Fishing report, Sept. 13-19: Head up to Pine Flat for good bass fishing, Don Pedro at night for trout.
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.
Photo gallery
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Best bets
Delta stripers, bass and sturgeon bites good, Vince Borges said. Don Pedro trout fishing at night outstanding, Kyle Wise reported. Pine Flat has the best bass bite in area, Michael Crayne said. Edison and Florence trout on solid bites, Dave Hurley reported.
Roger’s remarks
Roger George’s column will return.
Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com, Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 3
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “There is more bait showing up in the aqueduct, and the stripers have been crashing on the bait.” Josh Mesa at Coyote Bait and Tackle in San Jose reported a decent catfish bite with chicken livers or nightcrawlers and a heavy weight to hold down the bait in the fast flows.
Striperz Gone Wild is a coalition of Central Valley Anglers with diverse fishing backgrounds. Their mission focusing primarily on giving back to the fishing community, giving free tackle boxes to kids, and helping the next generation enjoy the sport of fishing. The organization’s Three-Year Anniversary ‘Fall Classic’ Striper Derby is 5 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Hilldale Bridge with a BBQ, 50/50 raffle, and prizes in the adult and youth divisions.
Group spokesman, Bill Sterling of Merced, said, “We give out tackle boxes to youth at all our events, and we are supportive of youth at all of our events. During the holidays, our tournament entry is an unwrapped toy which are given to youth in the City of Los Banos while our spring tournament’s entry is cans of food to be donated to local food banks. We have a number of administrators who help with our events, and we are always looking for new ways to support communities and youth. To this end, we are helping with the upcoming City of Gustine Kid’s Derby at the Schmidt Duck Pond on Sept. 30, helping children with the pond as well as passing out tackle boxes.”
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, the top area has been around the Buena Vista Golf Course for striped bass with anchovies, mackerel, sardines, or jerkbaits. Largemouth bass are taken on plastics near the headgates or bridge pilings.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 1 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Hensley is green from an algae bloom, and there is a submerged rock just inside of the buoys that is hazardous for boaters. Eastman dropped slightly to 551.94 feet in elevation and 63% with Hensley dropping six feet to 496.61 feet in elevation and 39%.
Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) (559) 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
The bass bite was very tough on Saturday for participants in the TNT Teen Tournaments presented by Best Bass Tournaments as only one bass under two pounds was weighed in by the four participating teams. This is consistent with how the bite has been over the past few weeks. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing found excellent rainbow action for fish ranging from two to three pounds this week at depths from 57 to 77 feet with ExCel spoons. There is a lot of bait in the lake, and the grebes are back on the water, feeding on the shad schools below. The water temperature has dropped from 83 to 74 degrees, and the water clarity is 10 feet. He said, “It should be an excellent fall fishery.” The Tuolumne River arm is open, giving boaters access to the entire lake. There is still some floating driftwood in the upper river, and the cleanup continues. The lake dropped 4 feet to 810.60 feet in elevation and 88%. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Kyle Wise, Head Hunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Fishing (559) 691-7008
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake is releasing water, and it dropped 41/2 feet to 2,592.40 feet in elevation and from 83 to 75%, and the flows in the North Fork at Kernville have dropped to only 28 cfs. The releases out of the lake are steady at 2,474 cfs at First Point.
The most consistent action remains for catfish with Triple S Dip bait, nightcrawlers, or chicken livers while the bass and crappie are both focusing on the shad schools. Shad imitation minijigs, plastics, or crankbaits are working for both species. The crappie are holding offshore within structure, but you have to find the right structure holding the schools. Trout fishing has slowed down in the lake, but there are still a few holdovers found in the cooler waters of the North Fork with Rapalas, or Tasmanian Devil spoons.
The upper Kern will be stocked this week with double plant in Section 5, Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge, and plants will occur in at Section 4, Powerhouse 3 to Riverside Park in Kernville, and Section 6 the week of Sept. 17. With the plants and the slower water movement, trout fishing has improved in the upper river with spinners, crickets, nightcrawlers, or Power Bait.
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
TThe lake’s water level fell 14 feet to 649.46 feet in elevation and to 37% from 48%. Kayakers have been scoring quality crappie with minijigs or small swimbaits in shad patterns near the coves around Horse Creek.
