Fishing report April 5-11: Dick Nichols says it’s time to test Shaver Lake for trout action
Compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
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Best bets
Delta sturgeon top species, Alan Fong reported. McClure bass bite solid, Mike Gomez said. Millerton spotted bass on solid bite, Tas Moua reported. New Melones trout and bass hitting, John Liechty reported. Pine Flat bass on the hunt, Michael Crayne said. Don Pedro trout action good, Monte Smith reported.
Roger’s remarks: Here comes an epic season on the water
A few predictions about the coming boating and fishing season:
It’s going to be an epic year for the number of boaters and anglers who will be getting out on the water wherever and whenever they can. The last few years of drought, low water, atmospheric rivers and COVID restrictions has everyone suffering from cabin fever. The rain and flooding the last three months has done nothing but build the pressure on a shorter season.
There will be more boats stuck at the dock or needing a tow back to the ramp than we’ve ever seen before. Most boaters have been delaying their first trips until later than usual, which leads to bad things happening at the lake. There will be plenty of dead batteries, corroded terminals, water-filled bilges and folks who still haven’t learned how to back down a trailer.
It might be a good idea to do some freelance video filming at the docks as the myriad anxious boaters and jet skiers vie for a place to launch. Some of the ensuing confrontations would surely make good TikTok material.
There will be lots of new, high-powered boats that the kids will be piloting for almost the first time. How hard can it be to drive them, they ask? Jet ski flotillas will spring up, too. Lots more water plus frenetic people trying to recreate and relax means it’s going to be crazier than ever.
Everyone is overly anxious about getting out, and the expected full reservoirs have just ramped up our juices that much more. Be proactive at the dock, on the water, and when you’re fishing. “Be the grease, not the squeak” when you get to the lake and the boats are lined up 20 deep. Breathe deep. We’ve finally got what we’ve dreamt of getting – a lot of water. Be thankful. Never give up!
Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com, Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
The aqueduct continues to transfer cold, muddy water from the south Delta into the massive water conveyance system, but the flows have slowed due to San Luis Reservoir being 2 feet from capacity. Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle said, “The striper action is starting to pick up south of Manning Avenue with jerkbaits such as DuoRealis 120 SPs or 130 SPs.” Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild added, “It has been tough for a long time in the aqueduct due to the cold, muddy water, but spring is clearly on its way, and we expect some great fishing in the coming weeks. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 80s this weekend, and with the lack of fishing pressure for months, the bite should be really good.”
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported, “Wide-open flows in the aqueduct continue to create tough fishing conditions, and the best bet has been to soak chicken livers, cut baits, or dip bait for catfish. We expect the striper bite to take off in the coming weeks with the warmer weather. Carp are found on dough bait while largemouth bass are taken on plastics in the eddies before and after the headgates.” Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill confirmed the solid catfish bite, saying, “There hasn’t been much flow lately, and catfishing with anchovies is best while striped bass are hard to find in the dirty water.”
The next Striperz Gone Wild tournament is the second annual Haley Lauchland Memorial Aqueduct Tournament on April 22 at the Hilldale Bridge. The entry fee is 10 cans of unexpired food to be donated to the local food bank in Los Banos. Sterling said, “We have chosen the food donation as a tournament entry since Merced County has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in our nation. It’s our way of combining a community fishing event for adults and children with the bigger picture of community need.”
With the cold water and rapid flows, anglers have to use extreme caution to avoid slipping into the deadly torrents. The following safety tips are provided by the Department of Water Resources:
When you fish, stand back from the Aqueduct’s sloping concrete sides. They are steep, slippery, and difficult to climb. You could easily slide right into the water.
Wear rubber-soled shoes for safe footing at the Aqueduct.
If you go to the Aqueduct to fish, look around for the safety ladders and lines. Safety ladders along both sides of the Aqueduct are spaced 500 feet apart and marked by bright yellow paint. The safety lines are strung on plastic floats, close to bridges and other structures that cross the Aqueduct. These ladders and lines can save your life.
Do not go into the water to land a fish, recover fishing gear, or any other reason. It’s too dangerous—the current is swift below the surface.
Take your own drinking water. The Aqueduct water has not been treated and is not safe to drink.
Don’t play close to the aqueduct.
