Fishing report for week of Jan. 15-21: Delta sturgeon, McClure bass among best bets

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.

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Best bets

Delta sturgeon turning on, Steve Talmedge said. Pine Flat trout hitting and Hensley bass bite good, Steve Newman reported. McClure bass feeding, Ryan Cook said. Southern aqueduct stripers on solid bite, Pete Cormier reported.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

In the northern section of the aqueduct, cut baits remain the top offerings, and anchovies or sardines coated with scent are a solid option for legal striped bass. Lure tossers are seeking striper schools boiling on the surface, but these have been few and far between. The head gates are a good location for shad action and tossing Storm swimbaits in bluegill patterns along with lipless crankbaits in shad patterns is effective.

In the southern section of the aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “The aqueduct continues to be solid for both striped bass and catfish, and blood worms are the top bait along with jumbo or extra-large minnows. Jerkbaits, flukes, and tube baits in shad patterns are also a good option. Fishermen are moving from location to location along the aqueduct. Catfish are found on anchovies, sardines, mackerel, or Sonny’s Dip Baits.”

Call: Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket 661-833-8657

Steve Newman at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “It has been a continued tough bite although area fishermen have been gearing up for the swimbait bite with the recent trout plants. There is the occasional 3- to 5- pound largemouth bass taken with finesse techniques of a wacky-rigged Senko or plastics on the drop-shot or shaky head. There are numerous smaller bass found from the banks to 15 feet with plastics.”

The lake rose slightly to 48%.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

At nearby Hensley, Newman reported wacky-rigged Senkos are best in the shallows, and it has been consistently better than Eastman throughout the fall. “You can find bass in the 2-pound range with the possibility of a 4- to 5-pound largemouth.”

The lake rose slightly to 29%.

Call: Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

The bass bite has been tough with tournament season arriving at the Mother Lode lakes. The winning limits should be in the 20-pound range, but anglers have been struggling to land half of this amount. There was a nearly 16-pound limit winning Saturday’s Christian Bass League event so there is optimism for the emergence of larger bass. The fish are scattered at depths from the banks to 80 feet, and similar to New Melones and McClure, the best action has been between 20 and 50 feet with Senkos, jigs or plastics on the dart head or drop-shot. Trout fishing should improve as guides are starting to return to the lake to target rainbows and king salmon, but for now, there are few trollers working the lake. A heavy plant of fingerling king salmon this spring should pay dividends in the future.

The lake held at 80%.

Call: Monte Smith 209-581-4734; Kyle Wise – Head Hunter Guide Service 209-531-3966; Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Fishing 691-7008

At Lake Isabella, Cormier said, “They are still catching crappie up there around submerged structure at depths to 50 feet as the shad are holding in the submerged trees. We haven’t heard much on the bass front, but the occasional catfish is taken on cut or stink baits.”

Isabella held at 30%.

Cormier added, “Both the upper Kern River above the lake or the lower Kern River below the dam continue to kick out some quality rainbows on salmon eggs, Power Bait, or nightcrawlers along with lures such as Kastmasters or Roostertails. In the lower river, I saw a quality limit of rainbows taken from the river near the dam, and this isn’t a normal plant site. The local lakes are expected to be planted this week, and Buena Vista also received a plant from Mr. Lassen, and these are quality rainbows.” Buena Vista is planting around 500 pounds of Mt. Lassen Hatcher rainbows every other week or so.

Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket 661-833-8657; North Fork Marina 760-376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station 542-2816

The lake has already started to release water, and it dropped from 17% to 14%. Bass fishing remains fair for a small grade of largemouths with either plastics on the drop-shot or jigs on a slow presentation in deep water. The Central Valley Kayak Fishing club is holding its first 2020 tournament on March 1, a team event. A trout plant occurred two weeks ago, and the swimbait bite for the larger grade of bass may start to take off. The launch ramp is a good area to try for planted rainbows with Power Bait, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company in Springville said, “Bass fishing remains fair due to the cold temperatures, and anglers are still using large swimbaits, jigs or plastics on the drop-shot. A trout plant is scheduled for this week, and this should bring the larger bass out of hiding.” The lake rose to 12%.

