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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, September 19th, 2025

  • Plumas County
    • By

      Report: Lake Almanor Fishing Report – September 19, 2025
      Current Bite & Conditions
      Bass are being caught on roaming gravel flats in 12 feet of water or less, with suspended fish reacting to constant movement. Covering water has been key, as staying on single areas has not produced consistently. Pressure is already affecting bass, making the bite tough and opportunities limited. A combination of finesse tactics and long casting strategies has helped trigger bites, though windows remain short.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Neko Rig: 1/64-oz with creature baits, targeting suspended roamers seen on electronics.
      Dropshot: Wacky-rigged with a green pumpkin Flick Shake; weights adjusted from 1/4 oz (calm) to 3/8 oz (wind).
      Line/Leaders: Light braid with fluorocarbon leaders in the 6–12 lb range.
      Rods: Long spinning rods (7’4”–7’11”) aiding hooksets and long casts.
      Other Gear: Forward-facing sonar, strong lithium batteries, and proper livewell management were critical for maintaining fish health through the day.


      Tournament Spotlight
      At the 2025 Bass Cat Boats Pro/Am Championship – Day One, the top three pros were:
      Brennan Osborn (Beaverton, OR) – 21.96 lbs (Big Fish: 4.54)
      Logan Huntze (Discovery Bay, CA) – 20.62 lbs (Big Fish: 3.87)
      Joe Mariani (Winters, CA) – 20.52 lbs

      Tips: Mobility and efficiency are driving success. Finesse rigs dominate both shallow roamers and pressured fish, while power presentations have played a minimal role. Long casts, quick drops, and electronics-supported targeting continue to produce the most reliable action.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: by BigBaitBailey » Wed Sep 10

      We are having a major shad die off the last few days. Catfish are trying to hang on but the bass are managing a lot better than anticipated so far. I was out all day yesterday and every where I went the shad were shooting from my motor roost. Im no biologist but this never happens in September. What ever the cause may be, let's cross our fingers and hope it ends soon. The bass fishing yesterday was decent. We had a couple just over 6 lbs. One on a crank bait and one on a 7' swimbait. We went out to try for big ones and he did get a couple great bites. I always want to catch 30+ lbs when we go out but that just isn't in the cards every single day. It will be interesting to see what happens the next few days with the chad die off. Sometimes that needs to happen for this place to pop off. We are waiting patiently here.

Monday, September 8th, 2025

  • Napa County
    • By

      Report: Lake Berryessa Fishing Report – September 8

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Lake Berryessa is producing solid limits with schools of suspended fish made up of largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass chasing baitfish. Clear water, large flats, steep walls, and offshore structure are all playing a role in how bass are positioning. Fish are being found in the 20–40 foot range, often underneath large bait balls or suspending over deep water.

      When bass are suspended around bait, don’t waste time on the smaller schools. Focus on larger marks or wolf packs of 4–5 fish, and use a flutter spoon or mid-stroll swimbait to trigger the bite. If fish won’t commit, let the bait fall back on a yo-yo retrieve — that change in movement can make inactive bass strike.

      Berryessa’s bass are roaming in schools, feeding heavily on bait. Finding suspended groups of larger fish is key to separating from the smaller schools. Productive depths are 20–40 feet, and anglers who adjust between flutter spoons, swimbaits, and finesse rigs are finding the best success.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Flutter Spoons (Jackall, Nicklos, and 6.5” styles) for suspended bass and fish relating to bait.
      Drop Shot Rigs with finesse worms to cull and add key keepers.
      Mid-Strolling presentations with swimbaits (Mega Bass Sling Shad on 3/8 oz jig heads) for targeting larger suspended fish.
      Tube Jigs and finesse plastics near rock piles and points.
      Yo-yo retrieves and moving the bait quickly away from fish helped trigger inactive bass to strike.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Shisiah – 103.25” (Isiah West & Shaun Leytem) – Big Fish: 22.25”
      2nd: The Lone Rangers (Joey Silva & Jesse Hoover) – 101.00”
      3rd: Quality Control (Reed Fraizer & Nick Doring) – 97.25”

