Fishing report for week of Aug. 5-11: Wishon, Fresno-area bass lakes 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

Eastman, Pine Flat and Hensley producing bass, Jake Figgs said. Delta bass fishing good, Alan Fong reported. McClure bass hitting, Ryan Cook said. New Melones kokanee and bass active, Mike Gomez reported. Monterey bluefin tuna attracting anglers, Chris Arcolero said. Shaver kicking out mixed limits, Dick Nichols reported. Wishon plant spurs on trout bite, Kelly Brewer said.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

The water releases out of San Luis Reservoir slowed again this week, but there has been some decent action in the northern section of the California Aqueduct with anchovies, sardines or mackerel around the headgates when the water is moving.

In the southern portion in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakerfield said, “Those who know what they are doing are catching striped bass or catfish despite the accumulating moss.” Blood worms and live minnows are the best bait.

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

Jake Figgs of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported the largemouth bass bite continues to improve with the best action on jigs or Brush Hogs near the dam. Six-inch Zoom lizards in brown are also effective while green pumpkin or purple brown have been the top colors for the creature baits or jigs. The four-fish limits during the latest version of the River Rats Shootout this past Saturday showed significant improvement over the 10-pound limit during the last event. The winning team had a big fish at 10.23 pounds out of a limit of 18.20 pounds. There were three bass over 6 pounds weighed in so the bigger fish must be more active. The lake dropped from 26% to 23%.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Figgs reported, “The lake has consistently kicked out largemouth bass in the 5- to 6-pound range with big baits such as the 7-inch Berkley Power Worm in all black or deep-diving crankbaits. Numbers of bass in the 2- to 3-pound range are possible with crankbaits.” Boaters have to be extremely cautious with the low water levels, and most bass fishermen are either running slowly with their big motor or running solely on their trolling motor.

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

The Wild West Bass Trail is holding a kayak fishing event on the lake Aug. 9 and the final day for pre-fishing was Aug. 2. Shaun Leytem of Valley Springs pedaled over 9.5 miles for a five-fish limit at 76 inches, but he reported a tough bite. Mike Gomez of the Bait Barn in Waterford said the bass will come out of the deep water to around 25 feet around 9 p.m., and the fish will aggressively strike at the Z-Man Fatty Worm on a Texas-rig. The lake dropped from 78% to 77%.

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, “There hasn’t been much change with bass action best with plastics on a split-shot rig while there is a crappie bite for smaller slaps around structure in the South Fork around Camp 9 with live minnows or minijigs. Catfishing remains the best option with Triple S Dip bait, nightcrawlers, or cut baits.” The lake dropped from 27% to 24%.

The upper Kern River is flowing between 150 and 200 cfs, and regular plants are spurring on a solid bite in the deep pools with live crickets, nightcrawlers or dry flies. The 20 Mile stretch has been the best location for dries. In the lower Kern, the river is flowing around 900 cfs, and largemouth and smallmouth bass along with catfish and the occasional rainbow trout are possibilities. Bob’s Bait and Tackle remains open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Dennis Turner of Bakersfield took the July Catfish Derby with a 17-pound whiskerfish. Bob’s combined the Catfish and Carp Derbies this year during the month of July.

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

Gary Wasson of Visalia, local bass fishing expert, said, “The bass bite is getting better in deep water with jigs or plastics on the drop shot.” The lake dropped from 15% to 12%.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company said, “Anglers are hitting the lake in the early mornings or late afternoons into the evenings for bass. The lake is low, and fishermen are targeting rocky points with crankbaits, plastic worms or jigs. The bite should improve this coming week with the cooler temperatures predicted.”

Wasson said, “The bass bite has slowed to a crawl, but jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are the most productive techniques.”

The lake dropped from 33% to 22%.

In the Tule River, Stokke said, “The river is still very productive for trout, and rainbows with the occasional brute brown trout is landed on Woolly Buggers, dry flies or nymphs. Spin casters are still hooking planted rainbows with Panther Martins in the deeper pools.”

