Fishing report, Feb. 15-21: Experts bagging limits at Millerton share their pro tips

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

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Best bets

Don Pedro trout hitting, McClure bass action improved, Dave Hurley reported. Millerton bass limit sizes good, Michael Crayne said. New Melones trout on a solid bite, Kyle Wise reported.

Roger’s remarks: It’s the quality, not quantity, of a friendship that matters

One of the greatest blessings of guiding has been developing special relationships with anglers as lifelong friends.

About nine years ago I got a call about doing a guide trip for three. The man on the phone was great to talk to and I immediately felt a connection to his cheerful personality. That’s how Ben Dunn came into my world.

He was a good angler and a quick study, but the thing that struck me most was his genuine gentle character. It was also obvious that his son-in-law Todd Yingling and son Roam had great respect and love for the man. That’s something that’s rare to see.

We only saw/talked to each other from time to time, but I always felt uplifted.

Several weeks ago, I got a call from Todd, and I instantly knew that Ben had passed. I had just talked to Ben and had decided that I was going to plan a special fishing trip for just Ben and myself; I needed to repay his friendship. I immediately regretted not getting to do it.

Ben’s death made me think about our relationship and why it was special. It wasn’t the quantity that connected us; it was a strong mutual respect and trust in each other’s character and our love of fishing. We could pick up where we left off the last time we talked without a pause.

Ben always wanted to help others enjoy the simple passion of his favorite sport. The fishing pole they laid against his wreath at the memorial service said it all.

His infectious, positive outlook, encouragement and gentle manners always made me feel energized, valued, honored and uplifted. He was one of those rare people I felt I could trust completely. In a world of personal promotion and selfish ambition, Ben always struck me as being exactly who he was – no facades. That’s not something you see much these days, a man unselfishly serving others. That was Ben.

I regret not getting to take Ben fishing one more time, but I know he would have encouraged me and told me, “No regrets.”

I am honored to have known Ben as I did and that we shared our passion for fishing. Never give up…making a difference in other’s lives!

Roger George: rogergeorge8@protonmail.com, Rogergeorgeguideservice on Facebook and @StriperWars

Valley

Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild said, “Fishing remains very slow, but the water is starting to move in the south aqueduct below the forebay. We had 16 rods out this past week with only one fish so action continues to remain slow with the stained water. There is also a tremendous amount of debris in the aqueduct. Our next event is the second annual Haley Lauchland Memorial Aqueduct Tournament on April 22 at the Hilldale Bridge. The entry fee for this tournament is 10 cans of unexpired food to be donated to the local food bank in Los Banos. We have chosen the food donation as a tournament entry since Merced County has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in our nation. It’s our way of combining a community fishing event for adults and children with the bigger picture of community need.”

In the south aqueduct, catfishing is the best bet with Triple S Dip Bait, chicken livers, or cut baits. Stripers are biting blood worms or jumbo minnows with the best action around moving water at the headgates. The reaction bite with flukes or jerkbaits is starting to improve. Largemouth bass are found with finesse presentations in the slower moving water.

With the cold water and rapid flows, anglers have to use extreme caution to avoid slipping into the deadly torrents. The following safety tips are provided by the Department of Water Resources:

• When you fish, stand back from the Aqueduct’s sloping concrete sides. They are steep, slippery, and difficult to climb. You could easily slide right into the water.
• Wear rubber-soled shoes for safe footing at the Aqueduct.
• If you go to the Aqueduct to fish, look around for the safety ladders and lines. Safety ladders along both sides of the Aqueduct are spaced 500 feet apart and marked by bright yellow paint. The safety lines are strung on plastic floats, close to bridges and other structures that cross the Aqueduct. These ladders and lines can save your life.
• Do not go into the water to land a fish, recover fishing gear, or any other reason. It’s too dangerous—the current is swift below the surface.
• Take your own drinking water. The Aqueduct water has not been treated and is not safe to drink.
• Don’t play close to the Aqueduct.
• Do not climb structures or fish from bridges crossing the Aqueduct. They are not safe fishing spots.

