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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

  • Mariposa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: caught 2, 14 inch red eyed males off rock walls, using a wacky rigged 4 inch brown and purple senko.

      I fished from 2pm to 7pm. Initially fish were inactive, but when the light began to fail the action improved.

      weather was overcast with sprinkles, almost no wind, calm water.
      City: Atwater

      Tips: this is a tough time of year for me still. These fish seem to want weight less presentations...reaction baits are a waste of time. stick to jigs, weightless soft plastics etc.

  • Merced County
    • By

      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: caught 3 stripes a 30lbs , 12lbs , 18lbs..
      City: fremont

      Tips: use fluke with 3/4 oz jig head..fish bottom in 15-30ft deep..

Friday, May 1st, 2009

  • Mason County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-64

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Nice day in the rain, kept the people off the lake.. I got 12, partner got 3 for 15, largest 4.11lbs. No real pattern, caught on a number of different baits.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Lake is low, fish are not in there usual spots.

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Some trips are really fun when something out-of-the ordinary happens!! Friday I guided a father-son team that I had taken before to Clear Lake. We started out of Markley about 7:15 am and fished several favorite area in the narrows. In spite of the ultra-clear water, the bite was pretty good since cloud cover moved in about 9 am. I had them using MMIII Robo worms while I tried other colors to see what was working. A green pumpkin Power worm - 4 and 7 inch were also good. We had about 20 in the boat with grandpa dad's nice largemouth the biggest. The fish were running a little bigger than normal, especially the spots. I asked permission before I did this report to reveal the age of "grandpa dad", which makes his son - ?! I got the feeling he wanted to learn how to drop-shot, and at 88 years of age - it's about time! I rigged him up with a 4" Power worm and over the side it went. Within 5 minutes the rod was bent double and up came a 15" spot. His smile said it all - "Old dogs can learn new tricks!!!!!!" In the next 20 minutes he caught 2 more 14-15" spots. Guess we should have been doing that earlier! We ended up a nice trip with 24 bass - several lm and sm - best 5 about 11 1/4 lbs. Lots of bites that were missed. Fun, fun, trip!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Sight fishing was not an option for much of the trip because of a very chilly breeze early. Early afternoon we could look around the bottom but did not see many shallow fish at all. Most of our fish were caught off points and walls at 10 to 20 feet. The weeds are going to be lots of fun this year. Yea, right! We did catch 1 or 2 on a #301 Senko but that bite was kind of slow. Shallow wood did hold a few bass. It is difficult to predict the major spawn this year since it will be stormy and cool this weekend. Sadly, the lake level is already starting to drop.

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: This is not a report so I apologize.

      Me and a buddy were leaving Friday afternoon to go to Clear Lake. Long story short I had all of my rod and reels blow out of the boat on 101 between Cloverdale and Hopland. They were in a bass pro carrying case and there were seven rod and reels in them if anybody has found some thing to that description please email me and I will be happy to reward anybody that will return them.

      Thank you.
      City: Cloverdale

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

  • Mason County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Bassn'it,

      I was the guy that pulled out the 10lb40z fish. Up til that fish we were having about the same kind of day as you. About 5-8 fish off points. out of curiosity where is Rattlesnake cover. I haven't heard of that spot, but I've probably fished it since Anderson is not that big. Thanks
      City: Felton

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Had just got off work in the am so decided to hitch up the boat and go to Berryessa, got on the water around 9:45 and was going to try for some crappies but every place I went to nothing but bass, so in discuss I started to bass fish. I pulled out the crank'n rod with my go to crankbait and hammered fish after fish off of points. I was fishing a long shallow point that dropped off into 10-12 ft and got hammered by something big but didn't know how big cause it was pelling off line and going deep, I just kept the presure on till I could see my line start to rise and the big head comes out of the water and I scamble for the net, The fish dives a second time but to no avail it's over. Landed the bass and she weighed 10.0 lbs what a thrill. Never caught one that big on a little crankbait, but now I can say I have, This is my 11th bass at Berryessa 10 lbs to 13lbs on a roll and love this lake. Caught and Released
      City: Fairfield

      Tips: Was just fishing shallow point with some type of drop off, Crawdad pattern

    • By

      Water Temp: 60-62

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Was tough out there today, windyyyyyy. Manged 5 largest about 3.5, nothing big. All fish caught shallow earlier in the day. One on swimbait, missed a few on swimbait as well. Slowed it down a little and started catching the ones that were missing it earlier.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Temp needs to stay steady for a few days without water being pumped out of these lakes for it to really turn on.It has been a pretty weak spring so far..

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 63-65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Made my first trip to Folsom this year. I can't believe I was wearing a jacket at the end of April! I have usually fished Folsom at least 4 times by now, but as everyone knows the weather this year is not normal. I fished the North Fork. Man there are a lot of nice trees & structure in the water now! Unfortunately for me the bass were not biting or not in the trees today. I fished entire coves and the only fish I got were on the points. 6" Aaron Magic worm on a darthead was the only lure I got fish on. Tried senkos/flukes in the trees and cranks/swimbaits with no luck. I thought reaction baits would be good with the cloud cover, but no such luck. Overall it was slow. Seen a couple of other bass boats and it was slow for them too.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: Looks like the weather might warm up again next week...

