Special to The Bee
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 | 09:25 AM
Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by local fishing expert Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake.
Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted.
BEST BETS
Don Pedro bass and trout action is good, Monte Smith said. Aqueduct stripers are hitting, Pete Cormier reported. McClure rainbows and bass bites have improved, Randy Pringle said. Millerton is cranking out good numbers of spotted bass, and Pine Flat trout are eating, Merritt Gilbert reported. New Melones trout are prowling, Danny Layne said.
FLYFISHING REPORT
The San Joaquin River has the highest winter flows (380-400 cfs.) of any local tailwaters. There's pressure at the easy drive-up areas around Lost Lake Park, but a short walk should provide uncrowded water. Small blue-winged olive (#18-#20) mayflies will begin to hatch midday to early afternoon and on cloudy or foggy days for a few hours. ... Watch our presentation of "Seasons In the Sierra" at REI on Feb. 5. ... Sierra Fly Fisher Guide Service (559) 683-7664. Yosemite Rivers Fly Shop (559) 641-7788.
ROGER'S REMARKS
Most of us have our regular fishing buddies and a routine so well-greased that sometimes it's easy to forget that most folks just don't understand how expensive it is to take your boat and truck out for a trip. There's nothing worse than taking someone new (or experienced) on an expensive outing that you fully underwrite. Ouch! For anglers who have never owned a boat and had to pay for all the extra and hidden costs, it's hard to imagine just what a trip can run.
A boat owner has to pay for the vehicle's and the boat's gas (many use 91 octane). Pulling that monster drags the mileage way down and, depending on the vessel's size, getting 12 miles per gallon can be the norm. Getting to one of our local lakes is a minimum 40- to 90-mile drive. And if you're fishing lakes farther away, such as Don Pedro, you can be looking at a 200- to 300-mile round trip, conservatively. With gas at $3.50-plus per gallon, you're talking some serious money to just get there and back -- and that's not even considering spots like Clear Lake, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or the ocean. Two pocketbooks often are required. Also, running the boat 10 to 15 miles up a lake, one way, and then jetting all over the place can use up a good 20 gallons or much more in a day. Chalk up another $100.
Every time I fish, I also seem to end up going to the tackle store and restoring my stash with some new lures, equipment and line -- stuff that whomever I'm taking will probably use, too. Just losing a couple new $10 to $15 lures and having to respool the line can end up costing the boat owner more than $50.
Looking back over the past year, I realized that another big hidden cost is the constant repairs and maintenance necessary for the safety and performance of your floating money pit. Two major axle issues, servicing my outboard, new tires, buying outboard oil, cleaning supplies and a covered storage unit to keep it safe -- it all adds up to thousands of dollars! Did I even mention insurance? How about the accumulated wear and tear on your vehicle and boat? Such as: "Sorry, I just pulled your $2,000 depthfinder off its mount when I slipped. Hope it's OK." ... Better count to 10 slowly! No wonder lots of anglers refuse to take others along who don't really understand that helping the poor boater out is a breath of fresh air -- not to mention a sure way to get another trip.
After some thinking, I decided that since those who have never owned a boat have no idea of all the costs that I would become more proactive and set the tone for the trip up front. Now I usually tell them early on that I'm really looking forward to fishing, but could they do me one favor and put in $50 -- since it's so expensive to just get there -- and we'll share the load! You may think it's rude, but I've found that they really appreciate me bringing it up early and in the end they feel they have done their fair share and everyone is happy. I'm not necessarily suggesting other boat owners do this, but if you're an angler who rides along as a guest, it's something you may just want to do voluntarily. Show your gratitude, class and appreciation by appropriately helping out your host -- he's covering more than you know and you may just pleasantly shock him!
