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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, April 20th, 2014

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of B&W again and headed back to Little Mandeville Island before sunrise. Started with buzz baits again and my 9 year old son hooked up with his biggest fish ever at 4 lbs. There's nothing better than seeing a young kid catch his personal best! We moved inside the island and I caught 7 over the next 2 hours using the Texas-rigged senko in green pumpkin with another 6 lb kicker. It was a slower day than the previous one, but still good with our best 5 going about 15 lbs. My dad lost one inside the island near a break that probably would have gone 8 or 9. The big girls still seem to be up shallow so now's the time to go find your personal best.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: The Texas-rigged senko is still the go to bait for us to get the bites and it is still producing the big bites as well with our best 5 for the two days going about 26 lbs.

Saturday, April 19th, 2014

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: We launched out of B&W about 6:15 and were at Little Mandeville Island before sunrise. We worked some buzz baits and caught a 4lber on the outside of the island near a break. We moved inside and proceeded to catch about 10 fish in the 1 1/2-2 lb range working a weightless Texas-rigged senko in green pumpkin. We moved over to Mildred island and caught 3 more small fish and 1 that went 6 lbs still on the senko. We finished up the day at Mandeville Tip (that what I call it, it's the island just east of Prisoner's Point on the San Joaquin if anyone knows the actual name). I fished the eastern bank to escape some of the wind and caught another 6 lber up shallow in the weeds with the senko. All in all a good day with out best 5 going about 21 lbs.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: We've had more success with the Texas-rigged senko than anything else. I keep working with jigs and cranks, but just don't produce the bites that the senko is producing right now. Work the weed lines and tules slowly and you should have some luck.

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      Water Temp: 65-67

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched B&W 6:45am, started crankin' at top of the Moke and worked down tule island strips...just one shaker striper on a crank for my brother. Just had the itch to throw cranks..dumb idea I guess.
      Decided to move up to Sycamore..worked jig w/craw trailer along rock wall/tule weedbeds finding potholes. Brother picked up 3 in a row and I followed him with 2 more. 5 total for me, 7 for my brother. brown/green jig w/Strike King Rage Craw in CA Craw color. Was **WINNNDDDYYYY** nowhere to hide from it!
      City: folsom

      Tips: All hits came on the fall except one as I was watching my brother catch one, I realized I was gettin' hit as my jig dragged through the weedbed... and all were aggressive males. 1.5lb avg. Looked for potholes in the weed patches but mostly threw at the wall and popped it back once or twice, then the hit would come letting it fall. Brother used a stinger hook on his jig and caught at least 3 on that stinger. I'm gonna try it next outing.

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: The Ranger said that they've started releasing water for the farmers,lake has drop at least 3 feet looking at the bank. Fish have pulled back their beds, but are in the expected areas. With the wind its pretty hard to make out beds, but the better fish are holding in 30ft. Senko's, brushhogs dead sticking, seemed the ticket for us.Bites were just pickup and weight.What shallow beds we did see had small scared bucks.

      Tips: Work slow and fish a little deeper while water is dropping. Water level is only going to get worst.

Friday, April 18th, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 60-65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: "You've Got Mail" - a fun movie, can apply to the Clear Lake south end this week - "you've got male" - as in bass males!! They were everywhere yesterday afternoon/night. A father with his 12 and 14 year old sons nailed about 17or 18 of them yesterday, not counting the ones they lost. They were clones - males from 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 lbs. They were even successful after dark during their first night trip (dad too) ever. The boys really out-fished dad, until they ran out of gas around 11 pm. Great casters too - amazing! Later in the evening, I tried to catch a big fish for them to see, but was 0 for 3 - couldn't get them in while fighting the wind. After dark I was trying different baits for them to use but only caught 2, about the same size.

      Tips: We had a bumpy ride back to the dock, but all were safe and sound. Do I ever love my Ranger Z521!! The wind after dark was most frustrating. I think I know more about night wind there than anyone - but then it will change again. Last night it simply blew every-which-way, sometimes 2 directions at once. It even calmed down - for about 15 minutes - then changed directions again! Gotta love that lake!! I had them fishing many plastic baits with the new Berkely 5" Flappin' hog stealing the show. I had the kids using my favorite color, #954. The bass ate it before and after dark. Make sure you use a wide gap hook for baits like that. We were using the Gami superline EWG 4/0 hooks. My friend Jim Grassi was using that hook with me last week when he landed his 9.06 bass. All of our bass during the whole trip were very shallow - 5 to 15 feet - probably because of the wind.