Monday, September 1st, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76-80

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Its been a fairly tough August for the bigger baits and day time fishing in general. The hitch never showed themselves on most of the lake after they left the creeks for their Spring spawn. So the fish seem to be eating on their own time. Early in the morning and the 45 minutes before it gets dark. When the hitch are hard to find, the fishing usually is not wide open during post spawn and Summer months. The silver sided minnows were super small this Summer as well. So the grass bite in August never transpired. Most anglers and guides were forced down to the mid lake section to get more than a couple bites a day. Jigs, shakey heads, flipping and crank baits have ruled this Summer. Here we are and its September 1st. We are all waiting patiently for the temps to drop so those bigger shad move up shallow and the hitch come out of hiding. There ARE cooler temps in the forecast and this place is about to bust wide open. Fall is really fun and you can catch them any way you like. The swimbait bite will get going and targeting shallow rock will be the key for that bite. For the bottom baits, the 2-23ft zone around rocks and docks is always golden during the Fall but is relatively spot related. Ledges and rock piles will be the go to for the more advanced anglers. Call me and lets see if we cant get you that big one Clear Lake is famous for.
      Paul Bailey 818-584-5257

      Tips: Pick up your confidence baits and just throw them. Keep moving around and you will find it working somewhere. Thats what great about Clear Lake in the Fall. They bite everything!!!

Sunday, August 31st, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report – August 31

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Clear Lake remains the bass capital of the West, with average fish topping 4 lbs and tournament limits pushing 30–40 lbs. During the Yak-A-Bass West Coast Championship, anglers found success both punching heavy mats and working docks, while others struggled to even get consistent bites. The South End featured deep rock piles and docks, while the North End produced shallower vegetation and mat bites.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Punching Rigs: Yamamoto Flappin Hog, Missile Baits D Bomb, and DrancKrazy Deranged EX, fished with 1–1.5 oz weights in mats of cheese, duckweed, and grass.
      Frog Fishing: Early morning topwater frog action produced big bites, with a 23.00” (~8 lb) kicker caught on day two.
      Dock Fishing: Strike King tungsten ½-oz jig paired with a 4.75” Flappin Hog (green pumpkin/black flake) around shaded docks with boat lifts.
      Drop Shot: Roboworm for key fish on grass edges.
      Heavy Line: 65 lb Endurx P-Line braid, 80 lb TPC braid, and 20 lb Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon were used to pull fish from cover.

      Key Depths:
      1–3 ft under mats (punching/frog)
      4–12 ft on docks (day one)
      12–14 ft deeper docks (day two adjustments)

      Clear Lake’s best bites came from punching heavy cover and working shaded docks. Early morning frog action provided a window for giant fish, but as the sun rose, anglers had to rely on punching and dock jigs to fill limits. Bait rotation and persistence in small productive areas made the difference.

      Tournament Spotlight (Yak-A-Bass WCC):
      1st: Damian Thao – 198.00” (Big Fish: 23.50”) – Punching & Frog (Yamamoto Flappin Hog, Missile Baits D Bomb, DrancKrazy Deranged EX)
      2nd: Obedie Williams – 196.75” – Punching & Drop Shot (Roboworm, prototype punch bait)
      3rd: Thomas Willingmyre – 193.00” – Dock Jig (Strike King tungsten ½-oz + 4.75” Flappin Hog)

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      Clear Lake’s big bass are relating to heavy vegetation mats and shaded docks. Start with a frog early when skies are warm and overcast, then switch to a punching rig with 1–1.5 oz weight to get through the cover. For docks, target those with boat lifts — they provide extra shade and consistently held larger fish.

    • By

      Report: Clear Lake Fishing Report – August 31

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Clear Lake continues to live up to its Bassmaster reputation as one of the nation’s best bass fisheries, producing limits over 30 lbs, with even a few 40-lb bags weighed earlier this season. Anglers are catching an average size bass over 4 lbs, with fish spread across both ends of the lake.

      South End: Deep rock piles and docks dominate.
      North End: Shallower water with heavy vegetation and mats providing prime punching areas.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Dock Fishing: Strike King tungsten ½-oz jig with a 4.75” Flappin Hog (green pumpkin/black flake), fished 4–14 ft around shaded wooden docks and boat lifts.
      Punching Mats: Yamamoto Flappin Hog, Missile Baits D Bomb, DrancKrazy Deranged EX, and Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver in Bloody Mary with 1.25-oz weight.
      Topwater Frog: Early morning frog bite produced big fish (up to 23.50”) before fading mid-morning.
      Line Choices: Heavy braid (65–80 lb) and fluorocarbon (20 lb Seaguar InvizX) were key depending on cover.

