Central California fishing report: Lake Isabella pumping out multi-species
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
Lake Isabella pumping out multi-species, Copes Tackle reported. New Melones produced limits of Kokanee and trout, Kyle Wise said. Pine Flat rainbows active, Brian Klassen reported. Wishon trout bite hot, Kelly Brewer said. Don Pedro king Damon and trout bites solid, Monte Smith reported. Westside canals stripers and catfish improved, Mickey Clements said.
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 3 Catfish 3
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a solid catfish bite with chicken liver, sardines, or anchovies in the northern section of the aqueduct above the San Luis Reservoir. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported steady catfish action on SSS dip bait, cut bait, and chicken liver, and although the best bite is after sundown, daytime fishing still produced solid results. Striped bass were active near the Buena Vista golf course, Tupman, and Freeborn on lug worms, sardines, or large live minnows. White jerkbaits, walking baits, or topwater Poppers are effective during the early morning and late evening. Weightless Senkos or 6-inch straight-tailed worms in green pumpkin on a Texas-rig are working for largemouth bass.
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 of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported, “Experienced kayak anglers like Max Lee are finding double-digit largemouth bass working the rockpiles around 15 feet in depth, but most of the bass are small.” With the dropping water levels, the bass are suspending over the rockpiles, and jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, Senkos, or plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head have been effective for numbers. At Hensley, Moua reported bass to 6 pounds have been taken by shaking minnows over the rockpiles. Both lakes are heavily releasing water, and Eastman dropped to 498.22 feet in elevation and 22% of capacity with Hensley dropping to 470.35 feet in elevation and 16% of capacity. No tournaments are scheduled at Eastman through the end of August.
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 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2
Don Pedro continues to produce numbers of king salmon and rainbow trout, but the kokanee bite is changing as the fish are transitioning toward the spawn. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing found good action for 10 kings and a handful of rainbows running custom spoons at depths from 50 to 60 feet within the bait balls. The bait is schooling up thick at depths from 30 to 50 feet. Kokanee fishing has slowed as the fish are scattered and starting to hold tight to structure.
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported the bass are suspending by mid-morning at depths to 25 feet along bluff walls or rockpiles, and flukes or spoons are most effective. There is a topwater bite in the mornings with small shad-patterned lures before working plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head, Neko-rigged Senkos, deep-diving crankbaits, or jigs as the bass move out. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake dropped to 809 feet in elevation this week. The lake will host 4 bass tournaments through the end of August. A self-inspection is required for launching.Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The Blue Oaks launch ramp has reopened. The lake continues to release water, and it dropped over 2 feet to 809 feet in elevation. The lake will host 4 bass tournaments through the end of August. A self-inspection is required for launching.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 3 Trout 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake dropped two feet to 2,577.73 feet in elevation and 52% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported solid trout action around the Cemetery area, for both quality and quantity, The larger rainbows are taken on small Keitech swimbaits or Hook Up Baits. Berkley’s Flicker Shad crankbaits or Tasmanian Devil spoons are hooking up consistently for trollers. Crappie action has been picking up all over the lake with hotspots like French Gulch and Red’s Marina seeing the most activity. Jerkbaits, crappie jigs in white, silver or chartreuse, and live shiners are picking up slabs. Bass fishing is excellent although most of the fish are on the smaller side. Most of the small bass are holding in the shallows, but the bigger fish are staging deeper at depths from 15 to 25 feet. There’s a solid topwater and crankbait bite happening near Lyme Dyke and among the rocky areas around French Gulch with DT16 or River2Sea crankbaits in craw and shad patterns along with Rapala Mavrik jerkbaits in Pro Blue and other shad-style colors.
