Central California fishing report: Delta bass and stripers hitting

Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member 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 bass and stripers hitting, Alan Fong reported. New Melones bass and Kokanee bites excellent, Kyle Wise said. Pine Flat trout active, Brian Klassen reported. Wishon rainbows on a “ fantastic” bite, Kelly Brewer reported. Isabella catfish , crappie and trout action solid, and Westside aqueduct stripers improved, Copes Tackle said. Shaver Kokanee limits possible, Dick Nichols reported.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley/Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 3

The northern section of the California Aqueduct continues to improve for both catfish and striped bass. Catfish are taken on chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or cut sardines while stripers are also hitting sardines, minnows, or lures such as jerkbaits. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported solid action for striped bass in the California Aqueduct although there are several undersized linesides around 12 to 17 inches. Cut sardines and lug worms are best along inside bends and below check gates. Zara Spooks, white jerkbaits, or white/blue paddletail swimbaits are effective for those throwing lures. Catfish are inhaling cut sardines, anchovies, or chicken liver with by far the best action after dark. 4- to 6-inch plastic worms in purple, dark green, or brown on a Texas-rig are producing largemouth bass along with flukes in baitfish patterns on a drop-shot near outtake grates.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

At Eastman, Tas Moua was back out on the lake again on Sunday, and he said, “The bite had been great with a few experienced kayakers scoring huge bags up to 37 pounds last week. Damian Thao of Fresno returned to the lake after placing in first, second, or third in three recent tournaments, and he caught and released largemouth bass at 10.01 and 9.3 pounds as part of a 37-pound limit. However, with the moon phase and the falling water, the bite turned into a grind. I landed several small bass in the 12- to 14-inch range on suspended fish, but kayaker Max Lee landed a double-digit over 10 pounds in the main lake using a Hover Strolling technique with a minnow imitation. He came by and asked me to take the picture of the fish prior to release. I did find a good topwater bite from the dam to the launch ramp for bass in the 1.25-pound range once the sun started to set from 8:30-9 p.m.” At Hensley, Moua reported not much change, but he was surprised that one of his customers reported landing a few rainbow trout on Power Bait. Both lakes are releasing water, and Eastman dropped 6½ feet to 517.98 feet in elevation and 35% of capacity with Hensley dropping over 3½ feet to 481.59 feet in elevation and 24% of capacity. Only one more event is scheduled at Eastman through the end of June.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Don Pedro will be busy this coming Saturday with Kokanee Power’s Phil Johnson Memorial Team Tournament in addition to two club bass tournaments. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “The KP tournament should be interesting as it is unclear how many of the big third-year kokanee are in the lake. Some participants will go away happy while others will be not so happy.” Smith continues to find kokanee to over two pounds at depths from 60 to 85 feet with smaller profile lures such as hoochies or the smallest Apex lures behind a dodger. He said, “The earlier you get on the lake, the better, as the bite dies as soon as the sun comes up. Once the bite dies, you must scramble through your tackle box to try to see what is going to work. Smaller profile lures are working best, and the big fish are coming up to around 60 to 65 feet at times.” Heavy boat traffic was the story over the holiday weekend with only a self-inspection necessary to launch a vessel. Fewer bass angler were out over the weekend, but there still is a topwater with the Berkley Choppo 90 in the mornings or evenings before the fish move into deep water by mid-morning. Dragging jigs or plastics on a Carolina-rig or drop-shot on a slow presentation are working best. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The Blue Oaks launch ramp has reopened. The lake continues to release water, and it dropped 2½ feet to 817.28 feet in elevation this week. The lake will host 4 bass tournaments during the middle of July. A self-inspection is required for launching, and boat traffic is expected to be intense over the holiday weekend.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake dropped two feet to 2,582.81 feet in elevation and 59% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported crappie action is solid in the South Fork area over deep brush and submerged structure with small or medium live minnows along with white/charteuse minijigs at depths around 15 feet. Catfishing is also excellent, especially during the evening hours, with good numbers of quality whiskerfish coming on Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or cut bait. Bass fishing has slowed down compared to recent weeks, but there are still fish to be had on jigs, spinnerbaits, or Senkos along with crawfish patterns on a Texas-rig or 1st Gen spinnerbaits in Sexy Shad around submerged trees. The trout bite continues to be solid for both bank and shore anglers. Trollers are running Tasmanian Devil spoons, Needlefish, or Berkley’s Flicker Shad crankbaits while bank anglers are scoring with Power Bait or nightcrawlers from shore areas with deep water access. The upper Kern River, Cope’s reported ideal flows, attracting plenty of campers and fishermen along the banks from Kernville upstream to the Johnsondale Bridge. Trout plants are scheduled in Sections 5 and 6 this week. There are numerous reports have come in of anglers landing full limits throughout various stretches on salmon eggs, trout jigs, or spinners while fly anglers are finding success with attractor nymphs, streamers, or dry flies during the late afternoon hatches. On the lower Kern, trout plants took place last week, salmon eggs, garlic-scented Power Bait, or small spinners are working for the planters . The bass bite for both smallmouth and largemouth remains strong throughout the canyon with jigs, soft plastics, or small crankbaits. Catfish are also active, responding well to dip baits and cut bait. The flows in the upper Kern River continue to drop from 1,007 to 805 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake have risen to 1,408 cfs at First Point. Four bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of July.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; 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 dropped another 17 feet to 670.55 feet in elevation and 55% of capacity. Cope’s reported tough fishing as the lake is dropping rapidly, suspending the bass around rocky points. Brass N’ Glass or Senkos have been most effective for enticing strikes, but there is also a window for topwater lures. Small live minnows are working for crappie in submerged structure and around the marinas, but catfishing has been slow. Kaweah experiences perhaps the most rapid drawdown of any reservoir in California, and fishing is expected to improve once the water stabilizes. The Kaweah River continues to drop, and it is currently slowing down to 253 cfs at Three Rivers. No additional bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of July. Another trout plant is scheduled at Hedrick Pond this week.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake dropped four feet to 643.43 feet in elevation and 77% of capacity. Cope’s reported largemouth bass are holding in the submerged trees, rocks, or brush as the lake continues to drop. Senkos, jigs with craw trailers, or plastic worms in brown, purple, or dark green on a drop-shot are most effective along with deep-diving crankbaits or underspins. Forward-Faccing Sonar is important to locate bass holding in the trees, and accurate casts are essential. Catfish anglers had success with dip baits while crappie were caught on small live minnows fished under slip bobbers.

