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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, September 8th, 2006

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78-80

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had another "double duty" day (24 hr day!) yesterday. I started early helping 2 good fishermen tune up their fish location skills - showing them some new areas for their repetoire of fishing spots. The bite started off slow around Rattlesnake and I noticed the carp slept in too. Not much morning activity! We worked our way up to Soda Bay and and did manage 15 nice bass up to 4 lbs 10 oz - about 17 lbs for our best five. I can't say much more since they are fishing a tournament sometime, but I will say the jig bite is "on" again in my boat! The jig (brown/orange) produced most of the biggest bass. After a nap and some dinner, my "second wave" clients (two great guys from the Folsom Bass Club) and I hit the water around 6:30 pm and wet our lines at Anderson island to get out of the strong wind. I knew a cold front was moving in and really worried about the wind. After catching some "dusk' bass, we prepared for night fishing and look for areas to get out of the wind. Lo and behold, the wind totally laid down about an hour after dark and the fishing turned on, almost like the 'ol days! We fished some of my favorite areas in Konocti Bay up to Brados and all the way back to the Oaks. The bass were active and shallow though bigger ones were hiding in shadows. We lost our share of bass but did put 31 quality bass (3 to 3 1/4 lb average) in the boat plus some undersize ones. One of the guys had a fat 5 lb 5 oz bass and I landed one slightly larger in 3 feet of water under a dock (shadow)! It was interesting how some areas were "on" and some were "off". A lot of that is timing, of course. We had a nice five fish limit near 23 lbs and a beautiful full moon - though dimmed somewhat by smoke. That might have actually helped the bite. I was surprised how good the "open water" bite was since the lake has cleared some. Many times the open areas (rockpiles, etc.) are slow during the full moon periods when the lake is clearer. For some reason that wasn't the case last night.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Since my clients were "self contained", I wasn't sure what they were using all the time. At night we were using mostly plastics - 10" Power Worms, large brush hogs - that type of thing. I did break out my remaining black/chartreuse 10" Power Worms (they arn't made anymore) and the bass were glad I did. They were all over them! I used a #135 6" Senko and it produced some nice "piling bass". My cients would change baits and colors a lot - always staying "in the zone". They caught most of the bass - especially the "guy in the middle" who sometimes struggles. They both were great fishermen - fun to see guys landing those "noisy night bass"!!! We were hooking bass in 3 to 4 feet of water in many spots. Is it too early for the fall feed??

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

      Report: Launched from Brown's and immediately went up the south fork. We got to our first spot and began to throw the 1/2 ounce White on White Voo-Doo in 25 feet of water for one fish @ 1.66 lb. We then eventually made our way to the flats in the south and began to throw the LA slider rainbow trout pattern swim bait for one fish @4.59 lb. After that we went up the north fork where we got 6 more fish on the Voo-Doo up to 1.97 lb. Off the water after about 2 hours of fishing with around 9 pounds for the best five. All but one of our fish came of the white 1/2 ounce Voo-Doo.
      City: Roseville

      Tips: Do your self a favor and check out the Voo-Doo lure @fishinmagiciantackle.com Chris will help you pic the colors best suit for your needs. And from my understanding he just produced a new lavender shad color Voo-Doo. Man I am excited to try that one at Clear Lake.

Thursday, September 7th, 2006

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well, as Larry stated below, fishing has slowed down a bit. The water has cleared a lot and days were a little cooler. We did not catch as many as two weeks ago. Biggest 4.8 lb. Wife lost one same size. She got lazy and did not retie knot later into the day. She broke off while she tried to prevent fish from wrapping around a dock post. What fun! We caught a few smaller 4 lbers and some nice 3 pounders too. Stuck to fishing the docks from 10 am to 3 pm. Some fish on top of the break. Most fish on the break or just below break.

      Night fishing was fair. Started out slow. Once the moon was high, fishing turned on. We could not get the cranks to work for some reason. They would only hit a spinnerbait. We only had a few black spinnerbaits and they destroyed them. I really was not prepared with my night spinnerbaits . We both lost bigger fish at the boat, due to our fishing line and spinnerbaits not up to par (that won't happen next time, hehe). Best fishing was 12 to 2 pm. Bite was steady thru 2 pm, but we had to leave to get some sleep for the next day.