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

Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing and Guide Service reported, “The bite really hasn’t changed much as it is definitely wind-driven. There is a topwater bite in the early mornings with buzzbaits, Whopper Ploppers or River2Sea Rovers, but when the lake is flat calm, you have to drop to the bottom with tubes, or plastics on the Neko-rig. The jig bite is improving, and the bass are coming up with crawdads in their throats. If you want a big fish, the best time is clearly at night.” Catfishing remains a good option with chicken livers or nightcrawlers along muddy, sloping banks. The lake dropped from 58% to 56%.

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

Minimal change here as the focus has transitioned at this lake to primarily a recreational water park as trout plants have been limited. Intermittent holdover rainbow trout are possible in the early mornings or late evenings off of the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks or the peninsula near the marina with trout dough bait or inflated nightcrawlers.

Call: McSwain Marina 209-378-2534

Figgs reported Millerton remains a “dinkfest” with small bass taking center stage. The small spotted bass are found throughout the main lake with spy baits, jerkbaits or plastics on a wacky-rig at depths from 15 to 20 feet. Crankbaits are also working, but it is difficult to find any sizable bass. The lake dropped from 58% to 50%. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Boating after dark requires navigation lights and 5 mph speed limit.

Sycamore Island is open Friday through Sunday and state holidays from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitors should follow all social distancing guidelines while at the park, including wearing a mask if entering the bait shop. Annual and day-use passes are available for purchase through the River Parkway Trust’s website at riverparkway.org. Visitors are encouraged to purchase passes in advance for contactless payment and to help limit traffic in the bait shop.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

Experienced kokanee fishermen are finding solid action for big fish over 2 pounds by working the bottom in 85 feet of water with Apex lures behind a Gold Series Mag Tackle dodger. The kokanee are fat and healthy, but you have to search to find them.

Mike Gomez of the Bait Barn in Waterford said, “The bass bite is on fire with basically everything – topwater lures in the early mornings or late afternoons, glide baits, jigs, spinnerbaits or swimbaits.” The bass aree shallow in the mornings and evenings before moving out to deep water off of vertical rock or submerged island tops; use plastics on a shaky head or wacky-rig. The lake dropped from 69% to 68%.

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

Figgs reported a solid bass bite for largemouth bass in the shadows along the banks with jigs in green pumpkin/chartreuse around Windy Gap. He said, “The bass move up quickly in the evenings from deeper water, and they are holding on the chunk rock and not the larger boulders. Casting weightless flukes or the jigs on a 3/8-ounce jig head to the bank and retrieving to the boat is working best. Since the plant of king salmon in 2019, anglers are catching live shad and drifting them for kings to 17 inches in the river arm past Rattlesnake Creek.” The lake dropped from 40% to 33%.

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

San Luis Reservoir has been quiet for the past several months as water releases and warm temperatures have affected the overall striped bass action, but there are some hints of change on the horizon. Bank fishing has been the best bet with bait since the start of the summer, but the trolling bite is starting to come on.

Roger George of Roger’s Guide Service in Fresno, the only authorized fishing guide on the reservoir, said, “Falling water, wind and warm temperatures and a full moon have slowed the bite a lot for trollers, but shore anglers are doing OK on school-sized fish. We had hoped that the recent input of water would continue, but the lake has fallen about 2 feet in the last week to 956,000-acre-feet storage. The water temperatures are around 73 degrees, and the visibility is only about 2 feet due to the algae mixed into the water from all the wind. Trollers are scoring on a few school fish dragging P-Line Predator Minnows, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, Lucky Crafts and broken-back Rapalas for linesides to 24 inches. The Portuguese Cove area is holding fish in the channel, and some anglers are working the west and north shore areas for fish. The better bite has been on shallower fish in the 45- to 60-foot range. The weekends are drawing large numbers of anglers with over 35 boats launching at Basalt alone on Sunday. I guided John Turner of Fresno on Sunday and I told him the full moon could stifle the bite and we should fish hard and just focus on getting a few bites for a big fish. Got two great bites fishing from 10 a.m. to 7:15 – John caught a 24-pounder on a silver minnow lure, then later I had a fish hit my lure that I couldn’t move at first. (John told me to catch it!) The 34-pounder was a truck. We used the Seaqualizer to release both of them. All my scouting this year is helping now. The fish are holding at 30 to 60 feet and both fish came by working the water at around 40 to 50 feet with silver the best color option now. The fish are feeding on minnows that are holding on flats. We only got 10 fish all day; the full moon caused them to become inactive and suspend. I circled the lake twice looking for active schools. It was hot, hard work, but an epic day.”

