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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, July 28th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: by clearlakeoutdoors » Thu Jul 28, 2016 5:28 am

      End of July yes there is algae .I think part of the reason the bite is so good is the stained water! Ive seen the lake way worse and never fished any areas that had the nasty algae smell. Some of the lake is worse than other parts.Any shad color spinnerbait will work. I personally like terminator with the large blade gold.My friend was throwing a golden shiner one yesterday.

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: by clearlakeoutdoors » Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:59 pm

      Fished till noon today ,Water 82 at noon.Caught 30-40 fish on everything.Even caught 2 smallies.I would just like to add that the spinnerbait bite is as about as good as it gets right now. Took a rookie out and thats all he threw and caught 15 or so on it.Our best five 22-24 #
      Dave

    • By

      Water Temp: 75-78

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had trips on Monday (not my favorite day to guide) and Tuesday. Monday an uncle and 14 yr old (future pro!!!) fished with me and got into bass right away - amazing Monday bite! Lost count or the number of bass landed - maybe over a hundred bites! The bass only ran to about 2 lbs but the young man ended with a 4 lber at our last stop! Believe me - this young man has a future in our sport!! Tues found somewhat bigger bass hitting and the crank bite was on after 11 am. One of the clients did something I have never seen before - ever!! Four fish in a row on a crankbait - largemouth, smallmouth (3 lbs), catfish, and a crappie - all on the same crankbait in about 25 minutes - in the same spot. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it! I think the feed bag was on!!

      Tips: We used a variety of Robo and Berkley worms - mostly 6 and 7 inch. As has been reported, bass were fairly shallow most of the trips. Tuesday a nice breeze help up survive the heat and I believe helped the quality of the bass (and other species!) We only fished rock areas, points, and one great dock that had lots of bass under it! Most of the others had nothing!

Monday, July 25th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77-78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Bite seems to be wide open now days. Launched a little early trying to beat the heat at 5:20am, completely off the water at 10am. First stop the bridge pilings at hwy 70, as now days fish are stacked from 5 feet to 70 feet on the graph and they were in the mood to bite today. Just no big fish. Think I fished close to an hour and picked up 12 fish, most decent fish, but no large ones this trip. Dropped baits against the concrete and watch your line, if line stops going down, a fish is sitting there holding your bait. Mostly taking baits on the fall but a few while cranking them up. Headed to north fork, going towards the river and finished my day. First stop and decent 15" fish, including a couple 13 1/2" fish. I always hold on a location after catching a fish, more times then not, more fish to be caught. Fish are schooling up, give it a chance by sticking to one location. Winds blowing as usual in the N. fork, but got to play the wind game if your fishing this area. I fished 5 locations today for 29 fish, see what I say give a location a chance before moving. Largest a 16". one 15", 4-5 14-14 1/2" with the rest 13-13 1/2", and only two dinks today under 12". My last location gave up 4 spots in the 14"-14 1/2" rage, one after the other. Mostly fished from 30 feet to 40 feet range, nothing shallower. This year bass spawn is all schooled up and busting water all over the place, looks like they are 4-5 inches or so from what I could see. If any indication, great spawn this year. Pictures in fishing forum.

Friday, July 22nd, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of the delta loop an hour before high tide and fished potato, Columbia cut and venice all north facing rock levees with tules. Spooks and popper were working early. Some short strikes, but there was also some violent top water hook ups. Around eight thirty things got slow and I picked up a blue gill vibrating jig and never put it down until snapping my trolling motor rope. Caught around thirty bass up to 4/12 pounds and a half dozen small strippers. It was nice, there was not a lot of boat traffic around me all morning, just me and my spoiled yellow lab. Off the water by eleven.

      Tips: I caught more than a few of my fish after casting to the same patch four to seven times.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 75.8

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well, I haven't posted in a while, fished Mon - Weds with my teenaged daughter this trip. Poor old Ted couldn't get away! Hit the water @ 2:00 AM early Tuesday & fished south in Konocti Bay. There hasn't been a steady jig bite this season & I was happy to see that there's one now! Got a nice 8.8 on the Rodstrainer jig plus a 6.1. Missed a few that was my fault from being rusty & tired! Went in at 5:30 & limit went 23.8 as I also caught quite a few 3+'s. The next two days was devoted to teaching my kid how to fish. We had a rocky Tues evening with her missing quite a few fish on the Senko. I managed to get a few 3-4 lber's but that was it. Weds I decided to let her throw the Senko wacky as her problems were getting the hang of a good hookset. Found some weedfree water around docks & let her have at it! Got onto a good spot & all I did was unzip the fish for her! She caught 9 fish with two 3+'s & one 4.2! Made her day & made mine even better! Anyway, gonna grab Ted & come back in a few weeks! I haven't been able to fish here consistently in the last 18 months due to my Dad's illness, but I'm gonna try to go back to coming more often!

      Tips: The Sweet Beaver & Flapping Hog in green/reds were effective & the jig bite was really good! They were in tight around tules & rocks & I got quite a few strikes when I popped the jig away from the rocks. The Senko bite was good too. They seemed to prefer the 5" over the 6" & in watermelon red flake. Only a few dueces on the blade, didn't throw the crank too much as I didn't have a netter & I don't like lipping fish with a mouth full of treble hooks! OIh yeah, caught one frog fish that went 2.5 at dusk!

Thursday, July 21st, 2016

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 82-86

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: If I bring my boat to C&C Marine in Sacto, I usually try to visit Amador for the afternoon/night bite, since I am already halfway there. I did that yesterday, fishing from 5:30 to midnight. The lake looks like the 'ol days - only 4-5 feet from full. I caught a few small 14" bass in the evening and missed a good one - she nailed my Power worm - I set - nothing there!! After dark the moon came up and the magical night scene happened - quiet and peaceful. As I was enjoying the moonrise, a few quality bass wanted to get up close and personal with my D&M Piranha swimjig. I had not fished those before at Amador. The quality bass liked them - in this order - 2-2, 3-11, and 4 1/4 lbs. The last 2 I thought I could lift in the boat. Wow! I needed the net! I caught then all on the same point, in about 25 feet of water. After 10:30 the bite died and I left at midnight.

      Tips: Besides the Piranha swimjig, I threw 7 and 10" black Power worms. I used the Yamamoto Heart Tails as a trailer, and again, they have worked very well attached to the swimjig. Good combo!! Water was too warm for any topwater bite. They wouldn't even take a buzzbait!

Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 7/20/2016

      This week finds the lake level to be 4.21 Rumsey with surface temperatures in the mid to high 70’s.

      There are times during the year when you are asked the question “how is the bite”, that you just can’t bring yourself to tell the person asking how it really is. No, not as a result of secrecy or being protective rather because no one will believe you, and you will have to deal with the tilted head response or the “yeah right”.

      We had this for a time back in February when some of us exceeded 40 lbs for our best five multiple times during a three week period. Ready for this?.....Yes, it happened again on Monday, and I nearly backed it up again this morning, unfortunately I dropped an 8 at the boat and had to settle for 37 lbs. Yeah, I know, poor baby. However, it’s not just me, several guides here have reported the same results, with one claiming he thinks it was one of the best bites he has ever experienced here.

      See, I told you! I can see the tilted heads through the screen! Well, choose to believe what you will, but this is a bite one has to experience to believe.

      Me? I’m throwing a jig and a crank. Brown and a shad pattern. Where? Let’s just say Henderson south and everywhere in between. How deep? Not deep at all, 2-15 feet. When? My best bite has been daybreak until 10 am or so with it then picking back up around 1pm. Isn’t there a topwater bite? Answer, at times, but from what I’ve seen, no a lot of big ones on a regular basis. The jig and crank on the other hand produced an 11, two right at 10, and a mess of 5-8 pounders. Yes, you will have to weed through the 2 pounders but the big girls are in there with them, just keep fishing.

