The Fresno Bee
Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2013 | 08:00 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
Shaver Lake is kicking out some trout "beauties," Dick Nichols said. Pine Flat rainbows are biting, Patrick Movey reported. Aqueduct stripers are active, Pete Cormier said. Eastman bass fishing is improving, Merritt Gilbert said. Kaweah is kicking out huge bass, Sierra Sporting Goods reported.
ROGER'S REMARKS
I've always found the stories that surround the biggest fish are almost always unique and don't seem to happen the way you would have envisioned them happening. Here's another:
It was a beautiful spring day and my dad and younger brother Randy and I decided to bass fish Eastman Lake. The fishing ban there due to aquatic weeds infestation had been raised about a year before and anglers were allowed at that time to fish only from the banks. By this time, however, the frenzy that had taken place at the reopening of the lake had subsided and the fishing had settled down.
Loaded to the gills with tackle and food, we headed for the back of the lake and some of our favorite coves. The day was clear and sunny but not hot, with a few clouds, and the lake was rising into the grassy areas of the shoreline -- a great setting for fishing. Walking the shoreline, we found that for some reason the fish were taking top-water lures that had red on them. Just about every brush-filled cove produced a bass or two in the 1- to 2-pound range.
As we fished, I scoured my crammed tackle box for any other red-colored lures. I soon uncovered a forgotten one hiding in the bottom of my box, one I had purchased on a whim from an infomercial a year before. It had intrigued me because it was designed to look sort of like a Hula Popper, but it had a cord that came out of the middle of its mouth that you tied your line to. The unique thing about this lure was when you cast, the weight of the lure pulled the cord out of the lure's mouth and actually wound up a mechanism inside the lure that caused the tail to vibrate/swim by itself when it hit the water. So, throwing this contraption out and letting it sit made it look like a wounded baitfish swimming in one spot and going nowhere. It would produce all kinds of little waves as it sat there clicking away looking all the world like a dying fish on its last legs -- perfect!
Still walking, we soon came to an ideal spot for a big spawning bass: A small, shallow cove that had a deadfall leaning out a few feet into the calm water. I hadn't tied the lure on yet, but I told my dad and brother that I had a "secret weapon" I wanted to throw in first. Giving in, they let me tie on the lure and I carefully tossed the crazy bait into the middle of the cove right between the sunken limbs. The little bait took off swimming like a champ as soon as it hit the water, creating ripples as it sat there clicking, vibrating and winding down. About this time, I looked down at my reel, thinking I had a tangle, when I heard a splash and Dad yelled out for me to set the hook. Unconsciously I struck, but all I saw was the huge swirl where the bass had hit. As I fought to keep it out of the underwater branches, Dad informed me it was a good 10 pounds-plus. Then the bass came up shaking its head -- and when I saw that huge bucket mouth come out of the water, I started to get scared I was going to lose it! For some reason, the fish stayed in the water in front of me and I finally landed the big spawning female. Excited, we quickly weighed the bulging fish at 12 pounds, my biggest, then gently released her.
Funny thing was, the lure wouldn't work anymore as it got tweaked, probably from the hard fight. It was my only one. How could you script it? That after fishing for bass all these years I would catch my biggest one from shore on an infomercial lure I had never used, on my first and only cast with it? It remains in my tackle box as a reminder that sometimes it's better to be lucky than skillful!
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
Striper * * * Catfish * *
The California Aqueduct near Firebaugh has been producing striped bass from 16- to 23-inches on white or pearl ice flukes or Lucky Craft 110s or 128s in American shad or ghost minnow. Striper anglers are stopping at the canals instead of driving north to San Luis Reservoir. In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield said, "Things have been pretty much the same around here with good action with jumbo minnows, anchovies, blood worms or sardines." The moss has dissipated with the cooler water.
