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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, January 28th, 2005

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51/52

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Sacramento Bass Wranglers club team tournament. Did not do so well, but 1st place was 20lbs+ for 5 fish. 15.86lb TOAD was there kicker. Ive seen big fish, but nothing like this. Imagine yourself being able to almost fit both of your closed fist inside of the mouth of this MONSTER!!!!!!!!! Enough Said!
      City: Roseville

      Tips: As far as I know , it was caught on a jig. Hopefully pictures to come.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 49

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished berry creek and lime saddle.Caught about 70 fish througout the day.Most fish were caught on darthead and dropshot.Did catch a few on jig and 1 on lipless crankbait.Best five went about 13lbs.It was nasty weather but the fishing is great right now.
      City: roseville

      Tips: Find break points in 10 to 20 feet of water and fish slow.Bites are soft so be ready.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: This last poster is a moron. Maybe he could post something useful, but you need to have a brain to do that.
      City: asfarwayasicanget

Thursday, January 27th, 2005

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51-52

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I made a short scouting trip to beautiful Berryessa today, fishing and looking around for about 5 1/2 hours. I enjoyed talking to Rich and his clients before they left today. I wish I could have stayed longer as the bass were biting good when I had to leave. Darn!! My music life required me to run a rehearsal in the evening. I did a lot of metering and mostly tried to make the jig bite happen. The quality was good and my three biggest were smallies - that is alway fun! They ran 2-8, 2-9, and 2-13. Took my own picture for the first time with my new digital Canon. Fish Chris has nothing on me now (except an 18-4)!! My four or five spots were all in the 2 pound range. No largemouth today for me. I jigged fish from 10 to 40 feet. My line actually jumped when the smallie at 40 feet hit - cool!!!! I did some rippin' and cranking in the morning with no takers. Had I stayed longer, I would have done that in the afternoon again when the wind came up, but I was having too much fun with the brown/orange 3/8 oz Rodstrainer jig. My five best were about 11 lb 10 oz. I fished the narrows and main body about equal time. I didn't run too far because of my limited time.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: All the smallmouth were on steep breaklines 22 to 40 feet. I was surprised that I only caught spots in the shallows, and not many of them. Unlike Rich's report, my five biggest fish were not near bait, but on rock with steep drops. I saw a few baits balls, but not many. The east shore was dead for me - the rain and clouds after lots of sunny days might have backed them off. I hopped my jig more than I usually do and they seemed to like that. The jig bites were pretty solid. I missed several in very windy areas in the early afternoon, but I was really just trying to locate bass. I should have switched to a 1/2 oz jig. Cloud formations were really fantastic - I had a great time! Only had to wait on myself, har!!!

    • By

      Water Temp: 49-51 degrees

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: With a Full Moon in the last couple of day, I didn't expect to much. Was I surprised. Took a couple out that were getting ready for some upcoming tournaments. With this in mind, I taught them pattern fishing in the narrow's and the main lake area. The Northern area of the main lake I found it OFF (Way less than normal) Scratch that pattern.

      Went back to what I was doing in the morning and continued to boat fish in boat or at least get slammed. It was important to read and understand the Depthfinder's in which I explained. Depth (Column of water) and shad balls were the key to catching quality bass. Out of the column and you didn't get touched. Too really enforce the catch ratio, boat positioning was a contributor also (Column search).

      For the fish we found we didn't exhaust in catching them all or hinder. Best 5 went 12-13lb's. Best came on Jig's

      Rich Thiel

      P.S. In February look for a Westernbass Internet TV show and within I will explain the upcoming pattern's too catching bass on Berryessa this spring.
      City: Livermore

      Tips: Watch in Depth (Column) where your catching fish and thing one step above your norm and you will see the Quality (Weight) rise.

