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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, November 23rd, 2001

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: To ull o apple smoked turkey to go to Casitas so I went to Cachuma. Went towards the island and started throwing cranks . I got several dinks a ew keepers and blam...Best ish o the day about 5-6 pounds. She really gave me a workout but I grabbed her by the lips so I guess she lost that argument. Played around with jigs or awhile and got some smallish smallmouth and 1 nice largemouth. Played around with dropshot junk and narrowed down by choices or Casitas WON tournament on Dec 1. I noticed that the grebe's are arther out rom the shore so about 11:30 I pulled out into 35+ eet on a break with nice meter marks on what appeared to be brush and put 6 NICE smallmouth in the boat in???5 minutes???? that was un. Went home early and I'm o to Casitas early in the morrow.....KELLY
      City: Santa Barbara

      Tips: I did notice that the redear isherman are slaying them. Give it a try. Hal a crawler will do ya!

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Ladds with my riend Rob. Caught 5 quality ish at the irst stop on plastic worms in 10-12 t. just o main river. Caught several ish on deep shad pattern cranks in 12-14t o water thru out the day. Never could get ish to go shallow although we dried shallow cranks, Bladed and rattle traps. We continued ishing breaks and points and ended up with 22 ish or the day. No toads but some good quality ish. Great day on the water and no rain.
      City: Danville

    • By

      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Disappointment slough with brother. Started with irst ish on spinnerbait. Mike cought next ish ater we saw birds diving down on the water and the bait ish jumpin out o the water we through on some broken back rapalas. within 2 minutes he had a 20inch keeper striper. Later that morning he also cought a small bass on a carolina rigged, bubblegum colored 6inch worm. All in all a decent day. Three ish in the boat in about 3 hours. no complaints here.
      City: Escalon

      Tips: I got no bites on senko's

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60.2

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Reaction bite still going on strong thoughout olsom. Got on the water around 0730 and headed up north to see what was going on.Looked like the same old thing every boat up there was draging worms,god what a boring way to ish, but what the hay so we dropshotted or about 2hrs caught alot o ish but just couldnt stand it no more.Moved back down to the main body and started throwing reaction. The ish are still there up shallow rom 8t to 21t. Lots o bait in 25 to 45 eet with good ish mixed in,caught several nices ish throwing a 3/4 oz thruster tail in a shad pattern working it slow through the bait,all the ish that we caught were throwing up pond smelt!!!
      City: ELVERTA

      Tips: work your baits slow when you ind them stay with them theres aways more than one there......

    • By

      Water Temp: 60.2

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Reaction bite still going on strong thoughout olsom. Got on the water around 0730 and headed up north to see what was going on.Looked like the same old thing every boat up there was draging worms,god what a boring way to ish, but what the hay so we dropshotted or about 2hrs caught alot o ish but just couldnt stand it no more.Moved back down to the main body and started throwing reaction. The ish are still there up shallow rom 8t to 21t. Lots o bait in 25 to 45 eet with good ish mixed in,caught several nices ish throwing a 3/4 oz thruster tail in a shad pattern working it slow through the bait,all the ish that we caught were throwing up pond smelt!!!
      City: ELVERTA

      Tips: work your baits slow when you ind them stay with them theres aways more than one there......

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Me and my buddy Rich went out Friday AM. Went over to Dry Creek. Saw a beautiul sunrise, and got a double right away. Caught ish til about 11, then went trolling home. A ew trout on the troll. Using spinnerbaits, shad raps and wee-Rs. Got aobut 15 in the boat, lost a ew. A ew to 2+ lbs, lost my avorite spinnerbait. Saw the "killer pack" o otters, several bald eagles, the obligatory deer, osprey. Had a truely great day.
      City: Redding

