Fishing report, Aug. 16-Aug. 22: Aqueduct water level lowering but still running fast.
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
Don Pedro big king salmon biting, Monte Smith said. McClure trout bite solid, Dave Hurley reported. . New Melones kicking out big Kokanee and catfish, Kyle Wise reported. Pine Flat bass action best in area, Michael Crayne said. San Luis stripers on solid bite, Bill Sterling reported.
Roger’s remarks
Roger George’s column will return.
rogergeorge8@protonmail.com , Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild has been fishing the California Aqueduct a few times per week, and he said, “The water is about half of what it was last week, but it is still running fast in the north aqueduct. I caught and released a quality striped bass before the sun came up with a blue/chrome Rat-L-Trap. Once the sun came up, the bite just died. I went to the dirt canals and landed a largemouth bass pushing 3 pounds. Earlier in the week, I released a 5-pound largemouth. Fishing is decent, but you have to put your time in and work the moving water. The Lucky Craft Pointer 120 in Sexy Shad has been my go-to lure.”
Striperz Gone Wild’s Three-Year Anniversary ‘Fall Classic’ Striper Derby, 5 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Hilldale Bridge with a BBQ, 50/50 raffle, and prizes in the adult and youth divisions. They are also helping with the upcoming City of Gustine Kid’s Derby at the Schmidt Duck Pond on Sept. 30.
In the south aqueduct below the O’Neill Forebay, weeds and debris are creating challenging conditions, and bait fishermen are having to use at much as 5 ounces of weight to stay down on the bottom. Lug worms, cut bait, or nightcrawlers coated with garlic scent are best for stripers while catfish are taken on Triple S Dip Bait, cut baits, or chicken livers. Largemouth bass are active around the floating mats with plastics or topwater lures.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474 ; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Michael John Myers of Western Bass reported tough fishing during last the Saturday, Aug. 12, Slay Nation Kayak Tournament with the winning length coming at 38 inches by Eli Veregge using a 3 1/2-inch plastic on a drop-shot rig along a main lake point. The second-place finish came in 14 1/2 inches behind while the third-place finisher landed a single 17-inch largemouth for big fish of the tournament. The crappie fry are thick, looking like clouds of baitfish, and the bass are loading up on the ssmall crappie, bluegill, and baby bass. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Eastman is picking up a bit for bass as the fish are loading up on bait fish, but bluegill and catfish remain the best bet. There is a limited crappie bite at Hensleywith minijigs in the submerged brush.” Eastman dropped 4 feet to 553 1/4-feet in elevation and 64% with Hensley also dropping 5 1/2 feet to about 506 feet in elevation and 48% as water releases continue.
Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255 ; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474 ; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) 673-5151.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2
Still the best option for inland king salmon in the state with Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing putting his clients onto kings to 5 pounds on kokanee gear. A mixed bag of rainbow trout, kokanee, and king salmon are possible at depths from 50 to 85 feet, but you have to hunt around to find the schools. Bass fishing is tougher, but it is still the best option in the Mother Lode. The Megabass Vision 110 + 1 jerkbait in shad patterns, quarter-ounce Kastmaster in blue/silver, or shad-patterned plastics on the drop-shot are all working for the suspended fish hanging out around the shad schools. The bass are all suspended, and there are large schools of small shad. The Tuolumne River arm is open as the log boom near Ward’s Ferry Bridge was removed on Aug. 3, giving boaters access to the entire lake.
There is still some floating driftwood in the upper river. The Blue Oaks ramp will be temporarily closed starting Aug. 14. The lake dropped 4 feet to 821.77 feet in elevation and 95%. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/.
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 3 Bluegill 3
The lake dropped 2 feet to about 2,601 feet in elevation and 91%. Bass fishing was brutal on Saturday, Aug. 12 during Golden Empire Bass Club’s Russ Towes Remembrance Tournament with only three fish weighed in out of 8 teams.
The team of Mike Gohr and Mike Merlo took first with a combined two fish for 2.60 pounds while Justin and Wes Neal landed a single fish at 1.85 pounds. Quite a change from the previous large bass taken at the lake.
