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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

  • Calaveras County
    • By

      Report: by JLew.fishnski » Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:43 am

      I fished the river arm on Lake Tulloch on Sunday.
      The circus had come to town, but the river is all 5mph, so didn't have any traffic to speak of. Caught a few smallmouth, and a couple spots. Colder water made for one of the better fishing days this year for me.
      The trip back to load the boat reminded me of why I never fish these crazy holiday weekends.

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

  • Solano County
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      Report: by JF209 » Mon Sep 02, 2019 2:10 pm

      I fished on Friday from first light to 2pm. Best day of the year for me, so far. Caught several 3 and 4 pounders on a variety of techniques on the main river as well as back water.

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 79.5-80.5

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Glory Hole around 4:30 pm. Since only my 2nd time to this lake, I scouted a few miles of shoreline, saw some amazing structure, and noted some fish were busting shad in one cove. After I finished scouting, I returned to the topwater action cove and found they were small fish, so switched to other baits. Fishing was very slow until dusk, I picked up a dink on a crankbait, then I got a 2.5 pound LM on a 6" worm (I think was an old Magic Worms summer moss color). That was it for daytime. After dark, I motored over to a rocky point inside a cove and found the action good (though size only about 1-2 pounds) black/blue jigs and the 5" fat ribbed Power Worm in dark grape. Around 9:30 pm, I was working my way along the bank out of the cove to the main body and found waves and wind. So, I called it a night and headed back across the whitecaps to the ramp, caught a lot of spray on the way back. I think I would have found some heavier fish if I had been able to stay out later.

      Tips: Main and secondary rocky points were the best.

Monday, August 26th, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Mon Aug 26, 2019 3:55 pm

      Was still down in the dumps after hearing a friend passed away earlier in the week. Wanted to get out on the water clear my mind. Glad I did.

      Launched at 7AM, about an hour before low tide. Water was 73 degrees at the ramp and seemed to stay in the mid 70's throughout the day, multiple locations.

      Threw a plopper for the hour or so but no takers. Started punching grass around 8:45 and had 17+ lbs in the boat by just after 9:15. Punch bite continued throughout the day, multiple locations, but no big kicker fish after that morning melee. Here's the highlights: https://www.westernbass.com/forum/delta-report-lbs-mins-video-t123269.html

Thursday, August 22nd, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got to Paradise early about 5am, no one around so took our time getting prepped; one other bass boat pulled up and launched; as soon as I hit the switch to tilt the motor up and remove the transom saver/tilt brace, I could hear the weakness in the hydraulic motor. I knew the battery was likely weak because my front electronics had been on and I hadn't realized it til morning. Decided to still try and launch and buddy echoed battery was weak and motor wouldn't turn. Here's where I wanna thank the fellow basser who launched his boat just ahead of me. He came over after parking his truck and offered a jump. I declined as I keep a Jump N Carry power pack. He offered other tips (like get it started and run up and down Disappointment a few times to recharge it) and after some misc chat, he went on his way. THANK YOU to the friendly bass guy, I appreciate it very much! (reminded me of when I gave another bass boat my half jug of oil as he had run empty, he insisted on giving me $$ which I kept refusing so he forced it into my buddy's hand ...positive karma I guess) Anyways, got the boat started and ran down Disappointment, turned left on the San Joaquin and ran down to 14mile and Buckley, then turned back and ran up to the San Joaquin side of the Delta Yacht Club. Tested shutting off and starting, good to go. Started fishing there with a jerkbait and squarebill for me, dropshot and neko rig for buddy. We caught a few 10-12 inchers; continued to work the flat, changing to a whopper plopper that brought up a 4lber. Then more 12"ers. Ran up to St Francis entrance and picked up more 10-12"ers on same offerings. Moved to Little Connection inlet and caught some 1 and 2lbers on 5" Berkley Generals in Junebug. Since we were only staying half day, ran to White Slough at 10:30 to finish out our morning through noon and that's where we started getting 1, 2, and 3lbers, dropshot, shakey head stick worms (Generals), and neko rigs, junebug and houdini colors. Fish were pretty aggressive; at least 3 of them didn't just do the usual 'tick tick', they grabbed and pulled my rod down hard, I thought they were striper hits on a crankbait but they were on my shakey head (owner ultra finesse ball head). Headed in at 12:15pm, decent half day.

