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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, January 8th, 2005

    • By

      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: San Justo is coming alive!!! After some lean days this winter, John and I are beginning to dial in the fish. Another beautiful day today, partly cloudy skies and very little wind...one of the nicest days we've had at San Justo. John got three more bass, a 3 and two 2's, on a T-rigged craw imitation. Another boat nailed a 12 lb. 10 oz. bass on a swimbait which upped the ante on that presentation. A little while later, I managed a 9 lb 6 oz. bass on a swimbait. too. She was a beautiful bass, good coloring, and a huge belly full of eggs. Hopefully, she'll drop those this spring and make lots of new basses.
      City: Monterey

      Tips: If what you're trying isn't working, change to something different. The lures and scent John used yesterday wouldn't produce today. He changed lures and scent and got lots of strikes in addition to the three bass he boated. The bigger bass seem to prefer the larger lures like swimbaits, and today a slow, steady retrieve worked for me.

Friday, January 7th, 2005

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Temp: 56

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: The water has come up about 2 feet and Gibralter is spilling. The fact that Gibralter is spilling this early in the year points to another full pool this year albiet not the 59 foot jump in 10 days we had last year it is still good to have the "whole" lake to fish. There is a pretty good bite for bass going on right now. I got to the lake at 9 and had my first 3 pounder in 3 minutes. I have stayed with spoons for shear numbers but dropshot will garner you some nice fish too. I caught a 5 pounder on a crank on the shear walls and found that there is a great jig bite going on as well...To little time, to much tackle! I know they have been dumping in trout but went untouched in the hour I tossed my trout baits. I caught 3 incredibly nice crappie and unfortunetly for the crappie I could not successfully needle them so I gave them to some guys in a rental boat that were busy striking out with the trout. The Smallmouth seemed to really turn on around 1:00 when the wind came up and one of my smallmouth went 3 pounds 9 ounces on my little scale. I don't normally weigh my fish but this one had given me such a spectacular fight I just had to know how close she was to the lake record. The fish would pounce on the spoons and jigs sometimes before they got near the bottom making it essential that you guesstimate aproximately the depth the spoon/jig "Should" hit bottom and be ready should it stop short or just swim away. I did find better spooning in the nastier structure and lost a few baits but ya gotta go where the fish are. There were two real nice guys that were watching me and when they came up to me at the launch ramp at the end of the day I really didn't know if they were going to be mad or what as I had caught 6 fish in 5 minutes infront of them and ten minutes later I had another good run of maybe 10 fish in 15 minutes. I told them what I'm going to tell you. Spoon! Simple and devastatingly effective on cold fish. While it's true that spoons aren't usually a big fish bait if you use your electronics you can effectively use them in a precision presentation and clean up when the fish seem to be not interested in chasing down anything else. I think that the better fish are up I just can't put the spoon and my other metal baits down as I'm just having to much fun.
      City: Santa Barbara

      Tips: Chrome 3/4 oz. spoons, Brown with either brown or watermelon trailer and a shad colored crank. Active fish from one foot to 40 feet deepending on how you want to catch them.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 50-54

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished today with Ronnie Vanairsdale of Oakley. We were met with an absolute gorgeous winter day. Ronnie was looking for some jig tips and a better understanding of how to approach fishing deeper in the winter. Tossing brown jigs and Robo Zippers we boated 15 keeers from 3lbs to 9lb 3oz. And we probably had another dozen good fish come unbuttoned today or short strike our baits. Our best five for the day went 25+ pounds. Never got bit using cranks, ripbaits or blades. Most all of our fish came from 6-16 foot of water, either on baren rocky banks or in submerged grass beds. Absolutely awesome winter day on the river!
      City: Oakley

      Tips: Pattern 1 - Brown Jig-n-pigs on the deep rock banks, retrieved with short, hop/pop cadence with no stopping to the boat.

      Pattern 2 - Texas rigged Zippers on a 5/16th pegged bullet weight with a red bead, slowly pulled through the grass with no stopping to the boat.

      Boat positioning is critical, stay off the top of the fish, use the t-motor as little as possible and cover every inch of bottom that ya can. Pick an area and fish it very thouroughly, the fish were grouped up, so when ya catch em, make repeated passed through your areas.

