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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Kept my mouth shut for a month because I promised the person I fished with I wouldn't say anything. The two of us ran into multiple limit style fishing with Hopkins spoons in 25 to 50 feet on mainlake points and drop offs. Smallmouth and largemouth. Did not get any love adjacent to the flats but the shear wall structure and the points were the ticket. This will likely only get better as the days get shorter and the shadows grow longer. Decent fish and from what I hear better than average. Keep at it as you go though areas with zip and then you'll pick off half a dozen in minutes. Chrome 3/4 oz. but then you knew that.
      City: Ojai

      Tips: In the morning I pitch the spoon at shear walls and step it back after 3 hours or so I move out and try to catch fish on points and the like while they are in transition along the edges of drop offs. Wind is your friend. If it gets bad than go back to your morning spots and start pitching like you did in the morning as better fish will move up to capitalize on the wave and bait action and it is easier to get them to react and for you to feel them. Good luck this winter.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 70-73

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Out first light, fished White's and Disapointment, Bite was slow, but the size was there, got all the fish in a 100 yds stretch at White's.Got a 3# early morning on a BDS 3 and some samller fish on 5 in. senko. Also a 3+# Striper on a LC Pointer 128. Later in the afternoon got a 5#10oz on a Speedtrap and several other small fish. Tried some topwater with no luck
      City: Folsom

      Tips: fish slow, if you find fish, stay in that area.

  • Lake County
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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: On the water at 1:00pm Monday afternoon. While launching my boat at the state park, the first thing I noticed was the unbelievable amount of bait. Baby crappies, bluegill, and bass were everywhere, and all no bigger than 3 inches. As we got on pad and left the harbor we can across many schools of silversides as well. Our first stop was Rattlesnake Island. Because of the storm that was coming in a couple days, the wind was blowing out of the south instead of the north. We caught fish on rock piles that were near flats. Reaction baits were definitely the way to go. The bass were schooled up and chasing bait. Ripbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits, like the triple trout and lunker punker all produced fish. The largest went just under 5 pounds. After it got dark, the wind died, so we tried throwing poppers and buzzbaits, but only got short strikes. It wasn

      Tips: <a href="http://www.russnyders.com/">Rus Snyders Guide Service</a>

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      Water Temp: 71-73

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I guided a father/son team last night at Clear Lake. They were great folks - but the lake was strange - including dead calm for the first time in many, many nights! The stars were out - but it was raining everywhere - all night!! Actually, the rain was coming from below the surface and the raindrops were about 2 inches long in the form of the Mississippi Silversides. It has been many years since I have heard the "rain" sound one hears at night when what seems like millions of them come to the surface. Amazing. Other than that, the lake was very quiet - no other usual night sounds (Herons, etc). There was, as James mentioned in the previous post, that dead carp smell - very strong at night!! Quiet nights usually mean slow fishing and last night was no exception. We had a nice limit over 15 lbs - our limit was 3 bass!!! Dad got his biggest bass ever at 5 lbs 6 oz on a green pumpkin 10' Power worm near Shag Rock. The married son (trip was a gift from dad) finally landed his first bite - about midnight - a nice bass an ounce or two under 4 lbs on a Rodstrainer jig. Before dark I landed a skinny 6 lb bass that looked like she had forgotten how to eat. I was showing them how to fish ledges by Anderson Island and my "paid teaching bass" bit!! I was using a Rodstrainer jig too - both bass hit brown/orange color. We missed several that probably were small bass - now showing up. They even bit off the jig trailers.
      City: Yuba city

      Tips: This has been a slow period for many anglers, not everyone I'm sure. I have noticed that really late summer weather can slow the bite - dying weeds, lack of oxygen, etc. Maybe this is the problem for the carp - I don't know. As I mentioned - we missed a lot of good bites - they just wouldn't inhale! I have heard that from others too. Rain Saturday could change things for the better. Let's hope!

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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Hmm, I don't recall anyone weighing my bass since I C&R. I'm on a pontoon tube so I don't have a livewell either. Might have me mixed up with someone else. The "rumors" mentioned below are straight from the Inspectors themselves. I've asked several inspectors and all have replied the same thing.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 75

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: We threw everything, swim bait, cranking, jigs, top water etc... nothing worked, then I threw my shaky head worm with a small 4" shad colored worm in about 15' of water and we got on a good bite. Caught about 15 fish in two hours.
      City: Merced

      Tips: Fish very slow off the points where you find rocks on the bottom.

Monday, September 29th, 2008

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      Water Temp: probably 74

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Haven't fish'd in a while guys.. really dont know what I know is that they haven't been hitting really anywhere.. Hey bluefloater I know you, well Ive met you on the lake's before.. I believe bluefloater's report's cuz Ive weighed his fish..
      City: san jose

      Tips: Bluefloter know's.. there is from what Ive seen no bullshit...Nothing is biting.. Hey guy's the shell fish is a serious threat ... Once it's in "WE and OUR FISH ARE ALL FUCKED...Do a search on the lake's back east,, look at what happen's.. Unbelieveable.. Take care and fish safe.. Zack

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On Friday I headed out of Steele Park and at the point across from Spanish Flat I noticed lots of
      bait action. I decided the time was right to try some top water lures. I threw a white and
      chartreuse chugger and on my third cast towards the rocky shoreline in about ten feet of water I
      got smacked by a 2+ pound bass. What a great feeling!!!!!! I love that top water bite. I continued
      to work the shoreline into the cove and I continued to land some nice size bass. The bass seem to
      be more aggressive to the crankbaits then to the worm that I have been dragging. Saturday I went
      out with Albert in the late afternoon. We have been fishing together off and on for the last couple of
      weekends and poor Albert was not having too much luck. Well he made up for it Saturday by catching
      a 3 pound crappie and I caught an 8.5 pound catfish and Albert was just fed up with me (he loves
      catfish) so I told him you can't give up. We stayed at the dock after dark and it paid off big time for
      Albert, he ended up landing a 16 pound 11 ounce CATFISH!!!!! (see photo) Needless to say he was
      beyond happy he had always wanted to catch at least a 10 pound fish (any fish!!!) so he was thrilled.
      Sunday I trolled for awhile with no luck. All in all it was a pretty good weekend and I am just over-
      joyed for Albert. Friday I had kept a couple of the bass and I had them in a cooler on ice in front
      of my cabin. During the night raccoons helped themselves to a fish feast and didn't leave any for me.
      To add insult to injury, they ate the fish on my golf cart and left scales all over the floor. I guess
      they needed the fish more than I did and I hope they enjoyed it.
      'til next week................................................good fishing!!!!!!!!
      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any stories you would like to share please email me at
      bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
      City: Napa

      Tips: open your eyes and feel what is right for that moment in time,bait, fish jumping,fish finder,wind,temp of water,water clearity,etc.to see photos email a request.

  • Solano County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: went all day. caught 12 stripers, 1-5 lbs. partner caught 6-7 stripers same size. All on LV500s, up near big break/sherman area.
      City: SR

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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hot Temps and no wind made for a tuff day. Threw everything got 2 fish until 4:00 p.m. then caught 4 more. Fished 9:30a.m.-7:30 p.m.
      Marked fish on drop offs. Couldnt get bit up tight or anywhere else for that matter. No topwater. Threw frogs and spinnerbait all evening. 1 strike.
      City: sacramento

      Tips: Hope for some cooler weather. Fish seemed to be suspended between shallow and deep water. They were not looking up at all.

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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out for 3 hours after work and i did pretty good first i missed a bite on the frog threw it back in the same spot and a couple casts later it hit again it was 6 pounds even. Then moved over to boat ramp and threw the red eye shad in chrome sexy shad and caught 3 and lost about 10 2 were like 10 inches and so were all the ones i lost and the last cast of the day caught 1 more 1 pound 2 ounces.
      City: THA P

      Tips: lipless crankbaits reeling fast barely touching the tops of submerged weeds. i was reeling almost as fast as i could reel with my revo 6.2:1 gear ratio. try throwing them on 7:1.

