Fishing report, May 18-24: Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project scores after wide-ranging search
Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Best bets
Delta pumping out bass, stripers and sturgeon, Alan Fong reported. San Luis Forebay stripers providing lots of action, Bill Sterling said. Shaver kokanee bite holding up, Dick Nichols reported. Wishon kicking out nice trout, Jay Irvine said. Don Pedro kokanee bite good, Monte Smith reported. New Melones kokanee and bass active, Kyle Wise said. Monterey salmon in the mix, Allen Bushnell reported.
Roger’s Remarks: Rising costs, supply chain issues hitting anglers hard
There are a lot of new considerations and hard choices being forced on sportsmen by all the recent rises in costs plus supply chain issues.
It began with moderately increasing gas prices a season or two ago, something we hoped would be temporary. As the prices crept up, I know I began to feel the effect of filling up a truck and boat. Now, I find myself asking, “Maybe this trip should wait a day or two for better weather?”
Another unexpected hurdle is the lack of poles, reels, trolling motors and many key lures. I’ve gotten much more careful when I tie on one of my best lures. They are usually ones that I know I can’t buy anywhere anymore. I’ve even gone to heavier line when using one of my “babies” to try to increase my chances of not losing it. And I’m doing daily internet searches for these lures, hoping that one will pop up somewhere here in the U.S. or overseas. When it does, do you buy all they have? I’m guilty! Shades of toilet paper.
I’m seeing a lot more fishing buddies taking just one of the boats and sharing the costs. Of course, you need compatible anglers and fishing styles.
Anglers are now planning on keeping what they’ve got longer; they are a lot more concerned about taking care of their boat, engine, electronics and vehicle pulling the rig than ever before. We’re all getting more proactive and protective with this new economy.
Fishing lakes that are closer is another strategy many are adapting, saving the longer trips for times when the bite is worth it. Trusted fishing reports are critical. Going on a trip on a whim isn’t very efficient.
Another big trend is kayaking, a relatively inexpensive alternative to boating with access to prime fishing holes, versatility and efficiency. No storage costs, engine, or boat to maintain; reminds me of my early days of throwing an aluminum boat in the back of the pickup and heading for the fishing hole.
I recently realized that if something broke on my truck or boat, the key problem might not be having the insurance to cover it, but rather how long it would take to get the parts.
For many, the new reality is one of having to make some hard decisions. Never give up!
Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com, Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars
Proposed new bag limit
The Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed eliminating the two-fish 15-inch size limit at Eastman, Hensley, Kaweah and Success since efforts to create a trophy fishery have been unsuccessful. The recommendation is to return to the state standard of a bag limit of 5 fish with a 12-inch size limit.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Bill Sterling of the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “The California Aqueduct is still a bit slow, but those who are soaking anchovies or blood worms seem to be doing the best. With the warmer weather, and if the water remains stagnant with no water movement, the bite will stay tough as algae is growing along the sides of the aqueduct. Bass fishing in the Los Banos-are canals is still on fire with the best fishing with swimbaits.” Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop confirmed the slower action in the California Aqueduct, but the Delta Mendota Canal below the Clifton Court Forebay is producing catfish or small striped bass on bait.
In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield reported good action for largemouth bass to 5 pounds with topwater lures, Senkos, or plastics on the drop-shot. Striped bass have been much slower, but the few that have been taken have been landed on large minnows. Catfishing is best with live minnows, cut bait, or Triple S Dip Bait on the bottom of the aqueduct.
Call: Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket in Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
There is concern over the change from a trophy-designated lake with a single 22-inch largemouth bass to a five-fish limit from 13 inches and up as the change will have an impact on the bass populations of both Eastman and Hensley. Bass fry are holding near the beds, and the bluegill are attempting to invade the fry. Bluegill imitations are working best in the shallows. Eastman dropped back to 10% with Hensley holding at 21%.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Kokanee action is outstanding for healthy, fat fish approaching 16.5 inches. It is a matter of finding the kokanee as the fuzzy trout loaded with copepods get in the way of hooking up. The kokanee are scattered, but it is a matter of staying in the area once a fish is landed. King salmon are a possibility mixed in with the kokanee and trout. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “I was out a few trips during the past week, and the bite continues to be very good at depths from 48 to 65 feet with Pro-Troll’s Kokanee Killers behind a Mack’s or Vance’s Dodger. I also have been using T-Bone’s Tackle’s T-Pex behind his dodgers, and we picked up a 3.25-pound king on a silver/blue Trout Killer at 48 feet. It’s a matter of finding the schools, and it is a matter of knowing where the fish will be congregating at this time of year.”
Bass fishing remains a challenge as a 12-pound limit took first during Saturday’s 53-boat Best Bass Tournaments Mother Lode Region event. The lake rose to 65%. The Fleming Meadows, Blue Oaks, and Moccasin launch ramps remain open.
