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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, May 7th, 2006

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      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: First time on this lake. Not much parking. No boat ramp access with just a little shoreline accessible. Water was smooth like a mirror in the morning. From the shore only, I caught two under 2 lb and released. Another guy caught 4 keepers including a 4 pounder. Saw his pictures after he pulled in his boat. Can see almost 10 ft. deep. Schools of bluegills on the surface, 4 or 5 carps up to 4 lbs., several legal size bass up to 5 lb swam by before noon. Air temp was about 75 around noon. Great place to fish with float tube, pontoon or canoe. So quiet up here.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Brown/purple plastic Roboworms fished slowly seemed to work.

  • San Francisco County
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      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out for a couple of hours today. Fished the South Lake by the bridge. Picked up one small bass on a drop shot rig about 18 inches from the bottom using a green/brown Roboworm. Took me a couple of opportunities to get it. I haven't been out to the Lake in a while. It was a great day, weather wise. The impoundment looks very high with water almost all the way back to the little road, leaving very little beach to fish from.
      City: Daly City, CA

  • Riverside County
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      Water Temp: 63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught fish along the dam all day, using Darterhead 1/8oz with Basstek Hand Poured Worms, Purple Dawn, Motor-Oil Red. Also try Robo's Oxblood & Aaron Magics. Cranks were working, caught 1 bass and 1 trout.
      City: Culver City

      Tips: Be carefull when throwing into the rocks, if you get snag shake it to get out of the rocks and then be ready for the bite.

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      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went to arroyo pond today. Caugh total 6. Nothing big at all, most of them are small with biggest like around 2lb. Its funny that I caught a 7-8inch bass with a 7inch lizard. What the HELL!!. Anyways, my report is not that important. Here's something I think its important. Saw a guy with float tube after i took off today, he fish the island pond, I found out that he kept all his bass in his stringer with one close to 5lb. Its not like I totally disagree ppl to keep bass because you have the right to, but please release the big one because it took a long long time for a bass to grow over 5lb.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: catch and release is always the best choice. Think about next generations who would like to fish also.

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

      Report: The results of the last (for now, I may have a couple more this fall) Jason Fisher Tournaments. 11 boats showed up for some pretty tough fishing. High releases have the lake fishing more like a river than the lake we're used to. Consequently the fish just aren't where they're supposed to be. Although it may have taken a while several teams figured out enough to bring in respectable limits. Jeff Wiberg and Mike Thompson weighed 11.99 lbs for third place. Second place to Terry Sexton and Tim Coyle with 14.04. They also had smallmouth lunker at 4.30. The winners were Rob Milovic and Dave Richards with 17.16. They performed some last minutes heroics by catching a 6.23 LM with about 15 minutes left and thereby capturing the LM Lunker pool. Over the course of 4 tournaments, Dave and Rob weighed in 16 fish that weighed 81.59 lbs, just over a five lb. avg. Way to go guys.
      We also had a kids tournament yesterday where they could weigh a single fish. It couldn't have been any closer with Mr. Oosterhout weighing in a 2.95 smallie while my backseater, Tyler Price weighed a 2.92 smallie. Great job guys. The boys both received nice tackle packs for their efforts.
      City: Weaverville

      Tips: I've said it before, but it's worth saying again. An open mind is the best lure in the box right now.

Saturday, May 6th, 2006

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

      Report: started fishing at 7;00am at oak shores using live minnows. caught 2 6'' bass. threw them back. then the very loud humans showed up. tried to move to new location. all to crowded.
      City: day street park

      Tips: weekdays are better

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      Water Temp: na

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Myself and my son Jon had never been on this lake. My wife had won us a trip thru a school fundraiser with a person who fished this lake for the last 20 years. We started trolling out of Markley Cove and quickly caught 1 and lost 1 bass before heading over to Monticello Dam. By the Dam we caught over 10 bass up against the bank and then we went north to several coves on the way to lunch at Steel Cove Resort. Once again we caught several more fish against the bank and in the backs o coves. Some fish were undercover. I would reccomend this lake to everybody.
      City: Sacratomato

      Tips: We used Rapalas and Minnows

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Temp: 54

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Foggy - Wet and cool. Out for a day trying to locate areas for this months end tourney. Several boats out today as they is a [I think] and ABA tourney going on. Started across the marina in Cachuma Bay tossing small swims with only smallies hitting a storm jig. Changed to a top water with no hits. Moved off into lil Cachuma and drop shotted with a Yamamoto Senko hoked whacky. Three in the boat but all under 13. Moved off to Johnson Bay and saw no less than 15 boats hitting the walls and points. Must be the place! Smallies again -- Tossed a craw crank and all I got was dink smallies. Wind up again and boat control was constant if your not in a cove out of the breeze. Sun never did come out and I called it a day about 1.
      City: Santa Maria

