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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 73-74 degree range, elevation 818.10

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Like taking candy from kids. Got launched at about 5:40 am, stopped fishing about 9:40 am. Amazing fishing day. I fished the drop off again, that everyone that uses Lime Saddle should know about, but none every seem to fish it for some reason, like can't fish local, motor past one of the best locations around for some reason. So, I pretty much parked in a 30 foot section over the drop off at 35 feet, and caught 21 spots, one right after the other. This time they didn't get spooked so fast, fished the area for 2 hours straight, at first every cast a fish, then tapered off a tad, and a fish every two or three cast. Almost all the fish in the 13" to 14" range, with just a couple under 13" Drag almost any bait from the 25 foot depth, to go over the drop off at 35 feet and get bit. Hope the lake holds it's level a while, fishing this location every trip. After the bite stopped, went to the north fork and got another 10 fish, for 31 fish by 9:40 am, a couple small Smallies. Odd, no winds in the N. Fork, or hardly any. Best two fish right at 14", lost one that felt bigger. Pictures in fishing forum.

Monday, June 4th, 2018

  • Jackson County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out about 6:30 tossing pumpkin seed tubes, june bug senkos, and MMIII Roboworms in shady pockets along different shores. It was a usual summer pattern fishing shallower in the morning and moving off deeper as the sun gets higher. Boat traffic was light. I thought the fishing was slow. I did not limit out until about 10 AM and left about 12:30 with only eight keepers. The best went 2.6 pounds. I fish this lake a lot in spring but Clear Lake tournaments kept me away until today. The lake was a lot less clear than it usually is at this time of year. I noticed reports from earlier in May saying the same thing about the lack of clarity so I can't blame it on heavy holiday ski boat traffic.

      Tips: The best came on the drop shot.

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71-75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: A guide trip at Berryessa on a Saturday in June? Well, maybe after Memorial Day weekend it would be ok. OK?? The trip was great and pleasure boaters weren't a big deal. We started in the narrows and finished at the very south end of the lake. The bite was pretty good all day until 2 pm. We hooked several quality bass, landing some and losing some. One of the fellows landed a beautiful post-spawn smallmouth a bit over 3 1/4 lbs - beautiful fish and not too skinny! Again - I tried to get the topwater bite going for them, missing two small blowups. About 9 am I was near the end of the cast, getting the popper close to the boat. The water just exploded in front of us - a violent blowup!! It took awhile but I got the 3 lb + spotted bass in the boat. WOW - too close for comfort! We had action most of the trip with one of the clients - a good angler - having a great day in addition to his big smallie. They drop-shotted most of the time, using 2 or 3 colors of Robo worms. Our best 5 was only about 13+ pounds - post spawn weights.

      Tips: Bass are moving around in deeper water now, but some still shallow until the sun gets higher. Shade pockets are holding some bass too. Lake is slowly dropping now. Our main hot spots were points and weed-bed edges. Senkos worked well on the edges. Surface temp is now up to 75 degrees. I think the summer pattern is beginning to take hold - good morning bite until around 10 am, a slow period, and then another bite from noon until 1:30 - 2 pm. After 2 pm, the bite just shut down, and will most days in the summer.

Friday, June 1st, 2018

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 72, elevation 818.51

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got an early start, launched at 5:30 am, fished till 9:40 am. Water cooled a tad from the last rain, 72 degree range mostly. Fished basic Lime saddle and west branch for a change. Fish sure look off, skinny after spawn. Most fish caught 20-35 feet, best fish right at 35 feet. Caught just 22 spots, two best right at 14", and looking so thin. beginning to find large bait balls, and fish were right under them. Found one school on the top edge of a drop off, that gave up 7 fish, one right after the other, each cast. Kind of fishing I like. Eventually they get spooked and the bite drops off. Must have been some type of tournament, as 10-15 boats came to fish the west branch. Lake virtually stable for a week now, rare to find water level sticking within a foot for a week. Pictures in fishing forum.

