Fishing Report: Week of May 31

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 shad fishing “off the hook,” Alan Fong said. Wishon and Courtright pumping out limits of trout, Chuck Crane reported. New Melones bass, crappie and catfish hitting, John Liechty said. San Francisco stripers and salmon bites improved, Jim Smith reported.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

In the California Aqueduct, Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics based in Fresno said, “There have been mixed results with some anglers coming home empty-handed while others continue to catch stripers ranging from dinks to 25 inches. Most fish caught are undersized and were caught using cut baits. Anglers throwing lures such as SpeedLures, Lucky Craft Pointers or Flukes are catching bigger sized fish. The father and son duo, Gilly Vargas and Alex Tagalog of Fresno, caught their limits of stripers fishing at night. Water clarity has improved significantly from a couple weeks ago in the California Aqueduct. Vegetation along the walls is beginning to sprout as the weather begins to warm.” Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported a continued good bass bite in the Delta Mendota Canal for those punching the weeds. He said, “Anglers are walking the banks and picking up a number of quality largemouth bass punching with creature baits.” In the south aqueduct in Kern County, catfishing remains solid with Sonny’s Dip Bait, Katnip Beef Bait, anchovies, chicken livers or sardines. The moss is starting to accumulate, forcing striper fishermen to work bait on the bottom. Blood worms, lug worms, or sardines are the top bait. Lures are hard to throw in the mossy water. The recent heat wave may attract some to attempt to swim in the aqueduct, but it is a prohibited activity with the current fast and extremely dangerous. Debris left along the aqueduct’s levees remains a major problem, and fishermen are advised to pack out trash and anything else they bring in order to maintain the ability to fish these locations.

Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse reported, “Eastman is kicking out the occasional fish to 6 pounds taken on jigs or ripbaits. The most consistent action for smaller fish to 2 pounds occurs on the bottom with Senkos or plastics on the drop-shot.” There are a few fish coming on topwater lures, flukes or crankbaits. The bass are in the typical post-spawn mode. The lake continues to rise slowly at 37 percent capacity and 521.34 feet in elevation. The northeastern portion of the lake behind the buoy line remains closed to all water recreation until Aug. 1 to protect bald eagles nesting there.

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

Most bass fishermen are avoiding the lake with continued slow action. The lake is releasing water and is at 51 percent capacity after dropping 2 feet to 507.05.

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

The big story of the week was the fire that consumed the Visitor Center and another 6.3 surrounding acres last Wednesday night. The loss of the historic building featuring a round shape and peaked roof will not affect recreation, since all boat ramps, marinas and campgrounds are open, and the Turlock Irrigation District will be bringing in a educational trailer until a more permanent visitor’s center is built. The former center displayed memorabilia from the Gold Rush while teaching the history of the area’s early mining days. The Visitor Center’s normal phone line at (209) 852-2396 remains operational. Trout fishing remains fair at best with a few quality rainbows available on blade/’crawler combinations. Gary Vella of Vella’s Fishing Experience reported an overall slow trout bite on a recent trip, but he was able to coax four quality rainbows to the net, stating, “I could only get them to go on blade/’crawler combinations at depths from 30-40 feet.” There is an early morning topwater bite for bass before working the bottom for post-spawn fish on plastics or jigs. All three launch ramps are open with the lake at 75 percent capacity and 787.02 feet in elevation.

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

At Isabella, catfish are the top species with chicken livers, clams or a nightcrawler. Crappie are found among structure in deep water with minijigs or live minnows. The heat wave should bring the bass closer, but rising lake levels for now are keeping them away from the shore. There are a few tournaments on the lake in June. The lake has risen nearly 2 more feet to 2,553.36 feet in elevation and 23 percent capacity. Trout fishing is best in the upper river for planted trout in the deeper pools with live crickets, salmon eggs or nightcrawlers while the lower river is confined to largemouth bass with plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head.

