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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, May 1st, 2004

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 66 - 67

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished all day Saturday from 6:30am - 4:00pm. First time back on the Delta in 7 years. Thanks everyone here for your tips. This is the trip where I discovered the wonders of the Senko lure - remember, it's been 7 years for me! Fishing was slow most of the day, but we managed 4 keepers with a total weight of about 14-15lbs - largest went 7. Hot color for us was any Senko with glitter in it... most consistent was watermelon with red flake. We fished around 14 mile, Disappointment, & Whites Slough... fished near the deepwater channel during low tide. Couldn't get bit on a spinnerbait but managed a feisty 8 incher on a buzzbait! Great fun. Can't wait to try this frog bite everyone keeps talking about.
      City: San Mateo

      Tips: use those Senko's, let them sink, and fish tight to the weeds... tight lines everyone!

    • By

      Water Temp: 68-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Whites and Disappointment today with poor results. Caught a few small fish on Senkos and saw two better fish on beds in the back on shallow, weedy flats...left them alone. Saw a lot of fry but couldn't find any males guarding them. There's a lot of fishing pressure in Whites.

      Yesterday, ran to the middle delta (Middle River) caught a 5+ on a frog but it took 3 hours to get the one fish. Caught a couple other small fish on Senkos...overall bite was slow for me. But, I'm fishing a lot of new water that I haven't fished before trying to find some concentrations of fish.
      City: Fair Oaks

      Tips: My few better fish have come on reaction baits in the last 3 days although I'm spending a lot of time between those bites.

    • By

      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched downtown Stockton on the water by 6:30 and had some fun on top water with schoolie stripers. Boated about a dozen in an hour or so. Moved on to black bass and we had a limit for about 17#. I lost one at the boat at least 12#, turned it just enough to see her wrap me on a limb and she broke me off. About half an hour later my partner landed a nice 7# fish. Fished darker colors and caught fish on a variety of plastics and a couple on blades.
      City: Stockton

      Tips: Dark colors and even though there's a reaction bite...you can still fish slow, that was the key on the 7#'er. Fish were tight on cover.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 63 - 69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the lake the past 10 days and it was pretty darn good. The first 3 days featured hot weather with no wind and the bed fish were easy pickins. Every day after that, the wind blew pretty hard and a small front came through which moved alot of fish off. We just adjusted though and found them again. Every year, my buddies and I come up for a week and this is probably the 2nd best trip we've had up here. The bast was 4 years ago. HOLY CHRIST! A few observations from this year: 1)The water is clear in random spots. You really have to figure out the spot within the spot. 2)I've never seen so many 8 - 12 inch Bass roaming the shallows as I have this past trip. It's apparent that the last couple spawns have been awesome. 3) There were millions, scratch that, BILLIONS, of shad all over the place. I think one reason the bite was slower than it should have been was because of this factor. All in all, we had a fantastic time and can't wait til next year. Best fish was almost nine with countless 5 - 7 pounders mixed in. No monsters.
      City: Placentia, CA

      Tips: Swimbaits were slow, jerkbait bite was there but it was hard to catch quality, dropshot bite was stupid but mostly for rats, sight bite was solid, senko bite was slow as well. Good Luck!

    • By

      Water Temp: 60

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: i went fishing up at the far west cove by the laggon the other weekend and saw huge bass. Right now they all seem to be spawning. there were 5 pounders 3 ft off shore. there is a lot right now. i managed to catch a 3pound buck but that was it. lots of huge carp too in there. great bass fishin right now
      City: oakley

      Tips: when theere just sitting there use a sinco right in there nest. they'll get irrated eventually and eat it. You can get some really big ones like that.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from 7a to 2:30p. Started in mid lake coves w/jerk bait while wife tossed a spinnerbait.She got a couple of bumps on the spinner and I got zip on the jerk bait. We both switched to split shot four inch worms & I boated the 1st keeper on a 4" green craw worm. Wife then boated a 16" spot w/a watermelon w/red flake Brush Hog. Moved up into the river arm after boating only dinks after the two keepers. Finished off our limit w/me split shotting Yamamoto cut tail watermelon w/red flake worms and the wife throwing watermelon w/red flake brush hogs.
      City: Delhi

      Tips: Bigger fish for us came from 15' to 25' and slowly dragging the split shot. Most fish came from back end of grassy coves.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 64-66

