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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, June 13th, 2004

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

      Report: Dropshottin Dave, You are legal if you were fishing with a partner. Limit is five fish PER PERSON.

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      Water Temp: very warm. hig

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Sunday with no one else on the water until around 11:00. Small taps to a senko were all the action. I don't know what's going on here, but the past two times I've been to Spring have been really unproductive. The fact that it was a beautiful day and no one else bothered to get on the water early leads me to think that perhaps there's a problem here that I'm just realizing.
      Is anyone else sticking fish here???
      City: Petaluma

      Tips: gimme a break!

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 65'

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Been fishing Wiskeytown lately, as the spawn just wound down. It was really hot a couple weeks ago, having 15-20 lb days for best five fish. Senkos fished wacky, and jigs in 12' did the trick, all over the South end of the lake.
      Saw a spawned out 10 pounder, with a six pounder two weeks ago. Couldn't believe how long the 10 was. Wonder how big she was prior to that? Couldn't get them to go, but caught several other site fish.
      City: Redding

      Tips: Seeing as they decided to fill the lake late this year, the weed line wasn't all the way to the bank. Fishing the edges, in 12'15 feet was the trick!

Saturday, June 12th, 2004

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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: went fishing at ol almaden, nothing either a hit or a miss, a month ago i went here a caught one and my buddy got one. usually use spinnerbaits and red cranks and jigs
      City: San Jose, CA

      Tips: stick to deep water access, there are crawdads in this lake so think about that, smaller sized shad.

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

      Report: Had another exciting weekend on the lake this past Friday and Saturday. Friday produced fast and frenzied crank-bait action resulting in 18 large & small mouth bass, with one large-mouth over 6lbs. For a 20-30 minute period, EVERY cast produced a strike and three-four fish followed every hook-up to the boat!! Deep diving crank bait in green/yellow/orange pattern fished in a rip--pause--rip method was the ticket. A slow & steady retrieve caught fish as well, but wasn't as productive as rip-pause-rip. Really nice on the lake on Friday as there were very few water-skiers, haul-@$$ boats and jet skiers on the water.

      Returned on Saturday to a consistent drop-shot bite that put more than 30 fish in the boat. Predominant bite was the smallie....
      City: Vacaville

      Tips: Look for birds diving on schooling bait for fast & furious action!! All fish were caught off a point in the narrows near the big island in 15-20'. Best drop-shot bait was the Robo 4" worm and leach in June Bug & Tequila Sunrise colors. Important to place the hook 20-24" above the weight to get the bait above the top of the grass so the fish can see it....then just let it drift with the boat and HOLD ON!!!

      Wet a hook!!

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      Water Temp: 68-73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Just finished guiding day trips Tues, Wed, and Fri. Each trip had something interesting as the fish changed daily with the mid-week cold front. These were teach-the-lake trips, so numbers wern't the main object. Overall, the fishing was good, but spotty. The numbers for the trips were 16, 16, 14, with only 3 dinks. Tues morning had a brisk north wind and the thunderheads started forming about 10 am. My client's first fish nearly freaked me out!! He hooked what seemed to be a good fish at 8:45 am, on a Camanche Jack 6" green craw worm. I grabbed the net and soon couldn't believe what I saw. This fish was a smallmouth color and appeared to be nearly 2 feet long. Somehow I got it the net after three minutes. It was a 21 1/2 inch spot - I think! Or was it a smallie? It really was a spot with smallmouth blood for sure. She was some type of hybred. What did matter was that she weighed 4 lbs 5 oz! Whatever she was, she is still there and what a fish!! The rest of the day was good with our limit coming in at 12 1/2 lbs. Wednesday's surprise was 15 largemouth, 1 smallmouth, and NO spots. Driving to the lake for the second day of a cold front, I figured the spots and smallies would save the day. I figured the largemouth would turn off. Shows how much I know, har! Friday was a beautiful, warm day - fish should turn on. It was dead except for a nice 2 lb spot in the narrows on topwater and a few nice worm fish. I guess the fish gave up on a breeze coming up, so they started feeding at 12:30 pm - go figure! My client ended the trip with a 2-2 smallie, caught in 5 feet of water at 2 pm. She had been shallow so long, she was almost black. Our last 8 were caught in the last hour. Never give up!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: The topwater bite died with the cold front, but seemed to be coming back with the warm weather Friday. Should be good this weekend. We saw small bass offshore chasing bait for the first time on Fri. I had clients split-shotting most of the three days - that was by far the best technique. Tues they wanted green craw. Wed, they would'n look at that color - they wanted morning dawn with or without chartreuse tail. Again, these were all largemouth Wed - 2 at 2 1/2 lbs and several over 2. We fished the east shore some, but mostly the west shore from Spanish Flat to Pope Creek. Nearly every bass was 5 to 20 feet, nothing much below 25 feet. The bait is no deeper than 25 feet. We fished points, flats, and ledges the whole time. We tried to find ledges that would have underwater shadows. In June, shadows are hard to find!

