Fishing report, Jan. 26-Feb. 2: Trout bites rev up; Roosevelt Bass Club sinks trees
Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Best bets
Don Pedro trout keeping anglers busy, Ryan Cook reported. New Melones bass and trout bites take off, Kyle Wise said. McSwain trout plants spur on bite, Dave Hurley reported.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
With the cold wintertime temperatures, the concrete at the California Aqueduct can become frozen and very slippery. Anglers have to be extremely cautious to stay out of the cold, swift waters of the aqueduct, particularly when it is flowing heavily during these periods of heavy pumping. A fisherman was reported to have fallen into the aqueduct over the weekend in the Los Banos area, and he is currently reported missing. Any information can be forwarded to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The aqueduct has slowed considerably over the past week due to the cold water, and most local striped bass fishermen are heading to the main lake or the O’Neill Forebay.” Coyote still has a few of the popular Duo Realis Neo Pearl 130s in the shop. Bill Sterling of the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “Fishing in the Los Banos area for stripers has slowed tremendously. Still, using the umbrella rig is going to be your best bet. Shad-patterned swim baits with the tails dipped in chartreuse color with garlic scent seems to work the best.” Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop confirmed the slower action in the aqueduct, saying, “It’s been slow, but the largest stripers have been found near Patterson.”
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, largemouth bass fishing remains solid with Senkos, plastic worms, or flukes while striped bass remain active with flukes, topwater lures, or bait such as sardines or anchovies.
Call: Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket in Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Eastman has been seeing the most angling interest of the two lakes, and a few anglers are tossing swimbaits in search of a trophy largemouth. Hensley has been producing crappie in the submerged brush with tube baits. The Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed eliminating the one-fish 22-inch size limit at Eastman and the two-fish 15-inch size limit at Hensley since efforts to create a trophy fishery have been unsuccessful. The recommendation is to return to the state standard of a bag limit of five fish with a 12-inch size limit. Eastman held at 9% with Hensley rising slightly to 16%. Bass fishing will improve once the water clears as new food sources are being poured into the lakes.
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
Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “The bass bite remains decent in the shallows from 5 to 20 feet with spider jigs on a 1/4-ounce dart head, plastics on the dart-head, 3.5-inch Dry Creek tubes, or Senkos on a Texas- or wacky-rig. Planted rainbows are thick at depths from 9 to 12 feet with Rapalas along with shad-patterned spoons on lead core from the surface to 15 feet. There is plenty of bait at 120 feet, and a few king salmon have been dragged out of the depths. The lake is at 55%. The Fleming Meadows and Moccasin launch ramps remain open.
The 2022 daily vehicle fee is $20 with an additional $15 to launch a vessel. Annual launch passes are $120 with an annual vehicle fee of $120 with $65 for seniors.
Call: Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Kyle Wise – Head Hunter Guide Service – (209) 531- 3966; Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Fishing - 691-7008
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
The bass bite remains very slow in the cold water, but deep-diving crankbaits such as Norman’s DD-22’s or Strike King’s KVD 10XD’s. Dragging large jigs on the bottom in a slow presentation is another possibility. The Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed eliminating the two-fish 15-inch size limit at Isabella since efforts to create a trophy fishery have been unsuccessful. The recommendation is to return to the state standard of a bag limit of 5 fish with a 12-inch size limit. Crappie are a possibility, but you have to find them in the offshore structure as they are holding around certain trees or bushes. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip bait, chicken livers, or cut baits coated with garlic spray. Planted trout can be found on various colors of Power Bait, Berkley Mice Tails, spoons, or spinners. Lake Isabella held at 10%. Buena Vista remains fair for planted trout with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters, but the bite dies a few days after a plant. Daily Fishing Permits at Buena Vista are $6.00/adults and $1.00/children under 15. Information on trout plants is available at (661) 868-7000 – press 1. The upper Kern River has been planted several this past week, with additional plants in sections 4 through 6 this week and section 5 next week. The water is still very cold from the low- to mid-40’s, and the best action is in the middle of the day when the temperatures warm up slightly. Blue-wing olives or midges are working best for fly fishermen while salmon eggs, live crickets, or nightcrawlers are best for those with spinning gear. Spinners or small spoons are also effective. The river at Kernville has risen from 175 to 286 cfs and it is at 175 at First Point below the dam.
Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket in 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 Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed eliminating the two-fish 15-inch size limit at Kaweah since efforts to create a trophy fishery have been unsuccessful. The recommendation is to return to the state standard of a bag limit of five fish with a 12-inch size limit. A trout plant occurred a few weeks back, but most of the planters have been taken by shore anglers who lined up near the launch ramp with Power Bait, nightcrawlers or small spoons such as Kastmasters. The remaining trout have moved into deeper water or up the river arm to avoid being prey for largemouth bass. The lake rose slightly to 14%. The Kaweah River dropped from 180 cfs to 169 cfs at Three Rivers.
Lake Success/Tule River
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed eliminating the two-fish 15-inch size limit at Success since efforts to create a trophy fishery have been unsuccessful. The recommendation is to return to the state standard of a bag limit of five fish with a 12-inch size limit. Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company said, “This week’s report is similar as the bass are holding in deep water and the lake is rising. Shore fishermen are tossing swimbaits hoping for a trophy largemouth bass which have been feeding on the planted rainbows.” The water level held at 19%. He added, “The flows in the Tule River are high, but it is clearing and fishable. Anglers are picking up trout on nightcrawlers or Woolly Buggers.”
Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Mitch Mitcheltree of the Sierra Bass Club said, “The bass bite has become tougher with numbers of small fish in the 1.5- to 1.75-pound range taken on plastics on the drop-shot or Texas-rig along with the occasional jerkbait fish. All the houseboats and Marina store are still down toward the dam, and some of the marina docks are still out in front of Barrett North ramp and are hard to see in low light, The area from the Houseboats south including Temperance and Cotton is now 5 mph.” Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing added, “The fish are scattered at depths from 15 to 30 feet along main lake points, and the bite has gotten tough the past few weeks.” The debris has dissipated, but the water remains stained. The BBT will be back at the lake on Feb. 12 along with several additional tournaments in the coming months. The lake rose slightly to 26%, and the best ramp continues to be at Barrett Cove South.
Call: Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Guide Service - 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 3
A plant of 3,300 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows was released into the lake prior to the weekend, and the best action always occurs right after the plant. The best locations from the shoreline are the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks and the peninsula near the marina with various colors of Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers or blue/silver Kastmasters. The best trolling action remains in the river arm near the 2nd Fence Line with blade/’crawler combinations or red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler at depths to 20 feet. The lake dropped slightly to 93%, and lake levels remain high throughout the year.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2
Bass 101 drew 23 boats on Sunday, and the team of Rod and Scott Burns took first with 13.41 pounds followed closely by Bill Kunz/Cory Kerber with 13.04 with third place only 0.79 pounds behind the top weight in the close competition. The reservoir continues to drop in elevation from 59% to 56% this week, and the dropping water has the bass hunkered down to the bottom. The bass are skittish, and the best action has been at depths from 60 to 70 feet with plastics on the drop-shot, ice jigs or spoons. A few anglers are trolling umbrella rigs for spotted bass. The river arm remains stained by the inflow from the upper San Joaquin River. The San Joaquin River held at 661 cfs at Friant as water releases continue.
Woodward Park is scheduled for a trout plant this week.
Sycamore Island is open Fridays through Sundays and state holidays through Nov. 11. Seasonal hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. January, February, March, October and November; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April and September; and 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. May through August. Entry fees are $9 per vehicle and $5 per trailer. Snacks, drinks, and bait are available for purchase. Sycamore Island is located in Madera County near Valley Children’s Hospital at 39664 Avenue 7 ½. The River Parkway Trust offers contactless payment for day-use passes online at www.riverparkway.org. The organization asks that guests follow current public health guidance regarding COVID-19. For more information about Sycamore Island, visit www.riverparkway.org or www.facebook.com/SycamoreIslandPark.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 1 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1
Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “The bass bite remains excellent with 6-inch RoboWorms on a shaky head, ½- ounce G-Money jigs, plastics on a Neko-rig or Lunker Daddy Lures tubes at depths from 25 to 50 feet along main lake points or steep bluffs walls. At the mouths of creek channels, spoons, plastics on the drop-shot, small Keitech swimbaits or spinnerbaits are working as the bass are focusing on shad.” For trout, Kyle Wise of HeadHunter Guide Service said, “We had a double of 6-pound rainbows on our way to early limits trolling grubs near the dam, but I finally found some holdover rainbows to 3 pounds at New Melones this week. We are trolling from the surface to 15 feet, and we culled through 30 planters before finding the larger trout right off the banks up the river arm with Rapala’s X-Raps in XR06 2-3 feet off of the banks. There is some debris in the river mouth, and the warmer water is found closer to the shorelines.” The lake rose slightly to 41%, but numerous unmarked hazards remain throughout the lake. Boaters have to be extremely cautious.
Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; John Liechty Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932.
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
The Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club was creating habitat on Saturday, putting Christmas trees on cables led by the Army Corp of Engineers. This is one of the many community service projects carried out by the club members. They are gearing up for the Feb. 6 Big Valley Bass Anglers High School Tournament open to all high school students in the region. For bass, Michael Crayne at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Spoons have been working around Lefevre Creek along with plastics on the drop-shot. There hasn’t been much change with the best action on the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or Texas-rig along with Senkos on a wacky-rig. A few trout trollers are pulling shad-patterned Kastmasters, Needlefish or Speedy Shiners.” The lake rose slightly to 29%.
In the lower Kings, Bill Sterling of the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fresno has been putting on a clinic on the fly, and he said, “Trout fishing has been outstanding for those willing to stick it out until the planters bite in the late afternoons. Roostertails, Atomic Tubes, Trout Magnets and Power Bait are all working around the bridges.” The flows dropped slightly to 631 cfs at Trimmer.
The next High School Angler Team Tournament for the Big Valley Region of the California High School Student Angler Federation (CAHSATT) is scheduled for Feb. 6 at Pine Flat, and tournaments are open to all Valley high school students and to seventh- and eighth-graders if they have a partner who is a high school student. Anglers without partners and teams without access to a boat are encouraged to reach out. For information and to register, contact Mike Spencer (mespenc@gmail.com or 261-5296).
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 2
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “With the rising water, there is a topwater bite with Sixth Sense Dogmas or Zara Spooks in bone from the banks around Dinosaur Point. The water continues to rise toward the rockwall. Drifting jumbo minnows has become effective for school-sized stripers in the main lake. The O’Neill Forebay has dropped to 78%, and there is a consistent striped bite near the old Medieros launch ramp and on the Highway 33 side with pile worms, anchovies, Magnum flukes on a jig head or the smaller castable umbrella rigs. The water continues to rise in the main lake, and it came up from 36% to 39% this week
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the rapidly rising water and the full moon this week squashed the overall bite in the main lake. “Deadcalm conditions along with a very bright full moon had the fish holding off the bottom in suspended patterns. The water temps are from 54 to 56 degrees in the current fair weather, and the water clarity is about 6-7 feet in the stained water resulting from all the pumping input each day. I fished with a buddy on Thursday and we only got eight school fish trolling several locations around the lake. When the moon came up in the afternoon things went dead. I expect things to turn around soon.”
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George of rogergeorgeguideservice.com 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 0
Planted rainbow trout limits have been coming on spoons such as Kastmasters near the dam from the surface to 20 feet. Blade/’crawler combinations or Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler behind a dodger are also effective. Bass fishing has slowed with the colder water, but a few anglers are tossing swimbaits from the shorelines for the opportunity for a trophy spotted or largemouth bass. With the Sheriff’s Motor Fee in place and low water levels at the public launch ramp, few bass boats are heading to the lake. The lake has dropped well past the comfort range for launching a large boat at the public dock. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at basslakeca.com. The lake is at 51%.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The gates at Kaiser Pass closed on Dec. 1, and it will not reopen until Memorial Day at the earliest. Edison is at 13%, Florence dropped from 10% to 4%, and Mammoth Pool rose from 69% to 73%.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 2 Trout 2
Shaver Lake is starting to kick out some kokanee, although they are few and far between. Anxious trollers are launching mid-morning and trolling at depths from 25 to 33 feet near Black Rock for kokanee from 10 to 14 inches with Paulina Peak’s Top Gun spinner in purple haze behind a matching hammered Peak Performer dodger or a pink micro-shrimp behind a Wonder Bread P-Lite dodger with corn scented with either tuna oil or garlic at speeds from 1.3 to 1.5 mph. Prime time for big brown trout remains at Huntington. Shaver’s launch ramp conditions can be checked via webcam at sierramarina.com/camera.html. Huntington is at 49% with Shaver at 30%.