McClure Reservoir

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

With no restrictions other than a self-inspection at McClure, recreational boat traffic was very heavy over the holiday weekend. Bass fishing was limited to the early morning before the recreational boaters came out, but there is still a window for topwater with the Berkley Choppo 90 in shad patterns or similar small shad imitation walking baits. Plastics on the drop-shot or jigs on a slow presentation at depths to 30 feet are effective once the fish suspend into deeper water. Trolling slowed down with the heavy recreational boating traffic. The Reel Deel Market at Barrett’s Cove is now open for the summer. The lake dropped nearly 4 feet to 845.67 feet in elevation and 86% of capacity. Tournament action has slowed down with only 2 small club tournaments scheduled through the end of July.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 2

The holiday weekend was dominated by campers and the Splash and Dash water feature. Without regular trout plants, only a few rainbow trout are taken from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina with garlic-scented Power Bait in the early mornings or late evenings. Trout plants have not occurred since early April, and the number of fish in the lake is limited. Reel Deal Market at McSwain is open on summer hours. The lake rose to 85% of capacity. Information https://mysplashndash.com/knowbeforeyougo/#hours.Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 2 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported threadfin shad has moved into the shallows, and bass in the 12- to 14-inch range are the story on the Madera side with Senkos, Brush Hogs, or plastics on the drop-shot. There is an early morning or late afternoon topwater bite with small shad patterned topwater lures. The lake has started to release water, and it dropped 8½ feet to 555.68 feet in elevation and 80% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are steady at 199 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Only one bass tournament is scheduled in mid-July.

Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3

Boat pressure ramped up over the holiday weekend with the Glory Hole parking lot filling up by mid-morning on Saturday with boats diverted to Tuttletown. Kokanee fishing remains outstanding as Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service put his clients onto two limits of kokanee before the launch ramps opened on Monday. Wise has his vessel at the marina so he can get on the lake very early. He said, “It’s still lights out for kokanee at depths from 50 to 65 feet with J-Pex lures behind a 5½-inch gold dodger.” Wise will start to run evening trout trips during the coming weeks to avoid the triple digit temperatures. Bass remain active with a solid topwater bite along with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot for the suspended fish at depths to 30 feet by mid-morning. Numbers of spotted bass are the rule, and there is a good bite with underspins or paddletailed swimbaits. The decontamination unit is available by reservation at the New Melones Marina from Monday through Friday, and it is open over the weekends for those without a reservation. Boaters are advised to schedule a decontamination via https://musseldecon.com/ with a deposit of $60 as the weekend rates without a reservation are significantly higher. Costs will vary from a minimum of $60 to $180 up depending upon the size and complexity of the vessel. Boats not making a reservation will be charged as much as $180. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped two feet to 1,033.68 feet in elevation and 75% of capacity with downstream Tulloch holding at 97% of capacity.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

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

Brian Klassen of Reedley targeted king salmon and rainbow trout with a large crew including his brother Evan, Eric and Tekla Patton of Tulare with their sons Jayden and Axel, Kim Silva of Tulare, and Eric Brown of Shafter. Klassen said, “We got to the lake at 5:45 am, but we had to go without electronics since the battery for the meter was dead. Not knowing speed or depth, we worked the middle of the lake at depths of approximately 35 to 50 feet with Dick’s Trout Busters or Sierra Gold Hatchet Spinners tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a Mountain Dodger for 30 rainbow trout from 14 to 16 inches along with one 19-inch king salmon rolling shad at 82 feet by 10:30 am.” David Geil of Sanger was out with his son, Owen, and friend Jason Link and they found a much slower bite, perhaps due to the rapidly dropping water level. “We Immediately caught two quality trout at 6 a.m. near the Power Lines, and we still managed to find fish for 20 hookups and a dozen to the boat at 40 feet with pink Dick’s Mountain hoochies tipped with a crawler behind a Sunrise or D Mac Mountain Dodger. Andrew Link landed the big fish of the day with a rainbow trout at 2.4 pounds and 20 inches. The trout were scattered out more, but when we found them, they were biting,” said Geil. Bass fishing has slowed with the rapidly dropping lake levels, and Tas Moua reported the best action is above Sycamore with topwater early or late before working bluff walls or rockpiles for suspended fish. In the lower Kings River, the flows continue to drop steadily, and they have decreased from 1642 to 1121 cfs at Trimmer this week. Another trout plant is scheduled this week, and with the dropping water levels, planted rainbows are taken on a variety of offerings, including: Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait in the transition from fast to slow water. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake dropped over 15 feet to 879.12 feet in elevation and 62% of capacity. Two bass tournaments are scheduled in late July.Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the action continues to improve for striped bass from the banks at the main lake with anchovies, grass shrimp, or cut bait along the main lake points. The main lake continues to drop steadily, and it is becoming a long walk with muddy shorelines for bank anglers.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported, the lake had been falling 1¼ feet per day, but the release has slowed to about ½’ a day now- which should help the overall bite. The full moon this week will probably impact the bite, but I expect things to improve soon. The lake is now down to 906,000 acre feet and 43% capacity. The troll bite has been slow, with the bank anglers soaking bait doing the best right now. “ George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, consistent numbers of a smaller grade of striped bass are landed on paddletail swimbaits in white or bone along with anchovies or pile worms. The best action remains around moving water at the check gates. The main lake dropped to 4% of capacity with the forebay also dropping to 77% of capacity. The banks in the main lake are muddy due to the rapidly dropping water level. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir. A harmful algae bloom warning has been established at Los Banos Creek Reservoir. Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