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 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2
Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait and Tackle in Bakersfield reported overall minimal interest in Lake Isabella, but trout fishing is decent with Berkley Mice Tails, Power Bait, or nightcrawlers from the banks with deep water access. Recent plants have assisted with the bite. He said, “The bass bite is slower than normal as there have been few large fish other than the one huge 16.75-pound behemoth a few weeks ago. There is very little structure around in the shallows for the bass to bed on as the cockleburs have been absent along with flooded grass. Crappie are also slow, and you have to find the right structure holding the slabs.” Kern County Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby will last until July 4th, and tagged fish worth $20 to $5,000 have been planted. The registration is closed. The lake rose slightly to 13%. The river at Kernville has dropped from 787 to 634 cfs, but it is stable below the dam at 446 cfs at First Point. Trout plants in the upper Kern are producing limits to 15 inches with live crickets or salmon eggs. The lake held at 13%.
Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket in Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816
Lake Kaweah
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake has risen to 57%, and the bass are still in all stages of the spawn. Monday’s full moon should bring out the final push of spawning. A trout plant occurred a few weeks ago, and planters have either been eaten by bass, caught from the shorelines, or headed out to the deepest water in the river arm. The Kaweah River dropped from 573 to 456 cfs at Three Rivers.
Lake Success/Tule River
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments held a team and a youth event over the weekend, and the winning limit was just over 12 pounds with a 3.17-pound big fish. Anglers are using big swimbaits, jigs, or plastics on either a Carolina-, Ned-, or Texas-rig. Crappie are holding at the marina with minijigs or small to medium minnows. The lake rose slightly to 38%.
In the Tule River, trout fishing for natives slowed due to the colder weather, but natives have been caught and released on nymphs. Trout are also hitting Panther Martins. Trout fishing should pick up this week with the warmer temperatures.
Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 3 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
There is a topwater bite with the Berkley El Choppo or Super Spook in shad patterns along with a 3.3-inch swimbait fished weedless on a Ned-rig on an EWG hook as the bass are holding in the flooded grass. Look for the grebes or the herons working the bait, and the bass will be underneath. Recent trout plants have spurred on action for both trollers and bank fishermen. The lake rose to 42%, and the best ramp continues to be at Barrett Cove South.
Call: Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Guide Service – 691-7008
McSwain Reservoir
Trout 3
Trout plants continue to attract anglers to this cold-water reservoir, and the best action remains in the early mornings or late afternoons with Power Bait, Panther Martin spinners, or ¼- to 3/8-ounce Kastmasters at the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula around the marina. As the summer progresses, the rainbows will work their way up the river arm in search of cooler water. Trollers are scoring with blade/’crawler combinations or red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler at depths to 20 feet near the 2nd Fence Line. The lake rose to 94%, and lake levels will remain high throughout the year. During the summer months, the water park feature will dominate the lake.
Call: Angler’s Edge Market – (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The water levels continue to rise as the first ramp is in the water, but the bass bite remains tough for keeper-sized spotted bass to 2 pounds. A number of fish under the 13-inch mark are possible with finesse techniques. The rising water has created challenging conditions for the spawn, however, there were a few more largemouths showing up.” The lake held at 71%. The San Joaquin River held at 1,577 cfs at Friant.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2
Kyle Wise of HeadHunter Guide Service continues to score limits of kokanee at depths from 40 to 60 feet with the original Jeff Geisler J-Pex lures all tipped with Pautske’s Fire Corn and Herring Gel. The best action remains in the main lake near the island across from the spillway, Rose Island, and between the dam and spillway. Wise took out Larry Goodnow of Newcastle and his sons, Weston and Will, on Monday for limits of kokanee within a few hours.
New Melones Reservoir is known providing Mother Lode anglers a variety of species, and over the years, it has kicked out trophy largemouth and spotted bass. 2022 has been a year for incredible numbers of smaller bass, but the big ones have been on hiatus for the past several months. Normally, the months of February and March are big bass time at Melones, but this spring was barren with double-digits.
The good news is that there are still trophy bass in the big lake, and client Erik Lindquist of Sonora found his trophy at 15.94 pounds this week while fishing with Josh Parris of Josh Parris Guide Service.
Parris said, “This was one of the biggest ones caught and released in the past few years, and it was within a few pounds of the lake record at just over 18 pounds. The fish was still pre-spawn, and I had discovered the fish a few weeks earlier, but the key is the right place and the right time. Lindquist has been out with me a few previous times, and he has been looking for a big one. When you are hunting for a trophy, three bites is a great day, and we only got one on this trip, but it was a good one. I had been waiting for the right client and the right time to target this fish, and the big ones sunning themselves in the shallows are the ones I have been looking for. Lindquist scored with a Hawg Hunter swimbait slow-rolled mid- to high in the water column, and I am a big proponent of these custom baits for trophy bass. Over the last five years, I have been able to put a client onto a ‘teener.’”
