Fishing report, April 26-May 2: Bass Lake derby this weekend has $55,000 up for grabs

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

Eastman and Pine Flat bass and crappie bites breaking out, Michael Crayne reported. Don Pedro kicking out solid bass and trout action, Monte Smith said. McClure bass and crappie munching, Ryan Cook reported. New Melones trout and bass on the prowl, Kyle Wise said. Shaver trout plants this week, Dick Nichols reported. Delta bass, stripers and sturgeon bites going, Alan Fong said. Bass lake trout active, Mike Beighey reported.

Roger’s remarks: Don’t be that guest who doesn’t pay a fair share of boat trip expenses

I was recently asked by a veteran fisherman to consider writing about a common awkward fishing situation: the guest who consistently fishes out of a buddy’s boat but only chips in a little expense money.

Some folks think that giving the boater $20 for gas is doing them a wild favor, when the owner is spending over $100, or much more, just in gas for the day. Things like boat insurance, registrations, lake tags, engine maintenance, tires, repairs, entry fees, storage costs, truck/vehicle towing costs (lower gas mileage pulling the trailer) – to name a few – are all rising costs a guest doesn’t consider if all they see is the fill-up at the gas pump.

This kind of thing occurs more between good buddies because the boat owner doesn’t want to say anything, possibly losing a friendship. And so the offense festers. Having a good partner can expand the budget and the fishing possibilities for everyone involved.

Grudgingly giving the minimum for gas and then boldly asking, “Is that enough?” puts the owner in a tough place. It won’t kill the guest to actually give a little more than expected – and your buddy may do a full backflip.

It’s time to reconsider the relationship. Sharing the load of operating a nice fishing boat helps everyone and fosters a lot of goodwill. If you’re a regular guest, letting your boater know you understand his position by pulling your fair weight and helping him offset his big bills with a nice cash infusion can separate you from the crowd. It’s what good sportsmen do: Treat others as you would like to be treated! Never give up … doing the right thing.

Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com , Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars

Valley

Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

Striperz Gone Wild started as an internet grouping of aqueduct anglers in the southern San Joaquin Valley in 2020, and they have grown to a major force in creating fishing opportunities for adults and youth along with giving back to local communities. Five of the top 10 counties in California with the highest rate of food insecurity are located in the southern San Joaquin Valley with Merced County rated third behind Imperial and Tulare counties. For the past three years, Striperz Gone Wild has dedicated their annual spring striped bass derby toward collecting canned food for residents of Merced County, and this past Saturday, 128 adult and youth anglers congregated at the Hilldale Bridge near Los Banos to participate in the second annual Hailey Lauchland Memorial Tournament.

Bill Sterling, club founder, said, “It was a great day for our tournament with over 1,400 cans collected to be distributed to the local churches. Our tournament entry fee is 10 cans of food, and we have collected over 6,000 cans during the past three years. We dedicated our spring derby to Hailey who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2021 before passing way in March 2022 at the young age of 29. She was definitely watching over the tournament as her 7-year-old son pulled in the winning striper at 22¼ inches. I couldn’t have written a better script and we watched him pull it in as he was fishing right near where we had set up.”

Sterling added, “We hold three tournaments per year, and each tournament is designed to benefit the community including a canned food drive and a Toys for Tots drive. One of our mission statements is ‘No kid should go without a tackle box.’ During our first year, we gave away 110 tackle boxes and have averaged 100 tackle boxes per year. We got involved with the City of Gustine this past year, and we handed out tackle boxes to the first 50 children during their kids derby at the city’s Duck Pond. The smiles on their faces are priceless. When we give away a tackle box, we provide a bobber, a weight, a hook, and a fluke in each one we give away to give them a start. Our plan is to give away another 100 tackle boxes to the kids in the area that don’t have one to get them excited and more motivated to go out fishing more often. Get them out of the house and away from their computer games because as soon as they catch a fish, they will be hooked for life!”

The California Aqueduct is a perfect place to start youngsters on the right track as the costs are minimal with no entry fee with easy access in many locations. Anglers can park and fish from the safety of several dead-end bridges as youth need close supervision due to the swiftness of the water when the gates are open. Matthew Rodrigo became the first two-time winner in the Adult Division with Jeramy Armstrong Jr. taking the Youth Division at 22.25 inches.

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle said, ““The California Aqueduct remains muddy and high, but largemouth bass are found around the bridge pilings with 5- or 6-inch Senkos on a wacky-rig. Bait fishing with anchovies has been best with striped bass. Catfishing is solid with cut baits.”

In the south aqueduct in Kern County, catfishing is the best thing going with cut baits, chicken liver, or Triple S Dip Bait while largemouth bass are taken on Keitech swimbaits or jerkbaits. Cut baits or jumbo minnows are working for striped bass, but you have to find the schools.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 3 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 3

Eastman has been outstanding for largemouth bass for the past several weeks, so outstanding in fact that the parking lot has been filled up with boat trailers on the weekends. Finding a place to park has been a challenge if one arrives by mid-morning. The opening of Avenue 29 has contributed to the boat traffic along with a solid largemouth and crappie bite. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The crappie are moving up into the shallows to spawn, and submerged brush is holding both bass and crappie. interest. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, or plastics on a shakey head or Carolina rig are working near the dam while some are tossing rainbow trout-patterned swimbaits near the shorelines. The recent trout plants should turn on the big bait bite.” Hensley remains slow, but there are carp are all over the shallows. Eastman rose 2 feet to 574.11 in elevation and 86% with Hensley rising 5.5 feet to 517.13 in elevation and 64%.

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 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 1 Crappie 2

Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported continued solid trout action as the water temperatures are warming up quickly to the 58/59-degree range. He has been scoring with heavy spoons on lead core, spinners or Apex lures behind a dodger, or working Rapalas or blade/’crawler combinations on side planers. He said, “We will start targeting kokanee soon as I am aware of kokanee starting to show up, and there are big mats of plankton in the lake and the fish are gorging themselves on the plankton The rainbows are in very good shape, fat and healthy with few copepods.” For bass, Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “Don Pedro is clearly improving as the fish are in various stages of the spawn. I’ve already seen fry in the shallows. Weightless 5-inch Senkos on a wacky-rig, stick baits, Lunker Daddy plastics on either the drop-shot or Carolina-rig or Baby Brush Hogs are all working at depths from 5 to 20 feet in the cuts. We landed a couple of fish in the 5-pound range this week as part of a 19-pound limit.” The lake dropped 4 feet to 799.43 in elevation and to 82%.

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 2 Bluegill 2

The lake dropped less than a foot to 52% and 2,578.22 feet in elevation as inflow and outflow have been balanced in preparation for the heavy snowmelt. A trout plant is scheduled for this week, and trollers are scoring with spoons or blade/’crawler combinations around French Gulch. Bass fishing is best with plastics, crankbaits, swimbaits or crawdad-imitation jigs Catfish are taken on medium to extra-large minnows, Triple S Dip Bait or shrimp while crappie are moving into the submerged structure near the shorelines with small Keitech swimbaits, minijigs, or small to medium minnows. The 32nd annual Kern County Chamber of Commerce Trout Fishing Derby has been postponed from its April 1 start, and it will now occur from May 20 through June 4. Registration is $40/angler with youth at $15/angler, and there are 500 tagged trout worth between $20 and $10,000 and over $55,000 in cash and prizes. Registration and information are available at kernrivervalley.com/isabellalakefishingderby. Boaters are reminded to proceed with caution due to debris that’s gathered in lake from the Upper Kern River. Three boat docks were placed are back in service at the South Fork Recreation, Old Isabella Road, and Camp 9.

At the local lakes, River Walk is scheduled for a trout plant this week, and garlic-scented Power Bait, pinched crawlers, or Get Bent Baits will be effective for the planters for a few days after the plant. The flows in the upper Kern River at Kernville have risen to 3,656 cfs with releases out of the dam at First Point at 5,096 cfs. Trout fishing in the upper Kern River is on hold with the high water levels.

Call: 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 dropped another 18 feet to 623.83 in elevation and 21%. The dropping water is affecting the largemouth bass spawn as these fish need stable water levels as they spawn in shallow water as opposed to spotted bass who can spawn as deep as 18 feet. Bass fishing remains with Senkos, plastics on the drop-shot, or reactions baits. The bass are moving into the shorelines in preparation for the spawn, and the current warm conditions will only further spur on the movement to the shorelines. A trout plant occurred last week, and this should help both the swimbait bite along with bank anglers targeting planters near the launch ramp. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers rose slightly to 2,584 cfs. A trout plant is scheduled for Mooney Grove Park this week.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

Success held steady at 639.32 feet in elevation and 67%. A trout plant occurred last week, and this should bring out the largemouth bass to feed on the planters along with attracting anglers to work the banks with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters. The Golden Empire Bass Club tournament was won with a limit just over 10 pounds with the big fish of the tournament at 2.80 pounds. Finesse presentations are working best for bass as the fish are moving into the shallows in all stages of spawning. The high water levels should allow for a solid spawn. A trout plant is scheduled for Murry Park this week.

Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com

McClure Reservoir

Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 3 Catfish 2

Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “Bass fishing has been outstanding for numbers with plastics on the drop-shot or Carolina-rig along with G-Money jigs or ripbaits at depths from the banks to 15 feet. This is an excellent time to catch numbers of fish, but finding anything of size has been a challenge.” Crappie action has been outstanding in the submerged brush in the shallows with minijigs or small Keitech swimbaits. The lake has dropped 9 feet to 802.35 feet in elevation and 62%.

Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008

McSwain Reservoir

Trout 2

The lake is spilling over at 107%, and it is anticipated to remain high 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 most bank anglers are struggling for a fish or two per trip.

Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 0 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2

California Bass Federation Region 2 had their final points tournament at the lake on Sunday, and while some struggled to find quality bass, others found some quality bass. John Albidrez took first on the Angler side with Lucien Dandurand on the Co-Angler side. Cory Kerber caught and released a 25-pound striped bass while participating in the tournament. Region 2 went the entire season without a single dead fish. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake continues to drop rapidly in preparation for incoming snowmelt, and it receded 21 feet this week to 497.65 in elevation and 31%. The rapid drawdown has threatened the spawn for both spotted and largemouth bass as beds have been left high and dry. Bass fishing is best with crankbaits along the shorelines as the fish are suspending due to the dropping water. Crappie are found in submerged structure on the Madera side with minijigs or small Keitech swimbaits. Heavy water releases continue at 8,298 cfs down the San Joaquin River at Friant.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 3Crappie 3 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2

Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “Rainbow trout action remains solid for experienced trollers working at depths to 25 feet with kokanee gear or Speedy Shiners. Kokanee to 16.5 inches have been found at the same depths.” John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Guide Service said, “Bass fishing has been excellent for numbers, but few fish over 5 pounds have been found. There is the occasional topwater bite along with flukes or Keitech swimbaits. There are some bed fish, but a significant wave of bass hasn’t arrived on the beds as of yet.” The lake rose 6 feet to 999.03 in elevation this week and 61% with the start of snowmelt coming down the Stanislaus River.

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 3

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Bass and crappie take center stage here with a showing of planted rainbow trout as the fish are moving towards the shorelines. Last week’s trout plant accounted for improved action. Bass are found in the flats or inlets staging for the spawn, and all techniques are working for the hungry fish. A wide range of offerings are working including: underspins, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or jigs. Quality slabs are found in the trees near Trimmer, Deer Creek, or Island Park with minijigs or small jerkbaits. The lake dropped 22 feet to 849.85 in elevation and 50%. The flows on the lower Kings are high at 6,698 cfs due to heavy water releases. Bank angling for planted rainbows has slowed down with the lack of plants and the high water.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 1

The lake remained extremely high at 99% this week. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “Limits of school-sized striped bass remain the rule in the main lake for those drifting jumbo minnows, trolling Lucky Craft Pointer 128s, or spooning with 1.75-ounce Duh! Spoons in deep water. The water clarity is improving in the O’Neill Forebay, and flukes, 5-inch Keitech Easy Shiner swimbaits, or Rat-L-Traps are working for stripers. The bass are bedding up, and the bite has slowed.” Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that he guided two anglers on Friday and they trolled/released seven stripers to 26 inches using Lucky Crafts from 40 to 70 feet. “The bite and visibility on Friday were both down from the week before and we think that all the submerged plants and grasses are now dying – changing the water color to a tannic, brown color. The visibility went from 3½ feet down to only 2 inches or less. I guided Michael Reddin and his 12-year-old grandson Riley Gromowsky on Saturday for a new 25-inch PB striper for Riley. The overall bite was tough for trollers but the reaction bite near the shore seems to be the best bet for school sized fish on ripbaits.”

The forebay dropped to 80% due to releases down the California 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 3 Kokanee 0

Veteran Bass Lake guide Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said, “The lake is filling up nicely, and the trout are biting. We haven’t landed any kokanee as of yet, but we have seen schools of what we believe to be kokanee. The trout are from the surface to 18 feet using Dick’s gold or blue and silver Mountain Dodgers with either Dicks Trout or Koke Busters in orange along with Dick’s Mountain Candy tipped with a nightcrawler.” A trout plant is scheduled for this week, and the annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is this coming weekend. There will be over $55,000 in total cash prizes with two $10,000 tagged fish, one $5,000 tagged fish, 150 tags for $100, and 847 tags for $20. Derby registration is $25/adult and $15/youth under 16. Registration and information is available at basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at basslakeca.com. The lake dropped to 61%.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

The Kaiser Pass Lakes are still out of play. Road condtions 297-0706. Edison is at 4%, Florence at 18%, and Mammoth Pool at 100%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Kokanee 1 Trout 2

Dick Nichols, Shaver Lake guide emeritus, said, “The good weather did its job, but the fish have been slow in response at Shaver Lake. The first trout plant of the season by the Department of Fish and Wildlife is scheduled this week, and I believe the plants will be somewhat larger than normal as they have been restricted to the hatchery due to poor planting conditions. For weekend anglers, the trout should be from Sierra Marina to the Point. Beaded spinners tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind weighted flashers or dodgers should provide the most attractive bait for these fresh plants. Shore fishermen in the Road One and the dam areas should have ample opportunities for trout using Power Bait or inflated crawlers. It’s been a decent bite for 4-year-old brown trout that were planted as fingerling. The browns are about 16 inches and have provided some action for early season trollers. If the plant comes as scheduled, and I see no reason it shouldn’t, this coming weekend has the making of an old-fashioned April opening weekend of the 1960s. The marinas are in place and open for business. The kokanee bite has not been productive. Hopefully, veteran guide Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service located them pre-fishing early this week.”

It will take some additional time for higher-elevation Huntington to dig out, but it is getting closer. Huntington is low at around 30%.

A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is available 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 traditional road opener on McKinley Grove Road could be pushed further into early May. However, a trout plant is scheduled for this week.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Striper 2 White seabass 1 Crab 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Perch fishing from the shorelines or crabbing from the Pacifica Pier or surrounding beaches remain the highlight as the salmon closure has hit this port particularly hard, Boats will be able to take the 18- mile trip south of Pigeon Point for rockfish starting May 1 through September 30 at all depths. The local rockfish season starts on May 15 through July 15 seaward of the 50-fathom curve before opening up July 16 at any depth until December 31. The New Captain Pete has left the harbor to target halibut inside of San Francisco Bay out of Oyster Point. The local rockfish season starts on May 15 through July 15 seaward of the 50-fathom curve before opening up July 16 at any depth until December 31. Crab limits are possible off of the Pacifica Pier with snares loaded with anchovies, squid, or sardines.

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

Striper 2 White seabass 0 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Local anglers and fishing related businesses are lamenting the lack of a salmon season this year. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife in accordance with the Pacific Fisheries Management Council has imposed a complete closure for both recreational and commercial ocean salmon fisheries. Last year at this time, Monterey Bay was abuzz with boats heading out to deep waters to troll or mooch for salmon. Parking lots were full at our harbors and launch ramps. Rockfish season opened in conjunction with salmon season in 2022, and plenty of nearshore boaters were trolling or drifting for halibut.

“This year, rockfish season opens on May 1. The rockfish regulations have shifted with the most notable change being no depth limits. Anglers can fish as deep as they would like. Depth restrictions in previous years prevented fishing for RCG complex fish (rockfish, cabezon and greenlings) in waters deeper than 180, 240 or 300 feet, depending on the year. Allowing anglers to fish past the 300-foot depth opens up a fantastic amount of new territory, areas that have not been fished for many years.