Todd Wittwer – Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Roger George - Roger George Guide Service : Shaver Lake Sports 841-2740 ; Tom Oliveira – Tom Oliveira Fishing – 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
The gate at McKinley Grove Road was closed on Dec. 1. Information is available at fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/home/?cid=stelprdb5399344.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 White seabass 2 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The long wintertime without boat-based rockfishing leaves few options for northern California saltwater anglers, but ports from Fort Bragg to Santa Cruz are operating crab-only or crab/sand dab combination trips, weather and interest permitting. The beaches, piers, and jetties are still fair game for rockfish as shore-based rockfishing is allowed. Crabbing and casting for surf perch from the piers or beaches is another wintertime pastime along the north coast. Dungeness crab remain a possibility, but the majority of crab are starting to ‘clutch.’ In early spring, adult male crab will seek female crab that are likely to molt soon, and the crab will stay in this ‘pre-mating embrace’ known as ‘clutching’ until the female molts. This can last for up to two weeks, and after the female molts, the clutch often continues for the protection of the newly-molted females.
The commercial crab fleet is stacking out in most harbors with the bigger boats vacating the area. The smaller operators continue to sell live crab off of the docks at Half Moon Bay and occasionally out of the Bay Area harbors.
It’s more of the same out of Half Moon Bay with the New Captain Pete available for crab/sand dab/Petrale sole trips. The beaches both north and south of Pacifica have been producing varieties of surf perch on Berkley Camo or Sand Worms along with sand crabs. The occasional striped bass has been landed from the surf. A rip current with sneaker water advisory was issued on Sunday into Monday along northern California coastline, but this didn’t stop the 2nd Annual Crab Catch and Cook in Pacifica. The local beaches and Pacifica Pier have developed their only special group of anglers who toss various snares for up to limits of crab. Crab Snaring is a great winter pastime with a minimum of investment as a surf rod and reel combo, waders, a crab snare, bait and a fishing license is all that is necessary. Anglers can check the status of the pier via https://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/pw/parks/pacifica_pier.asp. There is also a live feed from a web cam available at https://www.pacificaview.net/livecam/index.php.
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 2 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “Anglers around the Monterey Bay are usually resigned to the fact that things will slow down in winter. Of course, we always have tasty Dungeness crab to harvest and there’s plenty of sand dabs or Petrale sole available to further favor our palates for seafood. But, as far as hard-charging sportfish of the larger variety, most are resigned to wait until spring. There are however, always exceptions. The epic bluefin tuna bite of 2021 came to a stuttering end when the weather changed in December. While chasing tuna, many skippers reported incidental catches or sightings of bonito in the same areas 10 or 12 miles from shore, sometimes much closer. Many have speculated the bluefin may still be out there to some extent, it’s just harder to get out and look for them. And with fewer boats looking the chances of a sighting or a hookup go down as well. As of Saturday, we now know that there are still active bonito schools in the area. And, they are of the larger variety. Chat Ko lives in Ukiah but keeps his boat in the Santa Cruz Harbor. On Saturday, he and his wife were chugging out to run their crab pots when they noticed some heavy bird activity and jumpers nearby. It looked like a feeding frenzy so Ko quickly deployed a couple lines. Using planers to bring his silver spoons down to about 30 feet, Ko was rewarded with multiple hookups from big hopped-up bonitos. “The bite was wide-open for 20- to 30-pound class fish. We only caught as many fish as I’m willing to clean and eat so we stopped at three,” Ko reported. They left the fish gorging on anchovies. Ko was happy to share other details, saying, “We were fishing in 180 to 250 feet of water, due south of the Santa Cruz harbor. The water was very blue, and the water temperature was 55.7 degrees. We went back out on Sunday, but the birds were gone.” It would be very worthwhile to get out and do some trolling for bonito. They are fast, strong fish and a blast to catch, especially on lighter gear. The fact that bonito are still in our area taking advantage of abundant baitfish suggests their bigger cousins may be as well. More bluefin tuna anyone? As mentioned, wintertime is also the season to catch the smaller flatfish in Monterey Bay. There is no bag limit on sanddabs. Chris Arcoleo from Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching out of Monterey doesn’t bother even counting them anymore. “Lots of sanddabs,” is usually what he posts on his reports. that would mean 15 to 40 of the small flatfish each for clients aboard the Check Mate, Caroline or Star of Monterey, the boats that Chris’ runs. I have nicknamed Arcoleo “The Godfather of Sole,” because he and his skippers have a knack for finding the larger gourmet Petrale Sole in his area. Chris’ combo trips this week produced up to 110 Petrale Sole for 13 anglers last Saturday and usually provide three or four Dungeness crab per client as well. And, of course, “Lots of Sanddabs.”
