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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, October 13th, 2007

    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Beautiful day, clear skies, no wind, but a tough day. Only 3, fished from 7:15 to 14:00.
      1 minnow early AM on a small silver and black Zara Spook. One dink on a silver and black DT10 crank.
      Nothing till around 1300, then caught a 3#r+ on
      a 6" Senko in watermelon and red flake. Just outside the weeds off of a mud bank in 20'.
      Water was full of algae "globs". I tried my old reliable DT Hula grubs with not a bump for many hours. I'll blame the frontal passage on the previous day (Friday).
      City: Monterey

      Tips: Might have better luck fishing the falling barometer vice the rising now that the winter storm pattern seems to be setting up.

    • By

      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: John and I fished from 10:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Wind was very light until about 1:15 p.m. when it began blowing fairly hard (10-15 mph) from the north. I spent first two hours trying to find the lunkers that move up and cruise the mud bank when the wind comes up...couldn't stick'em while fishing above the thermocline (which was at 26 feet)with swimbiats, plastic worms, and jigs, although there were many fish showing on the graph down to that depth. Then, when the wind did come up, I switched to buzzbaits and a Zara Spook, but couldn't get bit on the windward shore like I did week before last. I'm guessing the bigun's were there but they didn't want what I was throwing at them (could they be getting conditioned to the buzzbait?). John caught a nice 2 1/2 lb bass on a white buzzbait off a windward rocky bank.
      City: Monterey

      Tips: Keep moving and make a lot of casts! If what you're using isn't working, try something else.

Friday, October 12th, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Ditto!! Yesterdays trip to Berryessa was very similar to Monday except for numbers - 31 bass, 1 crappie, and one TROUT?!! I really enjoyed showing my clients how to fish the DUH! spoon and they both caught bass for the first time using that technique. Drop-shotting Basstrix flashtrix minnows was just as effective as the previous trip. Biggest bass was a largemouth (skinny) a bit over 2 1/2 lbs. We found two more schools of shad in the narrows and that was the key. Last trip targeted the 38 to 45 foot depth, but yesterday the bass seemed to be around 45 to 55 feet. That was interesting since it was cloudy most of the day. I thought the bass might move up. The black shad 3/4 oz Duh spoon was again the top producer, but morning dawn also worked well. The smelt colored flashtrix 4" minnow was best drop-shot bait, on a #2 Gami EWG hook. We always looked for the steeper banks where the creek channels were close by.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: During both of my Berryessa trips this week, I cautioned my clients to keep their rod tips closer to the water. If you are spooning or drop-shotting and you get bit with your rod tip too high, the lifting style of hookset you need is hard to accomplish when the power of the rod kicks in while it is over you head. The power of the hookset needs to be at the 9 to 11 o'clock position. Sometimes I work my rod in too high a position and loose fish because of it. It was really fun yesterday to again watch the line rise when lifting the spoon and sinking when dropping it. It is so cool when you drop you rod tip and the line just freezes in place. I love it! Just reel down and set!!! I noticed on my Lowrance X-26 some bass off the bottom so I lifted the spoon about 8 to 10 feet off the bottom and twitched it. That worked too! Spooning is usually best during bright conditions. Yesterday afternoon however, as heavy cloud cover built in, the spooning got better. Interesting.

    • By

      Water Temp: Our Day in Cour

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: [ Our Day in Court Is Finally Here.]

      This reminder is to all the BFA Members and Supporters, our day to show unity to the News media, and most important to the Presiding Judge has finally come. We BFA Members have the most dedicated day to show our love of Lake Berryessa,and the memories of family Happyness, making this our special Holiday to win for all the years of pleasure. We want the Judge and the News Media to Be overwhelmed by the turnout this day of who we are, and that we represent the Love of Lake Berryessa. We are the public, we have paid to use Berryessa for everything, we have kept Berryessa Clean, and have always respected its Beauty. NOW it is our time to show others we care, and want to continue to be part of Lake Berryessa Future, to show your Children, Grandchildren, and friends that we are grateful for the Berryessa experience. For BFA Members there is no bigger Day on the Calendar than OCT. 12 , 07 in the Federal Court in San Francisco. I would never want to stand in front of my family and say, I couldn't make this day because something else was more important than the Future Of Lake Berryessa for my family. I Will always remember this saying'' Nothing is Free in Life, and if you truly want it you must Go after it". The people who need wheel chairs, Walkers, Canes please bring them, we will make sure you get up front in the court room. Make us all proud that we have fought for equal rights, and will not let the BOR take them away from Us. Remember a Victory here will set the BOR back on their Heels. WEAR YOUR BFA TEE SHIRTS. Check with Denise about the Bus Trip to the Court House.
      Thank you,
      Berryessa For All