Do not climb structures or fish from bridges crossing the Aqueduct. They are not safe fishing spots.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 1
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun said, “Eastman is starting to clear up a bit, and anglers are either finding solid fishing or striking out. Crankbaits or jigs in bright colors are working best in the off-color water.” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle added, “Central Valley Kayak Fishing held a tournament on Saturday, and local Damian Thao took first with a limit at 85 inches.” Thao had just returned from his second-place finish at the BassMaster Kayak tournament in Tennessee.
Most boaters continue to go through the back way to Eastman from Hensley as boaters should get updates on Avenue 26b between Roads 27 and 29 – the main road to Eastman. Road 29 is open on the backside of the lake. Hensley is slightly clearer than Eastman, but bass fishing remains slow. Carp are all over the shallows. Eastman dropped 5 feet to 568.30 feet in elevation and 80% while Hensley also dropped 7 feet to 506.58 feet in elevation and 50%.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing continues to find solid action trolling for rainbow trout within the top 10 feet of the surface with either blade/’crawler combinations or Power Grubs on sideplaners or ExCel spoons on lead core line at 3 to 4 colors at 1.5 mph. The water has warmed up slightly, but it is still cold. The key is finding clear water. For bass, Mike Gomez of the Bait Barn in Waterford said, “It has been a very tough bite as I expected to find a shallow bite, but there was nothing in the shallows. Everything came from 20 to 40 feet with umbrella rigs, underspins, or plastics on the drop-shot. I tried glide bait and topwater lures first thing in the morning, but most of my fish came on either underspins or on the drop-shot. It was tough to get bite, but when you did, it was a solid fish in the 2.5- to 3-pound range.” The lake dropped 3 feet to 806.72 feet in elevation and from 88% to 86%.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Kyle Wise, Head Hunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Fishing (559) 691-7008
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
The lake has risen to 59% and 2,582.66 feet in elevation, rising a foot this week despite 4,401 cfs of release out of the dam at First Point. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported, “Three boat docks were placed back in service on this past Wednesday at the South Fork Recreation, Old Isabella Road, and Camp 9. Boaters are reminded to proceed with caution due to debris that’s gathered in lake from the upper Kern River.” The 32nd annual Kern County Chamber of Commerce Trout Fishing Derby was postponed from its April 1 start, and it will now occur from May 20 through June 4. Registration is $40/angler with youth at $15/angler. The derby has 500 tagged trout worth between $20 and $10,000 and over $55,000 in cash and prizes. Registration and information at kernrivervalley.com/isabellalakefishingderby.
In the Kern River, the flows are still high at 963 cfs at Kernville due to snowmelt. There have been several recent trout plants, but the water is cold and dirty. At 1st Point below the dam, the high flows have created difficult access. The lower Kern near Bakersfield is kicking out smallmouth bass with plastics, crankbaits, or spinnerbaits while catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait or nightcrawlers.
At the local lakes, Cope’s Tackle and Rod reported bass are moving into the shallows at Ming, and flukes, Senkos in green pumpkin, the new Yamamoto Senko in green pumpkin, or Peanut Butter and Jelly are working on either a Neko or Texas-rig. Bluegill are taken on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms while crappie are found in the warmer water in the afternoons with live minnows or minijigs. Hart Park’s largemouth bass have moved into the shallows and are starting to make beds. Senkos, Brush Hogs, or crawdad-patterned crankbaits are working while catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, garlic-scented nightcrawlers, or cut bait. Similar to Ming, blue are found on red worms, meal worms, or wax worms under a bobber. At Buena Vista, the few holdover trout are taken on Power Bait or crappie jigs while most anglers are focused on crappie with small minnows, minijigs, or Keitech swimbaits.
Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816
Lake Kaweah
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournament scheduled for this past weekend was postponed until April 15-16. The lake dropped an amazing 38 feet to 677.41 feet in elevation and from spilling to 61% within the week. Cope’s Tackle and Rod reported, “The lake remains choked with debris, and boating is hazardous. Both Lemon Hill and Slick Rock launch ramps are open.” A trout plant was scheduled a few weeks ago, and with limited access, the rainbow trout will be able to disperse throughout the lake without fishing pressure. The Kaweah River dropped from 2,015 to 1,982 cfs.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped 25 feet to 630.20 feet in elevation and from 111% to 50%. Fishing has been placed on hold in the high and muddy lake loaded with floating debris. A trout plant was scheduled two weeks ago, and with the lake having limited access, the trout will be able to settle before fishing pressure starts. Monday’s wind should push the floating debris onto the banks and into the shorelines.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Two bass tournaments were held over the weekend, and the winning weights ranged from over 12 to over 17 pounds. Bill Kunz of St. Croix Rods took second place in the California Bass Federation Boater Division on Sunday after finding a great bite for over 17 pounds pre-fishing a few days before the tournament. The lake dropped 13 feet to 825.13 feet in elevation and from 82% to 74%, and this is the highest it has been in years after starting at 20% just a few months ago. There is debris on and below the surface. Mike Gomez of the Bait Barn in Waterford said, “The bass must be up into the shallows this week due to the solid tournament weights.” Crappie are found with live minnows or minijigs near structure. Eventually, the high water will pay dividends for the spotted and largemouth bass population as new areas are open along with new sources of food.”
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008
McSwain Reservoirs
Trout2
The annual Merced Irrigation District Lake McSwain Spring Trout Derby took place over the weekend, and heavy trout plants were released prior to the derby. Bank fishing from the Handicapped Docks, Brush Pile, or the peninsula near the Marina has been best with chartreuse or bright colors of Power Bait along with inflated nightcrawlers or gold Kastmasters. Trollers are finding the best action in the river arm with ruby red Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger. The lake is at 104% and spilling due to water releases from Lake McClure.
Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 3 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 1
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “I was out on the lake on Sunday, and the visibility is limited at 6 inches at best around Finegold. The water is pouring in from the inlets, and it is carrying mud and sediment. The main lake is a bit clearer, and we found scattered pockets of clear water ranging from 55 to 60 degrees. There is a good underspin, umbrella rig, crankbait, or jerkbait bite in the shallows as the bass are found in less than 20 feet of water. Jigs and plastics on the drop-shot are also effective.” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle confirmed the solid bass bite, saying, “There have been some quality largemouths coming out of the lake, and anglers are working the Madera side banks for crappie with minijigs.” 559 Bait and Tackle is anticipated to open within the next two weeks. The lake dropped 24 feet to 530.66 feet in elevation and from 79% to 61% as releases remain high at 8,328 cfs down the San Joaquin River at Friant. Sycamore Island will be open all seven days this week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beginning April 3, Monday through Friday will be free to enter the park. The $9 day use fee will still be in place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2
John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Experience said, “We have finally made it to spring, and we have a ton of water at the lake. This weekend’s cold front slowed the bite down, but we have been averaging between 40 and 80 bass per trip using soft plastics while I have been taking the occasional swimbait trip for quality spotted bass to 5 pounds. It’s time for the bass to move up, and they are finally trying. There is plenty of flooded grass to bring new nutrients into the lake, and I expect the bass bite to be outstanding in the coming weeks.” Kyle Wise of HeadHunter Guide Service continues to find quick limits of holdover rainbow trout to 19 inches in the top 20 feet with small spoons or Rapalas. The lake rose 14 feet to 992.38 feet in elevation this week and 58% with heavy inflow from the upper watershed. The Tuttletown dock is now in the water.
Downstream Lake Tulloch has been outstanding for bass fishing within the past month, but cold and dirty water arriving from New Melones slowed the bite to a crawl over the weekend.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun reported, “The bite has been good around the Trimmer ramp to the left for both bass and crappie, and there are crappie taken by the houseboats, as well. The best action has been in the main lake in less than 20 feet of water.” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle added, “The crappie bite has been on and off this year, but the buck bass in the 12- to 15-inch range are moving into the shallows.” The lake dropped 13 feet to 896.83 feet in elevation and from 77% to 71% despite high water releases at Trimmer. The flows on the lower Kings have fallen from 3,763 to 3,014 cfs, but the high flows remain dangerous for bank anglers. In the lower Kings, trout plants over the past several weeks, but with the high water levels, fishing access has been limited.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 1
Heavy pumping continues from the south Delta, and the lake has risen from 90% to 98% this week. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that he scouted around the whole lake on Saturday and the stripers were very suspended and not active. “The bite has yet to turn on and out of almost 20 boats on Saturday, only three caught one or two fish according to the Dino entrance aide checking the boats out. It’s been very tough, but the water is getting clearer. I think that between the still rising water, a full moon on Wednesday, a low-pressure wind event, and low visibility that the bite is still in transition,“ George said.