      This weekend is the BBT event Saturday out of Red Bud, and I will curious to see how this holds up for them. I suspect it may take a bag to win it, but catching fish sure shouldn’t be a problem, then next week the weather is supposed to heat way up and the topwater should really begin to heat up along with it…..at least one can hope!

      Oh, watch what it takes to win the WNS Moonlight event this evening.....3 fish limit....my prediction, 25 lbs!
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Monday, July 18th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77-78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Wow, wide open bite today and larger fish are beginning to move up a tad. Launched at lime saddle about 5:30am, fished till 10am when the winds got crazy, couldn't hold my little boat worth a darn so had to give it up. I managed to catch 30 fish this am, seemed like darn near every cast a hit. Worked the N. fork heading towards the river and locations I have not fished before or a very long time ago. Most fish caught in 25-40 feet, slightly faster presentation seemed to work well today. Ended up with one 16 1/2", 5-6 14-14 1/2", one smallie at 14 3/4" and one catfish that hit as soon as the worm hit bottom. Must have dropped it on his nose? Most locations gave up 3-5 fish before I moved on. Catch a fish, work the area for a while, generally more fish just waiting to be caught before they get spooked. No smallie picture, battery gave up and didn't want to stress the fish just for a picture. Pictures in fishing forum.

Sunday, July 17th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: ElGuapo » Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:29 pm

      Didn't get out on the water until 7:30. New (to me) boat and took a little time to get set up. In my excitement I also forgot to release one of the trailer straps in the back before launching!

      Ran all over the place; out to White Slough, down to Mildred, etc. But finally got on some good fish. Managed a 6, 4-9 and a 3 plus many dinks. All the quality fish came on the Senko.

      Water ranged from 71-79 degrees. Clarity was chocolate soup to stained.

      Looked for healthy hydrilla everywhere (see 2nd paragraph) and could not find it. If anyone would PM me some hints here I'd appreciate it!

      Good results for the maiden voyage of my new ride. I'm selling the Bass Tracker. If you're interested see here:

      2007-bass-tracker-pt190tx-t103163.html

      Check out how the 6#er pulls a 21' fiberglass boat.

      Watch video http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post566203.html#p566203

Friday, July 15th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 7/15/2016

      Lake level is down to 4.4 Rumsey or so, and the water temperature are hovering in the mid to high 70’s, and yes there is a daily algae bloom.

      This week there is more than just an information report to share. While the fishing continues to improve overall, there is word of a major “fish kill” in the south end, and Cache Creek.

      While the direct cause of this “fish kill”, or “die off” is un-clear at this time, the fact that there was a lot of air boat activity in and around the affected areas all this week may just be a coincidence, but that is doubtful. Hopefully someone will look into this, even the crawdads are headed for the hills!

      Weed spraying activity seems to be at a heightened level of late, and the disappearance of massive weed lines is not encouraging, especially mid-lake south. The bite has gone along with it as well; brown water equals “no bites”.

      Moving around and looking for cleaner or green water will pay off with a jig, deep crank, chatterbait, or topwater (1st thing). We spent Wednesday doing just that and were rewarded with a 32 lb. bag on deep cranks and jigs.

      Last week I mis-reported that BBT was here last weekend, that was in-correct and I apologize, too many irons in the fire lately. However, BBT is here on the 23rd and 30th of July and the bite should be pretty good. A good time to jump in one for sure!

      Red Bud and Clear Lake Bait and Tackle will be hosting these two events which is a change so don’t be late!