In the Tule River, Stokke said, “The river has been kicking out some large rainbow trout this week as Jack Price of Pierpoint has been working the Middle Fork with nightcrawlers for quality rainbows.”

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

There were several bass tournaments over the past weekend at Lake McClure with the opener of the Best Bass Tournaments Mother Lode Division along with the Manteca Bassin’ Buddies and the Christian Bass League. Winning limits at McClure continue to be in the 12-pound range, and there was at least one big fish at 8.44 pounds landed by Robert Martinez during the Manteca Bassin’ Buddies tournament.

Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “It has been a big tougher on the lake, most likely due to the full moon. There are more bass moving up shallow with Senkos or jigs, but I have been finding the majority of my action between 40 and 70 feet with 3.5-inch tube baits on a 1/4-ounce dart head. If I could give one piece of advice, it is to slow down, and really slow down and barely move the bait.”

In the Manteca Bassin’ Buddies tournament, the team of Jimmy and Dave Gentry took first at 11.35 pounds with a 4.83-pound big fish while during the Best Bass Tournament event, the team of Steven Larussa Jr. and Jerrod Voight took first at 11.12 pounds with a big fish of 2.76 pounds.

Cook said, “The winning limits should be at least 15 pounds at this time of year at McClure, but this has been most unusual year with the lake still yet to turn over.”

McClure held at 62%.

Call: Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Fishing 691-7008

Steve Marquette of the Lake McClure/McSwain Recreation Company said, “The lake is still waiting for another trout plant, but a few rainbows have been taken from the Handicapped Docks or near the Café with trout dough bait or inflated nightcrawlers near the Cabins or the Brush Pile. A plant was dumped into the Merced River near the Hornitos Bridge, and fishermen have been concentrating either below the dam on the river or near the bridge with nightcrawlers or trout dough bait for the planters.” Lake levels remain high.

Call: McSwain Marina 209-378-2534

There were high hopes for Millerton for the first tournament of the year, and although a 15-pound limit was weighed in, the weights dropped off precipitously after this limit. Newman said, “The bass are scattered, and you have to focus on basketball-sized rock which we call ‘chunk rock’ around areas with sand or mud. You might pick up one or two bass from a spot, but then you have to move on. Plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head are working best, but you have to run and gun. There is a better cut of bass in the river arm, and an umbrella rig is not a bad option up there if you find the bait balls. However, it is important to use a small swimbait in the 2.5- to 3-inch range on the umbrella rig.”

The lake rose from 53% to 56%.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

The turnover at New Melones is beginning to take place in certain areas, but the bass have yet to move into the shallows; however, the numbers of spotted and largemouth bass are climbing out of the deep water. The best action remains on the bottom in water as deep as 80 feet, and the big swimbait bite has yet to occur. If the lake finally turns over, the big bait bite should take off as the next few months are traditionally the time for trophy spotted and largemouth bass out of this reservoir.

John Liechty of Xperience Fishing Guide Service said, “We are catching a good number of bass, but the size has been limited. Every once in a while, you are able to find a 3- to 4- pound bass, and at least we are getting bit with more frequency. Everything has been deep with our best action from 40 to 55 feet with plastics on the drop-shot working best. The bass have kind of moved up a bit, but they aren’t found in any real numbers above 25 to 35 feet. I have caught bass as deep as 80 feet, and they are hugging the bottom right now as we aren’t even seeing them on the graph, but we are hooking fish. When they are glued to the bottom, I switch to a short 6- to 8-inch leader above the drop-shot weight, and it will make all of the difference. I use my electronics to determine leader length, and I prefer small plastics on the 2.5- to 4-inch range. Browns and greens in crawdad patterns along with shad are working best. There are some parts of the lake that have turned over like the river arm and in the back of Coyote Creek, but the main lake has yet to turn over. We have been in the fall pattern for some time, but I predict we will get around a month of the winter pattern when the reaction bite improves. There are still sections of the lake at 55 degrees, and I think it has to do with the lack of conveyor belt action with the lake levels remaining steady. There has been minimal water movement as the water releases will help the lake turn over.”