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Dana and I fished for a half day in the west fork. We managed 14 spots between us, 7 each for our half day trip. About half the fish in less then 15ft of water, the rest 15-30 feet. Roboworms with morning dawn getting the most fish. Only one fish at 15".
      City: Magalia

      Tips: Anyone with a boat who would like a fishing partner, let me know and lets go get some spots. Email me at Jewelweaver@earthlink.net

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Orwood at 7:30 and tried for some top water just outside the no wake zone, but no takers. Slack tide. Ran up to Bull Frog Marina area, still no luck. Ducked out of the wind into Mildred and fished beds for the rest of the day. Caught 13 fish, almost all on drop shot, 23 total for the two of us. Biggest went just shy of 4 3/4 lbs., video here: http://youtu.be/mo9u5WjXgMQ
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: All fish on blue gill pattern Roboworms, 6" Fat. Look for light patches in the 1-4' of water. Most of the time I didn't actually see the fish on the beds but they were always close by. Caught a few fish on weed lines as well.

Monday, April 14th, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 64-69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had two outstanding guests Friday and Saturday nights with one of them landing his personal best at 9.06 lbs - AT 1:20 am!! Some of you know of Jim Grassi, now Pastor Jim Grassi, one of the early tournament anglers and author of several articles and books on bass fishing and more recently on living a fulfilling Christian life. He is responsible for my career in bass fishing since he started bassin' first - talked me into going to Berryessa - where I caught my first ever bass - on topwater! Never been the same since!! After all these years, I really think I was more excited about his 9 lber than he was - my way of repaying him! My other guest was none other than former Oakland Raiders head coach and now assistant coach of the super bowl champs Seattle Seahawks, Tom Cable. Let me tell you - he may be a major NFL coach, but he is also a terrific bass fisherman! His casting ability - even at night - is simply amazing! He also owns a Ranger Z521 so he was right at home in mine! We fished Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, found the bite to be good before dark and then dead until midnight. Tom started the midnight bite with a 5.26 pounder, using a double wide Beaver. I fished some during the two nights and after his fish I broke a giant off - second time this year, ugh!! Tom lost a big one too. Literally on his last cast, Jim set on a big one - the 9 pounder! We had a little over 26 lbs for our limit, but it could have been a lot bigger!! Saturday it did not warm up as forcast and the night was breezy, cool, and then windy. Fishing was tougher, though Tom did catch 8 nice bass. He never stopped casting every minute of the two night we were out there, except to munch on a sandwich. Sat night I did manage a 4 1/4 and a 6.1 pounder. Tom's biggest was around 4 1/2 lbs. Lots of 3 to 4 lbers the second night.

      Tips: In spite of Mr. Cable being a great guy and now a friend - I AM still a loyal 49er fan! I was able to discuss a few Super Bowl plays with him - very cool!!! Jim and Tom were lots of fun too! As for baits, we threw everything at them and they had some of their own baits. All soft plastics. I couldn't get a single jig bite. We stayed in the south end. Bass were in the top 15 feet the first night - some deeper the second night. I think Jim's 9 pounder was about 5 to 7 feet deep.

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

  • Yuba County
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      Water Temp: 60-65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On the water around 9:30. Merc wasn't running right so never went more than a few miles from ramp. Off the water by 5:00. Wind picked up around noon, but morning and mid afternoon was absolutely calm. Wife and I caught around 30 fish. Bubble Gum Stick-O's seemed to catch the majority of fish with a few coming off small lizards. No big fish this trip but had an enjoyable day catching fish in the 12-15 inch range. All fat spots with 1 skinny, ice cold largemouth.
      City: Reno

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

  • Butte County
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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Dana and I fished a half day 7-12 noon today to try out my new hummingbird. Even though I spent lots of time learning the hummingbird, we still managed only 7 spots, nothing of any size. Water is warming a tad more, up to 59-60 degrees. Most fish on dark roboworms early, lighter as the day went on. Fish came out of 15-30 feet of water. Be careful, wood all over and hard to see it at times.
      City: Magalia

      Tips: Anyone with a boat looking for a fish partner, let me know and lets go catch some spots together. Email me at Jewelweaver@earthlink.net Tom

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

  • Amador County
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      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I forgot to mention another 2 1/4 lb largemouth on a Senko. Five total for the trip, only about 13 lbs total.

    • By

      Water Temp: 58-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I guess I am the only one who posts reports for Pardee - check the date - this is a NEW report - 2014!! I started about 12:30 pm (yes, I wish it could have been 12:30 am!), running around, looking things over. I started fishing seriously in the river arm about 1:30 pm, My first bass was a nice largemouth pushing 3 lbs. My next was even nicer, a beautiful unspawned (is that a word?) largemouth at exactly 4 1/2 lbs. They both hit a #301 wacky Senko. Still in the river arm, using a jig, a 2 3/4 lb smallie wore me out trying to land her. Wow!! My last fish was a bare keeper smallie. The sun was bright and wind mostly calm - great if one were sight fishing. I looked around some but didn't see any beds. I fished 'til about 6 pm and was the last one to leave. I threw swimbaits the last hour, but no hits.