      Tips: Watermelon Senkos were working as was Robo Worm MMII on drop shot.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 71

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished a fire department tourney caught about 30 fish between partner and I. Our big fish was 4.70. had 10.96 for 5 fish limit. Big fish of tourney was 10.22. w/winning weight 18lbs. Caught fish on topwater,crankbaits, and plastics. Caught bigger fish in the morning. Fishing seemed to slow down in afternoon and fish got smaller.
      City: modesto

      Tips: Try anything fish are biting.

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      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a friend fishing who has never bass fished in his life, and this day turned out to be perfect. We caught so many bass that he said his arms were getting tired. Most fish were about 12-14" but we did have some that were bigger. We threw plastics all day, and color didn't really matter either. Senkos, Brush Hogs, Dartheads, the fish ate them all. I heard Rip baits are doing good also but I never tried. We saw a fisherman hold up a 10-2 at a weigh in that he said he caught on a jig off a bed while sight fishing. It was a beauty! Picked up a few crappie also.
      City: Hanford

      Tips: Take your kid fishing, this is the perfect time for them to have a blast catching fish.

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 66-74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started fishing one of the arms up river then moved to the south end of the lake. Caught a lot of bass and crappie. Did not catch many crappie up river so moved to the southern end, but did catch a lot of bass up there(mostly redeyes and spots). Almost caught a huge bass with a small crappie I was reeling in but the jig came out of the crappie's mouth and the bass took the crappie. Bass are everywhere there is cover.
      City: manteca

      Tips: Caught some 2-4lb bass on the crappie tubes, but more consistent on dropshot and shad swimbaits which also produced 2-4lb bass.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 67-72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Middle Fork with fish eating about anything you threw.Easy 50 fish day just no size. Best 5 went 8lbs. or so. Had one at least 6lbs follow my top water but didn't take it. Thats what I get for watching the fish instead of working the lure.
      City: Sac

      Tips: Caught fish from shore to 20 feet. Hula or Spider grubs,dropshot worms,and crank baits took most fish with A few top water.

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      Water Temp: 67-71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I took a guy and his gal from the bay area to Oroville for their first ever bass fishing experience. They stayed at the bed and breakfast on the Feather River and said they loved it - and they enjoyed looking around the town of Oroville. He was a well traveled angler - fishing for almost everything except bass. I think he said he has caught over 60 species of fish. However, I think he knows he missed something! Friday we were greeted by strong north winds in the south fork (white caps) and the fishing was fair. Wind is not a friend of novice bass anglers fishing finesse baits! He caught 2 largemouth - one a little over 2 1/2 lbs. She lost a big spot at the boat. They did catch a lot of bass - around 45, but many were small and only 4 over the slot. We caught most of our fish split-shotting Berkely finesse worms - junebug and green pumpkin. Saturday was a different story!! They became instant pros in spite of the strangest May weather I have ever seen at Oroville. She started off with a 3 lb spot and then another at 2-5! Imagine!! This was in the main main body. We then moved to the Canyon Creek area - fishing willows and not doing so well. I decided we would fish some of my favorite walls near flats in the north fork. Did that every pay off!! The weather helped too - a south wind came up for about and hour and then died. About noon we had a beautiful spring day and the bass knew it - they turned on for us. We caught big spot after big spot on Berkley black grape 4" Power Worms. That is what they wanted (for us). Not to be out-done by the little lady, he stuck a pretty big spot for the Loomis 782 to handle. This fish was hot and weighed in at 3 lb 3 oz. She didn't look like she had spawned yet as several others did also. Most of these good fish were hitting at the 10 to 25 foot depth - I guess waiting to move up. At least one was spawned out. We landed over 30 spots and our best five went a little over 14 lbs. What a difference a day makes!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: When I was getting close to the town of Oroville from my home in Yuba City, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. A huge winter-like fog bank was hanging over the town of Oroville. One sees this in January but not in May! When we got to the lake we saw fog actually on the water. Wow! One rarely sees that kind of fog after March. It cleared in about 2 hours and warmed up nicely. We had a little top-water action on a Sammy. He brought his fly-rod and actually caught a small bass and had several follow his popper. Had the weather been warmer I think he would have caught several. I don't understand why more fly-fishermen don't fish for bass in the spring on lakes rather then just ponds. As for the bass, I felt the two days showed that bass were in all stages of the spawn. There should be some quality bass in the shallows for a few more weeks - maybe! Be prepared for lots of dinks - they are everywhere!