Thursday, November 22nd, 2001

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: went the other way this am, big Daddy neded to gedt the ull impact o the low water levels, in at jones valley around 8am, lake still 100t down, temp 44, clear and windy, ran over into squaw creek or awhile with the oldest boy along, Gary got one on a worm but my usually good locastion wasn't holding much, let or the lower pit, gary tags one more small ish on a drop shot and I miss two with jigs, picked up and ran up the Mccloud and ooled around a couple o spots with nothing happening until around1130 when I stuck a good one and had it get o back downstream near the pit, got a good 2.8 and a 2.0 on a new jig color then stuck a very lively 1.8, gary begged me or a sample and promptly we had a double on with the oldest boy, Russell inally getting one himsel and yes, he made another bet and lost again, breakast tomorrow and that is 12 out o 13 bets won, when is this kid gonna learn? wind came up bigtime around 130 pm so we headed back or turkey day with Big Daddy eeling better than when he got here, got him 20 yesterday and 3 more today ater he had a bad week down south. bright shiny day today, no rain and the ishing was much better yesterday with all the rain and heavy overcast.
      City: Redding

Wednesday, November 21st, 2001

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: chilly

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: beautiul day as usual in Caliornia. Bass are deeper now and slow. Deep diving cranks natural bass color producing the most. Plastics producing a ew also, need to split shot i you try it. West side has been best or me, others claiming east side is the way to go. Need slow presentation though inesse is the key, patience!!! most action very early.Fished trout later rom 10-1. Wide open on Needleish nickel bikini and countdowns producing. Fished 3-4 colors but also catching a ew on mono line as well. Use rapalas cant go wrong with trout limited out past three times
      City: agoura

      Tips: Bass- slow presentation, split shot plastics and slow deep cranks.Trout- goin nuts on needleish and countdowns 3-4 colors best bet

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Back in Business! went out this am with Big Daddy, in a bridge bay at 1030 am, rain coming down at a pretty good clip, wind about 10 out o the south, air temp 49, ran over into the main body on a ew o my good spots and put Gary on a bunch right o the bat, stayed in the area till 130pm when I inally managed a small ish just ater Gary caught a 2.4 on a lash minnow, at 144pm I put 6 in the boat in 5 minutes on a jig, we poked around till 2pm and picked up a ew more on worms, i got some on the mgm156(brown bomber) and big daddy pulled at least 5 out with the rainbow #99(ormerly known as the big daddy special)our total was 26 in three and hal hours and it sure was great getting back out on the water ater my last week. The wind came up big time on the way back in with some 3-4 ooters blowing up the sac arm. Back out tomorrow, weather permitting.
      City: Redding

Tuesday, November 20th, 2001

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I just read the previous report by the Blue Ranger man, and thought I would say "ditto"! I guided Thursday thru Sunday (night trips), and ound the ishing very slow or some reason, probably all the rontal activity. But ishing was still too slow. Thursday night was warmer, and we got 5 or 20 1/4 lbs, mostly on jigs. Friday night the ront passed through, with wind and cold everywhere. We only caught two - a 4 1/2 and a 5 1/2. On Saturday, (same client) he wanted to try minnows, so he bought 2 doz and we started about 3 pm. He did get a 4 1/4 and a 9 pound catish! I lost a big one. Since I don't enjoy live bait much, I switched back to jigs beore dark and got a 5 3/4. Ater dark it was dead. We ished a couple o spots near the narrows and inally the Weapon jig did its thing - client did the "grunt' sound and set into a dandy - 8-5!! Hallelujah!! And this ish was early - 9 pm. I thought "good - it will pick up"! Never got another bite, and we quit at midnight. By the way, in 15 years o guiding Clear Lake at night, this was the wettest night (without rain) I have ever seen. The og was all over the north end by 10 pm. Amazing - I have NEVER seen that ever. My carpet even elt like it had rained. Fog usually doesn't starting orming until 1 am at the earliest. I have ound cold, moist air to provide very slow ishing at night. Sunday night was just the opposite - warm and dry. I thought this was it! And that is the way it started - client got a 4-5 right away on a Weapon jig. I was again ishing deep water and stuck a 7 1/2, and we got another 3 something - all by 8:30! Yes, this was the night!!!! Well, we never caught another bass, though clients missed 3. One guy did stick a nice one or a second or two. I still can't igure out why it was so slow. I do have some ideas that I may share at another time. I must admit, sometimes I really worry that the tournament pressure, weed control, live bait ishing, and sight ishing - all this happening year-round now, is really taking a toll on the ishery. But o course, I must be wrong.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I don't think I have much constructive to say ater the past ew trips. I do agree with the previous report that colder water will help the ishing - even or artiicial baits. My clients ished very well, but the bass just wern't in the mood.

