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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, April 16th, 2004

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 57-60

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Sometimes I think there is no better lake to teach bass fishing than Oroville! Yesterday I guided three gentlemen - 2 new to bass fishing, and we caught 38 in a 6 hour trip. The weather wasn't real great - clear and VERY windy in the afternoon. We only used worms and Senkos because of the number of people in the boat. The 2 new guys really picked up split-shotting quickly and caught a lot of bass. All spots and 2 redeye with only 3 over the slot, but only 4 dinks. One fellow lost one that might have gone 4 pounds - darn! Today (Sat) I guided 2 fellows who wanted to learn new techniques and the weather was totally different - no wind and flat. I put Staycee ripbaits on their rods and they ripped to their hearts content - off and on all day. I think they ripped 17. Between that, split-shotting, drop-shotting, and Senkos. we boated 41 with 6 over the slot and a limit at 10 pounds. We had some nice fish! In spite of the cloudy weather, we actually caught some of the quality worm fish from 20 to 30 feet deep. The small bass would hit the worm and the big fish would just slowly pull on it until the rod loaded up. A great 2 days with some great clients - lots of laughs!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: We found the quality bass on any type of structure with a break to deep water. This is probably because the lake is dropping some. Drop-shotting was working well - we just didn't do much of it the past 2 days. If you could find submerged brush to work your bait into, you would hook a good fish. Throwing #240 Senkos for suspended fish worked very well on Fri but not so well Sat. Funny, I thought it would be the opposite. Water in the south fork is very clear - too clear for spinnerbaits I thought. I could see down as much as 15-20 feet in spots. Fish #41 today was a 14 inch smallmouth in the middle fork that one of the fellows caught. There still are some left!! Worm color really didn't seem to matter too much today - several standard colors worked. You just had to keep it on the bottom. Suggestion - don't pump your rod at all. Just slowly lift it. Remember, at Oroville, when you move your rod an inch, the bait is probably falling a foot. Pump it four inches and you have moved your bait out of the strike zone. Just my opinion!

Thursday, April 15th, 2004

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 61-65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hopefully I will stay awake long enough to write this report! I just spent the past three days guiding Berryessa and each day was different. I will just make some observations that I found interesting. Tuesday was the first day of the cold front with very strong winds that were about as tricky as I'se ever seen in the narrows. I can live with that but I feel for my clients that are trying to learn certain techniques besides crankbaits. Same thing for yesterday - today was better. Tues we caught around 20 and the fish were active. Several were in the 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 pound range. One client was red hot and the other lost every fish he hooked (about 12). I don't know why. Yesterday - the second day of the cold front, we caught 25 with only 3 bass in the 2 pound range. Lots of dinks which I think is normal for the second day cold front period. Large fish arn't as active and the little ones know it! It's their turn to roam!! Today, because of certain circumstances, we were only able to fish about 5 hours and we caught 11, but some of them were like the ones Nacl got yesterday. We too found an area - a wall which produced a 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 lb spot for a client and I caught a 2-5 smallie - all in 15 minutes. Only 2 dinks today and a limit near 11 lbs. The sun was dimmed today because of thin cloud cover and the fish moved shallower for us. One of the guys today had never worm fished before and we had a lot of laughs as I tried to convince him that the underwater tree branches wern't making his rod jerk. I said "they really are fish"!! He preceeded to catch three smallies which really put up a fight! A happy camper he was!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: We caught a few ripping and one on topwater Tues morning. Didn't even try any reaction Wed and today. Most of the time we were split-shotting Berkley Pulse worms, Yamamoto Kut-tails, and
      Camanche Jack's morning dawn with chartreuse tail. The latter one was the best worm every day by far. I caught a few on Senkos yesterday and today threw the #240 mentioned in the previous report on wall and points - open water. That's how I got the good smallie today. I missed three more. For whatever reason, the fish have moved out of the backs of coves. The #131 Yamamoto grub was working well also, on a darthead. We got the biggest smallie, 2-2, on that grub Tues. No matter how you work them, the small worms are hard to beat right now. When full sun returns, look for those shadows. Remember, there are underwater shadows too. If you see an underwater bush, cast to the shady side of the bush. Hang on!!

    • By

      Water Temp: 62-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Took out two great guys on a guide trip today. We started out on the point where I got a good limit yesterday. Caught keeper fish, but no quality fish. Couldn't get bit on the weightless Senko but we caught a lot of fish on dropshots between 20-25'. We caught one shallow fish on a Senko and missed a ripbait fish, otherwise, we couldn't find many active shallow fish. The dropshot bite produced fish all day long but you had to catch a lot of fish to find a few good ones. We also hit for the "cycle"...caught several largemouth, a lot of spots, a couple smallies and one good mule-ee.
      City: Fair Oaks

      Tips: Dropshot small plastics in white colors like 3 1/2" Yamamoto cuttail's in white colors or other shad colors like 240, 237, 238 and 239. Also, try setting your dropshot hook 6-8' (that's right "feet") up from the weight...we caught several suspended fish this way.