Eastman Lake
Bass * * * Trout * * Bluegill * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
Bass fishing is improving and Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said, "There have been a good number of 3-pound bass for experienced anglers working the depths from 30 to 50 feet with finesse techniques with jigs or drop-shotting over humps. The average guy can pick up six to seven bass per day to 2.5 pounds using jigs with all of the fish being deep and nothing in the shallows." 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 crawler behind a dodger. Trout anglers are targeting Pine Flat or Shaver Lake. A trout plant is this week. The lake is on the middle ramp on the Codorniz Campground side and the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. The Lakeview Trail is closed to hunting but open to other use between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge. The lake rose a half foot to 514 feet in elevation and 31% capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255
Hensley Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Bluegill * *
Hensley continues to be extremely slow for all species with Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reporting, "A pair of very bass good anglers worked the lake for only a few bites on a recent trip." Trout fishermen have headed to Shaver or Pine Flat for more consistent action. Bank trout action continues to be fair at best with night crawlers or various colors of Power Bait. A plant is this week. The lake rose 1 foot to 486 feet 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 said, "The bite has gotten tougher as fish have scattered. It is not a slam dunk for limits anymore." They were able to release limits of planter trout found at 27 to 30 feet on the downrigger and from 4 to 6 colors of lead core. Smith said, "The bait schools are non-existent and the fish are at a variety of depths as we even found trout in the shallows near the banks in 12 feet of water." With water temps remaining in the 51-degree range, trout are moving into warmer water in the shallows to search for food. For largemouth bass, Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford said, "Smaller shad-patterned swimbaits in the 3.5- to 4-inch range are working on a slow rolled presentation." Jigs such as the Berserk Purple Hornet or TNT Baits Special Ops are working at 40 to 50 feet with the occasional large fish taken on an 8-inch rainbow trout Huddleston swimbaits with a rate of fall at 12 feet. A 13-pound largemouth was landed on a Huddleston swimbait during Saturday's American Bass Association tournament and this angler didn't even weigh in the largest limit which was in excess of 26 pounds. Trout plants are scheduled at Don Pedro and downstream Turlock Lake next week. Trout action from the banks with live minnows or crawlers continues to be strong. The lake rose 2 feet to 772 feet and 68% capacity.
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 * *
Catfish action remains the best thing going with frozen shad, anchovies, clams, jumbo minnows or mackerel from bank access areas. Crappie action has slowed, but bass fishing is showing signs of life. Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield said, "The bite is not wide open, but largemouths to 4.5 pounds have been taken on Creature Baits at 20 feet. The occasional fish is taken by those willing to throw swimbaits all day long." Trout action from the banks at the Main or Auxiliary Dams is improving with night crawlers or Power Bait. A trout plant is this week. The lake held at 2,542 feet and 15%. In the upper river, the water is low with rainbows crowding into deeper pools. There are no plants on the upper or lower river for two weeks. Truxtun, Ming and River Walk are to be planted this week and Cormier touted action with any type of Power Bait coated with Lip RipperZ Hatchery Dust. Local lakes have had larger than normal plants due to the lack of planting earlier in the season. Buena Vista continues to kick out large crappie on medium minnows or minijigs with Power Bait working for trout to 10 pounds.
Call: Bob's Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812
Lake Kaweah
Bass * * * Crappie * * Trout * * * Catfish * *
Sierra Sporting Goods in Exeter reported the best action has been for planted trout from bank access areas with various colors of Power Bait or night crawlers. A plant is this week. There have been huge largemouth bass at 17, 15 and 10 pounds taken on umbrella rigs or jumbo minnows. At least two were released. Drop-shotting shad-patterned plastics or spooning to 40 feet remain the best techniques, but overall action is slow. Water releases may have caused the slowdown in bass action as levels dropped 12 feet to 602 feet in elevation and 11% capacity.
Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212
Lake Success
Bass * * Trout * * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Company in Springville reported bass fishing is showing life with small males coming up to the banks. Crankbaits have been working. The crappie bite hasn't started, but Stokke anticipates it will as we move into spring. The best action remains for planted trout from the banks with Power Bait, crawlers or Panther Martin spinners, but there are no trout plants on the horizon. A plant at Murry Park Pond in Porterville is this week. The lake rose 2 feet to 605 feet and 20%. The Rocky Hill ramp is the best option. In the Tule River, Stokke reported good trout action with nymphs such as black Woolley Buggers, Psycho Mercers or Pheasant Tail Flashbacks in warming conditions.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Company 539-5626, Lake Success 784-0215
McClure Reservoir
Bass * * * Trout * * Catfish * * King salmon * Crappie * * *
Limits were the rule at Saturday's Kerman Bass Club tourney with Walt Lee reporting 20 limits weighed in by 24 anglers. Jason Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported solid action from the banks at Barrett's Cove South with live minnows or crawdads, while artificials such as Yamamoto Pearl/Blue Laminate have taken largemouths to 2.5 pounds in the Cottonwood Arm. Trout trolling has slowed a bit near the dam with a group of three picking up seven trout and two kokanee pulling blade/crawler combinations from the surface to 20 feet, but action improved in the river arm with mixed limits of trout, king salmon and a 1.5-pound crappie on orange Wedding Rings or orange Rocky Mountain Tackle Assassin spinners at 15 to 30 feet. Sales of large minnows have been strong and large crappie carcasses have been seen at the fish cleaning station. A trout plant is next week. The lake is at 759 feet and 44% capacity and releasing water.
Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053
McSwain Reservoir
Trout * * *
McSwain Marina said trolling action has improved with blade/crawler combinations or Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler behind a dodger from Gilligan's Island to the Floating Restrooms. The last plant was Jan. 29 with a DFG plant this week. Bank anglers are scoring from access areas at the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks or points near the Marina with various colors of Power Bait or Power Eggs. Jason Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported one group landed 20 rainbows with Bubble Gum Power Eggs and Power Bait in chartreuse or rainbow.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass * * * Striper * Shad * Trout * *
Bass quality has decreased, but the numbers remain good with Merritt Gilbert reporting, "A good limit is in the 7- to 7.5-pound range with fish averaging 1.25 pounds. There have been bass taken on spinnerbaits or rip baits, but the more consistent bite remains on the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or jigs." Numbers are better up the river arm, but quality is better in the main lake. There is a spoon bite on the bottom near Finegold. No striped bass reports. All boats must fill out a Quagga mussel self-inspection form before launching. The lake rose 2 feet to 530 feet and 69%. In the lower San Joaquin, there are trout plants for the next two weeks as well as at Woodward Park in Fresno. Power Bait and crawlers are top baits at the Broken Bridge or Lost Lake areas.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Trout * * Kokanee *
Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported a slowdown in bank trout action with less than limits. The standard bait rig with a long leader seems to be the best bet with a sliding sinker and a 3- to 4-foot leader and a light hook." Pink/white Gulp! Power Eggs or Berkley Power Eggs are working with Kastmasters or Krocodiles being effective. Trolling has slowed with Doug McArthur of Team McFishing Guide Service reporting, "We have seen a slowdown in the number of trout." Trout have scattered. Lewis said bass fishing continues to be tough with the exception of an unofficial lake record spotted bass at 8.5 pounds caught and released by Mel Caldwell while trolling a blue/silver Trophy Stick targeting brown trout. Lewis said, "Most anglers are having trouble locating quality fish with the dropping water temperatures, as the fish have moved into deeper water." During the warmer daylight hours, bass are moving up on the main lake points and finesse techniques are working best. She advised using 3- to 4-inch plastic worms in natural shad or crawfish on a dead-stick. Five-inch Senkos are also effective with a motionless presentation. The California Reservoir Lures jigs are working in "The Cash Call color." For catfish, Cliff Larrew and Johnny Roberts of Ripon landed an 8.5-pound whiskerfish while bank fishing with night crawlers. Frozen shad, sardines or anchovies dragged slowly along the bottom is working best." 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 slightly to 1,017 feet and 68%. Lake Tulloch rose nearly a foot to 476 feet and 50%. Trout plants are at New Melones and Tulloch this 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 * *
The trout bite remains good with schools found near Trimmer and upstream as the lake continues to rise. Another grouping of trout continues to hold at 40 to 50 feet. Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno said , "The action is picking up and shad-patterned spoons, red Shasta Tackle Cripplures or red Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler are top lures." For bass, Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, "The bite has slowed a bit with the average limit dropping in size from the 10- to 11-pound range a month ago to the 8- to 8.5-range now." An occasional larger fish is taken on rip baits or swimbaits, but anglers will be throwing the lures for close to four hours for a chance at a solitary bass. The more consistent choice is drop-shotting, jigs or Senkos on the bottom from 15 to 40 feet for two to three fish per hour. The lake rose 4 feet to 790 feet and 28%. In the lower Kings, Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Company in Springville reported larger fish were moving in and out of the catch-and-release section and action has improved for large fish for fly anglers working nymphs such as Pheasant Tail Flashbacks, Psycho Mercers or black Woolley Buggers. Spinners and spoons such as Kastmasters or Roostertails have been effective in the open section. Trophy plants will continue through February. The section between Alta Weir and Highway 180 is a catch-and-release zone that requires barbless hooks. Trout plants are on the river and 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 * *
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported good action for trollers pulling Smithwick Rogue rip baits in chrome/black with an orange belly or chrome/black at the mouth of Portuguese Cove and also along the shorelines within the cove. Drifting minnows is another productive technique using electronics to hunt for bait balls before dropping down. Spooning with 1.75- to 2-ounce Duh! spoons in black/white or chartreuse/
white continues to work as well. Guide Roger George of Roger's Guide service reported finding fish was no problem but the bite has seemed to be later in the day, with most having hit and miss results. Big Lake temps are around 51 degrees. In the Forebay, the area around Check 12 remains busy with jumbo minnows or blood worms. Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno reported trollers are working with stickbaits, flukes or Fish Traps along the Rockwall and in inlets. The main lake has risen to 60%.