The Basalt launch ramp dock has been relocated as the lake has receded, and launching and loading is safer and easier now.

Figgs reported with jerkbaits such as Duo Realis difficult to obtain, shore anglers are primarily soaking bait such as anchovies with Dinosaur Point being a popular location.

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “It’s been pretty good at San Luis, and a few of our diehard San Luis regulars have been working the boils with Duo Realis jerkbaits in saltwater patterns such as Sardine. The big saltwater jerkbaits have been very popular right now. The boils have been taking place for around a half-hour near Romero Visitor Center. Trollers are also working near Romero, and we are selling out of blood and pile worms within a few days of their arrival due to interest from bank fishermen. The best action is taking place when the pumps are running.”

Boating is available from 6 a.m. until sunset, and the park closes at 10 p.m. The lake dropped from 48% to 47%.

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

Recreational boating remains very high during the week, and particularly on the weekends. Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing has been scoring a few quality rainbows to 19 inches along with the occasional large third-year kokanee with pink or blue Radical Glow Tubes or Mag Tackle hoochie spinners behind a Rocky Mountain purple Moonshine dodger at depths to 35 feet. Few bass fishermen are bothering the species right now between the boat traffic and the enforcement of the Sheriff’s Motor Fee. The lake held at 95%. Lake webcams and conditions: basslakeca.com/index.php.

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

Edison dropped to 45%, Florence dropped to 64% and Mammoth Pool dropped to 74%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

The kokanee action continues to become more of a challenge, but guides continue to score mixed limits of rainbow trout and kokanee with a variety of kokanee gear at depths between 40 and 50 feet in 70 to 80 feet of water. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “Shaver was a roller-coaster ride this week as the bite slowed. Three mixed limits have been taking up to 6.5 hours, but on the following day, the bite has been faster. We have been scoring with pink/white or pink/purple Dick’s Mountain Hoochies behind a larger 5.5-inch Mountain Dodger at 50 to 60 feet with the side poles loaded with Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler on the first hook and corn on the back hook in front of a weighted Mountain Flasher at a setback of 100 feet or around 22 feet in depth.”

Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service said, “The bite has been tougher with our best action between 40 and 50 feet in 60 to 75 feet of water. Pink Radical Glow Tube in the early morning, followed by the orange Radical Glow Tube behind either the Father Murphy or Rocky Mountain Tackle Moonshine dodger. A few of the larger third-year kokanee are found in deeper water, but the kokanee haven’t grouped up enough yet.”

Steve Peckham, Jim Travis and Harold McCracken of Affordable Tackle fished Shaver very early this past week to avoid the recreational boat traffic and there was plenty of boat traffic. Travis said, “We brought home seven kokanee to 14.5 inches and released numerous 2-year-olds and small rainbows. The kokanee are entering spawning mode and holding close to the bottom and harder to get. Our best depth was between 37 and 42 feet running from 1.2 mph to 1.6 mph with pink, glow white and pink/purple hoochies tipped with shoepeg corn with tuna oil and garlic scent behind a gold or red-spotted Raven dodger.”

The lake is starting to release water, and it dropped from 88% to 85%.

Sierra Marina launch ramp webcam: sierramarina.com/camera.html.

At Huntington, the water releases have finally started as the lake dropped slightly to 97%. A smaller grade of trout and kokanee than at downstream Shaver remains available for trollers working from the north shore with orange/green or pink/green spinners along with hoochies in pink/white with a purple stripe or pink/green at depths to 40 feet.

Call: Dick Nichols, Dick’s Fishing Charters 281-6948; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072

At Wishon, Kelly Brewer of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store reported the trout bite improved this week due to the recent plant, and both bank fishermen and trollers are getting in on the action. Trollers are finding success at depths from 40 to 80 feet with blade/’crawler combinations, Needlefish or chartreuse/red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler behind a dodger.

Jake Figgs said, “A 12-pound brown was reported at the river inlet with another brown at 8 pounds reported last week.” These are the largest trout reported at the lake in decades.

Shore fishing has improved at the mouth of Short Hair Creek, the boat launch, the dam and across the lake at the inlet with inflated nightcrawlers or trout dough bait.

