Fishing report, Feb. 7-13: Delta stripers and sturgeon are hitting, anglers reaching limit on McSwain trout; Eastman bass getting more active
Compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
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Best bets
Delta stripers and sturgeon hitting, Alan Fong said. McSwain trout kicking out angler limits , Dave Hurley reported. Millerton crappie bite good, Michael Crayne said. Isabella trout bite solid, Copes Tackle reported. Eastman bass getting more active, Tas Moua said.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported striped bass are showing up in the aqueduct, and a 42-inch lineside was caught and released near Los Banos.
He said, “Many of the stripers are in the 20- to 28-inch range, but there have been some larger ones caught, and thankfully released.” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun said, “It’s a matter of driving up and down the aqueduct and finding the fish breaking the surface. It has been ‘hit or miss’ out there. There is a low water level in the dirt canals near Mendota that were kicking out crappie last week.”
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported typical midwinter conditions with striped bass, largemouth bass, and catfish all hitting the scales. Cut sardines, lugworms, or jumbo live minnows are working for school-sized stripers while there is a reaction bite with jerkbaits or flukes on a jig head. Catfishing is best with Triple S Bait or plastics on a Carolina rig coated with Smelly Jelly. Largemouth bass action has been slow overall, but a finesse technique in the eddies and near the headgates are picking up a few. Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 3 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported pretty good action for bass at Eastman, but you must weed through the smaller one-pound fish to locate a better quality in the 3- to 4-pound range.
“Jigs, swimbaits, small crappie jigs, or umbrella rigs are working for bass. There are plenty of small crappie, but you must find the right tree to get bit,” he said.
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis Bass confirmed the good action at Eastman. “The fish are holding at depths from 30-to 50-feet over rock piles, and a finesse presentation is best with jigs or plastics on a Ned-rig, shakey head, Texas-rig, or Neko-rig,” he said. “You must creep them slow. A few anglers are finding the very occasional larger bass by throwing trout patterned swimbaits on slow crawl on the bottom. You must barely move the bait.”
Crayne reported that at Hensley, “bass anglers are picking up from one to three fish per day as it remains slow.”
Eastman held at 552.48 feet in elevation and 64% of capacity with Hensley rising 1 1/2 feet to 476.83 feet in elevation and 20% of capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) 673-5151.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
High winds kept everyone off the water on Sunday, Feb. 4 but the lake is scheduled to host 10 bass tournaments during February and March. The bite remains challenging, and Dylan Boss-Kinser of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto advised working main lake points with finesse techniques for mostly spotted bass. For rainbow trout, the storms have created more of a challenge, and Steve Wirfs of Salida found a much tougher bite on Saturday trolling small spoons near the Moccasin part of the lake for a total of three rainbow trout, losing another three fish.
Don Pedro has a daily vehicle fee of $20 and with an additional $15 for boat launch. The lake rose a half-foot to 798.31 feet in elevation and 81% of capacity. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The lake rose slightly to 2,566.39 feet in elevation and 37% of capacity despite minimal water releases from the dam at 326 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported improved bass fishing with the best action off primary lake points at depths from 15 to 30 feet with deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, plastics in the 7- to 10-inch range, or crawdad Chasebaits. Huddlesons or similar rainbow trout patterned swimbaits are working for the occasional quality largemouth as the lake is loaded with rainbows from recent plants from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Trout action remains good for bank anglers with garlic-scented Power Bait, Atomic jigs, spinners, or pinched crawlers while trollers are loading up with Tasmanian Devil spoons or Berkley Flicker Shad crankbaits. The 33rd Annual Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Isabella Lake will be held from March 23 through March 25. Adult entry is $40 with youth entry at $15. Information and registration is available at https://www.kernrivervalley.com/isabellalakefishingderby.
Heavy plants will occur prior to the derby weekend. Catfish remain a possibility with Triple S Dip Bait, cut baits, or nightcrawlers while crappie action is fair to good with most success with minijigs or live minnows near Red’s Marina and along the south shore. In the upper Kern River, plants over the past several weeks have left the river loaded with planters, and Get Bent Baits, salmon eggs, Berkley Mice Tails, or Atomic Tubes are all working. The lower Kern was planted a few weeks ago, and there are still rainbows to be had with minijigs, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. There is also a decent bass bite with crankbaits, jigs, or spinners, and catfish can be found with Triple S Dip Baits, nightcrawlers, or cut bait. The flows on upper Kern at Kernville have risen are steady at 516 cfs.
Trout plants are scheduled at River Walk and Ming during the week of Feb. 4.
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 nearly four feet to 619.70 feet in elevation and 19% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported wintertime fishing conditions with the spotted bass holding at depths from 15 to 40 feet, and plastics in green pumpking or Oxblood on a drop-shot or Ned-rig along with crankbaits or spoons are getting some attention from the tight-lipped bass. Small swimbaits, minijigs, or small minnows are working for crappie in the submerged brush near Horse Creek while catfishing is best with anchovies, chicken livers, or Triple S Dip Bait. Planted rainbows are landed from the banks with Power Bait, Roostertails, Kastmasters, or minijigs. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers is at 299 cfs.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose 2 1/2 feet to 609.02 feet in elevation and 23% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported bass fishermen are finding fair action with deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns, jigs, spoons, or plastic worms at depths from 10 to 40 feet. The best bet has been to toss cranks early and then switch to spoons and finesse baits later in the day. Crappie are holding in tight schools over submerged rocks and brush, and either minijigs or small swimbaits are working once you find the schools. Catfishing is best with cut mackerel, chicken liver, or Triple S Dip Bait. The recently planted rainbows have been taken from the shorelines with minijigs, Power Bait, or spoons such as Kastmasters.”
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 3
A tournament scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 4 was canceled because of high winds, this was a good call for boater safety as the southeast winds came in between 30 and 45 mph with gusts reaching 65 mph in some areas.
Dylan Boss-Kinser of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported that the bass had been in shallow water in the early mornings before pushing out into deeper water later in the morning. “The best presentation is finesse in deep water, and it is important to look for humps or submerged islands in the main lake,” he said. With the warmer than normal water, catfishing remains solid at night along sloping banks with chicken livers, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. Crappie continue to be found in deep water inside submerged trees in coves with live minnows or minijigs. The lake dropped just over a half foot to 806.53 feet in elevation and 64 percent. The
Barrett Cove South Marina and Café will open under new ownership weekends only through Memorial Day starting March 30. Seven bass tournaments are scheduled on the lake through March 2.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 3
Limits of planted rainbow trout remain the rule due to the three plants averaging 6,400 pounds over the past month. Unfortunately, quick limits from the banks have led to over limits, and ‘anglers’ were observed with several fish more than the five fish limit at the cleaning station on Saturday. The heavy plants have brought out numbers of anglers, and the Brush Pile, the Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula near the marina have been crowded on the weekends. Not much change as a variety of offerings are picking up the eager planters, and Berkley Mice Tails, rainbow garlic Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Roostertails continue to be effective. Trout plants will continue through the spring months in preparation for the spring Merced Irrigation Trout Derby in April. Holdover rainbows can be found in the river arm near the Second Fence Line with Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler along with spinners. The lake is at 88%. The McSwain Marina is closed through March 30 before opening for weekends only from April 1 through May 31.
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 2 Crappie 3
“The water continues to rise slowly, and crappie fishing has been good over submerged brushpiles in Winchell’s Cove, East Bay, and Finegold with Mr. Crappie by Strike King, Panfish Stingers, or Bobby Garland’s Crappie jigs in shad patterns in clear water,” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said.
“In dirty water, black/chartreuse minijigs are working best.”
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle added, “dragging worms has been the top technique for spotted bass, and the tournament weights are increasing.” The lake rose 1.5 feet to 522.48 feet in elevation and 55 percent. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant has risen from 419 to 545 cfs. Only two bass tournaments are scheduled within the next five weeks, both on Feb. 17.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 1
The trout bite has slowed down during the periods of wind and rain, and local guides such as Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service are traveling to nearby Lake Camanche instead of targeting his home lake. A few rainbows per rod are possible trolling Rapalas in perch on a setback of 100 feet at 2.5 mph. Slowing down is a key to success. The Manteca Bassin’ Buddies held a tournament on Saturday with the winning limit over 11 pounds with a big fish at 2.65 pounds. Numbers are taken along steep bluff walls with finesse presentation with jigs or plastics. The big swimbait bite can be there if the conditions are right. New Melones has a daily use fee of $8 with a boat launch of $10 (day use included). The lake dropped a half-foot to 1050.43 feet in elevation and 83 percent. Nine bass tournaments are scheduled within the next two months including three large tournaments.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; 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 bass bite is better than at Millerton as dragging the bottom with plastics on a shakey head, underspins, or umbrella rigs are the top techniques. Crappie, bluegill, and catfish are all possibilities, and waxworms are working for quality bluegill. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “it’s mostly a jig bite right now, and the key is finding the shad schools. There are a few isolated quality largemouth bass taken on the rockpiles, but spotted bass are most of the fish landed.” Crappie are still taken on Slab Hunters, Bobby Garland’s in Monkey Mike or Glimmer Blue, or Strike King’s Mr. Crappie are producing over submerged brush or rock in deep water. “In the lower Kings, recent trout plants continue to attract anglers, but the pressure has decreased in the past week. Finding less pressured water continues to be the key with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, spinners, or crappie jigs. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have risen from 671 to 797 cfs while the lake rose 2 feet to 884.40 feet in elevation and 65%.. Pine Flat is hosting the majority of tournaments in the region over the next two months with a total of 8 scheduled.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
The high winds in the Central Valley shut down the lake for boaters on Sunday, Feb. 4 and it is prudent to pay attention to wind conditions before making the trek to the main lake or the O’Neill Forebay.
“We received a shipment of quality jumbo minnows in the shop, and when the wind was down, boaters are drifting the minnows for schoolie stripers near Dinosaur Point,” Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said. “Paddletail swimbaits such as Keitechs from 3.8 to 4.3 inches have been working on jig heads ranging from 3/8 to ¾ ounces. The umbrella rig and jerkbait bite is slow. In the forebay, the water is up to the edge of the road, and before the rain, there was a good topwater bite along with jerkbaits or Rat-L Traps.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the overall bite has been fair for most anglers.
“Trolling has been slow, with the fish being suspended in the water column back in Portuguese Cove. There has been some action on ripbaits early when there’s some overcast, but the clear water sends them deeper if the sun comes out. The fish are moving a lot and once you find a school they can be gone quickly. I’ve had to look for active fish all over the lake - and once they slow down I’ve had to move and find another group,” he said. “They are feeding on sculpin, gobies and threadfin Shad right now, spitting up the minnows at times. The water temp is around 57 degrees and visibility is around 7-10’ around the lake. I’m working water deeper than 50’ with Shad silver colored lures to get my bites. I fished with Sonny Johansen of Clovis on Saturday - and found a couple schools out in the main lake . We released over 30 fish to 23-24 inches using “hit and run” tactics. I was surprised because there was a southeast wind- usually a tough bite condition and then it began raining as we left. It’s not easy fishing at all,” George said.
The main lake rose to 61% of capacity with the forebay dropping to 81% of capacity.
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
“No one has been fishing Bass Lake due to the inclement weather through the weekend into this week,” Bass Lake guide Mike Beighey said. “The main ramp remains closed due to low water, but I think with the rains, the lake might come up enough to make launching possible. The Pines Resort launch is a possibility for a fee. Regardless, plenty of good-sized trout can be caught from the shore. My son, Bobby, and his friends have been doing great near the Sheriff’s Tower in between storms. There are a lot of nice fish out there, but the weather is so miserable that few are fishing.” A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https:// basslakeca.com/. Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing (559) 676-8133.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The gate to Kaiser Pass Road closed on November 15. The Kaiser Pass lakes are starting to release water with fewer anglers heading over the pass to fish the small impoundments. Edison rose slightly to 32% of capacity with Florence holding at 9% while Mammoth Pool rose slightly to 29%.
Road conditions (559) 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Trout 2 Kokanee 2
“Nasty weather hit Shaver Lake mid-week, and there has been minimal activity on the lake other than a break in the weather Saturday where a few boats were out. Leading up to the storm, most trollers were connecting with a mixed limit or two,” said Shaver guide Emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle. “The recent plants of jumbo brooder trout and small browns have created some action. The kokanee continued to be located near the Fisherman’s Club to Stevenson Creek at depths from 25 to 35 feet with spinners, hoochies, or tubes tipped with corn behind dodgers. Purple and orange are popular colors. The yearling trout have been active from the island to Stevenson Bay. For those who want to target big browns, the Point and Stevenson Bay have been popular areas flat lining a Rapala with a 150 to 200 feet set back,” he said.
“The weather forecast is for continuing wet and cold weather to the weekend. The Sierra ramp is out of water, but the auxiliary ramp is usable.” The Shaver Marina is closed, but the Sierra Marina launch ramp is open, but boaters are advised to check the webcam at webcam at sierramarina.com/webcam weather-page.html and for Huntington at http://www.shaverlakewebcams.info/ huntington.html. Shaver is at 51% of capacity and Huntington at 43% of capacity.
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 0
The gate to McKinley Grove Road closed on Dec. 1, limiting access to the high elevation lakes. The road is anticipated to reopen in April. Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 crab 3 10-crab limits remain a possibility, but the New Captain Pete has completed their crab season to head to the boatyard for annual maintenance. There are six-packs and large party boats still opting for crab-only trips. Commercial crabbers are selling live Dungeness off the docks. For the public’s safety, the Pacifica Pier will continue to be closed until Feb. 14, when it is anticipated a partial opening of the main pier will be feasible. The City’s Public Works Engineering Division closed the pier until a structural assessment could be performed on an expedited basis.
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
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “The past week provided a welcome break between storms allowing Monterey Bay surfcasters a chance at perch and striped bass from the beach. The big waves that accompanied our most recent storms have radically sculpted beaches from Santa Cruz to Monterey. It may take a bit of exploring to find your favorite spot, but most of the historical surfcasting beaches should be in very good shape. Along East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, many of the beaches are scoured down to bedrock. This
makes wonderful deep spots for perch to feed, but it can also be very snaggy. Expect to lose some gear if fishing over a rocky bottom. Farther south, Rio Del Mar, Manressa and Sunset beaches have developed very nice structure with multiple sandbars and rip current areas in which to fish. Even with good structure, big waves can make things difficult with so much water moving. A few anglers have reported better luck on the lower tides, where Whale Watching Trips got their boats out for a couple trips this week. As usual, they are catching “too many sand dabs to count’ and up to 44 Dungeness crab on their combo sand dab and crab forays. Better weather conditions give Monterey anglers a broader area within which to fish, so we can expect to see those numbers go up once these latest storms die down. Petrale sole and mackerel are firmly on the menu as well for anglers launching out of Monterey Harbor. On the storm front, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast includes storm and gale warnings as well as small craft warnings for the entire coastline of Northern California. Starting on Thursday and continuing through this weekend, NOAA calls for winds around 35 knots with gusts up to 60 along with swells as high as 17 feet. The Santa Cruz Harbor has posted a boater warning reminding boat owners to “check their vessels and ensure items are securely stowed, lines are secure, fenders are in place, and scupper drains and bilge pumps are clear and functional.” The Santa Cruz Harbor entrance is still sounding at 10 feet, with a skinny channel to the East. The big waves forecast can quickly extend shoaling from the West Jetty across the harbor mouth. Be sure to check the entrance sounding information online before transiting the harbor entrance this week.”
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “With the high winds bringing in huge waves, the local beaches are a mess, but in between storms, perch fishing remains excellent for fish ranging from 8 to 13 inches. A few striped bass in the 18-inch range are taken at Sea Bright or Sunset Beaches. The same baits have been working with Crappie Sliders, motor oil red flake grubs from Mekini Baitz, Honey Badger Baits, or Lucky 13s. The Mekini Baits KPK – Karlos’s Perch Killer has been an excellent bait for me.”
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 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2 Crab 3
Crab-only or Petrale sole/sand dab/crab combination trips remain the only game in town until the reopening of rockfish season. Live Dungeness crab continue to be
sold off K Dock at the Berkeley Marina on the weekend. At $10/per crab off the Pacific Dream is the best bargain in the Bay Area if not northern California as $8/ pound is the commercial price in San Francisco. The Pacific Dream is selling crab caught within a few hours right off the docks. Rockfishing regulations have not been established, but there is hope of a season open from the shoreline to 20 fathoms along with a separate season deeper than 50 fathoms to protect the quillback rockfish. The shallow water rockfishing would allow kayaks to participate since they were shut out of the shallows starting from September through December. Inside the bay, a herring spawn broke out at Spinnakers in Sausalito on Saturday morning at low tide, and boaters were able to net up ice chest full of herring.
The limit is 10 gallons or approximately 520 herring per day. Runoff from the Delta and bay inlets have muddied up the bay, but there has been solid striped bass in both the Petaluma and Napa Rivers. San Pablo Bay remains very slow for sturgeon, but this may change with the influx of fresh water from the Delta. The annual central bay closure for white sturgeon continues through March 15. During this time, white sturgeon may not be taken in the following described area: That portion of San Francisco Bay included within the following boundaries: A direct line between Pt. Chauncy (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Poin. Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Point Lobos and Point Bonita.
The 2024 California ocean salmon sport and commercial fishing seasons have not yet been determined. Season openings that would take effect between April and May 15th, 2024, will be decided at the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting in March. Season openings and regulations that would take effect on or after May 16, will be recommended by the PFMC at its meeting in April.
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 3
During the winter months, boats from Morro Bay and Port San Luis will be running whale watching and nature trips until the 2024 rockfish season is open. Regulations are being formulated for the upcoming rockfish season, and significant changes are anticipated once again. 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 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
Clear water is the key for both largemouth and striped bass, but it has been challenging to locate fishable water. Fresno-native Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors went out with Chad Frie on Saturday, Feb. 3 in the south Delta, and after a period where small fish were the rule, they discovered a pattern, ending up with a 24-pound limit.
“The water in the south Delta wasn’t too murky, and it has warmed up several degrees to the 53- to 57-degree range,” Borges said. “We started with a bunch of 8- to 12-inch bass, but we figured out what they wanted, throwing the Reaction Innovation’s Skinny Dipper like I would in the fall. The fish were chewing, and we started with several 3- to 4-pound bass before getting into some larger models in the 5/6-pound range. Everything was in the shallow water, and on the high tide, we switched over to the Revenge Bait’s spinnerbait in red/black. When the temperature comes up 5 or so more degrees, the spawn will start, and I think these fish are loading up in preparation for pre-spawn. A week can make quite a difference on the Delta as Chad fished the same water last Saturday during the Nor Cal Bass tournament, and he ended up with 7 pounds. I am really looking forward to this spring, and the crawdads should be coming out soon.”
Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors was in the north Delta near Liberty Island.
“Delta action has been ‘hit or miss’ and with the water clarity at only 6 to 10 inches in Liberty Island, I left early with no action,” he said. “However, I left too early since once the tide started going out, the water started clearing up, and the bite went ‘off the hook’ with the other two boats that were out with me finding great action in the shallow water with swimbaits. They had quads and triples with stripers from 15 to 22 pounds. The stripers are trapping the bait up against the sunken road. It is important to find clear water, and with the wall of mud heading downstream from Lisbon Slough, it will be tough to find clarity. The outgoing tide has been the best time for water conditions by far.”
Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg Marina was out on Monday, Feb. 5.
He said, “We went 4 for 5 with four undersized sturgeon, and we lost an oversized at the side of the boat. The fish are really biting in the warmer water, and they bit on both tides today. The water isn’t really stained, but there is quite a
bit of debris on top from the recent inflow. We hit some monsters the other day that my clients couldn’t’ slow down, ending up landing three oversized after hooking five. It’s very good right now, but with the emergency regulations, several of the boats have been tied up instead of fishing. I have room this coming weekend on both Saturday and Sunday. People haven’t adjusted to the smaller slot limit and having to release most of the sturgeon. However, when you get a chance to fight the biggest fish in your life, it’s worth the experience.”
With all of the debris in the water, boaters have to be careful to watch for submerged logs while also having a quick release system for anchoring with a floating buoy or carry a knife to cut the rope. A submerged log can swamp a boat on anchor in seconds. It is a good practice to regularly watch what is coming from downstream to avoid a log pulling down your anchor line.
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. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.
Events
Feb. 24
Stockton – Free Coast Guard Boat Inspection at the Reel Custom Boat Shop, 8090 Rio Blanco Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 2
Oak Grove Regional Park – Bob McMillen Memorial Trout Derby
March 15-17 Bakersfield – Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show – information - https://www.calshows.com/.
March 24
Oakley – Bass Hole Tackle Swap Meet – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 6
Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club Spring Fishing Tackle Faire at The Boat Shoppe, 2125 Ventura Ave Fresno, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tournament results
Feb. 3
New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
1st: Jason and Jake Hopper – 11.30; 2nd – Roberto Hernandez– 11.00; 3rd – Wes Marks/Gabriel Contreras – 10.40 (Big Fish – 2.65).
Feb. 4
Pine Flat – Bass 101
1st: Tom/Rusty – 11.71 (Big Fish – 3.11) 2nd – Scott/Austin – 10.50; 3rd – Ryan/John – 8.62.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Feb. 10
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Camanche- Bass Anglers of Northern California
New Melones – 17/90 Bass Club
Don Pedro – Sonora Bass Anglers
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – California Bass Federation/Bakersfield Bass Club Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Feb. 11
New Melones – California Bass Federation
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
Feb. 17
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association Don Pedro – Christian Bass League/Gilroy Bass Masters McClure – Oro Madre Bass Anglers
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club
Pine Flat – Kerman Bass Club/Kern County Bass Masters Feb. 18
McClure – Kings River Bass Club
Feb. 24
Don Pedro – Nor Cal Bass
Millerton – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club
Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments
Lopez – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Feb. 25
Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation March 2
New Melones – Angler’s Press
Tulloch – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Eastman – Kerman Bass Club
Pine Flat – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
March 3
Lake Pardee – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club
March 9
Bass Lake – 559 Bass Kayak
March 10
Pine Flat – California Bass Nation
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing
