Fishing Report: Week of June 14

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake and who now guides in the greater Fresno area. Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted. Have a photo of a recent catch to share? Email it to sports@fresnobee.com with “fish photo” in the subject line.

Best bets

Millerton spotted bass active, Merritt Gilbert said. Edison pumping out brown trout, Patrick Movey reported. Shaver Lake trout and kokanee producing mixed limits, Dick Nichols said. Wishon and Courtright boast good trout fishing, Chuck Crane reported. San Francisco halibut biting, Jim Smith said.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

The Delta-Mendota Canal continues to be a good location for largemouth bass with anglers punching the weeds with large creature baits and a heavy tungsten weight. Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics out of Fresno said, “The catfish bite remains popular with anglers catching several while soaking baits. Fishermen are catching stripers during the evening hours using SpeedLures. During the day, most stripers are cruising on the bottom and anglers casting swimbaits are having better luck. Fishing at the Delta-Mendota Canal continues to produce for catfish and stripers. Manuel Ayala of Oakley has been catching several catfish in the 7- to 10-pound range for the past two weeks. Stripers remain small in this canal but finding keepers are possible. Many bass fishermen continue to punch through the heavy mattes for bass with great results.” In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “Catfish to 7 pounds are coming on Sonny’s Dip Bait or Secret Six Catfish bait near the Buena Vista Golf Course. We have started our June Striper Derby, and Jacob Romero of Bakersfield is the current leader with a 5.10-pound striper. The entry fee is $1 and the winner takes the pool.” Trash and other debris left along the aqueduct’s levees remains a major problem. In order to maintain the ability to fish these valuable locations, fishermen are advised to pack out everything they bring in.

Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “A few quality largemouth bass to 3.5 pounds are possible with the best fishing in the rockpiles at depths from 20-30 feet.” The lake is releasing water, and the bite has slowed for the larger fish. Bank fishermen are waking the banks for smaller bass with Senkos or plastics on the drop-shot. There has been heavy fishing pressure, even during the week. A few catfish are taken on chicken livers, anchovies, or nightcrawlers. Bluegill are biting wax or jumbo red worms. The lake has dropped 5 feet to 33 percent capacity and 516.14 feet in elevation. The northeastern portion of the lake behind the buoy line remains closed to all water recreation until Aug. 1 to protect nesting bald eagles.

Call: Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; Eastman Lake 689-3255

Minimal interest, with most bass fishermen heading to nearby Eastman. Catfish or bluegill provide the best action. The lake is releasing water, falling to 46 percent and 503.34 feet in elevation.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Don Pedro has been hit or miss for rainbows and king salmon, but Monte Smith of Gold County Sport Fishing found some quality kokanee to 15 inches and 1.5 pounds on a recent trip. Smith said, “I took my daughters out for an exploratory trip this week, and we hit a 19-inch rainbow on a heavy spoon within 5 minutes of getting the lines out, but this was it. We picked up and went back over to where we found our rainbows the week before, but the bait was gone so we went to Fleming Bay for another rainbow before switching over to kokanee gear at 11:30 a.m. Once we changed our gear, we picked up three kokanee to 15 inches, losing another one at the boat. The bite seems to be picking up a bit, and the water clarity is good at 8-9 feet. The surface temperature is 78 degrees, but with the water inflow from the river, the thermocline is just below the surface at 15-20 feet. The rainbows are surprisingly shallow for this time of year, but this has to do with the cooler water inflow. We found our best action for kokanee at depths between 50 and 60 feet. I will be back on the lake this week, and we will start off with blade/’crawler combinations on sideplaners in order to take advantage of the shallow fish.” For bass, there is a topwater bite in the early mornings before dropping to the bottom with plastics in shad imitations. All three launch ramps are open with the lake at 77 percent capacity and 789.68 feet in elevation. The houseboats will be out of the river channel near Blue Oaks by the end of June.

Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

At Isabella, there were a few bass tournaments over the weekend with an 18-pound limit taking the four-boat Golden Empire Bass Club Derby. Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “Trout plants have been put in the lake on a regular basis, and bank fishermen are getting in on the act with Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Catfishing remains good with chicken livers, clams, or Katnip Beef Bait.” Crappie action is very slow with the slabs holding in deeper water. The lake has risen nearly 5 feet to 2,558.02 in elevation and 27 percent capacity. The upper Kern River is receiving regular trout plants, and the catchables are taken on live crickets, nightcrawlers, or salmon eggs in the deeper pools. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are taken on plastics on the drop-shot or jigs in the lower river. At Buena Vista, catfish and bluegill are providing the best action. Truxton has slowed for bass, and the back lake at the Riverwalk is dark, dirty and getting mossy as there has been no moving water through the lake for months. In the high country of the Big Kern River, Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Co. in Springville said, “The Big Kern is fishing excellent near the Golden Trout Pack Station, and interested anglers need to make their reservations since the summer is filling up quickly. The contact for the Golden Trout Pack Station is 543-2816. Some 20-plus Kern rainbows have been caught already, and on the Little Kern, golden trout fishing is excellent.”