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

The lake continues to rise, and the bass are suspended offshore. Live minnows and crawdads are working best with the rising water and post-spawn period pushing the fish off the banks. Brush Hogs, lizards or plastics on the drop-shot are also working. Crappie fishing is fair in the submerged structure around Horse Creek. The lake rose 3 feet to 695.86 in elevation and 79 percent capacity.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Bass fishing remains fair, but there has been little interest over the Memorial Day weekend with the heavy recreational boat traffic. There are upcoming tournaments on the lake, and the best action remains with reaction baits, Brush Hogs and jigs. The lake rose a half-foot to 637.97 in elevation and 64 percent capacity; the lake is held at about this level because of restrictions on the dam. The Tule River is running high from snowmelt, and the hot temperatures will accelerate the process.

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

The lake rose slightly to 57 percent capacity, and bass action continues to dominate the lake. There were five gold tagged trout released into the lake, and anyone who lands one of these rainbows by Dec. 31 will receive $250. Topwater lures are best for bass in the early mornings before working the bottom with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot or dart head. The McClure Point and Barrett Cove South launch ramps are open with the Barrett Cove North ramp still under construction. The Bagby and Horseshoe Bend ramps remain closed, likely for the rest of the season.

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

A trout plant of 1,750 pounds was released prior to the Memorial Day weekend, and the bank action came alive. The brush pile, handicapped docks and the marina are the top bank locations with trout dough bait, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Five rainbows were tagged with gold tags, and anglers who catch one could receive $250.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported, “Catching bass is no problem, but landing keepers is a challenge with the best fishing on the bottom in the river arm with plastics on the drop-shot, dart head, or with Senkos.” Gilbert fished for five hours during the week, and he threw a spinnerbait and topwater lures along a bank in the morning without success before picking up a number of small bass on plastics on the drop-shot. The main lake is clear with the river arm off-color, and numbers of 11- to 12-inch fish are found above Finegold. A few incidental striped bass in the 12- to 17-pound range are landed by anglers targeting bass. Catfish can be found around Sky Harbor with stink baits or anchovies. The lake rose 7 feet in the past week to 68 percent capacity and 540.25 in elevation. All boats need a low-emission sticker on their motors. Recreational boat pressure was high over the weekend. In the San Joaquin River, a decent grade of spotted or largemouth bass can be found by working from bank access areas with plastic worms. Regulations on the lower San Joaquin, and from Friant Dam downstream to the Highway 140 Bridge, allow only two hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead are allowed 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 inconsistent weather pattern over the past few weeks has resulted in slower action for both trout and kokanee at New Melones, but the hot temperatures that arrived Memorial Day weekend should bring out the summer pattern with the kokanee finding a comfort zone in deep water. Gary Vella of Vella’s Fishing Adventures found quality rainbows, but not many of them with two trips resulting in a high of four trout within the past week. He said, “I haven’t caught more than four fish on the two trips, and we could only get them on nightcrawlers. I had a couple of rods down for kokanee, but we didn’t get a touch.” Gary Burns of Take It To the Limit Guide Service confirmed the slow action to start the week. But he took a solo trip to prepare for clients, resulting in three rainbows and a kokanee with a total weight of 6 pounds, 4 ounces at depths from 15-25 feet. He said, “Believe it or not, I also saw plenty of fish in the 10-foot range. Pink and blue hoochies or gold spinners with pink and blue beads with pink blades topped off with garlic corn were the best setups.” Bass fishing continues to be solid with John Liechty of Xperience Fishing Guide Service switching to sold plastics on the bottom and mid-column after finding slow action on topwater lures in the early morning. He said, “We were faced with some post-front conditions, but the bite ended up being really good. We ended up with spotted bass at 4 and 5 pounds using bluegill patterned worms near structure, and we ended up with over 20 fish during a morning half-day trip.” Catfishing and crappie remain very good. The lake is starting to release water once again, and it has dropped to 881.94 feet in elevation and 26 percent capacity. Glory Hole remains the only launch available on the lake with two lanes and a courtesy dock.

