Fishing report for week of July 12-18: Anchovies and chicken livers are enticing the catfish
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
West side waterways stripers and catfish hungry, Josh Mesa said, Don Pedro bass and Kokanee on tap, Ryan Cook reported. New Melones producing big Kokanee, Kyle Wise said. Shaver trout hitting, Dick Nichols reported. Wishon trout limits easy, Ta Moua said.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 3 Catfish 3
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported excellent catfishing with anchovies or chicken livers while Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis recommended finding the moving water for an early morning topwater or jerkbait bite for stripers while catfish and stripers are taken on blood or lug worms.
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported cut sardines, jumbo live minnows, and lugworms are working for stripers near the headgates while jerkbaits, flukes on a jig head, or glide baits work best in the mornings or evenings. most productive time for lure anglers has been in the mornings and evenings. Catfishing is best with Triple S dip bait, chicken liver, or cut baits.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 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, “Eastman has been very slow with the heat pushing the bass out into deep water. Deep-diving crankbaits, plastics on a Texas-rig, or jigs in the brush piles are your best bet.” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle added, “Eastman remains super tough as I was on the lake from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. without a bite. There are schools of baby crappie around the points and the submerged island, and the largemouths are busting on baby bass. The fish will follow a lure, but we found no takers. Hensley is also tough, but there is a good bluegill bite with meal worms, wax worms, or red worms around the rocks. A few small bass are found in the back of the reservoir.” Eastman dropped 3 feet to 564.98 feet in elevation and 76% with Hensley also dropping 2 feet to 516.21 feet in elevation and 63% as water releases have begun.
Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) 673-5151.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Bass action remains the best in the Mother Lode, but the bite slowed down this week with the rapidly rising lake level. Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “Instead of 40 to 50 bass, we are coming up with 20-to-25 fish per day as they have spread out with the rising water. Jerkbaits such as the Megabass 110 +1 along with topwater lures are working in the early mornings. One client landed back-to-back 4-pound bass on an Evergreen’s Shower Blow this week. The topwater bite is very close to the bank, but the remainder of action is taking place from 5-to-30 feet in depth, and I am starting to check out deeper water. It’s been kind of the same with 3.5-inch Dry Creek tubes on a 1/4-ounce Lunker Daddy jig head, plastics on a Carolina-rig, 1/4-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 all working.”
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing continues to find solid kokanee, rainbow trout, and king salmon action with Paulina Peak’s Flutter Bugs at depths from 40-to-60 feet with the best action between 45 and 50 feet. He said, “The kokanee are not in a normal location as where I’m finding them, I have never seen them there before. It is a matter of searching around until you find the fish. We have been averaging from one to three king salmon per trip, and the kings are also high in the water column around 45 feet. The surface temperature is in the 79/80-degree range, but it is much colder just below the surface.”
The lake rose 12 feet to 816.74 feet in elevation and 92%. The river arm is expected to rise to 827 feet by July 20, and the majority of debris will be floating to the point it can be removed by their contractor. Due to the rapid increase in reservoir elevation, boaters are requested to adhere to all posted signage and take the following measures to ensure their safety and the safety of others:
No overnight parking on the Blue Oaks Lower Launch Ramp
Do not park near the lake adage and the shoreline
Be prepared for intermittent launch ramp closures at Blue Oaks
Follow the navigation buoys when using the Blue Oaks Upper Launch Ramp
Be cautious of floating debris
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 two feet to 2,600.74 feet in elevation and 91%. The Kern River at Kernville has dropped to 3375 cfs while water releases out of the dam dropped from 5202 to 4350 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported multiple fish over 8 pounds have been reported in the past few weeks as the action is heating up with buzzbaits, crankbaits, or plastics on a Texas-rig or shakey head around solid action Rocky Point, French Gulch, The Flume, and Pine Point at depths from 5-to-25 feet. Crappie has been up or down depending upon whether you find the right submerged tree or brush, and live minnows or minijigs are working. Catfishing is solid with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. There are still plenty of trout in the lake, and trollers are scoring with 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. 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.
