Fishing report, March 8-15: 17-pound-plus stringer signals good bass bite at Pine Flat
Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Photo gallery
Show off your success! Share your fish photos and videos with Bee readers. Please share only jpeg images and Mp4 video files. Include “Fishing Report” in the subject line and a full caption and email to sports@fresnobee.com
Best bets
Delta sturgeon bite solid, Steve Mitchell said. Pine Flat bass hitting, Michael Crayne reported. New Melones trout and bass action good, Kyle Wise said. Don Pedro kicking out rainbows, Dave Hurley reported.
Roger’s remarks: Outfishing our dads is worth the wet
Some of my most memorable fishing trips have been the ones where something completely unexpected indelibly marked the outing as special.
My dad and I went striper fishing at Millerton with a good friend of my dad and his son. We were both about 17, and I was excited to have a friend about my age fish with me.
Way back then, the plan to catch a striper was to go up the lake into the river area and use some sardines or anchovies on a slip sinker fished on the bottom in the meandering current. It was a real hit-or-miss tactic, but at the time we didn’t know much else.
We found a spot to beach the boat and then spread out on the shore. Our fathers decided to walk around the corner to fish, and they soon disappeared from sight. We were on our own. What if we caught a big striper and outfished them? We were both excited.
My friend and I ended up standing on top of a large boulder positioned right by the river flow. The current went around the north side of the big boulder, where the edge dropped straight off into deeper water – a perfect place to fish.
Sitting on the rock, getting the rig ready, my buddy told me he had never caught a striper before. I explained that if he got a bite he needed to let the fish run with the bait for at least 3 to 4 seconds before setting the hook. He was concerned that he didn’t know how to do it right. I baited the hook and cast the rig out into the deeper channel. I let the bait hit the bottom and I handed my friend the pole, telling him to leave the bail open so that if a striper hit it wouldn’t feel anything until he closed the bail and set the hook.
He had the pole in his hand for about 15 seconds when the line began taking off like crazy. He handed the pole to me, saying, “I don’t know what to do!” I grabbed the pole, clicked the bail on the big spinning reel, reeled down and set the hook. Just as I did, I lost my balance on top of the rounded boulder and slid 4 feet down the side of the rock, right over the straight-off deep edge.
I tread water while fighting the fish, but finally handed my frantic buddy the pole while I swam to shore.
We can’t lose this big striper now! Outfish our dads!
The fish was out in the current fighting like crazy when it finally came to the surface. That’s when the terrible truth became evident: It’s a carp! It had hit the bait and fought like a striper, at least for a while. Hmmm…it was a big fish. Sometimes that’s the trump card.
When we saw our dads trudging up with no fish, we knew we had ’em…even if it was a carp. It weighed 15 pounds. They conceded.
I once heard that a wet cookie is better than no cookie at all. Never give up…outfishing your dad!
Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com, Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Heavy pumping through the California Aqueduct and the Delta Mendota Canal continues, and the aqueduct remains high and muddy. Despite the cold, muddy water, Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “A few striped bass continue to be taken on swimbaits or umbrella rigs, but the water is flowing fast. In the Delta Mendota Canal, the section between Mendota and Firebaugh is loaded with mud as there is an excavator removing the hydrilla from the canal. The water is very stained.” The State Water Board suspended flow rules requiring water to be released to protect salmon and other endangered fish until March 31 to allow more water to flow through the California Aqueduct and the Delta Mendota Canal for southern reservoirs and groundwater storage. As a result, both water conveyance systems are flowing at near capacity.
The next Striperz Gone Wild tournament is the second annual Haley Lauchland Memorial Aqueduct Tournament on April 22 at the Hilldale Bridge. The entry fee for this tournament is 10 cans of unexpired food to be donated to the local food bank in Los Banos.
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, cut bait remains the best for striped bass or catfish. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait or chicken livers while stripers are found with live minnows or cut sardines.
With the cold water and rapid flows, anglers have to use extreme caution to avoid slipping into the deadly torrents. The following safety tips are provided by the Department of Water Resources:
When you fish, stand back from the Aqueduct’s sloping concrete sides. They are steep, slippery, and difficult to climb. You could easily slide right into the water.
Wear rubber-soled shoes for safe footing at the Aqueduct.
If you go to the Aqueduct to fish, look around for the safety ladders and lines. Safety ladders along both sides of the Aqueduct are spaced 500 feet apart and marked by bright yellow paint. The safety lines are strung on plastic floats, close to bridges and other structures that cross the Aqueduct. These ladders and lines can save your life.
Do not go into the water to land a fish, recover fishing gear, or any other reason. It’s too dangerous—the current is swift below the surface.
Take your own drinking water. The Aqueduct water has not been treated and is not safe to drink.
Don’t play close to the Aqueduct.
Do not climb structures or fish from bridges crossing the Aqueduct. They are not safe fishing spots.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 1
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Eastman is very high at 80%, and it is very muddy with debris throughout the lake. I would be very cautious if I was to take a boat out there.” Avenue 26b between Roads 27 and 29 – the main road to Eastman – remains closed due to a washout across the roadway, but Road 29 is open on the backside of the lake. Hensley is approaching 50% of capacity, and it is muddy and cold. Carp or the occasional small bass is the story here.” Eastman is scheduled to receive a double plant and Hensley a single plant of rainbow trout from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife during the week of March 19.
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 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
A 29-boat tournament was held in the rain on Saturday with three limits over 14 pounds and a total of 19 limits over 10 pounds. Two-pound bass are the rule, but the finesse bite is the story in the cold water. It is neither quality or quantity right now, and the reaction bite is limited. Trout trolling is productive for limits to 18 inches with grubs, Speedy Shiners, or Rapalas near the surface. Finding clear water in the main lake remains the key. The lake rose 1.5 feet to 790.26 feet in elevation and 77%.
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
Isabella rose slightly to 24% of capacity, rising slightly over a foot to 2,554.28 feet in elevation this week. Catfishing and crappie are the best bets, but the fish are scattered with the rising water. Finding the shad schools is a key to finding both species, and the shad are holding deep around 80 feet. Frozen shad, Triple S Dip Bait, or ice jigs are working for the whiskerfish in deep water. Crappie are higher in the water column to 35 feet near structure with small swimbaits or minijigs. Bass fishing is fair at best with shad-patterned spoons, chatterbaits, or ice jigs off main lake points. Without recent trout plants, trout fishing has slowed considerably. It will take more plants before the trout action heats up. Registration for the 32nd annual Lake Isabella Fishing Derby is open with adult tickets at $40/angler with youth at $15/angler. The derby will take place from April 1 through June 4 with 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.
The lower Kern River is scheduled to be planted this week with single plants in Sections 1 and 2 while the upper river will receive plants in sections 4, 5, and 6 over the next three weeks. Section 5 will receive double plants. Section 1 is Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Section 2 is Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, Section 3 is Sandy Flat to Isabella Dam. Section 4 is Powerhouse 3 to Riverside Park in Kernville, Section 5 is Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge, and Section 6 is Fairview dam to the Johnsondale Bridge. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported, “Riverside Park to Powerhouse #3 remains one of the best sections in the Upper Kern with salmon eggs, minijigs, or spinners while fly anglers have done well with various nymphs and streamers.” The upper river rose slightly to 654 cfs at Kernville while flows out of the lake at First Point below the dam have dropped from 459 to 344 cfs this week with more water held back by the dam. The Riverwalk Park lake in Bakersfield is scheduled for a trout plant next week with Brite Valley Lake in the Tehacapi Mountains the week of March 19.
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 rose 14 feet in elevation this week to 633.60 feet in elevation and 27% with inflow from the recent storms. With the Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments event at nearby Success, few anglers were out this week, but the results have been similar due to the rising water levels. It is a finesse bite at depths to 40 feet with plastics on the drop-shot along with jigs while the reaction bite is slow with the exception of warmer afternoons. Catfish remain the best bet with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or chicken livers. Crappie can be found around brush or rocks in Horse Creek with minijigs or minnows. A trout plant is scheduled for the week of March 19. The Kaweah River rose from 683 to 780 cfs. Del Lago Park in Tulare is scheduled for a trout plant next week.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose nearly 5 feet this week to 615.10 feet in elevation and 29% with inflow from the Tule River. 28 boats participated in Saturday’s Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournament event, and the bite was very tough with the winning weight coming in at less than 3 pounds. A trout plant is scheduled for the week of March 19. Murry Park Pond in Porterville was planted three weeks ago, and it will be planted again this week in anticipation for the March 11 City of Porterville Trout Derby.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Mike Gomez of the Bait Barn in Waterford reported numbers of bass in the 12- to 16-inch range are taken on finesse presentations, but it is very difficult to find anything of size. He said, “You can catch from 30 to 50 small bass, but I think the big fish are suspended in over 100 feet of water. Everything depends upon the weather, and it is all a finesse bite right now with the cold water.” The lake rose 4.5 feet to 810.01 feet in elevation and 66%. The high water has been a bonus for anglers as new areas are open along with new sources of food.
Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 2
There hasn’t been much going on at McSwain with the exception of holdover rainbows from plants earlier in the season. A few trout are landed from the Handicapped Docks, Brush Pile, or the peninsula near the marina with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or bright patterns of Kastmasters. The lake is at 78%, and it was just starting to clear up before the recent storms.
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 1
Dropping water has slowed down the overall bite, and Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun said, “It has dropped to the third ramp, and it has been tough on the bass as they have been starting to stage when the water drops again. As a result, the fish are moving out and a finesse presentation remains the best way to get a bite.” The lake is at 507.34 feet in elevation and 46%. The Trout Pond at Sycamore Lake Park was stocked three weeks ago, and it will be stocked again this week. Sycamore Island will remain open for weekends only; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a $9 vehicle fee. The lower San Joaquin is running at 550 cfs with the water releases. Manzanita Lake in North Fork is scheduled for a trout plant next week.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1
The lake rose 4.5 feet to 956.91 feet in elevation this week and 46%. The Glory Hole launch ramp is open with a single dock, and Tuttletown is open with no ramp. Kyle Wise of Headhunter Guide Service continues to power out limits of rainbow trout pulling Rapalas or small spoons from the surface to 25 feet. He said, “With the wind, it has been difficult to slow-troll grubs as the wind pushes you off of your course. There is still a tremendous amount of debris in the lake, and you have to be very careful when boating. We are finding great action bass fishing with live minnows, and we went through four dozen minnows by 9:30 a.m. while releasing between 40 and 50 bass at depths from 25 to 40 feet.” John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Guide Service added, “It’s all finesse in deep water from 35 to 50 feet right now, and it is hard to find any bass over 2 pounds although we are catching and releasing between 30 and 40 bass. The lake remains fairly clear, and I am anticipating a phenomenal bass year with all of the high water.”
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “There is a good swimbait bait right now along with plastics on a Neko or Ned-rig. Small swimbaits on an underspin are working, as well, but the bite is constantly changing with the weather.” The California Bass Federation Pro/Am on Sunday produced an impressive 17-pound-plus winning limit by Tim Wells Jr. along with a 6.31-pound big fish by Rusty Rumerfield on a Ned-rig. In the lower Kings, regular trout plants including the next three weeks are contributing to solid action from the banks below the dam near Winton Park. Crayne said, “The water is moving fast, and the fish are all over the place with spinners, mini tubes, small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, or Kastmasters all working for the planters.” The flows are steady at 1,534 cfs at Trimmer, and the lake rose again to 55%. A trout plant is scheduled at Avocado Lake during the weeks of March 12 and 19.
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 1
Heavy pumping continues from the south Delta, and the lake has risen from 74% to 78% this week. Other than drifting jumbo or extra-large minnows in the mornings, fishing has been limited due to the weather. In the forebay, the water level has been fluctuating with the pumping in and out, and the water clarity has been stained. Few bank anglers were out over the weekend. The forebay rose to 83%.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that there are few anglers going out right now due to the rapidly rising water level, chaotic weather, a full moon and murky water. “The water level has come up to 1,650,000 acre feet, just 32 feet from the top. They are pumping in a massive 17,000 acre feet of water a day right now, raising the lake around 1.5 feet daily. The current forecast looks like we’re going to get hit hard again over the next 12 days with a lot of rain.. It’s been very hard to get out in good conditions for quite awhile.”
Wind warning and lake closure lights are used on San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay to alert boaters of current wind conditions. On San Luis Reservoir, watch for the three wind warning and lake closure lights near the Basalt Entrance Station, Quien Sabe Point, and the Romero Visitor Center. On the O’Neill Forebay, wind warning lights are located near the old Medeiros boat ramp and above the South Beach Area.
Amber lights signify caution conditions for winds or other concerns while red lights indicate the lake is closed to boating and all vessels are required to immediately vacate the lake when the red lake closure lights are on.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954; windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said, “The ramps are snowed over, and it will be a while before we start pre-fishing for my upcoming season starting in April. The recent CDFW plant is providing shore action with Power Bait for rainbows to 18 inches.” Another trout plant is scheduled for this week. Registration for the annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is open with the derby scheduled April 29-30. 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 at basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. The lake held at 74%. A webcam of the launch ramp is at basslakeca.com.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The Kaiser Pass Lakes are out of play until the spring as heavy snow fell in the region. Edison is at 10%, Florence at 22%, and Mammoth Pool at 98%.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000; road conditions 297-0706
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 2 Trout 2
Shaver iced over with Edison Cove completely iced out, but this weekend’s atmospheric river might bring warm rain, melting a large part of the heavy snowpack below 9,000 feet. After the area digs out, trout fishing should resume at Shaver with various gear trolled near the surface. It will take some time for higher-elevation Huntington to dig out. A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html.
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
Heavy snow fell in the region, and the normal closure for McKinley Grove Road is Dec. 1.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 1 White seabass 1 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3
The annual California Department of Fish and Wildlife Salmon Information meeting on March 1 was concluded with four recommendations: Manage California ocean fisheries in-season to keep catch within projections; Close fisheries on attainment to prevent overages; For commercial fisheries – use vessel-based trip limits; and, For recreational fisheries, ability to reduce bag limits. However, the process is now in the hands of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council who are meeting this week in Seattle, and all initial alternatives are to close the 2023 salmon season for both commercial and recreational anglers. This is in response to the escapement of only 61,580 hatchery and natural area adult Chinook spawners – far less than the projected 198,694 hatchery and natural area fall-run Chinook adults. This is the eighth out of the last 10 years that the actual escapement has fallen below the minimum escapement of 180,000 hatchery and natural area fall-run adults.
The Pacifica Pier remains the best location to score up to 10-crab limits of legal-size using snares from the shorelines, but with the inclement weather, the pier is subject to temporary closure. The status of the pier is at cityofpacifica.org/departments/public-works/field-services/pacifica-pier.
Surf perch and land-based rockfishing are the only game in town until the rockfish opener on May 15. Surf perch action is heating up in anticipation of the big Sand Crab Classic this coming Saturday, March 11. Crab-only or crab/sand dab/Petrale sole trips are offered by the New Captain Pete. The commercial boat, New Day, is selling live Dungeness crab \ E dock, slip 9 in Half Moon Bay for $6 a pound, or $4.50 a pound if you buy 10 or more. To reserve your crab, Captain Al Richardson at (360) 460-7048.
Boat-based rockfish season will not open until May 15 with the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line until July 15. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. From July 16 through Dec. 31, open at all depths. Spear divers and shore-based anglers will continue to have year-round fishing opportunities for groundfish.
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 1 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Alan Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Another week of nasty storms and hectic seas kept Monterey Bay anglers from pursuing their passions, for the most part. After initial restrictions, the crab season is now fully open. It’s that time of year our Monterey Bay Dungeness are crawling closer to the edges of the canyons. Reports indicate 180- to 220-foot depths are yielding limits for the recreational guys that pick up 4-10 pots on their forays. This week weather was the primary factor, keeping boats at the dock and few, if any, crab reported caught. Nasty weather and rough water conditions kept surfcasters off the beach as well. Except for a couple days around the weekend, the beaches were unfishable. Those that found the right place at the right time were able to pull in some nice barred surf perch, using grubs, GULP! sandworms or small stick baits. Though not numerous, the fish reported caught were hefty and healthy. We are looking forward to some milder conditions as we ramp up to the March 11 Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby in Santa Cruz. There is some fantastic structure along all the beaches that ring the bay, though it will take a few days of scouting to determine the most likely spot to pull in a derby winner.
Rockfish season opens on May 1 this year. The season is shorter and the regulations much more complicated than in the past. For purposes of clarity, Here is the direct quote from California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the depth and date details. DFW stated in their news release from Dec. 20, 2022, regarding the 2023 season.
“Central Management Area between 37°11’ N. latitude (Pigeon Point) and 34°27’ N. latitude (Point Conception):
For nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings: closed Jan. 1 through April 30, open at all depths May 1 through Sept. 30, closed Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
For all other rockfish (shelf and slope species) and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through April 30, open at all depths May 1 through Sept. 30. 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.”
It’s more complicated than that, with certain rockfish limited as to take, and all take or possession forbidden for cowcod, yelloweye and bronzespotted rockfish.
Salmon anglers look to be facing some dramatically reduced fishing opportunities this year as well. We will get the details out when they become available, but information from the stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday indicate a “Poor 2023 outlook for California’s ocean salmon stocks,” according to the DFW. While not describing what the commercial, inland or recreational ocean salmon seasons might look like during the meeting, the CA DFW informed us that, “Stakeholder input will be taken into consideration when developing three ocean fishery season alternatives during the March 5-10 PFMC (Pacific Fisheries Management Council) meeting. Final ocean salmon season regulations will be adopted at the PFMC’s April 1-7 meeting. The California Fish and Game Commission will consider and approve inland fishery seasons and regulations this spring, with final decisions in May.”
The 19th annual Sand Crab Perch Derby is this coming Saturday, March 11, and as normal, it sold out with 300 entrants signing up online within a few days of the registration opening.
Keith Semler of Chris’s Fishing in Monterey said, “We haven’t been fishing for past week due to the weather and a lack of interest; however, our phone was ringing off of the hook on Monday due to the sighting over the weekend of a rare Pacific right whale. We haven’t seen this whale for the past two days, but this is the first ever Pacific right whale sighting since records were kept by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch in 1997.
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 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
With the salmon season closed, there will be intense pressure on the remaining stocks of halibut and striped bass, particularly if the stripers do not return to the bay this summer after being mostly absent for the past two summers. When one species is eliminated, the pressure will be intense, especially with the three-fish halibut limit. Pressure on rockfish will also be high even with the new regulations restricting fishing to outside of the 50-fathom line from May 15 to July 15.
Inside the bay, sturgeon fishing has improved in both San Pablo Bay and in the south bay. Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters said, “I have hooked sturgeon on every trip over the weekend, highlighted by a 58-inch slot limit diamondback landed on live mud shrimp by Max Tholen of St. George, Utah along with a 61-inch oversized released. Everything has come on the bottom of the outgoing tide.” Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael added, “Sturgeon fishing hasn’t been bad as one angler lost a fish on his first cast when it jumped before releasing a 50-inch slot limit fish. His next fifteen bites were stripers to 8 pounds with 10 legal fish in the 20-inch range released on grass shrimp.”
In the south bay, Captain Steve Gutierrez of the Deadliest Kast out of Oyster Point Marina said, “We have been focusing between Coyote Point and the Dumbarton Bridge on the shoals to release an oversized at 64 inches along with losing a few more sturgeon most likely in the slot when they jumped. They always seem to jump in the shallow water, and unless you have experienced it, they easily come unbuttoned.”
Herring spawns continue with a big spawn in McCovey Cove within the past week.
The central bay remains restricted for sturgeon through March 15.
Call: Captain Trent Slate, Bite Me Charters (415) 307-8582; 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 ended on Dec. 31, and the season will not reopen for boat-based anglers until May 1 where it will be open from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception south of Morro Bay at all depths through Sept. 30. 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. The boats will focus on nature trips while surf perch action will take center stage. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are at 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 2
It’s more of the same in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta as the double whammy of cold and muddy water has slowed the largemouth bass bite to a crawl. Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “It’s been difficult at best as the combination of cold 48- to 52-degree water along with dirty water are too much for the Florida-strain largemouth bass to take. The Delta was just starting to clear up last week before the last series of storms, only to be followed by this weekend’s snow event at low elevations. We have another atmospheric river arriving over this weekend, and all of the tributaries flowing into the Delta are chocolate milk. The Merced, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, and Mokelumne are all pouring cold water and mud into the river system, and with the loss of vegetation, there are not enough weeds to filter out the sediment. It will take weeks of stable weather before the largemouth bite gets back to normal. This doesn’t mean that you can’t catch fish, but you aren’t going to find either quality or quantity right now. A combination of noise, vibration, and scent is absolutely a must. We need to get some sort of let up on the rain before things improve, and with all of the snowmelt anticipated to arrive in the next month, the water will remain cold.”
Pringle is the tournament director of the Western Bass Shootout held from April 13 to 16 at Discovery Park in Sacramento with 50 of the top bass anglers on the West Coast participating by invitation only with a Bass Cat vessel at stake. The anglers have been chosen from the FLW Elite, the U.S. Open, the Wild West Bass Trails Pro/Am, and the Wild West Bass Trails Apex Circuit. There will be a Bassmaster-style weigh in with the boats driving in to the arena.
Despite cold water, sturgeon fishing remains solid with Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg saying, “We hooked three on Saturday, landing two including one slot fish by regular Jason Prasad and a just-shot fish while Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing was able to land three slot-limit fish along with two shakers released. Captain Charles Kimberly of Flash Sport Fishing also landed a slow along with a single slot-limit fish by Captain Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sport Fishing. The water dropped to 46 degrees on Sunday, and we were only able to release an oversized along with dropping one that broke off. There are plenty of sturgeon in upper Suisun Bay, and it is a matter of locating feeding fish in the cold water.”
Not only are the party boat captains out of Pittsburg leading the charge by collecting data prior to the May meeting of the Fish and Game Commission, the captains are promoting catch-and-release with a special event on Monday, March 27 known as the Captain’s Challenge. Participating boats are Hook’d Up, Golden State, Right Hook, Feeding Frenzy, Diamond, Bend Ur Rod, Dragon, Delta Sport Fishing, and Barbarian Sport Fishing. The boat with the most fish wins with prizes from Phenix Rods and Ultimate Composite Rods along with additional prizes. Interested participants should contact their favorite party boat captain for this friendly competition. Mitchell still has three spots available for this challenge.
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 2 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2
At Nacimiento, the lake remains high in the 85% range, and just when the water was beginning to clear, storms arrived once again, turning the lake off color. Several tournaments are scheduled on the lake in the coming months, but it will take some time for the water to clear again. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam. At Lopez, it’s similar to the conditions at Nacimiento with the lake rising to 64.9% within the week. At this rate, the launch ramp should be accessible in the coming weeks. A trout plant is scheduled occurred last week, but few anglers were out with the inclement weather. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam. At Santa Margarita, the lake continues to spill over, and it is currently at 106.3%. A trout plant occurred two weeks ago. The Best Bass Tournament scheduled for March 18 may be moved due to the launch ramps being flooded in anticipation of this coming weekend’s storms. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california. At San Antonio, the lake has risen to over 40%, and the lake is muddy with debris on the surface. It will take some time to clear before fishing is back in action.
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
March 10-12: 2023 Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show, Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield
Tournament Results
Don Pedro – March 4: 1st – Terry Odom/Christian Ostrander– 14.81 pounds; 2nd – Jace DeGough/Cody Day – 14.32 (Big Fish – 4.93); 3rd – Forrest Brazelton/Brandon Young – 14.16.
Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments – March 4: 1st – John Steinhauer/Daniel Vega – 2.76 pounds; 2nd – Jerry and Tray Williams – 2.64; 3rd – Kevin McIntosh/AJ Hodgerney – 2.22.
Lake Camanche– California Bass Federation Pro/Am Boater Side– March 5: 1st – Larry Vignolo – 13.93 pounds; 2nd – Bryan Kane – 13.71; 3rd – John Liechty – 13.13.
Pine Flat – California Bass Federation Pro/Am Boater Side– March 5: 1st – Tim Wells Jr. – 17.61 pounds; 2nd – Eddie Hinojosa – 16.97; 3rd – Tim Wells Sr. – 12.96. Rusty Rumerfield – Big Fish – 6.31 pounds.
Pine Flat – California Bass Federation Pro/Am Co-Angler Side– March 5: 1st – Dusty Mart– 9.72 pounds; 2nd –Mike Gaston – 8.58; 3rd – Tony Lopez – 8.57.
Upcoming Tournaments (subject to change)
March 11
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Tulloch – Sonora Bass Club
Don Pedro – Wild West Bass Trails
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Success – Bakersfield Bass Club
Murry Park Pond – City of Porterville Trout Derby
Santa Margarita – American Bass Association
March 12
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lake Pardee – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Woodward Reservoir – Kings VIII Bass Club
March 15
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Major League Fishing
March 16-18
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Major League Fishing
March 18
New Melones – Best Bass Tournaments
Don Pedro – Fresno Bass Club
Kaweah – Lahu Bass Club
Nacimiento – Kern County Bass Masters
Santa Margarita – Best Bass Tournaments
March 19
Don Pedro – Kings River Bass Club
March 25
New Melones – Nor Cal Bass
Tulloch – Christian Bass League
Don Pedro – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Millerton – Angler’s Press
Kaweah – Golden Empire Bass Club
Success – Lahu Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Association
Nacimiento – Bakersfield Bass Club
Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
March 26
Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
April 1-2
New Melones – Sierra Bass Club
McClure – Merced Irrigation District Spring Trout Derby
April 1
Tulloch – Kings River Bass Club
Eastman – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
Millerton – Kerman Bass Club
Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Nacimiento- American Bass Association
April 2
Delta/B and W Resort – Wild West Bass Club
Tulloch – American Bass Association
Don Pedro – Kings River Bass Club
McClure – California Bass Federation
Bass Lake – Kings VIII Bass Club
April 14-16
Sacramento/Discovery Park – Western Bass Shootout
