Fishing report for week of Sept. 2-8: San Luis reopens; Shaver kokanee 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

Salmon bite surges along the Marin coastline, Captain Jerad Davis reported. San Luis Reservoir to reopen this week, Roger George said. Shaver Lake continues to kick out big kokanee, Dick Nichols said; Lake Nacimiento loading up with impressive coastal lake bass limits, John Hennecke Jr. reported. Rockfishing remains solid along the California coast, Chris Smith said.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

The California Aqueduct took on new popularity while the O’Neill Forebay and San Luis Reservoir were closed to traffic, but both lakes reopened Tuesday. Anchovies, sardines or shad are working for school-sized striped bass in the northern section of the aqueduct. Largemouth bass are taken on Senkos or Rat-L-Traps.

In the southern portion in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield reported decent action for both striped bass and catfish with cut baits, blood worms or live minnows for the linesides while the whiskerfish are taken on Triple S Dip Bait, chicken livers, mackerel or nightcrawlers.

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

Jake Figgs of Valley Rod and Gun said, “Big plastics are producing a few largemouths, but the best action has been for catfish at night with chicken livers or anchovies.” The lake is rapidly releasing water, and it dropped from 13% to 10% this week, and few bass fishermen are willing to take their boats into the shallow lake.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Figgs said, “The bass bite remains tough with a few largemouths taken on jigs, crankbaits or plastic worms. Catfishing at night is popular with chicken liver, anchovies, nightcrawlers or King Cat Dip Bait.” The lake held at the low level at 15%, and similar to Eastman, few bass fishermen are targeting the lake due to the unmarked hazards.

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

Smoke from the Moc fire continues to hang over the region, and fishing interest has been slow. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service intends on starting trips for holdover rainbow trout, but the kokanee bite is slow. Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing and Guide Service reported a continued tough bass bite with the few fish that have been found have been suspended offshore. He said, “I haven’t been taking any clients there because the bite is tough and McClure has been consistent. 9 to 10 pounds have been the winning tournament weights over the past few weeks.”

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, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield reported a a solid bass bite on spinnerbaits, large plastic worms or crankbaits while catfishing remains strong with nightcrawlers, clams, chicken livers, or Triple S Dip Bait. Crappie have been taken on live minnows near Red’s Marina. There is an algae bloom on the lake, and the water is green in many locations. The lake dropped from 20% to 19%.

In the upper Kern River, Cormier reported a decent trout bite in the deeper holes with live crickets, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers while the lower Kern below the dam has been good for catfish or smallmouth bass. Buena Vista has a fair catfish and crappie bite in the evenings. Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company reported that the Golden Trout Wilderness in the high country of the watershed of the Kern River is currently on fire with zero containment so all pack trips are on hold.

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, reported a good morning bite with reaction baits before dropping to the bottom at depths to 20 feet with jigs. The lake held at the low level of 8%.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company said, “The lake is extremely low, but a number of fishermen are getting out on the lake early in the morning before it heats up, and they are scoring with crankbaits on rocky points and rocky islands. Once the sun comes out, the best action is on the bottom with plastic worms or jigs. Once the sun is overhead, fishing has been tough.” Wasson confirmed Stokke’s report, touting crankbaits or jigs at depths from 10 to 20 feet. The lake dropped from 11% to 10%.

In the Tule River, Stokke said, “Fishing has been excellent in the morning before it slows down in the middle of the day. Dry flies, especially hoppers, stimulators and carpenter ant patterns are working well.”

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

Cook said, “The bass bite has picked up a lot in the last week, and the numbers of fish have been doubling for us. There is a topwater bite as the bass are busting shad on the surface from one end of the lake to the other in all of the pockets. We didn’t see this at all last week. I found a boil of spotted bass in the 6- to 14-inch range, and I tossed a 6-inch Neko rig into the boil and landed an 8.28-pound largemouth bass. This was the hardest fighting bass that I have ever landed as it was really pulling hard.” Catfishing continues to improve, particularly at night, with chicken livers or nightcrawlers along muddy, sloping banks. The lake is at 48%.