    • By

      Water Temp: 47-50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: This is a report to help any one out there planning on fishing SP this year. As all of you may or may not know we will be able to fish Pablo one more year before they close the lake to work on the dam. This will probably be the last shot at a Pablo record for quite some time. The lake level will remain low for most of year because of the dam but don't get discouraged there will be good fishing year. I will be guiding on the lake this year for any of you who want to get one last shot at an SP HOG!! This past year was a great one at Pablo for me and my clients. We saw fish landed up to 11lbs. and had 2 fish hooked this year that were well into the TEEN range. Even during the low water of summer/fall we saw an unbelievable amount of fish between 4-8 lbs. with a lot of 15-20 fish days. We also got spots this past year to 5LBS! Once the lake opens the weather will play a big part on where the fish are. If we have good weather and the water temp is 50-51 the spots will move into the pre-spawn big time and multiple fish days will be the norm. Start off in the back of scow and slowly!! move outward until you locate the fish, they will be schooled up so work the area throughly once you locate them. If we have nasty weather stay on the main lake and fish around run-offs from the bank out to 25 ft. I would start off with drop-shotting(roboworms:black grape,margarita mutilator,witches T), jigs(brn/brn,black/purp) spinnerbaits(wht/wht, wht/chart) if the weather is nasty. If we've had good weather with some sun and higher water temps(50+) start with any reaction baits in a shad or trout pattern for bigger baits stick with the swimbait or jig. For any info on a guided trip(I also go to Delta,Clear Lake,Oroville,Berryesa) please e-mail me. GOOD LUCK OUT THERE! Please! Practice Catch and Release especially on the bigger females
      City: Martinez

      Tips: P.S. I was critized last year for trying to help fellow SP anglers out and this year I will not be responding to any negative feedback. If anybody has any questions about fishing any of the lakes I guide on or about fishing in general please feel free to post it or e-mail me.

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 48.6

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: went out with a friend who was going to fish the 100% pro am, got in at 0650, raining, wind out of the south at 12, lake near 76ft down and showed him around the Sac arm all day with nearly 15 lbs for best five with his 3.7 on a blade the first and the biggest. He also caught a 3.04 aned I had a 3.05, a 2.55 and a 2.57. My fish came on the MGM hoo dun it in #22 and his 3 came on the same thing, caught about 30 total using the yamamoto #221 trailer(him) and the MF 38 and MGM #66 6 inch. Nearly all the worm fish were clones between 1.4 and 1.6. after a thurough saking we got off the water at 1230. IN and out at Packers, temps steady at around 42 degrees, heavy overcast.
      City: Redding

    • By

      Water Temp: 48

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing with an good guy by the name of Dave a client from Oregon, launched at Bridge Bay at 0645 cold and dark morning light rain wind from the south at appox. 25 mph so We started at Packers Point throwing a chartruse shad pointer and Dave was throwing a white spinnerbait, had one hit on the spinnerbait and nothing on my ripbait.Crossed back to Beaver Island where I switch to a creature bait from MGM in a brown color on a 3/4 oz football head jig, 2nd cast I got a 2.3 spot in 25' of water, Turned the jig rod over to Dave who caught 2 spots just under 2lbs.while I rigged a couple rods to fish the I-5 bridge pilings. We got nothing off the pilings for the first time in a long time for me. Weather starting to get better around 1100 so we made a run to south end of Slaughterhouse Island I started with a 1/4 oz darterhead with a 6" MGM eel in green and Dave stays with the jig worked inside and outside most of the points all the way to Dolly Point We got 12 spots and 3 smallmouth nothing over 2.8 and nothing less 1.7 best five appox 11.5 all the jig fish came in 25 to 40' and darterhead in close to the bank sun came out so we headed back to Bridge Bay out of the water at 1500 a good day with a total of 15 fish and no dinks.
      City: Redding

      Tips: the days are getting longer you will more time to fish this great lake

Tuesday, January 25th, 2005

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: mid 40's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My first chance to try a Headsokz that I bought at the Sacramento ISE. It was great -- kept my face and neck warm. Hadn't fish in almost a month. Went for stripers. Had only 3 hits in 6 hours of fishing -- landed 2 small keeper stripers (19 inches) and 1 shaker. Caught them at a pump that was discharging water into the Mokelumne.
      City: Dixon

      Tips: Used 3/4 oz shad colored Rat L Trap. Water was muddier on the San Joaquin with a lot more debris floating in the river. Be careful out there -- fog in the morning plus the junk in the water. In the afternoon, we saw part of a dock floating down the river that we didn't see in the morning fog.