At Courtright, Brewer reported a trout plant occurred this week, and trollers are finding quality rainbows and brown trout to 18 inches at depths from 40 to 80 feet with red or green Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of ’crawler behind a dodger, blade/’crawler combinations or Needlefish. With the plant, bank fishing is solid with trout dough bait or inflated nightcrawlers along both sides of the dam. The lake is 10 feet from spilling, and boats are easily launched.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Go to fresnobee.com/fishing for Ocean, Delta, Kern County and Central Coast lakes, event results and tournament schedules and trout plants.

Scheduled by California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Week of Aug. 2

Fresno County: Dinkey Creek, Hume Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River (South Fork), Ward Lake

Inyo County: Bishop Creek (Lower), Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha and Section 2)

Mono County: Owens River (Section 3)

Tuolumne County: Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch), Lyons Reservoir, Powerhouse Stream, Stanislaus River (South, Middle and Clarks forks), Tuolumne River (South and Middle forks)

Week of Aug. 9

Fresno County: Dinkey Creek, Huntington Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Mono Creek, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River (South Fork), Ward Lake

Inyo County: Bishop Creek (Lower), Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha and Section 2)

Week of Aug. 16

Fresno County: Courtright Reservoir, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River (South Fork), Ward Lake, Wishon Reservoir

Inyo County: Bishop Creek (Lower), Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha and Section 2)

Mono County: Owens River (Section 3)

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Salmon 2 Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Surf Perch 3 Bluefin tuna 2

It has been windy out of Half Moon Bay, but the Queen of Hearts came in with a fish per rod on the salmon with 5 salmon for a light load of 4 anglers on Monday.

Captain Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete said, “The bluefin have moved north closer to the Farallon Islands along the 59 line. Locally, the red tide that has plagued the coastline near the Ritz Hotel has dissipated, and some big salmon showed up with one six pack scoring limits two consecutive days trolling gold spoons similar to those used by commercial salmon fishermen. The rockfish, lingcod, and halibut are all hitting the baits on the troll so you have to be prepared with either extra bait or run lures. These salmon were large, but the area off of the Ritz has pinnacles so the lings are coming up at 35 feet in 70 feet of water. When the wind is down, kayakers have been working from Number 1 South Buoy down to the Ritz for salmon, and a few salmon have been taken near the Number 3 Green Buoy.”

There have been several bluefin tuna to 180 pounds landed over the past week outside of the Deep Reef as the bluefin were in the brown water. After a lengthy fight, Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat was able to haul in a bluefin this past week. Their boat has been focusing upon rockfishing for the most part with limits of rockfish and the occasional ling cod in shallow water near Pescadero.

The Pacifica Municipal Pier is open from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

Call: Captain Dennis Baxter – New Captain Pete (650) 576-3844; Captain Tom Mattusch – Huli Cat (650) 619-0459.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Salmon 2 Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Sand Dabs 2 Surf Perch 3 Bluefin tuna 3

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing said, “The wind has been blowing the past few days, and we have been staying local for limits of rockfish as we can’t make it down to Point Sur. The salmon bite has been very slow with few, if any salmon landed in Monterey Bay.” Bluefin tuna continue to be a top draw to the area, and there have been quite a few bluefin up to 180 pounds landed over the past week prior to the winds moving in the past few days. Local tackle shops have experienced a run on 150-pound line along with cedar plugs and big Rapalas. Once the bluefin are hooked, they have been taking up to five hours to come to the gaff.”

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported anchovies have been very thick along the Santa Cruz side, and there were 10 legal halibut landed off of the Santa Cruz Pier over the weekend. He said, “I was out for a few hours off of Moss Landing and the mouth of Elkhorn Slough for a few small perch. The striped bass have been scattered with perch being the most consistent surf option.”

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

San Francisco Bay

Salmon 3 Halibut 3 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 2

The salmon action is steadily improving, and a fish per rod to limits has been the rule. Captain Jerad Davis came in with one shy of limits on Monday with 21 big salmon to 29 pounds with a huge 18- to 20-pound average. They also loaded up on Bolinas and black rockfish working up north near Double Point.