      Tips: Stick to the shade during the day as usual, if using worms stick to 6" and 7" for a little bigger bite. Have the 3/0 trailer hook for the night spinnerbait and nothing smaller.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: With the fishing reports showing lots of fish being caught why don't you come and fish with the Redwood Empire Bass Club at our next team tournament on Clear Lake on September 16th out of County Park. We welcome new members both boaters and non boaters to join us at our next meeting on September 13th at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. For further info log onto rebc.net or call me at 707.758.5762. I hope to see you soon.
      City: Santa Rosa

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got on the water at 4:30 PM. We Drop shot up in the north fork to catch 8 small fish in about 10ft of water.Just before last light I nailed a nice 4 pounder on a purple persuader buzz bate on the outside of a bush.
      City: citrus heights

      Tips: I am trying to find more quantity of bigger fish.Where did they go?

  • Siskiyou County
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      Water Temp: 61-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Had no idea that there would be two club tournaments going on this weekend. Showed up at 5;45 am to find about twenty boats on the water already. We took off between ths SOB and RVBM blast off. Lots of good water on this lake so it wasnt hard to find good water. The water was a little higher than we expected to find at this time of year. Very few matts showing and we were hoping to find a strong frog and or buzzbait bite but it was not to be. Started off at Jenny creek throwing buzzer`s, and zara`s. Had a few takers on the buzz but nothing to brag about. Should have tried some type of plastic but my hard head wouldnt give up on the topwater baits. Worked this area for a god 2hrs with only a hit hear and there. A couple other boats in sight and we didnt see them doing any better, time to switch things up. Headed out to a large flat across from Jenny cr. throwing the buzz and Jack starts chuckin a spinnerbait. Jack hooks one in pretty short order so we decide to work this large flat a little more thoroughly. Picked up a texas lizard and start getting better bite`s. Jack ties on the most rediculouse plastic craw bait I`ve ever seen and to my amazement, it works. We procede to take six fish off this spot in fairly short order but when the sun got up high and the wind calmed down, so did the bite. Head up the river arm to see if they are letting water through. Alot of current but we realise that the water is quite a bit cooler up here. Not a bad thing when in the heat of summer but did us no good at this time of year. Couldnt buy a strike so we start heading back toward the main lake. The morning wind had blown allot of the algea bloom right up against the bank so what the hey, use the cover right? Jack start`s getting a few buzz bites and I dicide to try a spinnerbait. I get one here and there so we are swithching back and fourth between the two. It became apparent that the fish were right up tight against the bank, under the algea. Once we started casting up tight in about 4inches of water the bite`s start coming more frequently. Finaly a pattern of some kind. The further we got toward the mainlake, the less algea there was and the fewer bites we would get. We decide to go hunting for more of this type of water but Jack forgot to put oil in his resevoir so every time we try to hole shot the boat the alarm starts screamin at us. Guess our runnin around the lake is over for the day...Luckily, I know a few guys on the lake this weekend so we put the word out that we need oil and after about an hour of fishing back towards the ramp, Kevin Wix shows up with enough oil to shut off the alarm. Big thanx to the RVBM, Kevin and Danny for the resque. Wound up with 18 keepers IN THE BOAT, 10 for me, 8 for jack who by the way, let two bounce off the side of the boat so he didnt get to count em`...That`l learn him to be so careless. No big uns but a fun day on the lake.
      City: Medford

      Tips: Bite in the clearer water was a feed bite. Had to probe it and work slow. Good reaction bite where the algea was blown up real tight to the bank. A full tank of gas aint worth much without oil, charge your batteries the night before you leave and for gods sake, keep a pint of oil in your boat. Dont cost much and might save you some frustration one day!!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Electric motor only. I also think theres a length limit but ive seen some pretty big bass boats out there putting around with there electric motors.

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

      Report: Redwood Empire Bass Club would like to invite any bass fisermen or women, both boaters and non boaters to fish with us at our next team tournament on Clear Lake on September 16th. Although the bite is tough at Sonoma, right now the fishing and catching at Clear Lake continues to be very good. Please join us at our next meeting on at 7p.m. on September 13th at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. For further info log onto rebc.net or call me at 707.758.5762. Thanks.
      City: Santa Rosa

Wednesday, September 6th, 2006

    • By

      Water Temp: dunno

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: First time fishing this place since 20 years ago!! I started at about 1p.m.(parked for free in the lot next to Almaden Expressway) and worked from the bridge to the sandy beach...I hooked into three,caught one that was about 2-2.5 lbs....Used a texas rigged purple glitter augertail(the same plastic I used 20 years ago with the FS 454 shit all over em...Caught more 4 pounders back then with those worms than anything else!)I only fished until 2:45 and had to bail....Not too bad for the middle of the day.