A mix of topwater baits has also been producing in the early mornings. The catfish bite is on fire at Engineer Point with clams, nightcrawlers, or frozen shad In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported the river hasn’t been stocked in the past couple of weeks, but fishing remains fair to good. With river flows running low, the best trout action has been in deeper pools and slower-moving eddies with salmon eggs, trout worms, or Panther Martins spinners. Fly fishermen are finding success in the popular 20-mile stretch with nymphs or streamers. On the lower Kern, Cope’s reported a recent trout plant on Section Three, and anglers are reporting solid trout action from Democrat all the way to the Isabella Dam with nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or small spinners. The smallmouth bass bite has been very good particularly in the canyon stretches on Get Bent Baits, small crankbaits, or spinners. The smallmouth bass have been on the small side, but they are plentiful. The flows in the upper Kern River has dropped to 487 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake dropped slightly to 1,172 cfs at First Point. Four bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August.
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 3
The lake dropped another 12 feet to 623.73 feet in elevation and 21% of capacity. Cope’s reported spotted bass are taken on Roboworms in brown, dark green, or dark purple on a Carolina-rig. Senkos produced closer to shore while square-billed crankbaits drew early morning strikes in shallow water. Crappie held tight to submerged rock piles and favored small live minnows. Catfish action was good near the marina on SSS dip bait or chicken liver. The Kaweah River continues to drop, and it is currently at 105 cfs at Three Rivers. No additional bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped over five feet to 625.89 feet in elevation and 43% of capacity. Cope’s reported fishing ranged from fair to good depending on the target species. Largemouth bass have moved into deeper water on main lake points in 10 to 20 feet of water with plastics on the drop-shot or small jigs for fish to 5 pounds. Topwater poppers produced bites during early morning and evening low-light periods. Crappie were active near the marina on minijigs or small swimbaits. Catfish action picked up after dark with either chicken liver or dip bait.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported not much change here as there is a topwater bite in the early mornings or evenings before the bass drop into 25 feet or deeper with plastics on a shakey head or drop-shot, jigs, Senkos on a Neko-rig, or deep diving crankbaits. Holdover rainbow trout are found at depths to 50 feet near the dam with Speedy Shiners or shad-patterned spoons among the shad schools. The lake dropped to 833.94 feet in elevation and 79% of capacity. Tournament action has slowed down with only one more small club tournament scheduled through the end of August.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 2
Even though trout plants haven’t occurred for months, bank anglers continue to pick up a few holdovers in the early mornings or late evenings from the banks at the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina with garlic-scented Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Trollers are finding a few holdovers up the river arm with Rapalas, Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler, or spoons at depths from the surface to 30 feet. The lake dropped to 77% of capacity. The Splash and Dash water feature dominates the lake. Information https://mysplashndash.com/knowbeforeyougo/#hours.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Recreational boating dominates here, but there are bluegill taken on red worms on the Madera side along with a few small spotted bass on the drop-shot with Roboworms in green pumpkin/amber. The lake dropped to 534.52 feet in elevation and 64% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant remain steady at 224 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Only one club tournament is scheduled through the end of August.
Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 3
The kokanee bite is changing as landlocked sockeye salmon are starting to transition to structure in the process of attempting to spawn. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find early limits during his two or more trips per day using Kevorkian Apex Lures or spinners tipped with Pautske’s Fire Corn and scented with Tuna/Anise behind a 5.5-inch Paulina Peak or MAG Tackle gold dodger at depths from 60 to 95 feet. When the kokanee start to hold tight to structure, trollers switch over to downrigger weights made from pipe to keep from getting hung up on the bottom. The kokanee are starting to migrate south to Rose Island before making their move up the river arm. Trout fishing at night under lights has been outstanding with Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers. It takes around a half-hour for the shad to find the lights, but once the shad schools gang up, it is ‘lights out’ for rainbows. Aaron Jones reported bass fishing remains consistent with topwater lures such as Berkley Choppo 90’s, Whopper Ploppers, or similar walking baits along with jerkbaits in the early mornings or evenings. Once the sun comes up, the bass move out into deep water to 25 feet or more, and deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, Neko-rigged Senkos, or plastics on a drop-shot or shakey head are best. All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina, and boaters are advised to schedule a decontamination via https://musseldecon.com/ with a deposit of $60. 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 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 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 to 1,028 feet in elevation and 73% of capacity with downstream Tulloch 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 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported the bass bite is best first thing in the morning and just before sunset with topwater lures or crankbaits before heading out to 25 to 45 feet in depths with Zoom Trick Worms or Roboworms on a shakey head or drop-shot. The fish are shallow in the mornings, but they will suspend once the sun rises. Catfishing is decent with chicken livers. For rainbow trout and king salmon, Brian Klassen of Reedley took out his brother, Evan, along with Joe Flores of Tulare and Russ Mayfield of Reedley, and they trolled the Zebe Creek area for four limits of rainbow trout in the 13- to 15-inch range using Bottom Line’s Tackle Hatchet Spinners in lime green tipped with crawlers behind a dodger or blue/silver Speedy Shiners at depths from 45 to 55 feet. Klassen said, “We went four for seven takedowns for king salmon from 20- to 22 inches rolling shad behind a dodger or Black Magic Brad’s Cut Plugs stuffed with tuna soaked in anchovy oil at depths from 90 to 115 feet. It took a little longer than it has been, but we were done around noon.”
In the lower Kings River, the flows continue to drop steadily, and they have decreased from 849 to 540 cfs at Trimmer this week. No plants are scheduled this week, and with the dropping water levels, planted rainbows are holding in the current adjacent to slow water. Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait are effective 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 another 15 feet to 827.89 feet in elevation and 41% of capacity. Two club bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August. The blastoff for the Bass 101 night tournament scheduled for Sept. 15 will be at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 a.m. The Pine Flat staff will host a recognition ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Deer Creek launch ramp to honor the six fishermen involved in the lifesaving rescue on January 1, 2023. Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported decent action from the banks with Sea Wave anchovies or pile worms from the banks around Dinosaur Point. Lure tossers Duo Realis Tide Minnows or 120 or 130 jerkbaits in Neo Pearl or Chartreuse Shad along with flukes.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that boaters are running into wind just about every day lately- with some moderation for a few hours.” The lake has still been falling rapidly and has gotten down to 775,000 acre feet – 36% of capacity. The water has been falling since early April - which has really affected the fishing the last 3 plus months. I’m not sure what the water managers are planning to do- but we hope it stops soon! Between the water falling and the incessant wind- it’s been the toughest year I’ve seen so far since the drought. The shore guys fishing bait have had the best action lately” George reported.
In the O’Neill Forebay, thick grass along the shorelines has limited access, and few anglers are targeting striped or largemouth bass. In the California Aqueduct, the catfish bite has improved with garlic-scented chicken liver, anchovies, or sardines. The main lake dropped to 38% of capacity with the forebay at 85% 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 0
Recreational boat traffic continues to dominate the lake, but there is a small window for trolling in the early mornings or late evenings before sunset before the flotilla ramps up. For bass, Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported spotted bass to 3.5 pounds have been landed near the dam with Keitech swimbaits. Weightless Senkos or Roboworms in Morning Dawn on a drop-shot have also been effective for those walking the banks. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1.
Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Edison has been hot for trollers for both rainbow and brown trout with T-Pex lures behind a gold dodger along with Uncle Larry’s spinners in Gold Tiger or Pink Tiger coated with scent. No future plants are on the schedule for Edison, Portal Forebay, Mammoth Pool, and Ward Lake. All the High Sierra lakes are dropping slightly with Edison at 69% of capacity while Florence at 84% and Mammoth Pool at 78%. 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 2
Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charter reported the kokanee bite has slowed down as the fish are transitioning towards their annual attempt to spawn. He said, ““It seems that July can normally be a transition month for third-year kokanee as just prior to going into a pre- spawn mode, the third-year fish often scatter and are not active. The problem is we are relying on second-year kokes, and they are reacting in a similar manner. Things should return to good in the next couple of weeks.” Captain Paul Brown of Fishin’ with Paul Charters fished Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and he reported a total of 8 kokanee on Friday before posting two limits on Saturday for Marco Renaldi of Orosi and his son and grandson. The first six fish came on Dick’s Mountain Tackle’s Jimbo Trout Busters with the remainder on either Orange Mountain Candy or Tube’s behind Mountain Dodgers. On Sunday, Brown reported the bite quit in their normal haunts, so they headed to the Sierra Marina area at depths from 42 to 50 feet down for a handful of kokanee. The water temperature at 50 feet was 58 degrees. Brown said, ‘Without question, it has slowed.’” Jay Irvine of Visalia confirmed the slower action as he was out on Saturday with his sons, Jared and Colton, along Scott Blosser for 6 kokanee and two rainbows on either Dick’s Texas Tea or Jimbo Trout Busters behind weighted Mountain Flashers on the side rods along with Paulina Peak’s orange/green spinners behind a Paulina Peak dodger on the downriggers.”