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 5 feet this week to 710.59 in elevation and 95%. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported stick baits, crankbaits, or plastics on a Ned-rig or drop-shot are best at depths from 5 to 35 feet with the best cut in deep water. Crappie action is decent near the submerged brush in Horse Creek with Keitech swimbaits, minijigs, or live minnows. Catfishing is best with cut baits, chicken liver, or Triple S Dip Bait.
The Kaweah River at Three Rivers remains high, but it dropped from 4096 to 2682 cfs this week.
Lake Success
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
Success rose less than a foot to 648.35 feet in elevation and 90%. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported bass fishing is strong in the submerged trees or brush with jigs, stick baits, or reaction baits for largemouths to 5 pounds. There is an early morning topwater bite with Whopper Ploppers or walking-style baits while crankbaits have also been success. Crappie are taken with small minnows or minijigs over submerged brush near the Tule River inlet. Similar to Kaweah, catfishing is best with sardines, shrimp, or Triple S Dip Bait.
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
Bill Kunz of St. Croix Rods fished the Fresno Bass Club night tournament over the weekend, and he said, “I had heard the bite was tough but it was worse than tough, it was a brutal! Limits were hard to come by, and the bigger fish did not want to play. After it was all said and done, I was lucky enough to weigh-in 17.44 for second place, falling just short of the winner Tim Turner who had 17.47. I had to mix it up all night long just to get bit, but all my fish came throwing a shad-colored Bill Norman crankbait, a black Picasso spinnerbait, a drop-shot with a Purple Death Pro Worm, or a Super Spook. All the above were thrown on St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass and Victory Series Rods spooled up with P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon and TCB Braided line.”
The lake is on the rise again, and it rose 6.5 feet to 857.30 in elevation and 93%.
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008,
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
The lake is now below spilling, and it dropped to 92%. There hasn’t been much change as trout plants have not been scheduled. 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
Michal Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Small fish have been the rule as the majority of action has been in the river arm as the water has warmed up considerably in the main lake.” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle also recommended the back of the river arm with crankbaits or flipping jigs in water less than 15 feet. Water releases down the San Joaquin remain high, and they have risen once again from 3539 to 4071 cfs at Friant. The lake rose 12 feet this week to 572.76 feet in elevation and 95 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 kicking out some of the largest kokanee in the state, but the bite is for the experienced troller as most are struggling. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find quality kokanee to 2.4 pounds trolling at depths from 35 to 45 feet with an Apex lure behind a Paulina Peak gold hammered dodger. He said, “I have been trolling from the Spillway south to Rose Island, and there were 37 boats trolling within eyesight this week. The bite isn’t fast or furious as most boats are only finding a few kokanee.”
Bass fishing has improved for numbers in the main lake along steep rocky banks with plastics on the drop-shot or Brush Hogs on a Carolina-rig. Chris Pennington of Escondido landed a 9.10-pound spotted bass on a Steve Wonder 5-inch stick worm in the shallows.
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
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle said, “The water is coming up fast, and we found our best action recently flipping plastics over grassy flats. The parking lot is under water as the lake is extremely high, and there are lots of shad in the lake. Most of the action is taking place in the top 10 feet as there is a thermocline between 20 and 25 feet, and the bass don’t want the cold water.” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis reported a consistent bite for small bass with topwater lures in the mornings and evenings along with small swimbaits or plastics on a Texas-rig or drop-shot. He added, “When the wind picks up, the jerkbait bite improves. There is plenty of floating timber on and just below the surface.” Trout trollers are working around Deer Creek over the shad schools. The lake rose 19 feet this week to 934.99 feet in elevation and 91%. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer remain dangerous even though they have dropped from 19,955 to 12, 700 cfs. 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
The lake remains extremely high at 95 percent. Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a solid striped bass bite with jerkbaits, paddletailed swimbaits on a jig head, topwater lures, or flukes while pile worms or anchovies are working best for bank anglers. He said, “The forebay has been quiet.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the bite is decent - if you can get out and the lake isn’t closed. “Most of the last week has had wind and that’s been the real issue. Now it looks like a forecast of 100 plus degrees is coming. The troll bite has been good at times but things are changing again quickly. Few anglers got out this last week “ George reported.