Trout trolling remains very slow with the occasional large rainbow taken, but the numbers are lacking.

New Melones held at 83%.

Call: Glory Hole Sports 209-736-4333; Monte Smith 209-581-4734; John Liechty Xperience Fishing Guide Service 209-743-9932

The bass bite has been tough at all of the Fresno-area low elevation lakes, but there is more optimism at Pine Flat although it is feast or famine for most anglers. Recent trout plants are starting to pay dividends for swimbait anglers in the shallows, and the plants are paying clear dividends for trout troller in the main lake and up in the river arm.

Newman said, “The best cut of bass can be found upriver in the Trimmer area with jigs or umbrella rigs over vertical rock structure, and in the main lake, there are some quality bass taken on rainbow trout patterned glide bait or boot-tail style of swimbaits. Spooning in the main lake is also productive, but you have to find the isolated smaller balls of bait in order for your bait to stand out. There is so much bait in the lake, particularly in Windy Gap, and it is difficult to get bit in the huge balls of shad. The water has been dropping a bit, and the bass have been suspending more frequently. Working along main lake points is best for the suspended bass. Trout fishing remains very good for trollers in the upper portion of the lake around Trimmer and above with various shad patterned spoons such as Needlefish in Cop Car or Bikini, Apex lures in similar patterns, or blade/’crawler combinations. Most trollers are tipping their lures with a piece of nightcrawler as the planters seem to like the scent.”

Pine Flat held at 48%.

In the lower Kings, the action for planted trout remains good although the banks have been crowded. Newman said, “If you are willing to walk a bit, you can get away from the crowds, and there are trout in the river from the first bridge below the dam all the way to the Alta Weir. Drifting salmon eggs or trout dough bait through the riffles into the shallow pools are working as well as using nightcrawlers or trout dough bait on a sliding sinker rig in the deeper pools. Kastmasters or Roostertails are also effective in orange or red colors.” Parking at Trimmer is limited, and in order to make room for as many boat trailers as possible, staying in the designated parking areas is important.

Below the dam, trout plants continue on a weekly basis, and trout dough bait, nightcrawler/marshmallow combinations or Kastmasters are all working for the planters. The water levels are steady with some very nice ripples.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626

San Luis Reservoir is filling up rapidly with increased pumping out of the South Delta, and it climbed from 61% to 68% this week. Experienced trollers continue to find success for a few bigger linesides, and there is an emphasis on catch-and-release for the trophy striped bass.

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The striped bass bite remains good with shore anglers scoring with blood worms, anchovies, or Zoom Super Flukes on a 3/4- to 1-ounce scrounger head on a slow roll. The topwater bite has been dying down, but ripbaits continue to work. Trollers are doing well with Lucky Craft Pointer 128’s or similar lures.”

Newman said, “The big lake is still good with topwater lures such as ima Big Sticks, Heddon Spooks, or Pencil Poppers, and jerkbaits are also working. There hasn’t been much action from our end with soft plastics as the hard baits seem to be best.”

Roger George of Roger’s Guide Service from Fresno said, “Overall the troll and reaction bite has been very slow with lots of suspended fish unwilling to bite much in the 56-degree water that’s now up to a 490-foot elevation and 1,403,000 acre feet . The topwater and rip bait bites are pretty much nonexistent according to various experienced local boat anglers who pursue these bites on a daily basis. I fished with Martin Dieck and his son Logan, 13, from Palo Alto on Sunday in early cold westerly winds. We got very few early bites, but once it began to warm up we started getting a fish here and there trolling Lucky Crafts at around 60 to 70 feet over points and flats. Finding an active school is still the key. We finally ended up with over 12 fish. Logan set two new PBs, first with a 32-inch, 10-pounder then an hour later he caught a fat 11-pounder we released on the Seaqualizer. If I didn’t have a lot of experience it could have been a two-fish day. I’m sure the nearly bright full moon didn’t help, either. The rangers reported that all the boats checking out that day had almost nothing to report and were complaining. Even the minnow anglers were struggling. It’s been a very different winter bite this year. My 45 1/4-inch, 35-pounder last week was a single good bite that I got after fishing hard on three full day trips.”

