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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71 TO 74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED SONOMA TWICE SINCE LAST REPORT.FISHED SATURDAY NIGHT WITH GENE WITH GREAT SECCESS. THE FISH ARE ON THE BANKS IN 10 FEET OF WATER..THE KEY IS LIGHT LINE.6 POUND TEST WORKS GREAT.WACKY WORM ONE THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN ON A GREEN OR DARK COLORED SENKO.USE A SIZE 2 OWNER CIRCLE HOOK.ALL YOU WELL FEEL IS WEIGHT. REEL SLOW AND THE WEIGHT OF THE FISH WELL SET THE HOOK.I ALSO CAUGHT FISH ON A THUNDER STICK AND RED CRANKS.I SAW A GUY THROWING BUZZBAITS WITH MODERATE ACTION. THE WIND WAS HOWLING BY 11AM....
      City: SANTA ROSA

      Tips: ALOT OF THE FISH THAT I CAUGHT TODAY WERE SPITTING UP 3 INCH SHAD SO NEXT TRIP I WELL BE THROWING SHAD RAPS AND SMALL SHAD IMITATIONS IN WHITE OR BLACK AND SILVER.USE 8 POUND TEST MAX ON YOUR CRANKS.THE WATER IS CRYSTAL CLEAR.

  • Trinity County
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      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Does anyone have any recent info on the lake are the fish in pre spawn or what are they doing. and how low is the lake
      City: redding

Monday, May 19th, 2008

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: warm

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: With the current gas prices my 6 gal tank in "BASSBUSTER1" will be towards the empty side a little while longer. So I decided to just fish the two coves (Ladd's & Sail Boat Club).

      I hit the water about 1130 am and started in the channel along the rock wall with weighted senkos and cranks. The bass were stacked at the point along the sail boat club. Then proceeded to the back of the cove to my "Froggin Corner" as I nick named it. Three nice bass up to 3 lbs. on the frog. Then flipped the boat docks on my way back out the cove. Flippen tubes and 6 " curly tail worms were the ticket here. Pitch the lure as far into the shady side of each stall you can with out getting hung up on the ropes.

      High tide was starting back in by the time I reached the mouth of the cove. I then ran the boat to the back of the cove behind Ladd's and started chuckin my buzz bait and also the frog once again. My 6 lb. big fish came on my buzzbait and a 5 pndr on the frog.

      Not bad for not being able to run out to Dissappointment Slough. A total of 15 bass today just staying local for a change.
      City: Stockton

      Tips: it's time to start hitting points with plastics or look for the heavy cover and work the frogs.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started at 6 a.m. this morning with a high tide. Began in Disappointment Slough and then moved into White's Slough a little later in the morning. Things were slow at first but changed for the better as the day wore on. Started with a texas rigged brush hog with marginal success in the first hour, then switched to top water which saved the day. Stayed on top until 1 p.m. when I pulled out. Managed a 5.78 on the brush hog with a couple of dinks and a 4.89, 3.67, and down from there on top water. Ended the day with a total of 16 released at the boat. Good day.
      City: Lodi

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Wanna catch a striper guys, were do I go and what do you recommend I throw (artificial)?

      I am going to go out tomorrow 5pm-9pm.
      City: Sacto

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

      Report: hit the south fork up today, on the water by 7 off by noon. 50+ fish, caught them as far back as we could go in the south fork with the low water levels. Caught the fish on senkos (any dark color), tube baits (green), and one on a rip bait for the first cast of the day. 4 over, but nothing over 2. way to get em texas john, i never seem to catch any over 3 pounds, although lost one today on the main body probably around 3-4.
      City: davis

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

  • Plumas County
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      Water Temp: 60

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: stayed away from the beds in the clear water. worked a bank in the only muddy water that i could find on the whole lake. 2 to 7 feet deep. white spinner baits with a grub trailer worked well in the early morning. then switched to a light colored grub. worked that on the bottom. caught six on spinners between me and my partner. and with the grub we must of caught at least 20 post spawned fish in that one cove.

      Tips: if u want the challenge of staying off the beds find dirty water. otherwise beds is all there is.

