Submit
Report

Sonoma Lake and Reports

Limit:
Click for interactive map

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007

  • By

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Redwood Empire Bass Clubs next meeting is April 11th at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center on the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. Our guest speaker will be Jimmy Reese who was voted the top bass angler in California last year.Our next tournament is at Clear Lake on April 14th and I'm sure Jimmy will be sharing with us some of his winning techniques.We welcome new members both boaters and non boaters to fish with us. Log onto rebc.net for more info or call me at 707-758-5762.
    City: Santa Rosa

Thursday, March 29th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 58

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: My fishing buddy (Frank)& I started fishing at 12:41 P.M. north shore line. Targeted lay downs in about 4 to 10 feet with 4inch Senko's. We fished for a little over 4 hours and I ended up with 18 fish landed. Out of the 18 only one on a crank bait. Frank got 2. He was stubborn. He was using the same color for a while but the longer Senko. He did not get as many bites. Out of the 18 fish I caught 15 were smallies! It was my best Small mouth day ever! I wish we could have stayed longer!
    City: Healdsburg

    Tips: Senko's Senko's Senko's. I used a spinning rod with 8lb test and 3/0 wide gap hooks & 1/8 weight. The bite was very lite with a tick. Most of the time the rod just loaded up with pressure. I only lost a few thought even with the ligter line. I kept my boat in about 20' and hammered the lay downs. The one crank bait bite was on a Crawdad pattern.

Sunday, March 18th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 55 to 62

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The Redwood Empire Bass Club first draw tournament was held yesterday wth great results. We had 17 boats with 32 anglers catching 127 fish with average weight of 2.29lbs. The winners were 1st. Jared Adams with 23.44lbs.(7.95lb. big fish)-, 2nd. Chris Franks with 15.39(5.36 lb. 2nd big fish) and 3rd. Bill Snow with 13.61lbs. The bass ate jigs, senkos, worms,crankbaits and spinnerbaits. In other words the bite was really good.
    City: Santa Rosa

    Tips: Redwood Empire Bass Clubs next meeting is April 11th at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. Our guest speaker will be Jimmy Reese who was voted the top bass angler In California last year. He is the reigning angler of the year for the FLW and WON Pro Tours.Our next tournament is at Clear Lake on April 14th and since this is Jimmy's home lake I'm sure he will be sharing his favorite techniques with us.

Saturday, March 17th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 55-65

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The Redwood Empire Bass Club held their March tournament on Saturday under clear skys. We had an excellent turnout with 32 anglers all competing against each other. When the day ended everyone weighed in at least one bass with a total of 127 fish weightin in. There were 17 limits and average weight of 2.29 lbs per bass. It took just over 23 lbs for 1st place anchored by a pair of 7lb'ers. The weights droped from there to 15 lbs for 2nd and 13 lbs to make the top 10. Fish were caught on a variety of techniques including crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, worms and brush hogs. I was able to pull out a 4th place finish catching an limit early using a white spinnerbait and a 5" Yamamoto grub in the Dry Creek area. I even landed a large crappie on the spinnerbait.
    Next stop on the REBC tour will be Clear Lake in April so get out your swimbaits and ripbaits and get ready for some fun. For more info, visit our website at www.rebc.net.
    City: Rohnert Park

    Tips: The fish are definately on the pre-spawn mode. Bass are suspending around cover waiting for the water to warm more before moving to the shallows. White blades and plastics in green pumpkin or watermelon and crankbaits in shad or crawdad patterns. Also try drop shotting around bushes in staging areas or tossing a weightless senko.

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 58-65

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Looks like the bite is turning on got two on a crank bait both of them shallow. From what I have heard the afternoon bite is the best thats is when I got my fish as well. Also, from what I have heard there is a pretty good brushhog bite. All fish being caught real shallow 5 to 8 feet. Lots of guys telling me that there cathing around 10 in a day. Looks like I just wasn't on the right pattern.

    Tips: CATCH AND RELEASE!!!!!!!

Sunday, March 11th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 56F-59F

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished morning to early afternoon in a float tube at Yorty. Caught one fish on a darter jig, a 1.5 lber in 6 feet of water near wood. Great day, upper 70's, no wind, lot's of families out fishing.
    City: San Francisco

    Tips: The water is still muddy, barely two feet visibility. If you're jigging, you gotta be right on top of them.

