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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 63/67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED SAME AREAS I DID ON MONDAY FOUND CONDITIONS TOUGH BRCAUSE OF WIND AND FRONT MOVING THROUGH MANAGED 3 FISH LARGEST 4 PDS ON A WATERMELLON LIZARD 15/20 FT LEVEL LET THE WIND DRIFT RHE BOAT
      City: ANTIOCH

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 55-63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I fished the recent FLW Stren series at Clear Lake as a co-angler. I had a great time, caught quite a few fish and met a few fellow nutcases from this site. Overall I finished very poorly (128/189) as I missed several key bites that would have helped me greatly. I thought the tournament was very organized and very well run. My day 1 pro was a very nice fisherman from AZ. We fished the Red Bud arm targeting rocks and docks and suspended fish (BIG, BIG fish too). Overall I ended up catching about 10 fish on the shakey head worm weighing in 5 that went just over 11 lbs. My big fish bite for the day was a 4-6lb fish that spit the shakey head on its 2nd jump. Shoot. My day 2 pro was a very patient, shakey head fisherman from WI. We spent the day mainly fishing the shaky head worm in the south lake. I didn't land many fish this day. I did however catch a nice, fat 4-14 on a Basstrix minnow skipped under a dock. Unfortunately this
      turned out to be my biggest fish landed for the entire tournament. Ten minutes before we were due to check-in I hooked a GIANT in the tules
      south of Fraser point (possibly approaching a PB size) on the Basstrix minnow, but this fish also spit the hook after a brief fight. I got a decent look at the fish, enough to make me just about break down and cry. Shoot. My best 5 on this day tipped the scales at just over 13 lbs. My day 3 pro was a fisherman from SoCal and he was AWESOME. I had an excellent, excellent time fishing with this pro, learned a lot, lost a few more big fish (uggh) and got a nice and very much appreciated, up close and personal lesson in flipping heavy cover for monster fish. Was funny as heck too as I really cannot say I've flipped much before and whenever my pro would set the hook on a fish in the heavy cover it was like a bomb went off in the front of the boat; tules, sticks and weeds flying everywhere and here comes a fish rocketing into the boat. In all honesty the first few times this occured it scared the bejesus out of me. Funny indeed. I was able to catch 3 nice fish behind the pro drop shotting a MMII fat worm while he was flipping. Earlier in the day I caught a small 2.5
      on the Basstrix (one good thing about this tournament is I now have a ton of confidence in this bait) lost about a 3.5-4 on the Basstrix
      minnow and then lost a decent fish (I would guess over 5 but I never saw it) on the shakey head worm (Shoot). I also lost a nice 3.5+ on a
      spinnerbait early in the afternoon. We spent the morning fishing the south lake and flipping in Cache Creek. The afternoon was spent sight fishing and throwing frogs in the north end of the lake. My pro caught several fish on the frog, but again nothing over 4.5 lbs. Bummer.
      I took my 5th and final fish on the drop shot and ended the day with a small 12lb limit. I ended the tournament with just over 37lbs and felt I could have ended closer to 47 or 50 if I could have landed a few key bites. Overall it was an excellent experience for my 2nd tournament ever and it got me quite pumped to fish the FLW NG at Clear Lake this coming October. For now back to fun fishing at one of the world's best bass fisheries.
      City: Petaluma, CA

      Tips: Get out and fish. MMII worms, Basstrix 6" Paddletail swimbaits, shakey head worm in watermelon and MMII colors.

    • By

      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Wow was it windy...started out of Red Bud but way to windy so I found some sheltered areas and managed 20-25 bass with most between 3 and 4 pounds with a 5.14 kicker. It was the first day of the Stren tournament and with that came several Stren teams that would pull right up on my boat less than 20 feet at times (unreal) 19 miles of lake and they have to sniff my behind. I took down a couple of hull #'s and I hope to report them and with any luck they will be DQ'd.
      Water very rough all day and while coming back must have speard at least 8 waves. Fishing was still very good to say the least. All my fish came off of jigs 3/8 oz brown head with 5" DT 221 hula grub.
      City: Lincoln

      Tips: Bring extra clothes when it's windy like that becasue you will get wet.

    • By

      Water Temp: 59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: SKUNKED!!! We tried every lure known to man. I suspect it has something to do with the lake level having been lowered by at least a foot in the last week or so. Overcast with lots of wind.
      City: Concord

      Tips: Call ahead to check lake level.