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: up to 77

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing with Sid‏
      It was an extremely hot weekend at the lake. Friday night I went out from
      6:00 PM to 11:00 PM and caught over 40 bass mostly on top water. Some
      of the bass was as big as the 'chugger' (see photo). I also used weightless
      senko (watermelon with black specks) and that worked pretty well. There
      was no real size to the bass most were in the 1.5 to 2.5 pound range but
      it was alot of fun especially the top water bites. Saturday I met up with my
      family in a cove near the BOR that had a long point going into the water
      which was ideal for fishing from the shore. I fished the shoreline with my
      weightless senko and 'Procure' crawdad scent which made a difference in
      the numbers I caught versus my sons who used the same set up but without
      the crawdad scent. All along the shoreline you could see the 'fries' (baby bass)
      swimming in the grass. There were millions of them. Sunday I spent the day on
      the dock fishing for carp and catfish. I was joined by a few of my neighbors at
      the dock and we all had a good time catching carp up to 10 pounds (see photos).
      'til next week....................................................good fishing!!!!!!!!!
      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories you would like to
      share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
      City: NAPA

      Tips: this next week will be busy adopt a cove and enjoy

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: In late at Cappel Creek, 8:00am, water still down maybe 25 ft. Ramp still good though. Started on point across from Spanish Flat boat ramp. Got 2 there 1 on a pb&j senko 1 dragging a mm worm. Ran into S.F. boat dock area and picked up 5 more all on senko's then went to rock pile out in front of S.F. picked 4 more on senko's and 1 on a spook. Finally to many boats running past me, so I head back towards Cappel, pick up a few more on the way dragging the worm. Boat out at 11:45am already getting crazy out there....
      City: Suisun City

      Tips: Drag worm slow and feel the pressure bite for the better fish or bang the bank with a senko for numbers.....

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: First day on the lake in months. Fished until noon then left. Caught 4 smallies; 2 12's and 2 13's, first Bass of the morning came on a crank bite in about 8 feet a little over a pound and a half. Second, third, fifth, sixth all smallies on cranks. Fourth fish of the day came on a senko in 8 feet a good 3 and 1 half pounds according ot my scale, looked bigger but probably already spawned out. Tried all along the shore of big Cachuma Bay with no takers. Headed out to the main lake points and missed one. Hot and time to go. Sure didn't like getting on the lake so late in hte morning. Come top water time that's going to suck big time getting on the lake at 630 like the signs say

      Tips: work main points, and shady areas

    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: First time to Cachuma since the start of the inspections. Liked the new ramp a bunch better than the old one. The in and out direction is FAR better than before.

      2 meets going on today and getting on the water took a wee bit of time. For those that havent made it this watershed, be prepared for a delay if your boat wasn't inspected. Lake opens at 6:30AM and boat washing don't start till 7AM so be advised for a wait if there is much traffic. Finaly on the water at 7:25 and on the main lake by 7:35. Lower parking lot was stuffed so had to park on top.

      Hit Santa Cruz first, dabbling in the reeds looking for takers. Senko's and cranks to start - nothing. Changed to a jighead with a hula grub and got a small smallie. Worked it for a while but nothing more. Headed to the river to one of my good spots and tossed a senko. Slow Slow Slow and still no takers. Back to the hula grub then switching out to other soft baits. Got tagged on a plum and red flake curly tail grub. I hooked the fish, fish hooked me! Tagged a nicer smalle, maybe 2-1/2 or 3 and Like ouch! Ate it deep and as I was removing the jighead, she flipped up and it buried the 1/0 in my middle finger. I released her ok but the hook went in my finer tip and I had to jerk it out as the issue of pushing it clear thru to pich back the barb didn't please me at all. Headed home
      City: SM

      Tips: Very slow today but nice weather. Water temps up but I chatted with at least 12 boaters fishing meets and 10 didn't have any hitters by 10AM. ??? Didn't get this day figured out at all as it seems others didn't either.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 67-68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fred and I launched out of River's End Marina, stayed south fished around Coney and Widow's Island areas. Caught 10. Biggest only 2#. All caught on Green Senkos and Basstrix swimbaits silver with a slight lavender back (They work, but geez those things don't last long!). All caught in a 1 hour period, 10-11, along a 75 yard stretch of bank with scattered tules and rock wall near gaps in the wall toward a flooded island. (Made the 5 hour drive up and back worthwhile ;) Tried real hard with frogs and jigs but no takers (not a bump). So much thick aquatic vegetation everywhere made it hard to fish anything else. When we landed at 3:30 it was 107 deg. Big thanks to the owner of River's End who gave me a bolt to fix a bunk on my trailer that had dropped out.
      City: Monterey

      Tips: Bass seemed to be interested on shad vice crayfish or frogs.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Is it better to catch black bass on incoming tide or outgoing tide? The tide table for Sunday 5/18 shows around 3.3 high at 3:55am leading to a low of -0.3 at 11:23am and then back to a high of 2.4 at 5:30pm. This info is for the False River area of the Delta.

