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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, September 30th, 2006

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71.4

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I took my buddy Mace out Saturday. There was a small club tournament from Bakersfield infront of us and they opened the gate at 6:30 this week not the 6:00 from the week before. We got out on the water first which is one of the percs. of not being in competition. We wanted to fish topwater and did less than average for what I used to do in years past. I guess you can't make a horse drink??? We did get into some very stupid rattle trap smallmouth/largemouth of no size that were boiling from the shallows out into 80 odd feet of water. We caught a zillion small fish and then we went looking for the dropshot fish that MJPLPD had almost mentioned in the report of last week. With some very small fish to show for our troubles I put Mace on the dock because of obligations and went fishing on my own. I swear I always tear them up AFTER I put Mace on the dock. It's either his bad luck or my good fortune I just will never know. I made the decision to go to my best winter time spoon spot and start my afternoon search there. In 5 minutes I had two smallmouth over three pounds and a largemouth that was at least three pounds. I was fishing walls and the fish came anywhere from 25 to 40 feet and I caught mostly smaller smallmouth as I moved along with an occasional keeper largemouth or smallmouth. I sold some spoons to a couple of guys (who promptly lost them) and kept on spooning down the bank. Around 2:30 I went to one of the ledges off of one of the flats and started marking the fish with my meter that were really deep. So I started in 37 and worked to 55 feet and tore the hell out of the fish. I put out two marker bouys and stayed in exactly the same spot for 3 hours as the fish here were really stupid for my spoon. I called over a rental boat and found it full of cub scouts and two fathers and got them situated over the top of these fish. I cut off and retied most of their gear and gave the boys a couple of 1/2 oz. hopkins spoons (my treat). We kind of had a fishing-learning siminar with on the water instruction and my (always) on running critiques/tactics/advice. They boys and one girl seemed to love watching me reel in fish after fish while they were getting that scared look of I'm never going to catch a fish....someone would eventually start yelling and in would come a fish. I really didn't want to leave at 4 and put it off until 4:15 when I had to go because of my obligations. I caught "NICE" largemouth,smallmouth,redear and crappie all on my lowly spoon on this one location. My better fish came out in the 40+ range and I caught a MESS of them way before the spoon got anywhere near the bottom on the initial drop. I would just let it fall and whack....reel down and set and reel like hell. My set up is simple. I use a 3/4 oz. chrome spoon with a snap....Never use a snap swivel or swivel of any kind with a spoon.NEVER....Did I say NEVER!!!! I change out the stock hook and use a red #4 gamagatsu hook and 12 pound test and the fish will eat the red right off the hook. I carry a stone and frequently touch up the hook point. I ONLY use a 5 1/2 med or med/heavy triggerstick rod. WHY? I have never seen anyone in the 20+ years I've been doing this beat this set up. WHY? Because I think most people overwork their spoon OR they just don't get the same action from the quick rip off the bottom and the follow down that I get with this set up. I will be taking out some newbies to spoon fishing over the next few weeks and I'll wager that they are buying a new rod or want one for Christmas after we are through with our fishing (lesson). The rod I use is a Loomis CR662 5'6" Med fast action 8-14 1/4-5/8oz. It does not have a trigger but it has the short handle I like. Thank you guys for writing your reports and to those reading these reports ...You're more than welcome to come join the fun and write a report (or two?) of your own.
      City: Santa Barbara

      Tips: Tip number 1: NEVER swing on anything you feel while ripping in the up direction only swing on what you feel on the controlled fall. 99% of the time on the up swing/rip it is either structure or fishing line(fishing line always feels like a fish and you are forgiven for this mistake)...100% of the thumps you feel on the controlled desent are fish, snap a hook set and start reeling fast.
      Tight lines,
      Kelly

    • By

      Water Temp: 71-71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched 7:30 with 10YO Grandson. Small mouth still pretty active. Hit topwater on Spook and Pop R. Not big but fun - 10 and 11 inch the norm.
      Dropsohot worked well. Fish in Little Cachuma and Santa Cruz. Didn't see much on the hump by the water intake.
      City: Santa Barbara

    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I will start with a tip. Dont show your wife the sweet beaver packaging. She may not let you go fishing. Tried something I read about (maybe on this site?) with interesting results. I thought this sounded crazy but at the same time I was curious. I texas rigged a beaver and then about 24" up I tied on my trusty 4 inch magic worm dink slayer. I got into better fish today than I have in the past 10 trips out. I am not sure if the little weenie up top was bringing in better fish and they were commiting on the larger bait and the little fish would come in and shy away because of the larger beaver? either way. I didnt catch any smaller fish until I cinched on just a drop shot weight. wierd story but interesting none the less.
      City: Goleta

      Tips: Lets use this site for discussion about the lake. It doesnt have to be just reports. Im not to proud to talk to anyone about anything fin feather or fur related. Regardless if you have a walking stick or a 50k bass buggy. We are all still learning. If not, why are you reading reports? :-)

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

      Report: I concur it was definately a dink fest on Sat as well. Had a hard time catching anything overf 15" but caught them on about 10 different baits while prefishing for a tournament next weekend. Had maybe 45+ fish all day but couldn't get any size. The only advice I've heard is to go striper fishing and eventually you'll run into a school of big largemouth. Go figure.
      City: Pleasanton, Ca

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: 65 in the AM...

