past week. It is currently at 874 ft. above sea level and 211 ft. from full. The water clarity is clear in most of the lake with a slight stain in some areas. The water temperature is gradually rising, with the average being 76-81 degrees.
    There is a two lane concrete ramp with a courtesy dock in place. There will be a courtesy dock on the dirt launch once the lake drops down to that elevation, which is approximately 865′ in elevation.
    Trout: Fair. New Melones is kicking out a handful of 2 to 4-pound trout. The trout are holding in the deep/cool areas of the lake. They will remain in these areas throughout the dog days of summer and move shallow once the water begins to cool. The old river channel, the spillway and the dam are all good areas to locate trout. Trolling anglers are catching a few trout and kokanee trolling down to 90′ of water. There are portions of the lake that still exceed 200′ in depth. Look for these areas to locate both trout and kokanee. Presentations that produce sound and vibration will trigger strikes in water that has low visibility. Try using a Rattle Trap trolled at faster speed to catch some of these larger trout. Night anglers have been doing well fishing under a submersible light. Once again search out deep water and pull the bait and the trout up to the light. Live minnows and nightcrawlers are both good bait choices when fishing under a light. Bank anglers will have more success heading to the lakes and rivers in the high country. We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information.



    Ken Hopper caught some nice 15″ to 18″ kokane while trolling between Rose Island and the dam. He targeted 230′ of water trolling down 70′ to 90′. Pink hoochies w/ silver Vance’s Dodger and orange micro hoochie behind a watermelon Simon Wobbler did the trick.
    Kokanee: Good. The kokanee bite has not been fast and furious but the fish that are being caught are some of the largest in the state. The average kokanee is 16″ and we have measured fish up to 19″ weighing over 2-pounds. As the water continues to drop and temperatures rise, the kokanee will move to deep water. Try trolling from 80-100′ to catch these chunky kokanee. Large dodgers and slingblades have been working well. Try using a Vance’s Dodger with a bladed hoochie to create commotion and draw strikes. Also a large slingblade with a slight bend will disrupt the kokanee and they will bite out of aggravation. Presentations that swing or wobble side-to-side will disperse water and be easier for the fish to locate. Apex and wiggle hoochie are both good choices. Before dropping your setup down, hold it near the side of the boat to find the right speed to get ample action. A short leader is recommended on both spinners and hoochie rigs. Scent is also very important and should be applied throughout the day. Stop by and pick up some dyed and scented corn on your way to the lake.
    Bass: Fair. The water level continues to drop making the bass bite a little tougher. Most of the fish have pulled off the shoreline and are holding on deep water structure. During the summer heat it is best to fish early in the morning or late in the evening. The key to catching a handful of bass is locating the bait. The schools of shad will be in deep/cool water. The bass will be actively feeding and then shut off immediately. Catch them when they are in a feeding frenzy and then move once the bite dies and try to locate another productive area. Reaction baits and small swimbaits work well to find fish. Try using a small crankbait or an underspin fished through the bait. Switch to a small shad patterned worm on a dropshot to catch the fish that are not willing to chase. Some fish will stay near shallow water and feed on crawdads. A football jig is always a good choice. Or a bulky creature style soft plastic fished on a Wrecking Ball head will trigger strikes. PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE. Take photos and carefully release the fish back into to the lake to maintain a healthy fish population for generations to come.



    Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week goes to Trena John. She caught a nice 9-pound, 13-ounce catfish on chicken liver.
    Catfish: Good. The catfish bite is picking up and many anglers are catching 6 to 10-pound fish. The cats will feed all day, but the best bite time is mornings, evenings and during the night. Try using frozen shad, anchovy or mackerel to coax them into biting. The catfish in New Melones will feed on shad and small sunfish just like a bass would. It is best to have a two pole stamp and give the fish multiple offerings. Try fishing a large chunk of frozen fish on one rod and fishing a single crawler/mallow combo on the other. Each year some of the largest fish are caught on small offerings.


    Ken Ratihn caught a large 7.11-pound catfish while soaking Power Bait upriver.


    Jeremy Clinkenbeard and David Homath of Sonora caught a whole bunch of crappie while fishing mini jigs during the day. Their biggest weighed 2-pounds and was caught in 15′ to 20′ of water.
    Crappie: Good. The crappie are biting and can be caught during the day or at night under a submersible light. The crappie are holding in main lake pockets, coves and creek channels. Try fishing near standing timber and brush to locate the schools of crappie. A live minnow fished under a slip-float is a great way to catch them. Also try using small swimbaits, Beetle Spins and artificial minnow to catch them.

Thursday, July 7th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 76-81

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: There is a two lane concrete ramp and courtesy dock in the water. The best bite is in the mornings and evenings. Use topwater walk-the-dog baits, prop baits and poppers. The bigger fish are feeding on bluegill and sunfish that are holding near brush and standing timber. Many fish will pull off the shoreline and feed on shad. Jigs and dropshot rigs work year round.

    Tips: Be the first on on the water and the first to leave or launch late and fish till dark. The fish don't want to sit in the sun all day either, look for cover during the heat of the day.

Saturday, April 18th, 2015

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    Water Temp: 68

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: The ramp is now a 4 wheel drive , lower dirt. The water continues to drop dramatically. Fishing has been tough for me the last 3 weekends. No problem catching numbers, especially up river but no size. Given the rapid drop and apparently continuing to drop I doubt we will have a good spawn this year. Bigger fish most likely near the bank but can't get on it.

    Tips: I have had a good top water bite which is early for me , usually does not start for me until late May/June when the Blue Gill spawn. Don't waste your money on Senkos, at a dollar or more each for a 12-14 inch fish as fast as you can feed them will break the bank. Decent crank bait bite.

Saturday, March 21st, 2015

  • Water Temp: 62-64

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Club tournament, but there was also a Future Pro tournament going on at the same time. 100 boats launching at the same time with only 1 ramp with 2 lanes open...no good!!

    I hadn't fished this lake since I was a kid so I went in blind. Everything looks the same, all submerged trees. Water was really clear and then when the wind picked up it created at mud line. Lots of 13" fish throughout the day, could not find any big fish. I caught most on finesse, a couple on a shad color swim jig, one on a spinnerbait, and one on an A-Rig (which I ended up losing the rig in a submerged tree). Back seat was catching the same fish over and an over again everywhere we went fishing a finesse worm.

    I went there expecting to through big baits all day, but couldn't find anywhere where I felt like I could cast it w/o getting snagged in the trees. Tough day, I took 8th with 7.72 and 1st was 8.69 with a 2.7 big fish...terrible, when the week before 1st was 30lbs..

    Tips: I can't offer much in the form or a tip for this lake, other than if the water level is the same in the summer I'll be back to throw topwater all day. Green pumpkin worms either drop shot or other finesse styles and be prepared to re-tie all day.

Sunday, March 1st, 2015

  • Water Temp: 55

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Had a great time with Jim and John fishing this lake for the first time for me. John was a great host / guide. Saturday it rained from launch to maybe 2:00. Managed more fish in the am than later . off the water at 4:00. Sunday was the opposite, sunny skies all day. several boats out there Sunday. Nothing till after 10 that day. Off the water at 1:00. Leader board update Jim 10 bass 2 trout, Dave 9 bass one trout and John 8 bass. Size range under 1# to 2#, probably 1.3# avg. Very fun pre-spring trip. Need more snow to fill that beautiful lake up!

    Tips: Ran into Vince Harris at the ramp, head of Future Pro Tour, Sat a.m. He said he is starting Trout tourneys to go with Bass tourneys. No idea what size won Saturday. Similar format with TOC winners getting a boat! He puts on great tournaments in my humble opinion. Excellent learning experience if you are new into tournaments.

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

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    Water Temp: 52-55

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Weather: Mostly clear skies
    Lake Level: currently at 870 ft.\Best Depths: Most fish are in 35-65' of water. They will move shallow and deep depending on the weather.
    Fishing has been good. The lake is full of spotted bass. Most are 1 to 3-pounds, but you have a chance at a World Record Fish on any cast. Drop-shot, shakey heads and jigs work best. Fish natural colors.
    Big Bass: Most fish are in 35-65' of water. They will move shallow and deep depending on the weather.01/19/2015 - Largemouth - 14.75lbs
    John Chiarpotti (owner of California Reservoir Lures)
    Events: GLORY HOLE SPORTS BIG BASS BASH FEBRUARY 21, 2015
    sign up for our weekly newsletter http://gloryholesports.com/newsletter/
    Guide Information: (209)736-4333\Name & Number: Glory Hole Sports\Pricing Specials/Open Dates: FREE stop and get a coffee on your way to the lake

    Tips: Glory Hole Point boat launch is open with a two lane concrete ramp and a dock. 4wd is no longer needed to launch.

Sunday, December 28th, 2014

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    Water Temp: Dropping- 53-56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Weather: Clear skies and cold air
    Lake Level: The lake level came up two feet this last week. It is currently at 867 ft. above sea level and 209 ft. from full.\Best Depths: 35-55
    Dropp-shotting shad patterned worms, jigging spoons and 3/4oz football jigs.
    Big Bass: 35-5512/28/2014 - Largemouth - 12-pounds, 2-ounces
    Dan Perkins Jr. caught a giant
    Events: Stop by the store for more fish catching information or a delicious deli sandwich.
    Guide Information: Glory Hole Sports\Name & Number: (209)736-4333\Pricing Specials/Open Dates: Sign up for our weekly newsletter http://gloryholesports.com/newsletter/

    Tips: New Melones has a ton of 1 to 3-pound fish that are extremely fun to catch. Plus there are Giants and World Record fish, one cast could change your life.