The forebay has been the best bet for largemouth bass with small swimbait such as Keitechs, umbrella rigs, plastics, or jigs. The bass are getting ready to spawn and moving into the shallows. Striperz Gone Wild will be assisting with the Los Banos 4H Kid’s Derby at the forebay from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15. The forebay rose to 76% in spite of releases down the California Aqueduct.
Wind warning and lake closure lights are used on San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay to alert boaters of current wind conditions. On San Luis Reservoir, watch for the three wind warning and lake closure lights near the Basalt Entrance Station, Quien Sabe Point, and the Romero Visitor Center. On the O’Neill Forebay, wind warning lights are located near the old Medeiros boat ramp and above the South Beach Area. Amber lights signify caution conditions for winds or other concerns while red lights indicate the lake is closed to boating and all vessels are required to immediately vacate the lake when the red lake closure lights are on.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954; windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said, “There are lots of shore anglers and even some people trolling as I am sure the fish are biting with this beautiful weather. The dock still isn’t fixed, but the water level is looking good for this time of year. The best bite time has been from 8 a.m. to noon at depths from 12 to 20 feet. Trolling is best with Dick’s Trout Busters behind a Mountain dodger or Rocky Mountain Tackle’s spinners. This is what I use. Be sure to get some Berkley Maggots for bait or nightcrawlers to tip off your hook.”
The annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is April 29-30. There will be over $55,000 in total cash prizes with two $10,000 tagged fish, one $5,000 tagged fish, 150 tags for $100, and 847 tags for $20. Derby registration is $25/adult and $15/youth under 16. Registration and information at basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. The lake rose slightly to 75%. A webcam of the launch ramp is at basslakeca.com.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass Lakes are out of play until late spring as heavy snow fell in the region.
Call: Road conditions 297-0706; Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 1 Trout 2
Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle said, “It’s time to go fishing and test Shaver Lake for some trout action. With beautiful weather under sunny skies this past Saturday, Clovis brothers Rick and Rob Scheidt hit the water about 9 a.m. and they had to maneuver a tad on the icy Sierra ramp but launched without too much difficulty. The Scheidts reported a quick bite from trout bagging five rainbows quickly using Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with nightcrawler behind a weighted Dick’s Mountain Flasher in the Sierra Marina area before the bite died mid-morning. Jay Irvine and Ralph Perry from Chowchilla were on the lake on Sunday morning hoping to catch one of the hungry trout that had been hit hard by all the snow. The fishing was slow as the surface water temps were in the 39/40-degree range. They landed a 16-inch brown trout on a gold and black Rapala on the downrigger at 10 feet and hooked two rainbow trout on side rods and about 3 to 6 feet with Metallica action bugs behind Dick’s Mountain flashers. Irvine said, “The mountain flashers worked much better than dodgers because of the fish chasing bait fish. The best speed was 1.7 mph. The brown was caught by Boy Scout Cove with the rainbows landed along the ice edge at Stevenson.” The marinas are scheduled to open April 15. It will take some additional time for higher-elevation Huntington to dig out. A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
Heavy snow continues to fall in the region, pushing the traditional McKinley Grove Road opening further into April.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 1 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3
Similar to the other small coastal communities, the ocean salmon closure is a devastating blow to the local economy. Surf perch and land-based rockfishing are the only game in town until May 1 below Pigeon Point. The Pacifica Pier remains the best location to score up to 10-crab limits of legal-size using snares from the shorelines, but with the inclement weather, the pier is subject to temporary closure. The first ocean action will take place south of Pigeon Point for rockfish as it opens below in the Central Management Area from May 1 through Sept. 30 at all depths. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line.