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out with the intention of catching some bass.

      Ended up trolling for the Rainbows! Used various spoons, roosters, wedding bands, flashers with mini-crawlers. Caught 7 or so right outside the dock area. I had more fish get off of the hook this weekend than ever before. They went airborne and threw it. I had tension the whole time, maybe I need a different hook size.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Troll at various speeds in the south end of lake. Let out about 60ft of line. Put the pole tip in the water when bringing them in to prevent throws.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out for a couple of hours in the afternoon. No action on Senkos, Beavers, Hula Grubs, or other platics. Decided to try out my new chatterbait and, wham!!! 3.5-4 lb'er. Caught between Channel Pt. Dock and the lagoon. Released with a smile.
      City: Antioch

      Tips: I really like the way the chatterbait "feels". Bought another in a different color. Give it a try whenever you might otherwise throw a blade.

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went fishing from the shore (no boat). Caught one good 2 pound largemouth. Caught the fish drop shoting a puple and clear robo worm. Used my light rod and fought really good.

      tight lines and big smiles!

      Tips: Wind was on and off so drop shotting was a good decision. Use shad looking worms.

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

      Report: Sorry guys, correction on the T&T jigs Its TnT. Look for the website soon. Call Troyce for TnT jigs (209) 505-8504.

    • By

      Water Temp: 74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: We fished the Badge Packers and took 1st with just under 12lbs. Fishing was tough for us noon on. We did well first thing with crankbaits, topwater, and T&T jigs. The only fish that could be caught after noon for us was on the jig also. I also caught a 6lb cat on a Yo-Zuri craw cank.
      City: Delhi

      Tips: Fish are feeding heavy on shad and crawdads. All of our good fish were in less than 5ft. Craw colors worked the best. To stay consistant throughout the day get a T&T jig and throw that. Crank shallow. Put down the dropshot too many small ones.

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: Did not check

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started early, not the same bite as last sunday. Only 10 keepers instead of thirty.Stiil managed to cull 20 pounds, big fish over 6 lbs. Tools were different this time, instead of spoons they wanted jigs. 1/4.1/2,3/4 oz with hulas in watermelon. At 8:00 water glassed off, last week wind was blowing. Wew had a little cooler weather. Bait was there.
      City: sacramento

      Tips: Try that old underwater bridge and reap the rewards. Anchor on top, down wind to drop shot the sides and top., then let anchor move against upwind side and do the same. Move around the bridge if bite slows. Hint; fish shallow bank early and then deeper as they move down. Top of bridge at 16 feet, bottoms at thirty eight. Hobie ramp now open. Good fishing Jimbo

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished off the boat launch throwing directly towards the other side of the lake...
      size 4 spilt shot on a grub/white colored "fishing magnet"..
      City: San Jose

  • Trinity County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the last 3 days with varying success. First off about the clarity of Trinity right now. The fish are watching you flip your bail if you aren't making a 100'+ cast. Throw a heavy, deep diving crankbait as far as you can, and watch it all the way back to the boat. When there's a little ripple on the water, you can catch fish. When it's dead calm, which it has been a lot lately, take a nice nap. Thurs. was a fun day. Had a good topwater bite going on crankbaits, toss em out and let em set. If nothing happens after several seconds, crank em half way back to the boat and stop. This technique resulted in the best fish of the day, several smallies over 3 lbs. Some were toilet flushes on top, some came on the pause. Either way, these fish were taken near the surface, over rockpiles, in water over 25' deep, a first for me. Friday was much tougher. The topwater bite did not materialize and the best fish that day were caught on gitzits and worms on the same piles, but fished slow on the bottom. Not many good fish but for a honeymooning couple from the midwest, 4 lb smallies were a real treat. Today was altogether different. Started out slow like the other 2 days, but picked up around 8 AM. Cranks slow rolled on the surface or just under, accounted for about 15 fish, when that died around 10 we started picking up fish on plastics fished slow on the bottom. Fishing slow on the bottom on rockpiles with ball-jigs sure keeps a guide busy tying knots, but when you end up with a 40 fish day, it's worth it. At least the clients catch something on almost every cast,( once in a while one of those rocks goes airborn) Today the 3-4 lbers went into hiding.
      City: Weaverville

      Tips: Pray for rain, this lake needs a good storm to put a little color in the water. Being able to read the Budweiser pledge in 20' of water is not a good thing.

Friday, September 29th, 2006

  • Santa Barbara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: lot and lotsa small fish. One good keeper - 50 dinks

      Tips: M&M dropshot, points and ledges. 2feet-50 feet
      I don't know where the keepers are hiding...