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Late start, heard there was a tourney starting from Granite Bay. Expected to see lots of trailers but not much at Brown's Ravine. Me and big brudda went out to the buoy lane straight out of the ramp. Fished 9-16ft and I had 4 fish to 1-2lbs by 9am and big brudda had 2. All on dropshot...Aaron's Magic 5" on a standout hook rig. Moved around and brudda missed a couple hits...shut down for me. A few boats moved in to our starting point and we watched them catch 3 more....coulda had my limit but who's counting, yeah? Ain't worried 'bout size, just hookups for fun.
      City: folsom

      Tips: Fish hit mostly at 14-16ft between buoys and dropoffs. Wacky rig worked for me but used alot of worms. Love the dropshot...hook was 1 ft above the sinker.

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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: come on jim, why dont you give us a couple cues, they cant all be in one place.
      City: sacramento

      Tips: i suck too

    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Primarily fished the north fork. Partner caught one dinky fish on a t-rigged senko ... probably shouldnt even count. :-) I pretty much suck and need help. Threw dartheads, rat-l-traps, jerkbaits, senkos in 20 ft of water with no luck. Did see a a couple of boats bring in a fish or two. Fished from 7am - 11am. Nice day regardless.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: 5 mph folks!

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched from spillway at first light ran up to the south side for no fish moved back to find some deep drop offs and found some dinks afterabout a hour of this we moved around the bend to the north and got on fish from jigs to drop shot broke off a nice one trying to horse into the boat. and the net was right next to me all fish were healthy and released Spillway from what I ould tell was free and I highly recommend useing this launch mucho better compared to bidwell kind of a tough day not sure why all the conditions were right except for no wind limit of5 for 6 # Question of the day when is the plane going to take off that has to be a site to see !
      City: Roseville

      Tips: find the fish and they will bite
      crank baits SEXY
      Stacy 90
      green pumkin grubs
      drop shot
      All caught fish just nothing real big today

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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out nice and early with a buddy on a couple kayaks. we each caught a couple half pounders on white and chartreuse spinners.
      City: Windsor

      Tips: Keep it fun!

    • By

      Water Temp: 67

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out first thing in the morning, first on the lake. Didn't get a damn thing, not even a bite. Tried around the island, nothing then decided to run down the sunny side of the North side of the lake. Graphed a ton of fish. Looks like they are sitting on the ledges in about 10 ft all around, but they didn't like my drop shot, jig or cranks. Ended up down by the tulls and cranked and threw senkos in around and never got anything. Found an small cove with a tree sicking out and saw a huge fish swim right around the tree. I threw out my senko and a baby brush hog, nothing. Finally decided to throw cranks so I hooked on my favorite square bill in rainbow trout color and on the first throw nailed a 6lber. Now I know what a 6lber feels like and I have to say, this is my personal best at this lake. This fish was heavy enough I couldn't take it holding in front of me so I had to take a picture with her in the net. Fun fish and I guess this means the fish are starting to move around. The lake is stained and dirty, almost like oil on the surface. Lake is way down and launch isn't that fun but very capable. I think in the the next few months, this lake will be quite fun!!!
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: Catch and Release!!! Notify the rangers if you see people keeping the fish!!! Cranks work best in rainbow trout color. Work next to the tulls and in the deeper holes.

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 72-74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: The anglers from Basin Bassmasters had a small tournament with 11 boats. Most the anglers fished the main body and the narrows. Top water baits were the best bait for the day. buzz baits, vexens and pop r's. The big largemouth was a 11.06 on a pop r late morning, caught by Steve Irwin. A 7.00 lb, 5.30 lb, 4.50 lb and some 3's. Drop shot, split shot and jigs did work. Look for humps and bait jumping around and you will find the big bass.
      City: Rocklin

      Tips: Points and humps in the main body.

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Temp: 72-74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got 5, biggest 2#, on RatlnVibe in shad, swim jig with chartruse grub trailer and brown jig with purple grub trailer. All fish caught tight against grass edges. Lake was 4' lower than since my last post.
      City: Monterey

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 67 deg

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: went out of B&W caught some nice fish nothing big had a good time took a friend from washington his first time bass fishing He had a good time . other than having a slight hangover had a good day. seen lots of baitfish jumping in the early am Im thinking stripers are really close to start showing up in schools. was going to go this saturday but got snagged up, going to try to get out sunday
      City: Elmira

      Tips: all caught on senkos 5 inch watermelon texas style. no blow ups