Micheal Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovvis reported a solid troll bite in the big lake while 4- to 5-inch swimbaits are working for stripers in the forebay.” The forebay is at 81 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
Heavy holiday boat traffic slowed down fishing action, but trout to 18 inches remain plentiful out in front of the Forks to the Sheriff’s Tower. Trollers have to get on the water very early to beat the recreational boat traffic. Dick’s Mountain Hoochies or Trout Busters in orange/white or purple/white behind Dick’s Mountain Dodgers in blue or gold continue to work. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis added, “Bluegill and crappie are taken on minijigs or small plastics while spotted bass are taken on jerkbaits, jigs, or plastics on a Texas-rig or drop-shot.” A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https://basslakeca.com/. The lake is at 89 percent.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing (559) (559) 676-8133.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass lakes are rising, and trout fishing has been solid at both Edison and Florence Lake. Road conditions 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) (559) 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 2 Trout 3
Shaver guide emeritus Dick Nichols said, “Another good week of trout fishing at Shaver as we found the trout most everywhere, but Black Rock and the island were the best spots. The kokanee are hitting a little more regularly, but they are mediocre in size. A couple of 16 to 18 inchers is possible. I fished with Dr. Eric Hanson and his family - daughter Allison, grandchildren Jed, and Riley Penner, plus their friend, Hudson Reid, this past Saturday and picked up limits of mixed fish. We continue to have our best results on Dick’s Mountain Koke Busters in purple or Stevenson green and orange Trout Busters tipped with crawler behind a Captain J or Doc Barb Mountain Dodger on the side poles at 135 feet back On the downriggers, Dick’s Mountain Candy in orange or pink was hot along with a purple Dick’s Mountain Tube tipped with scented corn behind the same Dick’s Mountain Dodgers. Don’t be afraid to try the Boy Scout Cove or Dorabela Cove. Kokanee have been active in the Sierra Marina, dam, and the Point areas at 20 to 30 feet down. The lake settled down about Thursday after a busy holiday weekend. The surface water has risen from 65 degrees last week to 70 degrees this week, dropping most of the fish in the water column 10 feet or more.
A guy just told me that Huntington is providing action both kokes and trout, but you already know they are small. The Department of Fish and Wildlife planted both lakes with 6-inch browns, and it is hard to keep them off of your lines.” Jay Irvine fished shaver lake Tuesday thru Friday. Last week. Early in the week Dick’s Mountain Tackle purple Koke busters behind a captain J dodger on side rods 110 to 135 feet back. Orange and green spinners work well on downrigger with 29 feet being the best depth for both trout and kokanee. Later in the week as the water temperature warmed up and lake settled down from the holiday weekend, the color of lures changed, and the bite improved. Paulina Peak’s Tequila Sunrise hoochie behind a small gold dodger with orange stripe worked well on dodgers between 29 to 34 feet. Side rods were better deeper at 135 feet back with orange and green spinners with Mountain dodgers. The best areas were between Road 1 and 2 and around the island.”
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 (559) 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service (559) 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing (559) 802-8072.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 3
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported easy limits of rainbows near the dam with Power Bait, red worms, nightcrawlers, or waxworms.” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported a number of larger browns have been taken by blade/’crawler combinations or Rapalas at depths to 20 feet. Courtright remains closed, and it may not open until August. Interested anglers should check road conditions for Courtright through the High Sierra Ranger Station in Prather at (559) 855-5355.
Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Bluefin tuna 3 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Bluefin mania stuck this port on July 2nd with private boats as small as 19-foot Boston Whalers heading out beyond the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy for up to two huge bluefin in the 180-pound range. Fast-trolling Nomad Design’s Madmacs was the technique, and even anglers with minimal experience were hooking up. The key is the ability to land the big fish, and it takes the correct gear. Steve Carson of Pure Fishing offered his recommendations for gearing up for bluefin with the following: Downrigger trolling live baits: Reels - PENN Fathom 11 FTH1140NLD2 or FTH1160NLD2; Rods – PENN Carthage 11 ‘West Coast’ CARWC1140100C78; Line: 80-pound braid.
Trolling Cedar Plugs, small swimming plugs, or feather jigs for tuna in the 50- to 175-pound range: Reel – PENN Fathom 11 FTH1180LD2; Rod – PENN Carthage 111 ‘West Coast’ CARWC11160100C70: Line – 80- to 100-pound braid.
Trolling swimming plugs for tuna in the 100- to 300-pound range:
Reel-PENN International 30VISX or 30VISW; Rod PENN Carthage 111 ‘West Coast’ CARWC11180130C70; Line: 100- to 130-pound braid
Trolling large swimming plugs and spreader bars for tuna in the 100- to 400-pound range: Reel – PENN International 50V1SX or 50V1SW; Rod PENN Carthage 111 ‘West Coast’ CARWC11180150C70; Line: 130- to 150-pound braid.
Carson predicts a 300-pound bluefin tuna will be landed in northern California waters within the year.
Bill Smith of Riptide Sport Fishing is looking forward to Sunday’s nearshore rockfish opener as the weather has been the limiting factor on the deep water ventures. He has taken a few trips to the shale reefs outside of Pigeon Point for big widow, yellow, vermilion, chili pepper, and vermilion rockfish, but the ling cod are limited on this type of reef.
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
Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching in Monterey said, “The rockfish bite has just been tremendous, and we are fishing in 450 to 500 feet of water, but the rockfish are only around 100 to 150 feet down. There are huge chili pepper, vermilions, and yellows there, and the ling cod count has also been amazing. When we are limiting out on lings, we are heading south to Big Sur as there are few ling cod in the canyon. After loading up on rockfish one day, our captain saw bluefin breezing all over the surface, and he set out the gear, landing a bluefin in the 180-pound range. It’s been really good here.”
Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “There are tons of bait around Monterey and Carmel. We’re seeing mackerel, sardines, anchovies, smelt and scattered spots of squid. Lots of bait means lots of fish! Deep water rockfish is getting the most attention, but nearshore rockies and halibut are keeping the skiff anglers and kayak fishermen busy. Boats launching from Moss Landing Harbor are finding the canyon edges continue to provide a bounty of chilipepper rockfish, mixed with vermilion and canaries. Big lings are on the bite from rockpiles as deep as 700 feet. In Santa Cruz, the halibut have been going crazy. From the surfcasters on the beach out to 90 feet of water, almost everyone is getting their limits of flatties. Deepwater rockfish out of Santa Cruz on up to the Davenport area continue to bite voraciously from 300 to 400 feet of water. Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching Trips from Monterey continues to post full limits of rockfish for every trip, even the half-day forays. We’ve come to expect nothing less. The Kahuna fished locally on Sunday and pulled in limits of lingcod along with hefty rockfish, according to skipper Joey Stagnaro. Go Fish Santa Cruz’ JT Thomas on the beautiful Miss Beth was back in the harbor well before lunchtime on Sunday. This despite going for the deepwater species, which can be quite a drive. Thomas said, ‘We fished the deep waters again today. The clients caught early limits of rockfish including big vermillion, green spots and chili peppers.’ With the incessant winds finally dying down and the swell dropping as well, conditions were very good for the surfcasters in our area. Reports continue to indicate a good mix of surf perch along the coast, mostly a mix of barred, walleye, calico and forktails. Striped bass are ranging as far south as Carmel, though most catches continue to be reported from the Seaside and Marina areas. A few stripers caught have been in the 20-pound class, though most are smaller schoolies. those interested in hunting bigger striped bass would be well-served to head up the coast north of Santa Cruz, to the historical beaches of Pescadaro, Pomponio, and San Gregorio. A mix of irons, stick baits and poppers are all doing the trick on those beaches as well as north to Half Moon Bay and Pacifica for the larger models.”
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 Bluefin Tuna 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 1
Bluefin mania struck the northern California ports from Monterey north to Fort Bragg over the past week, and the ‘Boat that launched a thousand ships’ was the Pacific Angler out of Alameda when they landed a 180-pound bluefin outside the Farallon Islands on July 1. Within the next three days, anglers were heading out from 30 to 50 miles offshore to find up to five bluefin tuna to 180 pounds fast-trolling Nomad Design’s Madmacs. Six-packs and party boats geared up to take advantage of the flurry of activity generated by the big tuna along the Continental Shelf. Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley was out with Captain Justin Young of Codfather Fishing, and they landed two bluefin at 120 and 130 pounds pulling the Madmacs. Smith is looking at the weather and is planning an overnight trip with live bait in the near future. His brother, Captain James Smith of the California Dawn 2 is also planning an overnight trip for bluefin similar to those held in southern California waters. These will be the first efforts of these type in northern California. The mania hasn’t subsided, but the weather at the end of the week kept all of the boats from making the long run to the Continental Shelf. Tackle sales of the Nomad’s, 100-pound braided line, 200-pound fluorocarbon, big reels, and heavy rods went through the roof as local shops scrambled to meet demand.
The nearshore rockfish season opens on Sunday, July 16, and anglers will be able to fish any depth from Sunday through December 31. When the weather cooperates, boats such as the Outer Limits from Sausalito have been able to make the 38-mile run to Rittenburg Bank for huge rockfish and ling cod. These long-range trips will be limited once the nearshore season opens.
Inside the bay, halibut and striped bass action is anticipated to rebound after the week of big tides has subsided. Unfortunately, few party boats have been running with only halibut and striped bass to target, and the salmon closure continues to plague the fleet with many captains at risk of losing their businesses. Federal salmon relief funds are a possibility depending upon the Department of Commerce and Congress, but if the relief funds are released, they may not arrive until December. Many large boats are heading out with as few as five customers during the week, operating at a loss. Live bait rose $5 to $60/per scoop starting July 1.
Sunday was a typical day with the big tides as the California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley returned with over a fish per rod with 30 halibut and 9 striped bass for 24 anglers while the California Dawn 1 returned with 17 halibut and 11 striped bass for 11 anglers. However, Monday’s action improved considerably with the California Dawn 2 scoring early limits of halibut. The weather kept the boats from heading outside the Golden Gate to the fertile grounds of the North and South Bars.
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 21 anglers returning with limits of rockfish composed of 84 vermilion, 26 Boccaccio, and 100 assorted rockfish to go with a single ling cod. The Avenger and Flying Fish were out on trips ranging from ½- to 3/4th – day with 56 passengers for 208 vermilion, 191 assorted rockfish, 20 Boccaccio, 10 Bolina, a cabezon, and 2 ling cod. Out of Virg’s Landing, the Black Pearl, Rita G, and Fiesta were out on trips ranging from ½- to 3/4th day on Sunday with a combined 81 anglers for 243 vermilion, 298 assorted rockfish, 53 Boccaccio, and a solitary ling cod. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Patriot and Flying Fish were on ½-day trips on Sunday with a combined 45 passengers for 6 vermilion, 176 assorted rockfish, and a 6-pound 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 largemouth bass bite remains a challenge throughout the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, but there are signs of improvement.
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for the Best Bass Tournaments events out of Russo’s Marina on both Saturday and Sunday, and he said, “The bite was better on Sunday as it was cold in the early morning, and the fish turned on. The weather continues to be a rollercoaster as it was 110 a week ago, followed by a week in the 70’s, only to be followed by another triple-digit heat spell. Florida-strain largemouth bass need consistency, and the weather has been far from consistent. The best action took place with bladed jigs or spinnerbaits. There were several blowups on frogs, but they were missing it. Sunday’s wind helped out the spinnerbait bite.”
Dave King was the tournament director for the 38-boat Nor Cal Bass event out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton on Saturday.
“It was a very tough bite as 9 pounds cashed a check.,” he said. “The limits went from 19 pounds in first to two limits in the 13-pound range for second and third, followed by a couple of 10’s, and finally, 9-pound limits. 35 boats showed up at the weigh in, and it seemed that spinnerbaits or chatterbaits worked best in the windy conditions. It wasn’t very windy in the east Delta around Disappointment Slough, but it was really blowing in the open flooded islands of Mildred and Frank’s Tract. It wasn’t a matter of not finding fish as I must have caught 50 fish to the 3-pound range, but the majority were less than 13 inches. Senkos, crankbaits, and Rat-L-Traps were working until the tide changed, but once the tide changed, the topwater bite took off with the River2Sea Whopper Plopper and Zara Spooks. The punch bite has been fair, and there are still bass that have yet to spawn.”
Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors added, “It has been a challenging bite all summer long as some areas are loaded with grass while others are without grass. We must have landed 40 keepers in the 2- to 3-pound range during this week’s Wednesday Night Shootout, and the majority were found on reaction baits such as chatterbaits in Red Craw with a few blowups on frogs. The punch bite has been tough.”
The end of the month into August will feature the two major frog tournaments in the Delta with the Eigthth 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.
Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing continues to find success on his sturgeon trips in Suisun Bay, and Monday’s trip was one for the ages, leading Mitchell to say, “Today’s trip was nothing but action, action ,action for our charter. It will go down in history for this family who brought their granddad who is about to be a hundred years old to catch a sturgeon at his late age. We landed 7 fish to the boat, got broke off on another, and only missed one bite throughout the day. We landed slot-limit, shorts, and oversized, keeping two legal fish. The bite is really good this summer.”
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 86%. Spotted bass action remains very strong with plastics on a Carolina-rig along with Keitech swimbaits on an underspin while white bass are responding to the hot weather by busting shad on the surface. Small white Roostertails or Kastmasters continue to work. 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 99.4%, 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 97.4%. 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/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass– July 8: 1st – Ed Ackerman/Rick Degaetano – 19.93 (Big Fish – 5.59); 2nd – Blong Vang/Vernell Wooten– 13.78; 3rd – Hunter Schlander/Juan Acosta – 13.33.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Delta/Mother Lode Division – July 8: 1st – Brandon Gee/Michael Hitomi– 19.49 (Big Fish – 6.16); 2nd – Jerry Golobe Sr./Jerry Golobe Jr. – 15.03; 3rd – Xiong Vang/Tou Vang – 14.66.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Delta/Central Division – July 9: 1st – Austin Phillips/Kyle Santos – 19.03 (Big Fish – 10.05); 2nd – Rich Fonbuana Sr./Rich Fonbuena Jr. – 19.14; 3rd – Joe Mariani/Luke Lipanovich – 16.57.
Lake Pardee – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies – July 8: 1st –Rich Henderson/Steve Henderson – 10.15; 2nd – Rick Cissel/Mike Vasquez– 8.70; 3rd – Wes Marks/Gabriel Contreras – 7.90.
Lake McClure – Fresno Bass Club Night Tournament (Two Limits) – July 8-9: 1st – Tim Turner – 17.47; 2nd – Bill Kunz – 17.44; 3rd – Paul Shafer – 14.21.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
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
More online
For Ocean, Delta, Central Coast and Kern County reports plus trout plants and tournament results/schedules, go to fresnobee.com/fishing
