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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, March 28th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Windy n tough today for me n the wife. Launched at Tiki around 8:30. Ran south thinking the east west canals would be protected from the steady n wind. NOT. Caught fish here and there on senko and drop shot but no good ones. Low tide and wind is a huge challenge for us foothill folks. No tips but keep moving till ya get bit. Don't know enough to camp anywhere

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Water Temp: 64- 67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Had to go back and glad I did. They didn't want the brushhog this time so remember I said in the last report that the senko was a good bait of choice. Caught a 10.5 and my partner lost one even bigger. They were in 1ft. to 8ft. of water next to structure on and off shore... flats mainly.Drop shot caught fish also.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Now's the time... Full Moon next week. Go get em'and catch and release for the next guy.

Friday, March 27th, 2015

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

      Report: Hi CLum! Yes, I was there that night. I did a report - some big fish also. My buddy Mike just missed the 10 lb mark! I am cautious about approaching other boats at night, but will look for you now!

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59-62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: The wife and I launched out of Jones Valley for two days of camping/fishing up the Pit arm. The water was about 75 feet down and slightly stained. It was a very calm day and while pitching our tent, I noticed many lizards running around the rocky areas. This was obviously a hint, so I first hooked up a Texas rigged 7 inch rubber lizard and tossed it out. It wasn’t in the water 10 seconds when a 13” spot hit it hard. This was the beginning of a fantastic day. The little lady and I spent all morning throwing rubber lizards in various colors and found that a yellow/green color worked best. Saturday turned windy with white caps all over the lake. This squashed the fantastic bite down to an OK bite. Most fish were found in 5-20 feet of water. They were all red-eyed males (probably setting up spawning nests) as we didn’t catch a single female, and they all ranged 1-1.5lbs. Still enjoyed getting a bite almost every cast and boating 30+ fish! We tried other baits but lizards seemed to be the ticket this weekend. Even hit one crappie and one trout this trip while trolling the shallows with crank-baits. Can’t wait for the females to hit the nests!!!
      City: Cottonwood

      Tips: Take a kid fishing, they will remember it forever!

Thursday, March 26th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at lime saddle about 7am, fished till 10:30. Water another degree warmer this trip. Steep rock banks working best, boulders help. I managed just 11 fish this trip, with half the fish spots, the other half small mouth. Beginning to see lots of suspended fish chasing bait and managed to get a couple, both SM. Fish slow, soft bites. Natural colored worms work best for me. Most fish getting fat with eggs, nice and plump. Biggest today 14 3/4, most 12-14". Funny, ask most fisherman hows the bite and they all say 50 fish days, I say bull crap, just talk. Watched a couple boats and I'm telling you, they are not catching 50 fish per trip, at least not in the N. fork or west fork. Improving bite though.
      City: Magalia

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57-61

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I did another "teach the lake" trip yesterday (Tues), covering a lot of on-shore and off-shore structure. The weather in the morning was windy, cool, with a little rain. I'm sure this moved some bass off the bank - most of the ones we caught were 20 to 30 feet deep. He caught the biggest at 2 3/4 lbs - a smallie-spot hybrid, using a Robo worm. As the sun was coming out and the lake calming down, he had to leave early for business reasons. Ah - life before cell phones!!

      Tips: I can't be much help because the warm days coming up will change the bite - it will get better! Bass should move shallow again - starting to make their bedrooms!!

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: March

      Man, what a nasty two week stretch. Wind, clouds, more wind, more clouds. Despite that
      The surface temps continue to run into the mid 60’s on most afternoons, and the fish have continued to elude most chasing them.

      Last Week

      This past week was no different. BBT had it’s Wine Region event here last Saturday and while it took 36lb to win, more than half of the 86 boat field failed to weigh a limit. Not the norm for Clear Lake in the Spring, and if that weren’t bad enough I checked ion with a half dozen “Top Ten” Pro’s that were pre-fishing for this week’s CTT event. Four of them reported “no keepers” for their weekend efforts. These individuals are guys that are always sniffing around the top ten here and they were pretty frustrated.