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

Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “Trout fishing remains slow with the best action above the barrier near Trimmer.” Fishermen have to decide to launch at Trimmer and stay above the barrier or launch and stay in the main lake. Bass fishing remains very slow with an occasional topwater fish on Zara Spooks in the early morning, but the bottoms remains the place of numbers. A 7- to 7.5- pound limit is possible, but it won’t be easy. Boat traffic has ramped up with the hot weather and traditional start of summer. Recreational boating was high during the holiday weekend. The lake held at 880.61 feet in elevation and 63 percent capacity. In the lower Kings River, Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun said, “The trout action in the lower Kings remains slow despite recent trout plants. Anglers are picking up one or two rainbows at best with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or live crickets.” Regulations in the Kings River above and below Pine Flat Dam set the season as running the last Saturday in April to November 15 from Pine Flat 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 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

O’Neill Forebay has been the top location for Central Valley striper fishermen, with winds plaguing boaters on the main San Luis Reservoir. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The Highway 33 side of the lake is picking up with a number of undersized fish necessary to put in a limit of keepers, and jumbo minnows and jumbo blood worms are the top baits. Everyone wants the jumbo blood worms as pile worms have only been working so-so. Casters are throwing flukes or swimbaits with an underspin, and this is best in the early morning or late afternoon before switching to bait around 10 a.m. when the sun gets hot.” Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics out of Fresno and Nick Xjool of Speed Lures Tackle found great action on a recent trip, leading Xyong to state, “It was on fire! My wrist couldn't keep up with the action. They were on the jerkbaits most of the day with periods of down time. The schools kept moving around so once you find them, catching multiple fish was easy. SpeedLures and DuoRealis 120 were the lures of choice. The best times were early morning and mid-day, and most fish were just under 18 inches to just over 19 inches.” Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the big lake was falling fast, causing the fish to suspend as well as move around a lot. “I fished with Fresno State Athletic Director Jim Bartko and his son A.J., 19, for several nice fat fish going 25 inches – losing another four fish as well. The midday bite is tough in the heat, but the morning bite was decent after the wind settled down. Jim had to leave at noon, so I continued fishing and picked up a nice 28½-inch, 10-pounder a few hours later! The water is going down a good foot or more a day, so it’s going to be tough to get any consistency now,” George said. In the main lake, the wind has been a limiting factor, but during the times when boats can make it out, drifting live minnows near the mouth of Portuguese Cove has been the best bet. The main lake continues to recede quickly, and it is currently at 34 percent capacity.

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

Memorial Day brought a flotilla of recreational boats onto the lake, and the normal chaos of the three-day weekend at the start of summer ensued. Recreational boating will dominate the lake for the next three months. Bass fishing is the best thing going with plastics on the drop-shot, crankbaits or ripbaits. Trout fishermen have to contend with all of that recreational traffic on the weekends, and landing a fish or two remains a challenge. Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service, a staple of Bass Lake, has moved his operation to Shaver Lake for the summer in response to the past three years of slow kokanee and trout fishing. The lake is close to spilling at 94 percent capacity. Campground status updates are available at 642-3212.

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748; Bass Lake Watersports 642-3200