      Tips: If island tops are your thing, you will be very happy (unless you run aground on one! Be careful. Most are clearly marked. I didn't find much on the islands, all my bass were on shoreline structure except the small one. All bites were about 12 to 20 feet - all midafternoon.

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Ok George, they're posted in photo section. Sorry that they're of single fish, we release them immediately after pics.

      Tips: They are really healthy & full of fight!

Monday, April 7th, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 54-58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: It must be tournament time, or no one can write anymore. Not much help for folks here anymore. I took 3 guys out this last Thurs, hoping to get a good afternoon bite - but the wind killed us again. We started at 10 am - hoping for the water to warm. It did not - stayed at 57 all day with another day of south wind. One of the fellows landed a 3 1/2 lber, and a few other bites were missed in the wind. I finally started fishing a bit with a Senko and soon nailed a 6 lber and later a bare keeper. Finally, the guy next to me set on a good one that almost cleared the water. She went 5.05 lbs. He was very excited and so was I - saved the day! He was using a Berkely Havoc bait. Very slow bite - but I am sure they had bites they didn't feel.

      Tips: We fished mostly on the west side of the Clearlake arm. Wind was no calmer on the east side. I was embarrassed for our sport when a bass boat cut in front of me and the only other boat within miles, coming off plane. He talked to the other guy but didn't even look our way! I guess this could be common tournament behavior, or we weren't worthy of his respect. However, my clients weren't impressed at all. What a shame.

  • Shasta County
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      Report: Bass FishingShasta hr>Shasta Lake is Currently 92.78 feet from full pool. Water Temps have been in the low 50's in the morning and high 50's in the afternoon. Bass are being caught form the shoreline out to 30 feet on tubes and plastic worms as well as ripbait's and spinnerbait's. We have not had many report's on the trout but we have been seeing them on the surface in the lower half of the McCloud ad Sacramento arm's as wel as in the main lake. Some land locked Salmon have started to show up in front of digger bay and at the mouth of dry creek. ..br>
      Trout

      The baits of choice have been Shad Imitating plugs, Sling Blades and Wiggle Hoochies or 1/4 oz. Kastmasters in either nickel or nickel/blue. There have also been some anglers that have been successful with the salmon mooching anchovies in front of Centimudi and at the mouth of Dry Creek in the 80' to 100' depth range. br>
      Ramps & Water Level
      The lake is 92.78 from full pool. Available ramp's are Centimudi, Sugarloaf, Packer's Bay, Jones Valley and Bridge Bay.

    • By

      Water Temp: 51 to 59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Shasta Lake is Currently 92.78 feet from full pool. Water Temps have been in the low 50's in the morning and high 50's in the afternoon. Bass are being caught form the shoreline out to 30 feet on tubes and plastic worms as well as ripbait's and spinnerbait's.

Sunday, April 6th, 2014

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 59-62 degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Orwood at 7:15 and ran up to Franks Tract and fished the back of tule islands. Got windy so ran over to Little Mandeville to fish the breaks. 1 keeper, 1 dink, still a little breezy. On the way down to Disco, saw a little cove where we thought there might be some spawners. Picked up a couple keepers on dropshot (video: http://youtu.be/ivlyHSPSKD0) but saw no beds. Rest of fish came on dropshot (me) and t-rig weightless senko (buddy) down in Disco Bay. 13 fish total for the boat but only 5 keepers. This week should be off the chain.
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: I don't care for finesse fishing (too slow) but man if they aren't even biting a jerk bait it's good to know a technique that'll get a bite. For me it's dropshot on 8# Tatsu, Pumpkin Punisher Roboworm. Get's em every time.

    • By

      Water Temp: 60-62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Not a bad day on the water. Caught 10-12 fish while in four hours on the water. At least one hour of which was used getting the kids un-snagged or re-tying lines. Most fish caught up the Bear River arm on plastics. Couple out of Rock Creek as well, too windy to locate any beds.

      Tips: Plastics was all I could get bit on, threw a spinner bait and a crank bait with no luck.

Saturday, April 5th, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Hey Clum, Post some pics! I would love to see some of these 35lb limits. Man I miss that place!

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 56.2

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Doing this at 5:00 am & forgot to say our best five last nite went 38.7! They were: 9.9, 8.6, 7.2, 6.14, 6.8!

      Tips: This was one of the best trips ever on this lake!