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      Water Temp: 67-69

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: we fished in the south fork and boated 120+ fish between 3 of us. caught lots of slot fish. and olny about 10 over 15 inches.caught some fish on crank baits early and mostly on red and blue ROBO worms.
      City: live oak

      Tips: fish shallow structure

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

      Report: SORRY GUYS, I HAVE TAKE BACK MY WORDS ON THE SPAWNED OUT FISH, THE LEGAL SIZED ONE WE KEPT FOR EATNG WAS SCRAWNY, BUT SHE HAD EGGS ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE I GAVE IT TO. THEY CALLED & ASKED IF I WANTED TO GO OVER FOR DINNER, I SAID ONLY IF THEY WERE SERVING STEAKS, THEY SAID NO & WE TALKED ABOUT THE FISH & THEY TOLD ME IT HAD EGGS, BUT NOT VERY MUCH. SO, I GUESS THEY HAVEN'T FINISHED. MOST OF THE FISH PULLED UP WERE SKINNY, LIKE THEY HAVEN'T EATEN IN AWHILE.THEY'RE DUE!
      City: NORCAL

Friday, May 5th, 2006

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 70 to 73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished 4 hrs in the morning under fog most of the time. Caught & released 8 total up to 2 lbs. on worms at 5 to 10 ft. Most were at points or in coves near points. Looks like most of the beds are about empty. Gil, the local bass guide, gave us really good advice.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: finesse fishing

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: about 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hey Ryan, my dad and I went out a few weeks ago and got 5 frog fish. The biggest was about 4 pounds, but I missed a couple nicer fish. Oh... when we were in Rock Slough, we saw a HUGE carp sufacing in the weeds and out in the open. Good luck!

      Tips: Chuck the frog ALL day long!

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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Haven't reported in a while...here's a summary: last 2 weeks I have managed 2 Bass over 10 lbs., six over 7 lbs., and a lot over 5. Fish finally hit their beds and they lowered the lake. Thought it was ruined but it absolutely blew up for me. Many fish caught from Eastern banks and from points on West side.Today was first time in a while I walked away with only a couple of bites.
      City: Antioch

      Tips: Senkos and Lucky Craft LV series baits. Even "Chatter Baits" have produced in spots I couldn't buy a bite on a spinnerbait. I was sure this new bait was a gimmick but it rocks! This cool weather today turned 'em off but a warm trend will kick it in gear again. Many fish still are wanting to spawn...also side note...Los Vaqueros is kickin' ass if you are willing to hike quite a way back in to coves.

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      Water Temp: Warm

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I know this is mainly for bass but Crappie is doing real good here. Caught around 20 in a couple hours on mini jigs and also managed a 6 pound bass. Caught them all in the north end around brush. Water is very warm but still a little stained. Good to luck to all!
      City: Morgan Hill

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: My 11 year old son and I went fishing from 4-8pm. Water was like glass and the weather was a perfect 82 degrees. We headed back to my favorite spot in Big Creek and never left.

      Pedro can be a punishing lake to bring your kids to. Hell, this lake can be ruthless for some experienced anglers any day of the week. I have spent several hours on this lake without even so much as a hit, but not one this day.

      We hooked up on our second cast and I knew that this was going to be a great trip. We boated 25 Quality bass in @ 4 hours. Outside of a couple of dinks, our bass were all from 2-4 lbs. I was able to stick one that went 5.2 lbs.

      I think the wierdest thing to me was that all of these fish were basically caught within 100 yards of the first fish we stuck. These 3 pound clones were all just stacked up in the same area and lucky for us there was not a boat in sight.

      My son was throwing a watermellon/red 6" worm on a split shot and I was throwing a green pumkin/black flake Senko and Shad pattern spinner bait. The bigger fish came on the Senko time after time. We found that most of the bass were on points in @ 15 feet and just inside the points with steep rocky drop offs at the same depth. Never got one fish in the grass or on the wood.

      As a fisherman, I am thankful that there are days like this to make up for all the times that you just couldn't find 'em. But as a father, I am thankful that there are days like this so that our sons and daughters can see how exciting bass fishing can be.
      City: Ripon

      Tips: This lake is on fire!!! Better hurry up before it cools off.