In the O’Neill Forebay, Clements said, “Small stripers abound, particularly along the eastern side of the reservoir near Check 13, the old launch ramp, or the outlet to the aqueduct. Pile worms or blood worms along with ripbaits or topwater lures are best.” Culling a number of shakers can result in a legal limit over 18 inches.

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

Most area bass fishermen have been focusing on tournaments at Eastman or Millerton, and combined with the requirement for a motor fee with the new year arriving, few bass fishermen have been on the lake. There have been reports of trout action picking up from the banks for holdovers with trout dough bait near the Sheriff’s Tower and along the north end of the lake. The launch ramp is problematic with no courtesy dock, and the adjacent shoreline is rocky. The conditions are keeping larger boats from splashing. The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is enforced on a year-round basis now. A webcam of the lake is available at basslakeca.com/index.php.

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

Kaiser Pass is blanketed with snow, limiting access to the region.

For the latest Sierra National Forest road conditions: bit.ly/2rfH8BB

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters is not guiding at this time of year, but he takes the time to obtain regular reports. He said, “Trout trollers continue to work Stevenson Cove for their best action with blade/’crawler combinations, orange or chartreuse Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a nightcrawler behind a weighted Mountain dodger, or Wedding Rings from 10 to 20 feet for the possibility of limits. The Department of Fish and Wildlife planted 10,000 5-inch triploid brown trout this week, and these fish join the 12,000 planted last January that will be of catchable size by mid-summer 2020.” With the lack of kokanee fingerlings released two years ago, the brown trout will be a welcome addition to the lake. Access to the lake may be limited due to the snow, but a webcam of the launch ramp is available at sierramarina.com/camera.html.

Nichols will be presenting his 12th annual Shaver Lake fishing seminar at a Fresno sporting goods store in late March. It will focus on how to fish Shaver in 2020 without the help of third-year kokanee. Representatives of Southern California Edison will provide the water levels for Shaver and Huntington in 2020, and a Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist will be on hand to discuss the 2020 DFW plant, brown and the new residents of Shaver, golden trout which are normally a very high-elevation species.

Call: Dick Nichols, Dick’s Fishing Charters 281-6948; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435

The recent snow storm closed access to these high-elevation lakes, and they may be inaccessible until April.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat went on a sand dab and crab combo in 280ft of water, 14 miles west of the Pillar Point Harbor, qne he said, “We have had to cancel several of our planned sand dab, petrale sole, Dungeness crab combo trips due to weather and wind. We are targeting 280 to 300 feet of water, but the high winds create too fast a drift to successfully work the bottom. We are seeing less crab gear as both the commercials and recreationals pull out as crab is thinning out following the commercial opener. The biggest sand dab of the day was 11 inches, caught on an Ahi SD-700. The best crab pot had 12 crab. Huli Cat had 135 sand dabs for 8 anglers and 10 limits of crab for anglers and crew. Huli Cat will continue to schedule trips, hoping for good weather windows.”

The Skipper also reports seeing grey whales on their southward migration 14 miles offshore. There are ominous developments for crabbing as CDFW and various groups work towards worries about whales and turtle entanglements. This is in response to a CBD lawsuit and settlement with CDFW.

Whale watching and nature trips will be available during the winter months.