Trout fishing is best in the colder waters of the North Fork with bank anglers working deep water access with garlic Power Bait or spinners. Trollers are finding success with shad-patterned spoons on leadcore line. Catfishing remains best with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or cut baits.
The Kern River at Kernville dropped from 157 to 78 cfs while water releases out of the dam have risen slightly to 3102 cfs at First Point. With the high flows out of the lake, the lower Kern is challenging, but in the long run, the flows will pay dividends in both the upper and lower Kern.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351 ; 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 0 Catfish 3
The lake continues to drop, and it is at 689.31 feet in elevation and 72%. Crappie are found in the submerged brush near Horse Creek with minijigs, small Keitech swimbaits, or live minnows. The window for topwater is very short-lived in the early morning before switching to the bottom with plastics on a Ned-rig, drop-shot, or Texas-rig are other solid producers. The lake will be dropping water rapidly within the next few months. Catfish remain a
solid option with Triple S Dip Bait or chicken livers. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers is dropping, and it came down from 712 to 588 cfs this week.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped 2 feet to 644.17 feet in elevation and 79%. Despite the heat, bass fishing continues to be fair with with chatterbaits or crankbaits before heading to the bottom with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot or Texas-
rig. Catfishing is a solid option from the banks at night with Triple S Dip Bait or cut anchovies.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351 ; Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626 , sequoiafishingcompany.com.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 3 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 3
Few bass fishermen are targeting McClure as the bite remains challenging with the absence of a larger grade of fish. Typical of the other Mother Lode lakes, small bass are the rule with a topwater bite in the mornings before a reaction bite with deep-diving shad patterned crankbaits or spinnerbaits along the mud lines. Finally, plastics on the drop-shot is best by mid-morning. Trout fishing has been solid for experienced trollers working the deep water near the dam with shad-patterned spoons such as Kastmasters in black/silver, blue/silver, or Cop Car. Finding the shad schools is the key.
These are holdover rainbows from plants earlier in the year. Catfishing remains solid at night along sloping banks with chicken livers, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. The lake dropped 4 feet to 849.13 feet in elevation and 88%
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008.
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
The lake dropped slightly to 93%. With the lack of trout plants since March, anglers continue to spend hours in the heat with nary a bite. Bass fishing is another option as both largemouth and spotted bass have come over the
top of the Exchequer Dam with the high water. Kayaking, recreational swimming and boating dominate activity at McSwain during the summer months. With the high water, Lightning and rainbow trout have pushed over
the dam into the Merced Falls regions of the Merced River. Trout plants should resume in the fall months prior to the October Merced Irrigation District Trout Derby.
Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416 ; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Small spotted bass to 2 pounds are the rule with jigs on the Madera side of the lake being the top location. The bass are holding off of main lake and secondary points, and
they are suspended while chasing the shad schools. The best action remains in the river arm as the main lake is dominated by recreational boating pressure. Water releases down the San Joaquin have dropped from 525 to 366 cfs at Friant. The San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced County line is open for recreational use. Sycamore Park is open seven days per week. The lake is receding rapidly, dropping 13 feet within two weeks to 564.10 feet in elevation and 87%.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun(559) 292-3474.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find big kokanee over 3 pounds working the small schools at depths from 70 to 80 feet right on the bottom with Apex lures coated with Pautske’s Fire Gel behind a 5 1/2-inch Paulina Peak gold hammered dodger. He has also been finding holdover rainbow trout at night on Power Bait or nightcrawlers under lights.
Catfishing remains outstanding in the evenings near the inlets with fresh or
frozen shad, anchovies, or mackerel. For bass, the topwater bite has been
basically non-existent as the most consistent bite has been with plastics on
the drop-shot or shakey head along with spinnerbaits or crankbaits along
the mud line when the boat traffic picks up for bass in the 1.5- to 2-pound
range. Water releases have started, and the lake has dropped 4 feet to
1052.04 feet in elevation and 83%.
