Fishing report, July 5-July 11: Don’t sleep on Don Pedro Reservoir, big kokanee are waiting
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 Mendota striper and catfish bites good, Bill Sterling said. Don Pedro Kokanee and bass hitting Monte Smith reported. New Melones producing big Kokanee , Kyle Wise said. Bass Lake trout getting bigger, Mike Beighey reported. Shaver trout leading the bite, Dick Nichols reported.. Wishon rainbows still hitting, Kelly Brewer said. Pine Flat bass active , Brandon Grimsley reported.
Roger’s remarks
Roger George’s column will return.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 3 Catfish 3
Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild said, “Fishing remains really good. I went out yesterday, and the stripers were right on top of the water. I caught a nice 26.5--inch striper in just a couple minutes on a Lucky Craft Pointer jerk bait. Early morning and into the late evenings seem to be the best times as the heat is now setting in. Catfish still seem to be a hot bite both in the aqueduct and in the Delta Mendota on cut bait and chicken liver. Take lots of water to stay hydrated and stay safe!”
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported solid catfish and striped bass action with anchovies or chicken livers.
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, algae is starting to form in the slower moving water, but striped bass action remains solid with sardines, anchovies, jerkbaits, and large minnows. There have been some quality largemouth bass taken on jerkbaits as well. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver, or cut sardines.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “At Eastman, the bass bite has slowed considerably perhaps due to the triple-digit heat. I was there over the weekend, and it was very slow. Anglers reported fishing from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. without a bite as the fish have been driven deeper with the warmer temperatures. There are also rattlesnakes showing up around the banks. At Hensley, bass fishing remains slow, but the carp are thick in the shallows. Eastman dropped 4 feet to 568.00 feet in elevation and 79% with Hensley also dropping 3 feet to 518.13 feet in elevation and 66% as water releases have begun.
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 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 3
All of the talk has been about big kokanee at New Melones, and it is true – this lake is producing big kokanee but don’t sleep on Don Pedro as kokanee to nearly 3 pounds and 19.5 inches were landed in the past week.
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing has been at Don Pedro throughout the past week, and he said, “The kokanee are not where they are supposed to be at this time of year as they are not in the traditional spots, and I don’t understand why this is. However, there are some big fish there with several over 2 pounds topped off by a 19.5 inch/2-pound/10-ounce kokanee by Karen Tobin of Oakdale.
“The kokanee are just now showing signs of starting to turn with teeth forming on the males while there are some females loaded with eggs. It is not a fast bite, and it is a matter of finding them. The kokanee have been holding high in the water column between 35 and 45 feet, but they should drop with this heat wave over the weekend. We have been scoring with Paulina Peak’s tackle, and Karen’s big fish hit at 42 feet at 11:00 a.m., ripping the line out of a tight downrigger release and taking off. The rod just bent over twice before it broke out of the release, and when she got it close, I had to reach out as far as possible with my 10-foot net to bring it in. We also have been picking up king salmon every trip, and they are also high in the water column from 40 to 44 feet.”
Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “Bass fishing remains excellent as we are averaging from 30 to 50 bass per trip. The bite hasn’t changed much, but we are targeting wind-blown banks with spinnerbaits or bluff walls in 5 to 10 feet over 40 to 80 feet of water. 3.5-inch Dry Creek tubes on a 1/4-ounce Lunker Daddy jig head, plastics on a Carolina-rig, 1/4th ounce G-Money Jigs underspins with a 3.25-inch Strike King Rage Swimmer, or on a 1/2-inch G-Money Jig with a 5-inch Lunker Daddy twin tail trailer are working.”
The lake rose feet to 804.81 feet in elevation and 85%. The lake rose 3 feet to 807.92 feet in elevation and 87%. Houseboats are being relocated to Moccasin has been lifted, but there is debris flowing into the main lake.