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. The lack of trout plants has affected fishing action. 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 said, “The spotted bass has improved for numbers as the bass are suspending in the main lake at depths from 15 to 30 feet. Duo Realis Spy Baits in Ghost Minnow or jerkbaits in Neo Pearl are working by counting down to 15 while Keitech swimbaits on an Okashira screwhead are also working. The screw head turns the swimbait into a spy bait. Soft plastics worked from the bank out to 30 feet are also productive. Most of the spots are barely 12 inches, but there are some larger fish to 4 pounds.” Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; boats on the water after dark must have navigation lights and observe the 5 mph speed limit. The lake dropped to 42%.

Sycamore Island is open Friday through Sunday and state holidays from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

The news of the massive kokanee brought out a fleet of 20 boats over the weekend working a small area where the 3rd-year kokanee had Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service moving to an alternate area for 14 kokanee to 19 inches with 1.5-inch Apex lures behind a big gold dodger. Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp said, “You have to put in some time locating the kokanee and waiting till they are done feeding on the plankton before any decent bite will happen. They are deep and on the bottom of an island top or shelf at depths from 80 to 100 feet. Bass fishing is best with reaction baits in the early morning such as ripping a spinnerbait off of the shoreline or through brush tops, banging crankbaits into rocks or stumps, or sputtering a topwater lure or buzzbait through shallow cover before working the bottom with a jig or plastic worm. Catfishing is decent with shad, clams, or cut baits, and we will be holding our annual Catfish Contest soon. The crappie bite has slowed down, perhaps due to the heat.”

Glory Hole Point middle launch ramp and Tuttletown Launch ramps are open as well as a single ramp at Angels Cove. Tuttletown is now open for camping and day-use. All campgrounds on the Glory Hole side of the lake will remain closed due to ongoing water issues. The Bureau of Reclamation has opened their New Melones office on Studhorse Flat Road Saturday and Sunday only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Melones held at 66%.

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

Figgs said, “The lake continues to recede with 500 cubic feet per second inflow and 2,000 cfs outflow, and it dropped from 24% to 22% this week. The bass bite has been very tough with the dropping water, but there are some spotted bass taken on crankbaits in the main lake. The deepest water around Sycamore is only 14 feet, and the bass have been transitioning from the river arm to the main lake. For crankbaits, Rapala DT10 are working along with Keitech swimbaits. Catfishing is best around the submerged trees with fresh shad, anchovies, or chicken livers for whiskerfish to 12 pounds.” The Bass 101 Open Night tournament produced an impressive winning weight over 14 pounds on Saturday night.

With the heavy water releases, the lower Kings is running fast, but there is a trout plant scheduled..

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

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service planned to be on the lake when it reopened Tuesday. He said, “The lake was closed for around 10 days due to the smoke and fire to the north of 152. During this period, the lake level has risen 5 feet, reaching a new capacity of 968,000 acre-feet. The full moon will probably slow the bite this week, but the forecast shows some hot, but stable, conditions for the next week or two. This should bring the bite back into line. The input of water right now is a welcome change, one we’ve been waiting for. The water temperatures should be near 80 degrees, which is seasonal. These factors should set up a good fall for the lake.”

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The striped bass are boiling in the mornings, and anglers are walking down from the Highway 152 side of the lake to toss topwater lures into the boils in the early mornings. Evergreen’s Shower Blows, Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers are all working.

“In the O’Neill Forebay, anglers have been walking in to the Highway 33 side to toss topwater lures into the boils for primarily undersized striped bass.”

Pumping from the south Delta has begun again, and the lake rose from 45% to 47%.

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

The weekends are still crowded with recreational boats, but the traffic is starting to show signs of slowing down. Figgs reported bass fishing is very slow with plastics on the drop-shot producing a few fish. The numbers of big kokanee are diminishing, but Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing has landed a few of the 3rd-year kokanee to 19.5 inches this week along with a fair number of planted rainbows in the 13- to 14-inch range. There are lots of 9-inch kokanee biting lures intended for much larger fish. He was scoring with pink or blue Radical Glow Tubes or Mag Tackle hoochie spinners behind a Rocky Mountain purple Moonshine dodger at depths to 40 feet

The lake held 93%. Lake webcams and conditions: basslakeca.com/index.php.

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

Edison dropped to 32%, Florence dropped to 35% and Mammoth Pool dropped to 48%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

The numbers of the big kokanee are dwindling at Shaver Lake as pressure to target the kokanee preparing to spawn has ramped up within the past weeks as both the action and interest in planted trout has diminished.

Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “It was a tad more stable this week after a couple of weeks of roller-coaster action, and we are still fishing the same area near the Point. Although the recreational boat traffic is beginning to diminish, it has been difficult to run our normal trolling patterns due to heavy trolling traffic with the emergence of the big fish. We are focusing on the big kokanee and not trout as the trout have been on hiatus. However, the island, Black Rock, and the mouth of Boy Scout Cove have produced some trout, and I expect the Stevenson Bay area to pick up soon. However, most trollers are finding the trout fairly scarce. The island, Black Rock and the mouth of Boy Scout Cove have produced some trout. I expect the trout action in Stevenson Bay to pick up soon, I was out with the Stevenson family of Clovis on Sunday, and father Ed and his daughters, Tori and Lauren, along with their friend Josh Moore limited out on kokanee before 11 a.m. with three of the 3rd-year kokanee in the mix running orange, pink, or fluorescent pink Dick’s Mountain Hoochies or orange Dick’s Mountain Stick behind a purple/silver or gold Mountain Dodger at 75 to 90 feet near the Point. My fellow guide, Tom Oliveira of Mag Tackle, was working the same area at similar depths on Saturday, and he put in limits for his six customers using the MAG Tackle new Harmony gold dodger with an orange hoochie with the gold micro-blade.”

Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service said, “We have been averaging three to six of the big 3rd-year per trip this week, down from the numbers we found recently, but there are plenty of 2nd-year kokanee. The pink Radical Glow Tube worked earlier this week, but the lime green RGT behind a Starburst 5.5-inch green Moonshine dodger or the blue RGT behind a purple Moonshine dodger along with the orange Double Glow Hoochie behind an orange Moonshine dodger at depths to 90 feet. A few anglers are already jigging for the big fish that are hugging the bottom.”

At Huntington, Jay and Delinda Irvine of Visalia took Jay’s 91-year old father, Jack, on Sunday, and they landed two limits of kokanee using Dick’s pink/white/purple hoochie behind a pink/purple Mountain Dodger at 40 to 45 feet while Delinda also landed a limit of kokanee using Paulina Peak’s pink/purple Spinner Hoochie behind a flasher at a setback of 100 feet.

Shaver dropped slightly to 81% with Huntington rising to 98%.

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

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 said, “There have been several huge brown trout taken out of the lake this year, and Les Wenger of Bass Lake landed a 32-inch brown on a 6-inch Rapala using 4-pound test this week. The recent trout plant has spurred on action for catchables with Wedding Rings tipped by a nightcrawler behind a dodger or with blade/’crawler combinations from the surface to 30 feet. Chuck Crain took his grandchildren to the far end of the lake into the headwaters, and they caught and released numerous rainbows on dry flies. Green or rainbow trout dough bait is working from the banks in the early mornings or evenings. Boats are able to be launched from the concrete ramp, but the dock is out of the water.”

At Courtright, Brewer said, “The lake is still on the ramp, and the action has been similar to the past week with fair bank fishing with green or rainbow trout dough bait while trollers are working Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler behind a dodger or blade/’crawler combinations at depths to 30 feet.”

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.

Troutu plants

None in region weeks of Sept. 6 and 13 according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife as of Aug. 31.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Salmon 2 Rockfish 4 Striper 2 White sea bass 0 Crab 0 Sand Dabs 2 Surf Perch 3

Rockfishing is the best came in town with all party boats concentrating on rockfish on the local reefs. Those wanting numbers of salmon are running the 18 miles north to the Channel Buoys.

Captain Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete said, “There were a few salmon taken at the edge of the bay off of Buoy 1 and 2 on Thursday, and this was the first batch of salmon in a while. The season inside of the harbor has officially begun as a nice big fish was landed by the solo angler beading near the restrooms, and the shoreline fishing will grow exponentially with this news. The squid boats are thinning out as only one truck was loaded on Thursday, but halibut fishing remains very good from Poplar Avenue at the Half Moon Bay State Park to the Ritz-Carleton Hotel with squid on a trap rig.

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 1 Rockfish 4 Striper 2 White sea bass 1 Crab 0 Sand Dabs 3 Surf Perch 3

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing said, “For the first time this season, we worked the deep water off of Point Sur, and the sacks came back loaded with big vermilion rockfish. We are going down to Point Sur every chance we get, and there is increased room during the week as interest is starting to fall off despite great fishing.”

