The Fresno Bee
Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013 | 07:50 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
New Melones kicking out huge bass limits, Melanie Lewis reported. Don Pedro bass fishing on fire and McClure bass and trout also active, Manny Basi said. Lake Success crappie, bass and trout all hitting, Larry Kerns reported. Delta bass on the prowl, Randy Pringle reported.
FLYFISHING
Jimi Morales said the afternoon Caddis (#16) hatch is starting on the lower Merced river and splashy rises signal the fish are taking the rising pupa. The Merced and Kings are starting to see spring hatches also. Watch for Golden Stoneflies (#12) and March Brown (#12) Mayflies in the afternoons. Our beginning fly-tying classes start in April at Fresno REI. Sierra Fly Fisher Guide Service (559) 683-7664; Yosemite Rivers Fly Shop, (559)641-7788.
ROGER'S REMARKS
It feels like "Back to the Future" for me with the reopening of the closed zone at Eastman Lake in August and Ball Ranch again letting anglers in on weekends. Both locations were fishing staples a few years ago.
When I heard that Ball Ranch was opening, I thought of all the times when I was growing up that my Dad and I would go bass fishing there. It was a magical place, just big enough to explore without getting lost and intimate enough to have all kinds of nooks and crannies that held fish.
It was an real adventure for us to park at what we called the "Bathtub," then walk to all the small ponds and the gurgling, shallow river in the back. I caught a lot of bass after wading in and casting a top-water plug to the other bank. I think the biggest I got was about 5 pounds, and I caught it in a back eddy off the river -- one that I carefully snuck up on. I was about 16 and it was a big victory.
The setting of huge oak trees, bushes and grasses laid out between the bodies of water, along with the mix of big dragonflies, bumblebees and all kinds of birds and other wildlife, made it feel like my own little "30-acre wood." It's one of the few places I just enjoyed exploring -- almost more than I cared if I ever caught a fish there. It was perfect for an adventurous, growing kid to dream and fish.
Over the years, it pained me to see the place shuttered as I drove by. I thought about how many great days I and others had spent there and how its magic might be lost for future generations. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that it was open again on weekends. I'll make a special trip soon to see how it has changed, but from the road it looks like the place I so fondly remember -- and I hear they are catching some nice fish.
The Eastman Lakes upper-river reopening also is long overdue in the minds of many anglers. I think we've all heard stories of the huge bass that guys have taken in the closed zone, slipping in under cover of darkness or fog. Many are convinced there are fish in the upper reaches that would approach world-record weights and are just waiting to inhale a well-placed lure. All I know is that it could be real messy the first day the area opens up, as every able-bodied angler heads for the river. It's a great area, with loads of structure, that most of us fished a lot before the closure. Opening it up should make the lake just that much more exciting to fish.
I'm glad officials decided that between the eagles nesting and the hydrilla infestation, it was time to get the lake back on track. It's a lesson that once something is in place, it's hard to undo. But in some ways I think having a closed zone, like some lakes do during the spawn, has the effect of protecting big bass in a lake. We'll find out what's up in the area soon.
Overall, I'm encouraged we've had some positive movement in expanding our fishing options, ones that we know are going to give all anglers some new (old) alternatives for catching some nice fish.
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 * *
Not much change in the action in the water conveyance systems with the best fishing in the south aqueduct in Kern County. Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield said, "Most of the fish continue to be undersized, but there are a few keepers." They sold out of sand worms, but jumbo minnows and blood worms are working well with fishermen returning to purchase more minnows on the same day. White flukes orange Gitzits or RatLTraps are working on the artificial side. In the Fresno area, Merritt Gilbert said a few more fishermen are heading to the canals than driving further north to San Luis.