Call: Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812

The lake continues to rise with an inflow of 11 feet this week to 706.05 in elevation and 90 percent capacity. With the rising water levels, the bass are holding offshore. The Visalia Bass Club hosts a tournament this weekend.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Co. said, “Bass fishing has improved this week with the bass at 10-15 feet deep along rocky structure with plastics on the drop-shot, lizards or Brush Hogs. There is good topwater action in the mornings and evenings.” The lake rose a half-foot to 638.56 in elevation and 65 percent capacity. Stokke said, “The Tule River is still fishing excellent in dry flies especially in mayfly and caddis patterns. A number of planters are being landed at all of the campgrounds.”

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

The lake rose to 60 percent capacity and 798.10 feet in elevation this week, and bass fishing remains the top draw. There is topwater bite in the morning before dropping to the bottom with plastics or jigs by mid-morning. There were five gold tagged trout released into the lake, but none have been reported caught. These rainbows are worth $250 if caught by Dec. 31. The McClure Point and Barrett Cove South launch ramps are open with the Barrett Cove North ramp under construction. The Bagby and Horseshoe Bend ramps remain closed, likely for the rest of the season.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053

The lack of trout plants during the past three weeks has slowed action at the normal spots. Three of the gold-tagged trout have been landed, leaving two more. These rainbows are worth $250 if returned by Dec. 31.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Millerton is the top lake for numbers of spotted bass in the central Valley region, and the annual Bass 101 Father’s Day tournament has brought out more fishermen to the lake in preparation for the derby. Tournaments on this lake are few and far between because of the high cost of launching a boat along with the low-emission motor rule, but the Father’s Day tournament remains a tradition. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis will be fishing the derby with one of his sons Sunday, and he said, “There is a decent bass bite going on, and limits should be in the 7- to 7.5-pound range with numerous small keeper spotted bass. There is a window for topwater or spinnerbaits in the early morning but most guys are dropping to the bottom with plastics on the Texas-rig.” Patrick Movey of the Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse confirmed the improved reaction bite, stating, “The topwater bite has improved, but plastics on the dart head or Senkos are working best. Some fishermen are walking the banks on the Madera side with Senkos and doing well.” There have been few striped bass and shad reports, although Gilbert said he saw a few shad in the upriver area. The lake has risen to 82 percent capacity and 558.31 feet in elevation despite consistent water releases down the San Joaquin River and Friant-Kern Canal. A low-emission motor is required on the lake. In the San Joaquin River, a decent grade of spotted or largemouth bass can be found by working from bank access areas with plastic worms. Regulations on the lower San Joaquin, and from Friant Dam downstream to the Highway 140 Bridge, allow only two hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead with a total of four in possession. The hatchery fish have a healed adipose fin clip.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

Kokanee remain the top species. The bite is not fast or furious, but the landlocked salmon are fat and chunky. John Liechty of Glory Hole Sporting Goods said, “We have seen fish over 16 inches, and we expect them to reach 18 inches by the end of the season. The rising water level is flooding more and more vegetation daily, and this is great for the plankton population which will feed our already fat and healthy kokanee. ” Rocky Mountain Tackle or Uncle Larry’s spinners behind a large dodger are working, but some fishermen are running smaller offerings such as Glitterbugs micro hoochies behind a teardrop dodger or a Father Murphy’s Magic behind a Murphy’s mini dodger with gold, copper, pink, or watermelon all good color choices for dodger. For bass, Liechty has been landing multiple bass on each outing on his Xperience Fishing Guide Service. He said, “We are focusing our efforts on early morning and evening half-day trips as these are the times of day when the fish are mostly likely to be feeding. The topwater bite has been sporadic, but we are finding a few explosions on the surface on occasion. If the topwater lures aren’t working we switch over to small swimbaits or bouncing small plastics on the bottom as either shad or crawdad patterns are working depending on your location in the lake.” Action for rainbow trout has improved with the fish much higher in the water column than anticipated at depths from the surface to 20 feet with Speedy Shiners or other shad-patterned spoons. Finding the bait fish is the key as the trout are feeding heavily on the lake’s threadfin shad. Bank fishing for trout has been very slow with most fishermen heading to the high county at Lakes Alpine or Spicer. Catfish are in the shallows, and frozen baits work best for Melones whiskerfish with the best bite in the mornings and evenings. Crappie fishing is fair at best with live minnows or Beetle Spins. Snowmelt is rushing down from the Sierra, and the lake rose nearly 3 feet to 886.93 in elevation and 27 percent capacity after receding for a few weeks. Glory Hole remains the only launch available with two lanes and a courtesy dock.

Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023

The trash barrier has been dismantled, and boats can access the main lake from Trimmer or visa versa. Trout fishermen are picking up a few planters to 13 inches pulling Needlefish at 4-5 colors of leadcore. Small limits of bass are possible, and 9 pounds should take first in upcoming tournaments. There is a small window for reaction baits in low-light conditions with topwater, crankbaits or ripbaits, but the best action is on the bottom with plastics on the dart head. Recreational boating is taking over the lake, which had risen to 65 percent capacity but is releasing water. The lake dropped slightly to 885.08 feet in elevation and 63 percent. In the lower Kings River, the river is running high, making for difficult conditions for bait casters. Special regulations in the Kings River above and below Pine Flat Dam set the season as running from the last Saturday in April to Nov. 15 from Pine Flat Dam downstream to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bridge on Pine Flat Road with a five-fish limit. The bridge is the first one west of the dam.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626; The I Forgot Store 787-3689

The reservoir continues to drop like a rock, and it is currently at 28 percent capacity. Windy conditions have kept most boaters off the lake, but there are a few trollers working minnow plugs at depths from 30-40 feet. With the dropping water, the stripers are scattered. Drifting jumbo minnows remains the top technique for numbers. The Forebay has been the top location for Valley striper fishermen with SpeedLures or Duo Realis jerkbaits for lineside in the 16- to 24-inch range. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the recent storm made fishing difficult for almost everyone. “The fish were reacting to the falling water and the low pressure front-and even though you could see the fish they were turned off. It should rebound with the high pressure coming in.” A few fishermen are wading into the lake and casting lures for the small stripers. Blood worms, pile worms, anchovies or jumbo minnows are also effective for the small stripers. Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics out of Fresno said, “In the Forebay, the bite was slow in the morning hours with active fish blowing up on the surface. Gnat flies flooded the area we were fishing. The stripers were gorging on them and less interested in our lures. The fish moved deep in the afternoon hours and were hammering flukes on the bottom. They were scattered but concentrated. It was a chore finding them but once you did multiple hookups was possible. We ended the day fishing shallower when the wind picked up using SpeedLures 110 SP, Lucky Craft Pointers and No Limit Custom Lures. Again, they were concentrated to a small area and we made repeated drifts over the school for several fish. Fishermen should not take the lake conditions lightly. We saw a small one-man boat capsize as the waves got higher and wind speed increased. Lake conditions can change without warning and anglers should exercise caution.”

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George of rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is in effect through Labor Day, and recreational boating has taken over the lake. Mike Beighey continues to guide on the lake, and he was able to land rainbows to 19.5 inches at the north end on a recent trip pulling nightcrawlers behind a Rocky Mountain Tackle or CJ Dodger. The motor fee is a deterrent for bass fishermen, but a few spotted bass are found by those walking the banks with plastics on the drop-shot, crankbaits or ripbaits. Kokanee are basically non-existent. The lake is close to spilling at 97 percent capacity. Campground updates are available at 642-3212.

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748; Bass Lake Watersports 642-3200