“Rockfish season runs from May 1 through Dec. 31. In a strange twist, the regulations this year will close the nearshore areas for fishing the RCG Complex. After Oct. 31 and through Dec. 31, no take of is allowed shoreward of the 50-fathom line (300 feet). In addition, no take or possession whatsoever is allowed for bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod or yelloweye rockfish, date or depth notwithstanding. Sub-bag limits will also be in effect during the 2023 rockfish season We are allowed 10 fish in combination except only one copper rockfish per angler, one quillback and four vermilion as a daily sub-bag limit.

“We have received a few reports of flatties being caught for the past couple weeks. It’s likely more halibut would be reported if more boats were out there fishing for salmon or rockfish. The halibut are certainly occupying their usual areas for mid-April, though the water temperature is slightly lower than normal for this time of year. Savvy anglers should check the usual flat sandy areas, especially those near reef structure for the big flatfish. At this time of year, halibut are usually moving in towards the shallows with the majority being caught in 50-70 feet of water. Later in spring we’ll see more flatties move to much shallower water including some of the smaller models close enough for surfcasting.”

Chris’s Fishing in Monterey is sold out on the May 1 rockfish opener, but there is plenty of room after the opener. With the waters below Pigeon Point opening on May 1 and only open above Pigeon Point seaward of the 50-fathom line from May 15 to July 15, the only shallow water rockfishing will take place out of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Moss Landing until mid-July. Rockfishing at all depths is open in the Central Management Area from May 1 through Sept. 30 at all depths. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Similar to the other ports, the salmon closure is devastating news to this location.

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 2 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 1 Crab 2

A major flotilla has been gathering in the south bay for weeks, and although it wasn’t thought possible, the California halibut bite keeps getting better and better. And this is before the first appearance of live bait. Three-fish limits have been the rule for party boats and six-packs with some of the smaller charters heading to the docks with limits by as early as 9:30 a.m. Live bait is on the way with J and P Bait in at Pier 45 San Francisco opening on Tuesday, April 25, and they will be open seven days per week from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5 to 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley Marina put his customers onto great action all week with a combined total of 26 limits of halibut and several striped bass on full day trips and came up one fish shy of limits on a midweek 3/4-day trip. He said, “The halibut will actually follow the boat with as many baits in the water. We have been trolling herring behind a dodger. With live bait, we will even have more of an advantage by being able to comfortable work with large loads of anglers along with opening up the ability to fish deeper water. It is a challenge to troll with 20 rods when the wind and current is pushing you. The boat traffic has been very heavy, and I went and found some new fish on Saturday later in the day.”

Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito is traditionally a salmon boat, but with the closure, he along with many other salmon boats, are targeting halibut and striped bass in the bay. He said, “It has been limits, limits, and limits trolling for halibut so far on all of our trips.”

Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco has also been posting limits of halibut along with a handful of striped bass trolling in the south bay, and he will be happily switching over to live bait to target new waters.

With all the pressure on the halibut in the south bay due to the salmon closure, the availability of live bait will pull many of the boats into the central and San Pablo bays. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing a reduction in the daily bag limit for halibut from three to two fish over 22 inches during the May 17 Fish and Game Commission teleconference. Anglers will need to adjust their expectations once the regulations are changed.

The next opportunity for boat-based fishing in the ocean will start on May 15 seaward of the 50-fathom line until it opens at any depth beginning July 16 until Dec. 31. Both Captains Smith and Davis will be targeting deep water rockfish starting May 15, and there is great curiosity as to what lies in the deep as these locations haven’t seen gear dropped on them for decades. A key to fishing deeper than 300 feet will be either an electric reel or a high-capacity reel with 20-pound braided line. The 20-pound line will be heavy enough to hoist anything out of the deep along with cutting through the water with minimum scope or drag.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388

San Luis Obispo

Surf perch 2

The boat-based rockfish season will open on Monday, May 1 from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception south of Morro Bay at all depths through Sept. 30. All party boats in Port San Luis and Morro Bay are taking reservations for the rockfish opener. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 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 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 3 Bluegill 3

Sturgeon have been the staple on the Sacramento side of the Delta for the past several months, but the appearance of clearer water have brought out the striped bass trollers, plug casters, and bait fishermen as the linesides are moving up quickly into the upper river to prepare to spawn. Waves of striped bass have been flooding through, and although the majority have been smaller males so far, female linesides made their presence felt over the past weekend.

Alan Fong of Alan Fong’s Outdoors has been working the north Delta for the past several weeks, and he found his greatest success for both largemouth and striped bass this past week. He said, “The water temperature has been in the 55- to 58-degree range, and since the upper rivers are releasing cold water, the temperatures have been holding in this range. Denise Loo was out with me, and she landed her personal-best largemouth at 7.16 pounds on a chatterbait. We had an excellent day with stripers to 16 pounds released, and our assistant manager at the Fishermen’s Warehouse, Michael Kidwell, released stripers at 18 and 30 pounds while tossing the big MegaBass MegaDog. I went further upriver out of Garcia Bend to soak sardines for keeper stripers to 5 pounds, but the males weren’t even milting yet. Normally at this time, males are milting all over the place. Everything is going to be late this year with the high water as we are just now seeing a few American shad arriving at the mouth of the American.”

Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoors in Stockton, added, “We also found three limits of stripers bait fishing on the Sacramento side with frozen shad near Collinsville.”

The Central Valley Anglers held their Spring Striped Bass Shootout out of B and W Resort on the Mokelumne River on Saturday, and club spokesmen, Ted Handel, said, “We had a great turnout of 60 anglers, and most trolled with a few bait fishing. Most everyone caught fish but getting decent size was a challenge. It seemed the reports were better on the San Joaquin River than on the Sacramento River. Our target-length was 23.5 inches, and there were at least three fish over the target.”

Regular troller, Dave Houston of Livermore added, “The reports over the weekend weren’t very good, but a new wave of fish have shown up. We worked the end of the outgo current from the Antioch Bridge to Old River Flats as the fish are scattered in a number of locations, but we were unable to find any schools. Most of our fish came shallow-diving lures with white, and we ended up with 26 keepers and five shakers, keeping our six fish limit.”

Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley has found his best action on the San Joaquin side, and he said, “There haven’t been enough schools to drift live bait as the fish aren’t concentrated, but we found a good bite on Sunday with three stripers over 10 pounds released trolling. The action hasn’t been hot and heavy as it has varied on a daily basis. One day you find the fish, but they are gone the next. I was able to find a stack of stripers earlier in the week, and we were able to spoon them, but they were gone the next day. Most everything has been males, but we picked up more females on Sunday.”

Also on the San Joaquin, Wang reported excellent striped bass action in the 6- to 8-pound range for those drifting bluegill or brooder minnows in several locations including White Slough, Disappointment Slough, Venice Island, the Duck Club, Empire Cut, Mildred Island, and in Old River.

For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “The Delta is slowly coming on as we found a good bite for fish to 3 pounds with the ima Squarebill or the Slobbernocker which is a bladed jig. The Berkeley General, a heavy worm, has also been working. We haven’t been able to find any giants, but there are fish cruising along with sitting on beds. I expect the bass will eat a topwater lure by next week.”

Most sturgeon six-packs have vacated the Pittsburg region, but Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing has been running a few trips as the sturgeon haven’t left. They brought 10 fish to the boat on his last trip consisting of slot-limit, oversized, and undersized diamondbacks. Mitchell is offering sturgeon specials on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for $1000 for six anglers.”

There are proposed changes in regulations for white sturgeon starting in January 2024, and anglers will have the opportunity for participation in a virtual public meeting by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on the white sturgeon fishery on May 16, from 5:30-7:30 pm. At this meeting, white sturgeon biology, fishery history, current status and management, and challenges they face will be discussed. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask CDFW scientists questions about sturgeon and provide input on their present and future hopes for the fishery. The link to the online meeting can be found at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fishes/Sturgeon or https://wildlife.ca.gov/Notices.

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 1 Striper 0 Catfish 3 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2

Lopez Lake is scheduled for a trout plant this week, and this should help with the swimbait bite. The lake is still spilling at 100.3%, and it is spilling for the first time in 25 years. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam. Santa Margarita is also spilling lake at 100.6%, but bass action remains decent with an emerging reaction bite. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california. At Nacimiento, the lake remains high at 94% and the bass are moving into the shorelines to prepare for the spawn. Plastics on a shaky head, Shaky heads, Texas rigs and drop-shots with worms are the best techniques. Crappie are found on structures with small Keitech swimbaits or minijigs. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam. At San Antonio, the lake continues to rise slowly, and it is currently at 69%. The lake is muddy with debris on the surface, and it will take some time to clear before fishing is back in action. 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/B and W Resort – Central Valley Anglers Spring Striper Shootout– April 22: 1st – David Burchfield – 22 7/8th inches ; 2nd – Farrell Hicks – 21 3/4th inches ; 3rd – Steven Schimp – 21 1/4th inches.

Delta/Russo’s Marina –-Major League Fishing/Toyota Series Pro Division– April 19-21: 1st – Conrad Demecs– 57.06 pounds; 2nd – Christian Ostrander – 55.00; 3rd – Adam Deakin – 53.02.

Delta/Russo’s Marina –-Major League Fishing/Toyota Series Co-Angler Division– April 19-21: 1st – Steve Wey– 34.02 pounds; 2nd – Tyson Christman – 32.03; 3rd – Kirk Marshall – 28.13.

Lake Pardee – Nor Cal Bass - April 22: 1st – Bill Vernon/Jason Hopper – 14.85 pounds (Big Fish – 5.37); 2nd – Brett and Brian Barber– 13.84; 3rd –Joe Head/Robert Ryans– 12.95.

New Melones – April 22: 1st –Neng and Leng Yang – 13.71 pounds; 2nd – Pete and Hunter Jacobson – 13.19; 3rd – Scott Chappell/Sam Giampaoli– 12.65.

Bass Lake – Sierra Bass Club - April 22: 1st – Michael Jarrell/Thai Vue Yang – 16.86 pounds (Big Fish – Jarrell – 4.87); 2nd – Dan Folia/Darren Harper – 14.57; 3rd – Randy Rowe/Jeremy Nagy – 13.93.

California Aqueduct – Striperz Gone Wild Hailey Lauchland Memorial Adult Division– April 22: 1st – Matthew Rodrigo – 25.25 inches; 2nd –Lucky Ramirez – 23.5 inches; 3rd – Willie ‘Santa’ Brown – 23.25 inches.

California Aqueduct – Striperz Gone Wild Hailey Lauchland Memorial Youth Division– April 22: 1st –Jeramy Armstrong Jr.– 22.25 inches; 2nd –Mia Ramos – 21.25 inches; 3rd –Nasiah – 21 inches.

Success – Golden Empire Bass Club – April 22: 1st – Mike and Larry Merlo – 10.05 pounds; 2nd –Mike and Rick Gohr – 9.85 (Big Fish – 2.80); 3rd – Cheng Seechan/Daniel Moreno – 9.70.

Delta/Big Break Marina –– April 23: 1st – Josh and Maxwell Kaneko – 24.90 pounds; 2nd – Rober Dong/Kevin Lee– 23.92; 3rd – Jeff Cissell/Clayton Lauchland – 21.11.

Upcoming Tournaments (Dates and locations subject to change)

April 29-30

Don Pedro – Bakersfield Bass Club

Bass Lake – Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby

April 29

New Melones – Christian Bass League

Eastman – Mid-Valley Bass Club

April 30

Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association

May 5-6

Delta/Big Break Marina – CA Bass Nation Kayak

Success – Cen Cal Elite Tournaments

May 6

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kerman Bass Club

Lake Pardee – Angler’s Press

McClure – Best Bass Tournaments

Bass Lake – Kerman Bass Club

Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments

May 13

Delta/Big Break Marina – California Bass Federation

Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments

Bass Lake – Bass 101

Nacimiento – Central Coast Bass Bash

Santa Margarita – Golden Empire Bass Club

May 19-21

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Wild West Bass Trails Pro/Am

May 20

Delta/Contra Costa County – Sierra Bass Club

Camanche – Riverbank Bass Anglers

Lake Pardee – Kokanee Power Youth Derby

Tulloch - Nor Cal Bass

McClure – Yak-A-Bass

Pine Flat – Central Valley Kayak Fishing

Isabella – American Bass Association

Brite Valley Reservoir – Tehachapi Valley Recreation

Nacimiento – Bakersfield Bass Club/SLO Bass Ambushers

Santa Margarita – Kern County Bass Masters

May 21

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto Ambassadors/Kings River Bass Club

Camanche – Fresno Bass Club

New Melones – Kings VIII Bass Club

Don Pedro – Slay Nation Tournaments

May 27

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass Club