  • Mariposa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 63-65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started at the island across rom the so. ramp,just beor day break,caught a couple around it..Went to cottonwood,got a couple there & inished up in the main lake area at 1 pm...Caught 16 spots rom 13in to 16 1/4 in..Got two on jigs & the rest on 4 & 6 in. worms..They were all deep & most bits were sot bits...
      City: Riv

      Tips: Sharp drop os on rocky banks.

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished rom about 11am to 4:30pm. Got two dropshot ish and seven ish on jigs. Two o the jig ish were about 3lbs each. The rest about 1 1/2lbs each. Dropshot ish caught on Yamamoto single tail grubs. 176 and 178. Rest caught on brown jig with Yamamoto single tail grub 176 as a trailer. Bite was very subtle. Not the usual thump when they hit the jig. I'm sure I missed some bites on the jigs. Lot o time between bites. All ish caught on main points going towards the warm springs rom the marina. Concentrate on the 20 oot range.
      City: Petaluma

      Tips: Throw jigs. You're looking or active ish, so stay in the 5 to 20 oot range. Keep moving and don't be araid to go back and ish the same water later. I you go up in the back like Cherry or Yorty, try traps irst thing in the morning or just throw traps all day. But I preer the jig bite. LETS GET IT ON. Mcgee out.

Monday, November 19th, 2001

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: ished the hook tourney with my ishin buddy scott with not much success. new we were in or it when they drew the 17th team to start( we were 16) we only got 2 ish the entire day or just under 4 lbs. i went or it with the jig ished it pretty much the whole day, i got some very strong hits but i wasn't able to get the hook in they're mouths. tried real hard to ocus on the larger ish ished slightly deeper water and a slightly slower presentation. got lost in the og and lost over an hour. the og was so thick where me and scott ished we couldn't see 5 eet inront o us.now to top it all o my my motor cut out an hour and a hal beore weigh in (DANG) was able to get it started again ater losing another hour. oh well theres always next time
      City: san rancisco

      Tips: ish didn't hit my jig as well as i hoped but the hits i did get they didn't pick up it was almost like the hit to kill not to eat. kevin so you FINALLY beat me, it's about time since you are the delta rat HAR

    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: ished the hook tourney with my ishin buddy scott with not much success. new we were in or it when they drew the 17th team to start( we were 16) we only got 2 ish the entire day or just under 4 lbs. i went or it with the jig ished it pretty much the whole day, i got some very strong hits but i wasn't able to get the hook in they're mouths. tried real hard to ocus on the larger ish ished slightly deeper water and a slightly slower presentation. got lost in the og and lost over an hour. the og was so thick where me and scott ished we couldn't see 5 eet inront o us.now to top it all o my my motor cut out an hour and a hal beore weigh in (DANG) was able to get it started again ater losing another hour. oh well theres always next time
      City: san rancisco

      Tips: ish didn't hit my jig as well as i hoped but the hits i did get they didn't pick up it was almost like the hit to kill not to eat. kevin so you FINALLY beat me, it's about time since you are the delta rat HAR

    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: ished the hook tourney with my ishin buddy scott with not much success. new we were in or it when they drew the 17th team to start( we were 16) we only got 2 ish the entire day or just under 4 lbs. i went or it with the jig ished it pretty much the whole day, i got some very strong hits but i wasn't able to get the hook in they're mouths. tried real hard to ocus on the larger ish ished slightly deeper water and a slightly slower presentation. got lost in the og and lost over an hour. the og was so thick where me and scott ished we couldn't see 5 eet inront o us.now to top it all o my my motor cut out an hour and a hal beore weigh in (DANG) was able to get it started again ater losing another hour. oh well theres always next time
      City: san rancisco

      Tips: ish didn't hit my jig as well as i hoped but the hits i did get they didn't pick up it was almost like the hit to kill not to eat. kevin so you FINALLY beat me, it's about time since you are the delta rat HAR