Kaiser Pass Road is open, but there was minimal boating activity at Edison and Florence over the weekend. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters in Shaver Lake said, “I have heard of a good brown trout bite at Edison in the deeper part of the lake at 30 feet, and there were only a few boats on the lake.” The warmer temperatures have accelerated the snowpack melting, and the lakes continue to rise steadily with Edison at 33 percent and Florence at 92 percent; lower elevation Mammoth Pool is at 91 percent.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Rising water may still be the culprit for the slower trout bite at Shaver Lake, leading Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters to state, “It was truly hit or miss action this week. I had good hopes this week after collecting two limits of mixed kokanee and rainbows, and the following day, Terry Walton and Chris Hansen teamed up for two mixed limits. Then Memorial Day weekend found an off bite with a struggle for even putting a limit in the boat.” Nichols found great action on Memorial Day for 8-year-old Ava Simental of Fresno with a limit of kokanee early in the morning while her dad had to settle for a few rainbows. The trout are gorging on insects that have been washed off the shore, and the action has been inconsistent with good action one day, followed by a much slower bite the following day. Nichols added, “This happens every year when the water rises, but I can see signs that the lake levels may reach their zenith in a week or so. The island continues to be the best location, but the fish are scattered. Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler and corn at depths from 15-20 feet on side poles or on downriggers at 32 feet remain the top producers for the occasional rainbow to 17 inches.” Nichols added that Craig McCandless of Fresno land a pair of 4-pound rainbows on green Power Bait from the shore in Edison Cove. Steve Santoro of Fish Box Charters has been finding his best action in the early morning before the recreational boaters launched, and he said, “Limits were possible, but it took a lot of patience to slowly coax the kokanee to the net. The rainbows on the other had were slamming the baits and staying hooked. On average, we had 8-10 fish per day with several lost at the boat. The best set up was Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler or blade/’crawler combinations at 4-5 colors of leadcore.” A trout plant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife has not occurred since April, but there are a number of holdovers along with the recently planted trophy fish from the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project. Another plant from the project will be released in late June. In addition to Nichols and Santoro, Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service has moved his operation to the Shaver Lake Marina because of overall poor trout and non-existent kokanee fishing at Bass Lake. Wittwer will start running trips during the first weekend in June. Shaver is currently at 77 percent capacity. This year’s annual Youth Fishing Derby has been canceled due to a lack of volunteers and other unforseen circumstances. Organizers are hopeful it returns in 2017. At Huntington, quality rainbows can be taken from the shore with nightcrawlers or trout dough bait from the Auxiliary Dam or in Rancheria Cove. The lake is at 99 percent capacity, and the launch ramp is open.

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

After months of anticipation, Courtright Reservoir opened ahead of Memorial Day weekend and limits of quality holdover rainbows were the rule. Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store said, “It has been wide open at Courtright, and the lake was busy over the weekend. The reservoir is nearly filled, and bank fishermen are scoring with trout dough bait in pink, orange, pink lemonade or multi-colors from the shoreline while trollers are running blade/’crawler combinations or Rapalas at 2-4 colors. The best method for limits is trolling, but shore fishermen are also scoring their five fish including quality rainbows.” At Wishon, Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “I haven’t heard of anyone who didn’t catch a limit at Wishon, and Courtright was excellent for quick limits of good fish over the weekend.” Crane added, “Wishon continues to produce for shore fishermen along the far side of the dam or around the launch ramp with trout dough bait in orange, pink or multi-color. Trollers are scoring with blade/’crawler combinations at 2-4 colors. Needlefish in green or black dot frog are also working as well as Thomas Buoyants in red or copper.” The best launching at Wishon remains on the dirt road with the concrete ramp requiring a long walk to the parking lot.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

The salmon action has been sporadic out of the Pillar Point harbor, but there have been some solid days north of the harbor off the point. The Riptide out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing put in a fish per rod for six anglers earlier in the week, but the action slowed to a solo salmon Saturday. Rockfishing has been best for bottom dwellers, and Second Captain Michael Cabanas on the Huli Cat took crab/rockfish combination trips Saturday and Sunday with lings to 13 pounds landed by Juwen Wang from Sunnyvale along with bottom dwelling rockfish and some crab. Shrimp flies tipped with squid have been the best setup. Out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, the Queen of Hearts is taking rockfish trips for a few lings and near limits of rockfish with eight per angler on Saturday fishing south of the harbor. Once again, the school fish have been scarce. Farther north in Pacifica, striped bass action has heated up from both the Pacifica Pier and along the beaches. Rob Chaney of the Rusty Hook in Pacifica said, “There were 11 stripers between 12 and 15 pounds landed off of the pier within the past week, and most pier fishermen are using blood worms or pile worms while beach anglers are tossing sand crabs or lures.” Surf perch are also steady, but the crabbing has slowed. The crab season ends June 30.

