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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, October 21st, 2004

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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: If it looks like chocolate milk after the rains try obnoxiously bright colored baits
      City: P-TOWN

      Tips: Dudeman, that is about the hugest question one could ask. I'm not a pro(yet...) but I have fished here for many years so I hope this helps a little. I don't know your friends tackle situation is but given the right conditions there are probably countless baits that will work. I think the key is to find your confidence bait (senko, 5") and start with that. Different people will have different confidence baits for the same water because something worked them repeatedly at some point and they believe in it. Any pro or old-timer will tell you that you that confidence in yourself, your ability, and your bait(whatever it is) is the most important thing no matter what you're throwing. When I started bass fishing I spent REDICULOUS amounts of money and bought everything, in every color that was even remotely bass related, big mistake. Not only was my wallet a lot lighter but the average bank fisherman or floatuber couldn't possibly carry all of that crap nor could you devote enough time to each different presentation as you would need to to properly learn a new bait. Tournament pros have everything under the sun on their boats in their neat little cases stowed away but I guarantee you that most of that tackle never even gets wet. If i'm just going down to the backlakes I try to think of it like I've got 2 hours left to go till the weigh in and that focuses me on my confidence baits and determines what I reach for as I'm walking out the door. bear in mind that your confidence baits apply to all bodies of water but if your going fishing somewhere huge and diverse like the delta you might want to bring a lot more diverse tackle because more water + plus more fish = more possibilities. And to answer your question about the fish splashing, the shad will boil back there but that is because the bass are rounding them up and gorging on them, the sunfish hit anything that hits the water like bugs, 20-40 lb. carp will roll on the weeds in the summer so much that you can see their backs sticking out of the water muskrats, turtles, dead bodies floating up,...who knows what the hell is out there, seriously. One more thing, for me (except for top water) I'm all about the soft plastics back there, but that's me, you figure out what works the best for you out there and let the rest of us know, good luck

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 64-65.6

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: In at Jones Valley at 0630 with the owner of MGM, lake at 100.1 ft down having come up near a foot with the rain, air temp 45, we ran for bridge bay to tag along and watch how the pro's do what they do so well, Picked our pro but lost him going up the Sac, followed the wrong guy down near Digger Bay and then ran up the Sac and found another fellow I have met and watched him for over an hour, he tried different things and so did his backseater but we didn't see him catch anything. We left as another pro I know ripped a couple of points with no fish on. Ran down near packers where I finally got bit and pulled up a 1.6 out of 35 ft of water on a 1/4 oz darter head wearing my hoo-dun-it in color #23, fished some more and my friend missed one as the bite has relly changed. Ran over into the lower Pit around some other guys and i got another after missing 2 other bites that went 1.8. Water very discolored after all the rain and the cuts and ruts on the banks are washed out. Missed a few more and my worm throwing friend missed a few to. Watched some others back in where we were and did not see anyone boat a fish. High pressure started building in yesterday afternoon and has suspended the fish. The bite, at least for us was tough. We got out at 1215 with a still nearly empty ramp at 63 degrees. Lower Pit very messy with a lot of fire debris washed into the lake. The barometer is still rising as I post this and i would imagine that most are gonna have to go deep for fish. both of mine were deeper that 30ft, one at 38ft.
      City: Redding

Wednesday, October 20th, 2004

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

      Report: I report that Gmoney and Swrled have both agreed not to post anymore. They have just found out that they are stupid and can't fish. Seriously guys, you are idiot.

      Tips: Don't be an idiot.

Tuesday, October 19th, 2004

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Had a chance to fish a few hours yesterday afternoon so I hitched up th' boat and arrived at Paradise Point in time to catch the incoming. Started along a rock bank in Disappointment and worked my way west. Threw brown jigs, craw patterned cranks, traps and worms--turns out worms was what they wanted. Picked up seven bass, ranging from mostly dinks and barely-keeper-fish up to a 3.1 pounder. Most of the fish were caught in the zone five feet off the bank (~4 foot depth), on Senkos, Iovino spadetails and Speed Worms. On the water at ~3:30 and off by 7:00. Glad I went out yesterday as it's raining and blowing pretty hard right now and there's a downed power line blocking the street.

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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Took my lunch-break here and made a couple casts today dead-sticking plastics. Nailed one about 7 pounds. Caught her in about 15 feet of water. No love after that.I think the majority of the fish may be deeper. The lake looks pretty low right now. May have to bust out the float-tube or hit the dam for deeper water.
      City: san jose

      Tips: This lake is off and on in my experience. Definitely not a Calero Lake type bite every 4 cast place. However, bring good gear because a bite could mean a world record fish. All presentations work here, but plastics on the bottom is always a good bet. Good luck.