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The striped bass action from the beaches has picked up quite a bit on the Monterey beaches with topwater lures such as the Evergreen Shower Blow 130, Joe Baggs in purple/black, or big Zara Spooks, and the best action is occurring in the low light conditions in the evenings.”

A major blow to a private, non-profit hatchery organization took place over the past two weeks with the huge CZU Lightning Complex Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project began in the Salinas area in 1976, and it was moved to Davenport in 1982 with the acquisition of the former hatchery operated by Big Creek Lumber Company from 1927 to 1940. The fire caused major damage to the facility, and the San Lorenzo and Carmel River watersheds represent the southern range of steelhead and Coho salmon as both species existed in small rivers and creeks further south previously. This project needs the assistance of those who love to fish for salmon and steelhead. The CZU Lightning Complex fires brought heavy damage to the hatchery facility. The outdoor rearing tanks along with both access bridges to the hatchery are destroyed. In addition, the hatchery manager and his wife lost their home next door to the facility. There is some good news with the survival of many of the captive Coho broodstock, as the main hatchery building and several tanks were left undamaged by the fire. Donations are accepted at the website - https://mbstp.org/ or through https://www.gofundme.com/f/coho-salmon-in-crisis-after-santa-cruz-fire.

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

San Francisco Bay

Salmon 3 Albacore 0 Halibut 3 Striper 2 Rockfish 4 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 1 Crab 0

The salmon bite resurged on Monday with boats returning with scores ranging from a fish per rod to near-limits as the action took off once again near Duxbury Buoy.

Captain Jerad Davis on the Salty Lady out of Sausalito was with a private charter on Monday for three salmon shy of limits. He said, “These are big fish and they don’t come in easy. We ended up with 19 salmon for 11 anglers off of Duxbury, and it is very interesting since you find areas loaded with bait and birds, and the salmon aren’t there, but you go to an area without life, and the salmon are biting. Interest is starting to slow down, and after weeks of being filled every day with the smaller loads allowed, we actually have room this week.”

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing has been focusing on salmon up the Marin coastline, and he said, “We put in 8 salmon for 6 anglers on Sunday, and we had a triple with all three fish at 21 pounds. These fish went berserk, and we had to really move around to get all three to the net.”

Salmon to 37 pounds were landed on party boats on Monday as the big spawners are on their move into the Golden Gate.

Rockfishing remains the top species, and the party boats are either working the Farallon Islands or the Marin coast for limits of rockfish. The Sea Wolf out of Emeryville Sport Fishing was at the islands on Monday for 17 limits of rockfish and 19 ling cod to 16 pounds.

Most of the halibut still are taken outside of the bay on the North or South Bar, but there are halibut to be found at the normal spots of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Paradise, and Southhampton Shoals.

Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing has been concentrating on the big seven-gill and cow sharks in the Central Bay, and they had four huge seven gills to the boat on Thursday, releasing all fish after a lengthy fight that required passing the rod off among many members on board. Two brothers even tapped out and passed the rod to the deckhand while there was a double fight going on. Three of the shark came on the larger tide with one on the smaller incoming tide. He will be sharking until Tuesday, and they are releasing all large shark over 100 pounds.

Ed Liu at Bay Tackle in El Cerrito reported striped bass have just returned from the Bay Bridge to Carquinez for linesides in the 20 to 30-inch range. He said, “We have been doing well with swimbaits in white or chartreuse along with anchovy patterns. Halibut fishing has slowed down with the larger tides, and salmon fishing is also slow as the bite has gotten later in the day. Boats willing to stay late are picking up a few more salmon. We have had somewhere in the range of 6000 to 8000 new customers in the shop this season, and we have sold so many combinations of rods and reels. Tackle is getting low along with lead, but we have been able to stay on top of bait.”

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 -0 Surf Perch – 3

Rockfishing continues to be excellent out of the San Luis Obispo County ports, but the lings remain scarce on the local trips. It takes long-range or overnight trips to travel far from the harbor to work for a healthy ling cod count. Out of Morro Bay Landing, the Starfire was out on Monday with 19 anglers for 180 vermilion and 10 copper rockfish along with 4 ling cod to 11 pounds. Also out of Morro Bay at Virg’s Landing, the Fiesta was out on Monday with 19 anglers for 20 vermilion, 8 copper, and 162 assorted rockfish for limits along with 3 ling cod to 5.1 pounds. The Rita G participated in a rockfish survey trip from Cal Poly while the Bent Rod had a charter of 6 anglers for 50 vermilion, 5 Boccaccio, and 6 assorted rockfish. Out of Port San Luis, the Patriot took two ½-day trips on Sunday while the Phenix and Flying Fish were also out with a total of 89 passengers for 45 vermilion, 20 copper, 33 Bolina, 418 assorted rockfish, 2 treefish, 1 ocean whitefish, and 5 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 3 Bluegill 3 Salmon 1

The river salmon season on the Sacramento-Delta is still extremely slow, but there are glimmers of what is to come as the first salmon was landed on a silver Silvertron spinner out of Walnut Grove. The striped bass action is also starting to heat up along the West Bank as the tides are backing off this week, allowing for a longer window for clear water. The City launch ramp at Rio Vista is closed until at least January 2021 due to reconstruction, and this has led boaters to surrounding launch ramps.

Alan Fong, manager of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento, was in the upper Delta with Warren Trumbly, and they had to hide out in Miner Slough to avoid the high winds. Tossing spinnerbaits, they put together a limit in the 18-pound range before moving inside of Liberty Island once the wind backed off. Fong said, “There was so much grass inside the island that we had to throw swim jigs to keep out of the grass for a number of undersized striped bass with a few keepers to 24 inches. For salmon, the evening bite has been picking up below Freeport for those spooning during the last few hours of light. Few boats have been out in the mornings.”

Stacy Barawed of the popular YouTube Channel, ‘Stacy Goes Outside’ participated in the Folsom Bass Team event on Saturday out of B and W Resort, and she and her partner, Justin Gaunt, placed third with a 10.82-pound limit, buoyed by Barawed’s big fish at 3.73 pounds on a Z-Man chatterbait.

Out of Riverside Bait at Vieira’s Resort near Isleton on the Old Sacramento River, Sylvia Viera said, “The first salmon of the season was landed up near Walnut Grove on a silver Silvertron, and the launch ramp was crowded on Sunday morning after the news broke. The Department of Fish and Wildlife took the head of the 14-pound salmon as it was chipped. We are running near-capacity with social distancing requirements within the campgrounds.”

In Suisun Bay, the river salmon action remains very slow with Tony Lopez of Benicia Bait saying, “There are fishermen out there throwing Vee-Zee Spinners, but the sea lions have even been absent. There weren’t any salmon reported this week, but there are a few steelhead being taken along with striped bass on the Vee-Zee spinners. There have been few sturgeon fishermen, but we got in some nice eel, and I expect it to be gone soon as we haven’t seen large eel for some time. The minus tides stopped, and the water cleared up, and I expected some fish to be caught.”

Also in Suisun Bay, Dave Sharp of Marina Bait and Tackle reported one local angler, Daniel Cottrell, aka the ‘Sturgeon Whisperer’ bought a few dozen ghost shrimp and went to the area in shallow water under the Benicia Bridge for 2 undersized sturgeon, 7 slot limit sturgeon, and 2 oversized. Sharp added that striped bass to 10 pounds are taken on mudsuckers, pile worms, or anchovies.

The week of minus tides brought grass and debris off of the banks into the river, but the smaller tides this week should bring out the trollers along the West Bank. Striped bass in the 15- to 18-pound range have been taken on live splittail in Suisun Bay near the Middle Grounds or Garnet Point at depths from 15 to 30 feet.

The San Joaquin-Delta took a break from major tournament action over the past weekend, and the largemouth bass must have realized that fewer fishermen were seeking them for monetary rewards as the bite slowed down.

Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors said, “The largemouth bass bite got really tough during the Wednesday Night Shootout out of Ladd’s Marina as we put in over 22 pounds on Sunday punching and throwing frogs. Monday was the same as it was overcast from all of the smoke, and we found a number of quality bass to 4 pounds with frogs, buzzbaits, or punching. We went through the same area on Wednesday, and this was the first day the water was clear along with the smoke clearing and bright skies. We switched over to working deep water with plastics on a wacky-rig, and the numbers were good. It only took 18 pounds plus to win and 16 to cash a check. Many good fishermen didn’t even weigh in.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, switched things up this weekend by participating in the Bass Cat owners tournament out of Russo’s Marina instead of running a tournament, and he said, “We found good action on Wednesday with frog fish to 5 pounds on a black Furbet the Frog or the ima Pinjack or Squarebill crankbaits in craw patterns along the outside weedlines on the low tide. These crankbaits run around 8 feet, and I am ticking the weeds as the bass are holding in the outside weed lines. The bass are loading up on crawdads, and the crayfish are sticking out of their mouths. The big issue is finding the better-than-average fish, and you have to be in the right area for the big fish. You are either in the right area or not in the right area.”

In the south Delta, there is a solid bluegill bite west of Stockton from the shorelines off of Eight Mile Road with red worms or mini-crawlers on a drop-shot rig.

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 3 Crappie 2 Bluegill 3

The Best Bass Tournaments held an event on Saturday at Lake Nacimiento, and an impressive average over 3 pounds took the top place with a winning weight of over 15 pounds – much higher than limits found in the Central Valley lakes. There is a solid reaction bite with topwater lures in the boils for both spotted and white bass while spoons, underspins, and crankbaits are all effective. The birds are working the boils, and anglers are following the birds. Catfishing is best with mackerel coated with garlic scent while panfish are taken on red worms or mini-crawlers at depths to 25 feet. The lake has dropped from 31 to 30 percent. A webcam of the lake is available at http://www.lakenacimientolive.com/. At Lopez, the bass bite remains fair, but there are some quality largemouths taken on topwater lures or crankbaits along with chatterbaits or spinnerbaits. After the sun rises, working the bottom with plastics on a Ned-rig or drop-shot along with jigs in deep water. Cut baits are effective for catfish while bluegill and red ear perch are taken on minijigs or red worms. A webcam of the lake is available at http://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/. The bass bite at Santa Margarita continues to be slow, but similar to Lopez, the smoke from the recent fires has cleared up. There is a topwater bite early or late, but the most consistent action is found in deep water with plastics on a drop-shot rig, Ned-rig, or jigs. Also similar to the other coastal lakes, cut baits are effective for catfishi with panfish taken on red worms or minijigs. At San Antonio, the best action remains for catfish, bluegill, or crappie with the panfish taken on minijigs, red worms, or mini-crawlers on light tackle. Catfish are still biting cut baits scented in garlic while the bass bite is slow with a few smallmouth and largemouth bass taken on finesse plastics. The operating hours at San Antonio are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends only. The lake dropped from 21 to 19 percent.

Events

Tournament Results

Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments– August 29th: 1st – Travis Woolf/Garrett Manion – 15.61 pounds; 2nd: John and Erik Zillig – 11.49; 3rd – Tray and Jerry Williams – 11.12 (Big Fish – 4.30).

Pine Flat – Bass 101 Team Open– August 29th: (No last names provided by tournament director) 1st – Tim/Don– 14.93 pounds; 2nd: George/Ray– 12.61; 3rd – Gavin/Mike – 11.99. Big Fish – 4.26- Nathan/Dwayne.

Upcoming Tournaments (Subject to Change)

September 4th:

Don Pedro – American Bass Association

September 5th:

Salt Springs – Salt Springs Valley Reservoir

Amador – Gold Country Junior Bass

September 6th:

Salt Springs – Gold Country Junior Bass Club

September 12/13th:

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournament

September 12th:

New Melones – Outlaw Bass Club

Success -Visalia Bass Club

Isabella – American Bass Association

September 13th:

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kings River Bass Club

Nacimiento – Good Ole Boys

September 19/20th:

Nacimiento – California Bass Nation

September 19th-22nd:

Santa Margarita – San Luis Bass Ambushers

September 19th:

Delta/B and W Resort – Alameda County Deputy

New Hogan – Sonora Bass Anglers

Camanche – Delta Bass Anglers

Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies/Christian Bass League

McClure – Sierra Bass Club

Success – Golden Empire

Isabella – Kern County Bassmasters

September 20th:

Delta/B and W Resort – Fresno Bass Club

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Hook, Line, and Sinker

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Riverbank Bass Anglers

New Melones – Modesto Ambassadors/Nor Cal High School Bass Anglers

McClure – Slay Nation Tournaments

Success – Porterville Bass Club

September 26/27th:

Delta/New Holland Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors

September 26th:

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – 17-90 Bass Club

September 27th:

Pardee – Gold Country Bass Club

This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Fishing report for week of Sept. 2-8: San Luis reopens; Shaver kokanee among best bets."