He continued, “This has been a particularly difficult year for big fish at Melones, in fact, most of our northern California lakes. Last year, we landed a number of double-digit largemouths at 13 and 14 pounds, but I only know of an 11, a few over 8, and a handful of 5’s and 6’s so far this year. The dropping water of the lake has been a factor along with the up-and-down weather. The lake level started dropping a few weeks ago, and the receding water really affects the largemouth spawn. There may be bass that don’t spawn this year as they have been constantly moving up and down n the shallows. The shad spawn also kind of started a few weeks ago, but they didn’t return to the shallows after the cold snap pushed the temperatures into the 30’s. Big fish are very susceptible to the dropping water levels. I don’t think it is a matter of a lack of big fish in the lake, but they have been hard to locate. Numbers are there as we have had some days bordering on 100 bass in the 1- to 3-pound range on plastics from March through May. However, finding a 5-pound bass has been a challenge.”
Launch ramp access at Melones has been limited with the high and middle water ramps at Glory Hole Point closed with the concrete lower ramp at the end of Glory Hole Point remaining launchable with two courtesy docks. Driving down to the ramp, the road is slightly bumpy, but manageable. This ramp is in the water from 940.00 to 900.00. Angels Cove boat ramp and parking lot will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to low water levels. The high and middle ramp at Tuttletown are closed with the lower concrete ramp open with courtesy docks in place until the lake reaches 900 feet in elevation. New Melones held at 38%.
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 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The bass bite has been tough overall as the fish have moved into post-spawn, but deep-diving crankbaits or topwater lures are working along with finesse presentations in the deep water. Trolling for trout near the dam at Zebe Creek with Apex lures or Needlefish has produced limits from 14 to 18.5 inches along with a few kokanee.” Catfishing is improving, and crappie are showing up in the trees near Island Park and Deer Creek.
In the lower Kings, there is less interest in the river. Planted rainbow or brook trout are taken on Power Bait or nightcrawlers along with small Rebels or crankbaits. Finding slower water is the key as the flows are still high, rising from 2,662 to 3,079 cfs at Trimmer, creating potentially dangerous conditions for waders. The lake rose from 51% to 56%.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 3 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “The forebay near Check 12 remains the hot location as there have been several striped bass to 47 pounds caught and kept over the past few weeks. This past week has produced a few more of these trophies, and the interest remains high. Jerkbaits such as Duo Realis in Neo Pearl in either 120 to 130 are popular along with soaking anchovies or pile worms. There are weeds forming early this year around Check 13, and anglers are trying to keep their lures above the weeds. The main lake has been best for those mooching minnows or working Duh! Spoons around the Trash Racks or Portuguese Cove. The Dinosaur Point area has been slower. Jumbo minnows are done for the year so anglers are settling for extra-large.” Bill Sterling of the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “Fishing in the forebay still remains hot! Plenty of fish being caught out on the forebay and Check 12 where the aqueduct comes out of the forebay. Fishing San Luis Reservoir is still a bit tough for anyone fishing off the shore. Fishermen on boats are having better luck, but you have to find them.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the full moon has had a negative impact on the big lake fish this week. “I fished with a guest on Friday and we fished hard for 7 hours for just 5 fish. However all the fish were from 4.5 pounds to 8 pounds. The bite shut down totally after about 11 a.m. It’s been tough but the big girls are out there and I hope to see things improve a few days after this full moon passes.”
The lake dropped to 45% with the Forebay at 80%.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George of rogergeorgeguideservice.com 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2
The cold weather slowed down the trout bite, but there are still planters taken from the surface to 13 feet in the upper end of the lake in shallow water. The overall bite has improved due to plants prior to the annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby in early May. The Grand Prize fish are worth $500 for derby entrants until June 30. Spotted bass are cruising the shorelines, and the spawn is happening. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at basslakeca.com. The lake rose from 72% to 77%.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The gates at Kaiser Pass will not reopen until Memorial Day at the earliest. Edison rose slightly to 29%, Florence rose to 29% with Mammoth Pool also rising slightly to 85%. Access to Mammoth Pool is closed until June 15 for the annual deer migration.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee 3 Trout 2
The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project planted trophies recently after searching far and wide for a source of trout, and trophy rainbows have been starting to come out of the lake. Guide emeritus Dick Nichols said, “These fish will provide another shot for anglers to catch a trophy trout. This year’s plant was far more complicated than in the past as the normal source of the SLTTP trophies, Calaveras Trout Farm, lost their stock due to drought conditions. The backup trout farm in Nebraska couldn’t accommodate our needs so long-time chairman Bob Bernier worked through a number of obstacles to supply this year’s trophies, finally returning to the Oregon trout farm used in the past.” Bernier said, “These are quality rainbows that come out of eastern Oregon, and we appreciate their supporting us by supplying this year’s stock. If they are anything like we have received from them in the past, they will be beautiful and hard-fighting fish. Due to the high cost of this year’s plant, a single plant of 3,500 pounds averaging 3 pounds will be conducted by the project, and we estimate that only half of last year’s plant were caught, meaning the current plant is joining a large group of holdover trophies.” All monies for the trophy plants are raised through the annual Sportsmen’s Dinner in August.
The largest kokanee in the state remains here with even kayakers scoring fish to 19 inches. Dick’s Mountain hoochies behind a Dick’s Mountain Dodger or Radical Glow Tubes in pink or orange behind 4.4- to 5.5-inch dodgers are working. The brown and golden trout that were planted several years ago have grown to nearly 18 inches. Huntington is clear for those willing to walk the shorelines near Rancheria Creek with spinners, nightcrawlers, or Power Bait for the opportunity for a quality brown trout to 20 inches. Shaver’s launch ramp conditions can be checked via webcam at sierramarina.com/camera.html. Huntington rose to 86%, with Shaver also rising slightly to 54%.
Todd Wittwer – Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Tom Oliveira – Tom Oliveira Fishing – 802-8072
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 3
Wishon has been busy since it opened up a few weeks ago, and trollers are scoring with various spinners on leadcore at 3 to 4 colors or from 30 to 40 feet on the downrigger. Jay and Delinda Irvine of Visalia took their friend Curtis Lindholm and his 9-year -old son Sven on Saturday to see if Sven could catch his first fish. They boated 15 nice rainbows before noon on the red and white beaded Paulina Peak spinner, TNK pink slo-go spinner hoochie, and TNK pink and white hoochie action bug on a setback of 115 feet on the side rods, 3-4 colors with leadcore and 80 foot setback at 30 to 40 feet deep on downriggers at speeds from 1.5-1.9 mph. Irvine said, “The bite is good at Wishon right now as all the boats I talked with had landed fish.” Bank fishermen are finding best action across the lake at the mouth of the inlet with various assortments of Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, spinners, or spoons. Courtright has yet to open, and it should be accessible by Memorial Day due to work on the dam. Wishon RV Park and Store will open the Thursday before Memorial Day. Information on road conditions is available at fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/home/?cid=stelprdb5399344.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Salmon 3 Rockfish 3 Striper 2+ White seabass 1 Sand dabs 2 Surf perch 3
When the Bay Area salmon boats are making the long run south past the Deep Reef towards Pigeon Point, it is clear that the salmon epicenter is off of the San Mateo County coastline south of Half Moon Bay. The only limiting factor has been the wind, and when the weather lays out, the action has been ‘fast and furious.’
Sherry Ingles of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing said, “The Queen of Hearts loaded up with 32 salmon to 24 pounds for 17 anglers on Sunday south of the Deep Reef, and they had multiple opportunities to bring in the final two fish for boat limits as over 60 fish were hooked. Neil Wang made the trip north to target salmon, and he was rewarded with a 24-pound jackpot fish. There are salmon straight out from the Deep Reef, below the reef, and north of the reefs as the winds have been scattering them out on a daily basis. Our six-pack, the Reel Screamer, had limited out the previous two days, but they called it on Sunday due to the wind. The grade of salmon has been outstanding as the fillets on smallest fish on the boat on Sunday wouldn’t fit into a quart bag. The salmon have been loading up on krill, and we must be hitting a few different schools as one day they are the super bright, deep orange krill color while the next day, they may be paler. We are mixing up our salmon trips with coastal rockfishing, and limits have been taken on every single trip since the opener. There are anchovies inside of the harbor, and we haven’t had an anchovy die off in the harbor for years.”
Salmon fishing is salmon fishing, and while the action was spectacular on Sunday, the scores were more mixed on Saturday with the Queen of Hearts finding 13 salmon to 13 pounds for 12 anglers while the New Captain Pete brought in 24 to 20 pounds for 15 with the Riptide loading up with limits for 12 anglers to 18 pounds. As is the case on a party boat, it is a matter of maximizing your opportunities as barbless hooks and hot krill fish create a challenge. The salmon are there, it is only a matter of whether the boats can reach them with the wind. This coming week appears to be a repeat of high northwest winds, but when there is a window, the boats will run.
Anglers can check the status of the Pacifica Pier via https://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/pw/parks/pacifica_pier.asp. There is also a live feed from a web cam available at https://www.pacificaview.net/livecam/index.php.
Call: Captain Michael Cabanas – New Captain Pete (510) 677-7054; Captain Chris Chang – Ankeny Street – (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith – Riptide – (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing – Queen of Hearts – (510) 581-2628
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Salmon 3 Rockfish 2 Striper 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 2 Surf perch 3
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “Monterey Bay anglers continue to work around the weather. And it looks like we have yet another week ahead with 30-knot winds and eight to ten-foot wind waves in the forecast. Small craft advisories and gale watches have been all too common over the past six weeks or so. At best this means fishing on the open ocean, namely for salmon, is an uncomfortable ride. At worst, it means the boat stays tied to the dock for the day for safety reasons. These persistent northwest winds do have a benefit, however.
