Submit
Report

Northern California Lake Fishing Report

Limit:

Sunday, January 28th, 2001

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: THE FAIRFIELD/SUISUN BASS REAPERS CLUB WAS AT THE LAKE TODAY PLANTING XMAS TREES. WEATHER WAS OUTSTANDING IN THE NARROWS. PLATED APPROXIMATELY 350 TREES ON POINTS IN THE PLEASURE COVE CANYON DOWN INTO THE NARROWS. THE CLUB WILL BE UP THERE NEXT WEEKEND PLANING ANOTHER 300 TREES.
      City: SUISUN

  • Santa Clara County
    • By

      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Took fellow NCBF'er David C out today. We launched at 8:15 and fished till 4:15. We found a decent bite out there today. I caught two 1 1/2lbers and a nice 4.5 lber. He got a 2.9 lber and two fish around 2lbs. I caught all mine on Zipper grubs and he used a mojo rigged lizard. He also missed one on a spinnerbait, and I missed a jig bite. Light wind, light boat traffic....nice day on the water.
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: Fish shallow in the morning, and slightly deeper during the afternoon hours.

    • By

      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Took fellow NCBF'er David C out today. We launched at 8:15 and fished till 4:15. We found a decent bite out there today. I caught two 1 1/2lbers and a nice 4.5 lber. He got a 2.9 lber and two fish around 2lbs. I caught all mine on Zipper grubs and he used a mojo rigged lizard. He also missed one on a spinnerbait, and I missed a jig bite. Light wind, light boat traffic....nice day on the water.
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: Fish shallow in the morning, and slightly deeper during the afternoon hours.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 45-49

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Got out for a few hours Sunday afternoon. Decided to check some of the marinas near the Hook that I had never fished before. Caught 2 and lost one that felt decent. Tried jigs with no success went to a crank bait for the 3 bites. No pattern to the fish and no other bites, each bite came in a different marina.
      City: Brentwood

      Tips: Don't do what I do!

    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Sunday out of Hook. Worked some new water near Piper/Taylor slough area. Slow day. Hooked 10 fish but only put 5 in boat - frustrating, since two that got off felt like better fish. Four black bass from 1.5 to 2.5 lbs, and one small striper. The very first black bass had what appeared to be a wire and metal tag in it that had been there a while, corroded with weed growth on it - no visible numbers or lettering. The fish was a nice 2.5 lber, real healthy and fat, so I released it instead of killing it to remove the tag, which was deeply embedded in the fish but seemed not to be causing any problems. Used carolina rigged 6 inch junebug/chartreuse worm and what has become a winter standby for me, the chartreuse shad pointer 100. All my bites came from two specific small areas - the one common thing to these spots was good weed growth very near deeper (10+ feet) water with some current, but not too much, and evidence of bait activity nearby (birds working or shad popping on surface). The majority of the bites occurred out from the banks, not near the shore. The fish appeared to be bunched up, and if you got hit, there was more than one around. You had to keep moving and strain a lot of water, while fishing slowly and thoroughly. Once you had a bite, stop right there and work it a while. One of the areas had dingy water with maybe 2-3 feet visibility, while the other was pretty clear, with 4-6 feet visibility. The pointer worked in both areas. None of my other "regular" areas gave up any fish. Good luck to all. Rob T
      City: Half Moon Bay

      Tips: Keep moving, but fish slowly and thoroughly. When you get bit, stop and work the area a while.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 41-43