    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished rom 1pm to 5pm. Not a single bite. Ripped a little bit. Threw a jig or awhile. Threw a senko or awhile. Threw a spinnerbait or awhile. Threw a texas rigged tube, brushhog, and senko. You get the picture. They were not biting. I ished new water or me. Over by the satellite station. I let my dropshot rig at home on purpose. I'll never make that mistake again. Next time out there, I'm gonna screw them up with the dropshot. I covered a lot o water and got a great workout. Since I did not stick any ish, I had to punish mysel by running all the way back to the truck. I don't know how many miles, but I was soaking with sweat when I got back to the truck. I got something out o the deal. People leaving the satellite station must have thought I was nuts. Seeing this guy running with ishing rods and tackle, sweat dripping down my ace. What's wrong with this guy? I enjoyed it. Thats what it's all about.
      City: Petaluma

      Tips: For me, it's just gonna be dropshottting next time out. I'll bet my next report will be a lot dierent. I'm gonna rig two baits on the dropshot. Baby brushhog 6 to 8 inches above weight and and 5 inch grub 6 inches above the brushhog. I that don't work, I'll jump in ater them. Just kidding. I you hear any explosions out there, don't worry. It's just me dynamiting the ish. It works well on ish that will not bite. Stick with the dropshot and move til you get one. I'll take any suggestions also. LETS GET IT ON. Mcgee out.

Sunday, November 18th, 2001

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the Hook tourney. Fished hard all day in the Frank's/Holland areas Senko's, spinnerbaits, cranks and jigs. Very little action. 4 ish or about 12lbs. big ish was 6.45lb caught by my partner Terry Devincenzi, this was the big ish o the tourney. He caught it on a UFO on wood in about 5 eet o water.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: It seemed that most o the top innishers in the hook tourney ished the West Delta (Break/Sherman). It took almost 20lbs to make the top 10. I you want to cash a check right now, you better ind a solid pattern. Some o these guys are dialed in on those solid 3-4 pound ish.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Reaction bite still going on with ish running up to around 3.5lbs on the main body and up in the north ork.The ish in the main body were in water anywere rom 8t to 21t.The ish up north were out chasing pone smelt in about 35t o water buy the large boulders beore snake bar.Still nothing up the south ork to talk about but the wild turkeys the honker and the big buck on the hill shaking its head at me wondering what the guy in the boat is doing driving back an orth looking at some small ass screen shaking his head. Oh buy the way the dropshoting and texas worming still productive but lots o small ish..
      City: ELVERTA

      Tips: Get them why you can because soon you will be draging or spooning our doing some other thing to catch these bass beore the water run out o olsom and down to L.A. or one o the 250,000 new homes they are building out there without thinking o where they will get there water or there power rom....

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Club tournament the day ollowing the completion o the BASS Western Invitational. Lots o dock talk available. Didn't help. We had a little over 7lbs. Winner had 8.5. Size matters. It's about catching spots over the slot that weigh 1.2lbs. This was my irst all outing on this lake and I wasn't going to submit a report. However, I can't submit a report only when I have success- I have to write it up even when I stink it up. Caught 20 spots to 1.6lbs rom zero to 35t. My partner provided a pleasant suprise when he caught several keepers on cranks casting parallel to rock walls in the south and middle orks. I nailed a couple on white spinnerbaits until I switched to cranks. Finished the day where we started catching rats with darterheads and spiltshot on the main lake. It was a utile search or ish with more bulk. Perhaps we need to re-think the results o the slot. Our club had an exemption or this event, but is this the quality angling experience the slot was designed to develop or recreational ishermen? Scads o keepers, rats, and snakes?
      City: El Dorado Hills

      Tips: Can't say I have years o experience bass ishing on northern caliornia lakes, but I've never experienced so many small spotted bass. Pond smelt must not oer much nourishment. Ignore the rats and ocus on techiques or quality ish.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: it was thursday evening about 630 pm when i elt like I had a big one on. The wie was there to help me play this one. She got me to Mercy Hospital just as someone parked an old Packard on my chest. having seen olks go through this in the past did not prepare me one bit or what was to come. The prompt intervention by the ER sta at Mercy In Redding saved my lie. I now know why people use opiates, I got a double blast o morphine and it was great. It still hurt, but I didn't care anymore. Soooooooooooooo, I am home this evening and just inished about my thirtieth e-mail rom you nutcases regarding my present situation. I hve passed with lying colors, I don't smoke anymore and I want to thank all o you who sent me cards and supportive e-mails. Thanks guys, jerry
      City: Redding

      Tips: keep ur weight down, don't smoke, a little merlot in the evening is good.