Fishing report, Jan. 31-Feb. 6: Delta sturgeon are active, it’s possible to get your McSwain trout limit and the action is solid at Don Pedro.
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 active, and McSwain trout limits possible, Dave Hurley said. Don Pedro trout action solid, Monte Smith reported. New Melones rainbows producing limits, John Liechty said. Shaver lake trout action picked up,Dick Nichols reported. Pine Flat crappie bite kicking into gear, Michael Crayne said.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
“The northern section of the California Aqueduct below Byron remains very slow with the dirty water. The clearest water is south of the outflow below the O’Neill Forebay,” Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop said.
Tom Niccum of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill added, “The California Aqueduct has been best below the reservoir for linesides with shad or pearl white swimbaits, anchovies, or live minnows.”
Big crappie to 3.25 pounds have been found in the south aqueduct near Corcoran in the dirt canals or near Mendota with black/chartreuse minijigs, said Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun.
Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild said, “Check 12 and Hilldale Road have produced stripers with topwater lures.”
In the south aqueduct, Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported striped bass action is best with cut sardines while jumbo live minnows, lugworms, or anchovies are also effective. The artificial action is slower as it takes several casts with flukes, tube baits, or jerkbaits to entice a strike. As usual, the best location is after the check gates and near the outlets. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver, or cut baits before and after the check gates. Largemouth bass are taken in the slower moving water with 4-inch plastics on the drop-shot.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said bass action is picking up at Eastman with the warmer water temperatures, and the fish are holding from the banks to 30 feet with finesse presentations such as jigs or plastics on a shakey head, drop-shot, or Neko-rig with a heavy weight to get it to the bottom.
“A ‘dead-stick’ presentation works best,” he said.
The recently planted rainbows have been taken from the banks with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or spoons. Crappie are found deep in the rockpiles or brush piles with minijigs. Not much change at Hensley other than catfish, crappie, or bluegill. Eastman rose over a foot to 552.41 feet in elevation and 64% with Hensley rising 3.5 feet to 475.27 feet in elevation and 19% of capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) 673-5151.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
“Trout trolling remains solid with small spoons from the surface to 40 feet, and the best action has been close to the shorelines,” said For rainbow trout, Monte Smith of Gold Country. “The upper end of the lake near Moccasin has been producing quality rainbows on small shad-patterned spoons, and Jeff Boyle, Steve Wirfs, and Dave Perez of the Modesto region have found limits to 4.34 pounds running small shad patterned spoons from 10 to 40 feet in the upper end of the lake. Bass fishing remains a grind, but there is the possibility of a big fish on a trout patterned swimbait. Pedro has a daily vehicle fee of $20 and with an additional $15 for boat launch. The lake rose two feet to 797.85 feet in elevation and 81% of capacity. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose slightly to 2,566.08 feet in elevation and 36% despite water releases from the dam at 374 cfs at First Point. Crappie action remains solid if you can find the slabs with either small minnows or minijigs over submerged brush or rockpiles in the South Fork or near Red’s Marina.
The recent trout plants have improved action for catchable planters with garlic Power Bait, spinners, or pinched crawlers. Bass fishing has been best around primary lake points at depths to 35 feet with deep-diving crankbaits or plastic worms in the 7- to 10-inch range.
Rainbow-trout patterned swimbaits or glide baits are working for the occasional larger model due to the recent trout plants for those willing to make unlimited casts. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, cut mackerel, or nightcrawlers. In the Kern River, Cope’s reported a solid trout bite with limits possible, particularly along the access points in the 20-Mile stretch with salmon eggs, crickets, minijigs, or nightcrawlers. Heavy trout plants over the past few weeks have the river loaded with fish. In the lower Kings, planted trout remain a possibility while the bass bite remains fair with crankbaits, jigs, or spinners while catfish are taken with Triple S Dip Bait, cut bait, or nightcrawlers.
The flows on upper Kern at Kernville have risen are steady at 516 cfs. Trout plants are scheduled at River Walk and Ming this week.
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 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose nearly 4 feet to 616.03 feet in elevation and 17% of capacity. Main lake points, underwater humps, or submerged rock piles at depths from 15-to 40-feet are the best locations for both largemouth and spotted bass. Finesse baits in green pumpkin, Oxblood, or purple on a slow retrieve have been the most reliable technique while bass holding deeper are taken on ice jigs, spoons, or underspins on a vertical presentation.
Small live minnows, minijigs, or small Keitech swimbaits are working for crappie in deep water near Horse Creek. Catfishing remains best with cut baits or dip baits. Last week’s trout plant brought out the shore anglers soaking Power Bait or tossing spinners near the launch ramp. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers is at 250 cfs.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose three feet to 606.64 feet in elevation and 20%. Bass fishing remains fair at best with plastics on a Ned-rig or drop-shot along with jigs working best at depths from 10 to 40 feet. Vertical spoons or deep-diving crankbaits are picking up a few bass as well. Small swimbaits or minijigs are working over submerged structure for crappie while catfishing is best with fresh shrimp or Triple S Dip Bait in deep water. A trout plant occurred last week, and shore anglers are picking up the planters on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters near the launch ramp.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 3
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for Saturday’s 42-boat Best Bass Tournament.
“The big fish that have been present over the past few weeks were absent , but all but two boats weighed in fish with the winning limit at 13.99 pounds,” he said. “The recent weather conditions could be the reason for the unwillingness of the big fish. Finesse techniques in deep water continue to be the key.”
Crappie continue to be found in deep water inside submerged trees in coves with live minnows or minijigs. With the warmer than normal water, catfishing remains solid at night along sloping banks with chicken livers, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. The lake rose just over a half foot to 807.58 feet in elevation and 65% of capacity.
The Barret Cove South Marina and Café is closed until further notice.
Call: McSwain Reservoir (209) 354-2955; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 3
Another huge 6,400-pound plant of rainbow trout from Calaveras Trout Farm occurred recently and combined with the two previous 6500-pound plants, limits have been common from the normal locations of the Brush Pile, the Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula near the marina. The pressure remains intense with the heavy plants, and Berkley Mice Tails, rainbow garlic Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters in gold or blue/chrome continue to be effective.
Trout plants will continue through the spring months in preparation for the spring Merced Irrigation Trout Derby in April. Holdover rainbows can be found in the river arm near the Second Fence Line with Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler along with spinners. The lake is at 91%. The McSwain Marina is closed through March 31 before opening for weekends only from April 1-May 31.
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
Forty-five boats participated in Saturday’s Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments event won by an 11.93-pound limit with a big fish at 4.32 pounds.
“The water is rising, and bass action is picking up with the warmer water temperatures,” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said. “The bass remain deep from 30-to 40-feet with finesse presentations such as jigs or plastics on a shakey head, drop-shot, or Neko rig. A heavy weight is necessary to get the fish to the bottom.” Crappie continue to be found in deep water around submerged brush or rock piles, but you must hunt to find the slabs with electronics. The lake rose 81/2 feet to 521.11 feet in elevation and 54% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once on a daily basis from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are steady at 419 cfs. A trout plant is scheduled at Woodward Park in Fresno this week.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1
Limits of holdover rainbow trout are possible for trollers working the main river channel with Apex lures. Wiggle Hoochies, or shad-patterned spoons near the surface. Side planers with Rapalas are also effective.
“A few big bass continue to be found on swimbaits, but numbers remain with jigs or plastics on a finesse presentation along steep bluff walls at depths from 10-to 45-feet,” John Liechty of Xperience Bass Guide Service said.
“The Kokanee Power net pens are loaded with rainbows, and they will be released in the spring. New Melones has a daily use fee of $8 with a boat launch of $10 (day use included). The lake held at 1050.98 feet in elevation and 83% of capacity.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 3
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Bass action is like Millerton with most of the fish found deep with finesse presentations. Crappie have come on, and Slab Hunters, Bobby Garland’s in Monkey Mike or Glimmer Blue, or Strike King’s Mr. Crappie are producing over submerged brush or rock in deep water. Trout trolling has slowed with the best action in the main river channel as the fish are within 40 feet of the surface.” In the lower Kings, recent trout plants have helped, but the bridge below the dam is shoulder-to-shoulder on the weekends. Finding less pressured water is the key with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, spinners, or crappie jigs. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have risen from 541 to 671 cfs while the lake rose over 5 feet to 8882.60 feet in elevation and 64% of capacity.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Tom Niccum of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The recent wet weather has slowed down the striped bass action, but the linesides are there if you can find them. Portuguese Cove continues to hold limited numbers, but the schools are scattered. Drifting live minnows is perhaps the most productive option in Portuguese Cove and near the dam. The O’Neill Forebay has also slowed for striped bass with the best action near Check 12 when the pumps are running. Largemouth bass remains solid with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot outside the weed line.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that full moon phase and very clear water slowed the overall bite.
”I’ve had to work very hard to find active fish - but once we did the bite was good,” he said.
“I fished with a buddy this week on a scouting foray and we ended up with over 30 fish to 24 inches working the main lake points with mainly silver Shad colored baits. The fish are moving a lot and the warmer water, growing algae blooms along with a rising lake level are causing the fish to act like they’re on a fall bite some days. The forecast storms coming this weekend should help the action.”
Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild said, “The main lake has been excellent from the shorelines with glide baits as the schools are near the surface. These are small schools of stripers moving through, and it is a matter of the fish coming through.”
The main lake rose to 60% of capacity with the forebay holding at 87%.
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 3 Kokanee 0
Last week’s trout plant spurred on action from the banks, and Bob Beighey of Bass Lake Guide Service has been finding quality rainbows across from the Sheriff’s Tower. There are few boats on the lake as the only launch ramp open is at the Pines Resort. The lake is low, and the public launch ramp is inaccessible for large boats. The trout start getting active after 8 a.m. For bass, bank anglers are casting a variety of plastics for fish in the 12- to 14-inch range. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https://basslakeca.com/. Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The gate to Kaiser Pass Road closed on Nov. 15. The Kaiser Pass lakes are starting to release water with fewer anglers heading over the pass to fish the small impoundments. Edison rose slightly to 3% of capacity with Florence dropping to 9% while Mammoth Pool dropped to 26%.
Road conditions (559) 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Trout 3 Kokanee 2
The Shaver Lake community is still buzzing from the 18-pound, 5-ounce German brown trout recently caught and released by Byron Stickler.
A few large brown trout have been landed here within the past year. Shaver guide Emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle said, “the CDFW planted 10-inch brown trout along with brooder rainbows, and the trout action has picked up.
“Obviously, the 10-inch browns are catch and release, but there have been days of 12- to 16-inch browns hitting near the dam. Yearling bows to 18 inches have been found from the island to Stevenson. The kokanee have been hanging in the Fisherman’s Club area at about 25-to 35-feet deep. A couple limits are possible, but there are slow days and good days. Purple hoochies, Koke Busters, or Tubes tipped with corn behind a dodger have been most effective for kokanee as well as trout. The water level dropped but launching at Sierra ramp is fine” The Shaver Marina is closed, but the Sierra Marina launch ramp is open.
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 51% of capacity and Huntington is at 44% of capacity.
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 0
The gate to McKinley Grove Road closed on Dec. 1, limiting access to the high elevation lakes. The road is anticipated to be reopened in April 2024. Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 crabs 3
The New Captain Pete continues to score 10-crab limits only pulling a few pots. There are only a few more weeks until the boat heads in for maintenance. Commercial crabbers are selling live Dungeness off the docks. For the public’s safety, the Pacifica Pier will continue to be closed until Feb. 14, when a partial opening of the main pier could be feasible.
On Dec. 28,, a combination of high tides and large waves damaged a section of the Pacifica Municipal Pier’s L-section (parallel to shoreline), concrete railing and far west piles. The City’s Public Works Engineering Division closed the pier until a structural assessment could be performed on an expedited basis.
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
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 crabs 3
“Despite the successive pressure of multiple big wave events along the Northern California Coast, the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor remains open for transit at this time,” said Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service. It is rather remarkable, especially considering the amount of shoaling we faced last year. The Harbor was impassable for a short period of time during last winter’s storm train. Right now, we have a solid 10-foot channel for transit, on the East side of the harbor mouth. “
He added that swells this year have been huge, some topping 20 feet, but the swell direction and preventative efforts from the Harbor dredge crew leaves anglers in better shape this year.
Harbormaster Blake Anderson said shoaling in the Harbor occurs not only from littoral drift (sideways beach currents), but also a good amount of sand actually sifts or sieves its way through the jetty rocks and jacks on the west side, from Seabright Beach.
This is why we see big sinkholes along the jetty on the west side. Anderson said he is pleased with the maintenance and condition of the harbor entrance, considering the severity of recent wind, waves and tides.
Commercial crabbers are back on the water dropping pots for Dungeness, and reports are the take has been very good. Local areas are producing heavy pots of big, firm crab for the commercial guys and sport guys alike. Recreational crabbers are allowed to use full-sized pots now too, which makes the crabbing effort a little bit easier and a lot more productive. Everyone has their favorite spots to drop pots, but historically the crab tend to migrate towards the big submarine canyon edges as the season progresses.
Commercial fisherman Khevin Mellegers operates one of the crab boats from Santa Cruz Harbor. He reports the harbor entrance is sufficiently deep right now, but the channel is very narrow. Enter and exit on the far east corner for maximum safety.
Mellegers said he is stoked to be fishing again after a state government delay of crab season this year. Also, this year commercial crabbers are restricted to half the gear they commonly run.
“So imagine it,” he said. “You have to work twice as hard or twice as long to match previous years’ earnings.” Statewide, a good number of commercial boats have given up on the crab game. Transferable permits have dropped in value by about 60%, according to Mellegers. If you can’t go out and catch yourself some tasty Dungeness on your own, check out the guys at FishSustainable.com. They feature fresh live crab at “pop-up” marts around the area, most often in Felton in the San Lorenzo Valley. These are the people that go out and catch the crab themselves, so you’ll find none fresher. Mellegers will be there with others stocked with hundreds of live Dungeness crab for sale.”
Tom Niccum of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill confirmed the excellent perch bite, saying, “Perch fishing is very good if you can get in with the big surf. Next weekend looks very good with much less surf force. Sunset Beach, Marina, and Rio Del Mar are the best areas with blood worms, pile worms, or motor oil red flake grubs from Mekini Baitz, Honey Badger Baits, or Lucky 13s.”
Chris’s Whale Watching and Fishing Trips in Monterey continues to return with bucket loads of sand dab along with a handful of Petrale sole on their recent fishing trips. They are running whale watching on a daily basis along with the occasional fishing trip depending upon interest and weather conditions.
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 2Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2 Crab 3
Crab-only or Petrale sole/sand dab/crab combination trips remain the only game in town until the reopening of rockfish season. Live Dungeness crab are sold off the docks in Berkeley on Saturdays. New rockfish regulations for 2024 will be upcoming soon with the possibility of opening to 20 fathoms.
The 2024 California ocean salmon sport and commercial fishing seasons have not yet been determined. Season openings that would take effect between April and May 15th, 2024, will be decided at the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting in March. Season openings and regulations that would take effect on or after May 16, will be recommended by the PFMC at its meeting in April.
Inside the bay, sharks, rays, and striped bass are all possibilities during the winter months until halibut hunters start showing interest in the south bay toward the end of the month. San Pablo Bay remains very slow for sturgeon, and the herring spawns remain sparse. The annual central bay closure for white sturgeon continues through March 15.
During this time, white sturgeon may not be taken in the following described area: That 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 Point Lobos and Point Bonita.
Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; 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
During the winter months, boats from Morro Bay and Port San Luis will be running whale watching and nature trips until the 2024 rockfish season is open. Regulations are being formulated for the upcoming rockfish season, and significant changes are anticipated once again. 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 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
After months without precipitation, the past few storms, combined with a series of big tides, have finally muddied up the waters of the California Delta, making it necessary to search out clear water for success with largemouth and striped bass.
Sturgeon, on the other hand, don’t seem to mind muddy water as those conditions used to be the narrative for successful sturgeon fishing. The Sacramento side brings down the most water, and as a result, it is dirtiest while the clearest water is found in the north Delta near Liberty Island along with the back sloughs on the San Joaquin side.
“I was out over the weekend, and the Sacramento side is very dirty, and we didn’t even get a bite there. The San Joaquin from the Antioch Bridge toward Eddo’s is fishable, but there is a tremendous amount of floating debris along with hyacinth,” Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing said. “There isn’t much grass on the bottom, but there are plenty of huge, submerged logs just under the surface. One boat lost a lower unit hitting a big log this week. We were drifting live mudsuckers or minnows for all our action. The fish are there, it is just a matter of finding clear water.”
Dave King of Nor Cal Bass directed a 33-boat tournament out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton on Saturday, Jan. 27.
He said, “Lorenzo and Luca Rossetti lapped the field with a 22-pound limit and a 6.5-pound big fish as the second-place limit was 15 pounds. Chatterbaits were reported to be best for the big fish, but we ended up with all our action flipping Senkos or plastics on a Tokyo-rig. Most everyone was using some sort of weightless worm on a finesse presentation. The main channel of the San Joaquin was dirty along with the mouth of the Calaveras River, but we found clear, 58-degree water in the back sloughs on the east side of the main river.”
Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors was in the north Delta near Liberty Island.
“The water clarity is only 2 inches in Steamboat Slough, and it will take at least a week to clear if we don’t have any additional storms,” he said. “The stripers will head for the Port of Sacramento or further south in the San Joaquin side from the mouth of the Mokelumne to Stockton to find clear water…. We were out in the north Delta over the weekend, and we did find striped bass to 19.80 pounds along with a few quality bass so there are still out there.”
Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle said that in the In the south Delta, most of his customers are bank fishing from Sherman Island upriver to Isleton with most around Isleton where the water is clearest.
“Live mudsuckers or blood worms are working best for these bank anglers. The south San Joaquin is very muddy, and most anglers are heading to the Clifton Court Forebay with live mudsuckers or bluegill along with pile worms or blood worms.”
Sturgeon fishing remains best between Pittsburg to the Carquinez Strait, but the action slowed down over the weekend with the best tide occurring at night. 205 anglers participating in the Diamond Classic Catch and Release Derby only landed 19 sturgeon between 40 and 60 inches along with five oversized. The sturgeon remain in the area, but it is a matter of getting the right tides to get the diamondbacks to cooperate.
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.
Events:
Tournament results
Jan. 27
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
1st: Lorenzo and Luca Rossetti – 22.88 (Big Fish – 6.80); 2nd –Mike Saso/Larry Vignolo– 15.46; 3rd – Tony Vaughn/Ron Rushing – 14.02.
Delta/Pittsburg Marina – 17th Annual Diamond Classic ‘Catch and Release’ Derby - (19 legal sturgeon – Random draw)
1st: Dorsey Darnard Debee - $1793.75; 2nd - Brent Manley - $1281.25; 3rd - Greg McElroy - $1025.00.
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
1st: Kevin Luong/Hung Ho – 13.99 (Big Fish – 3.03); 2nd – Jeremy and Ron Pitts – 11.66; 3rd – Pete Rodriguez/Juan Lopez– 11.48.
Millerton – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
1st: Mike Halder/Mike Lucchesi – 11.93 (Big Fish – 4.32); 2nd – Joe/Mike Ploharz– 11.12; 3rd – Craig Gong/Ryan Reynolds – 10.73.
Nacimeinto – Best Bass Tournaments
1st: Jason and Geno Lazzerini – 13.99 (Big Fish – 5.34); 2nd – Damon Meeks/Jay Short – 11.38; 3rd – Erik Zillig/Jim Slusher – 11.25.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Feb. 3
New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
McClure – Kerman Bass Club
Santa Margarita – American Bass Association
Feb. 4
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
New Melones- Riverbank Bass Anglers/Christian Bass League
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Bass 101
Feb. 10
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Camanche- Bass Anglers of Northern California
New Melones – 17/90 Bass Club
Don Pedro – Sonora Bass Anglers
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – California Bass Federation/Bakersfield Bass Club
Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Feb. 11
New Melones – California Bass Federation
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
Feb. 17
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
Don Pedro – Christian Bass League/Gilroy Bass Masters
McClure – Oro Madre Bass Anglers
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club
Pine Flat – Kerman Bass Club/Kern County Bass Masters
Feb. 18
McClure – Kings River Bass Club
Feb. 24
Don Pedro – Nor Cal Bass
Millerton – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club
Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments
Lopez – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Feb. 25
Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation
March 2
New Melones – Angler’s Press
Tulloch – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Eastman – Kerman Bass Club
Pine Flat – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
March 3
Lake Pardee – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club
March 9
Bass Lake – 559 Bass Kayak
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing