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well, my report isn't as exciting as the guy rom India, but here goes. Ater a two week absence rom Clear Lake, it was good to return to the snowy wonderland! Saturday morning gave us bluebird conditions, but a beautiul day to look at the snowcapped mountains all around the lake. The wind wasn't bad, and my client and I had un learning how to ish jigs, how to use other baits, and how to ish the area around his home near Jago Bay. We only ished around 5 hours - I told him we would be lucky even to get bit in 42 degree water with artiicials. Thank goodness he was lucky - and skilled, I might add. He was throwing his own jig with a #180 Yamamoto twin tail grub that I added. About noon, near Jenson Point, he yelled "I got one!" I was sure he got a rock, because the rod he brought was very limber. I love it when those rocks move!! I soon netted a 4-15 bass or a very happy camper. That was as exciting as getting a 30lb limit on other trips. Don't think I've ever had a client land a largemouth in water that cold. Best I could do was a eeble bite, and that was it!! As we pulled out o Red Bud, a couple o other guys said they caught only one also, on a jig - about 6 lbs. Two minnow boats had air days, with several bass, but nothing over 6 lbs. And that's all I know!!!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: We did some ripping and cranking, and threw Senkos, to no avail. I think a jig is the best artiicial to use in this cold water. I had him ishing in shadows, near a dropo, I think that was the key! Remember to deadstick, and try to make the jig quiver in place with your rod tip! I don't think the bass will hit a ast moving jig, but I could be wrong.

    • By

      Water Temp: really cold

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: wow, this site has everything. i cant believe ive never heard o it beore. but anyways. ive ished contra loma out o the boat 3 times in the past 2 weeks. tried ishing or trout but didnt catch anything. switched to bass ishing do-nothin worms with a splitshot and caught a couple 12 inchers each day. i actually bumped into a guy in another boat who had a great tip to share, and it worked. i you want to talk about it email me. so ar i think they said 2000 lb. o trout have been planted since the start. i still cant catch a trout. havent seen anyone catch one either. kinda makes me ell better. just kidding. i keep hearing a seeing pictures o this one guy that keeps catching all the big stripers using ac plugs. im talking 35 pounders. and its the same guy catching these big stripers. havent met him yet, so ill keep my eye open. keep the reports coming in ..
      City: antioch

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went out to olsom today to try a little bass ishing and a little trout ishing. I started bass ishing at beals point took a hour to get my irst ish alright 1.5 lbs. Then started to trout ish on the bank and caught a nice limit o trout.BassMan,Nick Charles
      City: Roseville

  • Mariposa County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started o with a crankbait and irst cast I caught a trout. One hit on a jerkbait. One 13" spot on a 4 inch worm, split shot rig. My partner missed one on a crankbait also. We had a couple more bites and let at 1pm. Nothing on spoons, tubes (gitzits), jigs.
      City: Delhi

      Tips: Try about 15-25t deep early morning crankbait or jerkbait

  • Fresno County
    • By

      Water Temp: 47

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: FBC Tourny went upriver, only got bit once with a 4" white/pepper drop shot. bass was skinny. guess I should have worked main lake. threw everything. most in tourny had to work hard or what they got. Lake up to 2nd ramp.
      City: Fresno

      Tips: small plastic and deep

Saturday, January 27th, 2001

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got to the lake at about 7:00am, went to the main part of the lake and it was windy and really choppy. Never seen it like this. Turned around and came back to the south end, Putah Creek I believe. Within an 1 1/2 hours most other boats came back in for some fishing. I'll just wait for the spring spawn.
      City: San Francisco

    • By

      Water Temp: 48*

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: American Bass Anglers Club launched 6 boat from Capell cove, the weather was calm in this cove but once out on the main lake the rollers were awful, me and my N/B ran to skiers cove and fished all morning without a bite, we decided to head back to the launch area and my N/B and I took a roller over the bow, 5 anglers returned without fish, firt place had three fish for over 5 lbs which included big fish for the tournament. For the rest it was tough. The winning fish were caught on jigs. P.P.
      City: Martinez

    • By

      Water Temp: 47

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Cold and Windy. Stay off the main body, 3-4' Swells. Better to launch and stay from the narrows south. Fishing kind of slow. Shaking 4" morning dawn worms. Fished primary rocky points from the narrows south. Caught 5 keepers to 3 lbs. Pressure bite.
      City: San Jose