      I witnessed some serious bass action during full moon at 1 am with a spinner 20 years ago too.....Maybe I will try that again? No, thats illegal:)

      Can someone email me some secrets about this lake? I have not fished for so long I kinda forgot how!
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Try fishing it at dark or middle of the night....Could produce some huge fish!!!

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76-79.5

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: 5:30 pm - 12:30 am - no bites no fish. Probably could have picked up one topwater dink if I was willing to chase surface boils.
      City: Folsom

      Tips: 1) Fish early AM if you can - probably only good time. 2) If you see good reports on this page, don't go the next day because it's usually bad after a good day and sometimes vice versa. So, you might want to go tonight since last night was lousy. (I wouldn't if I were you - I think the AM bite is the ONLY time to go for several more weeks). 3) The annual moonlight tournament had a winning 5-fish weight of 33 pounds anchored by a 9. So, either the fishing at Amador can be good during the late summer, or there are some folks that really know what they're doing.

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Temp: 75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: On the lake at first light and headed down towards the island to throw some topwater. Caught 2 on my sammy, both about 11/2lb. Starting throwing crankbaits around the island and off the lake points and got a few others but all the same size 1-11/2lb. Starting dropshotting on the flats finding structure and fishing around it. Caught alot of fish both smallies and largemouth with the dropshot. Finally got one nice one on the dropshot in about 25ft of water on some structure. The fish weighed 5lb 7oz on my digital. Very next cast on the same structure I hooked another good one but lost it up at the boat, probably 4lb. The rest of the day pick one here and there but all the small size. Off the water by 1:30 as it was starting to warm up. All in all a fun day, with very few other people fishing.
      City: ventura

      Tips: Topwater and reaction baits in the early morning, dropshotting in the middle of the day. Oxblood and black grape were working for me.

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

      Report: Fished main lake points and small coves had the strangest thing happen throwing 6" Robo worm get bit set the hook feels like A decent fish then all of A sudden fish just takes off thought I had A monster fish until it started running for shallow water instead of deeper. Wouldn't you know it an otter had grabbed the bass and was not going to give it up. Finally let the fish go so I threw the fish back right away and he came back and hammerd it again coolest thing I have had happen since A sealion tried to take A salmon that I had on.Caught A lot of fish but still looking for the quality fish.
      City: Sac

Tuesday, September 5th, 2006

    • By

      Water Temp: 77

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: fished from 6:30 till 12:00.caught some small fish holding right on the shore.pulled one fish off a stumpy flat in about 5' of water.water level is very low and muddy.
      City: citrus heights

      Tips: throw crawdad color tube jigs or senko's right on shore.try texas riggin a craw on the flats.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 79.5

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My buddy Brian And I launched out of red bud at about 9 am hitting a few areas in the south arm. I think the action is starting to taper off from the previous times out, but still no complaints. I flipped a couple on a junebug brush hog in the tules but nothing big. We decided to go track down a couple of our buddies and we were amazed they weren't anchored out on L.P. point. They were doing well on cranks near henderson in about 15 feet of water. A good crank bite happened for us as well near soda bay hitting about twelve fish in a half hour on lav. shad lucky crafts. We ended up going north at about 1:30, and started hitting nice fish instantly up to 4.10 oz, but couldn't break 5#s. Good action coming from my voo-doo baits, I was trying a new color(lavender shad) brian suggested I start making and I'm glad
      I did with great feed back from my customers I think I'll keep it around. We finished the day with around 45 fish and our best five went 19.5#s.
      City: placerville

      Tips: The north end had better action with bigger fish, the reaction bite was hot. We threw chartreuse shad and lavender shad voo-doos, lucky craft LVs and a few lav. cranks. The fish were in the shallow grass; just find it and pull your baits threw it, pretty common tactic for clear lake right now, but it definately produces good fish.