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

      Report: Norcalfisher,I was up there about a week ago and fished and got nothing. What part of the lake you fish...do you fish near the bridge???thank you
      City: San Bruno

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

      Report: Do not use Packers Bay ramp Shasta rec was there today with a tractor to move the dock and did not clear the ramp. One of the BASS guys prefishing almost didn't get his rig out

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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: conditions have changed drastically, 28-35 mph winds with gusts to 60, the lake has come up 4 inches and is a mess with the winds out of the SSW. Any patterns discovered by the BASS folks over the past 5 days are probably not of much use now. It is going to be interesting to see what they come up with. I would expect much bigger sacks brought to the scales for those who can figure it out. The weather should improve this evening as this storm blows through leading to ideal conditons to finish the prefish tomorrow. The sugarloaf float has been blown onto the bank. Temps should hover round the mid 50's with a bit of warming after the storm is over.
      City: Redding

Monday, October 18th, 2004

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

      Report: Caught 8 LM bass with my son in 3 hours this past weekend at Alder Point. Most were one pounders but the largest weighed two and a half pounds, which bit on a white fluke with silver flakes on a 3/0 Gamakatsu offset hook. The others were caught on a popper and drop shot. Bass were deep (12-15 ft.) outside the weedline.
      City: San Leandro

      Tips: If it's windy, go with a fluke. If it's calm, use a popper.

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

      Report: Fished Lake Merced in SF. Fished from 4:30-6:30. Not much going on. Caught one dink and that was it! Felt a few short bites but not much else.
      City: SF

      Tips: Fish slloooow! Be creative!

    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the lake for about 3 hrs yesterday in some windy and rainy conditions. But managed to fool about 8 fish into biting. All were about 1/2LB to 1LB in range and were holding in about 2 to 4 feet of water. I did hook into one nice fish that I couldn't turn around on the hook set as it headed for the tulles and spit out my lure. I'll get'em next time as all fished were released to fight another day.

      Tips: Fish it slow. Crank it slow.

  • Westchester County
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      Water Temp: NA

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Lake Elizabeth hasn't been stocked in years. There were a few very nasty catfish in there and I would see an occasional bluegill yanked out but it's not a fishing spot anymore. They did a lot of dredging and stuff last year and I don't know if a fish has been caught since then. One of the rangers was hopeful they would start stocking again next season but he admitted that was more of a fantasy on his part than anything else.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Catch and release!!!

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 56.9-66.8

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Centimudi is down to a lane and a half with the strong north winds this week pushing some sediment into the #2 lane, Jones Valley is 2 lanes, Packers still down to 1 lane and it isn't likely that it will be cleaned out now that the rain has started, Sugarloaf is in and all others are out, Bridge Bay is a bit of a problem in the sand and the ramp has flattened out a bit requiring backing your tow vehicle in quite a bit, you are going to get wet there, The rain has arrived with winds out of the south at 20 and gusts this afternoon expected to go to 40, more rain on the way through Tuesday with high pressure building in for the BASS event, lots of folks out today for the trout derby and the 2 clubs down from Oregon and the BASS guys out pre-fishing, On the 13th we had the old guys monthly tournament won by Lloyd with 4.61, second by Paul with 4.41 and Dick close behind at 4.29,(2 fish limit) I had 3.81 and got mine on the hoo-dun-it in color # 109. We fished in 20-25 knot winds all day making things a bit difficult, out on the 15th with a friend and we had about 15 with 6 between 1.8 and 2.4 with the larger ones coming on the MGM #109 HDI and got off the water at 1230. Upper arms starting to cool down now, main body temps nearly 10 degrees warmer. I expect a great pre fish for the BASS event but the high pressure comming in shortly thereafter wil toughen things up a bit. The BASS checkin has been changed to the Holiday Inn on Hilltop drive. Best to come in from the north especially if you are towing a boat.
      City: Redding

      Tips: my guess is that it will take 32.5 lbs to win the BASS event.

Sunday, October 17th, 2004

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Even though it was scheduled to be wet and rainy yesterday, I decided to head out for Amador for some trout. Got to the lake about 11:30. Well, the trout were jumping all over the place. They werent biting though, not like they were when I was there on Thursday. At any rate....

      Luckily for me, I had all my bass gear with me so I headed out for the spillway to fish the drop off and adjacent points.

      Despite the rain, wind and mud, I did very well catching about 15-20 or so fish, many of them rats, a few in the 1-2lb range and a 4lb kicker off the point west of the spillway.

      Fun Day to be out.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Fish were holding about 5-15 feet deep, on or around large main body points. I used watermelon and green pumpkin Baby Brush Hogs. I didnt try out any reaction baits, but im sure they would have worked as the fish were all over my 'Hogs.

      I fished on Thursday the 14th with the same pattern, and had about the same luck. Hopefully I can get out again this weekend to catch the tail end of the fall bite.