      I want to take my wife and kids out there to catch some fish and have some fun. I am still trying to understand the peak fishing times and lunar phases. Can somebody explain that in greater detail for me?

      I just want to increase my odds to catch fish so the kids will enjoy it and come back out with me. Your help is much appreciated. TIA.
      City: Alameda

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: PICKED UP LOTS OF SMALLIES ON ROCK WALLS BY THE BRIDGE,
      CRANK BAITS, RATTLE TRAPS SEEM TO WORK THE BEST
      City: DIAMOND SPRINGS

      Tips: BRING A BOOK FOR WAITING IN LINE FOR THE LAUCH RAMP, WATER IS SO LOW THERE IS ONLY ONE LANE AT THE NORTH SHORE

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: went for a half hour at racoon point and picked up ab out a two on a shakeyhead.
      City: castro Valley

      Tips: be ready for a bite on the drop

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 68 to 74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: we launched out of nice area and fished down to lucern got on the water at 5pm started picking fish up in io ft of water guarding their beds all in the 2 to 3 lbs range all males . on drop shot it really didnt matter what color I also picked up my first top water fish on a frog pattern hula popper we ended up with 27 fish for the day, we got back on the water at 430am we fished till about 8am picking up 15 more then the dreaded wind came up and we had to get off the water , we went out next morning picking up 7 fish 2 to 3 lbs. the water temp had dropped from 74 to 66 degrees and the water had maybe 2 ft visability then the wind forced us off the water .
      City: carmichael

      Tips: dont fish on clear lake on windy days especially in a small boat

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Channel pt area and loma island. Caught on bass flipping a jig and saw lots of bass crusing(looking for beds I think).
      City: Antioch

      Tips: Fish are coming up to finish spawning so look in shallows

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: caught a 10 pound even bass on a double wide sweet beaver. and about 60-70 bluegills lost count at 50.
      City: THA P

      Tips: any fish on beds are usualy nice ones now.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Took two boys out sunday. Started in the middle fork. picked up a few slot fish then headed way up the middle fork into cooler water. Jack pot. Fished for three hours and took approx. 30 fish. The biggest went 3.1 lb. Two other tipped the scale right at 2.0 each. Most fish came on drop shot 2-20 feet. Purple was the key color in 4inch Margarita Mutilator. Some were taken slow rolling a Mike Salca Butte Creek Tackle blade in shad pattern with willow blades. Biggest five fish went 10.75. Never fails when you aren't fishing a tournement. I want to go back up the middle fork (without kids) and try jigs, sinkos, and spoons. Yea I said spoons. The water temp was alot cooler and alot of the fish appeared to still have eggs.
      City: Magalia

      Tips: Remember Oroville is low and you still have the same amount of fish in half the amount of water. Once you locate them piled up, you can pick up a bunch in a short time. Go way up the middle fork and look for a granite wall about two hundred yards long on the left side. Next time I will mark it with my GPS and give you the exact location.

    • By

      Water Temp: 62-69

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the Anglers Choice tournament Sunday. Lots of big bass but lots of small limits came in as well. Best patterns were topwater spooks or vixons, senko's and jigs. Most located post spawn spots on walls and points outside of coves. I did not hear of any bed fish being caught. Big fish was 4lb+, 3lb.+ and several 2.5+ also. Our 8.82lb. bag was in the middle. Top bag 13lb.+ 2nd. 12lb.+
      City: Paradise

      Tips: Start early and use top water plugs. Then start going down the water column with senko's, tubes, dart head and jigs. The reaction bite is also on and will continue to get even better. Top water color in anything in shad color and watermelon and green pumpkin have been the best colors for the tubes,senko's and jigs.