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

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 1

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Avenue 26b between Roads 27 and 29 – the main road to Eastman – remains closed due to a washout across the roadway, but Road 29 is open on the backside of the lake. The bass are scattered in the muddy and fluctuating water as both reservoirs rose this week.” Eastman is at 74% with Hensley at 34%. Previous trout plants brought out minimal pressure but a double plant this week should bring out the swimbait bite.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Trout trolling continues to be solid for limits to 18 inches with grubs, Speedy Shiners, or Rapalas near the surface. Finding clear water is the key. King salmon are holding deep in the water column, but the bite is starting to come on. It’s the same story at Don Pedro with quick limits of quality rainbows including a king salmon taken by Steve Wirfs, Dave Perez, and Jeff Boyle on a recent trip. The king was landed at 80 feet, but the rainbows are holding from the surface to 15 feet with similar gear to the other Mother Lode lakes. Bass fishing remains challenging, but 16 pounds won a recent tournament. The lake is at 785.16 feet in elevation and 74% as water releases have begun.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Kyle Wise, Head Hunter Guide Service (209) 531- 3966; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Fishing (559) 691-7008

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2

Isabella rose slightly to 22% of capacity, rising a foot to 2,551.62 feet in elevation this week. Catfishing is the best game in town with Triple S Dip Bait, cut baits, or frozen threadfin shad. Bass fishing remains a challenge with the largemouths holding at depths to 35 feet off of main lake points. Deep-diving crankbaits, large profile jigs, plastic worms from 7 to 10 inches, or creature baits are working best. A trout plant is scheduled for this week, and Power Bait or nightcrawlers are working from the shorelines while trollers are finding a few planters pulling bright colored spoons or spinners on a few colors of leadcore. It will take more plants before the trout action heats up. Crappie are found offshore over submerged trees or brush in 25 feet of water. Registration for the 32nd annual Lake Isabella Fishing Derby opened Jan. 1 with adult tickets at $40/angler with youth at $15/angler. The derby will take place from April 1 through June 4 with 500 tagged trout worth between $20 and $10,000 and over $55,000 in cash and prizes. Registration and information at kernrivervalley.com/isabellalakefishingderby.

The upper Kern River is scheduled to be planted this week and next with single plants in Sections 4 and 6 with double-plants every week in Section 5 which is just above Bull Run Creek. Section 4 is Kernville. Trout action in the 20-Mile Section of the Upper Kern has been outstanding with salmon eggs, live crickets, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or spinners in the clear water. The upper river has dropped to 530 cfs at Kernville, and flows out of the lake at First Point below the dam are steady at 329 cfs this week. The lower Kern in Sections 1 and 2 received trout plants last week, yet catfish are the top bet with cut baits or Triple S Dip Bait.

Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket, 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 continues to drop from its high of 44% two weeks ago, and it has come down 14 feet within the week to 608.35 feet in elevation and 14% due to water releases. Bass are found at depths to 40 feet as they are suspending with the dropping water. Plastics on a Ned-rig, drop-shot, or dart head are working best in the deep water while there is a reaction bite with crankbaits or spinnerbaits at depths to 10 feet. Catfishing is best with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or chicken livers while crappie are taken in the brush or rocks in Horse Creek with minijigs or minnows. A trout plant is scheduled for this week.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

Success held at 613.09 feet and 27% this week as water releases have slowed. The bass bite remains slow, but crappie are starting to perk up with Keitechs swimbaits in shad imitations or crappie jigs. Catfish are another option with mackerel, Triple S Dip Bait, or chicken livers. Power Bait, Berkley Mice Tails, or nightcrawlers are working for the planted rainbows near the launch ramp with the next plant scheduled for this week. There is a tremendous amount of debris on the surface, and boaters must take caution as in most lakes at the present time.

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

McClure Reservoir

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

The lake is clearing, and the reaction bite is starting to make a strong showing with a variety of presentations. Finesse presentations are also productive, and the high water has been a bonus for anglers as new areas are open along with new sources of food. The Nor Cal Bass Lake Series is Saturday. The lake rose slightly to 802.25 feet in elevation and 25%.

Call: Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service, (559) 691-7008

McSwain Reservoir

Trout 2

Overall trout fishing has been slow with the lack of plants, but plants will start occurring as the spring arrives. The annual Merced Irrigation District Trout Derby is April 1-2. Trout fishing remains best for holdovers from the Handicapped Docks, Brush Pile, or the peninsula near the marina with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or bright patterns of Kastmasters. The lake rose to 90%, and it is starting to clear up.

Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 3 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 1

The lake dropped to 60%, and the spotted bass are suspended from the surface to 30 feet along steep rock walls and bluffs. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “There is a solid mid-range crankbait bite along with finesse jigs.” The Fresno Bass Club held a tournament at the lake on Sunday with the top three weighing in over 11 pounds. Bill Kunz of St. Croix Rods said, “The last month at Millerton has been good to me except for (Sunday). I have been fishing for quality fish with jigs and on a good day catching 10 to 12 quality fish. On the two post-frontal days (tournament days, of course), I only had five bites one day and four bites another day, but they were decent fish. I fished mainly one rod all month, the St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning rod 73MXF with 10-pound P-Line Teflon Coated Braid (TCB) main line and a 6-8 pound P-line Tactical Fluorocarbon leader. I threw a couple different brand jigs, Creekside and G-Money. Mainly purples and browns in 1/4 finesse and 3/8 regular skirts. I threw two different trailers, a twin tail Yamamoto grub and a Dead Stik baby crawdaddy. Millerton has come a long way from the days where winning weights were 7- to 8-pound bags. Weights have been improving each year and this year there have been several 16- to 17-pound bags of spotted bass caught.” The San Joaquin River at Friant has dropped from 621 to 505 cfs this week. The Trout Pond at Sycamore Lake Park was stocked again last week, and Sycamore Island will remain open for weekends only – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a $9 vehicle fee. Rental two-person canoes or single kayaks are available for $10/hour.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2

Trout trolling remains solid for holdovers to 19 inches with Rapalas, grubs, or Speedy Shiners in the top 10 feet of the surface. The water is clearing, but there is still a tremendous amount of debris on the surface, including huge logs and trees. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “I have been on Melones all week, and limits are coming easy with Rapalas, spoons, or grubs right on the surface. The visibility continues to improve as it is in the 6- to 7-foot range, but there are some huge logs still on or just under the surface. The Glory Hole launch is open with one dock while Tuttletown continues to be closed although the water is on the ramp.”

Bass fishing is picking up as the reaction bite is coming one, but numbers of bass can be taken on plastics on the drop-shot or jigs in deep water. The lake rose to 946.12 feet in elevation this week and 43%.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Ryan Cook, Ryan Cook’s Guide Service (559) 691-7008; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

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

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis said, “Bass fishing has been tough overall, but Max Lee caught and released a 7-pound spotted bass on his kayak over the weekend. Swimbaits, umbrella rigs, and Flashy Swimmers on an underspin along with crawdad patterns on a Texas-rig are working best. The reaction bite is improving.” The Golden Empire Bass Club held a tournament on Saturday with the top two weights over 10 pounds. In the lower Kings, trout plants are scheduled for the next two weeks, and the flows have dropped slightly to 1,222 cfs at Trimmer. Atomic tubes, nightcrawlers, or Power Bait are all working for the planters in the slower water. The lake rose to 54%.

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 1

Heavy pumping from the south Delta continues to bring water into the main lake and through the O’Neill Forebay. Boaters are finding the best action closer to the islands near the dam in the main lake by either drifting jumbo minnows or trolling umbrella rigs or broken-backed Rebels or P-Line’s Predators. The mouth of Portuguese Cove has been slower than the dam area. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the water visibility has improved but that the rising water and the cooler frontal systems put the fish off the bite on Sunday during a scouting trip. “I expect the action to be up and down until the lake level stabilizes. Finding active biting fish is tough most days.” George is doing a striper seminar on Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Sportsman’s Warehouse on Friant Road. “Basic Downrigging for Stripers, and Trophy Tactics and Tips” will cover lures, tackle, setups, equipment and Q&A. Pre-registration required at rogergeorgeguideservice.com, cost $60, info 905-2954.

In the forebay, the water level has been fluctuating with the pumping in and out, and the water clarity has been stained. Live minnows or anchovies are working near Check 12 or around Highway 33. The main lake rose to 69% with the forebay at 80%.

Wind warning and lake closure lights are used on San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay to alert boaters of current wind conditions. On San Luis Reservoir, watch for the three wind warning and lake closure lights near the Basalt Entrance Station, Quien Sabe Point, and the Romero Visitor Center. On the O’Neill Forebay, wind warning 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 are required to immediately vacate the lake when the red lake closure lights are on.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711; Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954; windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir

High Sierra

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0

The best action for planted trout remains around the Sheriff’s Tower with Power Bait, Mice Tails, or nightcrawlers. Trolling has been slow in the cold water. Registration for the annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby began Feb. 1 with the derby scheduled April 29-30. There will be over $55,000 in total cash prizes with two $10,000 tagged fish, one $5,000 tagged fish, 150 tags for $100, and 847 tags for $20. Derby registration is $25/adult and $15/youth under 16. Registration and information at basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. The lake dropped slightly to 73%. A webcam of the launch ramp is at basslakeca.com. A trout plant is scheduled for this coming week.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

The Kaiser Pass Lakes are out of play until the spring as heavy snow fell in the region. Edison is at 10%, Florence at 26%, and Mammoth Pool at 99%.

Call: Road conditions 297-0706; Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Kokanee 2 Trout 2

Dick Nichols, Shaver Lake guide emeritus, said, “Fair weather last week brought out a few more boats at Shaver. On Friday, seven boats and at least three kayaks hit the lake. Two obviously experienced kayak trollers from Merced reported some decent trout action, but they were targeting kokanee and came up empty. The trout action near the surface remains decent, but where are this year’s kokanee has been the question. The Shaver water column took a huge jump this week raising to about 3/4 full. Historically, a rapid rise in water results in slower action and it is so this week regarding the kokanee bite. Most are located in the upper 30 feet.”

Nichols added, “The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Program, (SLTTP) has sponsored the Trout In The Classroom program for nearly a decade. The program was founded by Jim Tingey in Illinois several years ago. Mr. Tingey’s old friend, Shaver resident and a founding SLTTP member David Dungy, implemented the program with the SLTTP. The program in Shaver, under the direction of Dungy, began with two schools, Pine Ridge and Big Creek elementary schools. Dungy and his cast of fellow SLTTP members purchased special refrigerator aquariums and placed them in both schools. The project delivered eggs, and the students acted like Santa had arrived. They watched over the days for the eggs to hatch and they did. Eventually, after their youngster trout got to age, they planted them in Shaver Lake. The SLTTP supplied a hot dog feed and a presentation on the life of a trout. Last Friday, Dungy and his fellow SLTTP members met at the Friant Hatchery and again sorted and delivered trout eggs to six current schools in the greater area. Trout in the Classroom is one of many youth projects undertaken by the SLTTP. We continue to provide youth and physically challenged fishermen with the opportunity to experience the outdoors and spread the love for fishing.”

The webcam of the launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html. Shaver rose to 71% with Huntington dropping slightly to 33%.

Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service, 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 0

Heavy snow fell in the region, and the normal closure for McKinley Grove Road is Dec. 1.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Striper 1 White seabass 1 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 2

Surf perch and land-based rockfishing are the only game in town until the anticipated salmon opener in April. The Pacifica Pier remains the best location to score up to 10-crab limits of legal-size using snares from the shorelines. Surf perch action is heating up in anticipation of the big Sand Crab Classic on March 11. Crab-only or crab/sand dab/Petrale sole trips are offered by the New Captain Pete. The commercial boat New Day is selling live Dungeness crab at E dock, slip 9 in Half Moon Bay for $6 a pound, or $4.50 a pound if you buy 10 or more. To reserve your crab, call Captain Al Richardson at (360) 460-7048. The Pacifica Pier remains the best location to score up to 10-crab limits of legal-size using snares from the shorelines. The status of the pier is at cityofpacifica.org/departments/public-works/field-services/pacifica-pier.

Boat-based rockfish season will not open until May 15 with the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line until July 15. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. From July 16 through Dec. 31, open at all depths. Spear divers and shore-based anglers will continue to have year-round fishing opportunities for groundfish.