      Tips: Not qualified to give tips, but what I mentioned above is what worked for us. I used the 1/8 or 3/16oz owner ultra finesse ball head jig with a junebug general as my dropshot weight (to double up chances and it works) with a standard size 1 or 1/0 for my dropshot hook 16-18" up (MMIII 6" dropshot offering). I caught several on either one, sometimes bottom shakey head, sometimes dropshot. No doubles this time out but it's happened before. Buddy hit majority of his on the neko rig. btw, if I may offer up, per Shin Fukae, "neko" is pronounced "necko", not neeko. Just thought I'd offer that up. Anyway, tight lines, bent rods, and THANX HUGE, AGAIN to the friendly bass guy at the ramp!

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79.8

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Came up on Sunday & fished Sun, Mon & Tues evenings. The bite was decent & we ran into a decent crankbait bite. We didn’t catch anything big like last time with Rufino nailing the largest coming in at 4 lb 9 oz. on a crankbait. The Texas rig bite was all over the place, good in some areas & non existent in others. The most popular was the Yamamoto lg flapping hog in a weird color that was copper red on top & orange on the bottom. Double wide beavers & 10” power worms worked also. The jig bite was also sporadic but we caught some on it. Black red jigs were working the best with trailers with red in them. One thing, we had a lot of strikes on Texas rig & jigs that were dropped by the fish. I think they were from smaller fish! We averaged 15 fish per night and the limits were around 17-18 lbs. I think the day bite might be better but my boat’s fuel pump took a dive on Tues night so we couldn’t give it a try. We decided to catfish off our dock Weds night, what else could we do right? Not being much of a cat fisherman, the ones I catch are incidental bass fishing, but Rufino knew the ins & outs. So there we were, two frustrated bass fisherman stuck on a dock at midnight! Man it was crazy! Ended up with a five fish limit of 68lbs! I didn’t know a 20+ lb cat could fight that hard! Thank goodness I was using 65lb braid. I might have to rethink my position on catfishing. Lol

      Tips: We fished south again & used dark colors when the moon was up. They preferred a slower presentation both in reaction & plastics. A lot of the strikes were the fish just picking up the bait & swimming with it so be on your guard. Some were stacked so stick around a spot if you get bit. Well, that’s all folks, stay safe & have fun out there! Also, if your boat breaks, go catfishing!

Sunday, August 18th, 2019

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: by StanL » Sun Aug 18, 2019 9:20 pm

      Fishing Lake Camanche August 17.jpg


      Fishing Lake Camanche August 17

      When we got to Camanche the surface temperature was 79° and everywhere we looked the water was pretty clear.

      The lake had about 6 to 10 foot visibility ,so we started off fishing the north side of lake.

      We began by throwing a Rico and a Berkeley J-Walker with no luck.

      As the sun came up we moved out to Island tops in 15nto 25 feet of water, so we started concentrating on down baits. We tried everything plus the kitchen sink at them. The only bates that worked for us was a dropshot With a Strike King Dream Shot worm and a Frenzy Nail with a Zoom Trick Worm.

      We ended up fishing until about noon. We only caught seven fish. It’s still beats staying home and mowing the lawn.

      I hope this helps good luck fishing!

      Stan

Saturday, August 17th, 2019

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got off of work at 1:30 and got up to the lake by 5. I took my girlfriend with me this trip so I spent a majority of the evening driving around and showing her all of the cool spots on the lake. Fished for a couple of hours here and there and missed 4 and only got one in the boat. (How do you only get one fish in the boat at Clearlake? lol) Planned on fishing all day Sunday but because of family stuff that came up I had to drive home early in the morning. Anyway.... the lake didn't look to bad in any of the spots. There are definitely a lot of bigger mats showing up in the Northern end of the lake. The wind was blowing so the algae was not built up thick anywhere except for the bottom by Redbud. The water clarity from Lakeport to Nice was pretty bad, from Lakeside Park down to the south end of the lake looked pretty good. I missed all of the fish on topwater and one on a senko. I got one at the very end of the night on a square bill right before heading back to the ramp. Throw buzz baits, whopper poppers, and frogs when the sun is barely coming up or setting. Im talking like I caught a lot of fish this trip but I didn't because I was showing my girlfriend the whole lake. But, based on the conditions of the water and the weather, top water should be dead on right now and the reaction bite seemed to be picking up for crank baits compared to how its been the rest of the year (again, 1 fish) Even though I only got the one fish in the boat I still got it on camera. Checkout my youtube video to see my trip from this last weekend. Good Luck! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q3YtC1Cujg&t=15s

Friday, August 16th, 2019

    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Water clarity was about 6 feet - wind was nice all day - I did bump a small branch or log with motor - no damage - fished with Ed (from Arizona) & Allen (from California) excellent company in fishing boat - we fished from 10am to about 2:30 pm - bite was slow for smallmouth, trout & salmon until we started strolling 1/16 oz jig heads with 2.5” soft plastic worm - ended up catching about 20 small smallmouth & few trout - fun day with two great guys

Thursday, August 15th, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:32 pm

      Launched out of Russo's just after 7. Water at the ramp was 73 degrees. Caught a few on top water, frog and drop shot right off the bat at the north end of Franks but nothing to write home about.
      Got to punching around 10 and did that for the next 5 hours or so with some intermittent, unsuccessful froggin'. Had a lot of tentative bites that resulted in high velocity tungsten chipping the side of the boat in one case. :evil:
      DBW is definitely spraying a lot more fish holding weeds both submerged and floating unfortunately. Not sure why they're not spraying all the algae choked hydrilla.

      Highlights in vid here: https://www.westernbass.com/forum/delta-report-t123115.html

Wednesday, August 14th, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by johnabsmith » Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:13 pm

      I was just talking to George at Bay Tackle about how much harder big fish have been able to come by and snuck out right after with my old man. Just before dusk we made casts on my favorite stretch of river, and we swing at the same exact time. On my swing I boat flip a striper on a sweet beaver, which doesn’t happen often. When he swung, something swung back. I PROMISE YOU a whole tullie clump lays over then I hear the braid start ripping off the spool. After what seems an eternity I reach down and grab a lip with both hands. didn’t have a scale but I caught one just shy of 12 on a previous trip and this was EASILY bigger (photo does not justice, almost didn’t want to show it!). It was just his day and as he said, “guess I just been living right.”

      only fished 5pm-dusk all on a 200yd stretch. super hot day, incoming tide, super big waxing gibby. 2nd best was 6# and caught multiple good fish all old school flipping breaking down tullies fishing fast with accuracy. easily one of the best days in life.

Tuesday, August 13th, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Left Buckley Cove at 630 and headed west. Started on top water and fish were aggressive until 9 catching fish up to 5lbs. Fish started moving to different positions due to outgoing tide so we switch tactics to Crankbaits and chatterbaits in 6-10 feet of water that produced some bites up to 2 1/2lb fish. Again the bite started to slow so we broke out punching and swing headed jigs with crawfish and that produced a few in the heat the day on slack tide and 100 degree temps. The area was wide open. Only saw 3 other bass boats out cruising.

      Tips: Stay adaptable and move with the fish. Lots of busting bait in the morning take advantage of it by having frogs, buzzbaits and whopper ploppers on deck. Take lots of water and food to grind out the hot day, if you put the work in and go where the fish move it you shouldn’t have a problem.

Monday, August 12th, 2019

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78-80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went out this morning got to the first spot about 6:25 a.m. Fourth cast had my first fish in the boat. Caught on an isolated grass area just on the inside of a point. Second fish about 30 minutes later on a rock wall. Had one on a jig in some of that suspended weeds in a cove. Then once 10 a. m hit no other bites. Got off the water about 1 p.m.

      Tips: Fish slow and go back through with different baits

Tuesday, August 6th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 84

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a friend out for a short evening/night trip. Bite was very slow - probably because of the heat, We did catch a good largemouth about 8 pm that went 5 1/2 lbs. We caught a few in the 2 - 2 1/2 lb range. After dark a 3 lb spotted bass and another largemouth just under 6 lbs. The two night fish hit the usual 7 inch black Berkley Power worm. Our best five were close to 20 lbs. Quality bass fishing but not quantity this trip. Saw lots of fish on the meter from 20 to 40 feet, assuming many were bass. I think the sudden heat spell slowed the bite.

      Tips: Topwater didn't work with the sudden heat. I guess that was the problem. It was strange to catch one of the big largemouth during the first 10 minutes of the trip on a hot evening. We were fishing evening shadows on a deep wall. Overall, I really think the sudden hot days that were late this year might have the bass a little disoriented. Even after a few hours of dark, the fish were not active as they were on my night trip two week ago. Warmer water with dark of the moon probably the reasons. Yet, bigger bass were biting. So - that's bass fishing - something different every trip!! That's why we keep coming back ---right??

Saturday, August 3rd, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 80

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Glory Hole ramp at 7:20 ran up the river and started fishing main points. The fish where at 20 ft plus for me using zoom worms. Ended the day about 1:30 it was getting to hot for me and the bite also was slowed way down after 12. Ended the day with about 11lbs. I had a 3lb spot and a 3.75 large mouth, 16 total fish a mix of large mouth and spots. I haven't fished New Malones in many years can't wait for the spring.

      Tips: This was my 3rd trip in 4 weeks. Same pattern working for me. The fish seem to like the 6" zoom worm, fish it down to 20 to 30 ft fish it slow, a little shaking helps and move the boat slow. Most fish I don't feel, when I go to move the worm they are just there.

Tuesday, July 30th, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:19 pm

      Launched out of Russo's just after 6AM. Water temps in the low 70's, 2-4' visibility. Water temps topped out at 77 degrees, air temp 101. Ran up to the north end of Franks and through a sammy and plopper. Got bites and blow ups but no quality fish. At 10AM ran around and found a spot with healthy grass. With all the spraying the state has been doing this has become a rarity. Immediately started getting bites on the punch rig. Ran out to another spot further east where there had previously been healthy grass only to find it had been sprayed as well. Pulled a quality fish out a decaying clump of hydrilla, punched some floating vegetation for a while then ran back to the previous spot for another round. The fish had reloaded and we caught a few more punching the same spot. At that point I was starting to get dizzy from the heat and ran back to Russo's.

Saturday, July 27th, 2019

    • By

      Report: by SAGISI » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:08 pm

      I frequently fish Almaden Lake for Bass. Got a hit and knew immediately it wasn’t a bass on the end of my line. As the fish came closer to shore I couldn’t believe what I saw, hooked into a Rainbow Trout or maybe a steel head? Anyone else ever catch a trout at Almaden lake? Have they ever planted trout or is this wild species? Was only about 14 inches but fought harder than a farmed trout and had tons of energy when I safely released it.

  • Solano County
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      Report: by Kyle46N » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:24 am

      For any of you forum members looking to just put friends, family on numbers of fish right now, head to the Delta with drop shot in hand. Any 6 to 7 inch trick worm style/straight tail style worm will do. Make sure to cast into the water. And proceed to catching. Seriously, for highest numbers any inlets/outlets near flooded islands are awesome, but any tule edges on any island works also. I've had my wife and kids out there thd oast few weeks with 50 plus bass days and even hit 80 or so on one trip. Hope this helps someone have some fun.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 75-79

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Worked from 3am- 11:30am at the post office and then headed up to the lake. Got there around 2 and fished until 10 at night. The BBT fished Saturday morning and man did they sweep the lake. Had a couple blow ups on frogs mid day but only got one to the boat. Fished senkos and flipping jigs around the weedy docks in the North part of the lake. The sun went down and the bite was on. Whopper ploppers and squarebills at the mouths of a couple creeks where the weeds hadn't matted yet. Caught one 5 pounder on the plopper and the rest were 1-3lbs. Got out at 5am Sunday morning and there were other bass boats everywhere. We caught a few at the mouth of Kelsey creek and then when the sun went down we headed into a couple marinas and had come luck of the senkos and jigs again, punching mats and flipping under docks. The algae has started to bloom due to the 100 degree temperatures, the algae is only bad down on a couple of the southern arms of the lake. It was still a good trip for the short amount of time I had. I work 6 days a week, 60 hours plus, and I can still manage to make time for the lake so try to not make any excuses. I will be posting another video on my channel soon with a lot better camera angles, but Until i post it check out the one I have from june. Thanks, Goodluck. Nate . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KCdaFeNw0A

      Tips: Wake up early in the morning and fish shallow. As the day progresses and the sun comes up fish weed mats, docks, offshore structure, or any other shade or cover you can find. All of the natural colors have still been working for me, I haven't been throwing anything chartreuse yet.

Thursday, July 25th, 2019

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79.8

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Sort of hit the wall last night. Water temp was up 2 degrees, went out later to miss the Weds night shootout & only had 5 strikes. Thank goodness my hookset percentage was 100! Caught one on a crank, 2 on Texas rig, & 2 on the jig. Threw blades, chatter bait, senko, dropshot with no hits. Fished the same areas as I’m solo this trip & didn’t want to get too far from my ramp that I couldn’t get back on my trolling motor. There was a lot of other places I’d have liked to try! I was still happy with the 5, beats getting skunked, the largest went 4 lb 2 oz & smallest 3 lb 1 oz for a limit just under 19 lbs. still a good outing in my book!

      Tips: I tried shallow & deep. All the strikes last night were in the 20 ft range. I ran the baits slowly, fast pace & shallow didn’t garner any hits. They seem to be off rocks, couldn’t fish docks on account of all the weeds. It was dead calm last night , maybe a little wind (not too much though!) would help. I’ll be back in a few weeks, stay safe out there and of course, have fun!