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’Up Sport Fishing was off of Stinson Beach on Monday, and they put in 5 big salmon out of 6 bites before they had to get off of the water. He said, “We started the day with a double, and the lines got tangled up with the big fish running all over, but we were able to get both of them in. Our final salmon got off after a big tangle as it was ripping out line so hard and ended up tangling with more than one line. These were all big fish, but the wind came up, and once it did, it was a rough ride back into the Golden Gate. While crossing the bar, I had everyone holding on to three points since we had a few over the bow. Previously, we put in 5 limits of halibut off of the South Bar on Saturday, but the wind kept us off of the bar on Sunday as we had a few sick anglers.”

Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters was out for a few hours on Sunday morning, and he put in three big salmon drifting off of the Marin coastline before coming in.

The party boats from Berkeley and Sausalito averaged around a fish per rod on Monday, and the majority of the fleet has been up around Double Point.

The Sea Wolf out of Emeryville continues to be the only boat consistently targeting rockfish, and they posted an impressive score of 17 limits of rockfish, 25 lings to 14 pounds, and two bonus halibut on Monday.

The halibut bite has been off the hook, and Captain Quang Vo on the Goldeneye 2000 out of Berkeley Marina posted huge halibut scores on Sunday and Monday working off of the South Bar with 21 limits of halibut on Monday (63) after scoring 70 the previous day.

Captain James Smith of the California Dawn also had a banner day on Monday working the bar with 17 limits of halibut to 21 pounds.

Inside the bay, Captain Joey Gamez has been loading up with shark limits as he has booked a number of shark trips in the coming weeks.

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

San Luis Obispo

Rockfish -3 Salmon -1 Surf Perch – 3

Rockfishing remains solid out of the San Luis Obispo ports with limits to near limits of rockfish the rule. The ling cod counts on the local waters are low, and the boats have to travel far from the local reefs to find the larger lings. Out of Morro Bay Landing, the Endeavor, Starfire, and Avenger were out on Sunday with a combined 65 anglers for 223 vermilion, 13 copper, 16 Boccaccio, 398 assorted rockfish, 8 ling cod to 12 pounds along with 3 ocean whitefish. Rex Davis of Exeter landed the big ling. Also out of Morro Bay at Virg’s Landing, the Fiesta and Black Pearl were out on Monday with 37 anglers for 83 vermilion to 6.5 pounds, 20 copper, 190 assorted rockfish, and 40 Boccaccio for near limits of rockfish. Sam Sarason of Bakerfield took the jackpot with the 6.5-pound vermilion while David Beckley took another jackpot with 6-pound vermilion. Out of Port San Luis, the Patriot and Phenix were out with 52 anglers on Sunday for 28 vermilion, 3 copper, 489 assorted rockfish, and a 4-pound ling cod. All ports are running a variety of trips from ½- day to long range ventures far from the harbor.

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

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 2 Sturgeon 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2 Salmon 2

With the warm water temperatures in the Sacramento and Old Sacramento Rivers, the salmon are busting through on their way to the upper river, stopping to rest on a seldom basis. As a result, we are still waiting for our first bank salmon off of the Suisun Bay locations, and the north Delta below Freeport is giving up the occasional salmon for those trolling spinners or jigging spoons. The wind has been consistent, and it has been a limiting factor for trolling as well as bait fishing from a boat.

Out of Riverside Bait at Vieira’s Resort near Isleton on the Old Sacramento River, Sylvia Viera reported a few salmon trollers are starting to show up, but there haven’t been any salmon landed as the water is still way too warm in the mid-70-degree range. They are taking reservations for RV’s with around 50% capacity for the upcoming salmon season, and the cabins are also available.”

Alan Fong, manager of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento, is planning on heading out for striped bass in the north Delta this week, and he said, “Rick Tietz of Blade Runner Spoons found good action in Liberty Island this week for stripers in the 5- to 8-pound range tossing River2Sea SWavers. I plan on throwing big baits since I am looking for big fish. If the stripers aren’t around, I will switch over to seeking largemouth bass, and there is a good punch bite right now with the Missile Craw Father on a 1.5-ounce tungsten weight as there are so many mats up north.”

The Rio Vista City Launch Ramp is under construction through January 2021, and it is closed to vehicle access. The restrooms are also closed.

