Fishing report, June 7-13: What to expect now that Shaver Lake is nearly full
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 improved, Josh Mesa said. Don Pedro and McClure bass hitting, Ryan Cook reported. New Melones the place to be for big kokanee, Kyle Wise said. Bass Lake trout active, Mike Beighey reported..
Roger’s remarks
Roger George’s column will return.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 3 Catfish 3
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle reported improved action in the Los Banos area with flukes, Rat-L-Traps or jerkbaits around the moving water. Blood worms, pile worms, or cut baits on the bottom are also working for linesides. Catfishing remains outstanding with chicken livers or cut bait.
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported striped bass are taken on sardines, anchovies, chicken livers, or live minnows on the bottom near the head gates with moving water. There is an early morning reaction bite with large flukes, jerkbaits, or topwater lures. The stripers are congregating around the headgates with moving water as the shad are found in the highly oxygenated water. Catfish are taken on Triple S Dip Bait, sardines, anchovies, shrimp, or chicken livers.
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
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Heavy fishing pressure at Eastman has created a slowdown for largemouth bass as the parking lot is full of boat trailers, even during the week. You have to get out there early if you are going to get a spot. The best action has been in the middle of the lake over the humps and submerged islands with swimbaits from 4 to 6 inches along with deep-diving crankbaits. Underspins on a jig head are also effective, but a slow presentation on the bottom is necessary. The small bass are schooling up. Hensley remains hit or miss with small bass to 2.5 pounds being the exception. Carp remain throughout the shallows, and bow hunters are thinning out the herd.” Eastman dropped slightly to 574.80 feet in elevation and 86% with Hensley also dropping slightly to 521.57 feet in elevation and 71%.
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 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 3
The Mother Lode lakes have been receiving quite a bit of attention for kokanee and rainbow trout, but bass fishing has also been strong for numbers of spotted and largemouth bass, if not size.
Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “I have been on Don Pedro all week long, and I see no reason to try anywhere else as there is a really good bite. We caught and released between 150 and 180 bass combined on three trips this week. There is a good topwater bite in the mornings with the Strike King Sexy Dog or the Berkley Choppo in shad patterns before heading to the bottom with jigs or tubes. The finesse bite has been fantastic, and you can go anywhere on the lake at depths from 5 to 20 feet for all the action you can handle. We have been scoring with Dry Creek tubes in green pumpkin or Robo Worm’s Morning Dawn or Margarita Mutilator on the drop-shot. There is a great jig bite, and ½-ounce brown/purple G-Money jigs with a Dry Creek twin-tail trailer in green pumpkin have been working. The key is to slow down when staying in contact with the bottom. Pedro is producing some larger grade fish, and we have found 5- to 6-pound bass within the past weeks.”
John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Guide Service participated in Saturday’s Modesto Ambassadors 50th annual night tournament at Don Pedro, and he said, “We caught plenty of fish in the 2.5-pound range, but we never got into a larger grade of bass as you needed a kicker to move up to the top.” The tournament was won with an 18-pound plus limit, and you needed 13 pounds to cash a check. Proceeds from this tournament are used to host Take A Special Person Fishing along with two veterans appreciation tournaments and supporting youth fishing opportunities.