    • By

      Water Temp: 50to51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: another great day on the delta. solid fishing all day long.where did we fish? the same area as the last two reports. i bet i've only used one gallon of gas in two days. started around 9:30 caught our first on lipless crank,stayed in the same area threw brushogs, senkos and sweetbevers. in all 27 fish to 4lbs .lot of 2to21/2pounders . no big ones yet, they should be moving up soon. well next week we have a tournament at berryessa, can't wait to get back to the delta!! maybe next monday.
      City: oakland

      Tips: carolina brushogs,sweetbevers,senkos. work threw weed edge, slooow. lipless cranks pop off the weeds.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: A 10-pound bass was caught on a jig by Travis Tarvar at the Clearlake Bassmasters Club tournament. His team caught 30 bass! My team caught 6 bass and one big (3lb) crappie.
      City: Hidden Valley Lake

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 47-49

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: On Friday they droped the lake a quick 5 ft. Dennie Howard (Basin Bass Masters Angler of the Year) and I found fish all over the lake in 15-45 ft. in Creek chanels and along the banks. Water very muddy and winds to 15 mph. Denny the Leach Man did get two nice small spots off the bank. My brown/purple did get a few bits, no swim baits,spinner,drop shot or split shot.
      City: rocklin

      Tips: fish slow and use a scent.

    • By

      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: First trip of 2006 today. My son John caught three nice bass, topped by a 4 lb'er which he nailed on his ultralight spinning outfit. Said it was the best fight he's enjoyed so far. All came on Carolina-rigged lizards at about 30 feet. I spent the day mostly tossing Hudd's, Castaic Trout, and a Tiger Tube trying for the One Big Bite. It didn't happen today. Weather was delightful, a bit cool in the morning, but it warmed up when the wind subsided. Wind didn't kick up again until about 1:30 p.m.
      City: Monterey

      Tips: We're not graphing any fish in the shallows, out to about 25 feet. Most of the fish we see on the graph are suspended between 40 and 60 feet over the main lake basin where the depth now is about 75 feet.

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

      Report: We fished all day and never got a bite. Although my friend did hook her line into a couple trees. The water is very high and dirty which is to be expected with all the flooding we had. It looked like the marina was still above water, but a lot of the boats were moved to higher ground, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the store did get some flood damage. We were not lucky enough to have a boat to fish on, so we fished from the bank. We tried worrm, crank baits, jigs, and a couple other things. And nothing. I don't know if it was our inexpierence, or just a bad time to try to fish. But I am sure if someone had a boat they probably would of had better luck. And it would of been better if the water wasn't so dirty.
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: I need tips. =)

Thursday, January 6th, 2005

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 53-55

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: After dodging boulder up 128 from Winters lauched and caught my first keep of 06 in Markley Cove Ripp'in. Markley was a stained Green, went to a jig and put 2 more in on one point. Went point hopp'in for about two hours and but in 14 fish total before I hit the Narrows. The fish were from 15ft to 35ft. What I notice was that there were slightly on the white side, meaning that these fish were all com'in up from the deep. Has the fog lifted on the lake the bite became sluggish or just a tic with noth'in there.

      I went thru the narrow and up to the main lake and the water became dirty milk Chocolate in alot of area including bays. Tried some backends of coves in 25-30ft of water with small takers (Hula Grubs on 1/2oz football head. Not excited yet about that pattern, so I headed back to where I caught some fish and fished non normal-patterns. SO-SO. Quite at Two and sat in the boat and fixed possible rigs. I ended up with 11-12lbs without any mental fatigue. Fish are moving up in 1see's and two's, I didn't find any bonzaza patterns, but a pattern that will hold until probably April. Their will be patterns like ripp'in, dartheads, and split-shott'in in the near future once the lake clears a little. When? Only Mother Nature KNOW's.

      For You fisherman that are fishing this lake in the near future, becareful of floating debrie above the nears from Markley. Theirs some Prop busters float'in.
      City: Where ever the bites at

      Tips: Fish slow for know, especially with either a jig or a hula grub. Once the fog lifts and the sun comes out slow down more. Especially on your favorite point. For you Drop-shott'ers, Roboworm in the Mutilator will get you fish. Has the water clears the Morn'in Dawn or the "Perty Laaady" has some call it will be the ticket.

