Fishing Report: Week of Sept. 15

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake and who now guides in the greater Fresno area. Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted. Have a photo of a recent catch to share? Email it to sports@fresnobee.com with “fish photo” in the subject line.

Best bets

Delta salmon, striper and bass bites good, Randy Pringle said. Shaver trout and Kokanee still providing limits, Dick Nichols reported. Wishon trout hitting, Chuck Crane said. New Melones catfish gulping baits, John Lietchy reported. Coastal rockfishing rocks, Chris Arcoleo reported.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

A few fishermen chasing the boils are heading to the California Aqueduct with Duo Realis jerkbaits or Lucky Craft Pointer 128’s. The opening of squirrel hunting season Saturday has decreased those working the aqueduct. In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said catfish are still the top species with super meal worms, garlic shrimp or Katnip Beef Bait. Striped bass fishing has been fair at best, but fishermen are still tossing top water lures such as Lucky Craft Sammies or Pointer 100’s in ghost minnow for schoolies.

Catfish are the top species at night with chicken livers, sardines or anchovies from shore. Launching a boat isn’t easy, and there are unmarked rockpiles throughout the lake. The area above the buoy line is open, but there is little water to venture far; the area also is a no-wake zone. Bass fishermen are picking up a few quality fish by casting topwater frogs into the weed growth in the evenings, but the most consistent action is with Senkos. Bluegill are an option with red worms or wax worms around submerged structure. The lake held at 467.24 feet in elevation and 7% capacity.

Call: Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; Eastman Lake 689-3255

The lake has receded to the point of no return for trailered boats, but kayakers are finding good action for bass with Senkos. Catfishing is solid with anchovies, sardines or mackerel, with the best action in the evenings. The lake dropped slightly to 447.63 feet in elevation and 5% capacity.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Trout fishing is fair for those launching during the past week amid triple-digit heat and heavy smoke from the Butte Fire. The rainbows are deep from 45-70 feet with heavy spoons. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “The action isn’t fast and furious, and trying different techniques is necessary.” The boat launch has a slight curve, but once you get around that, launching two boats at the same time is possible. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford said, “Bass fishing is best with live large minnows or with drop-shot plastics in shad patterns at depths from 40-50 feet.” The lake dropped slightly to 674.60 feet in elevation and 32% capacity.

Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield reported Isabella catfish are the best bite going at the lake, and area fishermen continue to locate the whiskerfish with a variety of baits including garlic shrimp, Sonny’s Dip Bait, Kat Nip Beef Bait or the 3-inch super meal worms. The best fishing is in the South Fork along the long flat by Red’s Marina. Crappie fishing remains slow. There is small window in the early morning for largemouth bass with lipless crankbaits, but few fishermen are targeting them in the low water conditions. Given the lake levels, it is necessary to use a four-wheel drive to launch your vessel from the dirt ramp near Red’s. There are no marinas or courtesy docks. The lake dropped slightly to 2,522.67 feet in elevation and 5% capacity. In the upper Kern River, there have been few reports of trout action despite plants following the closure of the San Joaquin Hatchery. In the lower river, Rutledge reported largemouth bass are biting soft plastics such as Zoom Trick Worms or Deadly Duo custom-poured plastics in green pumpkin or watermelon colors or topwater Poppers in low light conditions. The best locations have been behind Hart Park or upriver at the edge of the canyon. Riverwalk has kicked out bass to 4.5 pounds on creature baits on a Texas rig, but Truxton is loaded with debris on the surface. Bryte Lake in the Tehachapi Mountains remained popular for bluegill on wax worms or jumbo red worms.