      Clear Lake is showing both quality and numbers, with big fish pushing past 8 lbs in competition. The most consistent patterns are punching heavy mats and working docks with shade and structure, with the frog bite as a short but explosive morning window.

      Tournament Spotlight (Chris Laird Memorial):
      1st: Thomas Willingmyre – 203.75” (96.75” day one, 107.00” day two)
      2nd: Damian Thao – 191.75” (Big Fish: 23.50”, ~8 lbs)
      3rd: Isiah West – 191.75”

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      Focus on shaded wooden docks with boat lifts or mats with mixed grass and duckweed — these areas consistently held the bigger fish. Start with a frog early if conditions are warm and overcast, then switch to a ½-oz Strike King jig with a Flappin Hog or a 1–1.25 oz punching setup as the sun rises. Staying versatile between docks and mats will help produce both numbers and size.

Tuesday, August 26th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report — San Joaquin & Central Delta August 26

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Rising water temps (55–58°F) and improved visibility have pushed striped bass into the western San Joaquin from the Antioch Bridge upstream to Prisoners Point. Largemouth action is improving as the water clears, but it’s still a move-to-find-’em deal—fish are active and catchable, yet there’s no single foolproof pattern.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Striped Bass (trolling): Atlas Rigs, deep-diving Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, P-Line Predator Minnows (limits to ~10 lb; most 3–5 lb).
      Striped Bass (casting): Swimbaits and glide baits produce when you locate roaming schools.
      Largemouth: Chatterbaits, squarebilled crankbaits, and plastics, with the best action on the high tide.
      Live bait (stripers): Effective in the central Delta when drifting deeper channels and current seams. Anglers are also picking off linesides on reaction baits while bass fishing.

      Key Zones:
      Western San Joaquin: Antioch Bridge → Prisoners Point (roaming striper schools).
      Central Delta: Deeper channels and current seams (live-bait drift).

      Tide: High tide favors the largemouth reaction bite.

      Expect a classic late-winter/early-spring mix: roaming stripers that require searching daily and largemouth that respond when you time the tide and keep moving. Cover water with reaction baits, then adjust to where current and visibility give you the best window.

      Tips: Start on the high tide with a chatterbait or squarebill along current edges for largemouth. When targeting stripers, troll proven minnows/Atlas Rigs to find them fast, then switch to swimbaits/glides for targeted shots. In the central Delta, keep a live-bait drift ready for deeper channel seams.

Monday, August 25th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Fishing Report Clear Lake August 2025

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Bass are in mixed stages—some still spawning near docks and ramps, while others have shifted into post-spawn patterns. A shad spawn in shallow grass and along tule edges is fueling early-morning activity.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Frog: Short, powerful windows around dense vegetation; expect big blow-ups.
      Flipping: Tight to cover, especially in sloughs where bluegill are concentrated under mats.
      Football Jig & Chatterbait (south): Picking off fish transitioning to deeper rock structure.

      Key Zones:
      Shallow grass and tule edges (early shad-spawn window).
      Dense vegetation/mats and sloughs (flipping with bluegill present).
      Southern area: Deeper rock transitions for jig/chatterbait.

      Capitalize on the early shad-spawn bite shallow, then pivot to frogs in tight vegetation or flip mats where bluegill are stacked. In the south, target rock transitions with a football jig or chatterbait as post-spawn fish slide deeper.

      Tips: Start at first light on tule/grass edges, then shift to frogging the thick stuff or flipping mats once the sun is up. In southern zones, work a football jig or chatterbait along deeper rock to intercept transitioning bass.

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Had a bunch of recent August guide trips so wanted to post some updates. I have been focusing on Franks and spots out west lately with clients. If the wind isn't blowing too hard and the tide is up or coming in we are catching fish in Franks Tract on chatter baits, drop shots and topwater. Focus on current movement areas to catch a bunch of fish. Quality (4+lb fish) have been stingy, but 1.5-2.5lb fish in big numbers is possible. Super fun with clients new to fishing since I've been taking a bunch of kids lately.

      The bite out west is a low-tide deal. You have to get comfortable fishing thick grass flats and current based weed edges to be successful. The quality is definitely better on this bite, but we catch less numbers. Also you have to get used to fishing in the wind since it always seems to blow this time of year out west. Frog, punch and drop shot.

      Good luck.