Springtime winds are the driving force behind the deepwater ocean upwelling process. As surface water is moved sideways by big winds, cool nutrient rich water from our deep submarine canyons must rise up to replace it. This is the foundation for our food chain of plankton feeding baitfish feeding predators like king salmon. Like a cafeteria conveyor belt for fish. Water temperatures remain cool on the surface, which also helps to hold feeding salmon in our area.
And, the salmon are definitely here. Fishing for kings has remained productive and consistent for weeks now, really since the opener on April 2. There have been a few slow days here and there plus those days made unfishable by weather conditions, but for the most part we’d have to call the 2022 recreational salmon fishing season on Monterey Bay “very good” so far. Whether this year will be remembered as “outstanding” or merely “good” depends on salmon anglers’ success during the next couple months. That success will be determined due to a large part on beneficial conditions in our area that can attract and hold feeding salmon schools on their journey to the spawning grounds, mostly in the Sacramento River system. Cool water with plenty of feed is what the salmon need, and these first six weeks of ripping northwest winds and subsequent upwelling sets the stage for what may be an epic salmon season.
The large charter boats mooched for salmon with a couple outstanding days this week. Stagnaro’s Sportfishing in Santa Cruz reported ten kings caught last Sunday. Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching Fishing Trips from Monterey had eight fish for 18 clients on Sunday, and reported full limits (12) for six anglers aboard the Star of Monterey on Saturday’s trip. The speedy four-pack outfit Fish On Sportfishing is launching from Santa Cruz these days. On Friday, they battled difficult weather conditions. We’d have to call it a win for the Sara Bella. Skipper Tom Joseph reported “Today the weather was not nice but our private charter boated eight salmon to 15 pounds in the slop.” Six-pack charter Go Fish Santa Cruz showed the fortitude to stick it out on Friday as well. Captain JT Thomas was happy to report, “The salmon bite continues to be really good. Today the clients landed six nice king salmon and lost four. The wind chased us off the water. The whales are still here. Lots of bait in the water.” Thursday’s conditions were more comfortable for the beautiful Miss Beth. Thomas expounded on the day’s trip saying, “The salmon bite continues to be hot. The clients landed ten nice kings, losing five others. The water was a bit warmer and darker with bait, and it looks good for the near future. There were tons of whales around that put on a show for everyone.” Private boaters from Moss Landing kept things close to home, finding success (and salmon limits) near the Soquel Hole, while boats from Santa Cruz caught fish as far up the line towards Davenport as they could go, weather permitting. The bay is literally flooded with salmon at this time, let’s hope they stick around and make things epic.
This cool water is really great for salmon but has an inhibiting effect on the nearshore species that prefer warmer water. Rockfish and halibut are still hanging out in deeper waters waiting for the nearshore temperatures to rise. Temperatures in the surf zone and out to 60 feet are hovering in the very low 50’s. Warmer water sends a signal to these fish to come in shallow and party. Eat. Spawn. Go wild. For rockfish, hitting the deeper reefs will produce full bags of reds, browns, and gopher cod, but they are few and far between on the shallow reefs of 40 to 60 feet right now. Likewise on the halibut. Flatties are much harder to find in deeper water because they have so much area of flat sand to inhabit. Working the edges adjacent to deeper reefs might be a good strategy for halibut hunters right now. Be prepared to spend some time at the game, however. By this time last year, we were inundated with flatties in the shallow waters. April through May found a ton of mostly smaller males, but also a number of larger females prior to June of last year. It’s good to know they are still out there waiting to move and provide us some summertime fun.”
Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell – Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Salmon 3 Halibut 3 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 2
This salmon season is showing signs of being special as the normal pattern of early season salmon holding off of the San Mateo coastline is occurring prior to the fish moving up the coast to feed off of the Marin coast by July. The wind has been the only limiting factor, but when the winds are laying down, limits have been the story.
Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady out of Sausalito normally doesn’t fish on Sunday due to whale watching trips, but he took advantage of a cancellation to head south with 20 anglers on Sunday for 38 salmon to 26 pounds for 20 anglers. He said, “We definitely had opportunities for limits as we hooked over 80 fish, but it was time to go when the weather came up in the afternoon. We clearly lost more fish that we were able to put in the box, but it was difficult to stand up on the deck by the end of the day. We had to run below the Deep Reef to find them, but the grade was outstanding with salmon to 26 pounds for a solid 15-pound average. Tomorrow, May 16th is the first day of the 20-inch minimum size, but we aren’t hooking many of these smaller fish. The salmon are feeding on krill, sardines, and baby rockfish.”
On Friday, Davis ran north to Duxbury on Friday and trolled for a solid hour without results before running all the way back down south below the Deep Reef for limits. He said, “The water did look good at Duxbury, and there are fish there, but it is a matter of time and place. We found a 14-pound average on Thursday with a number of 20-pound fish along with some barely 24 inches. Everyone got limits” It was Groundhog Day on Friday with the three other Sausalito boats returning with 62 limits of salmon and a combined 100 salmon to 26 pounds for 54 passengers on Sunday. The wind is expected to blow throughout the coming week, but the overall effect of the wind will pay dividends come later in the season.
The Sea Wolf out of Emeryville is one of the only boats concentrating on rockfish right now, and they posted 17 limits and 11 lings to 16 pounds on Friday, taking advantage of the weather to make to the islands.
Inside the bay, the halibut beat goes on with the addition of live bait out of Berkeley Marina pumping up scores, but trolling continues to be solid for up to limits, even on the big party boats. The live bait receivers still aren’t open in San Francisco, but a few inventive party boat captains have been able to locate a supply of live shiners or smelt.
Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Loch Lomond Marina in Marin County has been catching his own bait for months, and he found great action for the Tuatagaloa brothers of San Rafael on Sunday near the Bay Bridge. He said, “We caught halibut on every drift on live smelt. We left late at 7:00 a.m. for the long run to the Bay Bridge, and we were back in San Pablo Bay on our way home by 11:45 a.m. The water in San Pablo Bay has been muddy so we ventured into the central bay.”
Captain Steve Mitchell on the Malia Kai out of Berkeley continues to prove that his new vessel is a ‘fishy boat’ as he said, “We averaged a few fish per rod on Sunday trolling for the first time, and there are tricks to the movement of the new boat. We missed our morning snap by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we found them later in the morning to round out near-limits of halibut.”
Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco found 7 limits of halibut for his clients on a half-day trip trolling around the Oakland Airport. He said, “It was good that it was a half-day trip since it started to blow by early afternoon. Fishing has been good.”
Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Sport Fishing out of San Francisco has been focusing on shark fishing around ATT Park, and he said, “We have been finding tremendous action for both leopard sharks to 60 inches and seven gills using small balls of leftover salmon roe from sturgeon season. The sharks really like the roe. We will be working over the sharks until live bait is available, and it might still be a week or more before the bait boat is operating.”
The big party boats have been averaging around 2 fish or more per rod with the Pacific Dream and Happy Hooker out of Berkeley bringing home 95 halibut for 37 anglers on Sunday with over 200 short fish released. The newly-refurbished California Dawn II and Cal Dawn I had a spectacular day on Sunday in the south bay with limits of halibut to 17 pounds for 35 fishermen.
In San Pablo Bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael said, “This coming week will be challenging with the big tides as there are minuses to 1.7 feet by Thursday. However, halibut fishing has been unbelievable, and I haven’t ever seen it like this in over 45 years of running our shop. There are halibut everywhere from McNear’s Pier, the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, Paradise, San Quentin, and Red Rock. Anglers are drifting live shiners or smelt under the bridge at depths from 10 to 25 feet, and there are catching halibut. Even the levee outside of the marina has been producing legal halibut. Fishing has been fabulous.”
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 2 Surf perch 3
Rockfishing showed some improvement over the weekend with limits possible along the near coastal reefs. The Fiesta out of Virg’s Landing went out on Sunday with 30 anglers for limits consisting of 15 vermilion and 285 assorted rockfish. The Avenger, Endeavor, and Starfire out of Morro Bay Landing were also out on Sunday with a combined 61 passengers for 167 vermilion, 385 assorted rockfish, 48 Boccaccio to 10 pounds, and three ling cod. The Patriot and Phenix were out on half-day morning trips on Sundqy with 42 anglers for 45 vermilion, 11 Bolina, 248 assorted rockfish, and 4 ling cod. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The only limiting factor for striped and largemouth bass fishing in the Sacramento-Delta remains the northwest winds, and this week was no exception with windy weather throughout. Striped bass are returning from the spawn in the upper river, and there are still linesides heading into the upper weather to finish off the spawn within the next few weeks. When these fish make their way back down through the Delta and the wind is down, trolling along the West Bank will return to its normal excellence. In the meantime, trollers and those drifting minnows are focusing on the more-protected San Joaquin side of the Delta.
Alan Fong of Alan Fong’s Outdoors was able to make it through the wind early in the week, and he said, “We slaughtered the largemouth bass on chatterbaits. It was pretty good fishing for largemouths to 8 pounds, and my videographer, Denise Loo, dumped a few big ones as the fish were biting light, but she did land one at 6.5 pounds. The water is still very clear in the north Delta.”
The sturgeon are finally getting a break after heavy pressure throughout the winter and spring months, but Captain Zack Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures out of Pittsburg continues to run catch-and-release trips. He reported steady action for the diamondbacks with cured salmon roe, but the overall numbers have been down considerably. Between the wind and the lack of interest, the sturgeon are receiving a well-deserved break.
With the heavy winds plaguing the Sacramento River side of the Delta, trollers have been focusing on the slightly calmer waters of the San Joaquin. A huge minus tide will provide a special set of challenges this week as the main rive will become dirty from the tide along with the heavy amounts of debris dragged out of the slough and off of the banks.
Striped bass action remains outstanding with trollers working the calmer waters of the San Joaquin. Dave Houston, trolling expert, said, “We had a good day on Thursday as we stayed in the upper part of the San Joaquin. Chartreuse was the go-to color pattern early in the morning before switching to white later in the day. There are large schools stacked up, but when they are flat on the ground is when we get them trolling. We ended up with 24 keepers by noon with most in the 5- to 10-pound range, keeping four limits.”
Nelson Vineyard of Topline Sport Fishing said, “Striped bass action in the San Joaquin remains good with reports of schools from the lower San Joaquin upriver to Prisoner’s Point and on the Sacramento River from Collinsville above the Rio Vista Bridge. Trollers are doing well on either deep- or shallow-diving lures with the best colors being red/white, chartreuse, or crawdad patterns. Live bait has been my go-to this season due to the rising cost of fuel as I can run the electric motor for the day, cutting down the fuel cost. We have been scoring by power-drifting live bait anywhere from 1 to 2 mph around 10 feet in depth, but there are a number of stripers pushing up into the shoals. When the fish are in the shoals, I will swing my gear into 5 to 6 feet with the key paying attention to electronics and doubling back to the area where I mark the most fish throughout the day, focusing in on particular areas with structure. The water temperature on Thursday was 63 degrees on the lower San Joaquin, and I have noticed that the water temperature has started to stabilize as it is not fluctuating up and down like it was last week. Fishing will remain good until the water temperatures reach the 70-degree mark. The stripers were are bringing to the cleaning table are all loaded with crawdads in their bellies which is one of the first signs of our river system transitioning into summer. With the great action, I have extended my spring season into June.”
Vineyard put Casey Pham onto a 42-inch striped bass estimated at over 26 pounds on the minnows before releasing the big fish.
Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing said, “Fishing is very good as we have been scoring limits on a daily basis drift live bait on the San Joaquin side. We are still not seeing big groups of fish, but when the tide is right, the fish are stacking up in certain areas. With the bigger tides this week, the window will be smaller, but we are finding our best action on the first push of the outgoing tide. We put in 8 early limits on Sunday, and we have been releasing the bigger fish throughout the week, keeping the smaller males for the table. The fish are moving on a daily basis, and the minnows are working much better than spoons right now. When we run out of bait after catching and releasing up to 60 fish, we try the spoons, but the fish are more reluctant to hit the lures.”
James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service said, “I have been modifying my trolling speed a bit slower, and it seems to have made all of the difference. We are trolling 2.3 mph against the current and from 4.1 to 4.5 mph with the current, and the best bite has been on the outgoing tide as the bite dies on the incoming. The outgo before the bottom of the tide has been the best, and fishing has been fantastic around the shoals. We are starting the day by seeing singles of big females on the meter before the males start to coming in. Once the males arrive, they are stacked up. We witnessed a spawn on the San Joaquin this week as the surface was covered with white and the males were going crazy on the surface.’
For largemouth bass, Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors said, “The weather has been the big factor as it has been incredibly inconsistent. One day it will be warm and stable, and the next day, it will be blowing 20 mph. We are targeting post-spawn bass with Reaction Innovation’s Skinny Dippers or chatterbaits, and it is time to start focusing upon the channels and the cuts in the currents instead of the flats. I prefer to work the shallow flats, but the bass are transitioning although there are still fish on beds. I predict a good frog bite this summer as we had a dozen blow ups that didn’t stick on frogs this week, and this always happens at this time of year where they don’t really commit. The weights in the Wednesday Night Shoot Out at Ladd’s have been down overall, but there is always one team that finds close to 20 pounds.”
Dave King of Nor Cal Bass launched out of Paradise Point with his young son on Saturday, and he found a good early morning topwater bite with Spooks or Whopper Ploppers before switching over to Senkos or Brush Hogs when the tide changes. He said, “There are fish on beds, and although I wasn’t targeting them, I blind-casted into the shallows with a Brush Hog for bass at 3.5 and 5 pounds. Our next Delta Series tournament is Saturday, May 28th out of Ladd’s in Stockton.”
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “My game plan for largemouth bass is to look for a surface bite before first light before looking for the bass that spawned out two months ago. These fish will be hanging outside the weedlines in deeper water. The bass yet to spawn have been plagued by the constant winds creating 1- to 2-foot waves in the shallows where the bass are attempting to make their beds. For the spawned-out fish, I will start with a Berkley Hit Worm or General on light line on a Zappu head along with something of a crawdad imitation like a Pit Boss or a Chigger Craw. Anglers that have been out there the past few days are reporting not seeing any bed fish.”
The 10th Costa Bass-N-Fly is less than a month away on June 9th/10th out of Sugar Barge RV Resort and Marina on Bethel Island, and the two-day even will feature prizes, awards, and swag from the top gear companies. The event hasn’t been held in two years due to the pandemic. This is a fly-fishing only event for largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass with a daily weigh in at 2:00 p.m. before fun-filled afternoons. Registration is available at http://bass-n-fly.com/registration-page/.
In the south Delta, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop said, “The south San Joaquin River below Mossdale has been slow for striped bass, mostly due to the thick hyacinth along the banks out to 10 feet. Boaters are finding better action as they are able to avoid the hyacinth by drifting minnows. The best bank fishing has been taking place around Turtle Beach, but there are number of undersized stripers.” Fresh shad is still a few weeks into the future as the shad are small and holding in the shallows within the hyacinth.”
Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell – Hook’d Up Sport Fishing – (707) 655-6736; Chris Ditter – HeadRush Sport Fishing – (916) 284-9236; 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 2 Trout 3
At Nacimiento, spotted bass action remains good while more and more white bass are showing up. The topwater bite is solid along with crankbaits for spotted bass to 3 pounds. Working the bottom with jigs or finesse plastics are also producing while white bass are taken by trollers pulling white Kastmasters or Roostertails, and they are boiling on occasion at the mouths of coves. The crappie bite is slow overall, but the size of the slabs is impressive at up to 2 pounds. White bass are taken by trolling The lake dropped slightly to 26%. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam/. At Lopez, the launch ramp is now closed as of Monday due to low water levels, but bass fishing has been good with numbers of largemouths to 6 pounds taken on finesse plastics from the banks to 20 feet. There are rental boats remaining at the marina throughout the week. Trout plants have led to decent action with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, spoons, or spinners with deep water access. Bluegill and redear perch are located with meal worms or red worms. The lake level continues to drop slightly, and it is currently at 28.0%. A webcam of the lake is available at http://805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam/. At Santa Margarita, a large plant recently has led to solid trout fishing with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Rapalas, and bass fishermen are also picking up the planters on crankbaits. Bluegill and red ear are biting meal worms at depths to 10 feet, and crappie are loading up on minijigs in shad patterns. Bass fishing remains decent with crankbaits, either lipless or squarebilled, around structure. Catfish are taken on mackerel soaked in garlic with the best fishing occurring in the evening hours. A webcam of the lake is available at https://805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california/. The lake continues to drop to 60.1%. At San Antonio, the bass bite is holding steady for largemouths to 3 pounds with the best bite on big jigs or plastics on a drop-shot. Shad spawns throughout the lake are priming the action for a reaction bite as the water continues to clear and warm. Crappie remains very good with minijigs from either a boat or from shore with deep water access, and catfish are taken on mackerel soaked in garlic scent. Carp are in the shallows, and dough baits are working. The launch ramp is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Fridays. The lake held at 11%.
Call: Lake Nacimiento Marina (805) 238-3256; Lopez Lake Marina (805) 489-1006; Santa Margarita Marina Store (805) 438-1522; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2313
Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.
Events
Tournament results
Don Pedro –- Best Bass Tournaments Mother Lode Region - May 14th: 1st –Tyler and Jeff Frey – 12.09 pounds; 2nd –Willie Higle/Jaydee Watson – 11.70; 3rd – Daniel McAlister/Pat Ammerman – 11.66 (Big Fish -4.18).
Success –-Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments - May 14th: 1st –Rigoberto Moren/Rocky Gonzalez – 11.94 pounds (Big Fish – 3.17); 2nd – Chris Hamilton/DJ Dicks – 11.66; 3rd –Rodger Patterson/Randy Weldon – 11.64.
Success –-Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Youth Tournament of Champions - May 15th: 1st – Austin Burns; 2nd – Bear Demacablin; 3rd – Cade Bradford.
Upcoming Tournaments (subject to change)
May 20th –
Delta – Stanislaus County
May 21/22nd –
Clear Lake – Fresno Bass Club
Delta/Big Break Marina – Sierra Bass Clu
May 21st –
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Yak-A-Bass
Delta/Russo’s – Best Bass Tournaments
Delta/Holland Riverside Marina – Dan Mathisen Outdoors
Isabella – American Bass Association
Lopez – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
May 22nd –
Delta/Big Break Marina – American Bass Association
New Melones – Modesto Ambassadors
May 23rd-
New Melones – NorCal Bass
May 28th –
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – NorCal Bass
May 29th –
New Melones – California Bass Federation
June 5th –
Delta – Major League Fishing California High School State Championship