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
The lake is also releasing water heavily, dropping 11 1/2 feet in the past two weeks to 936.59 feet in elevation and 91%. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The restrooms are now clear of water, and there is more parking available. Bass fishing is the best in the region with small Keitech swimbaits, umbrella rigs, or crankbaits. Boaters have the upper hand on bank anglers. Trout and crappie are popping up near Trimmer and Windy Gap as they are focusing on the shad schools. Shad-patterned spoons are working best for trout.” The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have dropped from 5359 to 2662 cfs, and there have been some holdover trout taken in the slower water near the shorelines along with a healthy population of spotted bass that have pushed over from the lake’s spillway.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474 ; Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 3 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “In the main lake, the striped bite has been consistent with topwater lures near the dam along with umbrella rigs. Trollers are scoring at depths from 40-to 60-feet with Lucky Craft 128’s or P-Line’s Predator Minnows in shad patterns.
Shore anglers are focusing more upon the dam area than Dinosaur Point, but there have been some huge striped bass taken from the shorelines up to 40 inches. The O’Neill Forebay is choked with weeds with the exception of the Highway 33 side or under the 152 Bridge as Check 12 is clogged with huge mats of weeds.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the troll bite is varying from day to day with the changing weather pattern this last week. “ I found a fairly slow bite on Saturday fishing with guest Elmo Bauer of Merced — but there were pockets of biting fish that we found after scouting all morning. We had to work hard , but Elmo ended up with a new PB going around 10 pounds, then an hour later , he got bit by a 39 1/2” , 18.2 lb beauty .
He started the day with a striper PB of only 19 inches. “We used the Seaqualizer release tool on both fish to put them back safely. We found the fish in the 45-65’ depth range and were using Lucky Crafts most of the day. We went out looking for a new record for Elmo- and we got it,“ George said.
Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild confirmed the outstanding bank action at the main lake with anglers picking up ‘limits in minutes’ as the stripers have moved into shallow water. Either bait or jerkbaits are working equally well.
The forebay has risen to 88% from 80% with water releases out of the main reservoir.
To check the wind conditions on the lake use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir .
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711 , Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954.
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said, “It’s still hit and miss now with the trout and still no kokanee as no one is catching any. They should be in the dam area at 20 to 40 feet. Trout fishing is best with Dick’s Mountain Tubes,
Mountain Hoochies behind Rocky Mountain or Dick’s Mountain Dodgers in front of Miller's Landing to in front of the Forks. Boat traffic will continue to be heavy until school opens once again in southern California. Bass fishing is best at night with 6-inch Robo worms on a split-shot presentation. There is also a jig or topwater bite. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https://basslakeca.com/.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing (559) 676-8133.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass lakes are rising, and trout fishing has been solid at both Edison and Florence Lake. Edison has is kicking out multiple browns and rainbows for troller with t he high water level. All the lakes are nearly filled with Edison at 96, Florence at 85, and Mammoth Pool at 98%. Road conditions (559) 297-0706 .
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 2 Trout 2
Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters, Shaver’s Guide Emeritus, said, “The big news is the sold-out annual Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Projects Sportsman’s Fundraising Dinner and Auction is Saturday, Aug.19 at Camp Chawanakee. The dinner has been sold out every year, and people have to jump on the opportunity to attend right away as this is a major community gathering where the major fundraising for the project’s activities are raised. In addition to the planting of trout in the lake, we are involved in many youth activities during the year including a growing Trout in the Classroom Project and the Greg Mark’s Youth Trout Derby. The project is also responsible for the installation of the fishing dock at Balsam Forebay to be used for events for special needs youth and adults along with veteran’s events. Shaver like other lakes, has taken a slow down this week. A couple mixed limits is possible, but it’s not an easy task.
The kokanee that are being caught are smaller than normal. Some are second year fish. It’s quite common to pick up 3 kokanee and 7 rainbows to fill two limits. A good example is Shaver Lake regular Jay Irvine and his friend, College of Sequoia’s baseball coach, Jody Allen, who were on a mission to fish three High Sierra Lakes within 24 hours. They ended up with five kokanee and five trout at Shaver using Dick’s Mountain Tubes behind a Captain J Mountain Dodger at 45 feet in depth after scoring multiple limits at Courtright earlier in the morning.