Saturday, August 16th, 2025

  • Calaveras County
    • By

      Report: Lake Tulloch Fishing Report August 16

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      With months of closure and hand-launch-only access, Tulloch has been lightly pressured and fishing “pretty much wide open.” Main-lake fish busted bait near the surface early, then the bite shifted shallow by mid-morning. On day two, the water cooled and rose about a foot, changing the bite and pushing attention to offshore grass and grass lines. “The boat traffic was insane on the lake.” The lake is ~1,200 acres with ~55 miles of shoreline, up to 140 ft deep, fed by the Stanislaus River, and lined with private docks.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Tailspin and chatterbait for early main-lake bait chasers.
      Flipping a creature bait in grass for bigger fish.
      Strolling a minnow to fill a quick limit.
      Magnum spoon under/behind docks with grass; rip the spoon from grass to trigger bites.
      Jig when the spoon bite faded.
      Glide bait drew follows from 6–8 lb fish (no commits).
      Dice (added catches alongside jigs).

      Key Depths:
      Near-surface bait busts on the main lake (early).
      Shallow grass and grass lines.
      Under/behind docks with grass adjacent.
      Offshore grass (scoping for targets).

      Early success came from chasing main-lake bait with reaction baits, but winning adjustments were moving shallow to flip grass and targeting docks with grass behind them. As conditions cooled and the lake rose slightly, offshore grass/grass lines became key to relocating fish.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Pua Yang – 189.50” (two-day). Tailspin, chatterbait early; flipping creature bait shallow for bigger fish. Big Fish: 21.50”.
      2nd: Max Lee – 170.25” (two-day). Strolling minnow; magnum spoon under docks; jig; ripping spoon from grass; Dice; more smallmouth than past trips.
      3rd: Michael DiTolla – 152.00”

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      Start on main-lake bait busts with a tailspin or chatterbait; when that window shuts, slide shallow and flip a creature bait in grass for bigger bites. If the lake cools or rises, scope offshore grass/grass lines to relocate fish. Around docks with grass behind them, rip a magnum spoon; to fill or upgrade, stroll a minnow and pull it away from fish to trigger commits—and don’t overlook Dice as an additional producer.

Monday, August 11th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 74-76

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched early at Paradise; ran to an old spot haven't fished in 2 seasons so it was like a new spot. Started on tule points and cuts. Hooked up several 1 & 2 lbers with bluegill squarebill, bronco bug, and t-rigged stick worm. Also a few on dropshot. Ran to one of our usual flats hoping for topwater but only managed a single blowup; threw bronco bug and t-rig senko and picked up a few more 1 lbers. Ran back to starting spot and worked down a rock wall throwing squarebill and plastics. I changed to a red craw squarebill and was fortunate to hook up a nice one...7 lbs even; he had the whole squarebill (1.5) in his mouth. Ran back up Disappointment but managed only a couple more bites; decided to quit early at 10:30.

      Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked for us:
      - SB-57 crank in bluegill and red glitter craw
      - Bronco Bug in chili craw, grn pmpkn/blue pearl, and California colors
      - T-rigged senko - junebug
      - dropshot MMIII

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Early launch from Paradise as always, high outgo, light breeze. Ran to last week's flats but no topwater takers like it was before. Nixed the morning topwater and went to plastics. Started working a rock wall and trough with Bronco Bug in chili craw, just slowl pulling from the rocks through the trough and into/through the weedline. They like this bug; sometimes got bit on the fall, sometimes almost immediately in the first foot of fall. Brother was using a 5" t-rigged stick worm/senko type with same action. Lost two big ones, 1st one just came unpinned, 2nd one broke the leader at the hook so maybe should have retied, who knows. Decided to cut off the leader and go straight braid...no more lost. Buddy also picked up a few on 90 size jerkbait and Livetarget pumpkinseed crankbait, just a couple/few.
      Worked about a half mile of the rock wall and picked up a bunch, but largest only went 2lbs 14oz. Decided to just reverse direction and position a little further from the rock wall as we could see the weeds/weedline more so I brought out the black choppo 90 and started slow twitches and pops. Picked up maybe 7-8 more but only 1lbers. Really like the Drift mode on my new Terrova Riptide... kept us in a nice drift line without a lot of panic from me!

      Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips, but here's what worked for us: note: my buddy and I had Bronco Bugs from about a year ago and I forgot I had them. Then I watched Steve Cooper on In Deep on the Delta highlight them so I brought em out of storage...glad for Steve's vid!!
      - Bronco Bug - Chili Craw, California 4/0 and 5/0 -
      - Senko type stick worms - Junebug T-rigged
      - Jerkbait in 90 size (about 4") - Wakasagi
      - Livetarget Pumpkinseed crank

Wednesday, July 30th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta — July 2025 Fishing Report

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Warm summer pattern (around 75°F), with wind often the swing factor. Best power-fishing windows are early/late; when it gets hot and calm, expect to downsize/slow down. Boat traffic is higher than usual. Overall bite is good but variable—you’ll need to move to stay on active fish.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Topwater/Frog: Consistently producing, especially on the San Joaquin side and along open-water weed zones.
      Reaction: Squarebills/crankbaits along grass and current seams.
      Finesse (midday/calm): Dropshot and wacky/Senko-style plastics.

      Key Depths & Zones:
      East/central weedlines, tules, and open-water grass.
      Current seams and defined edges once the sun gets high.
      Focus on the San Joaquin side for the improving topwater/frog bite.

      Capitalize on the low-light topwater/frog window, then transition to reaction on grass/current edges as water moves. When wind dies and temps rise, switch to finesse and pick apart edges and holes. Stay mobile—no single pattern dominates all day.

      Hit first light with a frog/topwater over open-water grass/weed edges. As wind fades, rotate to squarebills/cranks on moving water, then slow down with a dropshot or wacky/Senko. Plan your route with tide movement in mind and allow extra time for boat traffic between zones.

Monday, July 28th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report — July 28

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      A thousand miles of fishable waterway and hundreds of ramps spread anglers across the Delta. The tide was outgoing most of the day with a few hours of incoming. For some, the incoming produced best; low tide exposed healthy grass that held bigger bass. One report noted slack tide all day, which made fishing tougher due to limited water movement.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Punching grass with a Rage Craw on a 2-oz weight; bites came on the first drop through the mat.
      ChatterBait: Jack Hammer (black/blue) cast into open lanes of grass, especially when incoming water covered the beds.
      Punching with beaver-style bait and Flappin Hog during low to incoming stages.
      Punching a Sweet Beaver-style bait (Bloody Mary) when topwater wasn’t producing.
      Line/terminal (reported): 1.5-oz weight, 3/0 hook, 65-lb braided line; pedal drive used to reach deeper into grass.

      Key Depths:
      4–6 ft punching during the incoming window.
      ~2 ft in shallow mats (most bites on the fall).
      Open grass lanes when beds are covered by incoming water.
      Exposed grass at low tide.


      Covering water mattered, but picking apart the right grass patches won the day. The most consistent bites came from punching mats/grass lines and working open lanes with a chatter bait as the tide shifted. First-drop reactions were critical; shaking on bottom or under the mat did not produce.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Casey Remy — 87.00”. Covered water; returned to a small grass bed and punched a Rage Craw on 2-oz; best on incoming; 4–6 ft; bites on first drop only.
      2nd: Pua Yang — 85.75”. Jack Hammer (black/blue) in grass lanes; punched beaver-style bait and Flappin Hog at low; switched back to chatter bait once grass was covered; noted much less grass than prior years.
      3rd: Isiah West — 85.50”. Abandoned topwater; punched Sweet Beaver-style (Bloody Mary) in ~2 ft; 1.5-oz weight, 3/0 hook, 65-lb braid; pedal drive was key; reported slack tide all day.

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      When the Delta’s tide covers the grass, run a Jack Hammer through the open lanes; as it drops out, punch mats/grass lines and expect bites on the first drop. If they don’t hit immediately, reel in and re-pitch rather than shaking under the mat. Keep a Bloody Mary Sweet Beaver-style or Flappin Hog ready for the low-to-incoming window.

Saturday, July 26th, 2025

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake (CA) — July 2025 Fishing Report

      Current Bite & Conditions
      Reports through early–mid July say the bite has been strong, with plenty of ways to catch fish. The lake shows its typical mid-July green tint, but locals note that’s normal and the fishing remains good.

      Best Techniques & Baits
      Topwater: A frog bite is playing in multiple areas.
      Reaction: A double buzzbait pattern is also producing across the lake.
      If the surface bite slows, keep covering water—anglers are getting bit a variety of ways right now.

      Key Zones
      Action is being reported in different areas around the lake rather than one single hotspot—move until you connect.