In Suisun Bay, the first salmon of the season has yet to appear from the shorelines as Tony Lopez of Benicia Bait said, “There hasn’t been any salmon yet, but there were a few striped bass taken on Sunday morning, but they were released due to having sores. That really surprises me since the stripers should be coming out of the bay and ocean. There hasn’t been a single salmon at either 1st Street or the State Park. One boat was out at the Fleet on Saturday night, and they caught and released a sturgeon estimated at 8 feet on grass shrimp.”

Also in Suisun Bay, Dave Sharp of Marina Bait and Tackle in Suisun City said, “It has been extremely windy in the Delta, and I went out of Brannan Island this week to try and fish the main river, but we had to hide behind Decker Island in Horseshoe Bend to get out of the wind. We couldn’t fish my favorite spot taught to me by Jay Sorensen due to the wind so we had to move up closer to the transport dock, ending up with some short fish along with a couple of schoolies. We were soaking anchovies along with fresh shad that I was able to obtain from Rio Vista Bait and Tackle. It didn’t matter if you used shad or anchovies, they bit about the same. Trollers were doing well on the West Bank, but the stripers disappeared there, and most trollers are working from the Antioch Bridge to Eddo’s Marina on the San Joaquin. We have been able to consistently keep grass and ghost shrimp in the shop, and there remains a high demand for tackle. Fortunately, we are well stocked in most areas and finally received some large minnows this week as well.”

The second of the two specialty tournaments was held out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island this past weekend, and the combination of the full moon and the extreme low tide made for challenging conditions for topwater enthusiasts for the second straight weekend. The frog bite during the Ultimate Frog Challenge 5 was clearly a challenge, and there was hope for an improved bite with the addition of various topwater lures for the first annual ‘Delta Blow Up.’

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, hosted the event, and he said, “It was tough sledding out there with the full moon and the low tide, and there were fewer bass in the shallows. The bass were hitting the baits, but they were missing although there were a number of bass landed to make up the three-fish limits. We had 65 teams, and the amateurs ended up with heavier weights than the pros with the top amateur bass at 9.11 pounds with two more in the 6-pound range while the big fish in the pro division was just over 4 pounds. An 11-year old boy and his father came in second in the amateur division, and I heard good results from the ima Little Stick, buzzbaits, and the Snag Proof Frog. I had predicted that the topwater lures would work over the flats where there is current as you can move the lure faster when there is current since the bass will be more active. In the slower water of the back sloughs, you will have to keep the topwater lure in the strike zone as long as possible.”

Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors and Phenix Rods took 4th place at the Wednesday night Shoot out at Ladd’s Marina with a limit at 18.50 pounds including a big fish at 7.20 pounds. He said, “I threw a double-buzz bait all night with great results, and I didn’t see the need to change to any other technique. I was using a buzz bait with floats that I had found in Arkansas. The frog bite has been slow, but the buzz baits and the Whopper Plopper should do well in this weekend’s tournament.”

Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert, was out on the San Joaquin this week, and he said, “The wind was bad, and we tried outside of Decker Island but we couldn’t troll with the wind so we ducked inside of a tule berm on the San Joaquin. The fish were stacked in there, ad we hooked up with a double just when we let out the lines. My partner landed one close to 8 pounds on this first pass. We ended up with 10 keepers to 8 pounds, keeping two limits including a 22-incher that was bleeding badly. These were all quality stripers, and one of them had a fresh bluegill in its gullet when we cleaned it. We quit early due to the wind, but there was no grass where we were trolling.”

Dave Houston was out with Alan Grossman and two of his grandkids for their first striper adventure this week, He said, “With the smaller tides, the grass has dissipated a lot and kids landed 7 keepers and 5 shakers on the San Joaquin trolling deep using darker-colored lures. We did not catch anything on chartreuse.” Houston was back out on Friday, and he said, “It was very different than a few days ago as there is a lot of algae floating in the water column and some places there is way too much grass to troll. The stripers were hitting mostly on the top hook or getting snagged somewhere on their head, and although we see this every year, it’s usually a little bit later. I fished between the Antioch Bridge and Prisoners Point on the San Joaquin, but the further you went up river, the darker the fish as if they had been in the river longer. We ended up with 12 keepers to 8 pounds along with 6 shakers released.”

In the south Delta west of Stockton, H and R Bait reported tremendous interest in fishing, but there has been few outstanding catches. Jumbo red worms, red worms, and waxworms remain the staple for bluegill and red ear perch from the banks along Whiskey Slough, Bacon Island Road, and Eight Mile Road.