Roger George is The Bee's fishing expert. He can be reached at rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net
Key:
• Try dynamite
• • Have to work hard
• • • Limits possible
• • • • Fish jumpin' in boat
VALLEY
Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs
VALLEY
Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs
Striper * * * Catfish * *
Local striper fishermen are starting to concentrate on the California Aqueduct from Kettleman City to Highway 145 with pearl white flukes with a chartreuse tail on a three-quarter-ounce jig head. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, "We have been selling more and more of the flukes for the Aqueduct and the fish are running from just undersized to the 22-inch mark." The action remains very good in the south Aqueduct in Kern County, but the majority of linesides remain of less than legal size. Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield touted a variety of lures including RatLTraps, tubes or rip baits while bait fishermen are using blood worms, sand worms, anchovies or sardines. The cold weather has eliminated most of the moss and grass in the aqueduct system, but there is debris. Anglers should use caution in icy conditions along the banks and the cold water temperatures of the canals.
Eastman Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Bluegill * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
Eastman is showing signs of life with bass in the 4- to 5-pound range landed. Merritt Gilbert said, "Anglers have been averaging from 10 to 12 fish per trip working from 20 to 40 feet in depth, but, the best cut is coming at 50 feet in depth near the dam with jigs. To find the better fish, you can expect to receive three to six bites per day." Trout fishing is fair with occasional fish landed from the banks with Power Bait or by trollers pulling blade/crawler combinations or Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger. A trout plant is this week. The lake is on the middle boat ramp on the Codorniz Campground side and the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. Boaters are encouraged to launch from the Codorniz ramp if they wish to avoid the long walk to the parking lot. The area inside the 5-mph buoys is very shallow and hazards are not marked. The Lakeview Trail is closed to hunting but open to all other use between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge. The lake rose a half foot to 513 feet in elevation and 31%.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255
Hensley Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Bluegill * *
Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said Hensley is "a dead sea right now." One experienced bass fishermen worked six hours for a single bite. A few trout have been taken from banks with Power Bait or night crawlers, but the action is fair at best. The crappie bite up the river arm has dried up. A trout plant is this week. The lake rose 1 foot to 486 feet in elevation and 28%.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass * * * Trout * * * Crappie * * Kokanee * King salmon *
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing found tougher action Saturday after excellent trout fishing in the week. With the full moon, the early morning on Saturday was tough until Smith targeted the 30-foot range. As morning progressed, action closer to the surface improved with heavy shad-patterned spoons at depths from 4 to 6 colors of lead core on a fast troll to 3 mph. The bait has scattered. Trout plants are scheduled next week at Don Pedro and Turlock Lake. Bass fishing for numbers is best with drop-shotting shad patterned plastics, but better quality with average numbers are in deep water with jigs. Anglers willing to toss swimbaits or top-water lures may be rewarded with an impressive bass. The lake is at 67% and 771 feet in elevation.
Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fishn' Dan (209) 586-2383; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass * * Trout * * * Crappie * * Catfish * * * Bluegill * *
Catfishing is the top draw at Isabella, but Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield touted the resurgence of trout action with Power Bait or crawlers. A trout plant is this week and bank access areas at the Main or Auxiliary dams and up the North Fork are good options. Catfish are averaging 1 to 4 pounds and are biting medium to large minnows, frozen shad, mackerel, anchovies or sardines. Crappie fishing has slowed in the cold water and bass fishing is limited to the occasional large fish on umbrella rigs or swimbaits. Anglers have to be willing to throw the lures all day for the chance at a quality largemouth. The lake held at 2,542 feet and 15%. In the upper river, the water remains low with fish holding in deeper pools. Small nymphs are working for fly fishermen using stealth at approaching low water. The lower river is slow with minimal water conditions and no plants for the next two weeks. The recent trout plant at Buena Vista has spurred on angler interest and action.
Call: Bob's Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812
Lake Kaweah
Bass * * Crappie * * Trout * * Catfish * *
Larry Kerns of the Visalia Bass Club reported extremely slow bass fishing during Saturday's Success Bass Club tournament with a winning five-fish limit of just over 5 pounds. Kerns received only two bites and he still placed ninth out of 25 boats with a 1.57-pound bass. The full moon and cold front slowed the action to a crawl. The best option is for planted trout from the bank access areas with Power Bait, night crawlers or Kastmasters. A plant is next week. The lake rose 6 feet to 613 feet and 16%.
Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212
Lake Success
Bass * * Trout * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Company in Springville reported very slow bass fishing. The crappie bite hasn't started, but he anticipates it will as we move into spring. The best action remains for planted trout from the bank with Power Bait, crawlers or Panther Martin spinners, but there are no plants on the horizon. A plant is scheduled for Murry Park Pond next week. The lake rose 3 feet to 603 feet and 18%. The Rocky Hill launch ramp is the best option. In the Tule River, Stokke said, "The water is stained and trout fishing has been very slow. Warmer weather should improve the action."
Call: Sequoia Fishing Company 539-5626, Lake Success 784-0215
McClure Reservoir
Bass * * * Trout * * * King salmon * Kokanee * Crappie * * Catfish * *
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was tournament director at Saturday's Best Bass Tournament and he said, "74 of our 76 teams weighed in fish, so catching wasn't a problem. The difference in the top weights was the willingness of a few fishermen to toss swimbaits or top-water lures throughout the day for the chance at one large fish." The big fish was taken on a Pencil Popper in the afternoon in the main lake. The better than average cut of fish came on jigs with numbers on plastics on the drop-shot or dart-head. Jason Mello at A-1 Bait in Snelling touted live minnows for bass at 20 to 50 feet in the Cottonwood Arm or McClure Point. Catfish and crappie have been taken under lights on medium minnows in Barrett's Cove. Trout trolling is good with gold Kastmasters of blade/crawler combinations near the dam at 20 to 40 feet. A trout plant is next week.
Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053
McSwain Reservoir
Trout * * *
The McSwain Marina reported bank action took off after the Calaveras Trout Farm plant Jan. 23. Bank anglers from the access areas at the Brush Pile, the Handicapped Docks or the points near the Marina are producing a few fish on various colors of Power Bait or Power Eggs. Jason Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling touted chartreuse garlic Power Bait for rainbows to 3.5 pounds near the Brush Pile. On sunny days, gold Kastmasters have been effective. There have been only a few trollers and they are concentrating from Gilligan's Island toward the Floating Restrooms. A DFG trout plant is next week.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass * * * Striper * Shad * Trout * * *
Numbers are the story at Millerton with anglers expected to pick up from 15 fish per rod with every third fish of legal size. Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, "The keepers are in the 1.4- to 1.8-pound range and a limit in the 5- to 8-pound range is possible." The best action is from Finegold toward the dam on the bottom at 20 to 40 feet with split-shotting, drop-shotting, dart-heading or jigs with the fish coming up into the shallows in the afternoons to take advantage of warmer water, particularly along the shorelines with southern exposure. No striped bass reports. All boats must fill out a Quagga mussel self-inspection form before launching. The lake rose over a foot to 528 feet and 59%. In the lower San Joaquin, Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno touted trout fishing near the Broken Bridge for planters to 18 inches with Power Bait, night crawlers, Kastmasters or various spinners. Trout plants are scheduled on the river and Woodward Park in Fresno over the next two weeks.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Trout * * * Kokanee *
Trout scattered and trollers will need patience to locate them. Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service took the Bernal family out for solid action for rainbows to 22 inches on Uncle Larry's Copper Pop spinners scented with a small piece of night crawler or a small green-backed ExCel spoon behind Shasta Tackle Sling Blade. Layne found the fish just below the 49 Bridge and into Coyote Creek with his lures 75 feet behind the downrigger ball at 18 feet. Gary Burns of Take It To the Limit Guide Service is still fishing instead of trolling, targeting rainbows in the back of coves in the running water with garlic Power Bait or night crawlers. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods reported a fairly tough bass bite in the cold water with anglers having difficulty locating quality fish. She said, "The fish seemed to have moved into deep water for the winter and they are feeding on main lake points throughout the day. Now is a good time to fish finesse style presentations, such as a drop-shot rig." A slow presentation with a small 3- to 4-inch hand-poured plastic in natural shad or crawfish on the drop-shot is the top technique. Dead-sticking a 5-inch Senko also is working. The swim bait bite is improving with smaller sized baits. Catfishing has slowed. Crappie fishing remains slow, but there are fish in 15 to 40 feet of water in the backs of creek channels near submerged wood. Live minnows or red worms under a slip-float are picking up a few slabsides. The lake rose 1.5 feet to 1,017 feet and 67%. Lake Tulloch is at 49% and 475 feet after dropping 2 feet. The North Shore launch ramp is out of the water. Trout plants are scheduled at New Melones and Tulloch next week.
Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fishn' Dan (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass * * Trout * * * Crappie * * King salmon * Catfish * *
Trout fishing is good in two areas of the lake with Merritt Gilbert reporting, "The best cut of fish is taken in the main lake at 20 feet with Needlefish or Apex lures targeting baitfish schools, but there are schools of fish in the 13.5- to 14-inch range in the Trimmer Area from Billy Creek toward Sycamore and Big Creeks." Rainbow Runners or Needlefish are trolled at 20 feet. The bass bite is decent with drop-shotting or dart-heading producing. Jigs are working for a better cut with occasional large fish on a swimbait. The bass are holding at 15 to 40 feet with the best cut from 25 to 40 feet. The lake rose 4 feet to 790 feet and 28%. In the lower Kings, Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Company in Springville reported a slowdown in the catch and release section as fish have moved downstream or been taken out of the river by fishermen despite it being catch and release only. He landed several large squawfish while trying for trout with flies during the week. Trophy plants will continue through February. The section between Alta Weir and Highway 180 is a catch-and-release zone that requires barbless hooks. Plants are on the river as well as at Avocado Lake for the next two weeks.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Company 539-5626; The I Forgot Store 787-3689
San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Striper * * Catfish * * Bass * * Crappie * *
Alex Tran of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill said more striper fishermen are targeting the main lake with action near the Trash Racks, Basalt Recreational Area or Portuguese Cove from 80 to 120 feet of water with jumbo minnows, trolling broken-backed Rebels, P-Line Predators or Yozuris, or dropping 1.75- to 2-ounce Duh! spoons in black/white or chartreuse/white. Bait has dropped in the water column and striper are holding around. Roger George of Roger's Guide service said the passing front affected the bite and fish were not hitting until later in the day, although he and Dave Warmerdam of Fresno caught and released eight fish to 24 inches by trolling lures at 75 feet. In the Forebay, action has been best near Checks 12 or 13 and the Rockwall with jumbo minnows or Lucky Craft Pointer 128s in American shad or Ghost Minnows. Pile worms, anchovies or frozen shad are good options.
Important note: All watercraft must undergo inspection for Quagga and Zebra mussels. Failure will result in the refusal to launch.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711; Roger George's Guide service (559) 905-2954
HIGH SIERRA
Bass Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Kokanee *
Field scout Richard Walter of Bass Lake went out with David Burrow of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno on Saturday and they found success for six rainbows to 17 inches pulling Shasta Tackle's Scorpion Spinners in red tipped with a night crawler behind a Chrome Green Sling Blade on the downrigger. Walter said, "We also landed a 10-inch kokanee and an orange Rapala also captured a rainbow at 10 feet on the downrigger." Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno thought the trout bite had slowed as planters are spreading out, but he touted Shasta Tackle's Cripplures, spinners or Rapalas as the top lures from the surface to 1 to 2 colors of lead core. A trout plant is this week. For bass, Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun reported slow action in the 41-degree water, which is too cold for the traditional mid-January swimbait bite. The lake has risen to 55% capacity and large boats are able to access the water. A webcam is at basslake.com.
Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Kaiser Pass Road is closed for winter.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee * Trout * * *
Regular plants from the DFG have spurred action, and last week's plant put in the neighborhood of 1,000 rainbows ranging from 1.5 to 6 pounds. The recent plant joins the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project's plant of about 2,500 trout to 6 pounds. Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno found great action on a mid-week trip trolling red spinners, red/gold spoons or Rapalas from the surface to 2 colors of lead core for rainbows to 19.5 inches. Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters said, "Most trollers have been working the area of the plant between roads 1 and 2, the dam and the Point at depths from 10 to 40 feet with the best results around 21 feet. The tackle ranged from Trout Busters behind Mountain Flashers, other blade/crawler combinations and Rapalas." Mike O'Connell of Tollhouse resorted to trolling at various depths for a limit on Trout Busters or Rapalas. For bank fishermen, the gates to roads 1 and 2 have been closed and the larger fish are holding around the Sierra Marina access areas. Nichols said, "Most bank anglers are targeting the north dam area, however, the real choice spot may be the Road 1 area and although the gate is locked, anglers can park in the lot at the Sierra Marina ramp and walk to the Road 1 access area." Donations can be sent to the SLTTP, P.O. Box 908, Shaver Lake, CA, 93664. Kokanee expert Captain Jack Yandell, guide Dick Nichols and Shaver Historian Lee gates will present two Shaver seminars. Shaver is at 63% with Huntington dropping slightly to 39%. Check sierramarinawebcam.com for current conditions.