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a husband (his birthday gift certificate) and wife team Saturday who were new to bass fishing and had never worm fished. We tried a little topwater and rippin' for awhile with no results. So we started the split-shotting lesson 101 and soon the spotted bass started making their way to the boat in a hurry. The problem was, it was his birthday and she was catching 'em! How nervy!! He eventually got the hang of it and did well himself. We stayed in the south fork the whole trip and wound up with 31 spotted bass - only one dink - the rest all over 12 inches. Biggest was only 2.1 lbs and was caught in 30 feet of water on the last cast! We did have 6 over the slot. Yes folks, I looked at my X-19 meter that said 22 feet and I could see the bottom!! It may be time to switch to lighter line and look for shadows provided by bushes and rocks. They had a ball landing those hard fighting spots on the great Loomis 782 rods!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: We probably could had had some topwater action had I gone to shadow areas in the middle fork. But I knew the worm bite would be excellent in some of my favorite areas in the south fork - and it was! Quality bass were mostly in the 15 to 25 foot range, with a few deeper. Lots of bass are suspended. We used Berkley 4 inch Power worms and Camanche Jack early dawn 6 inch worms. We drop-shotted at few on Yamamoto Kut-Tail worms. Senkos did not work well for me as I tried them in open water like I did in my previous trip. We were looking for creek channels, cuts, flats with drop-offs, and any other structure that provided a good holding area for quality bass.

  • Sonoma County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got on the lake in thick fog and found fish immediately. First cast produced a 2 lb smallie while waiting for my partner to return from the parking lot walk. Good start to a beautiful day.
      Our mission today was to find a few crappie for the Lake Sonoma hatchery visitor center. After catching a lot of bass we finally found some willing fish. Then we started actually fishing for bass. Found fish in less than 10 feet of water on wood. The bass ranged from 2 lbs up to 7 lbs. Best 5 went 24 lbs. Lost a few larger fish to the wood. The better bite came after 10am when the sun warmed things up.Didn't catch any big fish in the backs of any coves, almost all came from open areas with wood. Lots of smllies and largemouth in the 3 pound range. It couldn't have been a nicer day. Anyone that fished Sonoma today would have taken 3 limits for sure. It was just too easy. Finding crappie was the hard part. Here is a look at a few fish.
      http://www.sonic.net/sheehy/FishingFolder/LakeSonoma/LakeSonomaPage_1.html
      City: Santa Rosa

      Tips: Find a spot with wood and fish it slow. The bass wouldn't kill it, but would just suck it in. Fished senkos and jigheads. 5" and 6" Senkos in # 208 and # 213. The 213 with a 1/4 oz darterhead.
      Don't forget sunscreen. Great kini day too.

Friday, April 30th, 2004

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I had another great trip Friday at Berryessa with my first-ever mother-son (10 years old) combo. I think grandpa was supposed to come but bailed at the last moment. After launching at Markley around 7 am we found a huge school of the biggest shad I have ever seen at Berryessa - 3 inches plus. Bass were chasing them out of the water, boiling, etc. Wow, I was nervous and excited!! Since I didn't have time to teach the boy how to cast yet, I cast out his split-shot rig and showed him how to retrieve it. I quickly saw that mom was a pretty good angler. Within the first half hour they had 2 double hookups and landed them all. I was a busy net man! I had a chance to throw my Chug Bug topwater lure for a few casts to show them how that worked and I got a 2-9 largemouth, lost a 3+ smallie and another big one. In the first hour they landed about 10. After awhile I showed her (while the boy rested from all the action!) how to drop-shot when the fish moved deeper and we caught 4 doing that, using Yamamoto 031 Kut-Tail worms. We moved out of the cove into the narrows for the rest of the trip and caught another 10 for a total of 20 and about an 8 1/2 lb limit. Mom's biggest was a nice 2 1/4 lb smallie that had already spawned, darn! I showed the young man how to sight fish - we picked a small male on a nest - I pitched out the worm and let him work it. Lots of patience was required from both of us, but the grin on his face when he hoisted the 1 3/4 lb largemouth in the boat was ALL worth it. We put him back and they both saw the male right back on the nest in about a minute. Mom now has a new fishing partner! What a fun day!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: The water is very clear now with a visability of around 15 feet. We could see fish everywhere, including some crusing 4 to 5 lb largemouth. I don't know if they were pre or post spawn. In addition to the topwater action, we used Camanche Jack and Berkley worms, in green pumpkin, junebug, early dawn, and watermelon. It is important now to look for shadows when the sun is high. There are lots of bass suspended now, and topwater can work all day, especially if it get cloudy later in the week.

  • Santa Clara County
    • By

      Water Temp: 72-76 warm

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Caught 7 fish-one bass and the rest crappie. Bass was a two pounder. Male crappies must be spawning-colorful blue and yellow. Tried everything from poppers, bugs, floating bait, purple and brown rubber worm. Fish were biting live worms only.
      Good Luck!!
      City: Campbell

      Tips: Live worms

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Very windy. Fished in Taylor and Dutch to hide from the wind. 12 fish to 3 pounds. Caught fish on cinnamon senko, brown/blue jig and white/chartreuse spinnerbait. Even had a couple of fish slap at a frog with no hookups. Better fish came on the jig in tules.
      City: Oakley

      Tips: Maybe slow down when you catch a fish. I would catch a couple of fish close together and then have a large stretch of bank where nada was going on.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68 to 70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: This week has been very good with fish up to 4lbs.
      Still finding alot of Spotted bass on the out side points and banks.
      I also found many Largemouth moving up in the wood to spawn and many that are getting ready to, and some that already have.
      This would be a great time to get out and learn how to site fish. Most where in 5 to 10 feet.
      Congrates to Seth who at 12 years old caught the first 3 fish of the day on Tuesday. One was a 3lb. Spot.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Look for a reaction bite in the morning and then slow down after the sun comes up.
      Practice catch and release. Good Luck

  • Riverside County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: caught 3 largemouth bass off the dam, the first one was about 1 1/2 lbs, the other one was about 3 and the biggest one of the day was about 6. i was using a 5" yamasenko watermelon color worm texas rigged w/out any weights.
      City: Fullerton

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 61.8

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: First night fishing trip of the year, in at Hirz Bay with the wife, lake is 16.8 ft down and still rising, debris load is down but there is still some boat bustin stuff floating around, fished some long sloping red mud points initially with rip baits and had 6 quickly but all small, lost one about 2 lbs, started throwing jigs around 9pm and had at least 30 on but only got 11 in the boat. Typical spot action at night, grab it and run straight at you and jump repeatedly along rock walls and points adjacent. Had a good one come unbuttoned at the boat that looked to be about 4 lbs. Got out at 11pm(I'm cold, says the wife) 59 degrees getting out. The bite was improving when we left. College kids showing up in a week so I will stick to the night shift.
      City: Redding

Thursday, April 29th, 2004

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

      Report: fishing from the shore caught a few good size 2-3# fish to the left of the boat launch. fished a 4 inch chartreuse lizrd. arrived at around 6 pm by 8 landed around five fish. caught the last few on a hula popper, one fatty around 5+.
      City: san jose

      Tips: have always caught fish on the 4 inch lizards here.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My buddy DT and I went out at about 5pm. We had to be off the water by 7:30. We fished the rock bank directly accross the dock. I caught 3 small one. And this fool caught 7 good size bass, largest being 4.5lbs. We threw spinnerbaits (char.), Rat-L-Traps (silver), and he caught a couple on a Texas Rigged Worm. The temperature is perfect for fishing mudlines. Great day of fishing, even though I got shown up.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished April 29-May 1. Thursday was very windy but managed to catch 15 bass on cranks and spinnerbaits, but no size. Fish were in the rocks and weeds. Friday was better putting 30 fish or so in the boat with a good Senko bite. Pumpkin was the hot color. Fourteen Mile Slough and Disappointment were good. Saturday was the best day. A lot of anglers pre-fishing for the Everstart Series, but 5 best would have gone 20#. Biggest was a 7# on a Senko.
      City: Modesto

      Tips: Fish are tight in the weeds. Fish slow and when you get a bite, fish that area hard!

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

      Report: Well, finally decided to take the float tube out at Del Valle. I've fished Del Valle many times before, but just not in the tube. A worker at the marina directed me to the south end, and I got to work at around 4:00. Fished from the Eagles nest parking lot to the creek arm, and back again, knocking off at around 8:30. Ended up with over 20 fish released, 2 biggest went 7 and 8. The 7 lber had an ebrpd tag, which i later found out meant that it was a Florida Strain. I caught him around 8:20 pm, on a black buzz in the south end.Hopefully I didnt have to keep the tag, or something. All fish were up in the tulles, and were slammin Senkos. They wouldnt touch spinnerbaits or cranks, only worms and jigs. Fishing was so good, I got locked in the parking lot! Thanks to the ebrpd guy for lettin me out. tight lines
      City: Hayward

      Tips: fish the shallows with worms, deeper spots in weeds with jigs

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Does this resevoir have alot of sttep drop offs?
      Is it a deep resevoir? Any weedy areas?
      Thanks
      City: San Jose

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Here's some info you might try e-mailing to or snail mailing complaints to:
      info@lgrc.org

      or LGRC P.O. Box 188
      Los Gatos, CA. 95031.0188
      tlplaw@comcast.net
      also, I found out that their "board of directors" will be having a meeting on May 26th at Los Gatos High rm 12. (sorry don't remember the start time) Look the club up, give em hell!
      Perhaps, they'll get a clue if their e-mail is full of complaints now!
      City: S.V.

      Tips: If you do complain, do so in a constructive manner, just "yelling obscenities" may feel good at the time, but doing so won't get anything done.
      What's this post have to do with fishing you may ask? Well everything if you've lost lures by these peoples actions!