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 3 Trout 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose a foot to 2,598.67 feet in elevation and 87%. The Kern River at Kernville has risen to 5952 cfs while water releases out of the dam rose from 4639 to 5202 cfs at First Point. There have been some huge largemouth bass to nearly 15 pounds landed during recent tournament action. Senkos, crankbaits, and jigs remain the top bass offerings. Trout action has been solid for trollers pulling spoons or Rapalas while bank anglers are working deep water with Power Bait. Crappie action has slowed, but there are still quality slabs to be found once you locate the right structure. Minijigs, small swimbaits, or live minnows are working for the crappie. Catfishing is best with chicken liver, Triple S Dip Bait, or shrimp. The flows on the upper Kern are dropping, and it is getting closer to becoming fishable, but the high water remains dangerous. The current heat wave may give the final push of heavy snowmelt. At Buena Vista, catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait or chicken livers, but the best action has been for crappie with live minnows or minijigs. Bass fishing is fair at best with Brush Hogs, plastics, or spinnerbaits. Bluegill are found on red worms or jumbo red worms under a bobber.
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 only 2 feet this week to 705.66 in elevation and 89%. Largemouth bass are suspending around main lake or secondary lake points with rock, and plastics on the drop-shot, jigs, or chatterbaits are working. Crappie action is good when you find the right tree or bush with live minnows or minijigs, particularly in the Horse Creek area. Catfishing is best with chicken liver, anchovies, or Triple S Dip Bait. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers continues to run high as it rose from 2496 to 4096 cfs this week.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
Success rose less than a foot to 648.04 feet in elevation and 89%. The water level has been reasonably stable over the past several weeks, and the bass are liking reaction baits such as crankbaits with a brief window for topwater in the early mornings or late afternoons. The limiting factor for tossing lures is the amount of debris and vegetation in the full lake. Crappie are there, but you have to find the right submerged tree or bush in order to score the slabs with minijigs or live minnows. Catfishing is best with chicken liver, sardines, or Triple S Dip Bait on a sliding sinker rig while crappie are taken on small Keitech swimbaits or minijigs over rocky structure.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
The rapidly rising water seems to have affected the bass bite as the fish are suspending along wind-blown banks with a variety of techniques. Small fish are the rule as the larger bass have yet to make a showing. There is an early morning or late evening topwater bite with the Berkley Choppo 90 along main lake points at depths from 10 to 30 feet along with G-Money jigs in brown/purple with a green pumpkin twin tail trailer. The lake is on the rise again, and it rose 6.5 feet to 850.93 in elevation and 89%.
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
The lake has finally stopped spilling, but it has risen slightly to 98%. The water clarity is limited with the inflow over the Exchequer Dam at upstream Lake McClure, and trout plants are not scheduled as they will be pushed over the spillway by the high water. Bank anglers continue to struggle for the occasional holdover rainbow. The reservoir is generally close to full, but the extended period of extremely high water is expected to remain through August.
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
Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “There is a consistent bite for small spotted bass with squarebilled crankbaits or spinnerbaits along with small Keitech swimbaits on an underspin at depths from 5 to 12 feet. Plastics on the drop-shot or Neko-rig are also working. Water releases down the San Joaquin remain high, but they have dropped slightly from 3983 to 3539 cfs at Friant. Water releases down the San Joaquin remain high as they have risen from 3539 to 5419 cfs at Friant. The lake rose 5 feet this week to 560.64 feet in elevation and 84 percent. The San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced County line has reopened for recreational use, but parks that are currently closed along the San Joaquin River will remain closed. Sycamore Park is open seven days per week.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
New Melones is the other solid option for big kokanee, and Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to score limits of kokanee over 2 pounds using Apex lures behind a gold hammered dodger at depths from 23 to 45 feet. He said, “The kokanee have started to migrate north again, and we have found them near the dam, spillway, and Rose Island. We are staying on the kokanee, but we have been catching catfish while cleaning the kokanee. The whiskerfish have come up into the shallows as the water continues to warm up.” Bass fishing remains a challenge as there is minimal bait along the shorelines as the water continues to rise from inflow from the Stanislaus River. The lake came up 2 feet to 1055.38 feet in elevation and 85%.
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
Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “There is a good bass bite with spinnerbaits or squarebilled crankbaits at depths from 5 to 12 feet. Keitechs on an underspin are another solid option.” Bass 101 held a 19-boat two-limit night tournament over the weekend, and there were two 10-fish limits over 25 pounds. With the inflow, there is debris floating at the upper end of the lake. The lake rose 14 feet this week to 915.16 feet in elevation and 80%. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer remain dangerous as they have risen from 10,331 to 19,955 cfs due to heavy snowmelt. The lower river is closed below the dam for any contact with the water.
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
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The lake remains extremely high at 99 percent, and the troll bite continues to improve with umbrella rigs, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, or P-Line’s Predators close to the bottom in deep water near the Trash Racks. Bank fishermen are soaking pile worms or large minnows from the shorelines close to the highway. A long walk is not necessary.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said he took out John Berg and his son Jacob (15) on Saturday and they released 21 fish by noon in the 110 heat , topped by Jacobs new PB of 28”. The troll bite is good if you can find the fish . The best depths remain around 40-50’ and the coves and channel areas back in Portuguese Cove are a good bet. The algae is growing at warp speed in the water reaching nearly 80 degrees. We were pulling lucky crafts in shad colors most of the day. “ George said.
In the O’Neill Forebay, largemouth bass are taken on flukes or walking baits while anchovies are working best for striped bass.” The forebay is at 85 percent.
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
Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said, “Trout to 18 inches are plentiful out in front of the Forks to the Sheriff’s Tower with Dick’s Mountain Hoochies or Trout Busters in orange/white or purple/white behind Dick’s Mountain Dodgers in blue or gold. Rocky Mountain Tackle’s Radical Glow Tubes in RGTs in pink or blue or Planktons in red or pink tipped with maggots behind a blue Signature Dodgers are also catching fish. We seeing what looks like kokanee at 40 feet of water sneaking into the Dam area trying to get in the deep cold water. They should start biting any time.” Boat traffic will be heavy throughout the holiday week. Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis added, “Due to heavy boat traffic, the spotted bass bite with the 6-inch Mega Bait Magdraft has slowed, but there is a decent bite with plastics on the drop-shot or Neko-rig along with jerkbaits.” A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https://basslakeca.com/. The lake is at 90 percent.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass opened on June 22nd, and Vermillion Valley Resort at Lake Edison is back in business. There ferry service started on Monday, leaving VVR at 9:00 a.m. and arriving at the back end around 9:45 a.m. to pick up any hikers wanting a ride. This will occur every day if it is not raining and thundering. This is repeated at 4:00 p.m. with a pickup at 4:45 p.m. The cost is $20 each way. If you are leaving from VVR, the desk staff should be notified the day prior. If you are at the back end and need a ride to VVR, text 559-259-4000. Road conditions 297-0706. Edison is at 66%, Florence at 88% and Mammoth Pool is spilling at 101%
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 2 Trout 3
Shaver guide emeritus Dick Nichols said, “Shaver Lake continues to kick out multiple limits of trout. The kokanee bite improved, but many are 2nd year fish or infantile 3rd year fish in the 13- to 14-inch category. I think one or two nice 16- to 18 -inch kokanee per trip is possible. They are growing each week, but the action and average size are way off previous years. The trout are spread throughout the lake, but I have found Stevenson Bay to be schooled up with mainly yearling trout.
I fished with friends Bob and Kathleen Anderson of Roseville for two days prior to the holiday weekend, and they caught and released 60 trout and 8 kokanee during the two days. The hot set up is Dick’s Mountain Koke Busters in purple or the Stevenson Trout Busters in orange/green tipped with a crawler behind a Dick’s Mountain Dodger on a setback of 135 feet on the side poles. On the down riggers, we have developed most of our action using Dick’s Mountain Tubes in pink, orange, or purple tipped with scented corn behind a Mountain Dodger at depths between 18 to 27 feet. Kokanee action can be found near Sierra Marina, the dam, the Point, and Eagle Point. An occasional trophy trout is caught each week.
With the July 4th weekend extended into Tuesday, the lake will be churned up longer, and it should be Thursday before the lake settles down.” Shaver has risen to 97%. Jay and Delinda Irvine fished Huntington on Monday with Jody and Lisa Allen and Scott Bosler for 28 very small Kokanee, 2 small brown trout, and 1 small rainbow trout. All the fish were about 4 to 7 inches using Dick’s Captain J dodger paired with Dick’s Mountain pink and white hoochie with purple stripes at 11 feet in depth on the downrigger or on a setback of 110 feet. Irvine said, “I have never caught so many really small fish at Huntington at this time of year as they are usually larger.”
Huntington also rose to 97%. Campers need to check for accessibility to the campgrounds. 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.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 3
Kelly Brewer of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store said, “Fishing has been very good for both trollers and bank anglers alike. Blade/’crawler combinations or Rapalas are working for trollers at depths to 20 feet while bank anglers are also scoring soaking Power Bait for rainbows. A few browns have also been showing up for those trolling. Courtright remains closed, but interested anglers should check road conditions for Courtright through the High Sierra Ranger Station in Prather at 855-5355.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Striper 3 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Pacifica and Half Moon Bay as well as the beaches of southern San Mateo County are producing some good catches of larger-variety striped bass this week. Old school iron as well as more modern plugs are all working well for the bigger bass. Soaking sand crabs on a dropper rig can do the trick as well. The perch bite is good and getting better as the teeming hordes of burrowing sand crabs are getting larger. A good percentage of the sand crabs are softshell, as the molting and growing process proceeds.”
Only a few boats have been venturing out for deep water rockfish, but when the weather cooperates, rockfish action has been spectacular with massive vermilion, chili pepper, olive, and widow rockfish. The ling count has been limited. Bluefin mania has struck this harbor as well, and boats are heading out to the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy to fast-troll Nomad Design’s Madmacs. Rockfish are not be taken in the open zone below Pigeon Point and transported back to Half Moon Bay through the San Francisco Groundfish Management Area until the season opens on July 16. Anglers should use the following link to access the specific location of the 50-fathom curve - https://cdfw.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c00c82e1f32a49e99c747e2411e3439e. which is also accessed here: Anglers can view closed areas utilizing CDFW’s Ocean Sport Fishing Interactive Web Map.
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
Rockfish3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Monterey Bay is a great place to be if you like to fish. And we’re really just getting going on our summer season. Fishing has been great all around the bay and it’s going to get better. In Monterey, Chris Arcoleo sends out the Check Mate and Caroline nearly every day, and everyday reports limits aboard each boat. Wednesday’s trip on the Check Mate recorded 220 rock cod and 31 lings for 22 anglers. The Caroline only had 20 anglers aboard, and their tally was 200 rockfish. The Point Sur area is teeming with big chili peppers in 300-500 feet of water while crowds of lingcod are ready to bite out to 750 feet. Arcoleo reports the squid spawns nearshore have dwindled, though the private boaters are picking up plenty of nearshore rockfish as well as halibut. Joey Stagnaro is at the wheel of the Kahuna these days and he’s stoked with the numbers and quality of fish they are getting. This week he reported, “It’s the same, same, same. Every trip we’re getting beautiful limits of chilis, vermilion and canaries. Some nice ling cod coming over the rail too!” The Kahuna has been fishing mostly close by to Moss in roughly 300 feet of water. The deep canyon edges seem to be the spot for chili peppers. Stagnaro says they will be taking longer range trips soon, down to the Point Sur area when the weather cooperates. Meanwhile in Santa Cruz, Ken Stagnaro has been dispatching the Velocity and Legacy out for a variety of deep water trips as well as half-day outings.
Thursday and Friday’s half-day nearshore trips netted limits for all aboard. In Wednesday’s report, Stagnaro said, “Early LIMITS of quality rock fish/cod on our seven-hour deep sea cod trip plus a lingcod! Lots of chillipeppers caught today.” On the six-pack front, we checked in with JT Thomas from Go Fish Santa Cruz who reported “We fished the deep waters today (Wednesday) with Steve and his team. They caught early limits of big vermillion, yellow tail and chili peppers.” Rodney Armstrong on the Knot Alone has been fishing the deepwater reefs as well, capitalizing on the numerous chili peppers. He made an inshore trip on Monday and reported, “Near shore fishing is pretty good right now. Six limits and a few short lingcod.” Lots of bait in the bay means lots of fish for us to catch. Bayside Marine’s Todd Fraser noted that this week saying, “The bay has come alive with squid, mackerel, sardines, jack smelt, and anchovies. The bite has been great for halibut from Santa Cruz to Capitola. The shore anglers are still reporting great action from New Brighton to the Cement Ship. There were halibut, perch, and striped bass caught by shore anglers today on swim baits, battle stars and Kastmasters.”
Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 3 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 1
Halibut and striped bass fishing in San Francisco Bay has been nothing less than spectacular this year, and this past weekend was no exception with limits of quality halibut along with a solid striped bass count, but with the salmon season closed, many regularly working boats are sitting idle, even on the weekend.
On a recent Thursday, only the California Dawn 2 had enough customers to make a trip inside of the bay while the remainder of the party boat fleet was tied up to the docks due to a lack of customers. It is not because the fishing isn’t spectacular as limits of halibut have been common, and the lack of business is starting to take its toll on the captains who have invested their lives and resources into maintaining their vessels and their businesses.
Saturday, July 1 was a typical day of action as the California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley returned with 28 limits of halibut to 28 pounds while the California Dawn 1 returned with 20 limits of halibut to 27 pounds and 5 striped bass. The big difference on size is the boats are now targeting halibut outside the Golden Gate on the North or South Bars. This season is following the predictable routine of the south bay for halibut in the early season before migrating north to the central bay and finally outside the gate starting in July into August.
Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions took out the San Francisco Nisei Fishing Club on July 1 for 8 limits of halibut to 25 pounds with seven fish over 20 pounds. He said, “We only had two fish by 10 a.m., but once the tide changed, it was a flurry of action with 15 fish within the next 40 minutes. They stopped biting on the outgo, but the incoming tide was the key. There are salmon all over the place from 10 to 40 feet, and were released on right off the bat when my customer said, “I think something took my sinker’, and a salmon broke the surface several yards from the boat. Needless to say, we released the salmon, but this bodes well for the future.”
Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito found limits for 16 anglers on a charter from Precision General on June 30, typical of the action in spite of a nearly full moon and big tides.
However, despite the success on the water, anglers remain scarce as the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley only had 11 anglers on Saturday, but they did score 11 limits of halibut and 11 striped bass working close to the Berkeley harbor in the central bay.
Whether people are tired of catching halibut and striped bass, not fishing due to the salmon closure, or watching their wallets, there is a troubling trend affecting party boats in northern California. It can’t be the fishing since it has been as good as it gets, whether in the bay or out in deep water for rockfish and ling cod. Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters who put in 7 limits of halibut in the north bay this week, summed it up succinctly stating, “Everyone wants pink meat!
The Outer Limits out of Sausalito continues to make the 38-mile run to Rittenburg Bank for incredible rockfish and ling cod action in 325 to 350 feet.
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
Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3
Rockfish season is now open all depths through September 30. The Endeavor out of Morro Bay Landing in Morro Bay had another banner trip full day trip on Sunday with 25 anglers returning with limits of rockfish composed of 99 vermilion along with 151 assorted rockfish to go with 17 ling cod to 18 pounds. The Avenger and Flying Fish were out on trips ranging from ½- to 3/4th – day with 74 passengers for 211 vermilion, 312 assorted rockfish, 56 Boccaccio, 6 cabezon, and 5 ling cod. Out of Virg’s Landing, the Black Pearl was out on a 12-hour full day trip for limits of rockfish for 31 anglers consisting of 124 vermilion and 186 assorted rockfish. The Rita G and Fiesta were out on Sunday on ½- day trips with a combined 48 anglers for 180 vermilion and 155 assorted rockfish. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Patriot, Flying Fish, and Phenix were out on Sunday on trips ranging from ½ -, 3/4th- to all day with a combined 66 passengers for 83 vermilion, 518 assorted rockfish, 6 Boccaccio, 20 Bolina, one Petrale sole, and three ling cod.
From October 1 through December 31, the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50-fathom line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Boats out of Morro Bay and Port San Luis are filling up for the opening week. 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 3
The Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta is fully into the summertime doldrums as the Independence Day Holiday weekend leading into July 4 brings out all sorts of recreational watercraft to both sides of the Delta. Triple-digit temperatures in the Central Valley have only contributed to the number of jet skis, wakeboard boats, and water skiers, particularly in the central and south Delta. In spite of few anglers currently trying, sturgeon fishing has been outstanding in Suisun Bay while striped bass are moving downstream back towards the cooler water of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Largemouth bass are also becoming a bit more active, and the hot temperatures will only enhance the two major frog-only tournaments over the last weekend in July and the first weekend in August out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.
Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors continues to work the north Delta with the high water opening up more areas to target both striped and largemouth bass, and he said, “The stripers are in there, and they are loading up on crawdads in the shallows. The largemouth bass are holding in the weed flats out in open water, and red chatterbaits or squarebilled crankbaits are working on nearly every cast. I threw a 5-inch white Fish Trap into the mix, and I didn’t get hit, but when I went back to the chatterbait, it was on. The bass have moved into the current, and once we set the boat on Spot Lock, we put in an 18-pound limit within 15 minutes with red squarebill crankbaits.”
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for Saturday’s Best Bass Tournament at Russo’s in triple digit temperatures, and even with the heat, 62 boats showed up. Overall, bass fishing remains tough during the day with only 3 limits over 15 pounds and a total of 21 limits over 10 pounds. The big fish of the tournament weighed in at 7.87 by the team of Dan and Tim Rickett, but only two other bass weighed in over 6 pounds. A variety of techniques were used by the top three finishers, but Senkos in the south and central Delta were a consistent producer.
The action in the late afternoons into dusk has improved with buzzbaits, wake baits, or walking-style topwater lures. There is a mixed grade of bass, but the larger females are just starting to recover from the spawn and starting to get active. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are working in the dingy water of the south and central Delta in the Old and Middle Rivers, but anglers need to be prepared with a variety of rods rigged up as the punch bite is improving along with frogs. This week will feature huge tides, and the best fishing remains on the high tide into the first few hours of the outgo. The 8th Annual Ultimate Frog Challenge will be held at Russo’s on July 29-30 followed by the original frog tournament, the Snag Proof Open on Aug. 5-6.
Although few anglers are targeting sturgeon, the diamondbacks remain stacked in Suisun Bay. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing went into the sloughs on Saturday with a mother and son, and they limited out with sturgeon at 56 1/2 and 59 1/2 inches. After a few photos, the larger sturgeon was released, leading Mitchell to say, “The one sturgeon would provide them with plenty of meat, and the big fish was just loaded with eggs. I only baited up the rods four times for the limits as the first rod got slammed within less than a minute of setting anchor. Since the young man was so shocked at the aggressive bite, he didn’t set the hook, but just after this, a rod on the other side took a suicide hit. I set the hook and let the young man have at it, but the sturgeon tangled up the other lines and broke off.
The next hit was also solid, and after setting the hook, this fish was on fire. The youngster was pretty whooped by the time the sturgeon came to the net. With the warming water, these fish are very aggressive and fight hard. We made a move when the bite slowed down on the incoming tide, and after working hard to set up on the next group of sturgeon, we couldn’t get the fourth rod out before the nearly oversized sturgeon was on. There were sturgeon jumping all around us. There was one other boat out, and they caught a total of eight sturgeon. Even though it is summer, and people don’t associate summertime with sturgeon fishing, they are there and willing to bite and fight.”
White sturgeon regulations are slated to be revised in 2025, and anglers can contribute to the process by completing the Angler Survey which is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. The link for the survey is https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fishes/Sturgeon. Anglers can add their voice by completing the survey, sending any questions to the Department at Sturgeon@wildife.ca.gov, and attending future meetings of the Fish and Game Commission and Wildlife Resources Committee meetings, either in person or online. A video and Power Point of the Department’s special online presentation on the current status and the upcoming process for regulation changes for white sturgeon is available via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtdCzvzJqWE while slides of the presentation can be downloaded here: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=213229&inline
The Delta Cross Channel Gates at Walnut Grove have been opened, but they may be closed from time to time on a short-term basis. Updated information on the status of the gate is available through this link - https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/vungvari/dcc_chng.pdf.
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, the lake has dropped slightly, but it is still very high at 88%. Spotted bass action has been strong with plastics on a Carolina-rig along with Keitech swimbaits on an underspin. The bass are feeding on shad. White bass are starting to boil with the hot weather, but most white are found under the surface with small white Roostertails or Kastmasters Catfishing remains best with Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver, or nightcrawlers. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/. Lopez Lake has dropped slightly to 99.7%, but it is basically still full. Bass fishing has been solid with Brush Hogs, Senkos, or crawdad-imitation jigs in the flooded areas. Trout plants will continue, and this should spur on the swimbait bite for the quality largemouth bass. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at https://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/. At Santa Margarita, the reaction bite has taken off with chatterbaits, Senkos on a wacky-rig, or walking-style topwater lures. The bass are holding around the flooded vegetation in the nearly filled lake. The lake has dropped slightly to 98.5%. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california. At San Antonio, the lake is holding at 70%.Catfish are the best bet with cut mackerel, Triple S Dip Bait, or chicken livers. Bass fishing remains very slow. With the high water, fishing should be the best it has been in recent memory, particularly after the disappearance of striped bass due to extreme low water conditions several years past.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Tournament results
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Delta/Wine Division – July 1st:1st – Jesse Ochoa/Matthew Soule – 17.23; 2nd – Mark McCord/Dustin Tacker – 15.45; 3rd – Justin and Shane Cunningham – 15.29 (Big Fish – 6.57).
Pine Flat - Bass 101 Night Tournament–– July 1st /2nd :1st – Raymond/Romero – 27.49 pounds; 2nd – Acw/Alex – 25.04; 3rd – Aron/Tas- 19.97.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
July 1-2
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Bass 101
July 1
Tulloch – 17/90 Bass Club
Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambassadors
July 5
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
July 7/8
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
July 8
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Lake Pardee – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Lake Amador – Modesto Ambassadors
Pine Flat – Bakersfield Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Association
July 12
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
July 15
Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club
Success – Central Valley Kayak Fishers
Isabella – Golden Empire Bass Club
July 16
Delta/B and W Resort – Best Bass Tournaments
July 19
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
July 22/23
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kern County Bassmasters
July 22
New Melones – Yak A’Bass
Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts
July 26
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
July 29/30
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Angler’s Press
July 29
Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