Call: Dick's Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Shaver Lake Sports Inc. 841-2740
Wishon/Courtright
The roads to Courtright and Wishon are closed for the winter.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
OCEAN
Half Moon Bay
Striper * * Crab * *
Sand dab/crab combinations are the only game in town with Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat being one of the only party boats running until the start of salmon season in April. In Pacifica, Sheryl Jimno of the Rusty Hook reported crabbing is decent from the pier, but water was rough Sunday morning. Perch and king fish are the top fish species taken on pile or blood worms.
Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133, (650) 726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Striper * * White sea bass * Crab * *
Chris Arcoleo at Chris' Landing in Monterey said," They were able to get out Saturday morning for an average of 50 sand dabs per anglers to go with 3.5/crab around for 20 anglers. They are running daily combination trips. Out of Santa Cruz, the annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Derby is March 9 and is a Monterey Bay Salmon and Steelhead Project fundraiser. The derby is limited to 300 entrants. Information is at www.theletsgofishingradioshow.com. Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing said, "Perch fishing will be good this year and we are ending signups on Feb. 20."
Call: Chris' Landing (831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com
San Francisco Bay
Striper * * Leopard shark * * Sturgeon * *
Inside the bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael said, "The sturgeon action was really good last Monday and Tuesday and everyone was buzzing, but things really slowed the past few days." Joel Sinkay of Leonard's Bait confirmed the slow action in San Pablo Bay. In the central bay, Mike's Bait in Oakland reported jack smelt are the best thing going from the shoreline and perch fishing is good at Treasure Island, the Alameda Rockwall and the Seventh Street Pier in Oakland. Most sturgeon fishermen are heading toward Coyote Point. In the south bay, John Akina at Oyster Point Bait, Tackle and Deli in South San Francisco reported perch and smelt action from the pier remains good, and sturgeon were landed from the banks at Genentech Point. Herring and ghost shrimp have been the top baits in the south bay.
San Luis Obispo
Crab * * *
Boats out of Virg's Landing are holding whale watching trips and nature cruises Sundays and Mondays from 10 a.m. through noon. The 2013 rockfish opener is May 1.
Call: Virg's Landing, (805) 772-1222, (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214
OTHERS
Delta/Stockton
Bass * * Striper * * Sturgeon * * Catfish * *
The Delta will be littered with vessels competing for big money during the Original Sturgeon, aka "Super Bowl" Derby out of McAvoy's Boat Harbor in Bay Point. The target length will be announced Saturday at 7 a.m.. Info is at foundationsportsmansclub.org. The Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby was held Saturday with 367 adult entrees and 101 children. The wind and water temperatures slowed action with only 20 legal sturgeon released, down from 42 in 2012. For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, "The patient angler will catch fish. The best technique is to slightly move your bait from side to side but not hop it." He has been scoring with the half-ounce Persuader E-Chip jig in black/blue or the Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper plastic in dark colors such as green pumpkin, black/blue, black/blue flake on a Zappu head. Pringle said, "The bulbous tail on this worm wiggles even when the bait is still. With the water cold, Pringle has been targeting ledges in the 5- to 15-feet range as the fish are holding tight to the structure.
Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Vella's Fishing Adventures (209) 521-0164; Mark Wilson Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030
Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez
Bass * * White bass * * Striper * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
At Nacimiento, the size of the bass is very thin with small limits of 9 pounds or less being landed during Saturday's Western Outdoor News tournament. Plastics on a slow presentation continue to be the top technique. A slow presentation is necessary in all of the coastal lakes with the dropping of the water temperature. Quagga mussel inspections are required before boat launching. Nacimiento rose slightly to 759 feet and 48%, San Antonio rose a half foot to 747 feet and 56%, Santa Margarita is at 60% and Lopez 76%.