There is a possibility of a couple limits of mixed fish. The trout plant is thinning out, and the kokanee bite is minimal. Unless the kokanee action picks up, this could provide for lean conditions when the last Kokanee Power derby of the year arrives at Shaver on Sept. 9. Most likely, it will be a hit or miss effect into September.”
Huntington has slowed as Irvine Allen hit the lake on their 24-hour, three -lake marathon and found the bite to be close to nothing. Nichol’s added, “Prior to their trip, others had reported slow fishing with a couple of small kokanee and some small trout in their box. Those going this week should expect the same.”
A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html and for Huntington at http://www.shaverlakewebcams.info/huntington.html . Shaver is at 95% of capacity and Huntington at 98%.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service (559) 288-8100 ; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service (559) 392-6994 ; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing (559) 802-8072.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 2
Jay Irvine and Jody Allen of Visalia picked up multiple trout limits, keeping two limits, at Courtright using TNK salmon colored spinners. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Courtright Reservoir has been slow for most, but experienced trollers are finding multiple limits of rainbow and brown trout running Rapalas or similar plugs at depths to 40 feet in the back of the lake. Walking far from the dam towards the trail to Cliff Lake or the Voyager Rock Campground are the best bets for bank anglers. Wishon has also slowed, and with the triple-digit temperatures, it has been swarmed with anglers. Trollers are finding a few quality brown trout in the back of the lake near the inlet with spoons or Rapalas at depths to 40 feet. Bank fishing remains slow.
Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Private and party boats launched out of this port in search of the first albacore of the year found off of Pioneer Canyon. The weather window is expected to last from 10 days to two weeks, and there will be more private boats launching out of this port due to the proximity of where the albacore have been confirmed. For those working the local reefs, limits of coastal rockfish remain the rule. Captain Michael Cabanas of the New Captain Pete has been running California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program trips to the Marine Protected Area cells within Ano Nuevo in order to document and tag various species of rockfish. Rockfishing is open at any depth until Dec. 31.
Call: Capt. Michael Cabanas, New Captain Pete (510) 677-7054; Capt. Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819 ; Capt.Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433 ; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Rockfish 3 Albacore 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “Monterey Bay anglers are exultant this week. For the first time in 10 years, we have albacore tuna in our area. Albacore, also known as ‘longfins’ due to their winglike pectorals, are a much smaller grade of tuna than the mighty bluefin, but historically come in greater numbers and seem more willing to bite. Charter trips for albacore in years past would return from 15-hour trips with scores of 100 to 150 fish for the highliner boats from our area. For the past 10 years, the longfins have moved in from the West as usual, but targeted feeding areas to the north, by Crescent City and southern Oregon.
Last week, we received reports of albacore caught near the Channel Islands in southern California, and the bite has been going on in southern Oregon since mid-July. This indicates a good portion of the schooling tuna are below us on the map, while the boats above us on the map were already enjoying very good albacore fishing, sometimes as close as 10 miles from shore. We were bracketed, which meant a very good chance of seeing those fish here in our local waters.”
Arthur Melgoza, skipper of Reel Nasty Charters out of Moss Landing, forayed out with a few friends recently on the hunt. They found the warm, deep blue tuna waters some 60 miles offshore west of Monterey. Trolling Mexican Flag tuna feathers at about seven knots, the crew managed to hook and boat six albies in the 10- to 12-pound range. On Wednesday, Aug. 9, a much larger private sport boat headed out from Half Moon Bay. They found some spotty temperature breaks and landed at least one tuna early in the day but did not hit the jackpot until later in the afternoon. The wind died down, allowing them to reach the Guide Seamount area where they found cool water, light blue in color bordered by warm water in the 62-64-degree range that exhibited the deep clue clarity that screams albacore.