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

Striper 1 White seabass 1 Crab 3 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “The destructive storm trains have abated. We can still expect winter weather to continue but hopefully not of the disaster variety. In addition to the wreckage caused by huge waves and tidal push during those storms, a massive amount of sand and silt was moved during those storm events. Because of prevailing nearshore currents, the sand tends to be dug away from North or West facing points, and deposited on the East or South lying areas. Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz is now sporting a new beach on the corner near indicators, a result of the massive sandbar there. Surfers are also enjoying the sandbars near San Lorenzo River mouth, one of the best waves in town when it’s working. Another great surf spot brings more mixed emotions for those who enjoy fishing and boating as well as surfing. The Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor entrance is dreadfully shoaled now, and has been so ever since the big storms in January. Great for surfing barrels, but not so great for big commercial crab boats. Though wind and rain have been lessened dramatically, the north and west swells have continued unabated. It seems the waves have not dropped significantly below six feet for the past month. Of course, this keeps the sand moving, digging out of some areas and depositing on others. Latest sounding map shows a narrow channel at the harbor mouth about 10 feet wide and only five feet deep. Some boats continue coming in and out of the harbor, but pay very close attention to the tides and waves. Higher tide gives a little more leeway for boats beneath their keels, but harbor officials still recommend against transiting the harbor mouth at this time.”

Bought for $20 million back in 2014, the dredge Twin Lakes has been operating every day as possible since the storms. Harbormaster Blake Anderson is extremely complimentary in his description of the dredge crew efforts. “It’s getting better every day that they dredge,” Anderson said on Wednesday. “They are working their butts off. Most people don’t see them but they really are the reason that we are a harbor instead of a lagoon. We couldn’t do it without them.” The dredge crew and other harbor staff are committed to getting the entrance fully cleared as soon as possible. They’re not able to predict a specific date when this will be accomplished, but it will be soon. “We’re gonna punch through,” how Anderson describes it.

Anderson described the progress and process of dredging efforts at the harbor right now saying, “The giant storms not only brought in all this sand, but also included tons of debris mixed with the deposits at the harbor mouth. It’s a grueling process for the crew with all the logs and branches impacted within the sandbar. Pump cleanup takes a lot of time. They have to shut down the pump, take it apart, clean out the debris and put it all back together to keep things operating correctly and avoid pump failure. There are also safety issues for both personnel and equipment. We’re dealing with big swells in shallow water every day.” Currently, the dredge is digging deep holes inside of the harbor entrance. This gives the sand blocking the entrance “a place to go,” and serves to encourage a natural channel at the entrance. As that immediate area gains depth, the dredge can move out to the entrance itself, widening and deepening the channel as they progress.”

Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching in Monterey are taking the sand dab/Petrale sole trips for $120/angler depending upon weather and interest. The 19th annual Sand Crab Perch Derby on March 11 is sold out with 300 entrants signing up online within a few days of the registration opening.

Rockfish season will not reopen for boat-based anglers until May 1 where it will be open from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception south of Morro Bay at all depths through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50-fathom line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Chris’s Landing in Monterey will be offering sand dab/mackerel/Dungeness crab trips during the interim period of time.

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

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay

Halibut 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2 Crab 2

Few boats are operating for crab-only trips when the weather cooperates, but a Crab Validation Stamp is necessary as crab pots are not able to be used.

San Pablo Bay is home of the famous Sturgeon Triangle, the vertices between China Camp, the Pumphouse, and Buoy 5, but over the past few years, the normal pattern of white sturgeon migrating into the bay has been on hold due to the lack of fresh water flow. San Pablo and San Francisco Bay have been so renowned for sturgeon fishing that the two

pre-eminent books on sturgeon techniques, Keith Fraser’s “Guide to Sturgeon Fishing,” and Abe and Angelo Cuanang’s “San Francisco and Delta Sturgeon Fishing,” were focused on the bay. Due to the effects of the drought, the bulk of the sturgeon were kegged up in upper Suisun Bay until just recently. However, there are signs of larger numbers of sturgeon migrating into San Pablo and the south bay due to the series of atmospheric rivers flooding the bay’s creeks, bringing mud, silt, and new food sources. Combined with herring spawns in Richardson Bay and along the San Francisco waterfront, in the words of Fraser, “Sturgeon are arriving to dine on herring.”

Fraser, the preeminent expert on the bay sturgeon, added, “The action has been good from the shorelines at China Camp and McNear’s Pier, and of course, I always prefer the Pumphouse area in 11 feet or so of water on the outgoing tide. The outgo is prime time in San Pablo Bay, and the water is the perfect chocolate-brown color that we favor. Live mud shrimp is my bait of choice, but live ghost or grass shrimp is also effective.”