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: went out to try out new motor from 3pm to 7
      Had aj (3 yr old) and a frog rod. Launched out of whiskey fished points around mildred on the middle of outgoing
      On about the 6 th pitch. Slurp! Down it goes! Rod starts to load.
      Set the hook! He explodes out of the weeds! Tail dances for the kids enjoyment. And mine, swing him in the boat. Little over 4#
      First frog fish of the year. Can't beat topwater. Missed two others blow ups just wouldn't commit. Windy 10 mile gusts
      City: San jose

      Tips: try to have fun and take a kid you just might make a difference in their life

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: This lake is GREAT. I haven't fished it yet this year, but i am making the trek up in about 2 weeks myself for the 1st of Many trips here. (I do about 10 trips a year to Eastman with great success)

      Green Weenie color, Pumpkin, Watermelon are great plastic colors here. Cranks in shad patterns and baby bass also HOT. Stay natural in color and you should do pretty good. Don't be afraid to use BIG baits here... you'll still catch the 2 lbers on the big plastics and cranks but you'll cut down on the smaller fish.
      City: Pacific Grove

      Tips: Please post your results!! And for up to the minute info, call the ranger station and ask for Keith. He is always on top of the latest action. I swear, i think he hangs out at the dock before dark to ask everyone coming in how they did (and he takes notes)

      I have caught big fish here over the years - good luck!

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60-62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I am the night part of the previous report, minus the 9 pounder! I took 3 fellows last night for the rough water version of night fishing. We went out of Red Bud about 7 pm and took on the ocean as we headed north. How I love my Ranger 520 in those conditions!!! We stayed dry! We had to find what wind shelter we could in Jago Bay and did find some active fish - very shallow. I was very happy that all three clients caught a good bass within the first half hour. Guide feels good - hopes clients don't get seasick!! Several fish were missed including a big one, but we kept at it, boating 14 up until midnight when the bite just died! The two biggest were pushing 4 lbs. Senkos and MMIII Robo worms were the best baits. A few took black Berkley Power worms. Most bass were in the top 5 feet of water - inside the weeds. The big one that was lost was on a dock piling. The deepest bass was 20 feet. Never saw another boat - I wonder why? Heard 3 carp roll all night. Didn't hear or see any birds except for a few ducks bobbing around. We were in full winter gear! Brrrrrrrr!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I can't give much good info as the wind and cold were the story of our trip. As I mentioned on an earlier report, we caught mostly males - without a mark on them. It seems the majority of the spawn is yet to come down south. The water temp was 62 when we started and dropped to 60.6. And this is almost May?? Rain coming Friday night. Another June spawn??

    • By

      Water Temp: 57-61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched from the Keys and braved the waves and went North. Caught plenty of fish thanks to Bob at Limit Out Bait and Tackle. Worth the stop every time. Caught fish on blades,jigs,senkos,and caroilina rigs. My Son caught a 9.12 fish on a Senko. He thought he was hung on a log until it started moving. Biggest fish of his life.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: Stop by and see Bob at Limit Out. And be careful if it's windy. The water can be rough and wear your kill switches and life jackets..

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I fished there 3 times last week most boats seemed to be close to the bank in hopes for the big ones moving in but didnt get much at all. The small fish that were 1 to 2 pounds if anything is all they got. We are all waiting for those big ones to move in anyday now you might just hit them next week!!!

      Tips: GOOD LUCK please let us know how u do.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Looking at fishing the lake next week. Any updates would be apprciated. Lake level? Activity of the fish, etc.

Monday, April 27th, 2009

    • By

      Water Temp: 67-75

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: caught about 60 spotted bass in 2days..fished each day for about 3hrs each. all around 17-18inches..
      City: fremont

      Tips: use x-rap trout color around rocks and points..rip the bait as fast as you can for most active fish..than go back to all the spots fish were holding with a plastic worm ..

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 54 to 58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out on friday thinking it was going to be red hot Because the previous week we had boated 19 Started out at 630 am throwing swimbaits jerk baits and dropshot Only got one on a jerk bait and 3 on a drop shot for the day I agree with you on folsom not being a great lake to fish I don't now what all these guys are saying about how great folsom is yes their are some nice size spotts in their but I would rather fish clear lake any day than try my luck at folsom and deal with all the jet ski's and water skiers i won't be going back their until 5 mph goes back into effect and only if I can't go to clear lake
      City: Carmichael

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 53 degrees

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I fished Shasta three weeks ago,fishing was great up the pit arm (thanks Jerry for the last up-date.)
      Has the water cleared up at all? I'll be back down for a week on 5/11.The water color sure dictated the lure color.Should I stock up on dark colored patterns? Thanks Si.
      City: lakeview oregon

      Tips: Three weeks ago was the first time big black spinnerbaits worked, also black 6 inch senkos riged wacky. The rubber produced several nice 3lb. spots.

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: After thinking I got a late start on Sat, I launched from the free ramp at 5:45 and headed to putah and looked for real shallow water to throw blades. 2lgmth nothing big. Switched to robo weightless and landed a few smmth then my girlfriend caught the fish of the day 2.75 smmth. we ended up with 12 fish total. We saw a lot of cruisers moving into look for beds.
      City: Napa

      Tips: When the sun was high we began looking for small pockets of shade against walls with rocky points.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Did some experiment today by using assorted dark-colored worms---they all worked! Nothing big to brag with the biggest about 4.5 lbs. A lot of 1.0-2.0 lbs. Of course, they were all caught by the wall in front of Sugar Barge. I just threw them dark worms (Texas rig) in the tullies and let vibrate. Maaaan! A lot of boat in the area.
      City: Bakersfield