Eastman Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Bluegill * * Catfish * * Crappie * *
Bass fishing remains good for some and a struggle for others, but a 12.52-pound limit was the winner at Saturday's Best Bass Tournaments featuring 32 boats. Ranger Andrew Steele of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Station said, "Despite increased reports of big fish, many are reporting a slow bite with the best action with Senkos in greens, purples or browns or drop-shot plastics at depths to 20 feet." A trout plant is this week and the week of March 24. The Lakeview Trail is open at its northern and southern ends to hiking, biking and equestrian use. The middle section is closed to provide a buffer around an active bald eagle nest. Steele said, "Please help us protect bald eagles and their nesting habitat by observing this closure, which is scheduled to be lifted in late July." The area of the lake extending upstream from the Keep Out buoy line is closed to fishing and boating. The CDW has agreed to open a vast section of the lake to fishing on a seasonal basis starting in August. Regulations specify the area 1,000 feet south of Raymond Bridge downstream to the Corps Buoy Line near the Codorniz Boat Ramp will be open to recreational fishing annually from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30. This area has been closed since June 1989, when the lake was quarantined due to a hydrilla infestation. That quarantine has since been lifted. Questions can be made by calling park headquarters, open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (559) 689-3255. A few catfish are taken from the banks with cut baits. The lake is on the middle ramp on the Codorniz side and the top ramp on the Chowchilla side. The lake rose slightly to 515 feet in elevation and 33% capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255
Hensley Lake
Bass * * Trout * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Bluegill * *
The Roosevelt High Bass Club held a tournament Saturday, with Corrie Williams and John Her taking the top spot at 11.37 pounds. Billy Hang caught the big fish, which weighed in at 6.36 pounds (check out photos of Hang with his winning bass and other participants from the event at facebook.com/RooseveltHighSchoolBassFishingClub). Mike Spencer had a full report of the conditions, writing, "The pre-spawn has started at Hensley with water temperatures in the mid-50s and males moving into the shallows to construct nests while the females were holding out between 12 and 20 feet. Points were the most productive structure and the back of the lake fished better than the main lake and dam area. Some fish were caught on reaction baits, including a 5.63-pounder on a white Terminator spinner bait dragged through tree branches, but most fish came from jigs and plastics worked slowly with brown and green the most popular color choices." For more info on the club and photos from Saturday's tourney,The club's next tourney is April 13 at Eastman.
As for the other species, there is more interest in crappie since the water is warming rapidly and the crappie are sure to reappear from submerged structure. A New J Bass Club tournament will be held Saturday and there will be more anglers prefishing since most anglers are avoiding the lake. Trout action continues to be slow for both bank fishermen and trollers alike. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. Most trout anglers are heading for Bass Lake, Shaver Lake or Pine Flat Reservoir. The lake rose nearly a foot to 490 feet in elevation and 31% capacity.
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 * * *
The bass bite is outstanding and Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford released the secret of using the Huddleston swimbait, saying "All of the big fish in the Mother Lode lakes have been taken on the Huddlestons in rainbow trout with a ROF of 12. The key is to drag the bait on the bottom, releasing plenty of line and bouncing back slowly toward the boat like a jig. You will lose some baits, but this is how all of the large fish are being caught." Limits in the 20- to 28-pound range have been weighed in. Minnows continue to be working like crazy, and the Bait Barn is running through loads of minnows on a daily basis. Basi said, "It has been this way for the past two weeks and it will only get better with this week's weather." Fish are holding at depths to 30 feet and brown/purple jigs are an alternative. For trout and king salmon, Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, "I received good reports from last weekend's Landscaper's Derby with a winning salmon at 4.16 pounds followed by salmon at 3.9 and 3.6 pounds." The fishermen were reluctant to release their technique or location, but Smith said, "Six-Bit Gulch is a known hangout for king salmon early in the season." One boat released 25 rainbows trolling a variety of lures near Jenkins Hill, Middle Bay and Hatch Creek, releasing another seven small kokanee on the trout gear. The trout are in the 30- to 40-foot range while kokanee are at 40 to 60 feet. The prime time for king salmon fishing is just around the corner from April through early June. The next trout plant is the week of March 17.
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 * *
Crappie action was starting to go in the depths around the marina and submerged structure prior to a cold front moving through, but forecasts for warm weather has Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield anticipating improved action for crappie and bass with fish moving toward the shallows. Fishing pressure remains minimal and catfish are the most consistent species with frozen shad, jumbo minnows or clams. Largemouth bass fishing is slow, but the bite should improve as fish move to shallow water and become more active. Swimbaits are producing the occasional large fish for those willing to throw them for hours on end. Trout fishing is slow with the lack of plants. The lake is preparing for the Kern County Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby on April 20-22 . The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the project schedule for the upcoming dam reconstruction scheduled to be completed by 2016. The project schedule is available here. There also is a project web page
The lake dropped slightly to 2,542 feet and 15%. In the Kern River, last week's trout plants improved action in the upper river toward McNally's and more plants are this week in the upper and lower sections. In the Bakersfield area, Cormier said, "There were four plants at The River Walk and it has been lined with fishermen every day." Power Bait dusted with Lip Ripperz Hatchery Dust is the ticket, but the Hatchery Dust is hard to keep in stock.