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: cold...i think

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: well got on the lake kinda late but wasn't worried, i was just GREATFULL for the LORD to let me fish. launched my boat. ran across the lake, nothing. then went down a bit and picked up a trout. next two moves nothing. went down to the dam, hopes was a little higher, still nothing. came back up to the narrows, stopped the boat, and flipped my jig. waited, felt some weight, set the hook hard......................line broke...o-boy...sharp rock!!lol...it's ok. so i went back to the ramp. tied up the boat got the truck, jumped in the boat and guess what A TROUT PLANT!!!......didn't get a bass nor a striper, but i did get a supersized trout. fished for a hour more then went home...
      City: san francisco

      Tips: i have gave up TOO many days scared of the weather!! don't be like me, go for it!!..all were caught on suspending rip baits. got to love those baits. tried jigs and deep divers. nothing...the water is seriously dirty...and it's cold...the water has just raised up so covering more aera would be my guess....

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: in the water at around 9:00... fished squaw arm all day. drop shot around trees in 20- 50 feet of water caucht over 40 fish . alot of them were around 1lb but boated 10 over 3lbs. the best fish was 4.37. caught most of fish on a berkley power smelt. some on robo worm 3inch purple with red fleck. out of the water at 2:45 trying to beat the rain home..
      City: lake almanor

Monday, January 24th, 2005

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished out of markley cove under heavey fog. it 12:30 before it was clear caught 7 fish 4 large and 3 small mouth all on crank bait and spinner baits best 5 was 10.20lb. Fished the points in 25 to 35 feet of water.
      City: yuba city

      Tips: slow all my bites where on lite colers white spinner.

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

      Report: trout bite is on
      caugt a limit with a 6lb, 4lb, and 3lb and the small DFG trout.
      City: orinda

      Tips: Use night crawlers to catch big trout!

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49.6-50.4

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: out of Packers at 0650, lake is at 75.8 ft, air temp 40 degrees, visibility near 8 ft, got on a good worm bite, had 11, 5 on the mf 38 6inch and 6 on the mgm #66 6 inch eel, best came on a mgm hdi in #109 and 4 more on the #22, not a dink in the bunch with most around 1.6, the largest went 2.85. Everything came out of 35-49ft of water, a few of the worm fish were suspended and just picked it up on the way down as I shook it. best 5 went a little over 9 lbs and didn't catch anything till 0830 when the alarm went off and the fish woke up, the biggest was at 0915. out at noon, air temp a pleasant 57 and not much wind at all. No fog today.
      City: Redding

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Temp: 48

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: headed up towards yorty creek and started fishing around 11:30. main lake was covered in heavy fog, but the northern arm was sunny. fished crankbaits around rocks and trees in water up to 18 feet deep. thought I might find some active fish. no luck. headed back towards main body of lake and tried jigs and dropshot. water clarity decreased as we headed back. caught one that weighed about a pound near some rocks and floating debris in ten feet of water. released it and headed back to the ramp.
      City: santa rosa

      Tips: if you see another boater fishing along the bank in some of those narrow arms don't be afraid to ease off the throttle a bit in an effort to keep your wake from blowing out his spot and banging his boat against the trees.