Fraser was one of many who advocated for the closure from Jan. 1 to March 15 in the central bay due to the herring spawns. Previously, the sturgeon flooded into the central bay for the spawns, resulting in easy pickings on the ancient species. During the closure, sturgeon fishing is restricted in San Francisco Bay on 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, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388

San Luis Obispo

Surf perch 3

The boat-based rockfish season ended on Dec. 31, and the season will not reopen for boat-based anglers until May 1 where it will be open from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Conception south of Morro Bay at all depths through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50-fathom line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. The boats will focus on nature trips while surf perch action will take center stage. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at 805webcams.com.

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

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 2

Super Bowl weekend brings all manners of sturgeon anglers to San Francisco Bay and the California Delta in search of the one fish that is worth thousands, and this past weekend was no exception as 578 anglers were out from Alviso to Cache Slough looking for the 55-inch target-length fish.

The Original Sturgeon Derby is a fundraiser by the Foundation Sportsmen’s Club for the Johnny Fillbeck Scholarship Fund for Bay Point 4-year high school athletes to attend college. The club is also involved in several other philanthropic ventures. Despite the outstanding weather over the weekend, attendance was down significantly over past years, resulting in a total of $17,336 distributed between the top seven places on both Saturday and Sunday – a payback of 75%.

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing was one of the many captains who fished from the start at 7 a.m. on Saturday through the night to closing time at noon on Sunday. He said, “The tides were small during the day which limited the bite, but the evening tides were excellent, and we released three slot fish that were not close enough to the 55-inch mark along with a few short fish and an oversized one. We missed a number of bites as well, but that is fishing. Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing was sitting on a bunch of shakers during the day, and after releasing 13 shakers and aa oversized, he made a move before night, and he started picking up keepers and oversized sturgeon. Most everything has been coming on cured salmon roe.”

Captain Zach Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures wasn’t participating in the derby, but he was out on Saturday to release two fish that would have been in the money in the 55- to 56-inch range on salmon roe. The sturgeon bite will only get better and better as the water continues to warm up. The next two months should prove outstanding from Cache Slough down to the Carquinez Bridge as the diamondbacks are on the move, and they are feeding.

One positive aspect of the Original Sturgeon Derby is the fish must be alive when brought to the measuring table to limit cheating, and as a result, a number of the sturgeon are released back into the Delta.

The largemouth bass bite has a way to go in order to be considered hot, but there was a significant improvement as the Nor Cal Bass 34-boat tournament out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton was won by the team of Gary Hall and Aaron Buckholtz with 16.27 pounds. This is a significant improvement over last weekend’s tournament out of Russo’s Marina won with less than 6 pounds. Tournament director Dave King said, “We had a full week of good weather, and I anticipated a much-improved bite. The best action came by flipping in the stained water which was a few degrees warmer than the clear water. There are areas with clear water now, but our anglers found a much better bite in the off-color areas. The second-place team had to leave early, but before they did, they found all of their fish along one 800-yard stretch of the river. They just kept working this stretch back and forth. Vernell Wooten landed the big fish of the tournament at 9.30 pounds on a crawdad-patterned crankbait, and the funny thing was he had a backlash and made a long cast to send out as much line as possible. We saw a swirl, and the big fish struck. The Delta is just going to get better and better with this weather as we are clearly moving into spring.”

Striped bass continue to be found in the clearest water in the north Delta above Cache Slough into the Sacramento Deep Water Channel, but as the water continues to clear, striped bass trolling will improve from Collinsville to above Rio Vista.

In the south Delta, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop said, “The San Joaquin below the Mossdale Bridge remains off color as most of our fishermen are heading west into the Delta or fishing for trout at Los Vaqueros.”

As regulation changes for white sturgeon are clearly on the horizon for 2024 and combined with the poor return of the Sturgeon Report Card by anglers, party boat captains have bonded to collect data on white sturgeon to provide to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. White sturgeon have proven difficult to gather data on within the past few years as the fish have been holding in deep water, out of the range of the nets used by the department to catch and release the species. James Stone, president of the Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen Association, assisted in the organization of the captains by providing the Fishermen Lead Assessment Monitoring Experiment (FLAME) app to 10 captains working out of Pittsburg Marina and six more guides in the upper river.