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

Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez

Bass 3 White bass 2=Striper 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2

There has been minimal change at the coastal lakes with Lake Nacimiento the top location for spotted bass while the occasional quality largemouth is found out of Santa Margarita or Lopez. At Nacimiento, the boat traffic is heavy, particularly on the weekends, and the best time for fishing is in the early mornings or late afternoons when the recreational boats are off of the water. In the mornings, there is a reaction bite on spinnerbaits, topwater lures, jerkbaits, or underspins in the mornings, but the most consistent action is working the bottom with finesse techniques of plastics on a drop-shot rig at depths to 20 feet. Crappie are taken on minijigs inside of structure at depths to 20 feet. Catfish are becoming active, and they are striking bass gear along with the normal whiskerfish baits of cut baits soaked in garlic scent. The lake dropped from 38 to 36%. A webcam of the lake is available at http://www.lakenacimientolive.com/. At Lopez, the bass bite remains hit or miss, but there are quality largemouth bass for the taking with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, or mid- to deep-diving crankbaits in the mornings or evenings. The most consistent bite remains remains on the bottom at depths to 20 feet with plastics on a drop-shot, Ned-rig, Texas-rig, and wacky-rigged Senkos. Bluegill and red ear perch are taken on red worms, minicrawlers, or jumbo red worms at depths to 10 feet while a few holdover rainbow trout are still found in the deepest portions of the lake by trollers running small spoons. A webcam of the lake is available at http://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/. The bass bite at Santa Margarita is fair at best for a larger variety of largemouths to 6 pounds with topwater action early or late before working deep-diving crankbaits. However, similar to the other coastal lakes, the most consistent bite is with plastics on the drop-shot, Texas-rig, or Ned-rig are also working over the steep vertical walls and main lake points with shallow water access. Catfish are found on mackerel or anchovies soaked in garlic with panfish taken on mealworms or jumbo red worms near structure. The operating hours at San Antonio are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends only. The panfish bite continues to improve for both bluegill and crappie with mealworms, red worms, or minijigs at depths to 15 feet. Catfishing is best with anchovies, sardines, or mackerel coated with garlic scent. Bass fishing remains challenging with the best action on finesse techniques. The lake dropped from 25 to 24%.

Events

Tournament results

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Delta Blow Up Pro Division– August 1st/2nd =

(Six-fish weigh in): 1st – Ron Howe/Michael Birch – 18.55 pounds (Big Fish – 5.29); 2nd: Westley Heints/Neil Hornback – 17.75; 3rd – Billy Hume/Mike Kuhlman – 16.70.

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Delta Blow Up Amateur Division– August 1st/2nd -

(Six-fish weigh in): 1st – James Friend/John Hampel – 20.79 pounds (Big Fish – 6.85); 2nd: Shaun and Ryder Walker – 20.37; 3rd – Cameron Cardoza/Jeremy Wright – 20.34.

Eastman – River Rats Tournament (No last names listed)– August 1st: 1st – Ryan/Darren – 18.20 pounds (Big Fish – 10.23); 2nd: Angelo/Pete – 16.39; 3rd – John/ – 9.14.

Upcoming tournaments (subject to change)

Aug. 7

New Melones – Wild West Bass Trails

Aug. 8-9

Pine Flat – Fresno Bass Club/Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Best Bass Tournament

Aug. 8

Delta/Russo’s Marina – New Jen Bass Tournaments

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – River Rats

New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

San Antonio – Good Old Boys

Aug. 9

New Melones – Wild West Bass Trails

Don Pedro – Slay Nation Tournaments/Wild West Bass Trails

Aug. 12

Pine Flat – Bass 101

Aug. 14

Kaweah – Visalia Bass Club

Aug. 15

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors

Aug. 19-21

Delta/Russo’s – FLW, LLC

Aug. 22

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournament

Aug. 23

Delta/Russo’s Marina – New Jen Bass Tournaments

Aug. 29

Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournament

Aug. 29-30

Don Pedro – Modesto Ambassadors

Millerton – Bass 101

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Fishing report for week of Aug. 5-11: Wishon, Fresno-area bass lakes among best bets."