      This Week

      Well, so far this week is starting off just like last week. Wind, more wind, and more wind. The result is some pretty dinged up water conditions, and while I’m sure someone will find some fish shallow, it won’t be everyone that’s for sure.

      The Weekend

      Well, we really need this wind to stop and stop for a prolonged period if the water is going to clear at all. My suspicion is it won’t clear before the weekend. Perhaps by
      mid- week next week if it lays down. Either way, the five days of warmer weather forecast should help things somewhat.

      Last Resort

      The minnow bite is off the hook right now, and while that won’t help the tourney guys, anyone who wants a shot at a DD, now is the time. Focus on pre-staged areas and please practice catch and release. Measure her, take a pic, and have a replica made. Call ahead for minnow reservations as I suspect the word is going to get out!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: As always, we released everything!

      Tips: Larry, was that you who came up on us Weds the 4th at Konocti Harbor Resort aroung 10 pm? If so stop by next time & I can tell you how it's going for us. I was in the White Champion with yellow & black stripes!
      Clum553946

    • By

      Water Temp: 56- 59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: We came on Sunday the 22nd & hit the water at 11 PM. We had our lines in the water for 10 minutes when this 10lb 1 oz beauty crushes a jig under a dock in Konocti Bay & we think this is gonna be a great trip! It was, but the bites were sporadic, but the ones we did get were large fish! We had exactly three more strikes for the night & they went 7.11, 7.7 & 1.1, all on jigs. On Monday, got on the water at 6 pm, managed to get a pair of 6's, then got blown off the water. Tuesday, also got on at 6 pm & the wind was howling! Tried Monitor but couldn't keep the boat in place. Went to Wheeler, then Jago trying to find wind breaks. Went into Richmond for some wings, came back out & the wind went slack around 10 pm & so did the bite. We had a 4 & a couple of deuces with a bunch of dinks til the bite & wind went south. Weds. was a nice day & we got on at 2 pm. Ran all over the place, Shag, Henderson, Buckingham Pt, Anderson, Monitor, Konocti, Wheeler, Jago, & Jones & managed to get a bunch of swimbait sized dinks on 6" power worms. Went into dinner & came back out at 2AM. Fished Frazier with no strikes & then went to Wheeler Pt. We weren't getting any bites on the jig so I remembered an old school combination I learned from Larry Hemphill years ago; Rodstrainer Jig with a single tail grug trailer. Figured what the heck & tied one on for Paolo Mangini & he promptly gets crushed by a 10.7 lb beauty. Managed two more at 5.3 & 3.13 & that was it. We threw Double Wide Beavers, Brush Hogs, Blades, Swimbaits, Cranks & Jig 'til our arms were about to fall off & got the big ones on jigs & the sixes on Beavers save for the 7.8 coming on a crankbait. For the trip we had, 10.7, 10.1 7.11, 7.8, 6.6, 6.3, 5.3, 3.13, two 2 lber's & a plethora of dinks!

      Tips: The fish are tremedously fat & healthy. I think because of this, you have to cover a lot of water, throw a gazillion casts, & put the bait right in front of them. There is a big fish bite, but you really have to work for them. We got the majority of strikes on the jig & double wide beaver with the lone exception of the 7.8 hitting a crankbait (our only reaction strike!) Pics are in photo section with Paolo holding the two 10 pounders. This was his first trip to Clear Lake & he's hooked for life on the lake & bass fishing in general! There's still a ton of baitfish in the water & the bass are fat,fat, fat & on the lazy side, not like the last two springs when we were catching 5-9 lber's in droves! I think the summer bite will be lights out this season, hope I'm correct!