High Sierra

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 1

Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake took the week off due to heavy recreational boat traffic over the holiday weekend. He was back on the water on Monday. For bass, Tas Moua reported a few fish dragging a Senko, but it was slow on the north end of the lake. He said, “Normally it is better this time of year near the dam, but the boat traffic was very heavy over the weekend.” A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Edison rose to 75% of capacity, Florence to 96% of capacity, with Mammoth Pool dropping slightly to 87. Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle, reported, “Shaver Lake had a week full of heavy boating activity during the holiday weekend, and the party started early with the annual fireworks on the water on Wednesday. Hundreds of high-speed boaters hit the lake most of the week, keeping most boat fishermen off the lake. Early in the week, Captain Paul Brown, of Fishin’ with Paul Charters put his group onto over 30 hookups, landing three limits of a mixed bag of mostly kokanee along with a few rainbow trout. He was working between 24 and 42 feet in front of the Island, Black Rock, and Eagle Point. with Dick’s Mountain Tackle’s Jimbo Trout Busters in Orange or Chartreuse behind Doc Barb and Bright Eyes Mountain Dodgers. When the bite slowed, Brown moved over to the Point to finish out limits for the group. Brown went out with his wife after July 4, and he tried some new tackle in honor of the late Captain Jack Yandell, founding member of the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project. He landed one of the few 3rd-year kokanee in the lake at 18½ inches on a Doom Apex lure behind a Mountain Tackle’s Captain J Dodger. He reported an off and one bite with various Dick’s Mountain Tackle’s products in orange or purple working best at depths from 32 to 52 feet. With the beginning of multiple days of heat averaging105 degrees in the valley, Shaver should be a target spot for many anglers with much cooler temperatures expected in the mid-80’s” Both ramps are open. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. At Huntington, the High Sierra Regatta will take over the lake for the next two weekends: July 12/13 and 19/20. There hasn’t been much change as the recent trout plant has improved bank fishing with Power Bait or nightcrawlers near the mouth of Rancheria Creek. Trolling is producing unlimited numbers of small kokanee and rainbow trout. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver rose to 89% of capacity with Huntington at 97% of capacity.

Call: Paul Brown 300-4001; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 3

Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store reported fishing is fantastic at both lakes due to the heavy plants last week. He said, “Limits are easy at both lakes for trollers pulling blade/’crawler combinations or spoons at three to four colors of lead core and bank anglers soaking inflated nightcrawlers near the dam or the launch ramps.”

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Until the ocean salmon season reopens on September 4-7, this harbor is all about rockfish. Both the Riptide and Queen of Hearts were out on Monday with the Riptide returning with 5 limits of rockfish and 6 ling cod while the Queen of Hearts boxed 15 limits, 10 lingcod to 11 pounds, and a bonus California halibut. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. There will be a 7500-fish quota salmon season from September 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and many of the local party boats and six-packs are starting to be booked. Dungeness crab season is over until the first Saturday in November.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819;

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

From the beaches, Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported good surf perch action from Watsonville to Santa Cruz with Lucky 13 Smoothy grubs in Motor Oil/red flake on a Carolina rig. Rockfishing remains outstanding with Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching boats out of Monterey returning with limits of rockfish along with a handful of lingcod. Monday’s trip produced 10 limits of rockfish along with four lingcod. Both Monterey and Santa Cruz will be able to participate in the next window for ocean salmon on Sept. 4-7, and the boats are filling up fast.