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 40's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out with a local tournament angler to learn the west delta. He showed me several fishing areas: Sherman, big break, franks, dutch, holland. Didn't catch very many mostly attributed to the 30mph or so wind and pressure fluctuations. Learned crankin and flippin techniques. A wonderful experience. Thanks again Jeff!!!
      City: stockton

    • By

      Water Temp: mid 50's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started off fishing Indian Slough,The weather was excellent and warmer than usual so I started slow rolling a terminator double willow leaf in chartreuse color, but was only getting 12-18 in stripers but no Black's. So I motored towards orwoods and caught a few on black jigs with blue grub trailer's. Couple of pounds each maybe ! Then I decided to head over to Holland Tract and the water was clearer and I managed to get a limit using jig's and also watermelon colored Baby Brush Hog, Best 5 would go around 13 lbs. Not bad for this time of year. The fish seem to be holding in jetti's or just off rip rap point with not a lot of cover.
      City: Discoverybay

      Tips: I would try and locate areas that may have a little bit warmer water, even a few degrees will make a difference on where the fish are hanging out. GOOD LUCK ! and Release all your fish and catch them again later! Bob

    • By

      Water Temp: 44-46

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I ished on Sunday and had quite a bit o luck. Caught one at ~2.5 pounds on a trout pattern swim bait. I went on to catch the biggest bass I have ever caught. It went or a watermelon brush hog with brass and glass and, o course, lots o Smelly Jelly. The bucket-mouth weighed in at 9 pounds. It hit the lure o the edge o a weed bed near a drop o. I knew the big ones were in there somewhere!
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: Always use brass and glass or some type o attractant during muddy water conditions. Even i it's slow, keep at it because the next bite could be the big one!

Friday, January 26th, 2001

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Im just wondering, i anyone would know, i I could get a job here or this summer.
      City: sacramento

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out o browns at daylight and went straight south.Started marking ish on the point o new york cove.Looked like a good spot or a drop shot rig.Landed a 2lb spot in the irst 10 minutes.I caught another one with a splitshot rig i had out behind the boat.I soon got board with this and i began jerking a rattling rogue.WHAM a 3lb in the boat ollowed by several keepers.Now this is ishing.All in all a great day on the lake.
      City: citrus hts

      Tips: DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY DIFFERNT METHODS.SLOW ISN'T ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO CATCH FISH BUT IT'S CERTAINLY THE MOST BORING WAY. CATCH & RELEASE

Thursday, January 25th, 2001

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Checked out the Mohawk area and saw a couple o people ishing rom shore. Noted them catching a couple trout just ater sunrise. No action or me though...Moved over to Harvey's Cove and bumped into a couple o locals. They had gotten the same word as me... Harvey's a little ater sunrise. I hung around or a short time. Did see someone on the ar side o the cove (ar side rom the parking lot) hook up a couple o times using hardware... looked like a Kastmaster (he got good distance on his casts).[I you're wondering why I keep going to the Mohawk area... its simple. When that area o the lake opens up or trout, it means the whole lake is pretty much open. Thats when some o the larger ish begin coming up closer to shore. O course this also means that the word will get out and the lake will soon be crawling with weekend anglers. I you're local, let me give you a word o advice... ish weekdays i at all possible.]
      City: Santa Maria

      Tips: When the bite opens up... ish close to shore in the early morning hours, going deeper as the sun rises.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Trout report: I'm a shoreline isherman and like to walk the banks when they seem to be spread out. This year the bite has not yet opened up or shoreline anglers. November and December produced days o patience and an occasional 1-1.5 lb ish. January has begun to pick up but not yet in a serious manner. Had a buddy o mine ish there 3 days ago and caught his 5 limit... but had to work at it or about 6 hours. He said they were at Harvey's cove between 9am and 1pm when they got the bites (spent 2 hours near Mohawk in the morning with no luck). Finally got more rain in here the last ew days. Checked the doppler weather report and looks clear or later this morning. Going to head down there early and try a ew spots where rain run o comes into the lake.
      City: Santa Maria