Call: Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812

Sierra Sporting Goods in Exeter reported good action for bass on topwater lures, live minnows or plastics worms. A largemouth in excess of 10 pounds was caught and released in 25 feet of water on a plastic worm on the drop-shot. Bluegill and crappie are biting live crickets; even catfish are swallowing the crickets. They sold out of minnows over the weekend because of high demand by bank fishermen. The lake receded 2 feet to 601.72 in elevation and 11% capacity.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Co. in Springville said, “Bass fishing has been good with Brush Hogs, lizards, or Senkos while crankbaits are also effective at depths from 10-12 feet.” There are only a few anglers on the lake, but with the fall approaching, the bite should improve with the cooler temperatures. The lake dropped 3 feet to 577.76 in elevation and 4% capacity. In the Tule River, Stokke reported a good trout bite on terrestrials. He fished the Camp Nelson section of the Tule, targeting the larger holes for native trout in the 14- to 15-inch range with grasshopper or ant patterns.

Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com

Bass fishing has been very good for anglers willing to launch at the Barrett’s North Shore ramp and make the long walk back to the parking lot. Working live large minnows from the banks or drop-shot plastics at depths from 40-50 feet are producing bass to 2 pounds. The Merced River is closed to fishing until Jan. 1 from the Crocker-Huffman Bridge to G Street in Snelling because of warm water conditions. The lake dropped 2 feet to 608.88 in elevation and 9% capacity.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053

Although rainbow trout to nearly 10 pounds have been landed within the past week, warm water temperatures brought on by the drought have forced Merced Irrigation District’s Parks and Recreation Department to postpone the annual Fall Fishing Derby until spring. At the same time, the district has reported that it expects to resume regular trout planting in the near future. “This drought has had widespread impacts and unfortunately, we aren’t immune at Lake McSwain,” explained Bret Theodozio, the Parks and Recreation director. “Plenty of fish are still being caught, but they have gone deep and out into the middle of the lake. They are there for the catching if you can reach them.” Mike Dickson landed a 29-inch, 9.5-pound rainbow on a Wedding Ring in the main lake. Theodozio noted that many of those participating in regularly scheduled fishing derbies do so from the bank. Because the fish have gone deeper and into the middle of the lake, those without a boat would be at a significant disadvantage, he said. The new spring date for the Derby is expected to beApril 9-10. Fish plants had ceased after regular provider Calaveras Trout farms closed for the summer. Fish and Wildlife will resume its plants of the lake in the coming weeks as water temperatures begin to cool. McSwain Marina is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Bass fishing has been solid for numbers, but the ratio of keepers to undersized fish is in the 1:8 fish range. The bass are starting to boil, and small Spooks or Kastmasters are working for the fish chasing bait on the surface.” For striped bass, Roger George of Roger’s Guide Service has taken seven trips to the lake in search of the elusive lineside, and he had received only one bite before catching and releasing a 42.5-inch, 30-pound striped bass by casting lures to shore structure. All vessels must possess a low-emission motor. Millerton rose once again to 484.60 feet in elevation and 33% capacity because of releases from upstream reservoirs, increasing 4 feet in the past week. Regulations on the lower San Joaquin, and from Friant Dam downstream to the Highway 140 Bridge, allow only two hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead with a total of four in possession. The hatchery fish have a healed adipose fin clip.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