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

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay

Halibut 3 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2

Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sport Fishing said, “The best fishing this summer is happening right now,” as his two boats returned with limits of 96 big halibut to 31 pounds for a combined 48 anglers along with 44 striped bass to 15 pounds on Monday. Smith’s brother, Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream and nephew, Captain Jonathon Smith of the Happy Hooker, were first to ply the waters outside the Golden Gate on Saturday, and they were rewarded with big limits of halibut to 30 pounds working the South Bar. The Pacific Dream ended the day for 22 limits to 29 pounds, throwing in over 20 fish on the final drift, leaving them hanging. The following day, 200 boats arrived on the scene, and limits of big fish were once again the rule. Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Paradise Cove opted to work the North Bay due to the heavy boat traffic, and he put his customers onto limits of big halibut with several over 20 pounds to 30 pounds along with limits of striped bass taken in the morning in San Pablo Bay. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing also got in on the action with limits of halibut to 31 pounds on Sunday. He said, “They were all jumbos today, and these fish are biting aggressively.” Mitchell was at the South Bar. The great bite should hold out for a few more days as the tides remain ideal, but once you head outside the Gate, it is about the weather. Mitchell added, “We knew they were out there, but it wasn’t until Saturday that the weather was good enough to try.”

While most boats are focusing upon the best halibut fishing of the year, a few boats targeted rockfish for limits up the Marin coastline.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; 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

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

Rockfish remain the story out of San Luis Obispo County ports, and unless albacore show up at some point, it will be rockfish until the season ends on Dec. 31. All depth season below Point Lopez is now restricted to 50 fathoms until Sept. 30 before the regulations change to greater than 50 fathoms from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. On Monday, the Black Pearl out of Morro Bay posted limits of rockfish for 8 anglers consisting of 72 assorted rockfish and 8 vermilion to with two lingcod to 8 pounds and a whopping 31-pound California halibut. Morro Bay Landing had a boat out on Sunday with 13 anglers for limits of rockfish consisting of 104 assorted, 10 Boccaccio, 10 Bolina, 3 copper, 2 vermilion, and a cabezon. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out on Monday with 26 anglers for 189 assorted rockfish, 17 vermilion to five pounds, 37 Boccaccio, 17 copper rockfish to seven pounds, and three lingcod.

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

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

The Fourth of July Holiday weekend is a tough time for fishing in the Delta as recreational boating takes over, particularly in the narrower channels of the south Delta’s San Joaquin River. The water temperatures continue to rise, and they are now approaching the high 70-degree range. With lakes such as Camanche, Berryessa, and New Melones restricted due to golden mussels, recreational boat traffic has ramped up in the San Joaquin system, and the potential for more collisions in the narrow channels of the central Delta has increased exponentially.

Largemouth bass fishing remains the best bet with a variety of offerings including topwater lures in the early mornings before settling down to working the bottom with finesse baits. Finding edges with current is the best bet in the central and south Delta. Chatterbaits, crankbaits, or frogs are also effective, and there is a spinnerbait bite in the wind.

With the water temperatures rising, the frog bite continues to improve, and there are two major frog tournaments within the month with the Ultimate Frog Challenge on July 26-27, followed by the original frog tournament, the Snag Proof Open on Aug. 2-3. Both tournaments will follow the same format with an afternoon tide followed by a morning tide, and they are based out of Russo’s Marina. The only significant difference is the Snag Proof is limited to Snag Proof or American Baitworks frogs while the UFC is open to any soft-body top water bait.

There are still striped bass in the north Delta, and Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors took out his videographer, Denise Loo, for double-digit linesides in the Liberty Island area in shallow water. Boaters have to be extremely cautious when entering Liberty Island due to very shallow water during periods of low tide. Tournaments will resume this weekend after a break for the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend.

Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Tournament Results

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed

July 11, 18, 25

Don Pedro – Lake Tulloch Friday Nights

July 11-12

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments

July 12-13

Millerton – Fresno Bass Club

July 12

Delta/SJ County – Yak A’ Bass

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Tri Valley Bass Masters

Amador – Modesto Ambassadors

Don Pedro – Kokanee Power Team Tournament

Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Club/Bay Area Bassbusters

McClure – 17/90 Bass Club

Isabella – Bakersfield Bass Club/Golden Empire Bass Club

Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers

July 19

Salt Springs – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

McClure – Oro Madre Bass Club

Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club/Kings River Bass Club

Isabella – American Bass Association

July 20

Delta/B and W Resort – Best Bass Tournaments

Isabella – American Bass Association

July 26-27

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Ultimate Frog Challenge

July 26

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – NorCal Bass

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

This story was originally published July 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Delta bass and stripers hitting."