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: ~70 degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Tough day... a couple of fish early on blades (black skirts) and then nothing after 10:00am or so... we tried to fish Potato Slough, The Deep Water Channel and Disappointment Slough. Threw practically everything in my tackle bag (buzzbaits, poppers, crankbaits, jigs, tube baits, senko's, spinnerbaits, frogs...), but couldn't get any hookups. Drought ended at around 3:30pm with a chunky 14 incher on a Senko, but that was it. Just one of those days I guess.
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: none here.. sorry

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      Water Temp: 69-70

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: water clarity varied all over the lake. We launched at 6.30 and tried for a top water bite with buzzbaits and spooks at the north end. Those didn't produce. SO we went south and tried throwin' carolina rigged worms and brush hogs in the weeds which produced one fish. That was caught in about 10ft. of water. Was to 2 lbs. Then we went to some trees and flipped senkos and caught a few there. The fish were holdin' very close to cover in 8+ft of water. No size in the fish though. Then we tried fishing the main lake points midday and nailed only one fish to 2 lbs in about 10 ft of water. SLow day but new lakes are always a struggle for me. We were hopin' to hit a big one on a topwater bite, but maybe next time.
      City: San jose

      Tips: none for this lake.

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished our local club event and fishing was fair. But this report is about the big suprise we got while fishing. We fished the Dry Creek arm and had just put a fish in the livewell that gave us our limits. We were ready to start culling (boy there are some skinny fish out there right now) when a boat with two Game Wardens pulled alongside and asked us if we had any fish. We told them we each had a limit and were culling fish. They proceded to inform us that we were now illegal for "highgrading" which is not allowed in California. We were shocked! I've been fishing tournaments for 7-8 years now and that was the first time I'd ever heard that. We questioned them a little but not too much since it became obvious we wern't going to get a ticket. We made a call to DFG in Yountville this morning and they confirmed the ruling.
      It goes like this: you can have up to 4 bass in your livewell and still keep fishing. Once you put that 5th fish in the well, you are limited out and MUST stop fishing. Culling bass with five fish in you livewell is illegal even in a tournament. I know there are a lot of you out there with a lot more tourney experience than me but I'm sure that we all put 5 fish in the "well" before culling to improve your weight before the weigh-in. I asked how all the major circuts get away with that but they just shrugged and said it's still illegal in California.
      I don't know where to go from here...obviously our local club will have to change our by-laws to accomodate this new revelation and I would like to know if other Bass Clubs will be doing anything too.
      City: Ukiah

      Tips: Watch out for the Game Wardens if you are culling with five fish. As for the fishing--topwater in the A.M. and deep plastics afternoon.

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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out on Spring about 7:30 A.M. We had several hits on soft plastics but could not pick up the bite. It is almost as if they are not taking the bait in.
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: Be ready and set the hook on little bump.

Friday, June 11th, 2004

  • Plumas County
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      Water Temp: 64.7

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: We spent five day at Lake Almanor Resort. Had a great time! Smallmouth are holding between 18-24 feet. Caught all but a few on Senkos. If you are set up to fish at night, the smallmouth move into the shallows and the fishing is great. Capped the week off with a nice 24 inch Eagle Lake Trout on a J6 Black and Gold Rapala. Thanks to Frank and Holly at Lake Almanor Resort.
      City: San Leandro

      Tips: Daytime fishing is best on the south end using Senkos at 18-24 feet. After dark a 6 inch stick or jerk bait works well.

  • Mason County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished 8:30AM to 2:00PM. Picked up 16 fish all small, 2lbs or less. Started with a reaction bite early on spinner bait. Slowed down after 9:30 so I swithed to carolina rigged soft plastics and drop shot. Mainly fished points with wind or boat waves coming directly onto the point. Fish were shallow to about 17 ft.
      City: Foster City

      Tips: Reaction baits early followed by soft plastics.

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Temp: ? I didn't even

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Was checking out the livewell pumps after repair for 2 hours on the water. I boated 4 keepers nothing big, but the dissipointing part was I missed good hook sets on at least 6 others in that 2 hours. Really makes you think about your setups.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Most fish were hitting the Lipless Crank or Speedtrap. I picked up one Senko fish that missed the spinnerbait and tossed in where he hit is and caught him. Fished from 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

      Good Luck

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 70 degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out of B&W tonight from 5:30 to 8:30. Windy as usual. Water is murky since the wind has been blowing for the past couple of weeks. Too windy for plastics where I was, so threw a black buzzbait. Found two little, very short stretches (maybe 20 yards each) on the S.Mok. that had pretty clear water. Caught about 10 fish to 3 lbs. on the very bottom of an outgoing tide on a windy day. Not the best buzzbait conditions, but worked very well. Couldn't get bit anywhere else. Just the two clearer spots. These fish were right up on the edge of the riprap banks in about two feet of water. Also in the middle of a bend. Not the ends. Ran out of daylight so couldn't try any similar areas.
      City: Sacto.

      Tips: Am thinking water clarity is a big key right now as the wind has mucked things up. If you find some clearer water with current, you may do well.

    • By

      Water Temp: 69-72

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fiushed Big Break all the way up thru Taylor Slough@ Bethel Island. Fished for about ten hours and caught five fish. The bite was really tought. Most of the fish that i caught came either slow rolloing blades or cranking craw cranks the fish were few and for between. The key was to find rip raps that had deep water close by with weeds that meet brush. The blade fish came on the inside weed edge near a rock wall in Dutch Slough
      City: Martinez

      Tips: Fish slow and crank the rip rap and hop that they will like your offerings. Sling blades near cover and the outskits of weeds.

    • By

      Water Temp: 65-74

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Pre-fished Tues morn and all day Wed for the Police & Fire Olympics out of Ladds. Bite was very tough, lots of dinks but keepers were few and far between. Thur was the individual event, everyone for themselves, with a 5 fish limit, non-boaters were randomly paired with boaters. Having such a tough practice I decided to keep it simple, go to my confidence water down south around victoria,coney,italian, old river. I stuck one good fish and a lot of dinks on blades, 4 keeps on the buzzer later on and a frog fish about noon giving me just over 11 lbs and a bronze finish. 2nd (12lbs) and 1st (19lbs) reported fishing around the main channel w buzzbaits, beavers and big dead ringers.
      Fri was team day with a 7 fish limit. Our plan was to fish cuts and islands off the main channel early w topwater with the last few hours of the outgoing tide then run south to chase the late morning buzz fish I got on the day before. We started off right with a 4.91 and a 6.97 back to back on white frogs walked in open water. By 9am we had our limit on frogs and wht buzzers and decided it was time to head south to upgrade a bit. Unfortunately, my big motor suddenly decided to go south on us instead. So we stuck around the main channel just in case she totally quit and we could still get towed in. Finished bronze again w/ 21.62. 2nd place (23lbs) reported fishing blades and traps from sherman to franks. 1st (29lbs) came in with two 9's, WOW!reporting one from whites and the other from dissapointment on senkos.
      City: TRACY

    • By

      Water Temp: warm like bong

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: this place sucks!!! my 5th time trying this place and been skunked every time!!! Then the ranger gave me shit for smokin my stuff and I had to through my new pipe in the water. (i'm goin back for it when they drain the fucker)
      City: san jose

      Tips: hide your beers and smoke!!!

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

      Report: Has anybody thrown frogs at Merced with any luck?
      City: Daly City

      Tips: Fish slow and tight to cover.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 59-74

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: *********After Bay****************
      After swearing I wouldn

      Tips: Watch the water temp. They are pulling heavily and the temp swings from the 50s to the 70s depending where you are. Naturally there is a strong current in some places as well.

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 70 F

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hit Shasta for the annual houseboat vacation with the wife and dog. The trip didn't start off too well. My bass boat was lashed w/ fenders to the starboard side of the houseboat. We were headed up the Mcloud Arm when a jet boat burned by us at 60+mph. The wake shook both boats pretty bad - next thing, I noticed smoke from the bass boat engine compartment. I managed to get the fire out before it blew up, but it was a close call. The fuel line was burned all the way to the squeeze ball. If anyone can figure out how the fire started(short circuit? sparks from flying tools?) or how I could have prevented it, please send me an email. I don't want to go through that ever again. Anyhow, the outboard and all other wires were toast, but the trolling motor still worked. So, I fished one small section of the upper McCloud very thoroughly all week. Did okay all things considered. Averaged 15-18 fish per day. Only fished early and late, napped and bbq'd in the afternoon. The weather was off/on overcast and rainy from Mon-Thurs, didn't get hot until Friday. Most fish caught were relatively shallow, 10-15 feet, started towards 18-20ish when the sun got higher. Had more luck on the main lake arm during the morning, but they seemed to move up into the creek arm around sunset. I didn't fish too late since none of my lights worked. I caught a few small ones on a chart/white blade at dawn and sunset. Didn't have any luck with a rip bite or topwater. Caught a bunch dropshotting hologram shad and baby bluegill 4" worms around submerged trees and off of steep rocky points. No real size, most were cookie-cutter 12"s and smaller, a few 13" and 14". Had some better fish on Waltman's Custom Crafted football head(1/2 oz) and darthead jigs(3/8 oz) with twin-tail grubs in watermelon-pepper or green-pumpkin off of sloppy banks with fist-sized rock early, or around rocky points in the evening. Had a number of 14" and 15", and a couple of 16".

      Most of my fish and my best fish came on a 1/8oz darterhead w/ a 6" green weenie or 4" Jerry's special(green w/ red flake paddle-tail) worms. Slow lift/drop retrieve off of steep rocky walls, boat was in 30' of water, bank was a medium cast away.

      One of the highlights was a nightfishing trip w/ Jerry. Thanks for being so patient w/ a rookie, Jerry. I learned a lot and had a great time. He was polite in his report and didn't mention how many fish we should have had if I would have set the hook properly. (And thanks for the jigs and worms! Great stuff!)

      The other highlight was the 19 1/4", 5lb3oz monster that slammed my darthead at sunset on Thurs.(I remembered to set the hook, Jerry.) 1/8oz, 6" green weenie, 10 ft of water off of a steep rocky point up a creek arm. I already had 16 fish up to that point, but couldn't fish any more that night 'cause my hands weren't steady enough.
      City: Newark

      Tips: Fish w/ Jerry. He's a class act and you'll learn a lot.
      Jigs and worms in greens and browns w/ pepper or red flake.