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

      Report: Fished with my 7 yr. old son from 7-7:50pm and he caught 1 Bass (1-1.5 lb) on spinner bait. I had one hooked up on worm but lost it. Also went on Sunday 9/3 for 1 bass on worm.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Reminder: Gate closed @ 8pm

Monday, September 4th, 2006

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Subject : Fishing with Sid

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      Got up to the lake late Friday and got my boat prepared to go out the following day. While I was on the dock my friend Ray arrived with two friends to go catfishing so I decided to stay and fish too. The young boy caught his first catfish and I helped him net it. The next morning I went to the dock early and caught and released quite a few carp. I used bread on the hook and they really like that. I saw two boys fishing without any luck and asked them what they were going for. They said they were trying for bass and not getting any bites. So I showed them three methods I would use in warm water. Top water fishing with a chugger, ripping a suspended crankbait, and last throwing a sinking rattletrap and bringing it in slowly or let it troll behind the boat. Later that day they went out with their uncle and caught four bass they were really excited when they were telling me how they landed the fish. They joined me on the dock when I was fishing for carp and catfish and they caught two good size cats up to ten pounds and lots of carp. Their mom couldn't believe the size of the fish when they showed them to her. The next morning (Sunday) before I headed out with my wife, the boys met me at the dock ready to catch more fish. We used a bait that my wife prepares made from cornmeal and scented with vanilla extract that I form into a ball around the hook and it sinks to the bottom. It works great for carp but catfish love it too. The boys landed a huge carp up to twelve pounds which gave a great fight. My wife and I set out to meet our family in a quite cove for a BBQ. While the boat was on shore we fished off the back. One rod had a hotdog for bait and the other had the cornmeal mixture. We started to get bites almost immediately and landed five good size carp in no time and one monster catfish. Next week I start going for bass again as the water starts to cool and the boat activity lessens. 'til next week..................................good fishing!!!!! www.fishingconnection.net If you have any fishing stories to share please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
      City: NAPA

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: warm

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I have recently caught many small ones (1lb-2lb), but I went to catch a big one today. Everytime I cast around covers like bush, weeds, and trees, I get small ones. So, what I tried this time was casting a rubber jig with crayfish for the trailer into the bush and weeds. Then I got this big one weighed over 8lb and sized 2 feets. It was kinda hard to pull him out of the weeds, but my line was 14lb and was strong enough to do that.
      City: Hayward

      Tips: Lure:Rubber Jig with crayfish for trailer
      Line:12lb or stronger ones

      Cast your lure into the bush and weeds. Let it sink all the way to the bottom, bring it up, let it sink again. Do it over and over as you hung your lure on the weeds.

      If you feel a bite, of course you gotta hook it up, but as soon as you get your bass hooked, pull it right out of the cover before the bass pull your line deeper into the cover (especially trees).

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went to Folsom Today and yesterday! yesterday we where on the water at around 6:45! went out to the dam and worked a rat-trap and Got one fish Around 1- 1 1/2 pounds and didnt get anything else off the water at 8:45 because of the skiers ! Today got on the water at 5:45 went to just some random points and started working them with a spook in the morrining and got nothing! tryed to work a jerk... Nothing so I picked up a dart head and we got 4 fish total biggest going out at 3-1/2! Of the water at about 8:45 agian due to skiers!
      City: folsom

      Tips: Get on the water early! the earler the better! also work slow and throw worms on the points and in about 10-15 feet of water! Leave around 8:45 unless you want to wait an hour to trailer your boat! Good Luck Boys

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Can someone tell me what boats are alowed on the lake.Four stroke,electric powered, or what? Thanks for your imput
      City: Fremont

  • Merced County
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      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Arrived about 45 minute's before daylight and the wind was blowing pretty bad so i waited a bit before launching.Started out with a Zara Spook and cought 9 fish all on point's.If you were not on a point you were not going to get bit.Largest was 8lb's the rest between 4 and 5 and all fish were in great shape.Also who ever own's the ranch that borders this lake is in hunting heaven.I saw 4 different wild boar's a couple were huge.And you could hear the Tule Elk calling also and Coyote's everywhere.
      City: Salinas

      Tips: Must be on the water as early as you can becouse the bite wont last long only about an hour or so.Also make sure you are legal,life jacket's extinguisher becouse the Ranger will be waiting on the dock when you get back.He was tickiting two guy's when i got in and believe me this guy is by the book.