Call: Captain Michael Cabanas, New Captain Pete (510) 677-7054; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Striper 2 White seabass 1 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 2
Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Fishing is getting better as we move slowly toward the spring season on Monterey Bay. Surfcasters are successful if they pick the right spot, and offshore fishing is booming, if you don’t mind small fish. Perch fishing was tough near Santa Cruz last week. We received few reports of successful surfcasting from the beaches near town. The water cleaned up nicely after weekend storms and wave action was gentle. It’s still a matter of “right place, right time.” Beaches that were producing big gray belly barred perch last week were bestowing blanks this week. The larger broad beaches towards Watsonville seemed to be productive, especially on the high tides. On a more positive note, we’re getting an increase in the number of striped bass caught locally. Most of the stripers reported were schoolie sized fish, likely young ones recently flushed from the Pajaro and Salinas rivers. We’ve not seen any significant concentration of stripers yet, but so far it’s looking better than last year. We just might have another productive striper year in 2023. Todd Arcaleo from Chris’ Sportfishing in Monterey is sending one or two boats out every weekend, as they can gather clients. Once on the water, the skipper will head toward deep water to find schools of Petrale sole and the delicious sand dab flatfish for the boat. The Checkmate made it out on Monday with a light load of nine anglers aboard. The group loaded up with “lots of” sand dabs and 74 Dungeness crab along with 15 rock crab. The ‘dabs might not be big, but the numbers are astronomical. On any given trip, an angler can catch more than enough to feed the family and neighbors or stock the freezer for summertime bait. However you look at it, it’s going to be a very different season. Rockfish does not open until May 1 this year. But there are no depth restrictions until Oct. 1. Anglers may fish as deep as they please for rockcod. It’s been many years since the areas deeper than 300 feet were accessible to us. This year’s regulations open vast areas that have experienced virtually no fishing pressure for many years, and host a wide variety of deep-water rockfish seldom hooked inside of 300 feet. In October the nearshore areas inside of 300 feet will be closed down to rockcod fishing, and the deeper areas will stay open until Dec. 31. And, of course all are lamenting the loss of salmon season for this year though most agree it is the prudent move with the low counts recorded by the fisheries scientists. The economic impact of a closed salmon season is yet to be determined but undoubtedly will be significant for our local fishing industry and related service providers.”
Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing in Monterey is running crab/sand dab/Petrale sole combination trips until the May 1 rockfish opener depending upon weather and interest. Below Pigeon Point will be the only game in town for nearshore rockfish until the other ports north of Pigeon open at unlimited depths on July 16.
Surf perch and shore-based rockfishing are the only game in town until rockfishing opens below in the Central Management Area from May 1 through Sept. 30 at all depths. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Similar to the other ports, the salmon closure is devastating news to this location.
Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 3 Striper 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
Halibut fishing in the south bay remains strong for the early season with party boats scoring nearly two fish per rod while six packs are finding three fish limits. With live bait still several weeks away, trolling frozen anchovies or herring on a bounce-ball rig is the way to go, and the private, six-pack, and party boat pressure is intense from Coyote Point on the Peninsula to the Alameda Rockwall on the East Bay side. In addition to party boats such as the New Captain Pete from Half Moon Bay arriving to target halibut, several six-packs out of Bodega Bay have also relocated to the bay for halibut and striped bass. With all of the pressure, there is a movement to reduce the daily bag limit to two halibut during the salmon closure. Captain Chris Smith on the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley Marina had a great day on Saturday, finally finding the halibut in the extreme south bay in the late afternoon. He said, “We must have put in 30 fish between 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. as we were all out there trying to post a score. I found some bait as the bait has been scarce in the bay, and once the tide got right, they started climbing on, ending up with 41 halibut for 19 anglers.”
The six-packs, Codfather and Pacific Angler out of Alameda, have been on the fish for some time, and they posted a combined 12 limits of halibut by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The tides were outstanding for halibut over the weekend, and Sunday’s scores were even better. Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions has returned to Pier 45 in San Francisco, and he found great halibut success on his inaugural trips to the south bay for halibut.
Boats won’t be venturing outside the Golden Gate until at least May 15 when the rockfish season opens seaward of the 50-fathom curve through July 15. Smith and the Pacific Dream will start exploratory trips for deepwater rockfish on May 15th. Even then, most of the interest will remain inside the bay, especially when live bait begins to be available at the San Francisco bait receiver. The date for the first availability of live bait is fluid, ranging from April to early June, depending upon when the anchovies make their presence felt.
Call: Captain Trent Slate, Bite Me Charters (415) 307-8582; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388
San Luis Obispo
Surf perch 2
The boat-based rockfish season will not reopen for boat-based anglers until May 1 where it will be open from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception south of Morro Bay at all depths through September 30. From October 1 through December 31, the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50-fathom line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. The boats will focus on nature trips while surf perch action will take center stage. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are at 805webcams.com.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
Heavy water releases out of Lakes Oroville and Folsom along with drainage from the rainstorms has resulted in a rush of cold and muddy water flowing down the Sacramento River into the Delta, putting striped bass and largemouth bass action on hold while sturgeon fishing remains the top show in town. The Yolo Bypass remains flooded, and silt and sediment from the plowed ground in the bypass adds to the sediment load in the river.
Alan Fong of Alan Fong’s Outdoors continues to work the north Delta for largemouth bass, and he said, “The river is starting to clear up in the north, and it is warming up slightly. The bass bite has been tough, but I have been able to find some largemouths to 8 pounds on chatterbaits in the shallows this week. Once the temperatures are consistently in the 70’s during the daytime and 40’s at night, everything will break out, and it will be a banner year with all of this water.”
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for the Best Bass Tournament Delta/Wine Division at Russo’s Marina on Saturday, and there were 76 boats in the event. The largemouth bass bite remains challenging at best in the cold and dirty water with 30 of the boats not weighing in a fish, but those who were on them found quality limits. The winning team flipped plastics on 17-pound fluorocarbon with 3/8 ounces in weight in the shallows on the incoming tide along banks with rock and lay-down tules for 20.16 pounds. Spinnerbaits with Colorado blades were another effective technique. Pringle said, “This has been one of the most difficult April bass bites on the Delta in memory.”
Pringle is also the tournament director of the Western Bass Shootout held April 13-16 at Discovery Park in Sacramento with 50 of the top bass anglers on the West Coast participating by invitation only with a Bass Cat vessel at stake. The anglers have been chosen from the FLW Elite, the U.S. Open, the Wild West Bass Trails Pro/Am, and the Wild West Bass Trails Apex Circuit. There will be a Bassmaster-style weigh in with the boats driving into the arena. However, high water conditions may continue through mid-April at Discovery Park, perhaps forcing the tournament to seek another location such as B and W Resort in Sacramento County.
The smaller tides over the weekend slowed down the sturgeon bite in Suisun Bay, but the diamondbacks remain in the Delta between Sherman Island and the Carquinez Bridge. Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing took first place during the Captain’s Challenge ‘Catch and Release’ Sturgeon Derby this week with a total of an oversized, three slot-limit fish, and a pair of shakers. Most captains struggled for a few opportunities despite the number of fish swimming under the boat. Most six-pack operators are wrapping up their Delta operation and heading for striped bass and halibut in San Francisco Bay.
The Hammerdown/Nor Cal Fish Whisperers Annual Spring Striped Bass Derby at B and W Resort near Isleton raised $5,000 for the Purple Heart Veteran Anglers, Inc. Striped bass fishing was tough in the stained water, but there were winning fish in the target length of 21 to 25 inches with the heaviest fish taking the top spots.
As the water clears, striped bass fishing is ready to bust out from Rio Vista to Collinsville. The stripers have been pushing up from San Pablo Bay straight through the muddy water of the Delta into the upper Sacramento and Feather Rivers. Striper trollers will start finding great action along the West Bank with both deep- and shallow-running lures such as P-Line’s Predators or Angry Eyes or Yo-Zuri’s Crystal Minnows.
Heavy water releases from the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced Rivers into the San Joaquin and their tributaries, combined with heavy rains, continue into the lower San Joaquin River. However, the restriction area has been decreased to the river below Mossdale. While the closure is in place, bridges in the affected area other than the Orwood Railroad Bridge, Bacon Island Bridge, and MacDonald Island Bridge will open on an emergency basis only. Bridge and tide information is at deltaboating.com/tides/tidesj.html. Questions should be directed to the SJ County OES at (209) 953-6200. Boaters should check the status of the closures and high tide restrictions at sjready.org/assets/docs/winterStorm/River%20Closure%20Map%2003282023.pdf.
Due to the potential levee damage from boat wakes, particularly at high tide, sections of the south Delta remain closed to recreational boating until further notice. Waves against the levees, particularly at high tides may cause erosion to the levee which increases the threat to the levees. The closures are dependent upon the water levels in the Delta which will fluctuate with rain events along with the definite possibility of closures again during the spring or early summer due to snow melt from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828
Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez
Bass 2 White bass 1 Striper 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2
Nacimiento rose to 91% of capacity, and the water is still very dirty. Reports remain on the slow side, but the bite is improving. Some spotted bass took finesse baits and Senkos in 10 to 30 feet of water. There were also reports of white bass on vertical spoons and crappie taking minijigs and small swimbaits over submerged structure. Lopez Lake is currently at 100.8%, and it is spilling for the first time in 25 years. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam. At Nacimiento, the lake has risen to 92%, and heavy debris on and below the surface along with cold and muddy water are keeping nearly all anglers off of the lake. The bite is improving slightly with finesse plastics or Senkos while white bass are found over the shad schools on vertical spoons. Crappie are found with small Keitech swimbaits or minijigs over structure. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam. At Santa Margarita, the lake continues to spill over, and it is at 102.3%. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california. At San Antonio, the lake rose from 54% to 65%, and the lake is muddy with debris on the surface. It will take some time to clear before fishing is back in action. Once the lake clears, fishing could be as good as it has been in recent memory for bass, catfish, and crappie.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Tournament Results
Delta/Russo’s Marina –- Best Bass Tournaments Delta/Wine Division – April 1: 1st – Clayton Williams/Steven Tragoutsis – 20.16; 2nd – Mark Casey/Ed Christo – 19.49 (Big Fish – 7.39); 3rd – Jake Howard/Xavier Rodney Green – 18.91.
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies – April 1: 1st – Bill Martin/Marshall Horseley – 5.60; 2nd – Angelo Quierolo/Melissa Guest – 3.00; 3rd – Wes Marks/Gabriel Contreras – 2.30.
Lake McClure - April 1: 1st – Leng and Neng Yang – 17.19; 2nd – Jerrod Voight/Steven LaRussa – 12.61; 3rd – Jason Horn/Dusty Mart – 12.27.
Central Valley Kayak Fishing – April 1: 1st – Damian Thao; 2nd – John Myers; 3rd – Gabriel Falcon. Big Fish – Jeremy Sierra
Lake McClure – California Bass Federation – Boater Division April 2: 1st –Timmy Wells – 11.46; 2nd – Bill Kunz – 10.70; 3rd – Eddie Hinojosa – 10.12. Big Fish – Clayton Cope – 4.31.
Lake McClure – California Bass Federation – Non-Boater Division April 2: 1st –Tim Chase – 9.17; 2nd – Jason Horn – 8.43; 3rd – Brian Orange – 8.12 (Big Fish – 3.31).
Upcoming Tournaments (Dates and locations subject to change)
April 7
Don Pedro – E and J Gallo Winery
April 8
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
McClure – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s
Pine Flat – Bass 101
April 9
Delta/B and W Resort – CA BASS Nation Kayak
April 14-16
Sacramento/Discovery Park – Western Bass Shootout
April 15
New Melones – Big Water Adventures
Tulloch – Kerman Bass Club
Don Pedro – Angler’s Press/Tri Valley BassMasters
Success – Lahu Bass Club
Santa Margarita – Best Bass Tournaments
April 16
Tulloch – Fresno Bass Club
McClure – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Eastman – Slay Nation Tournaments
April 18
Don Pedro – Mid Valley Agriculture
April 19
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Major League Fishing
April 20-22
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Major League Fishing
April 22-23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kern County BassMasters
Camanche – Bass Anglers of Northern California
April 22
Delta/Sandy Beach – Central Valley Anglers Striped Bass Derby
Tulloch – Yak-A-Bass
Don Pedro - Wild West Bass Trails
Eastman – Sheet Metal Workers #104
Bass Lake – Sierra Bass Club
Success – Golden Empire Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Association
Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Lopez – American Bass Association
April 23
Millerton – California Bass Federation
Bass Lake – Kings River Bass Club
April 29-30
Don Pedro – Bakersfield Bass Club
Bass Lake – Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby
April 29
New Melones – Christian Bass League
Eastman – Mid-Valley Bass Club
April 30
Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