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I will be camping up there this week and will report back. Hoping to catch alot of crappie and bass. Ive fished this lake like 6 times in my life and have never managed a keeper bass. They all seem to be very small. Hopefully i can change that this week!
      City: San Bruno

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 66

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Out on Tuesday 24th 6am till 1pm lots of bed fish had a small limit in a few hours and then... there she was, a big girl, up shallow. Hooked her on the first presentation. Only problem, it was on the drop/shot rod. She was off quick. Re-grouped and gave her a jig. From about 15' away she charged and ate it. It was the longest 15 minutes of my life. She weighed 9lbs1oz on my scale so I took her to the North shore and weighed her in,(9lb even) did the picture thing, and took her back to her spot. Thursday out at 12:45 till 4:00 Hooked 8 landed 6 big fish 3.5 best 5, 13.06.
      City: Ione

      Tips: The fish are up. I saw beds from 2' to 12' deep. Look for shallow humps with cobble and little scrub brush. The beds are in the brush. Try brown jigs, Swim them and shake them change it up. I caught fish on the jig a shakey head worm (brown) and senkos. Get a good map and go find a flat and work every spot with brush. Good luck.

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

      Report: Hammer,
      I dont remember the post, but if so I apoligize to you. I dont expect everyone to give up everything. I know what its like to spend countless hours on my home lakes. Just looking for some good starting technices to get started.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Hammer,
      I dont remember the post, but if so I apoligize to you. I dont expect everyone to give up everything. I know what its like to spend countless hours on my home lakes. Just looking for some good starting technices to get started.

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

      Report: BMF -- what baits were you throwing?

      Thanks.

      -perry-
      City: Orinda

    • By

      Water Temp: 56

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: They are drawing the water down again... Water is clear,, not to much luck allthough I did hook in to some planter trout..took them out.. go to tip's
      City: livermore

      Tips: The freaking rower's go between myself and the bank...My question to you all.. we are 20 to 50 feet from the bank..."BIG LAKE' WIDE , Why the "Hell" do you go between myself and the bank..and a "Rower will ask "Catch anything" My response is Fk no... Yell at them.. and then start throwing a crank bait , they cross your line.. Yell hey your gonna get hooked ... Sorry I thought about trying it . but Yelling is the best way.. Oh buy an air horn.. let em know catch and release my freind's... Zack

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

      Report: Guys we dont need to fight amongst ourselves, there are enough people wanting to stop our sport fishing...Keeping a bass or two (above or below slot limit) every so often is not a sin..practice catch and release most of the time..empoundments can only hold so many fish of certain sizes...lighten up a little...my two cents....Pappy
      City: OROVILLE

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: ???????????????

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: ..
      City: ?????????????????

      Tips: Swimbaits, rippin, jigs, creature baits and senkos. If you make it in the next couple weeks sight fishing will be awesome. If you can sneak on'em throw ANYTHING wieghtless in the vicinity and they'll suck it in. Have fun, hold on to that swimbait rod tight and catch and release!

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Get your shakey head out(3/16th) and a Zoom trick worm(watermelon candy) or Zoom lizard(watermelon candy) and you will catch fish. You can see them swimming around shallow guarding fry , pairing up and there are some deeper fish I'm sure to be caught. Some are spooky and some are agressive. Flat calm,sunny, warm day. Not my cup of tea. I heard there are some osprey fish being caught and I know if you get ther early enough you can catch topwater fish(spooks, buzzbaits). Saw some nice fish sitting on top of the water in tree branches. SENKO? You guys can have it, I'm heading to the night mode.
      City: Petaluma

      Tips: I told my son to try and fish for the fish that you can't see and you will catch the better fish. He'll figure it out. BACK OFF! I never understand why people want to get up on top of fish. Extremely boring. Takes too long. Catch them quicker backing off. You already know they are up there. All this took place in Cherry Creek. Can't stand the spawn. I don't want the fish to move up shallow. Be careful what you wish for. It's got weightless flukes and trick worms written all over it.

Monday, April 23rd, 2007

    • By

      Water Temp: dont know

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: i was interested in what the fishing was like out there right about now. never been so im curious. i really wanted to fish for some crappie, never really tried before so i wanted to. just wondering if water high enough ect.
      City: Chico

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hank-SW Delta has had bed fish since the last full moon. Water warms faster over there. Different forum though. Got on the lake today for my first solo boat trip to the lake. After loosing godzilla smallmouth the other day, I wanted to target smallies. Fished rip baits at the drops of rocky flats about 10 ft deep. That was pretty cool and my confidence was soaring. If it werent for Hurricane Cachuma, my score would have been better. Caught 4-5 mini keepers and one that I was really happy with about 3 lbs. Not a toad but you know when you just feel good about a fish. fished various drop shot offerings adjacent to these flats with little success in 15-25 feet. did the same on steeper banks with little success. Seemed pretty tough but I dont have the experience here yet to know if this was normal
      City: Goleta