Call: Lake Nacimiento (805) 238-1056, ext. 3; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com (805) 466-6557
EVENTS
Results
Best Bass Tournaments at McClure on Jan. 26: 1, Mike Goncalves/Robert Mansor, 11.73 pounds (Big Fish 5.21 pounds); 2, Kenny Shepherd/Ben Brooks, 11.26; 3, Rich and Ron Ingram- 10.73
American Bass Association at Delta/Russo's Marina on Jan. 26: 1, Jim LaRosa/Brent Zieska, 16.71 pounds (Big Fish 8.34 pounds); 2, Robert Riehl/Ken Cassateri, 15.46; 3, Michael Farmer/Brent Potter, 15.40
Seventh annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby at Delta/Martinez Marina on Jan. 26: 1, Ross Buller ($3,211.25); 2, Fred Hammond ($2,293.75); 3, Dan Roos ($1,835.00)
Seventh annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby at Delta/Martinez Marina on Jan. 26 -- Kids' Division: 1, Russel Houck; 2, Alisha McCullen; 3, Hunter Lane
Western Outdoor News at Nacimiento on Jan. 26: 1, Darrin Bishop/Dean Miller, 9.07 pounds (Big Fish 3.36 pounds); 2, Bryan and Steve Grier, 6.51; 3, Austin Bonjours/Graham Glove, 5.46
Angler's Choice at Delta/Russo's Marina on Jan. 27: 1, Mickey Wall/
Jesse Ochoa, 16.32 pounds; 2, Timothy Venkus/Phillip Dutra, 16.13; 3, Beau Jourdrey/Logan Courtney, 14.27
Upcoming
Seminars/Sales/Shows
Tuesday: Kokanee Power Meeting, 7 p.m. at Yosemite Falls Cafe in Granite Park
Feb. 7: Eric Kaai on Winter Kayak Fishing, 6:15 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno; Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, on Loading Up for Lunkers, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
Feb. 21: Stan Lewis of Neptune Sport Fishing on Sturgeon and Striper Bait Fishing Techniques, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
Feb. 28: Captain Mike Gravert of Intimidator Sport Fishing on Spring Striper, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
March 7: Richard Ernst/Howard Black on High Sierra Fishing, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
March 14: Steve "Bub" Tosh on Pre-spawn techniques for Bass, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
March 21: Alan Fong and Warren Trumbley of Fun Fishing, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
April 5-7: 36th annual Central Valley Sportsmen's Boat, RV & Outdoor Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, info: calshows.com
Tournaments
Saturday: Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis; Angler's Choice at Delta/Russo's Marina; American Bass Association/Christian Bass League at Don Pedro
Saturday-Sunday: Original Sturgeon "Super Bowl" Derby at Delta/McAvoy's Boat Harbor in Bay Point, info: foundationsportsmansclub.org
Sunday: California Bass Federation at New Melones; Fresno Bass Club at Pine Flat with a 2 p.m. weigh-in to accommodate Super Bowl, info: Mark Corrente, 284-2768
Feb. 9: Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis; Delta Bass Club at Delta/Russo's Marina; Angler's Choice/Sonora Bass Club/Manteca Bassin' Buddies at Don Pedro; Best Bass Tournaments at McClure; Mid Valley Bass Club at Eastman; 101 Bass/Taft Bass Club at San Antonio; Western Outdoor News at Santa Margarita
Feb. 10: Hook, Line and Sinker at Delta/Russo's Marina; Northern California Bass Federation at Don Pedro; Kings VIII Bass Club at McClure; California Bass Federation at Millerton, info Mark Corrente, 284-2768
March 9: Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Derby in Santa Cruz. Info: theletsgofishingradioshow.com.
TROUT PLANTS
Fresno County: Avocado Lake; Fresno City Woodward Park Lake; Kings River, Below Pine Flat Dam; San Joaquin River, below Friant Dam
Madera County: San Joaquin River, below Friant Dam
Monterey County: El Estero Lake
Tulare County: Kaweah Reservoir
