Submit
Report

Northern California Lake Fishing Report

Limit:

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing went pretty well today.Thought the front moving threw might get the bite going.Well that plan did'nt work out as soon as it showed up the bite stoped, but the bite in the morning was on. It was a smallmouth day with 15 smallmouth all together and 4 largmouth. All fish cought on main lake points, ledges and flats. In 18-25ft deep. Best 5 at 11.5lbs.
      City: Vacaville

      Tips: The turn over is starting to happen and has the fish broke up. Quite a few are suspending and not grouped up. Used the crankbait to find areas holding fish then fished the mojo rigged plactics.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 46

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well guys I'm back and eager to hear some more advice on catching these less than willing, lathargic bass. They continue to be hiding from me which leads me to believe the obvious, I'm doing something wrong!! Please help a desperate angler that refuses to give up hope. I did manage to swing a 6.5lber in the boat a couple of weeks ago and that fish keeps my hopes alive. I know that it is cold and the bass don't move far. I've been drop-shotting, dragin jigs, and praying for a crankin bite. These are the three main approaches that I have been using in the south delta. Anyone with more knowledge than I, please let me know anything that will help in leading me to success! Color selection, methods, areas to fish, water clarity, etc????? I appreciate all of your advice. Thank you and stay warm!!!
      City: stockton

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-61

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: This report is a compilation of 12/27 and 12/30....I had a good morning on the 27th as I got up late and caught fish almost imediately. All on spoons and ice jigs from 40 to 60 feet. On the 30th things were tougher...the bait was lower and the skies were blue...went out late on the 30th> 9:00 ish and came home early 1:00 ish with 3 bites deep on spoons and no other takers or followers. I caught the 9 pounder that Kipp was refering to and it was a kick in the rear because I have not thrown a swimbait up until this time at Casitas all year....WHY??? The conditions have not been favorable until this day. At 3:00 in the afternoon the skies were dark/ the wind was blowing/ and I hadn't gotten a tap on a spoon in hours. I got to a prime looking spot and drug out the swimbait rod and tied up a Huddleston. On my fifth cast much to my surprise a had a tick. I reeled down and swept hard and I was on...After about 10 seconds I realised that my Calcutta 400 had broken something and it's positve stop or whatever was toast which allowed me to reel in two directions(not good) ...I got her to the boat and after a few scary moments I got my thumb in her mouth and had her in the boat. A really, really killer beautiful fish without a mark on her and bright silver/green. I didn't mess her up at all with my hook as I was so slow on the hookset that it was embedded in the lower lip but only just past the barb and it was an easy yank to get the 3/0 out....I fished a bit more but had to take her in and back to where I caught her for release as my battery on my scale was acting funny....I weighed 9 lb. 3 0z. the marina had her at 9....I'll take it!!!! I fished the swimbait for 3 hours on the 30th but no takers. I did catch 3 spoon fish but that bite seems to be tougher not better.Good luck to all and this upcoming storm is a godsend for those who would like to catch a serious swimbait fish as it REALLY REALLY helps to have the skies darkened up and some wave action going on. Just because YOU are uncomfortable believe me when I say it all goes away in an instant once you grab that fish by the lips.
      City: Ojai

      Tips: For the deep bite the meter is king....no marks no fish...here today gone tomorrow/here one minute gone the next. You have to move around until you and the circumstances = the right stuff...Shallow is as shallow does....quick first light and you have to be in the right spot or famine....I hope everyone has a great 08 and writes a report for us. Thanx Kipp as it all helps us guys who don't get out much...

      Rip

    • By

      Water Temp: Didn't look

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Was on the water at gate opening. Most people I saw were either catching shad or buying shad off a couple kids at the dock. Kind of funny but ran into more than one boat with live shad and they were still not catching anything.

      Hit the sunken island first and caught three fish, one worm, one fluke, one Hula. Thought it was going to be a great day. That was it, all the usual spots were desserts, no marks at all. Too much shad in some spots so avoided. Rational, spots with out shad would hit something else, but places with out shad were so empty, not a single mark!

      The three fish were in 1-5 foot of water. Saw fish boiling in the morning almost on shore on the sunken island. (wanted to throw a top water but did not) Later saw no action, even going to the same spots I hit in the morning, like things went deep in the afternoon.

      Did see a guy get a 9 on swim bait. Guess I will try that next time, some day I will get one on a swim bait.

      Back to house chores, not sure I can get back out to after the new year

      Tips: None, fish are deep and shallow, guess experience will prevail!

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 47

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: launched out of Holland, first cast Holland Harbor sign at corner of old River got a 5lb+ LM.... rip baits for about 5 hours in and around Disco Bay got about 15 fish, only 2 stripers (small).

      Tips: rip baits and rattle traps.