The Butte Fire, which started Wednesday near the city of Jackson in Amador County, quickly spread through the Mother Lode, leading to the evacuation of several small communities including the residents of the Calaveras County seat, San Andreas. Smoke from the fast-moving fire limited any angling interest in the area as most residents were consumed with moving possessions and livestock out of the region. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said, “We are overwhelmed with the community response as people have been bringing donations into the store for the victims of the fire, as I just received an anonymous donation for $1,000 for the purchase of fuel for residents in need. Our wholesale distributor for fuel also donated $2,000 this week.” The area had become increasingly clear of smoke by Sunday, but Lewis commented, “It looked like Armageddon here on Friday with the smoke and the visible flames.” Prior to the fire breaking out, catfish remained the top species at New Melones with the whiskerfish cruising the shallows near standing timber and rocky banks. John Lietchy of Glory Hole Sporting Goods said, “Catfish are known to be bottom-feeders but, they actual feed all throughout the water column. Catfish are opportunistic feeders and they rarely pass up the chance to fill their bellies. The lake has an abundance of small shad and that is most likely what the catfish are feeding on. Try using frozen shad or live minnows to entice nearby feeding fish. Some catfish will leave the bottom and feed in the middle of the water column, and it is a good idea to add additional scent to your presentation.” Whiskerfish in excess of 11 pounds have been landed from the banks during the past week. Trout and kokanee fishing continued to be slow, with few boats launching into the lake given ramp conditions. Bass fishing is fair, with the triple-digit temperatures of the past week limiting the window for action to the early mornings or late evenings. Lietchy said, “Generally the topwater bite is good at this time of year but right now we are getting very few surface blow-ups. The fish have been moving to deep/cool water and can be found suspended near shad or pulled tight to the bottom. Most fish are being caught on a variety of soft plastic presentations.” Crappie can be found under lights with live minnows or minijigs at night, particularly for those anchoring outside of structure in deep water. The crappie are ambushing the small shad from the security of submerged trees. The lake dropped 1 foot to 12% capacity and 803.10 feet in elevation. Tulloch dropped 3 feet to 504.93 in elevation and 91% capacity with more water releases anticipated.

Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023

The lake is still releasing water, and the bass bite continues to be extremely tough during the day. Merritt Gilbert said, “A few small bass can be found in the daytime with plastics on the drop-shot or dart head along with Senkos or jigs. There is a small window for topwater lures in the early mornings.” Catfish to 4 pounds have been taken on nightcrawlers or anchovies. Trout trolling is nil with nearly all boats heading for the high country. The lake ends just above Edison Point. The lake dropped three-quarters of a foot to 724.93 in elevation and 12% capacity. In the lower Kings River, interest for planted trout has been slow with few fishermen out in the period of smoke over the past weeks. Planters can be taken with Kastmasters, spinners or Power Bait. Regulations in the Kings River above and below Pine Flat Dam set the season as running from the last Saturday in April to Nov. 15 the dam downstream to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bridge on Pine Flat Road with a five-fish limit. The bridge is the first one to the west of the dam.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626; The I Forgot Store 787-3689

Paul Jolley at Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The reemergence of jumbo minnows in area bait shops has led to more and more fishermen drifting the live bait near Goosehead Point, the trash rack and the mouth of Portuguese Cove. Most boaters are launching out of Dinosaur Point, but there is a submerged berm along the left hand side of the ramp that has scraped the bottom of boats. The lure bite is slower, and a few trollers are working shallower at depths from 30-40 feet with P-Line Predators, Yozuri Crystal Minnows, Rebels, or Lucky Craft 128’s throughout the lake.” In the O’Neill Forebay, weed growth is a hindrance at the small impoundment, but some fishermen are wading out into the water to toss ripbaits, swimbaits, or jerkbaits for stripers ranging from undersized to 23 inches. Mackerel, anchovies, chicken livers, or sardines are working for catfish near Check 12. The main lake continues to release water at a rapid clip for agricultural and domestic uses, but imports from the Delta brought it up to 21% with an addition of 1,254 acre-feet Monday.

Call: Coyote Bait andTackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George of rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

The flow from Willow Creek at the upper end of the lake ceased within the past two weeks, and there is minimal fresh water flowing in. The rainbow trout are deep and holding from Miller’s Landing to the dam, but fishermen must be on a boat to find trout in the deep water. Three weeks of overcast conditions from smoke from the Rough Fire have limited oxygen in the lake. Heavy weed growth is building up on the north end with the lack of fresh water flow. The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is no longer is effect, and bass fishermen will start returning to the lake. The launch ramp is nearly out of the water, and there are large potholes on one side of the concrete ramp. The lake has dropped to 48% capacity, close to the no-return line for launching larger boats.