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Thursday, July 14th, 2016

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: up to 80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing with Sid
      Sidney Silberberg

      Today 8:52 AM

      I had a great time fishing last weekend. The weather was perfect and the water temperature was up to eighty degrees. My first day out was with Albert and John and we fished around little island with some good results but no big fish. That evening I went out again with Kevin and fished by big island and the bite was on. We caught limits and it didn't matter what color crank bait we used they were hitting on everything we even had a few double hook ups. Needless to say we stayed in that spot. Largest fish was almost nine pounds (see photo). Next day Kevin and I headed out early we naturally headed back to big island hoping for the same results. My plan was to start out there and if the bite was off we would head to the vineyards but happily the bass were waiting for us and we spent the day in that area catching limits again (see photos). George and I went out for a little while that evening he wanted to catch a fish on his rod and within a half hour he caught a nice bass weighing in at just over two pounds and a few others between 3.5 to 4 pounds. My last day was with Steve with the same results over all it was a great fishing weekend!!! 'til next time.............................................good fishing!!!!!!!!

      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any questions or stories you would like to share or are interested in booking a guided fishing trip please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.

      Tips: when you know where they are you can load up easy

Monday, July 11th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77-78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Awesome fishing day. Launched about 5:30am at Lime Saddle, fished mostly the north fork headed towards the river where the winds blow good, stopped fishing at 10am. Today I decided to fish deeper and only fish locations I have never fished before. Guess what, deeper was the ticket today. Fished from 30 feet to 45 feet the whole trip and managed to catch 24 fish and no dinks. All fish 13" or better with 4-5 in the 14" range and also a couple smallies, just not big ones, but not dinks either. Smallies were right at 13", just ok, norm is 12" or less lately. Fished the bridge pilings on the way to north fork, and found fish, lots of them. All suspended 15-35 feet all around the concrete pilings. Dropped roboworms right against the concrete, most took on the fall. Getting bites was tough, but did get 3-4 fish before moving on. Damn wind a blowing, but tapered off as Lunker Larry says:>) Best fish today, 16 3/4" hooked at 42 feet, finally got a decent fish. Today, deeper paid off, me, one happy camper with the large one. Water still dropping about a foot a day, now 46.50 from this year high water mark. Picture in fishing forum.

Friday, July 8th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 7/8/2016

      Down we go! Air temps, and water temps are dropping as is the lake level.
      This week the lake is at 4.77 Rumsey, and water temps are in the low 70’s to 80 degrees in the afternoon.

      As a result, this past week the deep diving crankbait bite has turned on and a Strike King 10XD in a Perch pattern will load the boat, as will the Megabass Deep Six in a Crawdad pattern.

      Targeting areas in the southern extremities of the lake in 10-25 feet of water has been the pattern I have been running, and all of the likely areas are producing good numbers. Lubo, No Name, Jensen Point, Wheeler, and Bayshore points are all holding some nice fish, as is Monitor Island.

      The cooler temps have apparently triggered the fish and they are chasing, and while the topwater bite for me has been erratic at best, the jig bite remains extremely strong. Fish can be found in 2-25 feet of water, and don’t be afraid to move your jig fairly quickly, and or toss a swim jig. Both can be yo yo'd back to the boat with impressive results.

      This weekend has a number of smaller events up north as well as BBT out of Red Bud so be aware and be careful running around the lake.

      Dr. appointments and “reels” kept me off the water all but one day this week, so I thank those who are so open and willing to share info for me to pass along in these reports. Too many to name but you know who you are. Thank you!
      ReelEx, your source for quality, professional service on your Shimano reels.
      Guaranteed 96 hr turnaround on service.
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Thursday, July 7th, 2016

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76-81

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: There is a two lane concrete ramp and courtesy dock in the water. The best bite is in the mornings and evenings. Use topwater walk-the-dog baits, prop baits and poppers. The bigger fish are feeding on bluegill and sunfish that are holding near brush and standing timber. Many fish will pull off the shoreline and feed on shad. Jigs and dropshot rigs work year round.

      Tips: Be the first on on the water and the first to leave or launch late and fish till dark. The fish don't want to sit in the sun all day either, look for cover during the heat of the day.

  • Jackson County
    • By

      Water Temp: 73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Been fishing here for the last few months and the bite has slowed down for me. Started fishing today at 8:00 am with a buddy. We did our usual and tried fishing in 5'-20' of water from a boat hitting the coves and rock walls. We tried top water, Senkos, Robo worms, and cranks baits. We had no luck fishing these methods. At noon we moved into 50' of water and hooked up almost immediately using both a weightless and drop shot wacky rigged Senko worms.

      We fished till about 2:00 pm and we caught ten fish between the two of us. All fish caught were between 1-2lbs.

      Tips: Try dark colored 3" Senko's rigged wacky style fishing in depths of 50'. Find some structure at this depth by fishing close to boat docks or some sunken trees. The fish don't seem to be as aggressive as they were earlier in the season so I suggest letting them play with the worm before setting the hook. I usually let them make 3-5 tugs on the line before setting the hook.

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79-80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Lime Saddle about 5:30am, fished till 10am. Hit a few locations on the way to North fork, picked up one here and their, fishing N. Fork mostly, heading towards the main lake. Decided to fish deeper today, looking to get something lager then 12" and yes, slightly larger fish in the 30-40 foot range. Picked up 16 fish today, best right at 14 3/4 and a surprise, got an ok size small mouth, about 13-13 1/2" my best smallie for this year. Most fish 13" or better other then one 5" spot that acted like a 17" fish, same size as the roboworm!!! Water is hot, 79-80 degrees. Water looks a lot better these days, clearing more each week. Water coming down a little over a foot a day now, down 38.48 feet from high water mark of the year. Pictures in fishing forum.

Monday, July 4th, 2016

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: Why should a lake with the word “NEW” in its name be talked about in such recent glowing reports? These great reviews are usually for newly formed lakes, after they are filled.

      When a new lake is opened, the first six or seven years usually provide excellent fishing for bass, bluegill and other panfish; but, the “NEW” Bullards Bar Lake was completely filled in 1971. A 45-year-old lake is not new – unless – something is new about the fishery.

      Yes, there is something REALLY new at Bullards Bar – GIANT Spotted Bass!

      Read the rest: http://www.westernbass.com/article/the-really-new-bullards-bar-reservoir

Sunday, July 3rd, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 82

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: If you're coming to fish Clear Lake you might want to pack a couple of frogs and spinner baits. I'm just sayin.

      Tips: Morning and late evening frog bite has been strong. Spinner baits fished over rock piles helped us put 20 in the boat.

Friday, July 1st, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: July 4th Weekend at the Clearest of Lakes!

      Well, while it might not actually be the clearest of lakes, it is beginning to fish like the lake we all know and love!

      The projections for the weekend are GOOD to VERY GOOD! Yes, while it may be a busy weekend on the water, the fishing is really, really good right now, and it doesn’t take much imagination to catch em’, even in the heat of the day.

      How you ask? Jigs, jigs, and more jigs, that’s how! Personally, one of my favorite bites of the year, whether a football head or vibrating model, right now they are on the chew and snapping both, HARD!

      When it comes to Mr. Football Head, 3/8 and ½oz Brown with a blue, purple, smoke or cinnamon double tail trailer will get ya bit, as will the same tipped with a PBJ Beaver, or I believe they actually call it Oxblood. Either way fish em’ in 2-20 feet of water adjacent to rock and hang on, or check out one of the many rock piles as they are beginning to kick out some nice fish as well.

      Want to chase em’ and find a reaction bite, then tie on a vibrating jig. My preference is a Ladies Man Custom Bait, either 3/8 or ½ oz version in green pumpkin, or ghost minnow. Tip it with a matching Keitech, or one of the new Strike King swimmers and go fish the flats and or tule lines early and late. Hit the right spot and you can load the boat, and while they are usually 2-4 lbers, a 5-8 lber is not uncommon.

      So, with this extremely hot weather, the bite has really begun to heat up, and I suspect it is only going to get better. Caution though, be smart and hydrate or this heat will get ya!

      Here's wishing you all a safe and happy 4th!
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      Guaranteed 96 hr turnaround on service.
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