Monday, December 24th, 2007

    • By

      Water Temp: 46-50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Got on the water at 9:00 am and started throwing drop shots in 30 ft. Caught 4 fish all 2lb range. Then moved up into the north arm and continued to throw drop shots and texas rigged worms. Caught 5 more fish in 20 feet of water on the right side. Moved over the the left side and brother lands a CFW 6 pounder! Decided after that to head home because 6 pounders at CFW are few and far between!
      City: Lincoln

      Tips: Drop shots and texas rigged purple robo worms worked best for us. Fish are just sucking the worm up and holding it so make sure your line is tight. I am going to keep throwing the drop shot deep for those 6 pounders..

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hit the water about 10 a.m. and went straight to Station Canyon. Metered bait in the 50-60 foot range and using a tip on this site began spooning with Hopkins spoons and Ice Jigs (silver/blue.) Caught 5, with the largest around 4 lbs. Used a hypodermic needle to deflate and all fish swam back down. After about an hour the bite stopped and we went searching all over the lake without much success. Went back to Station Canyon but the bait was gone and the wind came up hard out of the northeast. Never did find any more active fish and the wind became unbearable by 4 p.m. Metered lots of fish on points and banks but couldn't get them to bite drop shot worms or jigs.

      Tips: Finding concentrations of bait was the key. A tip found on this site really put us into the fish.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: fished saturday night and monday afternoon.The night trip was short but sweet,as i proceeded to spank em on a crankbait,(rap dt-10)I stuck two fours and a fiver and a few mors smaller ones,also ripped a nice 2+ on the staysee.Today was kinda tuff though,ripping was the only way I could get bites.stuck a 3 on my second cast and a 2 about a half hour later.hedded over to boatworks area and busted out my wole bag of tricks and couldent get bit.went back to Jago and ripped a 4 and a 4+ within an hour ,I hardely ever ripp quality fish like this. what a blast!
      City: lower lake

      Tips: rip the hell out of your staysee like ten times and pause for at least 5 seconds and resume.the jig and soft plastic bite has sucked for me the past few trips.have fun

    • By

      Water Temp: 45 to 49.0

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Live bait crawdads & large minnows are taking bass in 8 to 15 feet of water. Jig fishing and swimbait 7 drop shotting are taking a back seat to live bait. The father & son team of andy & jared anderson of madera caught bass on crawdads in 8 to 10 feet of water near rock piles on saturday biggest bass was 4 pounds. A second planting of trout was done last week but not many anglers are trying from the bank or trolling for them. Traffic is very light and lake is stable ramps are both open. 559-689-3255
      City: kerman ca

      Tips: Having alot of patience this time of year helps.

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51 Deg

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: 1 fish caught early, 3 lb large mouth, no good bite otherwise. Cold on lake until around noon.
      City: Vacaville

      Tips: Hold on to your rods well...

    • By

      Water Temp: 55

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Blue bird sky on Sunday with cold front pushing through. Wish I would have went out on Saturday. No reaction bite at all. A few fish on drop shot and shaky head. Didn't graph much at all. Started dragging jigs late in the day. Caught 2 keepers pretty quick, but it was late in the day and had to leave. Should have started with jigs earlier.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: I think the water is finnaly turning over. Maybe by end of this week's cold temps we'll be there. Once the water turns over more predictable winter patterns will pick up; I hope!

    • By

      Water Temp: 47-51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I freakin BLANKED!!! a Wierd day all in all. Couldn't produce on the crank, hula grub or jig.
      planned on spending some time with the swimbait.
      Spent most of the day tossing a Reastion Strike 6" bait. Had a good bump on it up Bear River Arm, and about an hour later, lost it on the cast ($15 to the bottom of the lake cause I didn't retie...usually throwing swimbaits with line heavier than 15lb.!!) Water level had risen about 6 ft since last weekend and the good ramp and dock are now useable (kinda nice!) poked around some in Rock creek arm, and some down by the dam, but the hula grub just wouldn't produce.
      Talked to another guy out there who had only 2 fish, one on a ripbait, other on worm. Saw a couple guys dropshottin and C-Rigging, didn't see 'em catch anything. I heard Friday was o.k. and Saturday pretty bad, guess the fish are still figuring out what to do with all this water thier gettin!!
      City: Lincoln

      Tips: Retie your swimbaits often, just bought the damn thing yesterday! At least that good bump told me that swimbait fish are a real possibility, maybe not with the big baits, but the medium swimbaits ought to produce.
      Probly won't get back to CFW till the summer, but it should be pretty full by then.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: North Fork: Granite Bay to Anderson Island. Trolled lavender shad Deep Little N - caught Chinook salmon, but no bass. Threw 1/2 oz jig w/ craw trailer - nothing. Not much on the sonar.
      Saw some fish at 20 ft.
      Double drop shot w/ pumpkin grub and blood 5" worm - nada.
      City: Folsom

  • Mariposa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 56-58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I really wish people would put in a honest report.Like if you are using bezerk jigs, Im ok with that sponsor deal or no sponsor deal,what color,what size .5oz .75oz??
      what cover did you catch fish on points, ledges,flats,creek channels,wood,rock,boulders,main lake,pocket,cove,river arm??? If you take the time to place a report please place a report.
      I have not fished here since I was 5 years old and have no clue what this lake is about.
      We had a horable day even getting to the lake.
      Leaf spring broke on hwy 99 near modesto and no flat bed would fit my 18ft nitro it was too wide.
      My advise dont wait too long as a maintenance precaution you may want to change your leaf springs every 7 years or so mine broke at 12 years they lasted a while. They dont cost much and they are much easier to fix at home than on the roadside at 4am.
      We were lucky to have some tools and get off the highway.We did not quit and we made it to the lake by 1pm.The Lake is Way way low .fishing was way way slow.Few bites few fish,what we were doing did not work so I wont advise it. Would be a neat lake if it was full.Look forward to some helpfull tips from a report than can help new comers to catch some fish at this lake.
      City: elk grove

      Tips: Keep moving for a bite or two.

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: ?? Cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I agree it's nice to be back on my home waters. After a 2 year tour in South Korea and enjoying the bass fishing there. I'm excited to be back and hunt for that first 10 lber. that's still eluding me.

      After getting the annual service done on my custom 12 ft. Valco "BASS BUSTER 1" luanched at Pixie Woods and worked main channel points and coves with docks and marinas.
      City: Stockton

      Tips: Work it slow and down size. Found fish in 10 ft. of water.

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52 am 54 pm

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Beautiful full moon all nite. Freezing temp, but no rain or wind. Mike's multi species ranger is great with the big windshield. Why don't more guys own them? Spent a lot of time looking for bait balls. Where have all the birds gone? Usually you find the birds you find the bait right? The lake is VERY LOW right now. Kinda neat looking up at all your old hot spots to see why fish held there. Tried spoonin no luck. Tried jigs no luck. Carolina and drop shot were best. We had a small 7 lb limit. Afternoon was better when my watch showed 4 hooves.
      City: orangevale

      Tips: Find the bait you'll find the fish. Launch ramp is only the center. 2 outside ramps are out of the water. Look out for sudden depth changes. Lots of rock piles popping up out of nowhere. Islands everywhere. The prop guys are making a lot of money this year don't help them. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU BASS NUTS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: All I can say is wow! It's getting really good up at casitas. My partner and I got out on the water pretty late as the am temps were below freezing. Plugged a breakfast burrito and some jamaican blue mountain at the snack shack, and then headed out to the southeast side of the island. We took Kelly's advice and started where we left off last time, fishing 53-71 feet. That just wasn't on. We had a few 3 pounders but nothing quality. Decided to adjust our approach and moved up to the 47 - 52 foot range. The shad balls were holding a bit deeper than last week but it didn't matter. The ice jig was a waste of time for us. Went to the Duh. After I put 7 fish in a row in the boat my partner was about to take a dump. Finally he hooks up. 14 pound bullcat! nice. By the time he gets the slime off his rig I put 2 more 5's on board. Fish are coughing up shad like crazy. Footballers. We plugged a few more and called it for a lunch at the snack shack.

      After a couple burgies and a quick run to the outhouse for my partner, we finally got back out on the water. I thought we'd go looking for some new water, so we headed to Station. Got a lot of good marks on the outer ledges, but all we could get were panfish.

      We ran a few more spots experimenting with some new baits. Saw a few guys netting shad freehand on the walls around the corner from mudhen point. They looked like they were struggling to get even a couple pieces of finbait. We pulled up outside of them and stroked a few more fish. As the day went on the bite got a bit shallower. By 3-4 pm we were working 41-46 feet exclusively. If you dropped to 47+ you were into the panfish, guaranteed.
      City: Somis

      Tips: Watch out for the chorizo and pepper jack burrito at the snack shack.

  • Riverside County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing hot in afternoon, points in 30 to 20feet, caught sixes SAt and Sun.
      City: Highland

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: started the day out thowing swimbaits no takers so pulled out the dropshot and the spoons worked water from 12 to 70 feet caught 1 smallmouth around 3 pounds and a few spots and 2 limits of salmon up to 3 pounds.
      City: roseville

      Tips: tight lines take a kid fishing.

Friday, December 21st, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Big north wind made things very tough, unable to fish much of the lake. Started with jigs lower end of the lake with many short strikes no hook up pretty normal after a front. Went with a crank bait to cover some water and see where the fish were setting up. Same results with the crankbait shot strikes. Noticed while cranking the fish were setting up the the sides of the points rather than the tops. Since most of the fish were in the 25-45 foot range I started with a dropshot this worked well for fish in the 1.5-2.0 lb range. Changed over to a mojo rig with a creature bait and cought fish in the 2 lb range up to 3.5lbs. Over all a pretty tough day 20 fish total best five at 11 lbs.
      City: Vacaville

      Tips: Trust your electronics. Most of the fish cought were very close to the bottom.You had to watch the screen very closly to pick up the fish. The bait was very scattered today wich if probably the reason the were pinned so close to the bottom.