Fishing report, Dec. 23-29: Shaver kokanee and trout, Lower Kings trout among best bets

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State (he still holds the school record). George guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake. Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted.

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Best bets

Delta sturgeon chomping, Steve Mitchell said. New Melones bass and trout action good, John Liechty reported. Don Pedro kicking out bass and trout, Ryan Cook said. California Aqueduct stripers continue feeding spree, Pete Cormier reported. Lower Kings River trout action steady, Jake Figgs said. Shaver kokanee and trout producing mixed limits, Dick Nichols reported.

Valley

West-side waterways

Striper 3 Catfish 2

The northern section of the aqueduct remains popular for those tossing lures, and Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “Umbrella rigs along with deep-diving crankbaits are working for stripers as the linesides are holding on the bottom.” Yum’s Flash Mobs or G-Funk umbrella rigs loaded with either Optimum AA swimbaits or Keitechs in shad patterns are most popular. The Duo Realis 120 jerkbaits in Neo Pearl are scarce, but very popular.

In the southern section of the aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “The aqueduct is still hot as I am seeing plenty of pictures of happy fishermen every day. They are still hitting on flukes or tubes, but we are selling lots of jumbo minnows and blood worms. Catfishing is best with sardines or chicken livers.”

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

Eastman Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Very little change at Eastman with minimal interest due to the low lake levels along with murky water from the continuing algae. The lake needs a flushing from rain in the watershed.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2

Similar to Eastman, few bass fishermen are heading to this lake, but there are some targeting big largemouth bass with swimbaits for limited success. The lake also needs a flushing from precipitation in the watershed. The lake held at 15%.

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

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing reported quality largemouths and the best cut of spotted bass are found deep from 50 to 80 feet with jigs, tubes or plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig. There are some shallow jig eaters at depths from 5 to 30 feet for numbers, but with the bait on the bottom, creek channels, main lake windblown points with smaller gravel rock and island tops have been the most productive. A good day is 20 to 40 bass with a tough day bringing from eight to 12 bass. Holdover rainbows are also in the creek channels, and Cook released a 4.5-pound rainbow on a drop-shot. Planted rainbows are abundant from the surface to 20 feet with shad-patterned spoons. The lake held at 67%.

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

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 2

Cormier said, “At Isabella, there are still some crappie coming out around the docks in the French Gulch Marina with minijigs or minnows.” Catfish remain a good possibility with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, sardines, or chicken livers. Bass are found with deep-diving crankbaits along with plastic worms or jigs in deeper water. Isabella held at 17%.

A trout plant occurred at Buena Vista, and after a day’s closure for the plant, the lake reopened on Tuesday.

Heavy trout plants in the upper Kern River have brought out the crowds to the section around Kernville Park, and salmon eggs, nightcrawlers or live cricket are working along with fly fishing in the 20-Mile section. Another trout plant in the upper Kern will occur next week. The local lakes were planted with trout recently, but they were fished out within a couple of days.

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

Lake Kaweah

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

Bass fishing remains slow with the best action in deep water over 35 feet by using a dead-stick presentation with ice jigs, jigs or plastics on the drop-shot. The lake held at 6%.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Lake Success/Tule River

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company said, “The bass bite is very tough with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot being the best options. The bass have lockjaw in the cold water.” The lake held at 8%. Stokke added, “The Tule River is currently closed.”

The Sequoia National Forest has partially reopened, and information on the current closure and open areas is available at fs.usda.gov/sequoia.

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

McClure Reservoir

Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 1 Kokanee 1 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Not much change here with the lake dropping nearly 70 vertical feet since the summer months. Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing said, “I haven’t been guiding on the lake due to the tough bite as it is a struggle to put together 10 bass. The fish are very thin and don’t look healthy. Working slow with small 4-inch Hula Grubs skirtless or 4-inch plastics along steep, rocky banks is the best technique from 5 to 40 feet. The larger fish are either suspended or hugging the bottom. The lake is full of planted rainbow trout, and some bass fishermen are landing more trout than bass.” Barrett’s Cove Marina is closed for the winter, and the Bagby, Horseshoe Bend and McClure Point North launch ramps are closed due to water levels.

Call: Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Guide Service – 691-7008

McSwain Reservoir

Trout 2

The campgrounds at both Lake McClure and McSwain are temporarily closed. There hasn’t been much change on the trout front as the last plant took place at the end of October. Trout fishing is relatively slow from banks at the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile and the peninsula by the Marina with various colors of trout dough bait, inflated nightcrawlers or silver/blue Kastmasters.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2

Jake Figgs of Valley Rod and Gun said, “There have been mixed reviews of bass action with larger spotted bass found in Hills Cove, East Bay and Finegold Bay at depths from 35 to 40 feet with plastics on the drop-shot such as Strike King’s Dream Shot. The bait has been concentrating in the bowls in the coves. Numbers of smaller bass are found upriver along steep rock walls from the Narrows on upstream.” The lake rose slightly to 35%. Woodward Park was planted with trout last week with another plant scheduled for this week.

State park hours at Millerton are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sycamore Island has closed for the 2020 season. The property will reopen on Feb. 5.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1

John Liechty of Xperience Fishing Guide Service reported a solid bass bite with a variety of techniques. Saturday was a swimbait day, and his client, Jeb Bunker, landed a 6.60-pound largemouth on swimbait on the second cast of the day. Liechty said, “The swimbait bite has been decent for some quality largemouth and spotted bass. The bass are moving shallow, and we found everything above 40 feet on Saturday and also on Sunday. We changed tactics to the polar opposite on Sunday with plastics on a Ned-rig, shaky head or dart head in either shad or crawdad patterns on spinning rods for my clients as the bass are loading up on the crawdads in the shallows. They can be found throughout the creek channels in the main lake towards the Highway 49 Bridge.” The larger holdover rainbows are also holding in the backs of creek channels, but the planted rainbows are abundant in the main lake.

Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “The troll bite is wide open for the planters, and you can catch all you want fast-trolling Speedy Shiners or Trinidad Tackle’s Popeyes from the surface to 20 feet on a long setback of 150 feet or more in the main lake from Glory Hole Point through the spillway and dam south to Rose Island.”

The Glory Hole and Tuttletown boat launches are open at the middle ramp, but the Angels Cove launch ramp is closed. The New Melones Lake Marina store is closed for the season including boat rentals. The lake held at 64%.

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

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 0 King salmon 1 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Figgs reported mixed reviews for bass fishermen with some reporting a hot bite with ice jigs to 60 feet around Deer Creek. The Rapala Jigging Rap in chrome/blue back has been exceptional in the morning hours. Vertically jigged spoons are another option around Deer Creek and Trimmer. After the ice jig bite slows, transitioning to plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig is best. Crappie are found around Deer Creek Marina with Strike King’s Mr. Crappie Shadpoles or Atomic tubes in green. The lake held at 21%.

Another option for Fresno-area trout fishermen has been the lower Kings River, and Figgs reported good action with Mepp’s spinners, Atomic Tubes, trout dough bait or salmon eggs. He added, “Nightcrawlers have been working best for those working the bottom, and the flows have slowed way down.”

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

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the overall striped bass action in the main lake remains sporadic at best. He said, “I’ve received a lot of calls from regular anglers asking why the bite has been so tough over the past few weeks. “I believe that the gradual falling water levels along with the clear and cold water at 60 degrees is affecting the bite. At this time last year, the lake was rising around 1.5 feet per day, around 20 feet higher in elevation than this year. Trollers are having a tough time just finding the schools of stripers so an average catch is one or two schoolies. The best depths have been from 40 to 70 feet over flats with shad-patterned lures. Bait and jumbo minnow anglers are finding smaller fish in the back of Portuguese Cove while there has been some early topwater action in the mornings in the back of Lone Oak Cove depending on whether it is overcast. The number of shore anglers has dropped off which is a sign that the stripers have moved out into deeper water. We are hearing concerns from fishermen that the lake may be showing the effects of anglers taking full limits day-after-day over the last couple of months. Many regulars have gone to an almost catch-and-release protocol to help protect the fishery from over-harvest. It takes all of us being good sportsman to protect this delicate fishery as much as possible.” The lake rose slightly to 45%.

Clements had a slightly different report with jumbo minnows along with 1.75-ounce Duh! Spoons in shad patterns working along with ripbaits such as Duo Realis 120s in Neo Pearl, Ivory Halo, Lucky Craft 128s in American Shad, Ghost Minnow or Chartruese Shad, or Sixth Sense in similar patterns. He said, “There has been tremendous interest in the O’Neill Forebay with live jumbo minnows, blood worms and pile worms from the banks while boats are tossing flukes on an underspin. Small, undersized striped bass are the rule, but a two-fish limit over 18 inches is a definite possibility.“

At San Luis, there are three wind warning and lake closure lights near the Basalt Entrance Station, Quien Sabe Point, and the Romero Visitor Center. At the O’Neill Forebay, the lights are located near the old Medeiros boat ramp and above the South Beach Area. Amber lights signify caution conditions for winds or other concerns while red lights indicate the lake is closed to boating and all vessels must immediately vacate the lake.

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

High Sierra

Access to the region is limited by the order of the U.S. Forest Service which has limited vehicle traffic on all roads within the Sierra National Forest. The closure has been extended for certain areas until Jan. 6. Updated information is available at fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 1

Figgs reported finesse presentations with plastics on a Ned-rig or with Zoom Trick Worms in watermelon seed are working along with ice jigs. A trout plant occurred recently, and bank fishing has improved with trout dough bait or nightcrawlers. The Sheriff’s boat is still operational, and boaters must possess the Motor Permit. The lake dropped from 54% to 51%. A list of open Bass Lake trails is available at the forest website.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Edison is at 22%, Florence at 8% and Mammoth Pool at 28%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Kokanee 3 Trout 3

The first real dusting of snow arrived in the central Sierra, and the only available lake trolling option in the high country remains Shaver Lake which reopened three weekends ago.

Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “After a day of snow and rain, sunny skies returned on Friday and a dozen trollers launched into the lake. Rick Schiedt of Clovis and Garrett Foster of Fresno are catch-and-release anglers, targeted kokanee throughout the morning at depths from 35 to 40 feet with pink hoochies tipped with corn behind a pink/purple Dick’s Mountain Dodger near the Sierra Marina, the dam and the point. They caught and released nearly four limits of kokanee with the majority of action between 9:30 and 11 a.m. On Sunday, Jared Romero and his mom Kim of Clovis hit the lake for three hours with either Apex lures of spinner hoochies behind a Mag Tackle dodger in Rock Haven Cove for 10 kokanee at 36 to 50 feet deep. They also picked up 10 rainbows, two being trophies, at 18 feet deep. They kept their limit of eight kokanee and the two trophies. For rainbow trout, the stretch of the lake from Stevenson Bay toward the south fork of Stevenson Creek has been solid since the lake reopened, but it was a bit slower following the mid-week’s rain. Multiple limits are possible with a variety of tackle options at depths from 10 to 20 feet. Spinners tipped with Gulp! ‘crawlers or regular nightcrawlers behind a weighted Mountain Flashers are the best option. Bank fishermen have been hovering around the Sierra Marina launch ramp for the red spawning kokanee that hold at the ramps. There are also reports of quality brood stock rainbows released during last week’s Department of Fish and Wildlife plant, and shore anglers have been loading up with limits near the Sierra Marina. With clear weather in the forecast through the Christmas holiday, Shaver should see a number of boaters coming out of the Valley to avoid the fog. The launch ramps at the Sierra Marina and Shaver Lake Marina are open, but the marinas until spring. The lake held at 73%.

Road access to Huntington Lake and Camp Sierra is available for residents only during specific times with a permit. The Huntington Lake Resort and Marina is currently closed. The lake dropped to 58%.

Call: Dick Nichols – Dick’s Fishing Charters at Shaver Lake Sports 841-2740; Todd Wittwer – Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 2

Road access on the McKinley Grove Road to Wishon and Courtright is available for residents only during specific times with a permit.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 2 Striper 2 Crabs 3 Sand dabs 2 Surf perch 2

The commercial Dungeness crab season from Point Arena south to the Mexican border will start on Wednesday with a pre-soak period starting the previous day, but there have been reports of a commercial strike.

Dungeness crab limits remain the rule, and Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat took a crab-only trip on Monday for 13 limits, and they were tied up at the docks at 10 a.m. Second captain Michael Cabanas was out on Sunday with 16 anglers on a crab/rockfish combination trip off of San Gregorio in 120 feet of water, and they posted 16 limits of crab and 3/4 limits of rockfish. Mattusch will run crab/sand dab/petrale sole trips after Jan. 1.

Captain Dennis Baxter stacked out his crab gear on Monday, and he is completed for the season until the April 1 rockfish opener. Rockfish season ends on Dec. 31.

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

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 White sea bass 1 Crab 2 Sand dabs 2 Surf perch 2

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing in Monterey said, “Rockfishing has been best south near Point Sur, and we have a trip south on Christmas Eve. Captain Nick Lemon on the Star of Monterey went south on Monday for quality vermilion rockfish and several ling cod. The local rockfish have been a grind, and crabbing has been challenging as we are averaging around two crab per angler. Starting Jan. 1, we will be running sand dab/crab trips until the rockfish opener in April.”

Allen Bushnell of the Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “We’ve had a series of big northwest swells now that affect fishing from the beach out to deep water. Surfcasting for perch was an exercise in patience this week, with pounding shore break and heavy currents. Anglers who hang in there and keep casting can be rewarded with a big slab surf perch. These large adults seem be the only perch strong enough to brave such boisterous nearshore waters.”

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

San Francisco Bay

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

Crab limits remain the rule for party boats operating out of Emeryville and Berkeley as the San Francisco boats are closed due to their city’s Shelter In Place Order. If the commercial fleet sets their gear, the crab limits will be more and more difficult to achieve. Rockfishing remains a challenge, but the party boats have been able to grind out limits with some good quality vermilion, copper, and yellow rockfish at the North Farallon Islands. have been the rule, but rockfishing has been a challenge. Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Emeryville Sport Fishing continues to score limits of both rockfish and crab as three boats out of Emeryville combined for 51 limits of both on Monday. Tipping your shrimp fly with a strip of squid is a key to success on the rockfish.

Inside the bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael said, “I think halibut is officially over for the season as I haven’t heard of more than one halibut in the past few weeks. Striped bass fishing remains very good for school-sized and undersized stripers as the Loch Lomond levee has been a great place for bank fishermen with anchovies or live smelt. The sturgeon are scarce in San Pablo Bay as they are still kegged up in Suisun Bay due to the lack of rain. The coming rain on Christmas Day along with the herring spawns will get the sturgeon to move down into our ballpark.” Reminder: White sturgeon may not be taken in the following described area between Jan. 1 and March 15: That portion of San Francisco Bay included within the following boundaries: A direct line between Pt. Chauncy (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Pt. Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Pt. Lobos and Pt. Bonita.

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 Surf perch 3

Rockfish season ends Dec. 31, and the San Luis Obispo County ports will run trips until the closure. Half- to 3/4-limits of rockfish remained the rule over the weekend, but the ling cod counts remain very slim. On Monday, the Fiesta out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay landed all quality bottom-dwelling rockfish for 19 anglers with 3 ling cod to 14.5 pounds, 132 vermilion, and 20 copper rockfish for 3/4 limits. Also out of Morro Bay, the Endeavor, Avenger, and Starfire out of Morro Bay Landing were out on Sunday with 58 anglers for 48 vermilion, 3 copper, 376 assorted rockfish, 1 ocean whitefish, and 1 ling cod to 7 pounds for 3/4 limits. Out of Port San Luis and Patriot Sport Fishing, the Phenix, Flying Fish, and Patriot were out on Sunday with 48 passengers for 23 vermilion, 1 copper rockfish, 199 assorted rockfish, 2 Bolina, 4 cabezon, 2 treefish, and 9 ling cod to 12 pounds for ½ limits. Both 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 805-771-5500

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2

The river salmon season closed on Dec. 16 within the Sacramento-Delta, and by all accounts, 2020 was a disappointment on the river salmon front. Sturgeon have been the top species for the past several weeks, and this week was no exception as the minimal amount of rain was no wear near enough precipitation to convince the diamondbacks to migrate out of Suisun Bay,

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing put his clients onto 3 slot-limit sturgeon along with a big 65-inch oversized during the week, and he said, “I spoke with the group, and after we landed the second legal fish, they agreed to release the third slot-limit sturgeon instead of keeping it. I offer a free trip if you release a legal sturgeon after there are two fish in the boat. All of the slot fish were big, and they were really chomping. The big tides made for a smaller window in the deep water, but when the water got moving, we moved into the shallows for more action.” Over the weekend, the fog was thick, and Mitchell said, “We had to crawl out to our spots, and it is very important that all boaters have their running lights on since there were several boats that were not visible in the heavy fog. We ended up with a 42.75-inch sturgeon on Saturday and another at 46.75 inches on Sunday with both fish coming at the top of the incoming tide. On Sunday, I was in the back of the boat giving a seminar to the fishermen on what a sturgeon bite looks like, and we got a bite before we even got all of the rods out. I handed the rod over to a client, and he fought the fish for a few minutes before he slacked up the line and pointed the rod to the water. That’s all it takes with the barbless hooks for the sturgeon to come off, and it was a good one too as it was ripping line. All through the top of the tide, we were getting bit left and right, and finally one of the clients modeled what we showed him, and he set hook and landed the legal sturgeon. With the smaller tides, we are fishing deep water.”

Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service had an entire weekend of sturgeon fishing, and he said, “I started on Friday night with three slot-limit sturgeon, and then Doug Philpott of Modesto called me and wanted a sturgeon. I took out Mike Giovacchini and Philpott out for two slot-limit sturgeon at 53 and 58.5 inches along with a 63-inch oversized released. I was out on Sunday with Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing, and we ended up with a 50-inch slot sturgeon along with a few shakers. Everything has been coming on salmon roe sacks.

Johnny Wang, managers of Turner’s Outdoors in Stockton, launched out of Brannan Island on Sunday in heavy fog, and he said, “It was zero visibility out there in the early morning, but once the fog lifted, we were able to move down to 30 feet of water on the opposite side of the river from the sand pile on Decker Island. The water temperature has gotten cold from 49.5 to 50.2 degrees, and although a few stripers picked up the frozen shad and ran, the majority were just tapping the bait. I ended up with a limit of school-sized stripers to 3 pounds. There is quite a bit of debris in the water, and with the low visibility, it is easy to run into a submerged log if you aren’t careful.”

In the north Delta, Alan Fong, manager of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento, said, “The Liberty Island area has been slow as the water has gotten cold. Our assistant manager, Michael Kidwell was out there over the weekend, and the bite was tough with nothing on the inside of the island. A few stripers are coming on spoons on the outside in the channel, but I tell fishermen, they will be coming, just not yet. Largemouth bass fishing has also slowed in the colder water as it takes a few weeks for the fish to adjust to the changing temperatures.”

Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert, has been drifting live mudsuckers, and he said, “We worked hard for two limits of small stripers, but we aren’t seeing the fish around like I would expect. There must be a good number of stripers still holding in the bay.”

Jesus Reyes Silva of JKings custom lures targeted striped bass for four consecutive days this week, and he said, “There are currently plenty of stripers, but finding quality was a challenge. We had to put in a lot of work running around and casting my custom JKings lures glide baits to target the larger stripers, but with the rain and cold water during the middle of the week, we found them in the shallows at sunset and during the evening in order to feed. We ended up with some quality lineside between 10 and 20 pounds on the glidebaits.”

Tony Lopez of Benicia Bay said, “Striped bass fishing has been good from the shorelines with grass shrimp or pile worms. We are hearing a number of good sturgeon reports from the mouth of the Little Cut in Honker Bay, and if they are there, they are in the back of Honker. However, you have the added risk of getting stuck in the back of Honker if you aren’t familiar with the shallow water. Grass shrimp has been the bait of choice around here, and we sold out of 20 pounds on Sunday morning.”

The clear and cold waters of the San Joaquin have resulted in a slow down for largemouth bass, but the bass can still be taken by using finesse techniques. Striped bass are moving into the back sloughs in the south Delta.

For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “We really didn’t get enough rain to murky up the water, and the real change factor is the cold. The majority of largemouth bass in the central and south Delta are Florida-strain, and they don’t like cold water. The bass become lethargic with the cold water, and they will start to school up and work on bait schools. At this time of year, if you find one fish, you will find multiple. Shad and other small fish are their food source right now as most of the crawdads are buried. You have to find the bait to locate the bass, and they will be in current since shad don’t like still water. Shad feed on plankton and zooplankton, and they need to find these in the current in the warmer water. As a result, they will be holding from the backs to the mid-backs of the cuts and sloughs as the colder water is at the opening at the mouths. You have to keep it in the strike zone as long as possible, and I am using a plastic like a Berkley Bottom Hopper or a small General in earth tones with Max Scent on a drop-shot, Ned-rig, or Zappu head. The Flit 120 in shad patterns on 10 to 12-pound fluorocarbon line is also a good option, and the fluorocarbon line keeps the lure down in the 6- to 8-foot range. However, you don’t jerk the bait like you would in the summer time. It is a matter of using your wrist only and not utilizing your elbow. It is important to twitch instead of pulling the lure. One way to achieve this is to hold your thumb up and point your index finger toward your target, and only move the finger up and down 3- to 4-inches without moving your arm.”

Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoors in Stockton, said, “There have been reports of a topwater striper bite near the Duck Pond across from Prisoner’s Point in the main San Joaquin River, and the south Delta around Tracy and the Clifton Court Forebay is still going.”

In the south Delta, H and R Bait reported striped bass are coming out of the tributaries of the San Joaquin with a 13-pound lineside taken on ghost shrimp in the Stanislaus River near Ripon. Minnows have been a top seller.

Also in the south, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Manteca said, “We have been getting fresh shad in the shop every day, and I select the larger shad for striped bass and bag the smaller shad for trout fishermen. Striped bass fishing has been good in the San Joaquin River with shad around Turtle Beach along with the main river near Sherman Island.”

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

There hasn’t been much change in the coastal reservoirs as the reaction bite is missing in action in the coldwater conditions, but a few quality largemouths can be enticed to bite at either Lopez or Santa Margarita.

At Nacimiento, the spotted bass bite is a grind until the water warms up in the afternoons, and targeting areas with sun exposure is a key to limited success with small profile plastics on a drop-shot or Neko rig along with spider jigs or grubs. There is a spoon bite in deep water when the schools are located. White bass remain non-existent for anglers. The lake held at 23%. A webcam of the lake is available at lakenacimientolive.com.

At Lopez, the largemouth bass are lethargic in the cold water, but a few quality fish can be taken on spider jigs or football head jigs along with plastics on a drop-shot, Texas-rig, or Ned-rig. The reaction bite remains slow. A trout plant has not been announced, but a plant of catchable rainbows will spur on the swimbait bite. minicrawlers. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam.

At Santa Margarita, the action is similar to Lopez with a non-existent reaction bite, but the occasional quality largemouth can be taken on jigs on a football head. Crappie are located in deep water around structure with minijigs, and there have been some quality slabs taken. Catfishing is best with mackerel or nightcrawlers.

At San Antonio, there is no change from the past weeks as few anglers are targeting the lake. Catfish remain the best opportunity for successwith cut baits soaked in garlic in deep water. A few small bass are taken on finesse techniques of small plastics on the drop-shot or jigs. The Harris Creek ramp has new launching hours on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The lake held at 16%.

Events

The International Sportsmen’s Exposition scheduled for January 2021 at Cal Expo in Sacramento has been canceled due to the global pandemic, but it will return in 2022.

Tournament results

Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club – Dec. 12: 1st, Chris Flammang – 8.08 pounds; 2nd, Derrel Green – 7.00; 3rd, Quincy Marrs – 6.92 (Big Fish – 2.71).

Upcoming tournaments (subject to change)

Jan. 1

Pine Flat – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Jan. 2

Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

McClure – American Bass Association

Lopez – American Bass Association

Jan. 3

Don Pedro – California Bass Federation

Jan. 9

New Melones – Sonora Bass Anglers

Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments

Millerton – Kerman Bass Club

Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments

Jan. 10

Don Pedro – Nor Cal High School Bass Tournaments

Pine Flat – Fresno Bass Club

Jan. 16

Delta/Russo’s Marina – American Bass Association

Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments

McClure – Sierra Bass Club/Tri Valley Bassmasters/Contra Costa Bass Club

Nacimiento – California Bass Federation/Santa Clara Bass Busters

Jan. 17

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

Millerton – Bass 101

Pine Flat – Kings River Bass Club

Jan. 23

Delta/New Holland Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors

Don Pedro – Christian Bass League

Pine Flat – Xtreme Bass Club

Nacimiento – Kern County Bassmasters

Jan. 24

Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Anglers

Jan. 30

Nacimiento – Golden Empire Bass Club

Jan. 31

Tulloch – Gold Country Jr. Bass Club

McClure – California Bass Federation

This story was originally published December 22, 2020 at 11:01 AM.