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748

The high country along Kaiser Pass has been limited to deer or bear hunters with few fishermen making the trek. Edison has dropped slightly to 4% after holding at nearly 20% for several weeks. Florence dropped to 23%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake hosted the Kokanee Power Derby over the weekend, and in addition to the hordes of fishermen braving the heavy smoke from the three-week Rough Fire, more than 50 boats participated. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “Kokanee fishing is winding down, but the expert fishermen were able to find between 3-9 kokanee per boat with Shaver regulars Earl Taniguchi, Carl House, and Terry Walton taking eighth place.” Gary Coe, president of Kokanee Power, reported beautiful kokanee are still in the lake, and he and his partner, John Lico, landed a three-fish limit at 70 ounces consisting of fish in the 16- to 17-inch range. He said, “The bite was tough, but we were able to find some quality kokanee at depths from 85-90 feet with chartreuse hoochies, Uncle Larry’s black/white spinners, or 1.5-inch Apex lures behind Sep’s Strikemasters, Shasta Tackle, Crystal Basin, or Mag Tackle dodgers. In fact, our largest kokanee at just under 1.5 pounds was landed on a 50/50 brass Apex behind a 6-inch Black Diamond Shasta Tackle Sling Blade.” Coe and Lico took first place with 69.2 ounces, John Zeman/Mike Giovacchini were second at 64.7 and Jack Schultz/Carol Voris third at 63.9. Trout fishing remained solid for Nichols with four limits of rainbows Sunday trolling at depths between 20-40 feet between the Island and the Point with Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawlers. He put his clients onto two limits of quality rainbows on Monday morning. Steve Santoro of Fish Box Charters reported kokanee are found at depths from 40-50 feet with orange Apex lures, and around half of the fish are still bright, but the remainder are showing signs of spawning with hooked jaws and few scales. He has also been targeting smallmouth bass with small lead head jigs around rockpiles or outcroppings. He added, “Even a few crappie have been hooked while targeting bass.” The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project met recently, and next year’s trophy trout plant dominated the discussion. The project’s normal trophy trout producer was closed after losing its stock this past year. The project had to connect with a hatchery in Nebraska for the 2015 plant and the cost was much higher, but the fish strain was of top quality. This year, organizers are looking at closer hatcheries in California and Idaho. They are also looking into having more than one plant. At Huntington, the launch ramp is inaccessible for trailered boats, and there have been no reports from boaters at the lake. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Bank fishing is good for numbers of rainbow trout at the mouth of Rancheria Creek or from Dam 2 with Power Bait.” Shaver dropped to 57 % capacity and Huntington to 37%.

Call: Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Shaver Lake Sports Inc. 841-2740; Fish Box Charters 871-3937

The Rough Fire in Kings and Fresno counties had grown to 130,000 acres and was the largest active fire in the Western U.S. Smoke has affected area residents and those as far west as Fresno. Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store said, “The smoke has been heavy all day long at both Wishon and Courtright, and few anglers are heading to Courtright due to the combination of heavy smoke and extremely low lake levels.” Courtright has been lowered below the level of the concrete ramp, and it will stay low throughout the winter to accommodate repairs at the dam. Bank fishermen have to walk a long distance to the lake’s edge, and the muddy conditions from the constantly fluctuating lake level have made it nearly impossible to launch a boat from shore. A few kayakers are putting their small vessels in the lake. Shore fishing is fair at best. Wishon is a better option, with boats able to be launched off the concrete, and trollers are finding limits of rainbows pulling blade/crawler combinations or Speedy Shiners in brass/copper at 3-4 colors of lead core on a slow presentation. Bank fishing requires patience for a few fish with pink or orange trout dough bait near the dock area or after making a trek to Short Hair Creek. Information on the Rough Fire, including any potential evacuations, is available at 332-2028.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

There are salmon to be had along the San Mateo coast, but the action is less consistent than farther north above the Golden Gate. There has been a solid commercial bite for those able to reach the bottom at the Deep Reef with commercial boats offloading as many as 76 salmon. Captain Tom Joseph of the Serra Bella, a six-pack out of Half Moon Bay, reported six salmon for four anglers ranging from 12-22 pounds; the weather was very sloppy and they lost another five fish. He said they were trolling in 50-60 feet over piles of anchovies. Several private boats fishing around him found a fish per rod to early limits. There has also been a scratch bite in front of Pillar Point, with private boats seeing 0-4 fish scores trolling in front of the harbor. Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete was commercial salmon fishing Saturday, and he reported pods of humpback whales outside of the harbor near the Jaws working over the anchovy schools. Next year’s class of salmon have moved into the harbor, and beaders are working from the shoreline near the kayak rental building. Baxter was up at Mori’s Point near Pacifica mooching for salmon, and he reported fair action for his efforts, but private boaters have landed salmon to 28 pounds trolling in the area. Rockfish and ling cod action remains solid, with limits of rockfish the rule along with a few lings per trip.

Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Landing in Monterey said, “Same story out of Monterey, and Sunday’s weather allowed the Star of Monterey to make it to Point Sur with a charter of 25 anglers who rented 23 rods. Rent rods generally mean tangles and inexperience, but this group was able to put together limits of rockfish and 52 ling cod. There are anchovies all over, and they have been chased back into the harbor by the mackerel and the whales. All of the bait is hugging the coastline as the offshore water is devoid of bait in the El Nino conditions as the warm water has few nutrients.” He added that one private boat hooked four bluefin tuna 30 miles offshore, and they landed two of the fish in the 40-pound range. They have room throughout the week for rockfish/ling cod trips. Whale watching continues to be lights out just outside of the harbor.

Call: Chris’ Landing(831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com

Salmon fishing was once again good Monday, with Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito posting 11 salmon to 14 pounds for 10 anglers working the North Bay. The smaller salmon have been taken along the bar with much larger fish found further north along the Marin coastline. Mike Aughney of USA Fishing. com said, “Now is the time to start booking your crabbing trips as the coming opener looks to be great. This past spring commercial boats saw some of their biggest counts in years and we expect stuffed pots for sport anglers for the start of the season.” Captain R.J. Waldron of the Sundance out of Emeryville Sport Fishing continues to find good action for salmon with nine for six anglers to 22 pounds Saturday and another 10 for six anglers Sunday to 28 pounds. He said, “We are trolling from the North Bar all the way to Point Reyes in various locations over the weekend, and the ocean has changed with the windy conditions from dark to clear overnight.” Captain Bob Wright of the Happy Hooker took his last trip for the time being as Captain Jim Smith has returned from his homestead in Alaska. Wright put in three-quarters limits of rockfish and 35 ling cod to 15 pounds for his crew at Duxbury. Captain James Smith on the California Dawn went to the Islands for “smoking hot rockfish and ling cod action.” He said, “The bite on Sunday was as good as it gets. The weather was flat, and the fall bite is in full swing. Lings are bunching up getting ready for spawn, they get extremely aggressive this time of year eating the iron and just about anything you drop down to the bottom. “ They put together 25 limits or rockfish and 25 limits of ling cod. Inside the bay, Captain Bill Clapp of Bill’s Sport Fishing took out a mother and her two sons for shark fishing in the South Bay this week, and they experienced great action for 20 shark, releasing all but a leopard and a seven-gill shark. He said, “We released several quality leopards in the 3 to 4-foot range, and the seven-gill was 5 feet long.” Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael said, “Bass fishing is very good, but the fish are small with around one keeper for every six or seven stripers.” Trolling at the top of the tide is producing numerous small bass, and although the Brothers is known as “big fish” country, the bass are also small in the area for live shiner drifters. Halibut fishing is winding up, but it has been slow for the past months. Sturgeon season should start soon, and he expected more fishermen to start sitting on the anchor once the calendar hits October.

Rockfish dominate the San Luis Obispo coast, although bonito to more than 10 pounds are showing up out of Morro Bay. The San Pedro Special out of Morro Bay Landing put in 39 bonito along with 22 lings to 15 pounds and 60 rockfish for nine anglers on a three-quarter-day trip. The Endeavor went north to Cape San Martin for a whopping 88 lings to 25 pounds, 288 rockfish and a single bonito for 32 fishermen. Also out of Morro Bay, the Princess from Virg’s Landing put in 31 lings to 17.2 pounds along with 27 limits of rockfish with the big jackpot fish landed by Ryan Joaquino of Delano. Out of Port San Luis, The Patriot out of Patriot Sport Fishing put in 15 vermilion rockfish, seven copper, 218 assorted rockfish, four lings to 10 pounds, and a bonito for 24 fishermen on Monday’s half-day trip. There is live bait at Port San Luis and at Morro Bay Landing. The Avila Beach Pier is closed, but the Harford Pier at Port San Luis remains open. Virg’s next two-day trip is on Setp. 25-27 with a 10 p.m. departure Friday night and 4 p.m. return Sunday for $295 per angler. The John Rowley Ling Cod Tournament is Dec, 12, and the largest ling cod each week serves as a qualifier.

Call: Virg’s Landing, (805) 772-1222; (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214

The long wait for salmon in the Sacramento River near Freeport may at last be over, with at least a dozen fish landed by anglers spooning below the Freeport Bridge on Sunday. Stripers continue to invade the Delta from the bay, and they are moving on a daily basis from upriver toward Collinsville. Sturgeon are out there, but few fishermen have been targeting the diamondbacks this year. Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait in Freeport said, “The wait is finally over as the salmon have arrived with at least a dozen landed below the bridge. I was trolling a Silvertron spinner weighted down with 3 ounces in order to make a 45-degree angle into the water on Sunday morning near Scribner’s Bend, and I hooked a big fish that came unbuttoned. There were several salmon rolling on the surface, so it looks like they have arrived.” Alan Fong of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento confirmed the improved action below the Freeport Bridge by jigging spoons or trolling Silvertron spinners or Brad’s Killer Fish. Tran added that drifting live mudsuckers or tossing shad-patterned swimbaits are working for stripers in the Sacramento Deep Water Channel or near Liberty Island for fish from 2-20 pounds. The stripers have been boiling in the early mornings in the Deep Water Channel about 4-5 miles above the mouth of Miner Slough. Striped bass fishing remained very good, with Mark Wilson, striper trolling expert, reporting continued solid action in the Broad Slough and Collinsville areas with both shallow and deep-diving lures. He released stripers at 14 and 12 pounds Friday on the shallow-diving Rat-L-Traps using light tackle. He advised, “The fish are moving around on a daily basis, and some of the schools have not been willing to bite, and we have even hooked fish that we didn’t see on the meter, so the fish are a bit finicky and the action is different every day.” The best bite has been at the end of the outgoing tide into the first two hours of the incoming tide, but the action dies by the middle of the tide. Salmon fishing has been slower in lower Suisun Bay, and Tony Lopez of Benicia Bait and Tackle said, “The water must be too warm down here since the fish are blasting through.” Striper fishing is good for schoolies with blood worms or pile worms from shore. Tom Sanders of Lost Anchor Bait and Tackle at McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point was rewarded with a 52-inch diamondback near the Yellow Can out in front of the harbor. He said, “The fish are there, it is just a matter of trying and finding the right window between the winds.” The Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival is only a few weeks away with the 68th annual event running Oct. 9-11. Information is at bassfestival.com. The San Joaquin River is starting to heat up for striped bass, and trollers and bait soakers are getting in on the action. The 40-degree temperature swing limited bass action to a few select windows within the past week of triple-digit temperatures, but cooler water conditions will improve action in the coming weeks. Gary Vella of Vella’s Fishing Adventures said, “I’ve been tearing up the stripers in the Delta for the past week, catching up to 30 fish per trip ranging from 12 inches to 18.5 pounds with limits during five straight days in a row trolling deep diving lures from 14-16 feet in the San Joaquin River.” For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported the 40-degree temperature swing from 60s in the early mornings to more than 100 by the afternoon changes everything. If the swing is 20 degrees, the bite should last throughout the day, at 40 it requires adjustments. He said, “The temperature swing will require that you try different things, and adjust, adjust, adjust, as if you stay with one bait too long, you will die by the sword.” He advised starting with topwater lures such as the ima Little Stick, Helly P’s, or Persuader Buzzbaits, but if the fish aren’t biting, you should have at least three rods ready with different baits. He added, “Try different things, run the lures fast, run them slow.” Pringle added, “When the weather changes, the bite will really improve.” Striper fishing has been phenomenal for schoolie stripers around moving water in the Mokelumne and the San Joaquin with Optimum’s Double AA swimbaits or the ima Little Stick. He said, “Working major moving water is the key.” For largemouth bass, Pringle, reported solid action on the ima floating Flit or jerkbaits for reaction baits while working the bottom with the Chigger Craw or Havoc Flat Dog has been another productive method. Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento has found good action for up to 30 largemouth bass flipping Missile D-Bombs near structure. In Stockton, Brandon Gallegos reported quality largemouth are coming out of Whiskey Slough with live minnows, and the stripers are boiling in the mornings with small topwater Spooks near Weber Point in downtown Stockton and also in Whiskey Slough.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Stan Koenigsberger – Quetzal Adventures (925) 570-5303; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030

Lopez and Nacimiento are the only coastal lakes where boats can be launched amid low water conditions. The launch ramp at Lopez is anticipated to remain open for the remainder of the season as the lake is holding at 34% capacity. There are a number of upcoming tournaments. At Nacimiento, anglers once again have increased access. At Santa Margarita, kayakers are tossing frogs on the weed mats or punching the weed mats with creature baits. Santa Margarita is very low, and terrestrial wildlife has reclaimed the exposed section of the lake. Santa Margarita is less than 15% capacity, but the marina store is open for supplies and rental vessels. San Antonio remains closed. Reminder that consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish or carp is subject to safe eating guidelines because of the risk of excessive mercury. Quagga mussel inspections are required before boat launching is allowed.

Call: Lake Nacimiento (805) 238-1056, ext. 3; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com (805) 466-6557

• Don Lee Memorial Tournament on Sept. 12 at Delta/Russo’s Marina: 1, Jared Lintner/Ken Mah 20.9 pounds; 2, Mark Lassagne/Angelo Alorre 20.5; 3, Juan Acosta/Mike Gutierrez 19.8
• Kokanee Power Team Derby (three-fish weigh-in) on Sept. 12 at Shaver Lake: 1, Gary Coe/John Lico 69.2 ounces; 2, John Zeman/Mike Giovacchini 64.7 ounces.; 3, Jack Schultz/Carol Voris 63.9 ounces

• Sept. 19: Alameda County Deputy Association at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis; American Bass Association at Isabella; Golden Empire Bass Club at Nacimiento; West Valley Bass Masters at Lopez
• Sept. 19-20: Taft Bass Club at Delta/B and W Resort; Stockton Bass Club at Delta/Ladd’s Marina
• Sept. 20: Fresno Bass Club at Delta/B and W Resort; Hook, Line, and Sinker at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Kings River Bass Club at Pine Flat; Success Bass Club at Success
• Sept. 26: Future Pro Tour at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Glory Hole Sporting Goods at New Melones; Bakersfield Bass Club at Lopez
• Sept. 26-27: Sierra Bass Club at Delta/Russo’s Marina
• Sept. 27: Bakersfield Bass Club at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis
• Oct. 1: Glory Hole Sporting Goods Catfish Derby at New Melones
• Oct. 9-11: 65th annual Rio Vista Bass Derby at Rio Vista, bassfestival.com

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of Sept. 15."