On the Capitola Wharf, Capitola Bait and Bait will be opening for boat rentals on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are advised – (831)462-2208.
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 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2 Crab 3
Out of San Francisco Bay, Emeryville Sport Fishing took a crab/sand dab combination trip this week for limits of Dungeness along with 240 sand dabs. These trips will continue throughout the next two months, depending upon weather and interest.
Inside the bay, fresh water inflow has pushed most of the bat rays and sharks from San Pablo Bay into either the ocean or the saltier water in the central bay, and the pesky bait-stealing small Dungeness crab are also absent. The minus tides arriving at the end of the week are a bonus for San Pablo Bay sturgeon fishermen. The south bay is also producing sturgeon as well in the normal haunts below the Dunbarton Bridge.
In San Pablo Bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle said, “We are experiencing good sturgeon fishing here, not so much in the past few days with the smaller tides, but this Friday is the start of minus tides. The minuses will range from 0.1 on Friday all the way to minus 1.4 feet later in the series. We will see some good action, particularly at the Pumphouse or Shell Banks on the long, outgoing tide. There are a fair amount of striped bass around, and there are few ‘garbage’ fish that run up the bait bill. We haven’t heard any complaints of the bait-stealing Dungeness crab, and the fresh water has pushed them out of our ballpack.”
A dedicated group of fishermen are constantly seeking the herring spawns, and there have only been a few spawns noted so far this season. These anglers will drop everything at a moment’s notice to travel from Sausalito to the south bay near Coyote Point, and when the spawn is on, they are loading up with cast nets from the shorelines, but the best action is from a boat.
Inside the south bay, Captain Steve Gutierrez of Deadliest Kast Guide Service out of Oyster Point Marina was near the continues to fish around Dumbarton Rail Bridge, and he said, “We didn’t go out on Saturday due to the wind, but we made it out on Sunday to pick up a 49-inch slot-limit sturgeon first thing in the morning on ghost shrimp coated with Pro Cure. There was a slow incoming tide, and the bite died down after the early fish.” Also in the south bay, Bob Schlick of Cupertino was out on Rick VanGraafeiland boat out of Alviso, and they landed two sturgeon with the largest at 58 inches and 50-plus pounds on ghost shrimp in 10 feet of water on the outgoing tide near the Alviso shoreline.”
White sturgeon may not be taken in the portion of San Francisco Bay included within the following boundaries: A direct line between Pt. Chauncy (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Pt. Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Pt. Lobos and Pt. Bonita between January 1st and March 15th.
Call: Captain Trent Slate Bite Me Charters (415) 307-8582; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388
San Luis Obispo
Surf perch 2
Rockfish season will reopen again in April with a slightly different sublimit for vermilion rockfish dropping from 5 to 4 with one copper rockfish also as a sublimit. Boats are limited to nature trips, whale watching, or the occasional crab/sand dab combination trip. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://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 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
After a hiatus in 2021 due to the pandemic, the Annual Diamond Classic Catch & Release Sturgeon Derby is back this coming weekend with the seminar on Friday night from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Martinez Marina at 95 Tarantino Drive followed by the derby on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Olivia Ortega of Martinez Bait and Tackle said, “We ordered outdoor tents for the seminar, and we have a ton of raffle prizes including 9 charter trips. on January 25 out of the Martinez Marina. The derby entry fee is $25.00 for adults with 100% payback in cash prizes from 1st through 7th place, and children 15 and under fish for free. The Diamond Classic is a unique tournament in which every slot-limit sturgeon qualifies with a ticket that is placed into a drawing for selection. We have weighmasters on the water that will respond to the area where the fish has been landed, and they will measure the sturgeon for confirmation of legal size prior to the release. The more legal sturgeon you land, the more chances are placed in the drawing. It is cash-only to enter, but the $25 includes the derby and the seminar. All participants in the boat must be registered, and there are geographic limits for the derby. Due to the necessity to keep boats in a limited area for the weighmasters, the boundaries are Port Chicago to Fishermen’s Cut across from Port Chicago and from the Carquinez Bridge to the mouth of Montezuma Slough. The sloughs are off-limits due to the difficulty of getting a weighmaster back into the region. Information is available at www:diamondclassic.org with the official registration locations of Martinez Bait at (925) 229-9420 or Castro Valley Sports at (510) 537-8191. The award ceremony after the derby will take place at the Martinez Yacht Club at 110 Tarantino Drive.”
In addition to promoting catch-and-release of white sturgeon, the Diamond Classic focuses upon involving youth, and youth participants are always showered in gifts whether or not they land a fish. There is a gravel area on the shoreline near the pier, and this area will be open for youth to fish off of the banks. Every fish landed by a youth, whether it is legal size or not, is worth a ticket for the youth drawing.
Regarding sturgeon action, most of the local captains were involved in the International Sportsmen’s Exposition in Sacramento over the weekend, but Ortega said, “The wind was fierce on Saturday, but John Badger of Barbarian Sport Fishing continues to find slot-limit sturgeon on every trip. He came in on Friday with three limits for his customers.” With the fresh water inflow, the sturgeon have been migrating towards lower Suisun Bay, and Captain Steve Talmadge has moved the Flash I from Pittsburg to Martinez in response.
Tony Lopez of Benicia Bait said, “The wind kept boats off of the water on Saturday as there were solid whitecaps from bank to bank, but shore anglers are catching striped bass from the shorelines on pile worms. Grass shrimp has been hard to find with last week’s minus tides, and we highly recommend reserving bait for the upcoming derbies.”
Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions, currently housed at Pittsburgh Marina, went out solo on Monday afternoon to decompress from the sports show, and he hooked a pair of sturgeon within an hour on salmon roe near the Mothball Fleet.
The Martinez Marina is a very popular area to launch into lower Suisun Bay with its long dock and plenty of parking, and there is good news of the possibility of the marina being dredged within the coming year. The marina has been plagued with several berths being out of the water during low tide, but the process has started with funds allocated for consultants, soil samples, and permits necessary to prepare for dredging. If all of the requirements are met along with securing funding, dredging may occur as early as August.
Sturgeon Report Cards for 2021 are required by regulation to be returned to the Department of Fish and Wildlife by January 31, 2022, and they can be filled in online at
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing#44521416-harvest-reporting. The report cards provide critical data on catch and harvest that enable the Department to make informed fisheries management decisions surrounding white sturgeon and federally threatened Green Sturgeon populations.
Two weekends after the Diamond Classic, The Foundation Sportsman’s Club 38th Annual Original Sturgeon, aka “Super Bowl Sturgeon Derby, will be held out of McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point from February 12/13th. This is a target-length derby with the target-length announced at 7:00 on Saturday morning, paying 7 places for the same target-length on both Saturday and Sunday. The entry fee is $40.00/angler with a deadline of 7:00 a.m. on February 12th. There is no fishing allowed on Friday, February 11th.
The derby has the following rules:
ALL persons on boat must be entered into the Derby – No bank fishermen
ALL fish must be measured at the Sportsmen’s Club at McAvoy Harbor in Bay Point
Fish must be alive with no damage to the head or tail and tagged with a Department of Fish and Wildlife Sturgeon tag.
For every sturgeon kept, you must fish with one less person for that day.
ANY violation of California Fish and Game laws will disqualify the entire boat
Derby updates are given on VHF Radio Channel 68
All persons on boat that are cash winners must possess a valid ID and may be required to pass a polygraph test to claim prize.
Signups only at the Foundation Sportsman’s Club at McAvoy’s Harbor at 1001 McAvoy Road, Bay Point, CA 94565 or by mail at Foundation Sportsman’s Club, P.O. Box 5103, Bay Point, CA 94565. Funds from this derby are awarded for scholarships and other charitable causes by the club.
In preparation for the upcoming sturgeon derbies, anglers are advised to make bait reservations at their local bait shops to ensure that bait is available for the event. The shops will need to order a sufficient amount of bait and reserving bait is the best method for helping both shop and fisherman.
Tournament action returned to the San Joaquin-Delta after a one-week break, and the action was slightly better than the dismal winning limits at 8 and 4 pounds during early January. The water remains cold at 48/49 degrees with limited visibility.
Dan Mathisen of Dan Mathisen Outdoors was tournament director for his circuit out of Holland Riverside Marina on Saturday, and he said, “The tough winter conditions drew only 9 boats to the event on what ended up being a beautiful day on the California Delta. Our first event brought out some new faces, but there are some names that you might be familiar with in our event including the ‘Father of Flipping,’ Dee Thomas. Despite the winds gusting from 40 to 50 mph starting Friday night into the wee hours of Saturday morning along with a brutally tough bite, our dedicated core anglers came out for one of the most affordable and best-paying circuits on the California Delta. The winning limit was 12.47 pounds by the team of Joey Skym and Gary Mullins with a big fish at 3.03. They didn’t travel very far from the marina, and their action came on 6- or 7-inch Senkos in black/blue. With the cold water, it will be this way for a few more weeks as we need more sun on the water. The sun didn’t come out until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, and the water temperature has to rise to around 53 degrees before the bass become more active. The black/blue Senkos work very well in the Delta at this time of year as they don’t move. It is like setting it out and you can just ‘eat a sandwich’ and let the bait work slowly. There have been more double-digit largemouth bass landed in February on the black/blue Senko.”
Another tournament was held on Sunday out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island with 80 boats, and the limits were slightly larger with the team of Casey Dunn and Clayton Eslick taking first at 16.77 pounds, put over the top with a big fish at 7.50 pounds.
For striped bass trolling, Dave Houston out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley was scouting on Monday, and he said, “I fished from the Antioch bridge to Old River and was unable to find clean water or fish. The water temp has risen to 52 degrees, but it is still too cold to troll. There’s still a lot of stuff floating on the surface, but there isn’t much suspended grass.”
In the south Delta below the Mossdale Bridge, Omega Nguyen of MegaBait and Tackle in Lathrop said, “It’s been really slow for both striped bass and largemouth bass in this stretch of the river with the low, muddy water. It is starting to clear somewhat, but it is still cloudy. Most of our fishermen are opting to head to the lakes for planted trout or for crappie. We have sold out of frozen shad, and we won’t be having any shad until the fresh shad come closer to the surface sometime around April.”
Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell – Hook’d Up Sport Fishing – (707) 655-6736; Chris Ditter – HeadRush Sport Fishing – (916) 284-9236; Vince Borges – Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828
Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez
Bass 2 White bass 2 Striper 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2
At Nacimiento, spotted bass action remains slow, but a weekend tournament showed slightly improved results with a winning limit at nearly 10 pounds with a big fish very close to 3 pounds. Working the bottom at depths to 30 feet is the trick with plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig along with jigs or small shad-patterned spoons. The lake remains stained from the heavy inflow earlier in the winter as it has risen over 50 feet in elevation to 737 feet and 29% of capacity. White bass remain elusive. since late October. There is floating debris throughout the lake, and navigation requires extreme caution. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/. At Lopez, bass action remains slow, and the best action remains on the bottom at depths to 20 feet with plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig along with jigs. The reaction bite is very limited. The lake level has risen slightly, but boaters need to be cognizant of the low lake levels while launching and running on the lake. Trout plants have yet to be scheduled. It is best to contact the marina at (805) 489-1006 for the latest launch ramp status as it could change any time. A webcam of the lake is available at http://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/. At Santa Margarita, similar to Lopez, the bass bite is slow, but there have been some quality largemouth bass to 4 pounds taken on swimbaits or crankbaits. Jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are working best for numbers of smaller bass. The water temperature has risen to the 50-degree range, but it is still very cold for the warm water species. Catfishing is fair with mackerel soaked in garlic spray, but there is the intermittent decent whiskerfish landed from the shorelines. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california/. At San Antonio, the lake held at 11% of capacity, and the clarity has improved considerably with the lack of rain within the month. Crappie are showing up around offshore structure with minijigs or small swimbaits while catfishing is fair. Bass fishing remains slow in the cold water.
Call: Lake Nacimiento Marina (805) 238-3256; Lopez Lake Marina (805) 489-1006; Santa Margarita Marina Store (805) 438-1522; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2313.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Tournament results
Delta/New Holland Riverside Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors– January 22nd: 1st – Joey Skym/Gary Mullins – 12.47 pounds (Big Fish – 3.03); 2nd – Dee Thomas/Grant Olguin – 10.00; 3rd – Ron Smith/Lonnie Woodlief – 5.52.
New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies – January 22nd: 1st –Roberto and Roberto Hernandez Jr. – 11.57 pounds (Big Fish – 3.08); 2nd –Joe Overlay – 11.25; 3rd – Joe Head/Mike Guest – 11.07.
McClure – Sierra Bass Club – January 22nd: 1st – Mitch Mitcheltree/Jeremy Nagy – 9.78 pounds; 2nd – Ron Orbacker/Tony Hunt – 9.68; 3rd – Jerry Siligo/Tim Chase – 9.04. Big Fish – Dan Folia – 2.94 pounds.
Delta/Russo’s Marina –– January 23rd: 1st – Casey Dunn/Clayton Eslick – 16.77 pounds (Big Fish – 7.50); 2nd – Bub Tosh – 15.75; 3rd – AJ and Albert Azevedo – 15.42.
Millerton – Bass 101–– January 23rd: 1st – Rod and Scott Burns– 13.41 pounds; 2nd – Bill Kunz/Cory Kerber – 13.04; 3rd – Mike Haider/Mike L. – 12.60.
Upcoming tournaments (subject to change)
January 29th
Millerton – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
February 5/6th
New Melones – California Bass Federation
Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
February 5th
Don Pedro - Best Bass Tournaments/Sonora Bass Anglers/Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
McClure – Kerman Bass Club
February 6th
Delta/Big Break Marina – American Bass Association
Millerton – Bass 101
Pine Flat - Big Valley Region of the California High School Student Angler Federation (CAHSATT)
February 12th
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
New Melones – Anglers Press Outdoors/Tri Valley Bassmasters
Don Pedro – American Bass Association
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Bakersfield Bass Club
Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments
February 13th
Delta/Contra Costa County – American Bass Association
McClure – Fresno Bass Club/Kings VIII Bass Club
February 18th
Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club
February 19th
Delta/New Holland Riverside Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors
Amador – Nor Cal Bass
Don Pedro – Kerman Bass Club/Christian Bass League
Santa Margarita – American Bass Association
Lopez- San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
February 20th
Delta/Big Break Marina– American Bass Association
New Hogan – Modesto Ambassadors
New Melones – California Bass Federation
McClure – Riverbank Bass Anglers/Kings River Bass Club
Millerton – Bass 101
February 26th
McClure – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Kaweah – Sierra Bass Club
February 27th
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – California Bass Federation
Lake Camanche – Nor Cal High School Bass Fishing
March 6th
Millerton - Big Valley Region of the California High School Student Angler Federation (CAHSATT)
April 3rd
Pine Flat - Big Valley Region of the California High School Student Angler Federation (CAHSATT)
April 24th
Delta - Big Valley Region of the California High School Student Angler Federation (CAHSATT)
June 5th
Delta – Major League Fishing California High School State Championship