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing said “The app allows us to take a photo using a special measuring stick and document the GPS coordinates of where the fish was landed. We have only been using this for a few weeks, but we have already documented over 100 sturgeon.” In addition to Mitchell, participating out of Pittsburg Marina are Captains Steve Talmadge of Flash Sport Fishing, Joey Gamez of Golden State, Ricky Acosta of Feeding Frenzy, Mike Funtanilla of Bend Ur Rod, Steve Nicholas of Delta, Kyle Dryer of Diamond, Jay Lopes of Right Hook, John Badger of Barbarian, and Hayden Mullens of Dragon Sport Fishing.

Citizen-collected data will increase in importance as pressure on the various species combined with limitations within the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828

Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez

Bass 2 White bass 1 Striper 0 Catfish 3 Crappie 2 Bluegill 2 Trout 2

At Nacimiento, the lake rose to 87%, and the lake is clearing on a daily basis. The Best Bass Tournaments held a 27-boat tournament on Saturday with the winning limit just over 8 pounds. The best bass action has been coming around the shad schools with plastics on a drop-shot or shad-patterned spoons. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/lake-nacimiento-live-webcam. At Lopez, it’s similar to the conditions at Nacimiento with the lake rising to 54.9% within the week. At this rate, the launch ramp should be accessible in the coming weeks. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. Anglers can view a live webcam of the lake at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam. At Santa Margarita, the lake continues to spill over, but it has dropped to 100.6% on Monday. A trout plant is scheduled for next week. A webcam of the lake is at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california.At San Antonio, the lake rose slightly to 39%, and the lake is muddy with debris on the surface. It will take some time to clear before fishing is back in action.

Reminder: consuming white bass, black bass, crappie, catfish, or carp are subject to safe eating guidelines due to excessive mercury.

Events

March 10-12: 2023 Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show, Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield

Tournament Results

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass – Feb. 11: 1st – Gary Hall/Aaron Buckholtz – 16.27 pounds; 2nd –Jake Howard/Larry Lubner – 15.39; 3rd – Lorenzo and Lucca Rossetti – 14.09 (Big Fish – 4.86).

Delta/Bay Point Marina – Feb. 11-12 39th annual Foundation Sportsmen’s Club Original Sturgeon Derby winners (55-inch target length):

New Melones – 17/90 Bass Club– Feb. 11: 1st – Dave and Roy – 12.42 pounds; 2nd –Brian and Mark Young – 10.15; 3rd – Harry and Brent Vierra – 9.06.

Don Pedro – Feb. 11: 1st – Charlie and Jimmy Welch – 15.47 pounds (Big Fish – 3.76); 2nd –Bryan Holmes/Evan Price – 14.79; 3rd – Leng and Xue Yang – 14.34.

Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club – Feb. 11: 1st – Mike and Larry Merlo – 10.65 (Big Fish – 3.10); 2nd – David Childress/Nathan Towes – 10.25; 3rd – Rick and Mike Gohr – 9.85 (Big Fish – 3.10).

Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments – Feb. 11: 1st – Jason and Geno Lazzerini – 8.09 pounds (Big Fish – 3.04); 2nd – Steve Scharton/Anthony Petri – 8.03; 3rd – Damon Meeks/Jay Short – 7.12.

Millerton – Fresno Bass Club – Feb. 12: 1st – Cory Kerber – 13.09 pounds (Big Fish – 3.97); 2nd – John Albidrez– 12.91; 3rd –Tim Turner – 11.62.

Upcoming Tournaments (subject to change)

Feb. 18

Delta/Big Break Marina – Delta Bass Club

New Melones – Angler’s Press/Tri Valley Bass Masters/Contra Costa Bass Club

McClure – Nor Cal Bass

Don Pedro – Kerman Bass Club/American Bass Association/Gilroy Bass Masters

Millerton – Bass 101

Pine Flat – Kern County Bass Masters

Nacimiento – Bass N’Tubes

Santa Margarita – American Bass Association

Feb. 19

New Hogan – Modesto Ambassadors

New Melones – California Bass Federation

McClure – Kings River Bass Club

Feb. 25

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Christian Bass League/Valley Backlashers

Delta/Big Break Marina – Bass Anglers of Northern California

Don Pedro – Oro Madre Bass Anglers

McClure – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Millerton – Sierra Bass Club

Pine Flat – Central Valley Kayak Fishing

Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers

Feb. 26

McClure – Slay Nation Tournaments

This story was originally published February 14, 2023 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Fishing report, Feb. 15-21: Experts bagging limits at Millerton share their pro tips."