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “It has been a struggle to land up to two kokanee per trip as the full moon and high water have scattered out the schools. The bite is inconsistent, but the few kokanee landed are quality. Since New Melones is kicking out kokanee over 17.5 inches, I plan on concentrating on Melones for the immediate future.” While the kokanee are scarce, they are large. Trout and king salmon are a possibility at depths from 35 to 50 feet by rolling shad or heavy shad-patterned spoons. The lake rose 4 feet to 791.92 in elevation and 72%.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Kyle Wise, Head Hunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Fishing (559) 691-7008
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose 3 feet to 2,593.46 feet in elevation and 77% as snowmelt in the upper river as water inflow remains steady at 5,601 cfs at Kernville with water releases out of the dam balanced at 6,881 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported crappie fishing has improved with minijigs or live minnows in the South Fork at depths from 12 to 25 feet near structure. Trollers targeting trout are also getting bit by slabs while pulling shad-patterned plugs. The bass are holding near structure, and jigs, large 7- to 10-inch plastics or medium-diving crankbaits are working. Over 70 tagged trout were landed in the annual Kern County Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby which ended on Sunday, June 4. There are still plenty of planted rainbows in the lake, and Power Bait with garlic, spinners, Gulp! Pinched Crawlers, or Atomic Tubes are working best. Trollers are scoring with shad-patterned spoons such as Needlefish in Cop Car along with Tasmanian Devils. Whiskerfish continue to bite frozen shad, Triple S Dip Bait, chicken livers, or nightcrawlers. Cope’s added that the flows in the upper Kern are dangerous, and Highway 178 is closed due to a section of the highway sinking from erosion. Catfish action is solid with frozen shad, Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. At the local Bakersfield lakes, Cope’s reported River Walk is now devoid of planted rainbow trout, but there is preliminary approval for stocking bluegill and bass in the lakes. At Ming, the bass bite is sold with an early morning topwater bite before heading to the bottom with chatterbaits, flukes, or plastics on the drop-shot. Crappie are taken on minijigs with or without being tipped with Berkley Crappie Nibbles. Bluegill are taken on wax or meal worms. At Buena Vista, bass are taken on Brush Hogs or plastics in green pumpkin close to the tules. There is a brief window for topwater while crappie are inhaling small minnows or minijigs tipped with Berkley Crappie Nibbles. Bluegill are found using meal worms or red worms under a bobber while catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait or chicken livers. At Hart Park, bass are taken on chatterbaits, Brush Hogs, or plastics near weeds or out into deeper water. Crappie are found with live nightcrawlers while bluegill are holding near the weeds, and they are susceptible to red worms. Catfishing is best with chicken livers, Triple S Dip Bait, or pieces of hot dogs.
Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; 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 another 15 feet this week to 676.37 in elevation and 60%. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported challenging conditions with the fluctuating water levels, making it difficult to target structure. The best action is found at depths from 5 to 25 feet with stick baits, plastics, grubs, or jigs. Crappie are found near structure at Horse Creek with minijigs or small minnows. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, anchovies, or chicken livers. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers continues to run high at 4,376 cfs.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
Success rose less than a foot to 644.45 feet in elevation and 77%. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported finesse jigs or plastics along with Brush Hogs at depths from 10 to 25 feet are working best. The best patterns have been Robo Worm’s Aaron’s Magic, Martens Madness, or People’s Worms. There is a topwater bite early or late near submerged brush or trees. Similar to other lakes, crappie are taken on small minnows or minijigs near the marina while catfishing is best with dip bait on slightly sloping sandy banks.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “Topwater lures such as the Choppo 90 are working throughout the day along main lake points at depths from 10 to 30 feet. There is also a good jig bite at 5 to 30 feet. 30 fish per rod with the occasional 3-pound spotted bass is a typical day.” The American Bass Association held a tournament on Saturday won with a 10-pound limit with a big fish over 3 pounds. The lake is on the rise again, and it rose 7 feet to 830.83 in elevation and 77%.
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
The lake continues to spill over at 107%, and the high water is expected through August with all of the snowmelt coming down the Merced River through the Exchequer Dam at upstream Lake McClure. The water clarity is limited, 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.
Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “The spotted bass are feeding heavily on shad, and every spot is spitting up shad when landed. The majority of fish are in the one-pound range, but there are a few to 2.5 pounds. Small Keitech swimbaits in shad patterns are working best in the main lake near East Bay and Sky Harbor. Jerkbaits and topwater lures are also effective. The water in the river arm is extremely cold. Recreational boat traffic has ramped up on the weekends.” Water releases down the San Joaquin remain high at 9,342 cfs at Friant. The lake rose 19 feet in the past two weeks to 506.84 in elevation and 45%. The river remains closed below Friant Dam for safety reasons but Sycamore Lake Pond is open.\u0009
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
Only one lake in California is consistently producing kokanee over 17 inches, and 165 of the best kokanee anglers in the west consisting of 70 teams congregated on New Melones on Saturday for the Kokanee Power Team Tournament. The bite overall was tough despite several days of pre-fishing for many, but the fish brought to the scale were impressive.