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 *
Todd Wittwer of Kokaneenet.com said, "The dock is in the water at the public launch ramp and self launching is possible with all boat sizes. Trout action is a little slower, but limits are possible." Rick Rumley landed the big rainbow trout of the week at 8.6 pounds on a Diawa Dr. Minnow. A few kokanee in the 8- to 10.5-inch range have been taken near the Sheriff's Tower, and Wittwer would like any angler landing a kokanee in excess of 13 inches to send him or Mike Beighey a picture by text or email. Wittwer is hoping a few of the 2013 fish survived the reconstruction project on the Crane Valley Dam. Field scout Richard Walter of Bass Lake was on the lake Sunday in warm conditions and said, "There were a number of boats scoring quality rainbows from the Sheriff's Tower to Miller's Landing on just about anything behind a flasher." Walter landed four at 10 and 20 feet. A trout plant is this week. The water level continues to rise and the gas docks at Bass Lake Water Sports should be floating soon. For bass fishing, Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun reported continued slow action in the cold water with one angler walking the banks for 45 minutes without receiving a bite. The swimbait bite should start up within the middle of the month. The lake has risen to 57%. Check basslake.com for a web cam.
Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Kaiser Pass is closed for the winter.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee * Trout * * *
Shaver Lake received a plant of trophy trout and the lake has been kicking out some beauties in excess of 10 pounds. Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno said, "There have been a group of fishermen hanging around the banks near the Sierra Marina with several rainbows to 20 inches landed." Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters said, "Trollers are finding it more difficult going with the best action for boats drifting night crawlers or Power Bait. The troll action has been best in the early mornings from the surface to 15 feet with a variety of blade/crawler combinations, spinners or Rapalas." Tossing spinners from a boat into the coves has worked. Bank anglers are scoring with night crawlers, Power Bait or Power Eggs from the access areas around roads 1 and 2, and north of the dam. Donations are appreciated and can be sent to the SLTTP at 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, Feb. 21 at Herb Bauer's Sporting Goods in Fresno and March 30 at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis. Shaver is at 62% capacity with Huntington dropping slightly to 37%. Check sierramarinawebcam.com for 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 are closed for the winter.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
OCEAN
Half Moon Bay
Striper * * Crab * *
Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat is the last party boat until salmon season in April. He was out Friday and Saturday and said, "Crab limits were taken, but the Dungeness are not plentiful. Sand dab fishing has been good ." Rockfish season starts May 1.
Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133, 726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Striper * * White sea bass * Crab * * *
Chris Arcoleo of Chris' Landing in Monterey reported plenty of sand dabs and limits of Dungeness crab for 10 anglers on the Checkmate on Super Bowl Sunday. Out of Santa Cruz, the annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Derby is March 9, and this event is a fundraiser for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Steelhead Project. The derby is limited to 300 entrants by Feb. 20.
Call: Chris' Landing (831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com
San Francisco Bay
Striper * * Leopard shark * * Sturgeon * * Crab * *
The New Salmon Queen out of Emeryville Sport Fishing scored three crab apiece for 14 anglers to go with an average of 21 sand dabs per angler. Inside the bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael really likes the minus tide series starting today. Joel Sinkay of Leonard's Bait said, "The sturgeon bite picked up on Thursday and Friday with Daniel Wise landing a 50-incher at the Pumphouse in shallow water on ghost shrimp." The Petaluma River is producing striped bass with customers Tim Butterworth and Josh Hodges reporting good action. George Liu of Bay Tackle in El Cerrito reported good perch fishing from the shoreline access areas south to the Seventh Street Pier in Oakland and off the Berkley Pier with grass shrimp. In the south bay, sturgeon fishermen are concentrating around Coyote Point, but action is hit or miss.