Thursday, May 31st, 2018

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I Fished the warm springs arm mid lake. It was extremely windy and never really let up. The normal fish producing spots were not as productive as in recent weeks. The fish were scattered in 10-20 feet of water. Most fish were caught on brown finesse baits (drop shot and shakey heads), a few more on jigs and under-spins.

      Tips: Stay in contact with the bottom. Find Chunk rock in coves and points. Keep moving since fish are scattered..

Tuesday, May 29th, 2018

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by TravisH » Tue May 29, 2018 5:56 am

      Here’s a quick run down for all the delta guys out there.. Last Friday we launched outta Ladds an spent about 4 hrs on the water before the Holiday weekend masses hit the water. We hit a lot of water right off the main channel and started catching them fairly easy. I was throwing a River2sea Bully Wa 2 tied to 65lb braid paired with my Lews / Phenix M1 7’8 H rod. On the 3rd cast of the morning that combo went to work by sticking a solid 5lber and then catching a dozen 2-3lbers.. The tide was bottoming out in the area I was in so I made a move to an area that was a grass flat with a perfect weed line that was met by about a 3’ Break. I threw the top water along the weed line An didn’t get any takers so I went Down the stretch one more time. This time I slowed it down some and was using a 1oz R2sea Trash bomb and a green pumpkin Yamamoto flapping hog to target the edge of the weed line an instantly started getting some solid bites.. This quick morning session was good for an 18lb bag and now I’m looking forward to getting back out once the dust settles from the Holiday weekend..

Sunday, May 27th, 2018

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: Water Temp 70 - 73

      Report: by AKBASSFISHING » Sun May 27, 2018 3:12 pm

      California Delta 5/26/2018
      Visibility 1 - 4 ft
      Wind 5 - 15 mph

      Quick report for a short trip.

      Got off work around noon and saw the clouds hadn’t fully moved out of the area. Even though it was Memorial Day weekend, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.

      We put in at around 1 in the afternoon. Tide was coming in nicely, so we quickly moved to a large flat. We proceeded to work it with chatterbaits and buzzbaits. Almost immediately, we started to hook up. These fish were all fat and very healthy looking.

      Following this pattern, we managed to pull some more good fish in the two to four-pound range, but the clouds decided to part. With the sun out, the chatterbait bite fell off. I switched to the crank again, and started to pull more fish. My father on the other hand, started to throw the Senko (smarter move). He started to pick up good fish, and the biggest going just over 6 pounds. The Tsuyoi Weedless Wacky Hook stuck her good.

      By 4 in the afternoon, the pleasure boaters and cabin cruisers started to make a mess of things and we called it a day. A short trip but managed some good fish.

      Tips: Notes
      The fish were definitely up shallow with the abundant cloud cover. Topwater produced some fish, but the better fish bit the chatterbait and Senko. When the sun came out, we had to slow down to get the better fish.
      Happy Memorial Day weekend! It’s a zoo out there, everyone be careful and be safe.

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: Low 70s

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Spent the day on Pedro with a few good friends. We spent the entire day in the Big Creek arm. The weather was perfect with highs in low 90s with manageable winds. The water was warm and clear. The fishing was tougher than expected. We were unable to find any topwater bites like we had hoped. The majority of our fish were found in 5 to 25 feet either suspended or on the bottom. Primary points and islands adjacent to spawning areas produced the most bites. The tube bait on a 1/4 oz Fatty's Worms Darthead produced the most consistent bite. We didn't find any big fish but we did find plenty of action. Great day on the water with a couple great friends!

      Tips: Slow way down when the fishing is tougher than expected.

      Submitted by Motherlode Kayak Angler Kayak Bass Guide Service (209) 230-3159

    • By

      Water Temp: 66-68

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Took the kayak out to Indian Valley today,doing a little recon before taking the boat up. Lake is maybe 8-10FT down from the water line which is amazing since last time I was out there it was pretty much a mud puddle. Fish seemed to have bounced back just fine since I lost my fish count after about 20 catches. Got out on the water about 0630 and pretty much b-lined it for the point coming off of Kilpepper creek on the west side of the lake planning on working my way back with the wind towards Wilson Glade Canyon when it would pick up. After about a 15-20MIN(1.25MI) paddle got to my first location. Decided I would do a little searching with a crank bait to start, water was really clear so tied on a bright beauty shad Livingston Pro Ripper. First cast felt a hit thought it might be a branch, cast back out in the same area and BAM got swallowed by a 2PD Large Mouth. After that every couple casts with that lip-less crank I'd be getting tagged, then when that bite slowed I doubled back pitching inside the trees with a 4" Berkeley power worm on a 1/2O round shaky head to pull out the stragglers. Wind started to pick up pretty good around 1000 so I started to let it push me back working the west shore back towards the Wilson Glade Canyon. It was differently a numbers not size day but heck whose complaining. Most fish were in the 1.5PDS or less group with probably 2.5-3PDS being my largest, but I tell you what they ALL put up a nice fight. Fish were really on the reaction bite, hitting on the fall, and while pretty much burning my crank-bait. Seemed most of my hook ups were in the 8-15FT depth, shallower when I was pitching into the trees. I was mainly targeting large mouth but while paddling around I think I marked some pretty good schools of maybe trout or small mouth in the 25-30FT depth. The real hot spots were on the back of wind blown points where there was a lot of current ripping through. All totaled I maybe pulled 50+ fish out in about 5 hours until the wind was just to much to deal with even when catching fish. Ended up pulling out around 1130, would of stayed till it got dark if it wasn't for the wind. Will be pulling the boat up there next trip for sure. All in all it was a awesome day, very little fishing pressure, even though I stuck with the same gear all day I am sure other lures would probably bring them in....really felt like a power fishing a jerk bait would of done well but tough in a kayak. Almost felt like these fish have never seen lures before. Can't wait to get back out there!

      Tips: Water is pretty darn clear, I was lined up with 17PD moss green braid, so I did use about 1.5-2ft leader of fluorocarbon which I think did make a difference so if heading out there I would keep that in mind.

      Seemed like the fish were really bunched up, so don't leave fish to look for fish right? A lot of the locations I hit were just stacked. I might of had to change my angle of attack a few times but most of the spots produce good numbers....just not a lot of size.

      The lake is a couple miles back off the highway 20 down a dirt road that runs Walker Ridge and it is a ways into the BLM land so make sure you got a lunch and gas. They do have a concrete launch that is in decent condition.

Saturday, May 26th, 2018

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Memorial Weekend Bite looks Good! Cool Weather for #FishOakley at the start then heating up for the Holiday.
      Isleton Fishing Report
      Striper Trolling and plug casting has improved the last few days. Dirty “D” has been much better this past week. Trolling the Angry Eyes and Savage Preys is the best bet. Sturgeon anglers moved West . Catfish start to show in better numbers with Mackerel.

      Rio Vista Fishing Report
      Warm seasonable weather ahead finally for Holiday anglers, and forecast to turn from cool to Hot. Shore bound anglers are scoring both species. The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon remains Sandy Beach and the area of the Power Lines, use Sardines or Shad. Trolling is scoring many limits stripers and occasionally, a 10-12 pounder caught. Savage Prey and P-line Angry Eye lures are key for the trolling anglers.

      Walnut Grove Fishing Report
      Trolling baits colors 8 to 10 foot deep is key as the spring push continues. The Dirty “D” is clearing its name and conditions are improving for Black Bass in the area. Spinnerbaits and Swim jigs are working in the Hog Area. Bank anglers tossing shad and Lug Worms prevail for an occasional Striper those looking for bigger bites. Drifting live baits for stripers cracking the 10 pound plus keeps anglers smiling..

      Central Delta Fishing Report
      Most Blackie anglers are sticking with 3/4oz Jigs and Rage swimmers paired with Fatsack Swim Jigs, Wind and overcast this weekend slow rolling Fatsack Tackle blades and Strike King square bills searching ledges near sparse tulle flats.Larger Stripers had another cameo appearance this week yet it was very brief. Crappie and Bluegill also had a improvement this week.

      Frank’s Tract Fishing Report
      After being beat up by crazy winds for a weeks, we some of the best water conditions of the year. Black bass bite is at a consistent yet, tougher than normal bite. Green Man Bear Pigs and Beavers also working well. We are seeing a few big Black Bass with ¾ ounce Jigs. Others looking to score are starting to crank Chartreuse Shad 6th Sense baits and DDO custom Craws are solid options.

      West Delta Fishing Report
      The stripers are here anchovies and sardines in many areas for bank anglers, Antioch Pier and along Sherman Island rd. Stripes to 18 pounds have grabbed baits . Trollers it’s getting started on both sides with Red Barn being the top choice, if they aren’t there move to the Eddo’s Side. Chartreuse patterns are the best bet.

      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Just a quick update on Berryessa, I took two clients yesterday out of Markley Cove yesterday. The day started on a real downer!! One of the fellows hooked toad on a drop-shot rig (Robo worm). We saw her three times - out of the water during her jumps! The third jump was her saving grace as she spit the hook. Got enough of a good look to estimate her at 7+ pounds. We all recovered and went on to have a really good day with lots of bass to 3 1/4 lbs. Again - largemouth everywhere!! They caught mostly largemouth and a lot of spots, but only a few smallies. We fished under cloud cover (not fog) most of the trip which might have helped the bite. very little wind. By the time we got to the main body in the afternoon, clearing skies and big south wind! They were still biting. The lake has begun to drop some, about 1 to 2 feet. After all said and done, around 35 bass and best five around 14 lbs.

      Tips: I spent some early time trying to get a topwater bite going for them. I thought it would be the perfect day for topwater - calm with cloud cover. I caught one right away, and that was it. I tried off and on thru the day - no interest in topwater - yet! It will happen! Lots of suspended bass on points - recovering from the spawn. After Memorial Day traffic calms down, should be a good month ahead. Interesting how "hot spots" turn cool and "no action" spots turn hot! That happened yesterday some. One area that had been good was lousy yesterday and another favorite area that had been lousy - turned good, err, great yesterday! These darn bass can really sent one to the "institution" in short order!

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70 - 73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: by AKBASSFISHING » Thu May 24, 2018 8:25 pm
      Wind 10 - 25 mph

      Set in at around 9 this morning. Got a chance to fish with a cool guy, and some new water.

      Again, the weather report called for wind (getting real tired of this wind), but the morning was pleasantly calm. At our first stop, the tide was way out. We located the outer most weedline, and proceeded to work it with topwater and chatterbaits. Picked a few fish off that way, but decided it was just too shallow.

      We made another quick run and started to fish ledges on the main channel. Switching between drop-shot and a buzzbait; located some more small fish. It’s clear the fish have not yet reached these post-spawn areas. So making another move, we cranked the rocks. To no surprise, the fish were small again, but we found good numbers this way.

      Attempting to find some bigger fish, we made another move to a large exposed flat. Almost instantly, I got two good strikes on the chatterbait, but missed both. They seemed to be just slapping it, rather than eating it. Sensing the fish did not want the chatterbait in the bright conditions, I switched to a craw crank and started to pick more fish up. My partner managed to hook into what looked to be a good three-pounder, but she came unbuttoned at the boat. That technique lasted for most of the day, but was very difficult with the wind.

      Then we caught a break, the clouds started to roll in. I knew that this would cause them to start eating the chatterbait, we switched tactics again. Proceeded to fish down a large weedline, and the fish had started to feed. No more slapping the bait, but rather choking it. We managed some good fish with the largest going about 3.5 pounds.

      We continued this pattern for the remainder of the day with mixed results. As the wind started to blow harder and the pleasure boats making an appearance, we called it a day.

      Tips: The bite was oddly tough today. We found fish deep, on rocks, and in the weeds.

      Quantity was not an issue today, but the quality was. The better fish ate reaction baits in low light. When the sun came out, drop-shot was all they would eat.

      Chatterbaits, drop-shot, and crankbaits caught the majority of our fish today. This pattern has been fairly consistent for the month.

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 69.8

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started a 3 day trip Sunday night. We were fishing Konocti Bay and The session was highlighted by a 7lb 4oz unspawned female & a 5 lb 11oz spawned female. We also caught quite a few 1.5-4lb fish as well. We caught a few on senkos, blades, & jigs; but the most & larger fish were caught on Texas rigged creature baits and double wide beavers. Monday day was more of the same smaller fish with Ted breaking off a toad on a senko! Got a good look at her & she was stout! Monday night was slower with the same smaller fish on the same Texas pattern. Tuesday night started with a light northern breeze and a first cast hookup of a 6lb 8 oz spawned female that fought so hard I thought she was in the 8-9lb range, but the battle was well worth it! We also caught a couple of 3’s in quick order & I thought we were going to kill it! Well, the breeze died down for 30 minutes, then came roaring from the south! When the northern breeze left, it took the bite with it! I wish we could have fished Thursday as I think the bite would have improved, but had to get back to work. All of the fish were fightin’ mad & healthy! We were primarily fishing the edges of weedlines slowly bringing the baits through the submerged weeds. Can’t wait to come back in a few weeks!

      Tips: We threw baits that had red in them as some of the fish were spitting up red crawfish parts. We were working the baits slowly over the submerged weeds & the fish were picking up the baits & swimming with them. All of the smaller fish were males & fought like crazy! When you set the hook on any given strike on this lake, hold on, it could be a big one! Reaction bite was slow but I think it’s going to pick up soon. Good luck & stay safe out there!

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 73.9, elevation 821.21

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Lime Saddle about 5:35 am, stopped fishing at 9:15 am, didn't really feel good and gave up. Slow bite for me, think it's was just me, not feeling super. Only got 14 fish, all in the 13 13 1/2: size, and best right at 15" no 14" range. Bite seems to sour when your really not up to fishing. Dam winds had me frustrated and not feeling super, makes a crappy bite!! Water high temp I found 73.6, most 72.9 Water came down about a foot or fraction more over the last week. Saw tons of carp shallow, must be spawn time for them, groups of 6-8 fish hanging around the shore. Picture in fishing forum.

Monday, May 21st, 2018

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: Water Temp 69 – 72

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: by AKBASSFISHING » Mon May 21, 2018 9:20 pm

      Water Temp 69 – 72
      Visibility 2 - 4 ft
      Wind 5 – 15 mph

      Launched at around 6:30 this morning. Abundant sunshine, with short periods of clouds. A steady western breeze blew. Conditions were perfect for reaction baits.

      With the tide coming in, we started on a shallow flat. Initially, I started with my chatterbait, but after missing two fish right off the back, I switched to a buzzbait. This yielded me a couple of small fish, but my father stuck to the chatterbait and was rewarded with a couple of healthy bass.

      As some clouds moved in, the reaction bite got even better. I went to work with the chatterbait, while my father threw a crankbait. It was a good combination, since we could cover water quickly, but also give two different presentations. We land a number of decent fish ranging from a pound to just over three pounds.

      With the clouds now gone and the chatterbait bite slowing, we moved to a rock wall. I switched to my custom craw crank, and my father threw a lipless craw crank. We proceeded down the bank and got bit on almost every cast for about a 100-yard stretch. It was crazy to see how stacked these fish were (largemouth and stripers). Granted, it was a battle of the dinks, but still a fun experience.

      After going to town on the dinks, we were in the search for some bigger fish.

      Stopping on another promising looking flat, I worked my crankbait. Sure enough, I hooked into something strong, but as I fought it for a couple of seconds, I knew it wasn’t a bass. Then is saw an orange flash. I know it’s a carp, and by the looks of it, a good one.

      After fighting the brute for about ten minutes, my father managed to get our tiny net over the carp’s head. This was not what I meant by “searching for bigger fish”, but I guess something is better than nothing. Definitely the largest carp I have caught.

      By late afternoon, the wind picked up, and the fishing got even tougher. We managed a few more fish, but called it a day.

      Tips: Notes

      The early reaction bite was key to getting the better fish. Once the sun came up, the fishing got tough.

      A fun craw crank bite has begun. For those who are new to bass fishing, and want to just get bit, find yourself a rock wall with a weedline. Cast to the trough and hold on. The fish will be small, but still fun.

      Carp the new Bass??

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: Water Temp was 69-72

      Report: by TravisH » Mon May 21, 2018 7:34 pmHey there guys, was out on New Melones this past weekend and had a great time smashing the spots.. We caught them on Shaky heads, dropshot, River2sea Rovers and absolutely wore them out with a rip bait on the mud lines..Water Temp was 69-72 an all the fish we found were out on the main lake points. My son an I fished for about 4.5 hours an landed 45 fish.Its definitely fishin great to take a kid fishin an have them have a blast....

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-73 F

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Lake Don Pedro Fishing Report for 5/19/18 submitted by Ryan Cook:
      Air temp:
      Low 51
      High 83
      Water temp: 68 -73 F
      Visibility: 4-10'

      We fished the Best Bass Tournaments Don Pedro event today and had a great time. We fished steep grassy cuts and pockets all day throwing top-water and Underspins, We covered a ton of water. We tried to focus on the areas that had wind blowing toward the banks we were fishing. We caught 40-50 fish, but only had 4 quality bites all day. The top-water (Super Spook) caught 3 of the 5 fish we weighed in. The other 2 came on the Underspin This setup in the hands of my cousin Tim Cook put the big fish on the scale weighing in at 5.86 pounds. We weighed in 18.29 pounds for 5 fish, which on a tough Don Pedro day (size wise) was good enough for the win. Thank you for all the support from our great sponsors, family, and friends.

      Tips: Full results and video where we break down the day:
      http://www.westernbass.com/forum/win-don-pedro-top-videos-t115326.html

    • By

      Water Temp: 72 to 78

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: On the water: 5:30 AM
      Off the water: 2:00 PM
      Air Temp:
      High: 84
      Low: 50
      Wind: from the WNW up to 12mph
      Water Clarity: Stained green with algae bloom
      Sky: Partly cloudy
      Barometric Pressure: 29.8 inHg
      Fish Activity: Slow
      Kayaks: Hobie Outback x 2
      Lures: Topwater, Ned Rig, Lizard, Stick Bait, Shaky Head Worm (Fatty's Worms MKA Magic)

      Fished the C.V.K.F. Eastman Lake Kayak Tournament today. Started out on the dam and hooked five fish in the first thirty minutes. Three keepers made it in the boat but only two were legal. One threw the bait, one was short, and the other one was hooked outside the mouth. I was throwing a popper right up on the rocks within six inches of the shoreline and they would slurp it in. The popper would just disappear and then the rod would load up. The top-water bite died pretty quick. I caught one short fish on a stick bait and then decided to make the run to the mouth of the river (first time I've ever fished the river at Eastman). I was throwing a lizard carolina-rigged, a shaky head worm, and a Ned Rig. I hooked one on the lizard but it came off. I then hooked a nice one on a shaky head that broke me off. That one was a heart-breaker, it felt like a good fish. I then fished the Ned Rig from 0 to 25 feet on a main lake point in the mouth of the river. I hooked a nice bass that ultimately shook off. I caught several more short fish. I then moved to the east side of the lake with no bites. I decided to make the run back to the point where I had the previous bites. I hooked a nice one almost 17" that made it into the boat, Hallelujah! I fished hard for the remainder of the tournament and just couldn't find that fourth keeper. Somebody please tell the fish in Eastman Lake that this was a FOUR FISH LIMIT Tournament!