Call: Captain Dennis Baxter, New Captain Pete 650-576-3844; Captain Tom Mattusch, Huli Cat 650-619-0459

Chris Arcolleo of Chris’s Landing said, “Crabbing has really improved in the past few weeks, but overall there is much less interest in the sand dab/crab combination trips.”they will be out for sand dabs/crab on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They will be running the combination trips depending upon weather conditions and interest.

The annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Tournament sold out to capacity of 300 fishermen within three hours of the website opening, and the event will be held on March 14 and headquartered out of Santa Cruz.

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “Crabs ‘N Dabs!” That’s the catchphrase for our charter fishing boat fleet in Monterey Bay these days. Since rockfish season closed at the end of December, most boats switched over to fishing deeper water for tasty sand dabs. Sand dabs are found in abundance on flat sandy areas from 60 on out to 300 feet of water or more. The small flatfish are a prolific species in our waters, and a member of the Family Paralichthyidae, or large-tooth flounders. These little fish are voracious, and caught easily on multiple hook sabiki rigs. They also quite delicious, as evidenced by their inclusion on menus of many a gourmet restaurant.

Beth Norton from Go Fish Santa Cruz Charters operating out of Santa Cruz may have said it best. Earlier this week she said , “ Today, our clients got 200 sand dabs and 40 limits of Dungeness crab. Captain JT took them to fish off of Pajaro in 280 feet of water.” Monterey boats are in on the action as well. Although the crab count is a bit lower for the boats in Monterey, the supply of sand dabs seems endless. Chris’ Fishing Trips averaged half-limits of Dungeness crab for their clients this week, who also caught sand dabs by the bucketful and some bonus Spanish mackerel while fishing from the Check Mate and the Caroline.

Sam Bishop from Santa Cruz reminds us the yearly salmon feed sponsored by the Santa Cruz Fly Fisherman Club is now schedule. Bishop says, “this is our fund-raising dinner featuring a raffle and auction along with a wild caught salmon dinner grilled up by members of the Rotary of Santa Cruz. The fly fishing club, established in 1977, holds this yearly event to fund wildlife habitat conservation efforts, youth outdoor programs, and local school watershed education. “ Further information can be found on the Fly Fishermen website santacruzflyfishermen.org.

Also, the 2020 Fly Fishing Film Tour will make a stop in our area next month. Organizers report, “The F3T is a one of a kind experience. Each year anglers of all ages gather in big cities and small towns alike to soak up films from around the world, spin a few yarns amongst friends and dream about casts yet unmade.” This year the film tour shows on Feb. 18, at the Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co. in San Carlos. Even if you do not care much for fly fishing (like me), this is a beautiful and inspiring experience.”

Call: Chris’ Landing 831-375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting 831-251-9732

The boats are tied up for the winter months with the exception of running sturgeon trips into San Pablo Bay or the south bay. There are still a few striped bass to be had in the central bay for those willing to work for them.

happening out of the Golden Gate as the boats are focusing upon the bay until the rockfish and salmon openers in April.

Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle was speechless for a change as he said, “I have no report as it was windy, cold, and miserable all day in San Pablo Bay. It was ugly. I don’t even think Gladys and Waldo from ‘It’s So Damn Cold,’ fame would have gone out today. The tides are terrific for sturgeon this weekend with a big outgo which is what you want in San Pablo Bay. There may be some rain early on Friday, but it might be a good weekend. We have all of the important baits in the shop with grass shrimp, ghost shrimp, and live smelt, and the live smelt is terrific.”

Ed Liu at Bay Tackle said, “We haven’t heard anything from the South Bay, but this rain contributed to an improved sturgeon bite in San Pablo Bay. The stripers have moved upriver, and we are hearing good reports of big fish from Rio Vista up north into the upper Sacramento and American Rivers. Perch are the only thing biting in the bay right now, and the perch are doing well off of the beaches as well. I am getting my tackle ready for the month of February to intercept the striped bass coming back into the bay.”

Sweeney’s Sports in Napa said, “It hasn’t been too crazy in the Napa River, but the sturgeon and stripers that are being caught have been found down towards the mouth around the Highway 37 Bridge and the surrounding sloughs. There hasn’t been much action towards town in the upper river.”