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58 - 62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out several times in past 2 weeks, to test everything on my boat...and primarily worked on main body, a bit of North and West forks and some coves/points around. It seems like fish are staging against steep cliffs, and good drop offs around shallow points with some rocks. Averaging about 15 basses each trip, about 3 hours each. Last trip, one spot along the drop off by shallow area, brought bass after bass, on about each cast, about 30 basses. Average size is about 14 to 15 inchers.
      City: PARADISE

      Tips: Texas rigged worms in pumpkin color, and senkos...Work the bait very slow! No reaction action yet!

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: 59-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing was off the hook in the morning. First cast on a jerkbait a small stripper, then pick up a flippin' stick with a brushhog (watermelon red) 1/2 oz. tungsten and picked up 6 bass on my first pass on this flat with lay downs. Biggest was a 6 lber., they're just starting to move up cause all were in perfect shape, not a mark on them. Started at 7am and had 10 fish by 9am, all caught a released. About 10 am they stopped hitting the hog and switched to dropshot and got them to eat a morning dawn robo worm, also got one on a spinnerbait. Tried a jig and got dumped no takers. Now's the time , fish your strength and go have fun.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Didn't fish a senko but should have, a good bait choice to try. Good Luck

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57 to 62.5

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I went out Friday with Judge and John. Our first stop was to show them the fish in Willy's ski school. I couldn't find their bedding area but saw four nice size female bass and one male swimming around in three feet of crystal clear water by a fallen tree did our best to catch them but they weren't interested in any bait we threw out. After spending almost an hour getting frustrated we headed to my favorite location. We fished in two to four feet of water using Carolina rig, texas brass and glass and a top water chugger with good results. John was throwing the chugger into very shallow water many times without any success he was ready to change his bait but decided to try one more cast and it was worth it a 5.5 pound bass hit the chugger at full speed and the fight was on. From this point on he was hooked and his full limit of bass were caught on top water baits. Judge was using brass and glass with senko 6" worm I told him to slither it slowly along the bottom and on the first tap you feel set the hook. He caught a few nice bass using this method. We had a very good day (see photos). Judge had such a good time he joined me and Albert the next day too. On Sunday Greely and his son Elijah went out with me for a few hours. I went to the same spot I had fished on Friday. Elijah was using a Carolina rig set up with a baby red and black brush hog slathered with Procure crawdad scent and he landed the first bass of the day which he successfully brought to the boat (he is eight years old). He was so happy I gave him the brush hog and he's dad told me he brought it to school for show and tell. We only fished a couple of hours but had a great time. I enjoyed watching the father and son bonding (see photo). 'til next time......................................................good fishing!!!!!!!

      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any questions or stories you would like to share or would like to book a guided fishing trip please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
      City: San Francisco

      Tips: Lake is down 28 feet use caution when fishing points and shallow waters

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 63.5

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Starting to get a litter clearer in the back sloughs. Fished Big Break. High tide was at 5:50AM. Was on the water around 7AM and fished until 11:30 before the weather started to change. Wind non-existent to about 5MPH. Caught 16 LMB with biggest around 3 pounds. Most were in the 1.5 to 2 pound range. Fun day. Had a few nibbles throwing a slip-sinker with flapping hog but no takers.
      City: Orinda

Saturday, March 21st, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-64

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Spent a bunch of time fishing from the drop offs but then found 'em in tules shallow. Only managed one decent size fish.

      https://youtu.be/ZKADE5Sf0z0
      City: San Mateo

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Club tournament, but there was also a Future Pro tournament going on at the same time. 100 boats launching at the same time with only 1 ramp with 2 lanes open...no good!!

      I hadn't fished this lake since I was a kid so I went in blind. Everything looks the same, all submerged trees. Water was really clear and then when the wind picked up it created at mud line. Lots of 13" fish throughout the day, could not find any big fish. I caught most on finesse, a couple on a shad color swim jig, one on a spinnerbait, and one on an A-Rig (which I ended up losing the rig in a submerged tree). Back seat was catching the same fish over and an over again everywhere we went fishing a finesse worm.

