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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, February 3rd, 2006

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Launch out of Markley at about 8:45 AM under overcast sklies. Tried some deep running crank baits first thing with no success. At 10:00 AM switched over to drop shotting. I caught 12 keeper bass during the next 3 hours. The fish were all between 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 pounds. I talked to two other boats who only caught one fish between them. So I guess I had a pretty good day. It was nice to have the lake basically to yourself.
      City: Suisun City

      Tips: Drop shot baits that worked for me were a scalpin in ox blood color and 4" straigth tail worm in morning dawn color. Caught all the fish between 14 to 16 feet of water. Hope this helps.

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

      Report: Dropshotted 9 fish off Konocti Harbor docks Friday. Biggest was about 2 pounds.Roboworm MM did the trick.

  • Yuba County
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      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I fished Collins today for about 4 1/2 hours, just checking it out and trying to find some cleaner water. It still had low visability and is still spilling. I tried jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits on the westside from 11am to 1pm without a bite. I switched to a few ofshore rocky areas on the eastside in about 15-20 feet of water, using a brown/orange Rattlin' Weapon jig with #180 Yamamoto single-tail trailer. As my jig got to about 18 feet of water the line tightened and I set the hook. There was no bite. What a great feeling after being off the water for 6 weeks!! I knew I would hook a good one since I left my net at home! Works every time! She fought good in the cold water and soon I lipped a 4-15 largemouth. Close to 5 but no cigar! Still a good start for '06!! I continued to work my way down towards the dam and worked another rocky dropoff with the jig and nailed a 2-2 spotted bass. I switched back to Elmer's Cove and had a feeble bite but missed it and that was it for my first '06 trip! I could have stayed longer but I don't have much success during late-afternoons in the winter. I think the bass need the light of day to get them feeding a bit in winter murky water.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I think spinnerbaits will work well as soon as the water warms up a few degrees and it may this week! I caught a 9 pounder on a crankbait several years ago at Collins on a very warm afternoon in mid-Feb. Jigs should work well also. Always look for the steep dropoffs.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: LATE STATR AT 1330 HOURS. ONE LARGEMOUTH SOUTH FORK, WEST SIDE. SEVERAL BASS BOATS ON LAKE TODAY; MUST BE A TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND. DIDN'T SEE ANY FISH CAUGHT. WATER RISING WITH PIECES OF WOOD FLOATING DOWN THE SIDES OF FORK.
      City: CARMICHAEL

Thursday, February 2nd, 2006

  • Mason County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55-56 degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hit the lake at 1 p.m., off the water at 5 p.m. Typical day at "Smallville"...landed a couple of one-pounders and a dink on cinnamon/black flake hula grub, 1 ounce football jighead...approx 15 feet deep. Used technique that Gary Dobyns shared during his seminar at this year's Cow Palace Fred Hall show. Still a tough bite today, though.

      Only two other boats on the water when I arrived. Spoke to one guy who said the going had been tough for him and his partner...only three small fish between them, all on a dropshot. They left the lake as I was arriving.
      City: Santa Clara

      Tips: Can't really say I found a good pattern today. But you might try using just the current/wind to boat drift hula grub on bottom across rocky points. When conditions don't permit this technique, drag the hula grub on the bottom using a slow, steady retrieve. I also ripped a Stacee for about 15 minutes and tossed a T-rigged baby brush hog for 30 minutes without a hit or a tap.

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 48-53

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: got on the water at about 1230. half a dozen other fishing boat trailers in the parking lot. saw only one other fisherman in the dry creek arm, other must have been on the other arm. fished 12 to 40 ft. deep. fished the first breaks on points and several rocky humps. used grubs, jigs, and drop shot. no bites. cranked the dam from 330 to 430. nothing. sunny and crisp day on the water, so I still had fun, but i'm beginning to wonder what it takes to bag some bass on this lake in the winter!?!

      Tips: try not to get skunked. it doesn't feel good.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2006

  • Mason County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Another Great Report from Zack. For as many times you post, you havent fished all year? You are hardcore. Awesome tip about the jetskiers, that really helps out. My favorite is the fast always doesn't work... I am afraid to ask what you meant with that.
      City: Morgan Hill

      Tips: Skip over Zack's reports

    • By

      Water Temp: not sure

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: power walk around the lake with one rod. I use powerbait, no luck. I use all lures including my lucky krocodile and kastmaster. This lake "Sucks."
      As longs as it continues 2 rain. Water is just 2 muddy. Maybe next month or the begining of spring.
      City: Antioch

      Tips: Go 2 a lake with more clearer water.

    • By

      Water Temp: 51 to 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Well looks like were in for some nice weather so if you can get to the lake from now till sunday there my be some really nice bass in the shallows points and flats for swimmbait fish and brushogs and jigs for bass on rock piles and brush piles also shallow water with a dropoff near by are good to fish right now. Swimbait anglers are still hitting nice fish. Also jig fish are not far behind. Trout color swimbaits are the color of choice and bass jigs in green pumpkin are still working well.Also drop shoting been working on bass to 4 pounds there are good fish from 2 to 4 pounds and from 12 to 30 feet of water but with this warmer weather it could bring fish up shallower.
      City: kerman ca

      Tips: pick and area and fish slow. Last sunday my partner and i fished one aera all day and caught are fish in a 60 yard area. When you find and area you like fish it slow as these bass move in and out off rock plies or dropoffs and off points we had 3 different time of the day are bass hit and it was all about 30 to 45 minutes at each time so really there no big hurry on this lake to cover alot of water. So good luck if you need info e mail me here ill be glad to help.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Ok got on the water around 7a.m. caught one bass about 2 lbs on a watermelon grub first cast. next two hours nothin I tried slow/fast retrieves
      I could see bass in about 5-6ft of water under rock ledges using polarized glasses. So I decided to go buy some live medium minnows we caught 10 bass, 1 trout sizes varing 2-3 lbs in about 4 hour period.
      trolling .5 to 1mph running parallel from the bank about 8 to 10 ft.away
      dropping the minnow down to the bottom, and reeling up about 2 ft
      I try to fish McClure lake at least once a week so if anyone has any questions or facts you can email me at jacobsherman20@yahoo.com
      City: Turlock

      Tips: If you dont have polarized glasses GET SOME its a good investment, and if all else fails go to the marina and buy some live bait.

      I believe you can never work a softbait such as a worm grub crawdad imitation to slowly

      BE SAFE HAVE FUN AND REPORT POACHING

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

      Report: Went out early few jig/worm fish seems tough, dont know how all these guys are winning with these big weights?
      City: Redding

      Tips: pray for some bites

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51-52 Degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Did a Guide Trip with a Gentleman from New Jersey today. Weather was nice considering a day after a Front moved thru. Lake was flat, dead calm, no wind at all. This made the fish very spooky and nervous.

      We nailed a couple fish early on Hula Grubs 1/2oz/HDs. After the sun hit the water the fish went into TIGHT LIP MODE with very little lip service. I thought to myself "Wheres the Wind", I need the breeze to activate this fish to commit.
      For every fish we put into the boat we as a whole missed 3 non-comittal fish. Up until Noon we used 194js, 208's 127s. 208's seem to produce more bites but it was a flip up. After running North and finding dirty water I only give it an hour with Zip in the boat.

      Moved to the center of the lake and started dropshott'in Arrans Magics and we put 3-4 more in the boat with one 2 1/2lb Largemouth and a decent Smallmouth Cross Breed. Moved back down South into the Narrows and fished walls looking for disturbed shad. Found them around 40-45ft and dropped shotted 4 more on one wall, missed just'us many. All you felt was dead weight, no movement. Set are free as they say.

      Finished the day with around a dozen or more keepers in the boat. With the weather forcast has rain, the lake will fill up even more. Right know its 3inches over the Glory Hole 440.??
      City: Rio Vista

      Tips: Tips,,,Hmmmm, fish slowwwwwwwww and methodical and by all mines watch your depthfinder for shad activity from 30-45/50ft. 44ft was an active depth. With the water color chang'in with the storms, pay attention to this. One area you maybe catching on Arrons magic, then move to another and have to change color say to a Mutilator or a Morning Dawn. Try and find the Breezy areas of the lake if no wind in present. Once the wind picks up the bite will pick up. Nothing was caught on Ripbaits today. With conditions changing daily Im looking for it.