      Algae / HABs (July only)
      July 8, 2025 sampling by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians – Clear Lake Water Quality program found six shoreline sites at “Caution” microcystin levels, with 13 sites below Caution; see their posted map and site list for details.

      Anglers also noted the lake’s green color in mid-July as typical for the season (not necessarily an advisory condition).

      Expect an active summer pattern: start with frog and double buzzbait to cover water, then rotate through confidence baits if the surface window closes. Keep moving—multiple zones are producing rather than one concentrated bite.

      If the frog bite stalls, immediately switch to a double buzzbait and re-run the water; several July reports indicate both are working in different pockets on the same day

Friday, July 25th, 2025

    • By

      Report: Eastman & Hensley Lakes
      Unread post by jiggin4bass » Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:21 pm

      If your fishing from your boats beware of hazards in the water on both Hensley lake it's at 16% the bass bite is fair for bass to 2lbs
      Eastman lake is at 23% and the bass bite here is much better bass to 2 1/2 to 4 lbs
      Both lake using jigs Ned baits chatterbaits spinnerbaits senkos brushogs
      Night fishing has been good at Eastman
      For info on both lakes
      Hensley lake 559 673-5151
      Eastman lake 559 689-3255

Monday, July 21st, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: California Delta Fishing Report — July 21

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      The Delta spread kayak teams across 1000+ miles of waterway with multiple launch options. Outgoing and incoming tides dictated the bite, and low tide exposed healthy grass that held bigger bass for some anglers. Success came from launching where bait, cover, and tide movement lined up—and adapting as the tide changed.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Frog fishing on small cheese mats/duck weed pockets (low tide window).
      Punching along berms with small cheese mats tight to the bank (produced smaller fish).
      Hand-tied jig (living rubber + silicone in brown/red/black) with a Sweet Beaver trailer, fished along a retaining wall (early).
      Z-man chatter bait (green pumpkin) in open lanes/outer weed edge, best as the tide dropped out.
      Punching cane islands at low tide when the cane laid on the water.
      Magnum speed worm after chatter bait lull; then 6” Senko (Texas-rig) for multiple keepers and late culls.

      Key Depths / Zones:
      Low-tide frog water over small cheese mats.
      Berms with small cheese mats tight to bank.
      Retaining walls (early window).
      Outer edge of cane and outer weed line as tide dropped.
      Small cheese mats & duck weed pockets when grass was scarce.

      Low tide was the frog difference-maker on small mats, while punching produced numbers but smaller fish. As water dropped, a chatter bait on the outer edges played, and cane-island punching shined at true low. When reaction stalled, anglers shifted to speed worm and 6” Senko to finish limits and cull late.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Propane Accessories (Alden Walden) — 95.50”
      2nd: Lone Rangers (Jesse Hoover & Joey Silva) — 92.75”
      3rd: Haynie/Patino — 88.00” (won tie on a 21.00” big fish)
      Big Fish: Jesse Hoover — 23.00”

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      On low tide, work a frog over small cheese mats and duck weed pockets—make a big splash, watch for a wake, then recast to that spot and work it slow (walk it or let it sit) to make them commit. As the tide drops out, run a green pumpkin Z-man chatter bait on the outer weed/cane edges; at true low, punch cane islands that lay on the water. If reaction dies, switch to a magnum speed worm and a Texas-rigged 6” Senko to keep bites coming and cull late.

    • By

      Water Temp: 71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched early as always at Paradise; ran down to fav flats and worked topwater popper but no takers; switched to a black Choppo 90 and immediately picked up 3 keepers, largest one approx 2.5lbs; Here's where bad luck hit me. I tried to cross over through the flats at high speed on my trolling motor and then about a minute into it, it just died. I thought maybe it was just full of weeds so brought it up, cleared the weeds, but it wouldn't power on once deployed. Wireless remote acted like it wasn't connecting. Tried battery test button, nothing and system light showed nothing. My belief is I either fried the motherboard or it was already dying a slow death. I had my tester with me and both 12v deep cycles in series showed 12.89 volts.
      So I guess it's a blessing in disguise because it's a Minn Kota Riptide Gen1 with a spotlock that has a variance of 10 meter radius; hated it!
      So anyways, we continued fishing with the main motor on and repositioned as necessary. Continued to catch along rock wall trough on my black plopper and brother was using a weightless weedless horny toad on a 4/0 wide gap hook. Picked up probably another 6-7 keepers and several little guys and called it an early morning ... couldn't wait to get home and research a new trolling motor. For my boat, likely a MinnKota Riptide Terrova. I don't use FFS anyway. It was humbling not to have a trolling motor.

      Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked this morning:
      - Choppo 90, black - worked it like a popper, just twitching slow cadence, 1- plop, 3-plop plop plop, 1-plop, 2- plop plop etc. Hits came on the pause/rest.... never retrieved it like it was designed.
      - Horny toad in Watermelon red pearl on 4/0 wide gap, weightless and texposed weedless. Brother just used subtle twitches and they hit on the pause.

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched early from Paradise, pretty breezy but tolerable. Ran down to main channel and just hit inlets and oxbows off main. First stop yielded 3 stripers 16" & 17" slow crankin' a bluegill squarebill. Continued catching on crank for the next hour, mostly 10-12"ers to 1lbers. Also picked up some fat redear sunfish and a couple of good sized crappies on the crank. Kept em for a needy family I know. When that slowed, switched to 3/8 oz Green Pumpkin/Blue/Chartreuse Jackhammer; first 3 casts hooked at least a 3lber (judging by the size of the mouth when it jumped) and then lost it at the boat ($#!+!!) No more hits after that loss and wanted to get back to crankin anyways so didn't spend any more time with it. Went to whopper plopper 90 in bone. Many hits just twitching it like a popper as well as straight retrieve parallel on top of weedlines. Also got three big blowups as soon as it hit the water, like immediately. One was 2lbs, the other two were about a pound. Nothing on senko, dropshot, or jerkbait though I didn't give those a lot of time, always went back to the bluegill pattern crank and whopper plopper. Big brother was also throwing a white horny toad on 4/0 weightless and was getting lots of action. He'd throw to open holes and they'd hit as soon as he was about to drag it onto the slop. Fun watching it.
      Fun day, nothing over 2lbs but hey, always fun gettin fish on the hook!

      Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked for us:
      - SB-57 crank in bluegill
      - Whopper Plopper 90 in bone
      - 3/8 oz Jackhammer chatterbait in green pumpkin/blue/chartreuse (used spike it colors)
      - Horny toad weightless on 4/0 wide gap; white

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025

  • Mariposa County
    • By

      Report: Lake McClure Fishing Report — July 1

      Current Bite & Conditions:
      Windy conditions and a tough bite challenged the 59 anglers. The lake had been drawing down a few feet each week, pushing fish deeper into their comfort zone. The top results came from anglers who targeted deeper water/structure.

      Best Techniques & Baits:
      Neko rig: Dragged on rock over humps in 30–40 ft, and down steep walls; also used to drop on a fry-guarding fish seen on a Garmin.
      Topwater: River 2 Sea Rover and Reaction Innovation Vixen to start the morning and get a limit.
      Worms: Brown 7” Trick Worm on a ¼ oz shaky head; cast across coves and worked back along the banks.
      Jig: ½ oz Keitech football jig with a small beaver-style trailer; drag and pop cadence to trigger bites.
      Follow-ups: Tube and spoon helped with upgrades later.

      Key Depths / Zones:
      30–40 ft on humps (rock).
      Steep banks/walls (worked down with the Neko).
      20 ft top of a break, casting from 50 ft and working up the structure.
      Coves with fish that “ate” at different times of day.


      With the lake dropping and wind blowing, deeper rock and breaks produced best. A Neko rig on humps and steep walls, topwater early for a limit, then a brown Trick Worm (¼ oz shaky head) in key coves, and a ½ oz Keitech football jig (popped off bottom) rounded out winning patterns. Tube and spoon provided additional upgrades.

      Tournament Spotlight:
      1st: Joseph Silva — 86.00”
      2nd: Dana Remy — 84.25”
      3rd: Damian Thao — 83.25”
      Big Fish: John Heller — 19.75”

      Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
      With a steady drawdown pushing fish deeper, start on rock humps in 30–40 ft and steep banks with a Neko rig. If the morning topwater slows, work a brown 7” Trick Worm (¼ oz shaky head) through productive coves. On structural breaks, use a ½ oz Keitech football jig and pop it off bottom—most bites come right after the snap. If you mark a fry-guarder, drop the Neko straight to it, and use a tube/spoon to finish upgrades.