Call: Captain Trent Slate, Bite Me Charters 415-307-8582; Happy Hooker 510-223-5388; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady 415-760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing 707-655-6736

Since the closure of the rockfish season, boats out of Morro Bay and Port San Luis will be running nature or whale watching trips until the rockfish season opens once again in April with the possibility of an occasional sand dab/crab combination trip.

Call: Virg’s Landing 800-762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing 805-595-4100

The lack of rain has kept the Sacramento-Delta relatively clear, and the grass seems to be dissipating in the cold water conditions. The temperature is colder in the northern portion of the Delta, and it warms up the further west you travel.

Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait in Freeport said, “Sturgeon have been migrating up the Sacramento River, and there have been more diamondbacks landed in our area on eel/pile worm or eel/nightcrawler combinations along with ghost shrimp. Most striped bass are holding in the Sacramento Deep Water Channel as the colder water in Liberty Island causes them to seek slightly warmer water. Drifting jumbo minnows or mudsuckers are the top technique, but there are a few taken on sardines coated with garlic spray. Liberty Island has been colder, and the stripers are moving around so it has been slower although there have been some linesides taken on minnows or mudsuckers. Crappie and largemouth bass are also found in the sloughs around Liberty Island, but the action is fair at best.”

Alan Fong, manager of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento, was in Rio Vista area along the West Bank, and he said, “There were only three boats out, and I think it is because all of the trollers have been dealing with grass for the past several weeks. The water temperature was 53 degrees, and we found great action for stripers to 8 pounds with Sneaky Pete glide baits or with River2Sea SWavers within three hours from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. as we targeted these fish during this tide. We didn’t catch and release any large fish, but there have been stripers to 20 pounds within the past week. The grass was gone, and it is very interesting that it disappeared. The water is much colder in Liberty Island at 47 degrees, but the stripers are still biting is you are able to use a super slow presentation with the SWaver. You have to just let it sit, and I know it is moving in the current.” Fong will be on the Western Bass Aquarium Demo Tank at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition at Cal Expo in Sacramento on Friday, January 17th at 12:30 p.m. for ‘Delta Striped Bass Techniques.” at Cal Expo in Sacramento, CA.

Tony Lopez at Benicia Bait reported keeper striped bass have been taken from the banks along with sturgeon fishermen working the sloughs. They have plenty of grass shrimp, but bullheads continue to be scarce. Lopez added, “One of our customers was out at the Yellow Can, and he was boarded by officers from the Naval Weapons Station who warned that he would be cited if he was anchored in the restricted area in the future.”

The following notice was issued by the officers of the Naval Weapons Station.

332.1110 Suisun Bay at Naval Weapons Station, Concord, restricted area

(a) The area. Beginning at a point on the shore and on the easterly side of the mouth of a small slough (known as Hasting Slough) bearing 189. 2.412 yards from Tripon at Preston Point on Roe Island, thence 340/30, 400 yards to the shoreline of the westerly of the two Seal Islands, thence 60/30, 1,880 yards, thence 180 degrees, 435 yards to the shoreline, thence following the high water shoreline in a general westerly direction to the point of beginning.

(b) The regulations (1) No person, vessel, watercraft, conveyance, or device shall enter or cause to enter or remain in this area. No person shall refuse or fail to remove any person or property in his custody or under his control from this area upon the request of the Commanding Officer of the Naval Weapons Station Concord or his/her authorized representative.

(2) The regulations in this section shall be enforced by the Commanding Office, Naval Weapons Station Concord, and such agencies as he/she shall designate.

Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Fishing was out over the weekend in the Martinez area, and he said, “The sturgeon bite has been very good until the tides slowed down. We were out on Sunday and received around 8 bites, and were released two just-short sturgeon for a group from Texas working in the area. We are fishing deep water with salmon roe both above and below the Benicia Bridge, and there is a tremendous number of sturgeon in the area. I am really impressed with how many sturgeon are in the area but getting them to bite is another story. The water temperature has been cold between 49 and 50.5 degrees, and the short bites are pretty typical for this time of year as they will only pump it three or four times.” The week after the ISE, Martinez Marina and Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Fishing is hosting the 14th Annual Diamond Classic ‘Catch and Release’ Sturgeon Derby on Jan. 25. Youth 15 and under participate for free, and Talmadge is actively seeking sponsors for the growing youth participation in the event. His expectation is that each child involved with receive a goodie bag loaded with gear, and they have a number of volunteers working the Martinez Pier to assist youth anglers with gear, tackle, and instruction. Information – Martinez Bait and Tackle (925) 229-9420.

This is the first of two consecutive weekends of sturgeon tournaments in the area with the Foundation Sportsmen’s Club Original Sturgeon aka ‘Super Bowl’ Derby the following weekend Feb. 1-2 out of McAvoy’s Boat Harbor at Bay Point. Information: originalsturgeonderby.com.

Captain Zack Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures had an ‘epic’ day earlier this week as they found the ‘Mother Lode’ for a group of businessmen/anglers from Singapore. He said, “We found the herd with a “Wide Open” bite as we could not keep all the rods in the water at once!!! If your worried about cold water temperatures or waiting to fish till spring you are making a HUGE miscalculation.”

Medinas has seminars at the ISE on Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 19 at noon at the California Sportsman’s Theater at Cal Expo in Sacramento, CA.

If you want to improve your sturgeon game, it will be important to attend the seminars at the ISE from Captain Zach as well as from Steve Mitchell on the California Sportsmen’s stage as both captains have some subtle techniques that make sense and will clearly improve your game, particularly with the two large sturgeon derbies coming up at the end of the month. They are also raffling off some incredible prizes as well as you could leave the ISE with some serious gear. Mitchell’s presentation is on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. on the main California Sportsmen’s Theater stage with the topic, Techniques to Corral and Catch the Elusive White Sturgeon.” Mitchell is also raffling off a Phenix rod/Penn reel combination for those attending his seminar.

Mitchell’s vessel, The Top Gun, is receiving the finishing touches on the installation of the offshore bracket and two outboard engines, and he will be operating out of Pittsburg Marina right after the International Sportsmen’s Exposition. .

In the San Joaquin-Delta, the cold weather has diminished interest for both striped and largemouth bass, and Dan Mathisen of Dan’s Delta Outdoors said, “It’s been slow out of Russo’s Marina with only a few trailers in the lot and they belonged to duck hunters. Things have slowed down in the 48-degree water. A little warm rain is needed to get things moving.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, who is also presenting at both the Western Bass Aquarium Demo Tank and the California Sportsmen’s Theater at the ISE, said, “You have to slow down at this time of year and keep your bait in the strike zone as long as possible, and scent is absolutely important right now. I will use a thin profile plastic since it will wiggle more than a thick worm. Earth tones are also important in the cold water.”

Call: Randy Pringle 209-543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell 707-655-6736; Vince Borges Outdoors 209-918-0828; J.D. Richey, Richey’s Sport Fishing 916-952-1554

At Nacimiento, the unseasonably warm water temperatures are contributing to an excellent bite for spotted bass, and 41 boats participated in Saturday’s Best Bass Tournament taken by a 15-plus pound limit for over a 3-pound average. Two of the tournaments since the new year have been won with over 15 pounds. The best action is found on plastics on the drop-shot, Senkos, jigs, or deep-diving crankbaits at depths to 15 feet, but the spots are found anywhere from the banks to 30 feet. The spoon bite has been slow for white bass, but there have been some quality spots taken in swimjigs. The upcoming storms may bring new life into the reservoir. water temperatures remain relatively warm at between 54/55 degrees. Catfish can be taken on cut baits coated with scent, but the action is fair at best. The lake held at 52% this week. A webcam of the lake is available at lakenacimientolive.com.