      For Guide Trips in Instruction or just fish'in you can contact me at (H)374-1446 or Cell at (510)289-3748 or go to my web-site above.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: OK GUYS THAT 12.03 POUND BASS I CAUGHT ON 1/29/06 IM HAVING IT MOUNTED IVE FISHED THIS LAKE SINCE 1973 AND CAUGHT 11 BASS OVER TEN POUNDS OUT OF THE LAKE AND IVE PUT EVER FISHIN THE 1000 EVER CAUGHT IN THIS LAKE BACK EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE THIS WILL BE ON THE WALL IN MY OFFICE OF MY LURE COMPANY FOR ME TO ENJOY. THIS WONT DESTORY THIS FISHERY
      City: kerman ca

      Tips: I DO PRATRICE CATCH AND RELEASE

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Landed one smallie today, after the good fishing yesterday during the heavy rain. Fish took a jig in blue/brown up the south fork. Saw quite a few bass boats, but didn's see one fish landed. Partly cloudy conditions, then clear very little wind.
      City: carmichael

  • San Francisco County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: fished from 3till 6.30 fished north lake all over from shore docks and the hill that run parallel from the street fish evry thing from texas rigged worms beaver and plastic crawdads. also threw spinners and senkos with no luck. water level is coming up which is a really good thing!!!! that means the golf courses arnt pumping as much water. water is still dirty though from all the run off from the golf course. the impound does have bass bye the way they are tough to catch but they are there! i too have seen lots of koi in the impound as well all three lakes have a bunch of carp as wall as a few koi. ive seen koi in all three lakes and some of which were HUGE. I also saw koi breeding with carp at the 18th hole on the north lake. and believe it or not i have caught a smallmouth in the north lake once. very rare ive been fishing merced for 15 years and only caught one small mouth i know some of you dont believe me but i hav a pic as proof so ha ha. any one else herd of small mouth being caught in the lake please make post. no fish for me today but A BAD DAY FISHING ISTILL BETTER THAN A GOOD DAY AT WORK!! <*){{}}><
      City: pacifica

      Tips: FISH SLOW NATURAL COLORS GO GET EM

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 48

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Had a great time with wife marian. Caught 2 limits over 15 inches. Largest 3lbs. Fish were in the 15 to 20 foot range. Jigs tubes and 6 inch worms. Very lite bite even on jigs? Wife only caught 2 this time but caught 8 2 weeks ago. I kept telling her the bite is very lite.
      City: orangevale

      Tips: fishing between fronts can be tough. slow down and let the bait stay in one place five to ten seconds before moving it. Use lots of smelly jelly or fish attractant in the stained water. re apply frequently. Also keep checking your line for little abrasions. Lost a couple of nice ones when the line snapped.

Monday, January 30th, 2006

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: My brother-inlaw Curtis Sanchez was the one to catch that 15.86 TOAD.I was duck hunting should have heard the message left on my cell phone.He has A few picture and will try to get them up soon.
      City: Sac

      Tips: Put the gun away and break out the rods!!!!!!!
      Folsom Bass League next Sunday the 5th.
      folsomlakebassleague.com

    • By

      Water Temp: 51 to 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Swimbaits are still the hot bait here also for anglers who know how to fish them. Abt swimbaits are the most popular baits going now here at this lake. Nice limits bass are been caught on theses baits. 7 to 10 lbs. bass are being caught here in good numbers.
      City: kerman ca.

      Tips: I my self dont throw swimbaits but there are angles how do contact your local tackle shops in your area for help on how to use these baits. Weather from monday to fri should be in high 50s to near 60 degrees these bass are starting to move shallow 12 to 30 feet you should put nice bass in the boat.

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED SOUTH FORK ON A WINDY, HEAVY RAIN. CAUGHT 7 SMALLIES AND THREE LARGEMOUTH; ALL ON JIGS. WATER SEEMS TO BE CLEARING AND IS RISING EVERY DAY. ALL FISH AROUND 2 LBS.
      City: Carmichael

      Tips: FISH THE SHORE TO 15 FEET OF WATER.

    • By

      Water Temp: 48-52

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from 8:30-3:30 total score was 13 spots from 1-2.5lbs. Excellent weather for January!Little to no wind most of the day. Alfish were caught on cranks in 4-12 of water. The key for finding fish was to find an area where there was a steep drop off near shallow water.Fish seemed to be hanging around the edge. Caught 7 of my fish in an hour on this pattern by an island in the main body of the lake. Color of cranks did not sem to matter much-caught fish on 4 different colors.
      City: antelope

      Tips: Great winter fishing!