      Tips: If you are looking for a fun, cost-effective kayak tournament circuit, you need to check out Central Valley Kayak Fishing. Their next event is scheduled for 6/16/18 on Hensley Lake.

      Report submitted by Motherlode Kayak Angler Kayak Bass Guide Service (209) 230-3159

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 67-70

      Report: by AKBASSFISHING » Thu May 17, 2018 9:22 pm

      California Delta 5/16/2018
      Water Temp 67-70
      Visibility 2 – 3 feet
      Wind 8 – 15 mph

      With clouds rolling through the area, we put in around 7:30 in the morning. I noticed the water had cooled slightly, but not enough to cause them to go into a negative mood.

      With abundant cloud cover and a good western breeze blowing, my first instinct was to throw reaction baits. I tied on my trusty chatterbait and got bit instantly. This was a good feeling since the last couple of weeks had been a grind to find fish. Continuing down the bank, I picked off a few more fish, when my father hooked into a healthy four-pounder. With a quick limit in less than 15 minutes, we continued our pattern.

      On almost every bank we stopped on, the fish were actively feeding. This pattern lasted for about three hours; then the minus tide started to go to work, and our bite fissled off.

      With the tide extremely low, some bed fish became visible. We fished a couple of beds with some success, but these were only small males. Then we stumbled upon a huge redear nesting site. The size of some of these redear were massive, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. I whipped out my drop-shot rod. Cast a tiny piece of roboworm on the nest, and BAM! A huge redear smacked it, and the thing even took drag. Played with these fish for about 30 minutes, and then went back to work.

      With the tide low, we backed out to the furthest weedlines we could find and started to punch. The punch bite was not spectacular, but we managed to pull a few decent fish. Wanting to cover water a little faster, I picked up the chatterbait again. Almost like someone flipped a light switch, the bites started to come left and right. Two’s and three’s started to fly, and the best going around five and a half pounds. As I threw the chatterbait, my father followed up with a Senko and picked off the ones that I had missed, including another solid four-pounder.

      We continued to target outside weedlines, and found the pattern to be the same. By late afternoon, the clouds started to have large clearings between them. When this occurred, the chatterbait bite slowed. I switched to my craw crankbait and picked up were the chatterbait left off. The bites started to come in, but these fish were a lot smaller than the ones on the chatterbait. Regardless, still fun action.

      That said, I did have a striper steal my crankbait, but I’ll just paint another haha.

      By 3 pm, the wind had picked up so we called it a day.

      Tips: Notes:

      The chatterbait bite was really good in low light, but once the sun came out, the crankbait out produced the chatterbait.

      With the new moon, we are seeing minus tides this week, which means the water is super low. Don’t be afraid to fish the outside weedlines, its just like any other piece of cover.

Tuesday, May 15th, 2018

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: high 70.3 degrees, high water mark for the year 824.11, down to elevation 822.80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Could not sleep, so got an early launch at 5:30 am, fished to 9:30 am. Started trying to catch more crappie, but dam, no luck at all, fished about an hour, different lures, depths, you name it, nothing, so gave up and looked for spots. Picked up 28 spots today, avoiding any shallow fish as dinks are everywhere. Best fish today, right at 16", one 15" and a nice 14 3/4". Most all others were 13-13 1/2" and 4-5 10-12". Fish seem to all be skinny now, having spawned and no fat bellies with eggs. Water has hit the high mark at 824.11 on 5/11/18 and has been dropping now 1/10 to 3/10 of a foot every since, so lake fairly stable now along with the bite. Water hit the 70 degree mark, and will be warming every day now till we hit the 80 degree mark, maybe higher!!. Pictures in fishing forum.