      Original Message -----
      From: Denise Trevor
      To: Denise Trevor
      Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 9:48 AM
      Subject: BFA -BUS TO COURT IMPORTANT INFORMATION


      HELLO EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WHILE I WAS ON A MUCH NEEDED VACATION.


      THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE BUSING TO THE COURT HOUSE FRI OCT 12TH. TO SAN FRANCISCO.


      WE WILL HAVE TWO PICK UP LOCATIONS:

      ONE WILL BE AT THE SPANISH FLAT VILLAGE (WERE CUCINIA'S AND THE CANTINA ARE) PICK UP TIME WILL BE CONFIRMED ON MONDAY.

      THE SECOND SPOT WILL BE THE VALLEJO ELKS PARKING LOT IN VALLEJO. 2850 REDWOOD PARKWAY. RIGHT OFF HIGHWAY 80. VERY EASY TO GET TO. THANKS TO VINCE FOR HIS SUGGESTION.


      IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED ME I HAVE YOU ON THE LIST. IF YOU HAVE NOT YOU NEED TO ASAP FOR HEAD COUNT AND BUS SIZE.

      SO FAR LAKE SIDE THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED ME:
      PIERCE
      WAGNER
      STUBBS
      BAXTER
      GILMORE
      CRADDOCK
      PALMQUEST
      MILLS
      COPPLA

      VALLEJO SIDE
      GONZALEZ/DODDS
      HOWARD
      REYNOLDS
      SERIVENS
      HUMPHRYES
      SMITH
      TORRES
      HAAVISTO

      IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION AGAIN, THE TIMES FOR PICK UP WILL BE CONFIRMED ON MONDAY AND I WILL CONTACT EVERYONE. I WILL BE HOME ALL WEEKEND AND YOU CAN CALL ME ON MY CELL AT (925) 642-6087. REFRESHMENTS WILL ALSO BE SERVED AND WE ARE ASKING A $10 PER PERSON DONATION TOWARDS THE BUS COST.

      THANK YOU TO ALL THE GENEROUS PEOPLE WHO CANNOT MAKE IT AND THERE DONATIONS TO HELP OUR FIGHT AND OUR DAY.

      WE ARE UP TO APPROX 38 PEOPLE.

      TALK WITH EVERYONE SOON,
      DENISE







      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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      -----------------
      Forwarded Message:
      Subj: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing (Friday, Oct. 12, 9 AM)
      Date: 10/2/2007 1:02:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time
      From: frankiwama@gmail.com
      To: Donnandonl@aol.com, hazmatking@aol.com, denise.trevor@gmail.com, srenz@surewest.net, Phils4day@aol.com, Billferrera@msn.com, mas@defendergroup.com
      CC: Bobm@rtmigliore.com, vinceh@vjhaavisto.com, delwag@earthlink.net, SKinder874@aol.com, hcolette@hotmail.com, Dgpierce6@sbcglobal.net, SherriD2152@aol.com, Kmullen007@yahoo.com
      Sent from the Internet (Details)



      BFA v. BOR COURT HEARING
      U.S. District Court, San Francisco
      450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
      Hon. Susan Illston, Judge, Courtroom 10, 19th Floor
      FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 9:00 AM


      TO: BFA Steering & Coordinating Committees

      FROM: Frank Iwama, BFA General Counsel

      RE: BFA v. BOR Court Hearing, Friday, October 12, 9:00 AM (U.S. District Court, San Francisco)


      Please note the court calendar for U.S. District Judge Susan Illston for Friday, October 12, 9:00 AM:

      Hon. Susan Illston, U.S. District Court Judge

      Courtroom 10, 19th Floor

      U.S. District Court (ND Cal), 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102

      Calendar for Friday, October 12, 2007, 9:00 AM







      Friday 10/12/2007

      09:00 AM
      (r)C-06-7657.e JIYOUNG MOON v. FEDEX KINKO'S
      Plaintiff's Motion to Certify Class


      -----------

      09:00 AM
      (r)C-07-0908.e UA LOCAL 342 v. RAMCON CO. INC.
      Reserved for Motion of Entry of Default (no further dates set)



      -----------

      09:00 AM
      (r)C-07-0259.e BERRYESSA FOR ALL v. U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
      Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction
      Defendant's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings



      -----------



      For your information, the following is a brief biography of U.S. District Judge Susan Illston from the Federal Judicial Center:

      Illston, Susan Yvonne
      Born 1948 in Tokyo, Japan

      Federal Judicial Service:
      Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
      Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 23, 1995, to a seat vacated by Barbara A. Caulfield; Confirmed by the Senate on May 25, 1995, and received commission on May 26, 1995.

      Education:
      Duke University, B.A., 1970

      Stanford Law School, J.D., 1973

      Professional Career:
      Private practice, Burlingame, California, 1973-1995. (Cotchett & Illston)

      Race or Ethnicity: White

      Gender: Female

      Directions to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco:
      http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/CAND/FAQ.nsf/840afa494a77a59388256d4e007d54ff/1a7e3fde71ffdb3e88256ebc0055acf2?OpenDocument


      Please calendar BFA's court hearing on Friday, October 12th at 9:00 AM at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

      Please contact me if you have any questions. Best regards.

      Frank

      Iwama Law Firm
      67 Wessex Way
      San Carlos, CA 94070-1740
      Tel: (650) 591-6200
      E-mail: frankiwama@gmail.com

      --
      Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee named above and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly unauthorized and prohibited. If you received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by replying to this e-mail or by telephone (650/591-6200). Thank you.
      City: Our Day in Court Is Finally Here

      Tips: Our Day in Court Is Finally Here

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 66-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Water is down 3 feet from last visit. Is that 1 foot a week? Took out a newbie to spoon fishing as he wanted to try to learn this technique. The weather was clear to start but ended with isolated showers. We fished from 6:30 ( lake opens ) until 6:30. It started very well with my partner catching a nice 3 pound largemouth on his first cast. I caught a nice fish on the huddleston ( ROF 12 ) and than switched up to a Black Dog Lunker Punker which got smacked in the first two wiggles of my first cast. I was caught offgaurd and missed the fish. My partner then scored a very nice smallmouth and then things died down a bit. I decidid to travel along a similar path to my last visit and after an hour it was evident that the smallmouth and largemouth had vacated the easy topwater pattern however I was fishing little george type baits (Revenge) and enjoying no success either. Hmmm? After a brief stop in the marina we went out to try and find the spoon fish. I had a spot that had produced before but there was no bait and no love there so we high tailed it out of there to try some more areas. We eventually found a spoon bite off shore and did well enough. Scoring the usual mixed bag of largemouth, smallmouth, redear, crappie, a cat fish that staightened out my partners hook ( but left the telltale slime coat on his line ) and another of the 20 pound carp that I seem to have a nack at snagging. We were having a good time when I decidid to have some fun and try the Punker again while my partner was fishing deep I laid the bait up into about 2 feet of water and had to rip it away from a very persitant Osprey at least a half a dozen times. When it finally gave up I got the cast back where I wanted it and Whack! Scored a nice heafty largemouth for my troubles. We caught fish on spoons, spinner baits, Cranks (I had two on my bait at one time when I got it in!)dropshot, senkos,silver buddies,Revenge tail spinners Huds,and the Punker. It was down right fun to be fishing and we hated to go but it was dark and they kind of insist that you get off the water.
      City: Ojai

      Tips: Smaller fish on the spoons however I dumped several 2+ pound smallmouth right at the boat. There was a time during our day that it was best to not drop the spoon all the way down but rather half way down as the fish were suspended in 25 feet while sitting in 50. I'm sure just about anything you choose to use will catch you a fish but if you want some bigger fish you'll have to go with the bigger baits. I hope I can come back soon as it's always worth the drive.

      Rip

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-60

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: on the main lake no fish but heard from a gut he said he was fishin in about 1 foot of water catchin good sized fish on lipless crankbaits and slashers so i just went up to the south shore pond for some trout and caught 10 to 11 fish but released all of them but to huge fish weighing at 7.46 and a 7.07 two monsters on a rapala in a rainbow trout color.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: for main lake fisherman still gettin reports on early topwater fish and fishin wit everything to crank baits,jerk baits,drop shot and many other baits.For those trout fisherman trolling both of the hat islands are producing fish the next plant of 1200 pounds will be at north shore.

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

  • Riverside County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70's

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished DVL with a friend today (Scott). We landed about 10-12 fish while fishing all new spots on the lake we'd never fished before. Pretty fun to get work off and go fishing during the week.

      Here is Scott's fish.
      <img src="/shared/photos/photos/resized/4857_resized.jpg">
      City: Hemet

      Tips: Reaction bite is working a little better in the AM since the water is cooling off.

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: went out about 9 am and decided to go to the north fork and try to retrieve a pole i lost a couple months ago no luck but ohwell so started dropshotting caught a 5 pound spot and about 17 fish total all fish were caught on a 3 inch worm caught about 14 pounds for 5 fish.
      City: Roseville

      Tips: fish 20 to 40 feet weed through the small fish enjoy anyone like to go out in the mid week let me know i have more days off during the week

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55-64

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Took a good fisherman out Wed. I was concerned about the air pressure going up and down and back up in just 2 days. We fished half a day from noon to 5pm. The bite was very soft to nil for about 3 hours. The last 2 hours was much more productive with 35 bass, but all were in the bracket. Water temps were in the low to mid 60's but droped to 55 in the incoming water of the West Branch and the North Fork. The bite should pick up as the air pressure stablizes.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: We were on lots of fish but had to keep moving to find feeding bass. Found them on outside walls and points from 1ft to 30ft. Most effective was Gitzit tubes clear sparkle and motor oil colors.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I catch many fish on clawdad...uuuughhhh...need more structure in lake for bigger fish...Maybe Jones Valley use water truck more often to keep dust down....uuuuuuuuuuuuuuughhhhhhhh..tof*ckydusty.........uuuugggghhhhh........many many fish like clwdad.
      City: Manton

      Tips: Use new hook for good fihing......

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Early fall did come for my clients and me - on a holiday Monday no less! We started at 7 am out of Markley Cove and basically stayed in the narrows all day. There wasn't much activity on the shoreline, which is no surprise this time of year. We targeted small coves with creek channels until we found some shad. Bingo!! I first tried the 3/4 oz white ghost Duh! spoon. That is what they wanted. Insane bite!! I switched my clients to a drop-shot rig, using a Basstrix 4" flashtrix plastic minnow. Bingo again! They struggled getting them in the boat for some reason - especially one of the guys. Dropping the rod tip is always the problem. They were hooking bass so fast for an hour that it didn't matter how many they lost - they landed plenty! I later tried a 2 oz spoon with poor results - they wanted a slower fall rate. One of the guys landed 2 crappie that were mixed in with the bass - one a nice one about 1 1/4 lbs. We fished as far as the mouth of the narrows, catching one here and there. One guy was throwing his drop-shot rig to the edges of weedlines in Wragg Canyon and actually caught 2 bass - maybe 3 or 4 feet of water. We caught around 27-28 bass and the two crappie. We also hit for the cycle - largemouth, smallmouth, spots, a hybrid bass, and crappie. The only downside was their size - nothing over 2 1/4 lbs - maybe a limit of 9+ lbs. Beautiful sunny day for people but not for feeding bass.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: As the previous posted mentioned, cooler water will be a blessing - it was still 70 yesterday. Bass are working the bait, but mostly offshore. Quality topwater fish should be available as soon as the water dips into the mid-60's. The jig bite will soon follow. Fish drop-offs in the 20 to 35 foot range when the water cools. One might try a rip bait soon, early and late. They do work in the fall if the water remains clear. Not many people talk about that. Also, think about 6 and 7 inch Robo worms - and the same for Berkley Power worms. You don't need 4 inch worms in the fall if you are looking for quality bass. Good luck!! Finally, lets hope the court situation goes well on Oct 12th. I have fished Berryessa since 1962 and I count it a privilege to visit the lake all these years. Lets hope the court renders a solution where the "folks" win!