At Lopez, an occasional quality largemouth bass to 5 pounds can be taken, but these are few and far between. Plastics on a Texas-rig, drop-shot, or shakey had are are the top techniques along with jigs in deep water. The crappie bite has slowed with the cold water. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam.

At Santa Margarita, the action is similar to Lopez with ‘feast or famine’ with mostly famine taking place with the best action on big plastic worms or jigs on a very slow presentation. Lipless crankbaits are another option. Crappie are holding on deep water structure, and minijigs or small swimbaits while catfish are biting cut baits coated with scent. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california.

At San Antonio, there isn’t much change with catfish remaining as the top species with cut baits coated with garlic spray. A few bass fishermen are targeting their species in deep water with plastics on a ‘dead stick’ presentation in deep water. The lake is now on the winter schedule, and the launch ramp is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The lake held at 37%.

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

Don Pedro - Christian Bass League – Jan. 11: 1st – Dan Sexton/Nate Couchman – 15.90 pounds (Big Fish – 5.44); 2nd –– Kirk Sakamoto/Keith Friesen – 13.90; 3rd – Jonathan Whitesett/Chuck Fuller – 12.90.

McClure –Best Bass Tournaments – Jan. 11: 1st – Steven Larussa Jr./Jerrod Voight – 11.12 pounds; 2nd –– Tom Gomez/Mike Goodman – 10.74; 3rd – Cory Kerber/Jeremy Pitts – 10.47 (Big Fish – 3.26).

McClure – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies – Jan. 11: 1st –Jimmy and Dave Gentry – 11.35 pounds ; 2nd –– Robert and Jose Martinez – 9.36v(Big Fish – 8.44); 3rd – Bill and William Vernon – 8.96.

Nacimiento –Best Bass Tournaments – Jan. 11: 1st – Fernando Salazar/Sal Rocha– 15.02 pounds; 2nd –– Ron and Heather Raymond– 12.74 (Big Fish – 5.77); 3rd – Randy Wallis/Mike Hummel– 11.15.

Upcoming

Jan. 16-19

Cal Expo/Sacramento – International Sportsmen’s Exposition – information: sportsexpos.com

Jan. 18

Camanche – Dan Mathisen Outdoors

New Melones – American Bass Association/Tri Valley Bassmasters

McClure – Best Bass Tournaments/Sierra Bass Club

Nacimiento – Kern County Bassmasters/Bakersfield Bass Club

Jan. 19

McClure – New Jen Bass Tournaments

Millerton – Fresno Bass Club

Pine Flat – Kings River Bass Club

Jan. 25

Delta/Martinez Marina – 14th Annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Derby

Don Pedro – Gold Country Junior Bass Club

McClure – 17-90 Bass Club

Nacimiento – Golden Empire Bass Club

Jan. 20

McClure – Nor Cal High School Bass Series

Pine Flat – Bass 101

Feb. 1-2

Delta/McAvoy’s Boat Harbor – Foundation Sportsmen’s Club Original Sturgeon aka ‘Super Bowl’ Sturgeon Derby

Delta/Russo’s Marina – American Bass Association

McClure – American Bass Association

Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Feb. 1

Delta/Tracy Oasis – Tracy Oasis Marina

Tulloch – American Bass Association

Don Pedro – Merced Bass Club

Feb. 2

New Melones – Riverbank Bass Anglers

Millerton – California Bass Federation

Success – Porterville Bass Club

Week of Jan. 19 by California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Fresno County: Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Woodward Park Lake

San Luis Obispo County: Barney Schwartz Park Lake

Tulare County: Del Lago Park Lake, Mooney Grove Park Pond

Week of Jan. 26

Fresno County: Avocado Lake, Woodward Park Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam

Inyo County: Diaz Lake, Owens River below Tinnemaha and section 2, Pleasant Valley Reservoir

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 10:26 AM with the headline "Fishing report for week of Jan. 15-21: Delta sturgeon, McClure bass among best bets."