  • Trinity County
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      Water Temp: 40-48

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Last Sat I took out a client from Sac who had whined to me about 10 fishless trips on Folsom. I took pity on him and invited him up for a day on Trinity. I explained to him that in Jan the only thing happening on Trinity is trolling for trout, and that at 40 degree water temp, bass are hibernating and won't bite. He wanted to come up anyway. After making a few trial circles in dense fog we found the East shore near the East Fork and proceded North to the deep tailings off the Ballpark. 20 minutes later I was taking pics of a 5-14 and a 5. Both LM. 6 hrs later we called it a day after catching 20 fish with our best 5 over 21 lbs. I sure hope nobody ever teaches those Trinity bass to read, because everyone who can read knows that you can't catch bass in 40 deg water. By the way Craig, if you want any more freebies, don't be kicking the Guides' butt.
      City: Weaverville

      Tips: This stable weather and the fact that the launch ramp is snow free, has allowed me to get up to the lake more this winter than ever before. I've been able to keep track of the fish and know where they are hanging out. I had no clue winter fishing could be so much fun on Trinity. After a 14 fish day and 2 20 fish days in Jan I can't wait until the fishing gets good in Mar.

Sunday, January 23rd, 2005

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 48-50.5

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Like Larry I had to find the sun, almost forgot what it looked like. My dad is visiting for 2 days from South Carolina so off to Clear lake we go . I had heard the Crappie bite is off the hook. After looking at 8-10 other boats at Shag Rock and catching a fe " slabs", I could not do it. So Bass or no bass I had to try. I caught 22 fish the largest 6.11lbs for 15.6, best 5 all ripping. The larger fish came from Jago everything else in the narrows. On the 24th, we slept in till 10 or so and headed north, fished Rockey point, Rodman, and Nice. Got 3 jig fish, my dad got a senko fish and big fish of the day with a little over 4lbs. Tough bite North and NO rip fish since the water is a little muddy.Around 3:30 went back to the bank I had the majority of the reaction bite going on and caught 23 fish from then till dark, nothing over 3lbs but no dinks either, solid 15 inch Clear Lake footballs.
      City: Carmichael

      Tips: I looked at the same bank around 10:30 before going north on Sunday . The water was 48,and no bite. Pulled off to the nearest ledge marked fish and spooned for awhile, nata. When I came back at 3:30 is was 50.5 and off the hook. This window lasted till about half hour before dark, sun had dropped below the mountain and the bite stopped. The water temp at dark had already dropped to 48 again. Rip , what else a Staysbee 90 sp and both the ghost and auora black worked well. Lost a couple nice fish too experimenting with a Loomis 903, doesn't touch the 845, too limber which was a problem on long cast and getting a good hook set. You can have the crappie , looks like fun but not enough pull for me. I can't wait till 55 water temps get here.

Saturday, January 22nd, 2005

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

      Report: Sorry for late report. The water clarity was pretty bad which made for tough fishin'. To sum it up, 2hours and 2 dinks caught on drop-shot.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Hoping for water to clear up.

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: fished in the cold damp fog almost all day. Seemed 20 degrees colder when the 30 mph wind hit you.Ended up with 9 small spots maybe 7lbs. One hit a jig near wood. The rest were on the 30 to 40 foot area inside coves out of the wind.Split shot worms spanish fly worked.Lots of bass on main lake points but the wind made it impossible to fish from an aluminum lund with high sides.
      City: orangevale

      Tips: jigs one main lake points. 3/4 oz. brown on brown. Fish slow and drag over 40 foot zone.Let them eat it good or yoou'll pull and nothing will be there.

    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started fishing at 9:00 am with a friend with jigs,crankbaits, rip baits with no luck. my partner started catching fish on a darterhead worm so I switched over. We ended up with 13 bass total.Best five close to 9 lbs, half of the fish were smallies. Good day for this time of year. Started at Markeley cove, hit 5 spots in the narrows,skiers cove ,farmhouse and Big island.
      City: Granite Bay Ca.

      Tips: darterheads and dropshot