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’ Landing in Monterey reported limits of rockfish are possible, but you have to work for them since the school fish aren’t biting. The Check Mate went south to the Twin Rocks area for 23 limits of bottom fish along with 35 ling cod, and they jigged up live squid in the morning for the larger rockfish and lings. The Caroline stayed local for 37 lings for 20 anglers along with three rockfish per fishermen. The krill is thick on the Santa Cruz side of the canyon, and there are 30-40 blue whales in the bay in addition to “gobs of humpbacks” feeding on the krill. Stripers are plentiful on the beaches on the Santa Cruz side of the bay, but less abundant on the Monterey side. They have room throughout the week with the exception of this Saturday. Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing said, ” Fishing for king salmon takes top billing as usual. While not “on fire,” salmon fishing has at least been consistent across the bay, with fish scattered from Soldier’s Club near Monterey to the Davenport area north of Santa Cruz. Bayside Marine’s Todd Fraser notes salmon are following the bait saying, “Sardines and mackerel have moved into the shallow water. There are huge schools in 150 feet of water to the beach. There is a good chance of trolling up some salmon in the shallow water where the bait is.” Fraser also fielded an increasing number of reports this week of halibut caught near Lighthouse Point, the Mile Buoy and near the Pajaro Pipeline. The Santa Cruz Harbor has important news: A brand new dredge will be arriving in a couple of weeks. Construction will take place at the harbor launch ramp, which will be closed for a two-week period. The harbor is offering a deal for end-tie berthing to those anglers who will not be able to launch while construction is under way. The Port District anticipates the dredge’s arrival will be June 13. The “Dredge Delivery” visitor berthing special, will be for all trailerable vessels. For $150, vessels can be berthed on an end-tie for the duration of the ramp closure, which is currently expected to be 10 days. If the closure is extended, berthings are extended, too, for no additional cost. Launch fee and parking are included. For additional information and berthing reservations, call 831-475-6161 or email scpd@santacruzharbor.org.

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

The salmon bite slowed during the start of the Memorial Day weekend. The Salty Lady out of Sausalito scored a single salmon to 14 pounds for nine anglers Friday. They went whale watching over the weekend but were back on the water trolling on Memorial Day for a pair of salmon to 14 pounds before working the rocks for 14 limits of rockfish and nine ling cod to 12 pounds. The Sundance out of Emeryville Sport Fishing put in a fish per rod for six anglers on Saturday, so they found a bit better action. Inside the bay, the rockpiles were loaded with striped bass, but the infusion of party boats working the rocks on Sunday put the fish off the bite. Combined with the rough weather in the bay, the action slowed for stripers on most party boats Sunday. There were six party boats working one rock in the central bay, and the stripers scattered from all of the pressure. Captain Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker was able to put in 15 limits of stripers and a pair of halibut on Sunday for a small charter, and he said, “We picked up the stripers in a number of locations since everyone piled up on the rocks. The key to fishing the rocks is being there first at the right tide, and if you missed your window, it is not happening.” Using his extensive knowledge of the bay, he was able to pick here and there for limits of bass. Saturday’s trip resulted in 37 stripers and 5 halibut, and they were able to fish the rockpiles without the pressure. Son Chris Smith on the Captain Hook found limits of ling cod Saturday along with a halibut in the big tides before putting in seven halibut and a striped bass, releasing over 60 shaker halibut Sunday. This confirms the consistent reports of the loads of shaker halibut in the bay. The New Huck Finn out of Emeryville Sport Fishing stayed in the bay Sunday for six halibut and four striped bass for their 29 anglers. Shark fishing has been incredible in the bay, and there are some six packs focusing upon both seven-gill and leopard sharks. Captain Anthony Langes of Help-U-Fish out of Vallejo has been putting the hurt on both species including soupfin and cow sharks. He is working the north bay exclusively for sharks at the present time.

Memorial Day weekend brought rockfish trips out of both San Luis Obispo County ports with the Princess out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay taking out 44 anglers on Monday for 14 lings to 12 pounds 105 vermilion and 155 assorted rockfish on a three-quarter-day trip. The Fiesta put in 58 lingcod, 25 cabezon, and limits consisting of vermilions and coppers on a 12-hour trip Sunday. Also out of Morro Bay, Kevin Hubbard came over from the Valley to work the surf for a limit of striped bass along with several barred perch to 1.5 pounds. Virg’s continues to take reservations for this year’s two-day trips aboard the Princess along the Big Sur coast. The trips leave Friday night and return Sunday evening at $295 angler for the boat, bait and bunk on limited loads of 24 fishermen. Two limits are possible and generally the rule on these trips. The trip dates are available at virgslanding.com. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing, John Price of Fresno and Steve Jasso of Visalia took the jackpot on Monday with ling cod at 15.6 and 14 pounds respectively. Their two boats went out with 65 anglers for 126 vermilion, 53 coppers, 299 assorted rockfish, four cabezon, and 37 ling cod. There are still a few spots available for the charter on the Endeavor out of Morro Bay by Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield on June 12.

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

Sacramento River-Delta fishermen are concentrating on American shad in the upper stretches of the Delta from Clarksburg to Freeport. There are still stripers to be found, but they are moving quickly from the Feather and Sacramento Rivers to San Francisco Bay. Sturgeon fishermen are mostly absent, but the diamondbacks are still in lower Suisun Bay. Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento said, “Shad fishing is off the hook from Freeport north, and there are boats who are landing over 100 fish per trip using 1-inch red shad grubs. We have been selling out of our supply of 10,000 grubs per week. It has just been unbelievable.” Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle in Freeport confirmed the excellent shad bite with bank fishermen tossing out curly-tailed grubs on a 1-ounce egg sinker while boaters are using a drop-shot rig with shad grubs or darts. Stripers are still around, and there are a few fish to 15 pounds landed on sardines or pile worms coated with garlic spray. James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service confirmed the slowdown on the striper front, and it took five dozen minnows to put together four limits of stripers on a trip at the beginning of the week. Sturgeon fishermen have gone on hiatus, and Pam Hayes at Benicia Bait said, “It is hard to judge the sturgeon bite here since there are so few anglers trying for the diamondbacks, but there were three sturgeon hooked under the Benicia/Martinez Bridge this week – a legal, an oversized, and one that broke off.” In the San Joaquin-Delta, the wind keeps blowing, but the arrival of hot weather on Memorial Day Weekend will continue to improve the largemouth bass bite. Striper fishing has slowed, but there are still stripers to be taken in the main San Joaquin Delta with swimbaits or spoons. Fly fishermen will be arriving on the Delta out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton on June 3-4 with the Bass N’ Fly sponsored by Costa Del Mar. Dan Mathisen of Dan’s Delta Outdoors in Oakley said, “Most largemouth anglers are sticking with three-quarter-ounce jigs or Tail Slapper swimbaits paired with a Fat Sack swim jigs, and the winds and overcast conditions in the past week brought out the spinnerbait and crankbait bite with Fat Sack Tackle’s blades or Strike King Squarebills along ledges with sparse tule flats. Frank’s Tract is proving a consistent, but tougher than normal bite with Sweet Beavers in Hematoma on overcast days along with Chartreuse Sixth Sense baits, or DDO Custom Craws. The largemouth bass bite remains good for those willing to adjust to the conditions, and a 10-pounder was taken on a wacky-rigged Senko with the Tsuyoi wacky hook this week. We are the only local distributor of these hooks. The best bass fishing is taking place in the central Delta near Frank’s Tract and Sandmound Slough. Vibrating jigs or swim jigs are the bait of choice for most professionals, and the everyday guys are using Senkos and still running into some large fish. The Wild West Trail will be bringing over 100 anglers to Big Break Marina the weekend after Memorial Day Weekend.” H and R Bait in Stockton confirmed the slowdown in the striper action in the south Delta, and fresh shad has been very difficult to obtain. They received 10 pounds on Saturday and it was gone within 10 minutes.