  • Mason County
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      Water Temp: 68-71

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Dude thow the biGGGGGG swim baits Bass are on them---6.60 to 7.9lbs bass plus smaller...on hit for the momma baits!----get the fish where the boats and the wake boarders are they seem to like the turbulence of the wakes....crank baits to 30+ feet on in line sinkers

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

      Report: Dude thow the biGGGGGG swim baits Bass are on them---6.60 to 7.9lbs bass plus smaller...on hit for the momma baits!----get the fish where the boats and the wake boarders are they seem to like the turbulence of the wakes....crank baits to 30+ feet on in line sinkers
      City: San jos

      Tips: Dude thow the biGGGGGG swim baits Bass are on them---6.60 to 7.9lbs bass plus smaller...on hit for the momma baits!----get the fish where the boats and the wake boarders are they seem to like the turbulence of the wakes....crank baits to 30+ feet on in line sinkers

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Yes the boat and ski traffic can be really irritating especially when they use your float tube as a bouy. But I've found that in the morning before most of those guys are out there that the topwaters, and high speed baits work on the aggresive fish. As the wind and boat traffic pick up and the fish hunker down a little more, I switch to slower baits such as a senko, jig and pig combos, or a drop shot rig. I've fished this lake for many years and have caught HUGE fish out of here. The most important thing is to change tactics and strategies as the boat traffic gets worse. I hope your first visit doesn't keep you from comming back. This lake can reward you with some trophy fish.
      City: SAN JOSE

      Tips: HAVE FUN!!!!!

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

      Report: Dude thow the biGGGGGG swim baits Bass are on them---6.60 to 7.9lbs bass plus smaller...on hit for the momma baits!----get the fish where the boats and the wake boarders are they seem to like the turbulence of the wakes....crank baits to 30+ feet on in line sinkers

      Tips: Dude thow the biGGGGGG swim baits Bass are on them---6.60 to 7.9lbs bass plus smaller...on hit for the momma baits!----get the fish where the boats and the wake boarders are they seem to like the turbulence of the wakes....crank baits to 30+ feet on in line sinkers

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I guided Thurs, Fri, and Sat - "teach the lake" trips, mostly in the south end. Each day was similar - except the wind on Sat - wow! Each trip produced 17 to 19 tournament keepers up to 3 1/2 pounds, plus numerous smaller bass that are getting in their final feed while the bigger fish are offshore. Fri produced larger fish including two that my client broke off because of his line being too light in test. One can use a minimum of 12 pound test in the dirty water. I, too, had problems. I was using a Strike Pro Bad Boy 80 crank (lemon-lime) with good success Thurs. Fri. morning I had a big bass just attack it on a rock ledge and snap my new 12 lb test and fresh knot! I didn't even have a chance to react - just snapped it!! I saw the fish briefly under the surface and she was big. Of course, that was the only Bad Boy I had. The bass seemed to love that bait. Might be time to chanbe to 14# test! We used Senkos, spinnerbaits (my client Sat was a pro at fishing them!), crankbaits, Power Worms and Dead Ringer worms. Could not get a jig bite to go, but the Yamamoto Kreature bait was again a winner. We fished tule-rock areas with good success. We found shallow and deep bass, but the shallow ones seemed more active.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Since these fellows are fishing upcoming tournaments, I won't be specific about how, what, and where. I will say that experimenting with different colors will pay off. We did find a "hot" color with the Kreatures - definately. But that has to remain a secret for my clients. It looks like an earlier fall than previous years. If heavy rain happens at the lake Tuesday, it could help the bite for larger bass and bring them all a little shallower. I expect the water to cool off by several degrees in the next few days. One may need to slow their presentations a bit. Who Knows?!

    • By

      Water Temp: WARM NO TEMP GA

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My Brother Benny and Sister-in-Law Sandi came down from Oregon to fish and I dropped the boat in at Red Bud and fished the south end. Fished deeper docks and off shore reefs with drop shot and senkos, only 2 fish on senkos and 38 fish on drop shot. I cought the numbers in am, Sandi caught the larger fish in the am and than my brother schooled us in the evening catching 8 fish to my 2 fish, calm in AM windy in PM that was Saturday. Sunday we caught about 15-20 fish on same set up. fish were 1/2 to 2 lbs with mostly about 1 1/4 lb.
      City: SAN JOSE

      Tips: Don't fish dock that do not have deeper water close by like the one at Red Bud, you will catch fish there but not as many as you would docks with deeper water close by and rocks, for example if you fish Red Bud pier the closest deep water is about 1/4 mile, this is great in the spring but not in the summer fall or winter, yes you will catch some but not numbers and yes I have caught 5 lb fish in 5 inches of water but again if you want numbers fish deep water close by. Dead stick that worm with drop shot, lift rod and lower rod and don't move the weight, sometimes don't even move the worm, a lot of bites came with out even moving the worm like live bait.
      Purple worms 4 inch strait and 4 inch curly tail.