Lake Edison on the San Joaquin River watershed has risen to 50 percent capacity. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported good action for brown trout to 18 inches trolling Thomas Buoyant spoons or Rapalas. Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno confirmed the improvement at Edison with bank fishermen casting the lures offshore. Mammoth Pool is scheduled to reopen Wednesday after a temporary closure for the annual deer migration. Mammoth Pool is at 99 percent capacity.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake continues to be the top spot for kokanee in the central Sierra. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “The water level is still rising, but the rate has slowed, and the past few days have shown improvement with an average of nearly two mixed limits of rainbows and kokanee. Aaron and Meghan Anderson of Madera along with Mike Bennetts of Fresno fished with me on Saturday, and we located a good school of kokanee, resulting in 20 hookups for a total of two limits including a rainbow trout at 17.5 inches using green or orange Apex lures tipped with corn behind a Sierra Gold dodger. The Sierra Gold spinner was also effective, and to my surprise, the kokanee were as shallow as 23 feet in depth. The trout are still heavy with insects in their stomachs, but not as much as the previous week. The lake should level out within the next few days, and the action should resume to the steady pace experienced in April and May. Alan Changala of Porterville landed a 4.4-pound rainbow with me on Monday.” Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service experienced numerous hookups on Sunday bringing seven to the boat working at depths from 26-30 feet with Rocky Mountain Tackle’s double pink hoochies or the blue/pink Radical Glow Tube behind a RMT 5.5-inch or smaller red ice or pink UV dodger. Steve Santoro of Fish Box Charters took out father Stan and son Dustin Cotta of Dos Palos during the week for limits running Orange Apex lures or red Assassin spinners tipped with corn at depths from 20-25 feet for kokanew with blade/’crawler combinations at 4 colors of leadcore for the rainbows. Nichols added, “Boat traffic has increased on the weekends, and our Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project will make the second and final plant of trophy trout for the year prior to the July 4 weekend. Around 800 were planted in April and another 800 will be coming in from eastern Oregon later this month.” Bank fishing is fair with the occasional trophy-sized rainbow on trout dough bait or nightcrawlers. At Huntington, the lake is at 99 percent capacity, and trollers are picking up small kokanee in the 8- to 11-inch range along with some larger rainbow trout. Bank fishing has been best near Deer Creek with trout dough bait or nightcrawlers.

Call: Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Shaver Lake Sports Inc. 841-2740; Fish Box Charters 871-3937

Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs continue to rise to near capacity, but water levels are fluctuating because of power generation needs. Shore action has slowed, but trollers continue to pump out limits pulling a variety of lures. Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store reported, “At Wishon, the lake is quite full, and shore fishing has slowed down with the best action near the mouth of Short Hair Creek on trout dough bait in pink, orange, or rainbow on a size 16 treble hook. You have to walk down the rocks to get to the spot, but it has been the top location. The other good shore spot has been the far side of the dam. Trollers are having to work hard for limits, but if they stick with it, limits are possible. The best action has been on the far side of the lake with blade/’crawler combinations at 2-3 colors of leadcore or with Needlefish or Thomas Buoyant spoons in brass/red at 3-4 colors. You have to go slow on the troll. Broken-back Rapalas on a long set back on monofilament line are also working.” At Courtright, Crane once again reported slower bank action as the shoreline is filled with floating debris washed down from the creeks or off of the shorelines. He said, “The best area has been the Day Use with trout dough bait in pink, red, orange, or rainbow. Trollers are pulling broken-backed Rapalas on long set back with mono line on the far side of the lake near the rocks.”

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Rockfishing remains the most consistent venture out of Pillar Point, but there are great ocean conditions bringing in bait, birds and whales. All that is missing are the salmon. Out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Sherry Ingles said, “This is what we expect for this time of year with limits of rockfish the rule along with some days producing up to limits of ling cod, but most days we return with a handful of lings. The rockfish are still mostly bottom-dwellers, and you have to work for limits since they only come in one at a time. Shrimp flies tipped with squid or plastics are working best, but there are some days when bars are effective, but mostly the bars haven’t been working. We will continue to focus on rockfish until salmon make another appearance.” Farther north in Pacifica, Rob Chaney of the Rusty Hook in Pacifica reported good surf perch and striped bass fishing with sand crabs, blood worms, and pile worms. He said, “The larger bass are coming from the beaches or off of kayaks in Linda Mar or Rockaway Beaches with hair raisers being most effective. There are smaller stripers landed from the pier with a number of undersized fish.” The Dungeness crab season ends June 30.

Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’ Landing in Monterey reported rough ocean conditions over the weekend, so they stayed in the bay with the Check Mate scoring 36 ling cod and half limits of rockfish while the Caroline put in 24 lings and three-quarters limits of rockfish. They have room for rockfishing trips Thursday and Friday, but they are full the remaining days of the week. The local salmon season ends Wednesday. Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing said, “Weather and sea conditions along the Monterey Bay are finally starting to cooperate with avid anglers on both sides of the Bay. Winds have been moderate and the swell has dropped, making fishing more comfortable and more productive.” Salmon fishing remains hit or miss on the bay. Salmon schools are scattered, with the most consistent area for success being the Soquel Hole. According to Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine, a few kings were caught near Natural Bridges this week in 220 feet of water as well. All the salmon are being caught by anglers fishing deep. It’s been a long wait, but California halibut are finally beginning to show in the near shore areas. Flat sandy areas close to some sort of structure is the best bet for these flatfish. Reports came in from Capitola, the Mile Buoy area, Lighthouse Point and the West cliff Kelp region in Santa Cruz for halibut. Monterey anglers have found a few of the big flatfish near “the Hotel” at the end of Del Monte Beach. Just north of Moss Landing, the Pajaro Pipeline area has kicked out a number of halibut in the past few weeks as well as an occasional white sea bass.