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

      Report: sorry about all the reports, i was correcting my spelling.
      City: oakland

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      Water Temp: 49to51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: superbowl sunday. started at 9am. worked offshore weed edge in big break. tide was high outgoing.little bit of wind, after our first fish we threw out a marker bouy,we never left the rest of the day. ended up with 22 fish to 3lbs all but 2 were on brushogs. 1 on senko 1 on rattle trap. looks like small bucks moving up, but a great day. can'twait till tomarrow !!!
      City: oakland

      Tips: if you get one work area heavy, there schooled .carolina brushog and senkos 5to7ft

    • By

      Water Temp: 49to51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: superbowl sunday. started at 9am. worked offshore weed edge in big break. tide was high outgoing.little bit of wind, after our first fish we threw out a marker bouy,we never left the rest of the day. ended up with 22 fish to 3lbs all but 2 were on brushogs 1 on senko 1 on rattle trap. looks like small bucks moving up, but a great day. can'twait till tomarrow !!!
      City: oakland

      Tips: if you get one work area heavy, there schooled .carolina brushog and senkos 5to7ft

    • By

      Water Temp: 49to51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: superbowl sunday. started at 9am. worked offshore weed edge in big break. tide was high outgoing.little bit of wind, after our first fish we threw out a marker bouy,we never left the rest of the day. ended up with 22 fish to 3lbs all but 2 were on brushogs 1 on senko 1 on rattle trap. looks like small bucks moving up, but a great day. can'twait till tomarrow !!!
      City: oakland

      Tips: if you get one work area heavy, there schooled .carolnia brushog and senkos 5to7ft

    • By

      Water Temp: 49to51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: superbowl sunday. started at 9am. worked offshore weed edge in big break. tide was high outgoing.little bit of wind, after our first fish we threw out a marker bouy,we never left the rest of the day. ended up with 22 fish to 3lbs all but 2 were on brushogs 1 on sinko 1 on rattle trap. looks like small bucks moving up, but a great day. can'twait till tomarrow !!!
      City: oakland

      Tips: if you get one work area heavy, there schooled .carolnia brushog and sinkos 5to7ft

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

      Report: Redwood Empire Bass Club next team tournament is at Clear Lake on January 14th. With both Berryessa and Sonoma blown out because of the storms, Clear Lake is the place to be. Our next meeting is next Wednesday January 11th at 7p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and Snyder Lane. We welcome both boaters and non boaters to fish our tournaments with us. Click on clubs above or call me at 707.758.5762 for more info.
      City: Santa Rosa

Wednesday, January 5th, 2005

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

      Report: The Delta was closed to recreational boating only. Commercial boats were still permitted to use the Delta. January 4th at 12 noon Water Resource re-opened the Delta. Be careful! There's lots of debris in the water.
      City: Oakley

      Tips: Don't be near a levee if it breaks. That wouldn't be good.

    • By

      Water Temp: 54

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Lake if overflowing very muddy - talked to a couple of boaters who came in without a hit. Once water clears a bit look for a great bite.
      City: Licoln

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: About 50 degree

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I caught zero bass in the Rattlesnake Island arm and around the mouth of Rodman Slough. However, I met two gentlemen at the Clearlake Oaks ramp who caught many very impressive crappies near Shag Rock. Apparently the big crappies are biting well even as the bass apparently aren't.
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: Forget the bass for awhile and fish for crappies in 30' of water near the center of the lake. I was told that black/chartreuse jigs were working the best.

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      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Mendo Bassers in Ukiah is currently looking for new members. We are a small club that want to expand. We fish once every month mosly on Clear Lake (8 times this year) with a few at Mendocino (2), Pilsbury, and Sonoma. If interested or want more info, e-mail me your contact info. You are not required to attend meetings to be eligible to fish so out of town members are welcome.
      City: Ukiah

      Tips: This is a low cost/low payout club ($10.00 entry fee each person plus gas money if non-boater). We are about learning or teaching depending on your level of knowledge. We welcome all fisherman (or fisherwomen for that matter) who share our passion for bass fishing and like to get out of the house at least once a month and rip some lips...:)

  • Mendocino County
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      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Mendo Bassers in Ukiah is currently seeking new members for our small but growing bass club. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month and fish usually the following Saturday. We fish mostly Clear Lake but also fish a few on Mendocino, Sonoma and Pilsbury. This is a low cost/low payout club in which our goal is for everyone to have a good time while maybe learning or teaching a few things about the sport of bass fishing depending on your level of fishing knowledge. If you are interested or want more info, e-mail me your contact info and I will fill you in.
      City: Ukiah

      Tips: Attending meetings is encouraged but not required so out of town members are welcome. We welcome boaters as well as non-boaters.