For bass, topwater lures are working in the early mornings and late afternoons, but the most consistent technique has been plastics on a Ned-rig, drop-shot, or dart head on a slow presentation on the bottom. Catfishing is best with garlic-scented nightcrawlers, cut bait, or Triple S Dip Baits on a long soak. The lake will be dropping water rapidly within the next few months. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers has dropped to 313 cfs from 362 cfs in the past week.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped a foot to 640.73 feet in elevation and 79%. Crappie and bluegill are found around the docks in the marina or near submerged brush with red worms, small live minnows, or minijigs. Catfishing is best with chicken livers or Triple S Dip Bait at night. There is a reaction bite for bass with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, or topwater lures before heading to the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig.
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 2
Crappie action with Notorious Jigs in the coves has been the best bet as the bass bite is limited to small spotted bass. The largest grade has been found at night with big crankbaits or topwater lures in dark color patterns. Holdover rainbow trout are found in the deep water near the dam with shad-patterned spoons such as Kastmasters in black/silver, blue/silver, or Cop Car as the rainbows are feeding heavily on the shad schools. Catfishing is best at solid at night along sloping banks with chicken livers, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. The lake dropped seven feet to 833.61 feet in elevation to 79% from 83%.
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
Bank fishing improved considerably with the release of 1,500 pounds of catchable rainbows in the past week. Garlic Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or silver/blue or gold Kastmasters are picking up the recently planted rainbows at the normal locations of the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, or the peninsula by the marina. Trout plants will continue throughout the fall months prior to the October Merced Irrigation District Trout Derby. The lake rose slightly to 88%, but the water level will remain relatively stable throughout the year.
Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Millerton
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2
The lake is receding rapidly, dropping eight feet in the past week to 525.40 feet in elevation and to 57% from 72%. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun said, “The recreational boat traffic has slowed down, and the main lake is far friendlier to fishing with the lack of boating. Small spotted bass remain the rule in the main lake with plastics on a Neko-rig, jerkbaits, topwater lures, crankbaits, or jigs. Catfishing up the river with dip baits or mackerel is most likely the best bet.” Water releases down the San Joaquin is steady at 433 cfs at Friant.
The San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced County line is open for recreational use, and Sycamore Park is open seven days per week. Sycamore Park Pond has been kicking out quality largemouth bass. Entry is free from Monday through Friday, and and $9 per vehicle on weekends. Bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish can be caught in all of them. Drinks, snacks, live worms, lures, and tackle are available onsite at the bait shop. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on the ponds for $10 per hour or bring your own hand-launched boat.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2
There are still kokanee in the lake, but interest in trolling for kokanee has dropped considerably as the big fish have turned into full spawning colors and are looking like ‘zombies.’ Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “Night fishing under lights with either nightcrawlers or live minnows has been outstanding, and it is a matter of anchoring around the shad schools at depths from 80 to 100 feet and dropping out up to three lights. Waiting at least an hour for the shad schools to come to the lights is necessary, but once they do, quads, triples, and doubles of rainbows to 20 inches will occur.” Bass fishing has been very tough, but there is hope when the lake drops further along with the water cooling, the bass will come out from hiding in deep water. Water releases are in full swing, and the lake has dropped four feet to 1043.97 feet in elevation and 80%.
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
Water is being released heavily from the lake, dropping 10 feet recently to 910.49 feet in elevation and to 77% from 83%. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun said, “This is the best fishery in the region for bass as most techniques are working, including: crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and plastics on a variety of rigs. A number of largemouth bass to 4 pounds have been caught and released along with spotted bass. Crappie are taken around structure in the upper lake with minijigs or minnows while trout trolling has also improved with shad-patterned spoons around the shad schools.” The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have dropped to 1364 cfs, and trout plants are scheduled the next two weeks. Spinners or nightcrawlers with split-shot worked in the confluence of fast to slow water is working for up to limits of recently planted rainbows.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 3 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Water levels continue to drop, this time to 85% from 87%. Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “In the main lake, striped bass have been landed on anchovies from the banks along with jerkbaits, or flukes on a ball- or scrounger head. Heddon Spooks or Whopper Ploppers have been the best topwater offerings. Minnow sales have been down although local shops now have extra-large minnows in the tanks.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that he guided twice this week and that the hot bite everyone was reporting – had suddenly slowed . “The kiosk aides were telling me that there were a lot of upset anglers complaining about the big slowdown in the bite,” he said.
“I guided two guests on Friday and we released 13 nice fish to 24 inches, but it was a tough bite. On Monday I guided Al Echols, 76, of Fresno and he hit the jackpot with a big new 44-inch, 35.2 pounder that was a personal best for him,” George said.
“It took over 15 minutes to get the fish to come up as it kept going down. We used the Seaqualizer to let it go unharmed, and even watched the fish swim away on sonar as the tool released it at depth. The bite was tough- but we got lucky with one big fish,” he added.
In the O’Neill Forebay, largemouth bass are found in the weeds with flukes, frogs, or topwater lures as an algae bloom has formed. Anchovies, swimbaits, or jerkbaits are producing a smaller grade of stripers. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gunerably confirmed the excellent striped bass bite saying, “It is off the hook right now, wide open with topwater lures, big swimbaits, or flutter spoons.” The forebay is at 86% with water releases down the aqueduct.
To check the wind conditions on the lake use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The bass bite has been very tough as the fish are moving around and chasing bait in the coves. There is an early reaction bite with topwater lures or crankbaits before working jigs around submerged rocks and trees. Crappie are found at night around the docks with minijigs.” Recreational boating has slowed down after the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. Trout fishing is also challenging with a few rainbows taken at depths to 28 feet with Dick’s Mountain Tubes or Mountain Hoochies behind Rocky Mountain or Dick’s Mountain Dodgers. Kokanee have been Missing In Action all season despite heavy planting over the past few years. Mike Beighey has shut down for the season other than an exploratory occasional trip. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https://basslakeca.com/.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Trout 3
Nearly the same as in the last report: Kaiser Pass lakes are rising, and trout fishing remains solid at both Edison and Florence Lake. Edison is kicking out multiple browns and rainbows for trollers with the high water level. All the lakes are nearly filled, but water releases have started with all lakes dropping with Edison at 89%, Florence at 91%, and Mammoth Pool at 98%. Road conditions (559) 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 3 Trout 2
The final Kokanee Power Tournament of 2023 was held in its traditional September location of Shaver Lake, and as is normally the case, the field is less than earlier tournaments held in the north state. Affordable Tackle was the sponsor for this event where 39 teams consisting of 103 anglers arrived at Shaver. Winning weights were impressive led by the team of Gary Coe and Mark Hall with a three-fish limit at 6.40 pounds followed by the Jack Schultz Team at 5.33 and Jim Franco Team at 5.00. The big fish of the tournament was 2.66 pounds by the Jack Naves Team, followed by Coe’s team at 2.49, meaning their other two fish weighed a combined 3.91 pounds.
The Kokanee Power Derby signals the end of the kokanee season at Shaver as the remaining 3-year-old fish have completely turned to spawning colors, and the bulk of kokanee are second-year fish that should be left alone to grow for 2024. With the lack of any kokanee planting by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife this year, a healthy spawn is necessary for action three years from now. Full results available at https://kokaneepower.profishingtournaments.com/tournament.php?id=146
A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html and for Huntington at http://www.shaverlakewebcams.info/huntington.html. Shaver is at 95 and Huntington at 97%.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service (559) 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service (559) 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing (559) 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 2
A trout plant occurred at Courtright last week, assisting the bank bite with Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The best location for holdovers has been in the upper lake near the inlet for trollers pulling blade/’crawler combinations or Rapalas. Wishon is scheduled for a trout plant this week, and this will help the bank bite considerably. Overall, interest in fishing the high-country lakes has been down from past seasons.
Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The nearshore rockfish closure along with the previous salmon closure has severely affected this port as the closest access to waters deeper than 50 fathoms are far from the harbor off of Pigeon Point with limited areas at the Farallon Islands. The bluefin tuna have been absent near the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy, but that doesn’t mean that boaters aren’t trying. The weather is expected to be rough for a week, limiting any attempt to make a run for it. Unfortunately, it is going to be fishing from shore or whale watching as the most consistent action for the remainder of the summer. Crab-only trips will start on Nov. 4, but crab/rockfish combination trips are in jeopardy.
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
Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “ocean fishing remains steady on Monterey Bay as we move into fall. Weather and sea conditions were somewhat confused last week, with some very windy days, some overnight winds and a mixed swell from the South and West. Most boaters could head out to the deeper reefs where quick limits have been the norm all season. In shore fishing for rockfish and lingcod is closed for the year, but a number of boats fished shallow in hopes of catching halibut, white sea bass or the thresher shark. The charter boats continue to post limits of fish for their clients. Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching Trips from Monterey had limits for every trip last week, up to 220 cod on Sunday’s trip aboard the Check Mate. The six-pack charter Santa Cruz Coastal’s Rodney Armstrong reported on a duo of good days fishing outside the 60-fathom line.
The most productive areas include the Mile Buoy area in Santa Cruz, North Coast Beaches above Santa Cruz, Capitola and the New Brighton area and the Sand City Area and Tioga Street near Monterey. These areas also happen to be holding the most significant amount of bait lately. Not only big mass schools of anchovies, but quite a few good groups of Spanish Mackerel as well. The anchovy crisis within Santa Cruz Harbor has abated. Harbor officials were able to turn off the aerators last Friday. The powerful south swell may have something to do with all the anchovies fish finding their way back out to open water. A die-off was averted thankfully.
One possible reason for the massive anchovy influx to the harbor that occurs every few years could be predators driving them into the shallows. We saw huge schools of anchovy in the surfline the week before last, with quite a few hungry stripers feasting. When the strong swell hit over the weekend those predatory fish moved further from shore. The powerful combination of south and west swells didn’t do our surfcasters any favors.
On the beaches, Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill said, “stripers in the 25- to 27-inch range have been taken on the beaches with Cotton Cordells in red/white or Duo Realis Tide Minnow jerkbaits in Mazume Sardine. The birds are diving, and the bait is out there.”
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 2
The opening of deep water for groundfish along with opening the season six weeks later were attempts to mitigate the take of quillback and copper rockfish. Unfortunately, these efforts proved fruitless in the long run, resulting in the Sept. 1 nearshore closure in the Central, San Francisco, and Mendocino Groundfish Management Areas – four months before the season was scheduled to close on Dec. 31. There has been a significant benefit from opening up deep water areas closed for over two decades, and if the weather is good enough to reach the grounds, rockfishing is spectacular. For boats out of San Francisco and Bodega Bays, that place has been Rittenburg Bank.
Rittenburg hadn’t been on the vocabulary of Northern California saltwater anglers for year as it has been off limits, and the run isn’t for the light of heart being situated 38 miles from the Golden Gate and 23 miles from Bodega Bay at 37.8833° N, 123.3333° W. It takes a full load of anglers plus the right weather to make it this far offshore. However, once you make it, the results are incredible.
Vince Borges of Phenix Rods sponsored a trip on the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley to Rittenburg, and he said, “It is such a different grade of rockfish and lingcod out there, it’s phenomenal. I was throwing a 9-inch swimbait for rockfish, and I was catching vermilions to 10 pounds. They were just chewing the big swimbait even though I missed a few fish since it is challenging to hook them on such as big bait. There were a dozen guys from the Stage Shop in Atwater, and after watching me throw swimbaits, they want to get in on the action. We normally run a single swimbait trip on the California Dawn, but we ran two this year. We are going to add a few more trips in the future because it really is amazing.”
This has been an epic halibut season inside of San Francisco Bay, and there haven’t been many signs of a let up as we move into the fall months. At some point, the halibut bite will slow down, but for now, it has been outstanding. One top of this, striped bass limits are there for the taking, and there have been more recent sighting of the prized white sea bass.
Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco is known as the ‘Ghost Whisperer,’ for his ability to find the bay’s white sea bass, and he said, “We had our regulars out on Friday, and after starting off laying a chum line for striped bass, we had a hook up before the second rod was in the water. From there, it only got better with limits for customers and crew before 7 a.m. After this, we went on a halibut hunt and found the flatfish in every spot we tried before looking around for white sea bass. We spent some time in the graveyard over some spirits, and hooked a zoomer, only to have it break off. I have been seeing more white sea bass lately, but they haven’t been willing to bite. I am encouraged from what I have been seeing, and September into early November is prime time for the bay’s white sea bass.”
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
Similar to the other ports in northern California, the boat-based nearshore rockfish season above Point Conception ended on Sept. 1, forcing boats out of Morro Bay to either fish nearshore below Point Conception or deep water of 50 fathoms or more. The rockfish season in this section of coast is almost over as the season is open all depths through Sept. 30 in the Central Management Area above Point Conception while the Southern Management Area below Point Conception ends on Sept. 15.
Out of Morro Bay Landing, the Endeavor was on a full day trip on Sunday with 25 passengers for limits of rockfish composed of 100 vermilion rockfish for sub-limits, 90 Boccaccio, and 60 assorted rockfish. These all-day trips have consistently produced limits. The Avenger and Starfire were out trips ranging from half to three-quarter day with 74 passengers for a combined 1110 vermilion, 92 assorted, and 25 Boccaccio. The Fiesta out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay was out on Sunday with 20 anglers for 60 vermilion along with 75 assorted rockfish, and 5 Boccaccio. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Patriot, Flying Fish, and Patriot were out on Monday on trips ranging from half- to all day with 45 passengers for near-limits of rockfish composed of 180 vermilion, 27 Boccaccio, 223 assorted rockfish, and a solitary 13.5-pound lingcod.
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 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
Striped bass continue to flood into the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, and the future over the next few months look very bright for a solid run. Largemouth bass action is also improving as the water clarity is improving along with the temperatures on the drop. Sturgeon anglers are also making a comeback in Suisun Bay although the diamondbacks have been there all summer long.
For largemouth bass, Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors found a wide open bite at the bottom of the tide with chatterbaits in the north Delta. He said, “What a difference a day makes as once the tide slowed down, we had a light’s out bite with over 70 bass in 1.5 hours for a limit over 20 pounds. Before the tide dropped, we picked away at some little fish and striped bass from 4 to 10 pounds. The previous day, we caught numbers of bass before the tide bottomed out, but we weren’t able to find any large bass for a limit at 11.5 pounds.”
The visibility in the central Delta ranges from four-to six-feet, and the water temperature is around 75 to 76 degrees with less visibility in the south Delta. A variety of lures are working with small 4-inch topwater poppers, frogs, jerkbaits, flukes, glide baits, and punching the weeds. It is a matter of finding moving current. A 13.20-pound largemouth bass was caught and released on a 4-inch popper in baby bass in Fourteen Mile Slough.
For striped bass, Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley reported great action during a combined trip with Delta Fishing Charters. He said, “We trolled on the Sacramento side, and although the wind was blowing, it was doable. The water is looking good, and we have been finding a solid grade of stripers deep-trolling Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows around 14 feet in depth. The best fishing has been when the tides slow down before the start of the incoming or outgoing. The weeds are far less of a nuisance when the tides back off. We are trolling right now, but we will be drifting live bait within a few weeks once the water cools a few more degrees.” Soo Hoo is guiding on weekends only.
Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported interest in bank fishing has improved with blood worms, and he said, “A lot of people are catching fish now. Blood worms have been the main bait, but we have fresh shad in the shop now, and prime time for shad fishing on the anchor is coming soon. The Antioch Fishing Pier, Sherman Island Road, and Isleton have been the top areas for striped bass from the banks. In our area in the south San Joaquin, the banks have been limited to the occasional striper, but it is mostly bluegill and catfish. The shad is getting larger, and I think the butterflied shad bite will take off within two weeks. We also have plenty of minnows, and the extra-large ones are almost as big as the jumbos.”
For sturgeon, Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “The sturgeon bite is on fire right now around the Benicia/Martinez Bridge. Most of the party boats have been concentrating around the bridge right now, and the bite has been on.” Six packs are returning to Pittsburg from San Francisco Bay, and Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing has brought the six-pack ‘Top Gun’ back to the Delta. There are major regulation changes on the horizon for white sturgeon, and the next opportunity for public input on soon-to-be proposed regulation changes will be during the Wildlife Resources Committee Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the San Jose Scottish Rite Center. The agenda is posted at https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2023. Instructions to join the meeting either in person or by Zoom are also shared on this website. The next meeting where regulations changes may be formally proposed will be the Fish and Game Commission on Oct. 11. Regulation changes for white sturgeon in 2024 include the possibility of catch-and-release only for the calendar year until new regulations can be adopted for 2025 reflecting a harvest rate of 4 percent.
The 19th Annual Northern California Delta Club Classic will be held on Sept. 30 out of Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island, and it is a club versus club tournament hosted by the Delta Bass Club. Participating clubs are the Bass Busters of Santa Clara, Bass Anglers Northern California, Contra Costa Bass Club, Fresno Bass Club, Manteca Bassin’ Buddies, Modesto Ambassadors, Sacramento Bass Wranglers, Valley Backlashers, Sierra Bass Club of Clovis, Great Basin Bassers of Reno, and the host, Delta Bass Club. Each club has a maximum of 6 teams. Information: http://www.deltabassclub.com/uploads/1/0/2/8/102806244/2023_club_classic_flyer.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 2 White bass 2 Striper 0 Catfish 3 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2
The lake level has held steady at 68%. Plastics on the drop-shot, Neko-rig or dart head stick baits at depths from 10 to 20 feet while a few spotted bass are taken on topwater lures or small swimbaits in the early mornings or late afternoons into the evenings. Catfishing is best with anchovies or Triple S Dip Bait while crappie are found in the submerged structure with live minnows or minijigs. White bass are holding around the shad schools, and trollers are scoring with white Roostertails or Kastmasters or similar spoons.
A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/.
At Santa Margarita, there is a reaction bite with jerkbaits, chatterbaits, or topwater lures over the flooded vegation. The lake is releasing water, and it dropped slightly to 91.3%, but there is still plenty of flooded grass. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california. At San Antonio, the lake held at 67%. Catfishing remains best with chicken liver, mackerel soaked in garlic scent, or Triple S Dip Baits. With the high water, the bass are spread out throughout the lake, but a pattern can be developed with search baits such as jerkbaits or underspins.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Sept. 30
City of Gustine Kid’s Fishing Derby at the Duck Pond
Oct. 7
Striperz Gone Wild Three-Year Anniversary ‘Fall Classic’ Striper Derby - 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilldale Bridge with a BBQ, 50/50 raffle, and prizes in the adult and youth divisions.
Oct. 14
Kid’s Fishing Derby – California Striped Bass Association – West Delta Chapter – Antioch Fishing Pier in Antioch – prizes, lunch, and raffle.
Tournament results
Sept. 9
Shaver Lake – Kokanee Power Team Derby Adult Division (Three-Fish weigh in)
1st – Gary Coe/Mark Hall – 6.40 pounds; 2nd – Steve Cowles/Jamie Schultz/Jack Schultz – 5.33; 3rd – James, Jim, and Denise Franco/Elvia Lopez – 5.00. Big Kokanee – 2.66 – Jack Naves Team. Big Trout – 0.91 – Chris Dunham Team.
Shaver Lake – Kokanee Power Team Derby Junior Division (One-Fish weigh in)
1st – Bearett Gill – 1.07 pounds; 2nd – Alex Thomas – 1.03; 3rd – Kaitlyn Contreras – 1.02.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Sept. 10
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
Sept. 16-17
Delta/B and W Resort – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
New Melones – Bass Anglers of Northern California
Sept. 16
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass Club
Delta/Contra Costa – Sierra Bass Club
Amador – American Bass Association
New Hogan – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
New Melones – Sonora Bass Club
Kaweah – Golden Empire Bass Club
Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers/Bakersfield Bass Club
Santa Margarita – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
Pyramid Lake – Kern County Bassmasters
Sept. 17
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Tulloch – Stanislaus County Sheriff
Santa Margarita - American Bass Association
Sept. 23
New Melones – El Dorado Bass
Don Pedro – Nor Cal Bass
McClure – Christian Bass League
Isabella – American Bass Association
Sept. 24
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lake Camanche – Gold Country Bass Tour
New Melones – Fresno Bass Club
Sept. 30
Don Pedro – 17/90 Bass Club
Nacimiento –3rd Annual Cope’s Customer Appreciation Bass Tournament
Oct. 1
Delta/Contra County – East County Student Anglers
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – 17/90 Bass Club
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