Team Franco composed of James, Jim, and Denise Franco came in the top spot with a three-fish total of 7.64 pounds boosted by the big kokanee of the tournament at 2.87 pounds. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service, a regular guide on New Melones, said, “I told everyone at the start of the year that Melones would be epic, and there was some skepticism. I plan on beating my personal record on the lake several times this summer as kokanee over 3 pounds will be possible within the next two months. 2019 was also a high water year, and I landed fish at 3.4, 3.6, and 3.9 in consecutive days. Many of the participants struggled on Saturday as the full moon really put down the bite as 48 of the 70 teams ended up weighing in fish – some just a single fish. Justin Ross called me at 11 a.m. and said that he hadn’t landed a fish so far, but I told him to relax and stay in the same area as the full moon would create a late bite. Sure enough, the kokanee started biting after 11 a.m. The Francos got their three fish around 1 p.m., running Apex lures in the southernmost part of the lake. The big kokanee moved south this past week, and they are down here early. I also was using Apex lures, and we put in the fifth-largest kokanee at 2.42 pounds as part of our three-fish limit of 5.51, good enough for ninth place. A limit averaging nearly 2 pounds apiece at the start of June is a great sign as I think this is going to be a banner year.”
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing has been fishing at Don Pedro, but he was extremely impressed with the results of Saturday’s tournament, saying, “I plan on concentrating on Melones right now as there were 20 fish over 2 pounds weighed in with the big fish nearly 3 pounds. The amount of water in the lake has allowed you to fish east of South Island, and after a few weeks of wondering where the big fish went to, they are back on the bite. At Don Pedro, it has been a struggle to land up to two kokanee per trip as the full moon and high water have scattered out the schools. The bite is inconsistent, but the few kokanee landed are quality.”
Liechty said, “Numbers of a smaller grade of bass are readily available, and I believe that the bigger fish will show up as we are really coming into a May window although it is a month late. The best action has been anywhere near rock as the flooded grass seems to lack oxygen. There is a window for topwater lures along with flukes or Keitech swimbaits but working the bottom at 25 feet with plastics or jigs has been most productive. There hasn’t been enough forage of bluegill or shad along the shorelines, but a late shad spawn should correct this situation and bring out the larger fish.”
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 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Finding the shad schools is the key to success here for both bass and trout as there is a topwater bite in the early mornings when the bass are pushing shad into the shorelines. Spinnerbaits, umbrella rigs, or jigs are working best by mid-morning. Trout trollers are focusing on the shad schools at 40 feet with spoons such as Cop Car Needlefish or Speedy Shiners along with Rapalas. Crappie fishing has slowed.” The lake rose 15 feet this week to 852.63 in elevation and 45%. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer are dangerous at 15,734 cfs with the warmer weather melting the snowpack. The 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%, and there is a consistent bait bite for stripers from 18 to 26 inches with anchovies, pile worms, nightcrawlers, or large minnows from the banks. With the high water, anglers can settle on the banks near the roadways. Extra-large and jumbo minnows are not available, but the large minnows are working.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the reaction bite has improved in the coves at 50 feet for fish to 25 inches on trolled Lucky Craft 128s, Rapalas and Smithwick lures. The minnow bite slowed with the full moon, but that’s almost over now. The bite should improve but picking the right day that’s not blowing seems to be the trick. Anglers need to be very careful now because there is no usable ranger boat launch off Basalt – so if there’s an emergency the ranger boat would have to come all the way from the Santa Nella then go around the lake before launching at Dinosaur.
When the pumps at Check 12 are on, the bite has turned on. In the O’Neill Forebay, umbrella rigs, topwater lures, and Duo Realis 120 jerkbaits in Neo Pearl or White Flash are working. The California Aqueduct is picking up around moving water at the headgates with jerkbaits, Rat-L-Traps, umbrella rigs, or white flukes on a scrounger head for linesides from 18 to 24 inches. The forebay is at 85%.
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 fishing has slowed down a bit, but limits of planted and holdover rainbow trout are easy from the surface to 35 feet with Dick’s Mountain Tube in pink behind a blue or gold colored Dick’s Mountain Dodger. Rocky Mountain Tackle’s Pink Radical Glow Tubes behind a Blue Signature Series Dodger is also working as the trout are spread throughout the lake. Kokanee are still a no-show, but they should show up anytime now. The lake is full and looking good.” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “The largemouth bass are mostly down with the spawn, but the spotted bass are spawning in deep water near rocky points. Senkos on a wacky-rig, jigs, topwater lures, or swimbaits are all working for bass.” A webcam of the launch ramp is at basslakeca.com. The lake rose to 91%.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass Lakes are out of play, but the snow is melting at a rapid rate. Road conditions 297-0706. Edison is at 25%, Florence at 88% and Mammoth Pool is spilling at 101%.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 1 Trout 2
Shaver guide emeritus Dick Nichols said, “The lake is nearly full at 94%, and although it’s great to have a full lake, the first weeks of heavy inflow usually signal a slowdown in trout action since the fish are loading up on insects washed down from the shorelines. Tunnel Creek is roaring in the back of the lake. Jeff Wolf of Kerman picked up one yearling trout along with a nice trophy using a Dick’s purple Koke Buster behind a purple Mountain Dodger. Rick Perry of Kingsburg took his young son fishing, and they found holdovers in the 14- to 15-inch range with Dick’s purple Mountain Tubes behind a Captain J Mountain Dodger. Otherwise it has been pretty slow. Kokanee continue to be no-shows.”
Earlier in the week, Jay Irvine and Geno Favagrossa of Visalia came through with seven trout and a single kokanee using Dick’s purple Koke Busters behind the new Captain J Dodger on a setback of 100 feet at a depth of 11 feet on the downrigger. Favagrossa, who is a big supporter of the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project, landed a 6.5-pound, 25-inch trophy trout on a Paulina Peak orange and green spinner with a chartreuse blade. on downrigger at 100-foot setback at depths from 5 to 11 feet deep. Irvine said, “The kokanee was the first I have landed this year.”
In other Shaver Lake news, the excellent kokanee bite experienced in 2022 has yet to materialize, and the news that the Department of Fish and Wildlife will not plant kokanee this year is not what the locals wanted to hear.
The Greg Mark’s Youth Derby hosted by the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project is set for this Saturday, June 10 at the Edison Road 3 picnic area. Due to its popularity, the registration has been closed. Huntington rose to 97%, and the brown trout trollers are launching their aluminums. All campgrounds remain closed due to snow levels. A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
The heavy snowpack is melting rapidly, but the Dinkey Creek/McKinley Grove Road is scheduled to open on June 16 with the road to Courtright later toward the end of the month. Interested anglers should check road conditions through the High Sierra Ranger Station in Prather at 855-5355.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Striper 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The weather remains the limiting factor for deepwater rockfishing seaward of 50 fathoms, but this week looks far more promising. Few boats have ventured out into the deep limiting factor. 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.
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “The bass are flooding downcoast to Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. Even the wild beaches near Pescadaro can produce big bass right now. Surfcasting for perch remains productive and the average size is growing as our season progresses.”
A total of one million salmon fry have been delivered to the Coastside Fishing Club net pens from the Mokelumne River Hatchery, and they will be released after acclimating for a few days. The surviving salmon are anticipated to return to the harbor area after three years, and the survival rate is greatly enhanced by direct planting into the ocean.
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 3 Striper 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Deep water rockfishing out of Monterey remains incredible with Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching in Monterey reporting limits of rockfish and ling cod to 25 pounds on Monday’s trip to the edge of the canyon in deep water from 400 to 600 feet.
Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Over 100 supporters of the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project gathered at the end of Santa Cruz Wharf Wednesday night as the Project released 160,000 juvenile Chinook (King) salmon into the Pacific Ocean. The MBSTP Executive Director Ben Harris informed us, “These fish are raised at the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Mokelumne Hatchery. We release them directly from the Wharf with the intention that they can grow to adulthood at sea and eventually be caught right here in Monterey Bay! This method helps them avoid poor habitat conditions and invasive predators in the CA Bay-Delta, helping to boost ocean salmon populations when they need it most.” An additional 160,000 fish are scheduled for a Thursday evening release at the Monterey Harbor. During the past week ocean conditions have remained blustery, often with winds of 10 knots or more continuing overnight. This makes for choppy seas in the mornings. Despite that challenge, there are plenty of fish coming over the rails in Monterey Bay. The commercial squid boats continue to net squid as allowed near Pacific Grove. Savvy anglers are getting into the act by jigging for live squid, then using that premier bait to fish rock cod on nearby reefs or travel up towards Sand City where quite a few limits of halibut were reported caught this week. Remember, as of June 1 the bag limit for halibut is restricted to two fish per angler per day in possession in our area.
Deepwater rockfishing is still going strong. There is so much untouched area out beyond the 300-foot line that we would expect this “quick limit” fishing to continue all season. Working those deep waters can also result in surprise catches now and then. One angler brought in a Pacific halibut this week that weighed in at Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz at nearly 40 pounds. Good news from inshore anglers is that the rockfish bite picked up dramatically this week. Big schools of blue and black rockfish are biting above the reefs from 40 to 120 feet of water. Some of the blacks are weighing in as much as five pounds each.
Despite the unseasonably cool ocean temperatures, California halibut are inexorably moving in for feeding and yearly spawning activities. According to Ed Burrell at Santa Cruz Boat Rentals on the Santa Cruz Wharf, most of the bigger halibut are still hanging out in 60 to 75 feet of water. “There’s been some really nice catches right out by the Mile Buoy, both east and west sides, and a little outside of the buoy,” Burrell reported. While the “big mamma” flatties might be out deep, there are plenty of smaller halibut carpeting the flat sandy areas all the way in to the surfline. When the swells get small and water clears, surfcasting for the flatties is a very worthwhile and thrilling exercise.”
Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell – Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 1 Crab 1
To say the California halibut and striped bass action inside of San Francisco Bay has been incredible would be a vast understatement, but Mother Nature has the final say, and after a week of minus tides, muddy water, heavy boating pressure, and difficulty in obtaining live bait, the scores dropped progressively throughout the past week.
Just when the halibut limit changed from three to two fish over 22 inches on June 2, the huge tidal movement over 7 feet made landing even a two-fish limit a challenge. Previously, it was every boat bringing home limits of halibut and striped bass, and as the tides back off this coming week, the scores should ramp up once again.
Captain James Smith of the California Dawns 1 and 2 said, “When the tides are so big, and the water is muddy, you really have to pick your spots wisely as when they start biting, they bite well, but when that stop biting, they stop. Even with the big tides, we threw in over 40 halibut on Friday and a fish a rod on the bass. Overall, this is solid action, but it’s not what we have come to expect over the past six weeks. The bait has left the bay during the past week, and there isn’t much bait in the bay right now.”
Live bait was limited over the holiday weekend as the demand was intense with boats lined up for over a half-mile at the San Francisco bait dock, almost out to Alcatraz Island. With all of the fresh water coming out of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, it has been challenging for the bait boat to set their net on the incoming tide as the net will fold over from the water pressure.
The story was the same by our regulars Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito, Captains Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream and Steve Mitchell of the Malia Kai out of Berkeley Marina, and Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco who all had to work hard to put their clients onto a fish to a fish and a-half per rod starting mid-week. Wednesday was a big day with up to limits, but the scores plummeted as the bite window was limited by the massive water movement.
Over the past two months, the action has been in the south bay, but there are strong inclinations that the fish are migrating into the central bay as striped bass have been boiling around the Barges south of the Bay Bridge. It appears that the stripers will show up on the central bay rockpiles this month, and this will be the first time in three years that the linesides are heavy on the rocks.
Although the scores dropped to just over a fish per rod, during normal years, we would be ecstatic with this action. This isn’t a normal year, and the action should resume this coming week.
Call: Captain Ron Koyasako Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; 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
Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3
Rockfish season is now open in this section of the coast at all depths through September 30. The Endeavor out of Morro Bay Landing in Morro Bay had a spectacular trip on Saturday as 25 anglers for limits of rockfish and ling cod to 25 pounds. Their rockfish count was 100 vermilion for sub-limits along with 60 Boccaccio and 90 assorted rockfish. Bill Gerberding of Hanford took the jackpot with the 25-pound. The Avenger and Flying Fish were out on trips ranging from ½- to full-day with 46 passengers for 91 vermilion, 334 assorted rockfish, and 10 Boccaccio for near limits. Out of Virg’s Landing, the Fiesta and Rita G ran trips ranging from 1/2 – to 3/4th day on Sunday with a total of 42 anglers for limits of rockfish consisting of 168 vermilion, 227 assorted rockfish, and 25 Boccaccio. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Patriot, Flying Fish, and Phenix were out on Sunday on trips ranging from ½ - to full day with a combined 47 passengers for 127 vermilion, 12 Boccaccio, 44 Bolina, 166 assorted rockfish, 2 Petrale sole, one cabezon, 2 canary rockfish, and 11 ling cod to 8 pounds for a total of 365 fish.
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
With all of the water flowing through the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds, fishing for striped and largemouth bass has been affected by the unusual late spring water conditions. Normally, the Delta would begin its period of summer doldrums after Memorial Day, but the high and cold water is creating its own set of challenges. Striped bass have been MIA in both the Sacramento and San Joaquin side of the Delta as the big schools of linesides are either holding out in San Francisco Bay or remaining upriver from Knight’s Landing to Tisdale. For largemouth bass, limits less than 20 pounds continue to be the rule as big bass continue to be scarce. Three tournaments took place in the Delta over the weekend, and all winning limits were well shy of 20 pounds led by an 18.35-pound limit during Sunday’s American Bass Association Tournament.
Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors commented on this situation, saying, “I took 64 trips on the Delta last year, and we had limits over 20 pounds on the majority of trips. This year, we have only brought in one limit over 20 pounds.”
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “It has been very tough in the California Delta as we had a 71-boat tournament out of Russo’s Marina on Saturday, and our winning limit was 16.62 pounds. The best bite came on weightless worms or on the drop-shot as the combination of all of the water coming down the rivers along with the huge full moon created a situation when anglers have to adjust. There is a foot of extra water along the banks, and the bass are not moving up as the hard bottom is found in deeper water from 4 to 7 feet. The fish are adjusting as they are off to the side, and the weeds normally on the banks are submerged. The extended cold front caused the weeds to die off, and this has left the bass vulnerable to the numerous sea lions. The important thing is to keep the bait in the strike zone as long as possible, and you have to adapt to the conditions. I have been using the Berkley General or Hit Worm on light line in the shallows.”
The annual Costa’s Bass N’Fly Tournament was held on Thursday and Friday out of Sugar Barge, and the fly action was tough with a two-day winning total by the team of Bradley Pultz and Ryan Williams coming in at 23.47 pounds.
For striped bass, Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley said, “They just kind of disappeared as I ran from upriver at Light 56 on the San Joaquin back to Broad Slough, and we had to grind for fish. We aren’t seeing a lot of fish anywhere, but the few we are finding are either still in pre-spawn or have already spawned with only a few males still milking. This is a huge change since last week.” Soo Hoo has wrapped up his Delta operation until the fall.
Alan Fong of Alan Fong’s Outdoors confirmed the paucity of striped bass in the Delta, saying, “I was on them a few weeks ago in the north Delta, but they are gone. I think most of the fish have spawned and are loading up on anchovies in the bay. There are huge schools of stripers in the south bay, and they have been boiling on the surface. After they spawn, they are loading up on food.”
Few sturgeon anglers remain in Suisun Bay, but that doesn’t mean the diamondbacks are absent. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service caught and released 21 sturgeon on a recent trip out of Pittsburg using his cured salmon roe. The boat pressure has died off with only a few boats targeting sturgeon now. The San Joaquin River near the Antioch Bridge has also been producing sturgeon, and perhaps the high water is drawing the fish into this river system.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife held a special online meeting on May 16 regarding the current status and the upcoming process for regulation changes for white sturgeon. The stated goal of the department is to implement the new regulations by 2025 through a process of public input along with input during Fish and Game Commission meetings; however, there exists the possibility that Interim Emergency Regulations for a catch and release-only fishery may be needed until harvest rates can be effectively managed with the new regulations. The Department’s next step is to release an Angler Survey 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.
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 remains high at 93%. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported continued excellent action with plastics on the drop-shot, Neko-rig, or dart head at depths from 10 to 20 feet. There is a window for topwater in the mornings and evenings, and the white bass are becoming active with white Roostertails or Kastmasters over the shad schools. Crappie are found with small minnows or minijigs around submerged structure while Triple S Dip Bait or cut baits are best for catfish. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/. Lopez Lake remains high and plumb full at 100.0%. With the high water, the bass are holding in the flooded brush, and plastics rigged weightless and weedless are working best. Trout plants are scheduled during the summer months. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at https://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/ Santa Margarita produced the largest limits in the state over the weekend during Best Bass Tournaments 29-boat event on Saturday with a winning five-fish limit pushing 19.5 pounds. With the lake full, swimbaits are working for the larger grade as well as topwater lures. The lake is very healthy with plenty of 2- to 3-pound fish while during pre-fishing, bass in the 5- to 10-pound range were caught and released. The lake has risen once again and spilling at 100.2%. 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%, and it is starting to clear up. Once the lake clears, fishing could be as good as it has been in recent memory for bass, catfish, and crappie.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Tournament Results
Delta/Sugar Barge Marina – Costa’s Bass N’Fly – June 1st/2nd: 1st – Bradley Pultz/Ryan Williams – 23.47; 2nd – John Sherman/Ric Rudgers – 21.75 (2nd Big Fish – 5.34; 3rd –Dana Hooper/Tom Robinson – 14.67. Big Fish – 5.67- Alex Cody/Dustin Sargent
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments – June 3rd: 1st – Jason Coslovich/Jerad Dominici – 16.62; 2nd – Tony and Reggie Vaughn – 16.14(Big Fish – 7.33); 3rd –Timothy Cardoza/Medley King – 16.01.
New Melones – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments – June 3rd: 1st – Tray and Jerry Williams – 14.85; 2nd – Bill Kunz/Cory Kerber – 14.64 (Big Fish – 4.60); 3rd – Scott Parsons/Steve Neilson – 12.74.
New Melones – Kokanee Power Team Derby/Adult Division (3-fish weighin) – June 3rd: 1st – James, Jim, and Denise Franco – 7.64 (Big Kokanee – 2.87); 2nd – Brian and Alex Thomas, Richard Contreras, and Chris Miller – 7.37; 3rd – Jack Schultz/Joe Aksamit – 6.71.
New Melones – Kokanee Power Team Derby/Youth Division (1-fish weighin) – June 3rd: 1st –Daniel Clark – 2.29 pounds; 2nd – Alex Thomas – 2.24; 3rd – Aubrey McLennan – 1.67.
Santa Margarita – Best Bass Tournaments – June 3rd: 1st – Steve Scharton/Anthony Petri – 19.48; 2nd – Damon Meeks/Jay Short – 18.16(Big Fish – 4.92); 3rd –Jeremy Monn/Jason Domingos– 17.48 (Big Fish – 4.92).
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association – June 4th: 1st – Eric Wetherington/Clint Warren – 18.28; 2nd – Lemaj Plaza/Kent Simpson – 16.40; 3rd – Marc Young/Kenney Graham – 16.35.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Teen Tournaments – June 4th: 1st – Jax Soto– 12.68 (Big Fish – 6.81); 2nd – Nathan Tritt – 12.68; 3rd – Zane Ravalin – 10.70..
Upcoming Tournaments (Dates and locations subject to change)
June 7
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
June 10-11
Delta/B and W Resort – Fresno Bass Club
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Angler’s Press
New Melones – California Bass Federation
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Kings River Bass Club
June 10
Delta/B and W Resort – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
New Hogan – Nor Cal Bass
McClure – Sierra Bass Club
Shaver Lake – Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project Youth Derby
Isabella – Kern County Bass Masters
Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers
June 11
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kings VIII Bass Club
New Melones – Modesto Ambassadors/Slay Nation Kayak Tournament
June 14
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
June 15
Salt Springs – Slay Nation Kayak Tournament
June 17
New Melones – American Bass Association
Don Pedro – Wild West Bass Trails
Kaweah – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
Isabella – Golden Empire Bass Club
Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts
June 21
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
June 23-24
Delta/Big Break Marina – Yak A’ Bass
June 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s
June 24
Pardee- Central Valley Angler’s Kokanee Tournament
Don Pedro – Valley Backlashers
Isabella – American Bass Association
June 28
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bertolli Disposal
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