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: What a day! Started near Hog with a great frog and crankbait bite up to four pounds. Fished that way for the first hour and then went for salmon. Jigged up one 15 pounder, but nothing else. Around 10am or so we went back in to Hog but didn't do to well. I then up around Sycamore and that's when the fun really began. We threw speed traps, Voodoos and blades for the next 5 hours and loaded the boat. granted, most of the fish were under 2 pounds, it was still a kick. We even picked up some big crappie pushing two pounds, a nice catfish and a small striper to give us a 5 specie day. The real fun happened in the last hour of light. We saw a ton of gulls and turns going nuts and ran over to them. There was a ton of baitfish and the striper were going nuts. We threw spooks and Voodoos at them for the next hour and got a fish or a hit on every cast. Even picked up a 3 pound bass in the mix. Easily and 80+ fish day.
      City: Roseville

      Tips: I love to throw white baits in the fall. Craw patterns work for me as well, but the white is my stand by color. Plastics were dead. Definitely a reaction bite on this day. Gotta love 5 species in a day. Really looking forward to throwing the Voodoo this winter for the striper. The vibration and action of this bait should be an awesome bait for locating the line sides. Can't wait to get back out there.

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: hot (again)

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: it was pretty good today with 25 but only 11 keepers.
      City: ventura

      Tips: hit it off first thing in the morning with crankbaits,and topwater.towards the afternoon fish ox blood robos on a dropshot

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I tried Collins by myself for a few hours Thurs afternoon and found the bass fishing fair - though I caught 2 on topwater which was fun! Biggest was a 2 lb 2 oz spot drop-shotting a Basstrix flashtrix minnow. The lake is a little higher than normal so the fish are still spread out some. I caught the 5 bass on off-shore structure in the main body.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: This is the time of year to use your meter at Collins! Locate the bait - and there is more than ever this year!! A big spot was caught last week - over 7 lbs!! Big bass should become active soon!

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 69-71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I launched out of Cappel Cove at 6:30 am with high hopes. I spent a good chunk of time back in Cappell Cove fishing the stick ups and exposed weeds on the bank and got nothing. Then I went over to the Wragg Canyon area and tried the floating docks and got nothing. By about 11:00, I switched strategy and just worked rocky points on the main lake. At least I started seeing some bass. Off one point, I spotted a monster in about 6 feet of water. I tried to get her to bite for about half an hour and then gave up. I worked my way back to the launch fishing points on the west bank and got nothing. The closest thing I got to catching a bass was a flash from a smallmouth chasing a rattletrap. Bad luck or bad timing, I could not find 'em. And when I could find 'em, they wouldn't bite (and I threw everything but the motor at them). This was my first time on the lake in a boat, though I used to fish it in a canoe with moderate success. I'll have to spend some time learning the lake.
      City: Vacaville

      Tips: With water temps around 70, I was expecting a better bite, but I have been hearing that the bite turns on after 4:00. The fall bite should pick up in a couple of weeks.

  • Santa Clara County
    • By

      Water Temp: warm

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: caught the big fish of the month at about 5 pounds. the bass are shallow and the crappie are deep. i wish i had gotten there earlier but didn't get on the lake til about 11:30. twas o.k. coz they were still somewhat eating still.
      City: san jose

      Tips: bass in the weeds although most were dinks, crappie in about 25-35 feet. bigger bass in about 20 feet. didn't have any crankbaits today but i am sure that the weed holding bass will hitem.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Friend and I started fishing Whites about 7 Am with top water. Got several blowups but the fish were short striking. Switched to a small crankbait and caught three non-keeper fish immediately. Went back to buzzbaits looking for a bigger bite. More small fish blowups but no hookups.

      After an hour of throwing the Buzzbaits, I switched to a brown jig with one of the new Yamamoto Flappin Hog trailers in watermelon. Immediately caught a 3+ followed a half hour later by a 2 1/2. I was amazed at how hard the fish hit this bait.

      Ran to the middle Delta to flip hyacinth at high tide. Used a green pumpkin Senko with a Yamamoto screw-in bullet sinker to penetrate hyacinth. Caught 8 keepers up to 2 pounds over the next the next two hours. When the tide started going back out, switched back to the jig/Flappin Hog and stuck a 4# 1oz. Finished up at 1:00 with a 2 pounder on a chatterbait.

      Caught a total of 22 fish with top five going just over 13 pounds.
      City: Fair Oaks

      Tips: The three best fish all came on a brown jig with the Yamamoto Flappin Hog trailer. They averaged just over 3 pounds. If I was fishing a tournament, I would stay with that jig all day and fish for 5 good bites.

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

      Report: Hey i was wondering where there are some good spots on folsom to fish off the shore. My girlfriend keeps bugging me to take her fishing and i would like to catch a fish or two. Let me know if you know any spots that would be nice to fish at.
      City: folsom