San Luis Obispo
Crab * * *
Patriot Sport Fishing at Port San Luis reported outstanding action on a dab'n crab combination trip Friday with limits of Dungeness crab and an average of 25 sand dab apiece. Whale watching and Nature Cruises are Sundays and Mondays from 10 a.m. through noon. Boats out of Virg's Landing in Morro Bay will concentrate on whale watching trips daily at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The 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 Super Bowl Sturgeon Derby brought 1,022 fishermen out of McAvoy's Boat Harbor in Bay Point and fishing improved Sunday. The target length was 57 inches and there were 33 sturgeon brought to the measuring table Sunday. Delta temps are heating and Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert, trolled the West Bank on Monday with a chartreuse P-Line Angry Eye in shallow water of 7 feet for a handful of striped bass to 8.5 pounds. For bait fishermen, field scout Ron Zolezzi fished on the anchor in 28 feet of water in the San Joaquin River off Eddo's Boat Harbor and landed an 8.5-pound striper on a sardine fillet. Captain Stan Lewis of Neptune Sport Fishing was solo in Grizzly Bay on Saturday, and he caught and released four sturgeon in the shallow water.
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 and San Antonio, temps remain cold at 48 degrees, warming to 52 in afternoons, leaving the bass bite very slow. Plastics on a slow presentation continue to be the top technique and fish prefer darker colors. Nacimiento held at 759 feet and 48%; San Antonio at 747 feet and 56%. Santa Margarita is 60%, Lopez 76%.
Important notes: Consumption of white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish or carp is subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury. Quagga mussel inspections are required before launching.
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
Kerman Bass Club at McClure on Feb. 2: 1, Jeff Farmer, 9.10 pounds; 2, Butch Farmer, 9.12 (Big Fish 3.70); 3, Ryan Voorhees, 9.07
Angler's Choice/Western Rookie League at Delta/Russo's Marina on Feb. 2 1, John Garrett/Tony Vaughn, 18.72 pounds; 2, Ron Pine/Brian De Silva, 15.41; 3, Ronald Vanairsdale/Ed Ortman, 15.34
Original aka "Super Bowl" Sturgeon Derby at Delta/McAvoy's Boat Harbor on Feb. 2 (target length of 57 inches): 1, Jack Bray, $6,388; 2, William Goldbrick, $2,555; 3, Terry Bergstrom, $1,255.
Original aka "Super Bowl" Sturgeon Derby at Delta/McAvoy's Boat Harbor on Feb. 3 (target length of 57 inches): 1, Dan Maggard, $6,388; 2, Adam Jeffery, $2,555; 3, John Sweaten, $1,255
Fresno Bass Club Open at Millerton on Feb. 3: 1, Mark Corrente/John Albidrez, 9.80 pounds (Big Fish 4.90); 2, Lee Ochoa/Josh Sanchez, 6.19; 3, Tom Loya/Jessica Salazar, 5.92
Upcoming
Seminars/Sales/Shows
Thursday: 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: Paul Kalpakoff Central Sierra Sport Fishing on Trout and Kokanee Techniques, 6:15 p.m. Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno; 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; 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
Sunday: 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; Pine Flat Reservoir
Kern County: Lake Isabella
Madera County: Bass Lake; Eastman Lake; Hensley Lake
Mariposa County: Eastman Lake; Merced River, Section I
Merced County: Merced River, Section I
San Joaquin County: Camanche Reservoir
San Luis Obispo County: Barney Schwartz Park Lake
Santa Clara County: Sandy Wool Lake
Stanislaus County: Modesto Reservoir; Woodward Reservoir
Tuolumne County: Tulloch Lake
| Solunar Table | ||||
| AM | PM | |||
| Minor | Major | Minor | Major | |
| Wednesday | 1:03 | 7:18 | 1:33 | 7:48 |
| Thursday | 1:57 | 8:12 | 2:26 | 8:41 |
| > Friday | 2:50 | 9:04 | 3:19 | 9:33 |
| > Saturday | 3:43 | 9:56 | 4:10 | 10:24 |
| n Sunday | 4:35 | 10:48 | 5:01 | 11:14 |
| > Monday | 5:28 | 11:12 | 5:53 | -- |
| > Tuesday | 6:21 | 12:09 | 6:45 | 12:33 |