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 excellent trout fishing at the lake with a plant. Medium minnows, rainbow Power Bait and Kastmasters are working from bank access areas. With rising and warming water, crappie fishing improved in submerged trees and near the houseboats with small minnows or minijigs. Bass fishing has been slow, but a 17-pound largemouth was caught and released on a Senko in the shallows. Action should improve with warm temps. The lake came up 4 feet to 615 feet in elevation and 17%.
Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212
Lake Success
Bass * * * * Trout * * * Catfish * * Crappie * * * *
The bass bite has exploded at this shallow and therefore warmer reservoir. Larry Kerns of the Visalia Bass Club said, "They are biting everything and anything right now as fish are moving shallow." He touted lizards and Brush Hogs as top producers and they put together a 16-pound limit, including a 6-pound largemouth prefishing for the Success Bass Club tournament. The crappie action is excellent with small minnows, night crawlers under a bobber or minijigs in the trees and shrubs along the shoreline. Last week's trout plant spurred action for planters with Power Bait or crawlers from bank access areas. The lake rose 1.5 feet to 613 feet and 27%. All launch ramps are operational.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Company 539-5626, Lake Success 784-0215
McClure Reservoir
Bass * * * Trout * * * King salmon * * Kokanee * * Crappie * * * Catfish * *
Swimbaits are producing large bass at the Mother Lode lakes. Live minnows are top producers, and Manny Basi of the Bait Barn -- who has a detailed report in the Don Pedro listing -- said, "They are selling like crazy for trout and bass." Live crawdads are effective and A-1 in Snelling has a supply once again. King salmon are showing up to 25 feet near the dam and there have been reports of small kokanee near the surface. The sales of small and medium minnows point to an emerging crappie bite. The bass size limit drops to 12 inches at McClure on March 18. The lake rose a half foot to 761 feet in elevation and 45% capacity.
Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053
McSwain Reservoir
Trout * * *
Field scout Tom Gillespie from La Grange found action for two limits of rainbows from 13 to 17.5 inches trolling PPK's Tomahawk spinners in red or chartreuse sparkly tipped with crawlers behind a flasher at depths from 3 colors of lead core or 25 to 30 feet on the downrigger from Gilligan's Island to the Floating Restrooms. The McSwain Marina confirmed improved action for trollers with bank fishing slowing, even after Monday's DFW plant. Section 1 of the Merced River will get a trout plant this week.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass * * * Striper * * Shad * Trout * *
The bass bite is the best we have in the area, according to Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis with a 7.5- to 8-pound limit possible. An occasional spotted bass to 2.5 pounds appears, but the majority are less than 12 inches. Action is steady with anglers catching 20 to 30 fish, but culling is necessary to patch together a limit. The best action remains on the bottom to 40 feet with plastics on the drop-shot, dart-head and split-shot or jigs. Gilbert reported there are a few early morning top-water fish, but best action remains on the bottom. A few males are moving to the shorelines on warm afternoons. No confirmed striper catches reported. All boats must fill out a Quagga mussel self-inspection form before launching. In the lower San Joaquin, the trout bite has been slow, but another plant is this week. Broken Bridge and Lost Lake are popular with Power Bait in rainbow, yellow glitter and chartreuse. In addition to the plant on the river, there is a plant at the small impoundment of Woodward Park Lake. A plant at Sycamore Island Park is next week.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass * * * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Trout * * Kokanee * *
Huge limits of spotted and largemouth bass were taken from the lake during Saturday's American Bass Association tournament. A massive limit of 40.50 pounds, with a 15.32-pound largemouth, won. The fish were taken on Huddleston swimbaits using the technique described by Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in the Don Pedro section of this report. A 28.43-pound limit of all spotted bass took third place and the largest spot weighed in at 8.34 pounds. Swimbaits are the top technique for the huge fish, but jigs are working. It is possible the next world record spotted bass will come out of Melones. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said, "Spring is right around the corner and the fish will be moving shallow to spawn. Try fishing from 10 to 25 feet with soft plastics, including Brush Hogs, Senkos or lizards." Trout fishing continues to be fair, but Lewis thought action improved. Trollers are getting an occasional limit from the surface to 25 feet with blade/
crawler combos on one rod and a floating Rapala on a second. Bank fishing has picked up a little due to the small amount of rain. Kokanee fishing should start in earnest in April. Crappie fishing has improved with warmer water and there are fish in 15 to 40 feet of water in the backs of creek channels near submerged wood. Catfishing remains slow. The lake dropped 1 foot to 1,012 feet and 65%. Lake Tulloch rose 5 feet to 495 feet and 75%.