Both ramps are open. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. At Huntington, David Geil Jr. was out with his sons Owen and Ostin and their grandfather, David Sr. for 25 rainbow trout from 10 to 16 inches caught and released using Dick’s Jedi Mountain Candy or pink Mountain Hoochies tipped with corn behind a watermelon or Doom Dodger at depths from 25 to 45 feet in the middle of the lake. They added 8 small kokanee from 10 to 12 inches with the same tackle at the same depths. No trout plants are scheduled in the lake or the feeder streams at the present time.. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver dropped to 83% of capacity with Huntington dropping slightly to 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 excellent trout action at both lakes with Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers from the shorelines while trollers are scoring with blade/’crawler combinations or spoons at 3 to 5 colors of lead core. The lake levels fluctuate daily due to the need for power generation through the Helms Tunnel.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Bluefin Tuna 2 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
A flat ocean was all it took for private and six-pack boats to head south of the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy for bluefin tuna, and several bluefin up to 130 pounds were landed fast-trolling Nomad’s Mad Macs. The Codfather out of Alameda returned with two at 130 and 100 pounds out of three hookups on their inaugural trip. The weather moved in, and the window closed for now. Rockfishing has been spectacular along the San Mateo coastline, and Bay Area boats were making the long run down with live bait for limits of rockfish including sub-limits of vermilion and limits of lingcod. Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete is also running live bait coastal rockfish trips, the only boat out of Half Moon Bay featuring live bait. 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.
Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Rockfish 3 Halibut 3 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch
From the beaches, Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the occasional striped bass is landed from the beaches, but the grass continues to be a challenge for surf casters. Surf perch action has also slowed to a crawl from Santa Cruz to Monterey.
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “The end of July and beginning of August might be considered the best time of Monterey Bay’s summer fishing season. The ocean waters are warmer, winds flow in a more predictable pattern and high temperatures inland promote heavy marine layers of overcast and fog overnight and into the morning hours. South swell events come and go, but in between the ocean is flat and calm, even glassy in the early mornings and towards sunset hours. A variety of baitfish bloom within the bay, including vast schools of anchovy, sardine, mackerel, jacksmelt and squid. The majority of normal prey species inhabit the inshore areas in good numbers, which makes for good fishing. And that is what we have right now. Good fishing. Rockfish and lingcod are the most numerous category of catch locally. Limits are a regular occurrence for rockfish anglers, and they make for good eating, as well as being tons of fun to catch. California halibut remain in the shallows for feeding and spawning. They are even more fun to catch, being very strong and often quite grumpy. Some years we see big schools of traveling big white seabass honing in on the squid spawns, and every year there are catches of seabass that are resident to our area. JT Thomas from Go Fish Santa Cruz is taking advantage of improved sea conditions to travel farther north in pursuit of more action and bigger rockfish. this week he took the Miss Beth up past Ann Nuevo to Franklin Point, where his clients caught quick limits of quality rockfish including blacks, vermilion and canaries as well as 10 lingcod for the boat. Monterey charter boats reported limits of rockfish every day this week, with a few lings in the mix as well. Fishing for halibut remains strong on both sides of the bay. The big flatfish are moving around a bit. the bite near Capitola is slowing somewhat, but still strong. Just ask Myron Larsen from Capitola Boat and Bait who caught his limits of flatties two days in a row this week. Other areas in Santa Cruz are improving as waters warm just outside the bay off West Cliff Drive and points north toward Four-Mile Beach.
Offshore, meaning ten miles and out, this point of summertime fishing can include big bluefin tuna that range from 50 to over 200 pounds each.
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
Halibut fishing outside the Golden Gate has been incredible when the tides and weather are cooperative with party and private boats returning with up to limits of California halibut pushing 40 pounds, but increasingly, party boats are opting for rockfish when the currents are moving too swiftly for the halibuts’ liking.
Thus, the ‘Super Combination’ trips have arrived out of the Golden Gate. Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco provided a classic example of a ‘Super Combination’ trip over the weekend. He took out a single mother and her six children from Montana, and after limiting out on striped bass in the bay, they went outside the Gate, landing a single halibut out of three hookups. It was on to the rockfish grounds along the San Mateo coastline for limits of lingcod and rockfish including sub-limits of vermilion to 8 pounds. He said, “The mother asked me if it was like this on every trip, and I had to say, ‘No, this was an exception trip.’
Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sport Fishing has been putting together ‘Super Combinations’ since early July, and Saturday’s trip on the California Dawn 2 produced 22 limits of lingcod, 22 limits of rockfish including sub-limits of vermilion rockfish, and a 13-pound halibut on a drift on the way back in. The California Dawn 1 posted 12 limits of lingcod to 10 pounds, 12 limits of rockfish, and 4 halibut to 10 pounds. Western Outdoor New’s is sponsoring an annual charter on the California Dawn 2 for a ‘Super Combination’ on Thursday, Aug. 21 for rockfish and lingcod with a potential shot at halibut. Each angler will receive a Western Outdoor News supply bag packed with Gamakatsu hooks, a 300-yard spoon of Izorline, Costa Gear, a Katch Fishing hook keeper, a free Cancun vacation voucher and more. The jackpot winner will receive a Penn Carthage Rod and an Aftco gift card. Book online or call WON’s Landon Thomas for bookings or questions at (949) 366-0726.
The Bay Area boats are making the long run south along the San Mateo coastline to find great rockfish action in shallow water. Smith was the first to head south to find great action last year, and the entire fleet has been following him south with live bait. Out of Half Moon Bay, Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete is running live bait rockfishing trips for similar action.
The ‘Super Combination’ trips should last through the next few months as the halibut continue to migrate into the North and South Bar along with the coastal beaches. The San Francisco party boat fleet has been on a teeter totter of action for halibut and striped bass depending upon the tides. When the tides are small and the weather is calm enough to fish the North or South Bar, limits of big halibut to over 40 pounds have been the story. When the tides ramp up, the striped bass inside the bay get active so boats are opting to load up on linesides before running up or down the coast for rockfish and lingcod.
Call: Captain Trent Slate – Bite Me Charters, (415) 307-8582;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
Lingcod counts are improving along the San Luis Obispo County coastline, and limits to near limits of rockfish remain the story. Morro Bay Landing sent out 3 boats for 4 trips with 105 anglers on Sunday, and they returned with a total of 972 rockfish and 14 lingcod to 15 pounds consisting of 778 assorted rockfish, 88 vermilion, 85 Boccaccio, and 20 copper rockfish. The Black Pearl, also out of Morro Bay, scored 21 limits on Sunday along with 14 lingcod to 15 pounds with 168 assorted rockfish and 42 vermilion. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats took a total of 41 anglers on Sunday for 223 Bolina, 170 assorted rockfish, 6 vermilion, 4 Boccaccio, 7 cabezon, and a whopping 53 lingcod to 8 pounds.
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 3
Cold and overcast conditions arrived in the California Delta for the first of the two major frog tournaments out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island, and the results show the impact of the weather. The Ultimate Frog Challenge 11 set out on Saturday afternoon with 75 teams, and only 29 teams weighing in a three-fish limit and 15 teams coming up empty. Triple-digit weather is ideal for hunting largemouth bass with frogs, and with the temperature holding in the 80’s with a cool breeze, it was a struggle on day one. In the Pro Division, ten teams managed to weigh in over 10 pounds led by the team of Blanchard and Ostrander with 13.72 buoyed by an 8.79-pound big fish. Sunday provided an opportunity on the morning tide, and the team of Ho and Loung came through with a 12.31-pound limit to combine with 11.56 on Saturday for a winning total of 23.87 pounds for six fish. Consistency was the key to success.
Both the UFC and the original frog tournament, the Snag Proof Open next weekend follow a similar format with anglers fishing an afternoon tide on Saturday and a morning tide on Sunday. The UFC allows for any floating frog with specific rules available on the Angler’s Press website while the Snag Proof Open is limited to Snag Proof Brand, Zoo Baits, or SCUM Frog with rules available on the Best Bass Tournaments website.
Michael Spencer, club advisor for Fresno Unified’s Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club, participated in the UFC 11, and he said, “It was a really tough bite as we had 7 pounds on day one, and this was considered a decent day. The Delta is changing as the constant herbicide spraying has limited the amount of ‘cheese’ that normally provides habitat for largemouth bass. We found some ‘cheese’ in Whites Slough earlier in the week, but it was gone by tournament time. In addition, it was blowing as hard as I have experienced on the Delta when pre-fishing on Friday, and it was windy on Saturday afternoon. The wind limits the insect life over the grass, and the frogs are far less active, leading to less activity for the largemouth bass. I use a variety of frogs including the River2Sea Bully Wa, Live Target Hollow Body, Snag Proof’s Bobby’s Perfect, or Teckel frogs depending upon the structure and the conditions.”
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, is the tournament director of this weekend’s Snag Proof Open out of Russo’s Marina, and he is hoping for more stable weather to bring out the best action. Unlike the UFC 11, the Snag Proof Open is limited to Snag Proof Brand, Zoo Baits or SCUM Frog fished as a topwater lure. Pringle was on the Delta this week, and he reported a strong bite for bass to 4 pounds with the ima Squarebill crankbait or the Berkley Slobberknocker swim jigs close to rocks with current and weeds. Pringle said, “You had to focus on moving weeds.”
Wind has been the major story on the Sacramento side, but when the wind is down, experienced trollers continue to find striped bass along the West Bank. Overall, the number of striped bass has decreased, and largemouth bass remain the best bet in the north Delta by flipping or pitching around submerged trees. Chatterbaits, Senkos, or squarebilled crankbaits, is producing five-fish limits to 17pounds along with striped bass to 8 pounds. Sturgeon catch-and-release fishing is closed until Oct. 1.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
July 26-27
Delta/Russo’s Marina –Ultimate Frog Challenge 11/Pro Division (6 fish weighin)
1st – Ho/Luong – 23.87; 2nd – Spohn/Price – 22.91; 3rd- Oward/Russell – 21.97. Big Fish – Greg Blanchard – 8.79.
Delta/Russo’s Marina –Ultimate Frog Challenge 11/Am Division (6 fish weigh-in)
1st – Kirkpatrick/Gonzalez– 27.27; 2nd – C.Yang/Zay Yang – 18.57; 3rd- Fraser/Fraser – 18.13.
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 26-27
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Ultimate Frog Challenge
July 26
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – NorCal Bass
Aug. 2-3
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Snag Proof Open
Tulloch – Yak A’ Bass
Aug. 9
Delta/B and W Resort – Bass Angler Inc.
Delta/San Joaquin County – Bass N’ Tubes
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Don Pedro – Modesto AmBASSadors
Isabella – American Bass Association’
Aug. 9-10
Pine Flat – Fresno Bass Club
Aug. 10
Delta/Big Break Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Delta/San Joaquin County – Valley Backlashers
Aug. 16-17
Don Pedro – Great Basin Bassers
McClure – Bass 101
Santa Margarita – Bass Addicts of So Cal
Aug. 16
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bass Anglers of Northern California
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club
Aug. 17
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association/Angler’s Press Outdoors
Delta/San Joaquin County – Stanislaus County Sheriffs
Aug. 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM.