Fishing report, May 1-7: Delta striper, sturgeon bites good; Eastman, Pine Flat bass hitting

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 striper and sturgeon bites good, Alan Fong said. Eastman and Pine flat bass hitting, Michael Crayne reported. Don Pedro trout on a solid bite, Monte Smith said. New Melones trout and bass action good, John Liechty reported. Bass Lake rainbows hungry, Mike Beighey said. (unless noted, area code for phone numbers is 559.)

Valley

Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

In the northern section of the California Aqueduct, the water remains dirty, and striped bass action remains quiet according to both Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis and Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle.

In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported the striped bass bite seems to be about a month behind normal, but hopefully the bite will take off soon. Cut sardines, anchovies, or jumbo minnows after check gates for those with dead or live bait while jerkbaits in Aurora Shad or Pearl White along with Flukes on a jig head are best for those tossing lures. Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver, or cut baits are working for catfish while the bass bite is improving with weightless Senkos or finesse baits in the eddies before and after check gates.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 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

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported numbers of small bass in the 1- to 1.5-pound range.

“You have to go through 15 to 20 in this size bracket to get a 3- to 5-pound fish. Everything seems to be working right now with jerkbaits or lipless crankbaits being the best reaction offerings,” Crayne said.

Interest remains high due to the number of large fish landed over the past few months. Hensley is still best for carp, catfish, and panfish. Eastman rose 1.5 feet to 575.95 in elevation and 88% of capacity with Hensley rising just over a foot to 512.92 feet in elevation and 58% of capacity. There are two bass tournaments on Eastman and one on Hensley scheduled through the end of May.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

“Trolling was solid as we picked up 7 rainbows and 3 king salmon on our last trip,” Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said. “We also lost as many as we landed including one really big fish that was on a major run before my client tightened up the drag. I’m pretty sure it was a big king. We have been exclusively running kokanee gear, and both the kings and rainbows are hitting the gear. The best action has been between 35 and 55 feet, but we are seeing them down to 60 feet with the Live Scope. The water temperature is still 65 degrees, and we aren’t seeing much bait. Kokanee remain very scarce, but the kings and rainbows are in really good shape.”

For bass, Shaun Leytem of Valley Springs won the 99-boat Yak A’ Bass Kayak event with a five-fish limit at 86.25 inches. He made a long run to where he located spawning fish the previous day, but the bass had moved. He located spotted bass outside of the flats or leading into spawning coves, and he started scoring with a 4-inch Yum Sonar Minnow on a 1//16 to ⅛ ball head. After finding limited success, he started working rocky points along with a submerged roadbed with a 5-inch Senko on a wacky-rig or the Sonar Minnow. There is a $20 daily vehicle fee with an additional $15 for boat launch. The lake rose 2 feet to 805.30 feet in elevation and 85% of capacity. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/. 6 bass tournaments are scheduled at the lake through the end of May.

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 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake rose to 2580.22 feet in elevation and 55% of capacity despite water releases rising to 1109 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported continued solid crappie fishing with limits possible with live shiners, 2-inch Keitech Easy Shiner swimbaits or white/yellow minijigs near the cages and structure in Kissack and Paradise Coves.

The bass bite has really improved this week with mid-diving jerkbaits or crankbaits along with Zoom’s Trick worms on a shakey heads or Senkos in Natural Shad on a wacky rig around the trees near Engineer’s or Rocky Points. The trout bite continues to be very good with shore anglers scoring with minijigs, garlic-scented Power Bait, Pinched Crawlers, Roostertails, or Berkley Mice Tails. Trolling continues to be productive with Berkley’s Flicker Shad, Tasmanian Devilsdone well trolling leadcore followed by Flicker shad, Tasmanian Devil, or Needlefish. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, cut mackerel, or sardines.

In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported the higher flows have created challenging conditions in the 20-Mile Stretch. Holdovers and planters are found salmon eggs on split-shot, minijigs, or spinners. Fly fishing with nymphs, stripping streamers, or dry flies in the afternoons is best.

The upper Kern River was stocked last week in Section 4, Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park in Kernville; Section 5, Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge, and Section 6, Fairview Dam to Johnsondale Bridge. The lower Kern River was stocked last week in Section 1, Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar; Section 2, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, and Section 3, Sandy Flat to Isabella Dam. In the lower Kern, trout have been caught with salmon eggs, Panther Martins, or minijigs. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action has been very good in the canyon and along the stretch leading into Bakersfield. Bass have been found with jigs, worms, and small crankbaits. Catfish can be found with cut sardines or Triple S Dip Bait. The flows on upper Kern at Kernville dropped from 2536 to 2195 cfs.

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 to 70% of capacity and 684.70 feet in elevation with heavy inflow from the Kaweah River. Cope’s reported the rapid rise in water levels has slowed the bass bite, but there are smallmouth bass suspended in 5 to 30 feet of water. Weightless Senko’s in Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, or Natural Shad are working along with small finesse bait or minijigs working for a smaller grade of fish. Crappie are hitting small live shiners, minijigs, or small swimbaits near submerged brush and rockpiles. Catfishing is best with chicken liver or dip bait for a few whisker fish. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers is high at 2195 cfs. There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through May 31.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake rose to 72% of capacity and 641.60 feet in elevation. Cope’s reported an improved bass bite as the largemouth bass are starting to spawn. There are still fish offshore waiting for their opportunity to spawn. Anglers are targeting the 10- to 20-foot zone where rocky structure and deep water access meets spawning flats. Spider jigs or creature baits are working for larger females with smaller bass taking Senkos or RoboWorm’s on a drop-shot. Catfish anglers are targeting deeper coves, and crappie were reported by anglers using minijigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. Three bass tournaments are scheduled on the lake through May.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com.

McClure Reservoir

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

Numbers of spotted bass are found along the banks as the bass are in all stages of the spawn. There are fish in post-spawn and feeding heavily along with fish on beds throughout the main lake and river arm. There is a small window for topwater lures in the early mornings, but plastics on a drop-shot, Senkos on a wacky-rig, jigs, chatterbaits or crankbaits are working best as the bass are all in shallow water. King salmon remain a possibility, but they have gone deep from 60 to 100 feet with Speedy Shiners, white hoochies, Apex lures, or Brad’s Cut Plugs. The lake rose 10 feet to 841.26 feet in elevation and 83% of capacity. There several bass tournaments scheduled in May, and there will be far more interest for bass fishing in the coming weeks.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 2

The action from the banks has slowed overall, but there are still holdover rainbows from last Saturday’s special plant to be had from the banks from the normal locations of the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula in front of the marina. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, spinners, or Kastmasters are your best bets. Holdover rainbows have moved into the river arm in search of colder water, and trollers are scoring with Wedding Rings, spinners, or spoons. The lake held at 92% of capacity.

The McSwain Marina is now open weekends 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 3 Crappie 2

Mike Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake is very full, and you must be wary for rattlesnakes as the rising water is bringing them out of their holes. The local lakes have been experiencing an increase in rattlesnakes in the water. Bass fishing is best in shallow water in the main lake and the river arm with plastics on a drop-shot or Neko-rig, small swimbaits on an underspin, Senkos on a wacky-rig, or small jigs.” There are no tournaments on the lake until at least May, and most bass anglers continue to head to Eastman or Pine Flat. The lake rose 8 feet to 573.85 feet in elevation and 96% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are steady at 540 cfs.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2

John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Guide Service said, the bass bite has been really good for nearly the past two weeks.

“My client caught and released a 9.30-pound female with a Senko on a wacky-rig in the shallows, and everything has been along the banks,” he said. “The bass are in all stages of the spawn as some are on post-spawn now. There is a small window for topwater lures along with swimbaits, but finesse presentations such as a wacky-rigged Senko or creature baits are best. The lake is rising, and everything is in the submerged grass.”

Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service was out on Monday with three clients searching for trout and kokanee. They limited out on rainbows along with three kokanee to 18 inches.

“The kokanee bite slowed down over the weekend with the full moon, and it’s not easy out there for them, but they are big and healthy,” he said. “The trout and kokanee are mixed in around 40 feet, and the new Paulina Peak Skinny Platinum Flutter Bug continues to be my go-to lure. We have another front coming in this weekend, but once the weather stabilizes, the kokanee will settle at a more consistent water column. Right now, finding the plankton is the key.”

There is an $8 daily use fee and a $10 boat launch (day use included). The lake rose over a foot to 1057.63 feet in elevation and 86% of capacity. There are six bass tournaments scheduled at Melones and 9 at Lake Tulloch through the end of May.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Alex Niapas, Catching California Guide Service (209) 728-4225; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

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

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake has been rising rapidly, and the bass are pushing up and down in the water column with the hot weather followed by the frequent cold spells. The bass are in all three stages of the spawn, and there is a good spinnerbait, jig, and 3.3-inch Keitech swimbait on a ball head bite. The trout have dropped deeper from 30 to 50 feet with the rising lake level while king salmon are holding from 60 to 100 feet in depth. Finding the shad is the key to trout and salmon.”

In the lower Kings River, trout fishing has slowed with the lack of planting for over a month.

“Most trout bank fishermen have been heading to Avocado Lake,” Crayne said. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have risen from 1980 to 4585 cfs while the lake rose 18 feet to 936.83 feet in elevation and 92% of capacity. The Kings River from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bridge on Pine Flat Road downstream to Cobbles (Alta) Weir is open to fishing all year. The Kings River, from Cobbles (Alta) Weir downstream to the Highway 180 crossing is open to fishing all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. The king salmon have moved deep in the water column between 80 and 90 feet, and there have been some big salmon to over 6 pounds. Countdown Rapalas, big spoons such as Needlefish in Cop Car, or Brad’s Cut Plugs are working for the salmon while the holdover rainbows are higher in the water column. Dick’s Mountain Tubes or Trout Busters at depths from the surface to 40 feet are best for rainbows.”

For bass, Crayne said, “The bite has slowed down some with the cold front, and finesse techniques remain the best with jigs, plastics on the Neko-rig or drop-shot, or jerkbaits on a slow retrieve.” There are two bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May. In the lower Kings, the final scheduled plant took place three weeks ago, but there may be additional plants in late April. Fishing interest has slowed with the lack of plants. Crayne reported fly fishermen are working the catch-and-release section. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer rose from 1569 to 2553 cfs while the lake rose 3 feet to 921.24 and 83% of capacity. The Kings River from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bridge on Pine Flat Road downstream to Cobbles (Alta) Weir is open to fishing all year. The Kings River, from Cobbles (Alta) Weir downstream to the Highway 180 crossing is open to fishing all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the overall striped bass action from the banks has slowed as the fish are dropping in the water column. Trollers are finding the best action as the surface topwater or jerkbait bite has slowed in the main lake. Pile worms, anchovies, or jumbo minnows continue to be effective, and they will keep minnows in the shop until the temperatures become too hot.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the overall bite in the wind and slowly falling water has slowed down. “ I didn’t even get out this week due to windy conditions, and the guys I know, reported just a moderate schoolie bite trolling in the Portuguese Cove area while hiding from the wind. May is usually the windiest month of the year - as warmer valley temps and cooler coastal breezes cause the wind to move through the pass and towards the valley . Getting out on a decent day is the real challenge - and it looks like the cooler windy trend is sticking around for now.” George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, Clements reported good numbers of a smaller grade of striped bass, particularly on the Highway 33 side with the water releases. Anchovies, pile worms, jumbo minnows, or flukes have been the top baits. The main lake dropped to 71% of capacity while the forebay held at 84% of capacity, respectively. 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 1

Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Guide Service said, “Bass Lake is looking good and filling up nicely. The kokanee have yet to so, but the rainbows are easy to catch. There are lots of big fish, and you have to weed through the little ones. Dr. Mark McCartin and his wife, Cheryle, of Dana Point were out with me this week, and they caught and released several rainbows as the trout are on a tear. The fish are on the top 20 feet, and Dick’s Trout busters, pink Mountain Tubes behind Dick’s Blue Fin Mountain dodgers or Rocky Mountain Tackle’s Blue Ice dodgers with pink or blur Radical Glow Tubes along with orange Wiggle Hoochies. Pink, orange, and blue have been the hot colors. The lake is starting to warm up, and there is lots of floating debris on the north end. Bass being caught around the docks.” The annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is this coming weekend, May 4-5, with $55,000 of tagged trout of which $25,000 is dedicated to three grand prizes. Information: https://www.basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. The lake is starting to rise once again. There are 5 bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

The gate to Kaiser Pass Road remains closed, and is not expected to reopen until after Memorial Day weekend.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Trout 2 Kokanee 2

Shore action is picking up in the early mornings with Power Bait or nightcrawlers while mixed limits of kokanee from 14 to 16 inches .and trout are possible running at depths from 10 to 35 feet with pink micro hoochies behind a flasher. Shaver Lake Shaver Lake Guide Emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters and Mountain Tackle said, “With the rapidly rising water, the kokanee bite slowed this past week, and I think it will be this way for a while until the lake level stabilizes. Ten days ago, David Geil of Sanger and his dad, David Sr. of Clovis found a couple limits of kokanee in the 20- to 25- foot water column with Mountain Tubes in orange and pink or white Mountain Hoochies tipped with corn behind Dick’s Mountain Dodgers in Captain J around the Point. But then the lake level rapidly increased, slowing the bite. Dave McGlothlin of Clovis was out this week, and he reported a slowdown, although his party was able to find a mixture of kokanee, rainbows, and browns on an early bite before 8:30 a.m. using similar terminal tackle to the Geils, but they also ran Trout Busters behind a weighted Mountain Flasher on side poles. McGlothlin said he talked with other trollers who had browns to 16 inches, a 21-inch rainbow, and a 15-inch kokanee.

On Saturday, Jay and Delinda Irvine of Visalia reported they were limited to yearling trout and never got a hit on the downriggers. This is another indicator of the rising water level and slower kokanee bite. Traditionally, Southern California Edison increases water into the Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s quite possible fishing will be slow due to the elevating lake water for the next few weeks.”

The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project will be planting it’s 2024 allotment of 7,000 pounds of trophy-sized rainbows within the next few months.

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 gate to McKinley Grove Road remains closed, limiting access to the high elevation lakes. The road is expected to reopen soon as the snow melt has accelerated in the past week. Road information: Sierra National Forest, 297-0706.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 crab 2

The moment the harbor has been waiting for arrives on Wednesday, May 1, as shallow water rockfishing below 20 fathoms begins through September 30. Few boats were willing to make the 25-mile run to water deeper than 50 fathoms, but there is plenty of shallow water structure north and south of the harbor. Bluefin tuna have been on hold due to offshore weather, but once the spring winds cease, the bluefin hunters will be back out in force. Only hoops or snares are allowed until the Dungeness season ends on June 30. The City of Pacifica Pier is open, and snares remain the best option for crab.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 2 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, “Deepwater rockfish areas will close at the end of April, and only nearshore waters inside of the 20 fathom (120 feet) line will be open for rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. The halibut bite is slowly improving, and surfcasters are finding quality barred surf perch willing to bite on sand crabs. Striped bass from the beach are a definite possibility right now as well. The stripers are in close, feasting on the same sand crab buffet as the perch.”

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill confirmed the excellent surf perch bite from many of the beaches with various 2-inch motor oil/red flake grubs. He said, “Honey Badger, Lucky 13’s, and Mekini BaitZ are all working, and there are more striped bass showing up.”

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 2 Sturgeon 2

Halibut action remains solid even with the high winds and the big tides slowing fishing to just over a fish per rod on Sunday. Monday’s scores rebounded with the California Dawn loading up once again with limits of halibut along with a few striped bass. Saturday’s scores were also outstanding with two-fish limits on most boats, but the combination of wind and tides made for challenging conditions in both the north and south bays. The halibut have come into the bay in numbers, and there is the arrival of several big fish within the past few days. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn out of Berkeley said, “The clearest water has been from Red Rock to the Bay Bridge, and we were able to load up with halibut to 24 pounds on Sunday as there has been lots of feed moving into the central bay. The north and south bays are full of halibut, but the water will need to clear up before they start biting in earnest. We have been routinely picking up halibut in the 12- to 15-pound range with several in the high teens into the 20s.”

Live bait is still a week or so away as the bait boat is receiving needed maintenance. Once live bait is available, boats will be able to work in deeper water, but for now, trolling frozen herring or anchovies continue to be very effective. Captain Jared Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito took his first trip of the year on Friday with a light load of 7 anglers, but they found the halibut by mid-day for limits to 12 pounds in the central bay. Davis plans on running a combination of potluck trips for halibut/striped bass/rockfish, and lingcod inside and outside the bay. He is also specializing in youth trips. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing, also out of Berkeley, confirmed the solid halibut bite in the central bay, saying, “The action has been from Emeryville to the Berkeley Flats, and there have been several big fish over the weekend. There are plenty of halibut in the north bay along with all the stripers you can want in the south bay. Just watch for the birds.” Commercial halibut fishermen have found halibut to 30 pounds, and the draggers outside the Golden Gate are also bringing in full loads of halibut.

Shallow water rockfishing less than 20 fathoms starts on Wednesday, May 1, and it will last through September 30. With more accessible waters rather than running 36 miles to Rittenburg Bank for water deeper than 50 fathoms, there will be more interest in coastal rockfishing.