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 improved a bit with anglers reporting limits within 5 hours of trolling blade/crawler combinations at 4 colors of lead core above Trimmer. Trollers are working at depths to 40 feet near the dam with Needlefish. Merritt Gilbert said, "The bite isn't as good as it was a few weeks back, but it is showing signs of life." For bass, an occasional reaction fish is taken with rip baits or spinnerbaits in the afternoons on warm days at 8 to 10 feet, but the majority of action remains on the bottom from 15 to 30 feet with Senkos, jigs or drop-shot plastics. Fishermen work hard to put in a 6.5- to 7-pound limit. The lake rose 1 foot to 805 feet and 33%. In the lower Kings, the dry fly bite should take off with the warm weather. Between Alta Weir and Highway 180 is a catch-and-release zone that requires barbless hooks. A trout plant is on the river this week in addition to plants at Avocado Lake during the week of March 17.
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 * *
Travis Bounds of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported striped bass action has been on the upswing with trollers scoring off the dam from 60 to 80 feet with Lucky Craft 128s or broken backed Rebels with a few large fish landed. Jumbo minnows are working, with anglers finding bait schools on the meter before selecting depth. Roger George of Roger's Guide service said the afternoon bite seems to be the best and they are getting most at 80 feet. In the Forebay, bank anglers are picking up a few striper on pile or blood worms with the best action at night around Check 12. The main lake rose slightly to 60% capacity.
Important note: All boats, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, sailboards, inflatables and float tubes must undergo a mandatory inspection for Quagga and Zebra mussels. Failure to allow inspection will result in the refusal to launch.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711; Roger's Guide service (559) 905-2954
HIGH SIERRA
Bass Lake
Bass * * Trout * * * Kokanee *
Trout fishing remains good from the banks near the Sheriff's Tower, Wishon Point and docks at Pines and Miller's with Power Bait or night crawlers. The banks are crowded on weekends. Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service said, "The majority of action has been coming from the banks since that is where the interest is." Wittwer and Mike Beighey have been attempting to track the number of kokanee in excess of 13 inches this year and there has not been a fish of that size reported with only a few in the 9- to 11-inch range. Before last week's storm, trolling was decent. Wittwer is hoping a few of the 2013 fish survived the reconstruction project on the Crane Valley Dam. The courtesy dock at the public launch ramp is in the water. For bass, dart-heading in deep water along main lake points or creek channels remain productive and the swimbait bite should start up by the end of March. The lake rose slightly to 62% capacity. Check BassLakeFishing.com or BassLakeCA.com for a web cam and conditions. A trout plant is next week.
Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748; Bass Lake Water Sports 642-3200
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 * *
At Shaver, Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters reported the cold and snowy conditions limited the number of anglers, but for the boats that made it out a couple of fish to limits was a possibility. He said, "The best location was the triangle between the Island, the dam and the Point with a variety of tackle behind flashers. Weighted flashers and lead core line are getting down to where fish are holding." Bank action best around Sierra Marina, the north end of the dam and roads 1 or 2 with crawlers or Power Bait. Boaters continue to toss Kastmasters, Panther Martin spinners or Fish Hawk toward underwater structure for success. Clear and warmer weather is predicted and more anglers should access the lake. The Shaver fishing seminar at Valley Rod and Gun is March 30 at 1 p.m. (not at 2 p.m.) The seminar will feature a No Tax Sale and the Shaver fishing trio of Captain Jack Yandell, historian/fisherman Lee Gates and fishing guide Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters, who will provide a slideshow about trout and kokanee fishing, using down riggers, hot spots and some history of Shaver. For information, contact Valley Rod and Gun at 292-3474. Shaver held at 60%, Huntington rose to 38%. Check sierramarinawebcam.com for a web cam and 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
Roads are closed for the winter.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
OCEAN
Half Moon Bay
Striper * *
The salmon season is projected for April 6, but there will be significant mitigation due to dismal winter runs in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Options are being considered by the Pacific Marine Fisheries Council and the possibility of a closure in June and part of July is a possibility. Crab and sand dabs are the only option. Perch fishing decent with 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 * *
Todd Arcoleo at Chris' Landing in Monterey reported lights out action for limits of crab and plenty of sand dabs. Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing said nearly 300 contestants, volunteers and guests gathered for the weigh-in of the Ninth Annual Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament.