Call: Chris’ Landing(831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com

The winds were the limiting factor over the weekend, and the Sausalito boats that normally fish for salmon were drifting for rockfish and halibut along the Marin coast Sunday for four halibut to 16 pounds, 65 rockfish, and three ling cod for 41 passengers. Inside the bay, Captain Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker was a few striped bass shy of limits along with six halibut Sunday working the Central Bay rockpiles. Smith focused on halibut Monday with 14 flatfish to 32 pounds He said, “All of the halibut were monsters today, and we added six striped bass.” Son Chris Smith of the Captain Hook put his six clients onto 12 halibut and three striped bass on Monday, taking advantage of the ideal halibut tides. Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait and Tackle in San Rafael reported, “It was horrible out here today, and the police boat was making rescues throughout the day; however, fishing is terrific with the skiffs returning with a fish or two per rod on Saturday. Captain Gordie Hough of the Morningstar put in 27 striped bass and six halibut on Saturday, followed up by 10 halibut at Paradise in rough conditions on Sunday before finishing off with a few fish shy of striper limits at Raccoon Straits. The weather was so rough, the group was begging to come back in even though the fish were ‘biting like crazy’ when they left. Halibut fishing is ‘off the charts,’ and there are numerous small legal striped bass in the rocks. There have been a number of halibut in the Paradise area, and they were biting ‘feverishly’ on Sunday morning.”

Rockfishing remains excellent at both San Luis Obispo County ports with the Patriot and Avenger out of Patriot Sport Fishing at Port San Luis returning with a combined score of 72 vermilion rockfish, 30 coppers, 347 assorted rockfish, and 20 ling cod to 14.5 pounds for 50 anglers. Curtis Williams of Madera took the jackpot on the Avenger with a 10-pound ling. Out of Virg’s Landing, 87 anglers on the Fiesta, Princess and Rita G combined for 350 assorted rockfish, 201 vermilions, 124 coppers, six cabezon, and 89 ling cod on Sunday. Virg’s continues to take reservations for this year’s two-day trips aboard the Princess along the Big Sur coast. The trips, leaving Friday night and returning Sunday evening, are $295 per angler for the boat, bait and bunk on limited loads of 24 fishermen. Two limits are possible and generally the rule on these trips. The trip dates are available at virgslanding.com.

Call: Virg’s Landing, (805) 772-1222; (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214

The Sacramento River-Delta fishing action is best in the northern stretches of the river with American shad and smallmouth bass in abundance. The lower end of the Delta in Suisun Bay, after being the top area for the fall and winter, has slowed to a crawl with few fishermen targeting sturgeon. Striped bass are still moving through the river system in their return to San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle in Freeport said, “Shad are still going well in the Sacramento River as the American River run is in full swing. One angler picked up a 25-fish limit on Sunday morning drop-shotting shad grubs from a boat. Striped bass are spawned out and coming back down the river, and sardines, anchovies, pile worms, or blood worms are working for the linesides.” Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento confirmed the excellent shad bite, stating, “Shad fishing is wide open, and we sold out of 5,000 1-inch pink grubs within a few days. Striper fishing is best on bait, and you have to weed through the shakers, but there is the occasional striper over 20 pounds taken.” Steve Santucci of Steve Santucci’s Fly Fishing Guide Service said, “Smallmouth bass are fishing well on the Sacramento River and adjacent sloughs that hold them. The action is fast and you are constantly hooked up. It’s a great way to introduce your child to catching fish.” In Suisun Bay, Pam Hayes of Benicia Bait said, “We are waiting for the next school of stripers to move through as we are in between striper runs.” In the San Joaquin River-Delta, the Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge occurred over the weekend out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island, and this is the first of several specialized bass tournaments this summer with the Ultimate Frog Challenge scheduled for July 30-31 and the Snag Proof Open held out of Russo’s Marina on August 6-7. During the Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge, Dan Mathisen of Dan’s Delta Outdoors in Oakley said, “There were a few big ones landed, but the bite was kind of tough on day one with the wind blowing. Almost all of the big fish came on red Senkos, and nine of the top 15 bass weighed in came on Senkos. Sean Bias landed the heaviest largemouth bass on day one of the Big Bass Challenge with a Sugui Pop topwater baits, but nearly every other fish came on Senkos from 5-7 inches in patterns 194j, 208, or 297.” Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “The cooler weather the past few days has changed the action, and the crankbait or ima Rock N’Vibe has been our go-to bait around the rocks and weeds. We have been pitching the lures up on the rocks or ripping them through the weeds for multiple fish to 3 pounds. The larger fish have become lethargic with the cooler weather, and they are swiping at the lures. We had a giant slap at the ima Little Stick topwater lure, but they are not attacking aggressively. The bass are loading up on crawdads, and the crustaceans antenna are sticking out of their mouths. Flipping the Berkley Chigger Craw or the Flat Dog on the Zappu head is another good technique, but you have to slow down your presentation. With the fish eating crawdads, the ima Squarebill crankbait in red/black or the Rock N’Vibe is also working well.” The sixth annual Bass N’Fly out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton was a huge success with 40 teams participating. Brandon Gallegos at H and R Bait in Stockton reported largemouth bass have been the top species in the area with live minnows, Senkos in rootbeer/redflake or watermelon/red flake, or crawdad-patterned jigs with a number of fish in the 3- to 7-pound range landed.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Stan Koenigsberger – Quetzal Adventures (925) 570-5303; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030