      Tips: Dont go up-lake in Gale Wind.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 59-62

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Had the day off and had to head to the water by myself. Could not find another to share the day with at the last min. (wife@work, Boys@school, (2)Buddies have twins and everyone@Work) Drop the boys off at school and got to Lazy M around 9:00. By 9:30 boated 6 fish on a buzzbait. Tried mr ribbit with no takers. Took off to try different water. With the wind to my back, I pitch a chatterbait and kept hitting fish from 5"-15". Lot of fun. Took off to another area and threw a popper and hit a bunch of fish, untill my arm got sore popping so much. Went back to the Chatterbait and hit a bunch more untill one hit and real pulled back hard. Got it to the boat and she became my personal best. 8.2 lb baby. Off the water at 1:45. I hit 25+ fish on Chatterbait, Popper, and a buzzbait. What a fun day, beats going to work....
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Watch your tides.... Try a Chatterbait (Walton's Pond sell 1/2oz w/ a 5/0 hook & weedgaurd (blanks), U pick the color skirt) Also throw the topwater (spook, popper, buzz and Mr. Ribbit

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 62/65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: CAUGHT FISH 15/20 FT ON SENKO/LIZARDS TRIED TOP WATER NO TAKERS ALL THOUGH WIND BLOWING DID SOME SIGHT FISHING DID NOT SEE ANT FISH ON THE BEDS MAYBE THIS LAST FRONT MOVED THEM TO DEEPER WATER LARGEST FISH WENT 4PDS ON RED PEPPER COLORED LIZARD CAUGHT SIX FISH TOTAL
      City: ANTIOCH

      Tips: 15/20 FT DEPTH SEEMED TO WORK THE BEST FOR ME ON ROCK

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

      Report: N2FSHIN
      Do you remember what I said in that post. Well, that's what you did and you did well. You can't rely on other people to catch fish, especially if you are spending a few days on a lake. Just go figure it out like you did. You shouldn't complain that people weren't readily willing to give up their information that they spend hours on the water to get!
      City: Lower Lake

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      Water Temp: 58-59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had the privledge of guiding a husband/wife on their 34th anniversary today - yes today - on a Monday! I can't remember the last time I guided Clear Lake on a Monday - and a post-front day to boot! They are local and wanted to learn more ways to approach the bass fishery - new techniques, areas, etc! I think we accomplished a lot and even caught a bunch of bass - 22 to be exact! They caught most of them. We had a good morning bite, a DEAD midday, and a decent 2 to 3:30 pm bite including hubby's bass - biggest of the day at about 5 lbs. She even caught one over 4. We had a nice limit of 21+ lbs. We stayed in the Rattlesnake arm.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I hate to disappoint my future client - two posts down - but as is my policy before big tournaments - I usually don't say much so as to be fair to everyone. I'll make it up to him in May! We did notice the bass seemed to be bunched up in certain areas and were deeper than normal - which should not be a surprise considering the lastest weather. That is likely to change very quickly! Good luck to all the anglers and I hope you don't pass out when you see your boat gas bill!!!

    • By

      Water Temp: 57-60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well, I would also like to thank all the big dogs on the help I got when I asked for some tips for the first timer to Clear Lake. I got NONE. What are you guys worried about??? I showed up with no info Wed 4-18 Pm and launched at 6:30am on 4-19 it was overcast and not much wind but cool. We started throwing white flukes around Reeves Point and loaded up on fish to 5lbs mostly pre spawn females with a few bucks in the mix. Then we went down to the State Park area also catching Fluke fish by the numbers. We also caught alot of fish with gold and white 3/8 spinner baits with gold willows and Lucky Craft 350 in american shad. No need to list all the days we fished because it was the same for us all week. Did not matter if it was overcast, rain or wind. The areas we fished are as follows. Anderson Island ( all the way around it) Weekend Island, Konocti Bay, Berger Bay and Leubow Point. All our fish came off tules and brush. We thru up tigh and the bite would vary from the first crank of the reel to right at the boat. During those days of fishing our best was 9.80 and a zillion fish in the 3 to 5lb class. Thanks for NOT giving info because we probably would not have done as well as we did.

      Tips: On a lake Like Clear Lake in the spring dont even bother asking for help. We probably fished during the worst time (weather) and did awsome!! I could only imagine what it would be like without the cold front that came thru.