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Well went out today and yesterday on my flaot tube. Yesterday, I caught a little one(1.5lbr) as soon as I got there(9.30) left of the launch ramp. Didn't get another one until about 12.30 and that was little too. But my buddy who got the 7.2 lbr the day before hooked into a 3.7lbr. We were both using senkos and casting to shore and bringing them out. The first bass I caught had 2 dead shad fly out of it's mouth when I was reeling it in. Today, well, it sucked. I caught a little baby one again(not even a pound) but missed a big hit just left of the launch ramp. I guess I need to try another spot.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: I need tips. But lots of shad boiling but can't get them to hit.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught 3-4 fish each of the last 3-4 days I've fished. Average fish 2-3lbs. all came on Senkos in blk/red and Cinnimon/purple 5-7in. larger fish came on larger Senko. The last couple of hours of the incoming tide has been the most productive time to fish for me lately. I've nite fished for a couple of hours just about everyday for about a week now and have only managed a couple of small fish using modified Senkos.
      City: Holt

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hey Masterbassinator, it was a strange coincidence meeting you on the 14th at Coyote! When you reported you had caught a 5 and 10 pounder, it only slightly registered, then it struck me I had read your post the night before! I was supposede to go out the night you caught those two, but work interfered. It certainly was different that night we met, yes? Last I heard from you guys you hadn't gotten bit yet, and I didn't either. Went out to the damn for a couple of hours, but nothing. Crap loads of trout surface activity though, you could see them swimming just a couple of feet out even. I was comtemplating walking back to the car to get a big trout swimbait, but ten hours of work had taken a toll, just didn't have the energy. Went home skunked.

      A good word of advice about the cougars, you might want to keep your eye out for the pigs too, plenty of those around. My dogs got my back when I'm out there, but I worry if a rogue juvinile malnurished lion were about, like the one down in LA, he might get attacked, and I wouldn't hesitate to jump into the brawl. What ya gonna do?
      City: SJ

      Tips: Cold weather has probably put a damper on things, also getting into post spawn. Once weather warms a bit, should have a few more weeks of hot spring action though.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Night fishing can be good, but don't go alone. A mountain lion was spotted by a ranger crossing the road by the entrance kiosk this week, and many more are sighted in the area every year.

    • By

      Water Temp: na

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught crappie, bluegill, trout, and bass today. The big ones (bass) just haven't co-operated with me, yet. All were released.
      City: san jose

      Tips: Keep a little and release alot.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 63-65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I went fishing on wednesday and the first thing I noticed was the lake had dropped. That's not what I wanted to see. But after 23 years of living in Paradise and fishing this lake you can't help but get used to it. Anyway.... the lake was very windy and all my normal spots are un-fishable when the wind howles so I tried fishing where I could. I had good luck on spinnerbaits in chart/white and some luck with ripbaits, all of my fish were a little deeper than normal but still pretty shallow for Oroville.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: all my bites with the spinnerbaits were pretty good THUMPS and all were on a steady retrieve. The rip-bait bite was also a pretty good thump and they seemed to like the jerk, jerk, jerk pause the most. Good Luck out there!!!!

    • By

      Water Temp: Not Tested

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: To Mr. Concern Fisherman Perhaps you don't fish San Pablo that much or maybe you just have no Idea who I am well if you fish San Pablo that much you should have known me already I have build my reputation in fishing for trout in there theres a lot of regular fisherman there knows me and to answer your Question I did not say that adults are not welcome I just think that if you are grown up means you should have better chances catching fish than the beginners why 16 and under well according to CA Law they don't need license and I'm accuiring clubs. and Org. and if you are an individuals you need your parents Perhaps you should learn how to read thoroughly lastly I have 3 kids myself 2 daughter and 1 son I bet you didn't think of that unless of course your stupid enough just to say what comes in your mind and since you are concern meet personally perhaps yourself needs some lessons by the way I fish in the main rec. And why Am I teaching fishing for Free well I thought maybe its the other way to help Others to enjoy and benefit the outdoor not just myself. and by the way Ask Wayne, Philly, Patrick, Jose, Camille, and other regular who fish in the main rec.
      City: San Francisco

      Tips: you should try to think what you say. before you know it might goes back @ you. regards to this matter I myself have no longer interest in volunteering fishing lessons. because my good intention has been ruined by people like you.

Wednesday, April 14th, 2004

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the river for two hours early with no bites. Managed a few small fish on the east flats. Didn't get any keepers until 1:00...after returning to the narrows. Then, it busted wide open! Caught an 11 pound limit in 38 minutes on smoke blue pearl Senkos fished weightless in 20+ feet of water. Limit consisted of 1 2-pound smallie, 3 2-pound spots and the biggest fish was a long, post spawn 3-pound spot. They all hit like freight trains and several headed straight for the surface where they jumped big time. Great fun!!!

      I also marked lots of suspended fish and caught a few of them.
      City: Fair Oaks

      Tips: I think B'ssa is well into its first post spawn period and all the fish I saw looked spawned out. A second spawn will probably occur during the next warm spell but for right now, all the better fish I found are back out on the main points.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Me and my buddy hit Trapper Slough on Friday the 14th from 2pm till dark. We threw the box at

      Tips: Avoid windy days.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 59-60 south of

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught one on green hula grub right off the bat, then later hooked a another on a brush hog right in the tules, later during the evening used a 4in. purple worm on south shore of lake,rigged it texas style, and caught 10 on that, the next day I used that all day on south shore of lake, and caught 10, all the fish where small none where over 2 pounds, but caught one 8 pd. and he ran in the tules and ended up getting off.
      City: watsonville

      Tips: fish are on the fronts of the tules are in them, fish points and under trees, fish slow. wind was also really bad on the second day, and cold.

    • By

      Water Temp: 45ish

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Evestart @ clearlake, man it was tough, (for me!) my pro had is game plan set on bed fish, but the wind stained most of the water. That was great for me.Caught two 2-3pounders on white spinner bait.Late morning caught another on green 8inch sinko in one of the sloughs. My pro cought one on a sinko all day.Swimbait and jig were not working for us today. My second day pro did very well drop shotting with 15inch leader on a 4inch green weenie.He caought 14 pounds the second day to put him on the top 20 to continue the Everstat series,. I cought two for 6 pounds drop shotting.
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: fish tight on tulies and points drop shotting!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: to whom it may concern. thank the los gatos rowing club (faggots) for elimanating power boats and ALSO for breaking the dam. vent pipe to loud? i know.

      Tips: let's bail. late

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 61-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished 4/12-4/14 with the kids. Most fish caught on drop offs or right on structure. The carp are spawning --- big time --- and causing things to be tougher.Most fish were 2 lbs with a 1 or 3 mixed in.Soft plastics worked best with a few on a white spinner bait also.

Tuesday, April 13th, 2004

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out on my big bayliner and just drifted left of launch ramp. Got there at about 9:00am. Used senkos(pumpkin) and carolina rigged power worms. My buddy hooked a 7.2lbs bass on the drop with a senko. He said it was a very light hit. I caught a little baby on the carolina rig. Seen lots of readings at the points at about 12ft of water. Those weren't hitting though.
      City: San Jose

      Tips: I'm not one to give tips but everybody says platic worms are the ticket for this lake. I need tips though so help me out.

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 59-61'

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Wow, what a differance two weeks does for the fishing. Launched out of Antlers and ran South to fish some coves and pockets off the Sac/ arm. Did very well on jigs and senkos in 10-20'. Every spawning cove looks good and has fish at one stage or the other. I wish I could catch a big mama though. 30 fish in four hours, up to three lbs.
      Glad to see Gerry posting again.(didn't know you were going out today!!!! I didn't get wet up there!!!)
      City: Redding

      Tips: find a cove and fish it. it's "on" brothas!

    • By

      Water Temp: 60.8

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got in at Centimudi at 0605, debris all gone with the south wind that has blown it back out into the lake, 52 degrees, overcast, south wind a 8, ran over into the lower Sac arm for 12 fish by 0830, most came on rip baits thrown right on the bank and a couple of crank bait fish, didn't even get out the jig rod. My uncle is coming from Indiana this Friday and he loves a crank bait bite so that is why I used them this am, cooler weather forecasted for next week with showers off and on, went on home when the first rain drop hit me on the head, only 6 rigs in the lot, wind up to 15 when I got out, lots of debris out in front of the dam.
      City: Redding

Monday, April 12th, 2004

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the WON team tournament on Saturday. My partner and I lost count after catching 20 or so 2+ pounders. Caught one 6.3 pounds and another about 4.5 pounds. My partner Lost one about 10-pounds and one about 6-pounds. Caught most fish on watermellon MoMan 5-inch tubes. We weighed in 18.74 pounds, but should have done better.
      City: Cameron Park