At Nacimiento, spotted bass are the top draw, and they can be taken on topwater lures, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and small swimbaits before working the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head. The white bass are getting active near the Narrows and Las Tablas. The summer recreational boating season has started, and since Nacimiento has launch ramps in the water, jet skis and water skiers will be taking over for the next few months. At Lopez, largemouth bass are getting active, and small swimbaits, creature baits, plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head are working with a good spinnerbait bite when the wind is blowing. Planted trout can be taken on Berkley Mice Tails, Kastmasters or Power Bait. At Santa Margarita, there is an early-morning topwater bite with frogs or topwater lures before working the bottom with plastics. Catfishing is solid with Sonny’s Dip Bait or similar prepared catfish baits. Launching a boat is not an option, but the marina has rentals available. San Antonio remains closed indefinitely as a result of extremely low water conditions at 4% of capacity and high operating expenses

Call: Lake Nacimiento (805) 238-1056, ext. 3; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2818; CentralCoastBassFishing.com (805) 466-6557

Go to fresnobee.com/fishing for reports on Half Moon Bay, Monterey/Santa Cruz, San Francisco Bay and San Luis Obispo

• Kerman Bass Club on June 4 at McClure: 1, Walt Lee/Dave McEwen 9.53 pounds; 2, Ross Aoki 9.06; 3, Ryan Voorhees/Melissa Garone 8.73; big fish, Raul Guillan/Henry Johnson 3.7

• Saturday: American Bass Association at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Best Bass Tournaments at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Sierra Bass Club at Eastman; Visalia Bass Club at Kaweah; American Bass Association at Isabella; San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers at Santa Margarita
• Saturday-Sunday: Angler’s Press at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Success Bass Club at Success
• Sunday: Dan’s Delta Outdoors at Delta/Big Break Marina
• June 24-26: California Tournament Trail at Delta/Russo’s Marina
• June 25: Kokanee Power Phil Johnson Memorial at Don Pedro; Fresno Scottish Rite Temple Trout Derby at Shaver
• June 25-26: Best Bass Tournaments at Delta/Ladd’s Marina

• Fresno County: Bearskin Creek; Dinkey Creek; Hume Lake; Tenmile Creek, Upper
• Kern County: Kern River, sections 4-5
• Madera County: Chiquito Creek, Lower; Granite Creek (West Fork)
• Tulare County: Balch Park Lake Lower and Upper; Big Meadows Creek; Hedrick Pond (Redwood Lake); Kern River, sections 5-6; Peppermint Creek, Upper; Stony Creek; Tule River Middle Fork; Tule River North Fork, Middle Fork 1; Tule River South Fork, Middle Fork 2; Tule River South Fork, Middle Fork 3
• Tuolumne County: Herring Creek; Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch); Moccasin Creek; Powerhouse Stream; Stanislaus River Clarks Fork; Stanislaus River Middle Fork; Stanislaus River North Fork; Stanislaus River South Fork; Tuolumne River North Fork

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of June 14."