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

San Luis Obispo

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

One boat made it out of Morro Bay Landing on Saturday with 12 anglers for a combined 57 assorted rockfish, 20 vermilion, 5 Boccaccio, 3 copper rockfish, and a solitary lingcod for 3/4th limits. The Fiesta and Rita G out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay are scheduled to be out on Wednesday on full day or 8-hour trips while the Patriot out of Patriot Sport Fishing at Port San Luis will head out on a ½-day trip on Thursday. Rockfishing is allowed at any depth in May before being limited to less than 50 fathoms for the remainder of the season. 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 3

Striped bass action has been tremendous according to Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley.

“We had epic action on Saturday with a combined 15 limits of linesides between my boat and Ricky Acosta of Feeding Frenzy Guide Service,” he said. “I was drifting live bait on the San Joaquin while Acosta was trolling on the Sacramento side. The stripers went deep from 20 to 30 feet, and we found them absolutely stacked up. With the stripers deep, trolling was more challenging as you have to find them from 13 to 16 feet in depth. We stopped on a mass of stripers, and I couldn’t even get the second rod out before we had fish on.”

The striped bass are stretched out from south San Francisco Bay to above Colusa on the Sacramento River, and Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors found great action above the Delta near Garcia Bend on the Sacramento River. Previously, he was shallow-trolling from 8 to 10 feet near Eddo’s Marina on the San Joaquin with Yo-Zuri Crystal Minows for limits. American shad are starting to show up near the mouth of the American River with it becoming strong in three weeks, Fong said.

The Central Valley Anglers out of Lodi had a big turnout during their Spring Striper Shootout on Saturday out of B and W Resort, and there were a number of stripers close to the 25.875-inch target. Club spokesman, Ted Handel said, “We had 50 participants and most reported catching fish. Trolling Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows or umbrella rigs on both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers resulted in the most reports.”

The largemouth bass bite has been up and down with some anglers finding limits over 25 pounds while others are struggling. There is an emerging topwater bite in the early mornings, but the most consistent action has been with punching the weeds or flipping along the weedlines. The bass are oriented to the weeds. The invasion of sea lions into the Delta continues, and the marine mammals are feeding heavily on spawning largemouth bass as they are easy picking while vulnerable during the spawn.

Sturgeon fishing remains outstanding in Suisun Bay, and although most anglers have moved on to other species, the few six-packs remaining in the Delta are finding tremendous action. Captain Zach Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures continues to find plenty of willing diamondbacks on his catch-and-release trips out of Pittsburg Marina.

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

Tournament results

April 27

Delta/B and W Resort – Central Valley Anglers Spring Striper Derby (26.875- inch target length)

1st – Ron Penix– 25.875 inches; 2nd – Jason Koisan – 24.75 inches; 3rd – Mike Faught – 24.75 inches.

New Melones

1st – Matt Silveira/Rod Cree – 17.27; 2nd – Randy and Glenn Pierson – 14.17 inches; 3rd – Rick Rush/Brad Trimble – 13.69.

Don Pedro – Yak A’ Bass

1st – Shaun Leytem – 86.25 inches; 2nd – James Sanchez – 86.00 inches (Big Fish – 20 inches); 3rd – Joseph Silva – 86.00 inches.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Wednesday Night Shootout

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Tulloch – Friday Night Shootout

May 4

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Basshole Inc.

McClure – McFFA Local 1289

Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Nacimiento – Central Coast Bass Fishing

Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts

May 4-5

Bass Lake – Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby

May 5

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association

Hensley – Kings VIII Bass Club

May 11

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

Delta/Big Break – American Bass Association

McClure – Best Bass Tournaments

Bass Lake – Bass 101

Isabella – American Bass Association

May 12

McClure – Best Bass Tournaments

May 18

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bass Anglers of Northern California

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Sierra Bass Club/Santa Clara BassBusters

New Melones – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments/Gilroy Bassmasters/Contra Costa Bass Club

Don Pedro – TriValley Bassmasters/Folsom Bass Team

McClure – Yak ‘A Bass

Success – Golden Empire Bass Club

San Antonio – Best Bass Tournaments

Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers

Lopez – Kern County Bassmasters

May 19

Don Pedro – Stanislaus County Employees

Tulloch – Modesto Ambassadors

Bass Lake – Fresno Bass Club

Eastman – Kings River Bass Club

Pine Flat – Bass 559

May 25

McClure – Kerman Bass Club

Lopez – Bakersfield Bass Club

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.