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

At Nacimiento, numbers of spotted bass are taken on plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head while the larger bass to 2 pounds can be found on occasion with chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, or crankbaits. White bass are starting to school up, but the bite has been sporadic at best with the best action near Las Tablas and the Narrows with small lures such as Kastmasters, or Roostertails. The summer recreational boating season has started, and since Nacimiento has launch ramps in the water, jet skis and water skiers will be taking over the lake for the next few months. Lopez received a Department of Fish and Wildlife trout plant, and the swimbait bite for the larger bass should take off. The planted rainbows can be taken on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Mice Tails, or Kastmasters. Bluegill can be found off main lake points with jumbo red worms. Catfishing is limited to small whiskerfish with sardines, anchovies, mackerel or nightcrawlers. At Santa Margarita, the lake is kicking out the largest quality of bass among the coastal lakes with the occasional 7-pounder taken on topwater lures in the morning before working the bottom with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot. The crappie bite has slowed, but red eared perch are abundant on jumbo red worms. Launching a boat is not an option, but the marina has rentals available. San Antonio remains closed indefinitely as a result of extremely low water conditions at 4 percent capacity and high operating expenses

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

• June 3-4: Bass N’Fly at Delta/Ladd’s Marina
• June 4: Kerman Bass Club at McClure;Clovis Elks Lodge No. 2599 Trout Derby at Shaver; Bakersfield Bass Club at Kaweah American Bass Association at Success; Best Bass Tournaments at Nacimiento
• June 4-5: Lake Isabella Bass Club at Isabella; Wild West Bass Trails at Delta/Big Break Marina
• June 5: California Bass Federation at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Modesto Ambassadors at Delta/Ladd’s Marina
• June 11: Christian Bass League at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Sonora Bass Club at New Hogan;Contra Costa Bass Club at Don Pedro;Mid Valley Bass Club at Eastman; Kern County Bassmasters at Pine Flat; U.S. Forest Service Trout Derby at Shaver Lake; Golden Empire Bass Club at Isabella
• June 11-12: Angler’s Press at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis; Taft Bass Club at New Melones; Modesto Ambassadors at Don Pedro
• June 12: Fresno Bass Club at Delta/B and W Resort; Manteca Bassn’ Buddies/Kings River Bass Club Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Bass N’ Tubes at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Kings VIII Bass Club at Eastman
• June 18: American Bass Association at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Best Bass Tournaments at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Sierra Bass Club at Eastman; Visalia Bass Club at Kaweah; American Bass Association at Isabella; San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers at Santa Margarita
• June 18-19: Angler’s Press at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Success Bass Club at Success
• June 19: Dan’s Delta Outdoors at Delta/Big Break Marina
• June 24-26: California Tournament Trail at Delta/Russo’s Marina
• June 25: Kokanee Power Phil Johnson Memorial at Don Pedro; Fresno Scottish Rite Temple Trout Derby at Shaver
• June 25-26: Best Bass Tournaments at Delta/Ladd’s Marina

• Kern County: Kern River, sections 4-5
• Madera County: Chiquito Creek West Fork; Chiquito Creek, Lower; Fish Creek; Nelder Creek; Rock Creek; Willow Creek North Fork; Willow Creek, South Fork
• Tulare County: Kern River, sections 5-6; Peppermint Creek, Upper; Tule River Middle Fork; Tule River North Fork, Middle Fork 1; Tule River South Fork, Middle Fork 2; Tule River South Fork, Middle Fork 3
• Tuolumne County: Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch); Moccasin Creek; Powerhouse Stream; Stanislaus River Clarks Fork; Stanislaus River Middle Fork; Stanislaus River South Fork; Tuolumne River North Fork

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of May 31."