Saturday, March 3rd, 2007

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Prior to this last storm it took over 23lbs. to win an ABA team tournament. Redwood Empire Bass Club next tournament is here on March 17th and I know some big fish will be caught.We welcome new members both boaters and non boaters to fish with us. The next meeting is March 14th at 7.p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center on the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. Our guest speaker will be Ross England who will be showing us his winning swim bait techniques. He holds the Clear Lake record for a 5 fish limit of over 41lbs. Log onto rebc.net or call me at 707-758-5762 for more info.
    City: Santa Rosa

Monday, February 26th, 2007

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Are crappie in this lake? What is a good month?......thanks ...Jim
    City: Antioch

Sunday, February 18th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 60-64

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Went out with two teens[my cousin&his friend] to hopefully take advantage of the recent hot bite.arrived at 10:00 went to skunk &yorty not a bite. We saw a lot of salamanders in the shallows But oops forgot half my plastics at home no lizards or anything close. the boys wanted to sight fish. 1 hour later we saw no fish. went to warm springs side to try road beds & ledges in the 10 to 15 foot range. threw a lot of different stuff they experimented with some pretty weird rigs& weird colors but hey they were having fun. Finnaly I pulled up to a rockpile and broke the ice with a 2.5lb keeper. Immediatelly they were asking for a crankbait like mine. threw them both my sonoma secret crank in shad color. those boys were chuckin & windin as I bagged another keeper.I showed them how to slow real and feel the rocks. Ihooked a good one and lost it at the boat 4-5er. then my cousins buddy yanked one of the rockpile Oh yeah thats what its all about thats why im here so the youngsters can catch um I can go anytime I want the boys to get these fish.I ended up pulling six fish out of that one spot, six I wished the boys had caught.so ifound a similar rockpile first cast another keeperand another and another.I was trying to make bunk casts but they wanted my bait over theirsfor some reason.So I must have had around 12-14lbs for 5 fish nothin big but everyone of them fun. My cousin got skunked but last outing we did at sonoma he got a 8.5 off the dam. So i finished the day with well thats just fishin guys. they were all smiles anyway just the fact of being on a bass boat thrills them they had fun.
    City: guerneville

    Tips: Even Know it is tough sometimes and it tests your patients and lots of snags. Bring them kids out once and awhile its rewarding trust me.If my grandpa hadnt took me fishin would I have this healthy constructive hobby? It kept me busy and out of trouble as a teen hope it does the same for all the youngsters I take. I still have a lot of time for the big guys too.

Sunday, February 11th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 47-53

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Checked to see what has been posted and see Jimmy did not post last Sunday. Fished 9-3:30 three of us and we got 5 fish. Farther north the muddier it got. Started out trying to see if fish moved up shallow with the muddied water tried Jig, Blades, T-Rig, Drop-Shot, Jerk Bait. Even John's sure fire plastic. First fish not till 12:00 1.5# on a spinner bait, Jimmy got another about 1.8# on a blade also. John added the 2.5# one eyed smallie on a drop-shot. I added a 1.9# on a Senko and Jimmy finished with a 2.0# on a Drop-Shot. It was a week ago but I think this is close. Water got more stained as the day progressed even thou rain had stopped, it will probably be a while before it clears.
    City: Pacifica

    Tips: Good opportunity to learn how to find fish in stained water. No pattern to speak of. Depth 5-25 ft.

Tuesday, January 30th, 2007

  • By

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: The only fishing report I can post is what my friend told me from fishing last week. Fish heavy jigs in 30 to 40 ft around submerged trees in brown/orange or black/blue covered with smelly jelly and work it really slow. When the bass bite you will definitely fell a "THUMP". Drop shotting Robo MM will work also.
    City: Santa Rosa

    Tips: The Redwood Empire Bass Club next tournament is at Berryessa on February 24th. We welcome all new members both boaters and non boaters to fish with us. Rich Thiel, a well known guide will be speaking at our next meeting on Tuesday February 13th at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane.Log onto rebc.net for more info or call me at 707-758-5762. See you there.

Sunday, January 28th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 48-52.6

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: not a whole lot goin on here was out for abou 5 hours 1 bite deadsticking on a roadbed in 14 ft water very slowly 2-3 minite casts working stick worms tried it all jigs ddcranckbaits dshot shakeyheads & much more the water is extremly low spring is going to be early this year if the weather keeps up hopefully the bite will get good within a month if the water warms a few more degrees them bass will start staging
    City: guerneville

    Tips: whatever your doing do it slow then go slower &finesse it can be a tough lake

  • By

    Water Temp: 48-52.6

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: not a whole lot goin on here was out for abou 5 hours 1 bite deadsticking on a roadbed in 14 ft water very slowly 2-3 minite casts working stick worms tried it all jigs ddcranckbaits dshot shakeyheads & much more the water is extremly low spring is going to be early this year if the weather keeps up hopefully the bite will get good within a month if the water warms a few more degrees them bass will start staging
    City: guerneville

    Tips: whatever your doing do it slow then go slower &finesse it can be a tough lake

Monday, January 22nd, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 49-55

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Nice day, about 61, not much wind, saw plenty of suspended fish, hundreds together, no bites..10 to 70 ft in the different arms of the lake. One guy had a couple of bites, no fish. They seem to be hybernating. They were stacked up to the max.
    Used senkos, spinners, topwater, jigs, swimbait, dropshot, cranks, countdown lures. Zippo results.
    City: Healdsburg, Ca

    Tips: Enjoy the day, scope the lake out since it is low, for better times. Wonder why there are not more reports on this lake, never much to report, my best day ever was 20 fish in 3yrs, 49 lbs. During summer, only reason, found a honey hole that does not exist anymore...

  • By

    Water Temp: 51-52

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished 9:00am-3:00pm, mostly in warm springs and a little on main body not too far from public ramp. 3 fish total today, all on dropshot w/ aarons magic robo's. All fish very deep (40-70 feet). No action on the ol' jig n' pig today, tho' I tried. Dropped a spoon on some suspended fish too, cranked for awhile, no luck. Spent part of the day trolling for steelies w/ no takers. Don't know you, but thanks for the good tip from firejon. Tied my hook closer to the sinker, improved the action some. Wish more people would post on this lake. You can always learn something.
    City: San Anselmo

    Tips: jigs or D.S. seem to be the ticket.

Sunday, January 14th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: cold!

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Fished 2:30-5:30pm in warm springs arm. Found fish on steep walls/points with some cover and small rock in about 10-30 ft of water. Got bit, but couldn't set the hook right for the life of me. Had three on out of about 10-11 hits, but all came unbuttoned at the boat. 1oz jig n' pigs in brown/orange & black/blue with lots of smelly jelly were what they liked, fished extremely slow. Tried shakey heads, blades, no go. Bites were light taps, no hit and run.
    City: San Anselmo

    Tips: Set the hook better'n I did.

Monday, January 8th, 2007

  • By

    Water Temp: 51.3-53.4

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: caught a total of 11 bass two on a crankbait and the rest on the drop shot using MMM III. Fished the south end and then whent up to warms spring and the fish for us were on fairly steep drop-offs and the fish hit mainly in the 15 to 40 foot range. Great day to be there and I plan on fishing the REBC at Clear lake on Jan 20th. see you there.
    Fire Jon
    City: san bruno

    Tips: Use your fish finder and fish on top of the fish and be patient. Tie your drop shot hook closer to the sinker.

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007

  • By

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Responding to Dave from Pacifica I agree there should be more fishing reports on this Lake. Although I havn't fished sinced the REBC tournament on December 16th I know four boats participated in a friendly winner takes all tournament on New Years Day. The tournament was won by the team of Joe Leonard and Patrick McGee with 5 fish for 17lbs. anchored by a 6lb largemouth that fell for a jig in 10ft. of water. Joe and Pat have won the last three tournaments they fished here and there go to bait has always been the pig and jig which is a great winter bait. There only suggestion is to work the bait really slow and hang on and set the hook when the bass "THUMP" the bait.
    City: Santa Rosa

    Tips: Redwood Empire Bass Club next tournament is January 20th at Clear Lake out of Red Bud. Whether you are a beginner or experienced bass fisherman we welcome you to fish with us this year. With 10 out of 11 tournaments being held at Sonoma, Clear Lake and Berryessa and having Marine Unlimited, Outdoor Pro Shop and West Marine as sponsors,you will have lots of fun fishing with us. Please join us next Wednesday at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. Our guest speaker will be Dave Church who with three different partners has won the 12/10 ABA Team at Berryessa(9.03 big fish)and the 12/2 WON team at Berryessa and placed 2nd at the 11/26 Anglers Choice Team at Berryessa. Dave is a past member of the club and will be sharing his winning formulas with us. For more info click on the club section on this website or log onto rebc.net.Call me at 707.758.5762 anytime. I hope to see you all at the meeting next week.

Sunday, December 31st, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 47-52

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Went out with Jim Jim for traditional new years fishing trip. Beautiful day at Sonoma wind very cooperative, Sunny, hardly any boat traffic, but not alot of fish. Jim got the first one about 11:45 on a dropshot at "Ricky's tree" nice fight, wrapped on a branck but stayed on finally made it to the side of the boat and to our surprise it was about a 3lb steelhead. Fished Yorty and Cherry for the am with no fish the mor north the more muddy the water was. Went to the Dam and Jim got a nice 1.7 on the drop shot about 1:45 he then got a 2.2 on the same rig. finally went south and water was clearer. I got a nice smallie with a great fight and Jim got one more about 1.8 and I lost it's twin at the boat. Nothing big but great to be out fishing! Hunters we saw at the ramp did harvest one hog with a bow.
    City: Pacifica

    Tips: Tried Jigs, blade, jerk bait, crank bait, t-Rig, even Scott's special worm and the only thing that worked was the drop shot 10-38 feet. Clearer water in the south was much more productive!

    Wish more people would post to this site.

Friday, December 22nd, 2006

  • By

    Water Temp: 52

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: On my last post I made an error.At the Redwood Empire Bass Club tournament on December 16th, the team of Dave Church and John Kidder placed second with 13.51 lbs. and the team of Derick Castro and Brian Hoxie place 4th with 12.58 lbs. I wish everyone the best of holidays and great fishing and catching for the New Year.
    City: Santa Rosa