Call: Chris' Landing (831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com
San Francisco Bay
Halibut * * Striper * * Leopard shark * * Sturgeon * *
Emeryville Sport Fishing will have its first halibut trolling trip on Saturday and continue until salmon opener. All of the action remains inside San Francisco and San Pablo bays with Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael saying, "After a great Thursday, things slowed down in San Pablo Bay. Everything is on the anchor in the Pumphouse area." Joel Sinkay of Leonard's Bait and Tackle reported a decent bite for sturgeon near the Pumphouse with plenty of bat rays. Sinkay touted the Petaluma River as the most consistent with quality striper from the mouth toward the Miramonte Hole.
San Luis Obispo
Patriot Sport Fishing has added a boat for the rockfish season with Captain Sal Roche running the Rita G. They are running crab combination trips through June. The anticipated salmon opener is April 6 followed by the rockfish opener May 1. Their first two-day trip of the season is May 18-19.
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 * *
Sturgeon fishing up and down as fish are migrating upriver. Tony Nguyen of Benicia Bait said, "The majority of party boats are running into Grizzly Bay near the mouth of Montezuma Slough." Shoreline striper fishing has been very good, particularly at night, with pile worms, blood worms, anchovies or grass shrimp. James Nguyen of Dockside Bait in Pittsburgh said, "Sturgeon fishing has been OK with anglers picking up fish here and there and striper fishing has been good for fish to 5 pounds on grass shrimp in the shallows." Mike Pipkins at Gotcha Bait in Antioch reported they sold 120 dozen jumbo minnows in the morning since the largemouth bass bite is "Off the Hook." Crappie fishing has been excellent with small minnows from the bank access areas along Eight Mile Road west of Stockton, Whiskey Slough, Sandmound Slough and Discovery Bay. For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported catching and releasing between 35 and 40 bass on Monday flipping the Berkley Havoc Pit Boss in black/blue on a Texas-rig. He said, "The key was casting near moving water since the fish weren't in the current but were around it at depths from 5 to 8 feet." The blade bite has improved with the half-ounce Persuader spinnerbait in chartreuse/white, and Pringle advised, "The key is accurate casting and bouncing and banging the lure off the bottom."
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 * *
Big limits continue at Santa Margarita with 38 boats getting six-fish limits up to 30 pounds with Huddleston swimbaits producing the larger fish. Nacimiento is very slow, puzzling local anglers who experienced a great bite for large fish at this point last year. A few spotted bass to 2 pounds have been taken on crankbaits in shallows. Quagga mussel inspections are required before launching. Nacimiento held at 758 feet and 48%, San Antonio at 748 feet and 56%. Santa Margarita is at 60% and Lopez at 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
Roosevelt High Bass Club at Hensley on March 9: 1, Corrie Williams and John Her (Roosevelt High) with Boat Captain Mike Her, 11.37 pounds; 2, Billy Hang and Tou Leng Thao (Roosevelt) with Boat Captain Larry Hodge, 10.87 (Big Fish: Hang, 6.36 pounds); 3, Marcus Goishi and Bryce Her (Clovis West) with Boat Captain Mike Spencer, 7.85
Best Bass Tournaments at Eastman on March 9: 1, Bill and Mike Goodman, 12.52 pounds (Big Fish, 5.14 pounds); 2, Jonathan Myers/Moses Mix, 11.75; 3, Richard Hagy/Kevin Owen, 10.78
Western Outdoor News at the Delta on March 9: 1, Mark Daniels Jr./Jamond Andrews, 37.44 pounds (Big Fish, 10.40 pounds); 2, Spencer/Rodgers, 25.65; 3, Carpenter/Cuccia, 23.90
American Bass Association at New Melones on March 9: 1, Joe Bruce/Andy Stilley, 40.50 pounds (Big Fish, 15.32 pounds); 2, Dolph/Balbas, 31.86; 3, Gillespie/Taylor, 23.90