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Ferndog - try tossing senkos and drop shot. easy fishing. your wife will catch something. spoons are (literally) over-rated.
      City: Buellton

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 66

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out from 10-4 up the north fork. Caught 11 fish, only two of them between 2-3 pounds. Dropshotting with margarita mutilator seemed to produce the most fish.
      City: Roseville

      Tips: This is my first time posting on here. I just got a boat and back into fishing. I started tuning into this sight and about gave up on it because of all the back and forth between a few people. What's the deal. Can't you guys just e-mail each other if you have a problem instead of involving everyone? Thanks

    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Went fishing at this lake for the first time last saturday. Didn't get a hit or anything. Fished for only two hours and only saw one bass follow my lure, and it was tiny. Does anyone have any tips for this lake and what kind of fish are in it? Any advice would be helpful.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Give me some!

Monday, October 8th, 2007

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 69

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Iwent out first light in the morning and looked for surface activity and found them with no greeds around. I immediately threw top water baits and hooked about six. Smallies and spots mostly.Half an hour later I started spooning and I hooked fish after fish for good five hour straight. Mostly small fish ranging from 10-18 inches. The bite fineally died early afternoon so I headed out to the east side to my favorite spot and I could see them crusing the shallows. I then threw top water and flukes and caught a bunch of fish. bite slowed down so I went back to my spooning spot inthe evening and caught about twentfive more bass. Funny thing though I was catching Mostly smallmouth, spots,largies and bunch of those hardheads. I also tried dropp shotting and caught a coupple os dozen bass. Over all I couldn't ask for a better fishing trip. It was simply a awesome day. I never caught so many bass in my life! I've caught close to 180 bass that day. From 7am to 7pm.
      City: san mateo

      Tips: Loook for surface activtity in the morning. thats a dead give away! Graff the area, try the usual spooning and drop shot. When spooning deep water thumb your spool so that your spoon will fall a little slower. stop the spoon about every ten feet or so . The fish sometimes will bite when you stop the spoon from falling.

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Corrected e-mail address mikessyderek@ca.rr.com

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I read in the Mercury News that Coyote will be closed on the weekdays or road repairs through the end o the year. It may be shorter, but I'm pretty sure about it.
      City: San Jose

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-61

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a couple of great guys out Monday who I've had out before. The lake is still droping and is now about 165 ft. down. We found lots of bass in the West Branch and in the main body. Only two over in their half day. The bite was a bit soft but they took bass on a variety of baits. Jigs, texas worms, drop shot and senko's and all in several colors.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: Start up close to the bank in the morning and work your way out deeper as the day progresses. Fish rocky banks, points, steep walls, and shade lines. The lake is getting clear again except for the main river branchs. They have a lot of sedament churning in them.

  • Merced County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Arrived at daylite and ran back to Portaguez and it was a little windy but fishable.Started out with a Rat-l-trap and cought 5 between 3 an 4 pound's.Then tried a Pearl white Fluke and was catching them allmost every cast.When the wind let up and the sun hit the water it just turned off.Fished other spot's with no luck.Not to often do you see this lake like glass but it also shut's down the reaction bite.So I anchored in 60' of water back toward's Dino point and dropped an Anchovie.Before I could get a Sandwich I had a fish on.I sat there and cought another dozen or so all between 4-6 pound's.All very strong and healthy fish.Each trip the lake get's higher.Only saw one boil in the afternoon and those fish were tough to catch only picked up a few.Overall the lake is fishing fantastic.
      City: Salinas

      Tips: Allway's take Anchovie's so when the reaction stop's anchor in 60-80 feet drop straight down and leave your bail open fish are biting very light.

    • By

      Water Temp: 66

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Look for bait on the flats around Goosehead and Basalt area. caught 15 fish tonight with my dad on flukes, rattletraps and 4 on the "Sammy".
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Be at the right place at the right time!