      I went there expecting to through big baits all day, but couldn't find anywhere where I felt like I could cast it w/o getting snagged in the trees. Tough day, I took 8th with 7.72 and 1st was 8.69 with a 2.7 big fish...terrible, when the week before 1st was 30lbs..

      Tips: I can't offer much in the form or a tip for this lake, other than if the water level is the same in the summer I'll be back to throw topwater all day. Green pumpkin worms either drop shot or other finesse styles and be prepared to re-tie all day.

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55-58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Mike Sperbeck and I made our first trip to this beautiful lake (especially in the spring!) on Wed, and found the bite to be kinda slow. Usually I catch the big smallie when we fish there, but it was his turn this trip. Not a monster, but a solid 4 lb smallie. He landed 3 or 4 other smallies while I got 2 largemouth at 2 1/2 lbs and a smaller one. They all seemed to be at the 10 to 20 foot depth! We really covered most of the lake and found on here and one there! We didn't stay for the evening bite - if there was one!

      Tips: Small beaver type baits worked the best - mostly in green pumpkin color. I caught one of the largemouth on a 6" Robo worm - MM111 color. I forget what Mike was using for the big smallie. Points seemed to be the preferred structure they were using. I think the north wind - though not real bad - did prevent a better bite. It was a post front kind of day!!

Thursday, March 19th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 54-58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Forgot to post my last few trips, mostly because I did really terrible for 3-4 weeks prior to today and busy and forgot to post. Getting just a few fish-3-5 per trip, just couldn't find them. Today was better, launched at Lime Saddle and fished mostly north fork north and south of west fork. Just about all my fish from steep rocky banks or narrow, steep points. No fish on basic banks or coves. Managed 10 fish today, with one at 16", and funny, got a giant blue gill, dinner plate size, had to be over a pound. Somehow He got hooked with a roboworm texas style. All other fish basic 13 inch stuff. Guessing a few more weeks 3-4 and the bite will be full on like we all like it. Catching a blue gill is a good sign, both fish mingle together many times and are moving up.
      City: Magalia

Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Why does one guide for bass on a day after a 97 boat tournament and all the other fishing boats? Because that is when the clients have to go - so we did!! Actually, the fishing was pretty fair in the main body. I had one pretty good young angler and one that had never caught a bass before - his second bass trip. Well, we got that monkey off our back when his first bass hit the net at 3 lbs - smallie!! The experienced fellow - and probable future pro, caught 3 or 4 with his biggest also a 3 lb smallie. They really were twins. I was showing them some of my favorite baits and colors and did manage a few quality bass - the biggest a 4 lb largemouth. We only wound up with 7 or 8 bass, but a respectful 13 1/2 - 14 lbs. Most of our bites were on various color 6" Robo worms, 4" Berkley Chigger Quads, and similar baits.

      Tips: We fished main body points and ledges. We actually found a few quality smallies in the back of one of the large coves - about 5 feet deep. We didn't throw anything with treble hooks.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Bass fishing The River continue to be good - Excellent all weekend. The fish are moving up and down in many areas, gotta bounce around till ya find the right group. If yer only catchin 2 pounders all over in less than 3 feet, yer in the wrong area. Best bite all week has been out in the grass flats where ya got 4-7 foot. A variety of baits have worked for us including weightless Yamamoto baits, Flipshotting, T-rig and the Jig. Still not many bites during the day with a blade, V-jig, paddle tail or cranks, Sign show it's comming!

      Tips: Be patient, fish methodically slow and GIT OFF THE BANK! They are not spawning yet, just the juvenile , virgin males are up makin ya think so. It's not about how the weather feels to us above the water, in that River bass' word, they're gorging and getting ready to pass the Winter Transition and go to spring pre-spawn, then we'll git all them staging hens up there!

Saturday, March 14th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59-62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Cloudy and no wind. Lake like glass all day. 7.25 pounder on first cast(wow), but slow rest of day with some dinks and a 2.25 thrown in.
      City: Reno