Angler's Choice at Don Pedro on March 9: 1, Kirk Sakamoto/Keith Friesen, 10.97 pounds (Big Fish, 2.95 pounds); 2, Jeff and Tyler Frey, 9.85; 3, Jimmie Harrell/Dennis Uber, 9.52
Tri Valley Bassmasters at Santa Margarita on March 9 (Six-fish limits): 1, Matt Newman/Jason Hemminger, 30.21 pounds (Big Fish, 7.09 pounds); 2, Brad Shepherd/Clark Endres, 24.13; 3, Dan Barrios/Scott Garman, 24.04
Fresno Bass Club Open Tournament at McClure on March 10: 1, Scott Smith/Nick Beck, 15.82 pounds (Big Fish, 9.00 pounds); 2, Lee Ochoa/Joshua Sanchez, 11.42; 3, Bill Kunz/Scott Douglas, 10.41
Upcoming
Seminars/Sales/Shows
Thursday: Steve "Bub" Tosh on Pre-spawn Techniques for Bass, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
March 21: Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service on Bass Lake Fishing, 6:15 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno; Alan Fong and Warren Trumbley of Fun Fishing, 6 p.m. at Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca
March 30: Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters, Captain Jack Yandell of Captain Jack's Tackle and Lee Gates of the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project on Shaver Lake History and Current Fishing, 1 p.m. at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis
April 5-7: 36th annual Central Valley Sportsmen's Boat, RV & Outdoor Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, info: calshows.com
April 6: Glory Hole Sporting Goods Annual Seminar at New Melones
Tournaments
Saturday: Hook, Line and Sinker at Delta/Russo's Marina; Best Bass Tournaments at Don Pedro; New J Bass Club at Hensley; Future Pro Tour at Pine Flat; Golden Empire Bass Club at Kaweah; American Bass Association at San Antonio; Kern County Bassmasters at Santa Margarita
Sunday: Stockton Bass Club at Delta/Ladd's Marina; California Bass Federation at Don Pedro; Kings River Bass Club at Kaweah
March 23: Angler's Choice/Kerman Bass Club at Don Pedro; Local 3999 at McClure; Sierra Bass Club at Hensley; Taft Bass Club at Pine Flat; American Bass Association at Kaweah; American Bass Association at Isabella; Best Bass Tournaments at San Antonio
March 24: Angler's Choice at Delta/Russo's Marina; Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis
March 29: E & J Gallo at Don Pedro
March 30: American Bass Association at McClure; Western Outdoor News at Isabella; Western Outdoor News at San Antonio; 101 Bass at Lopez
April 13: Roosevelt High Bass Club at Eastman, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
May 19: Roosevelt High Bass Club at Delta/Russo's, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
June 15: Roosevelt High Bass Club at Eastman, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
July TBA: Roosevelt High Bass Club at TBA, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
Aug. 3: Roosevelt High Bass Club at Eastman, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
Sept. 14: Roosevelt High Bass Club at TBA, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
Oct. 12: Roosevelt High Bass Club at TBA, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
Nov. 9: Roosevelt High Bass Club at TBA, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
Dec. 7: Roosevelt High Bass Club at Pine Flat, info: Mike Spencer, 261-5296 or rhsbassfishingclub@gmail.com
TROUT PLANTS
Fresno County: Kings River, Below Pine Flat Dam; San Joaquin River, below Friant Dam
Madera County: Bass Lake; Eastman Lake; Hensley Lake; San Joaquin River, below Friant Dam; Sycamore Island Pond
Mariposa County: Eastman Lake; McSwain Reservoir; Merced River, Section 1
Merced County: Merced River, Section 1
Monterey County: El Estero Lake
Tuolumne County: Tulloch Lake
| Solunar Table | ||||
| AM | PM | |||
| Minor | Major | Minor | Major | |
| > Wednesday | 6:43 | 12:32 | 7:07 | 12:55 |
| > Thursday | 7:35 | 1:23 | 7:59 | 1:47 |
| Friday | 8:28 | 2:16 | 8:52 | 2:40 |
| Saturday | 9:21 | 3:09 | 9:45 | 3:33 |
| Sunday | 10:14 | 4:02 | 10:38 | 4:26 |
| Monday | 11:05 | 4:53 | 11:30 | 5:17 |
| q Tuesday | 11:55 | 5:43 | -- | 6:07 |