After that it was a steady pick trolling up fish after fish. They pulled in the lines for the long ride home after boating 19 of the longfin speedsters.” The temperature break looks a little spotty in our area. Tuna chasers are expecting the break will become more defined as these next few weeks proceed. Sea surface temperature maps (SST) currently show a huge body of very warm water stretching from Central California all the way up to the Canadian border. The temperature break becomes much more defined, and moves closer to shore as it tracks northward. It’s been mostly windy for the past few months, which is a somewhat abnormal seasonal weather pattern. All are hoping that pattern eases, allowing longer and quicker trips offshore. Lower winds can also serve to solidify the temp breaks and allow the band of warm tuna water to get closer to shore. With the giant bluefin tuna already out there just waiting to get picked off, and this new possibility of an actual albacore season developing, we could be looking at an unprecedented tuna fishing frenzy on the Central Coast possibly lasting until December.
Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951 ; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
When you head out on a coastal combination trips out of San Francisco Bay, you had better bring plenty of hands or a hand truck to transport your ice chest back to your vehicle as coastal rockfishing up the Marin coastline remains tremendous for limits of quality rockfish and lingcod. With the weather window opening up, boats have the option to head out to deep water at the Farallons Islands or Rittenburg Bank to experience the massive rockfish that haven’t been harassed for decades. The halibut scores dropped progressively during the week due to big tidal movement, but the scores should rebound with smaller tides this week as the tides are optimal this week for those final drifts at the North Bar or inside the central bay.
Capt. Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady took a special charter to the Marin coast this week for spectacular rockfishing. He said, “we found some coastal rockfish that were pretty hungry, and there were and lingcod in the mix as well. We made relatively short work on the rockfish and were on our way to the halibut grounds within just a couple hours of fishing. Unfortunately, perhaps due to the big tides, the ‘buts were not hungry at all for us today. You can’t say we didn’t give it our best shot though as we tried several spots out in the ocean and then inside the bay to no avail.”
Capt. James Smith of the California Dawn 2 said, “The weather will finally allow us to explore offshore starting Friday to the Farallons or Rittenburg, but we found excellent rockfish action up the coast toward Point Reyes with 18 limits of rockfish and 18 limits of lingcod to 20 pounds to go with 6 halibut at the end of the week.” Smith will host Western Outdoor News coastal combination trip on Oct. 13 on the California Dawn 2 with a Diawa giveaway packed with hooks, leader, and Costa swag along with assorted jackpot prizes.
To sign up - https://californiadawn.com/.
Even though fishing is spectacular, the docks remain a ghost town as only a few boats are running on a daily basis. Without the Salmon Disaster Relief funds coming soon, the independent captain owners are suffering.
Coastal combination trips will continue through October depending upon weather and the diminishing presence of halibut, but another combination window opens on the first Saturday in November with the arrival of recreational Dungeness crab season for crab/rockfish combinations.
It’s been over 30 days since northern California boats we able to access the offshore waters in search of bluefin tuna, and in the meantime, anglers have been gearing up for the exact moment when the winds die down. That moment arrived mid-week, and although Wednesday was devoid of bluefin reports, albacore made a surprise showing at Pioneer Canyon outside of Half Moon Bay.
Immediately in response, boats launched out of Half Moon Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Bodega Bay based upon the first reports while party boats are gearing up to head out to the grounds. The advantage of the boats from San Francisco Bay is the availability of live bait for albacore since most anglers prefer the excitement of longfins boiling around the boat while everyone hooks up. The Outer Limits out of Sausalito went out 60 miles in less-than-ideal weather conditions on Friday down to the edge of the Pioneer Canyon ending up with six albacore on the troll and eight on bait stops. Matt Smart of Martinez landed the big albacore at 30 pounds on a bait stop. The meter marks were extremely encouraging, but there were fish that were reluctant to bite. Fortunately, the weather improved on the four-hour ride back home to the harbor.
The Pacific Dream out of Berkeley scheduled its first trip on Saturday, Aug. 12 with a limited load of 12 at $400/angler with live bait and sleeping bunks on board leaving at 2 a.m. and returning about 6 p.m. However, the water moved far offshore at the end of the week, and a few boats ran as far as 75 miles out to find the temperature break. The distance will be a limiting factor for large party boats due to the necessary fuel consumption to make the run.
Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito will also be starting tuna trips for either albacore or bluefin. He said, “A much welcomed shift in the weather pattern is finally in the forecast, and we’ve had plenty of time to get stocked up on the ‘big guns’ gear and tackle and we are ready. Late summer and fall are historically consistently our best weather months, and we intend to take full advantage of that with regularly scheduled tuna trips.
With big boat comfort and a top-notch crew… this has the potential to be an amazing opportunity at some of these 100-pound plus NorCal bluefin… and if the albacore decide to show, we’re ready for that too. We are ready for
anything.” Out of Bodega Bay, Rick Powers of the New Sea Angler said, “We haven’t had a shot of albacore here for years, and there were guys out searching for bluefin today, but they didn’t bring feathers or clones. If the fish are close enough, we can’t wait to get out there and see what happens.”
Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco is planning to make the run on Monday depending upon the weekend reports. He said, “We will be fully rigged for both albacore and bluefin along with loading up with live bait.”
Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, said, “Within the past two days, we have received so many calls for tuna feathers and clones, and our order from last year hasn’t been received. It is amazingwithin one day of reports of albacore, our phone is filled with inquiries.’
Call: Capt. Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169 ; Capt. Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362 ; Capt. Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736 ; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.
San Luis Obispo
Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3
The Black Pearl out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay was on a 12-hour trip on Saturday with 28 anglers for 104 vermilion, 104 assorted, 52 Boccaccio, 60 ocean whitefish, 4 lingcod, and a bonus bonito. The Fiesta was on a half-day for near limits of rockfish for 29 anglers with 232 assorted, a Boccaccio, and a lingcod. Out of Morro Bay Landing, the Avenger took two half-day trips on Saturday while the Starfire was on a three-quarter-day trip with a combined 79 anglers for anglers for 184 vermilion, 410 assorted, and 41 Boccaccio. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Patriot, Flying Fish, and Phenix were out on Sunday on trips ranging from half to three-quarters of a day, with 62 passengers for 186 vermilion, 20 Boccaccio, 2 Bolina, 301 assorted rockfish, a lingcod, a cabezon, and a Petrale sole. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.
Rockfish season is open all depths through Sept. 30.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263 ; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100 ; Morro Bay Landing.
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The largemouth bass bite on the California Delta is creeping up on a Joe Kieta, former executive editor of Fresno Bee, now helping CalMatters on partnerships weekly basis, but it is still far from what it should be at this time of year. The summertime bite is normally punching and frogging, but chatter baits, swimbaits, and swim jigs are the top baits.
The dominant theme is the rollercoaster water temperatures as the Florida-strain bass do not like the fluctuation as the temperatures dropped several degrees from 81 to 74 to 76 before heating up once again. Florida-strain largemouth bass like consistency, and the drastic water changes have been a challenge. Although the tournament weights are starting to show improvement, they are far from expected at this time of year. Catching numbers of small bass in the 1- to 1.5-pound range are commonplace, but the big fish in the 7/8-pound range have been absent for the most part.
Chatter baits seem to be the key to success as Danny Berbena of Nor Cal Bass has been consistently scoring limits in the 18/19-pound range working various points in the Central Delta with moving water. Nor Cal is holding a tournament at Ladd’s Marina this coming Saturday, Aug. 19.
Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors reported a vastly improved largemouth bite in the north Delta with chatter baits, spinnerbaits, and swim jigs. He said, “My clients must have landed 30 fish apiece for a limit in the 19-pound range as they are still chewing the reaction baits. The water clarity has been up-and-down as it was clear one day before dropping to less than 2 inches the following day inside of Liberty Island.”
Alan Fong of Alan Fong’s Outdoors has also been working the Liberty Island area with chatterbaits in the flats of less than 4 feet of water. Once again, moving water is the key to getting bit.”
Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, said, “The stripers are still here as the water hasn’t cooled down enough to draw them in or warmed up enough to chase them out of the Delta. They have been found in various parts of the system including Tracy, Antioch, and the Old River in the San Joaquin River and Rio Vista and Isleton on the Sacramento. The limiting factor on the Sacramento has been the amount of floating weeds including witches hair. This has making it difficult to troll. Drifting with the current with live minnows or bluegill is the best technique to avoid getting loaded up with weeds. Bass fishing in the east Delta around Fourteen Mile and Pixley sloughs has been solid for numbers on plastic worms for bass to 3 pounds at the most. Catching numbers are not a problem but finding anything of size is.”
Sturgeon remain a strong possibility in Suisun Bay, but it has been a ghost town out there with few boats trying. October 11 is the date for the Fish and Game Commission to consider a proposal from the Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding regulation changes for white sturgeon in 2024 including the possibility of catch-and-release only for the calendar year until new regulations can be adopted for 2025 reflecting a harvest rate of 4%.
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 3 White bass 2 Striper 0 Catfish 3 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2
At Nacimiento, water releases have started, and although the lake is historically full, it has dropped to 78%. The lake is still experiencing heavy recreational boating pressure, but this will end soon with the opening of schools in southern California. Spotted bass action is fair, but by far, the best action is in the early mornings before the heat and heavy recreational boating drives anglers off the water. Keitech swimbaits, plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig along with grubs and tubes are working. White bass are boiling on occasion, and white Kastmasters or white grubs are the key for the whites. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, anchovies, or fresh shrimp. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/.
Lopez Lake dropped slightly to 98.4%, but it is basically still full. There is a finesse bite with big plastic worms, lizards, or Brush Hogs in crawdad-imitation patterns around the flooded vegetation.
Tournament action will start soon at all of the coastal lakes. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at https://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/ . At Santa Margarita, area with flooded vegetation is the key for largemouth bass, and chatterbaits, Senkos on a wacky-rig, or walking-style topwater lures are working best. While Lopez has a good finesse bite, the reaction bite at Santa Margarita has been outstanding with topwater lures,
chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, or jerkbaits around the heavy vegetation. The lake is releasing water, and it dropped slightly to 93.7%. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-
california . At San Antonio, the lake helped at 68%. Catfishing remains best with chicken liver, mackerel soaked in garlic scent, or Triple S Dip Baits.
With the high water, the bass remain a challenge as they are spread out throughout the lake. Finding the shad schools are the key, and shad imitation lures are most effective.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Oct. 7
Striperz Gone Wild Three-Year Anniversary ‘Fall Classic’ Striper Derby - 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilldale Bridge with a BBQ, 50/50 raffle, and prizes in the adult and youth divisions.
Tournament results
Aug. 12-13
Delta/Russo’s Marina –Pro/Am Pro Division
1st – Harvey Pulliam – 35.59; 2nd – Steve Hoover – 32.21 (Big Fish – 7.51); 3rd –Mark Crutcher – 30.95.
Delta/Russo’s Marina –Pro/Am Amateur Division
1st–Zach Ham – 34.04; 2nd –Miguel Leyva – 31.12; 3rd – Troy Diatte – 30.98.
Aug. 5
Eastman – Slay Nation Kayak Tournaments
1st – Eli Veregge – 38 inches; 2 nd -David Oien – 23.50 inches; 3 rd – Salvador Arceo – 17 inches. (Big Fish – 17.00)
Aug. 12
Isabella – Golden Empire Bass Club
1st : Mike Gohr/Mike
Merlo -2.60 pounds; 2nd - Justin and Wes Neal - 1.85 pounds.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Aug. 16
Delta/Ladd’s Bertolli Disposal Wednesday Night Shoot Out
Aug. 16-17
Tulloch – Grumpy Old Men
Aug. 19-20
Millerton – Fresno Bass Club
Aug. 19
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Call Bass
Bass Lake – Sierra Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Club
Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts
Aug. 20
Delta/Russo’s - Angler’s Press
Pardee – Gold Country Bass Tour
Aug. 23
Delta/Ladd’s Bertolli Disposal Wednesday Night Shoot Out
August 26 th /27 th –
Millerton – Bass 101
Aug. 26
Delta/Big Break – Bass N’ Tubes
Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts
Aug. 27
New Melones – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Aug. 30
Delta/Ladd’s Bertolli Disposal Wednesday Night Shoot Out
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
