Fishing Report: Week of June 21

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

Courtright pumping out limits of trout, Chuck Crane said, Millerton spotted bass hitting, Merritt Gilbert reported. New Melones kokanee active, John Liechty said. Don Pedro kokanee and king salmon biting, Monte Smith reported. Delta bass action continues, Alan Fong said. Shaver brooder trout plants providing big catches, Dick Nichols 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. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said, “The bite has slowed down a bit, but fishermen are still finding success punching the weed mats.” Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics out of Fresno said, “A trout was caught by Pheng Yang out of Fresno while fishing the central ’ducts using chicken liver. The catfish bite is solid with many anglers hooking up using cut baits. I spent the late-morning to early-noon hours fishing up north for several shakers and a few keeper-sized stripers while soaking worms and anchovies. The bite was consistent throughout the day. Bigger fish were chasing and hammering smaller profiled lures such as SpeedLures 110 SP and Duo Realis 110 jerkbaits as the afternoon progressed. The water flow south of O'Neill Forebay is on full blast and keeping your lines in one area can be a chore.” In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “ We have a new leader in the June Striped Bass Derby at 6.2 pounds with Randy Hudnall of Bakersfield at the Golf Course. The leader changed twice within 5 minutes after a 5.11-pounder was brought in from the aqueduct in L.A. County. The same fishermen also landed several catfish weighing from 10-14.6 pounds using stink baits or chicken livers. Sardines have been the top bait for the stripers.” The entry fee for the derby is $1, and the winner takes the pool.” Trash and other debris left along aqueduct levees remains a major problem; fishermen are advised to pack out anything they bring in to maintain the ability to fish these locations.

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake is releasing water, and the action along the banks has slowed. Anglers are averaging from 1-3 bass working deeper water from 20-25 feet over the rockpiles.” The Sierra Bass Club held a tournament Saturday with Dan Riportella landing a big largemouth at 7.54 pounds. Catfishing is fair at best with chicken livers or cut baits. The lake dropped 3.5 feet to 31 percent capacity and 512.87 in elevation. The northeastern portion of the lake behind the buoy line is closed to all water recreation until Aug. 1 to protect nesting bald eagles.

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

Few reports and few fishermen heading to this reservoir. A few bass are possible with Senkos in deeper water, but most anglers continue to avoid the lake. Catfish or panfish are the top species. The lake is 46 percent capacity, dropping 2 feet to 501.49 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

Rainbow trout, kokanee and king salmon action continues to improve. Monte Smith of Gold County Sport Fishing said, “We put in two limits of kokanee to 16 inches on Thursday, losing another eight hookups. The kokanee are really fat, and you can only get half of your hand around their bellies. We found great action after 11:30 a.m. with a triple hookup at the end, and we exclusively ran kokanee gear throughout the day. The fish are found at depths from 40-66 feet with Uncle Larry’s spinners or Rocky Mountain Tackle’s hoochies behind a Sep’s copper dodger or Vance’s dodger. It is time to get out and troll for kokanee at Don Pedro.” Danny Layne of Fish’n Dan’s Guide Service said, “There is a fairly good bite off of the eastern end of the lake for king salmon to 5-plus pounds in the Woods Creek arm from the mouth to the Buoy Line upstream at depths from 90 feet and below with 4-inch watermelon Apex lures, rolling shad or anchovies or with Uncle Larry’s Salmon Hoochies. Ed Brandi of Sonora landed a 4-pound, 14-ounce king at the mouth of Woods Arm. The rainbow trout are scattered in the same area at depths from 10-30 feet with blade/’crawler combinations while kokanee are found off of the points around Six Bit Gulch at depths of 40 feet.” For bass, it is best to get on the water very early with reaction baits including topwater lures before working the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or jigs. All three launch ramps are open with the lake at 77 percent capacity and 790.02 feet in elevation.

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, bass fishing continues to improve as the water warms, and deep-diving crankbaits, jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are working after an early-morning topwater window. Crappie action has improved with minijigs in the submerged trees in deep water. Catfishing is solid with Sonny’s Stink Bait, garlic shrimp or chicken livers. Catfishing remains good with chicken livers, clams, or Katnip Beef Bait.” The lake rose less than a foot to 2,558.83 in elevation and 28 percent capacity. The upper Kern River is receiving regular trout plants, and trout fishing remains good in the deeper pools with live crickets, nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. In the lower river, trout are found in the upper stretches below the dam while the lower section is limited to smallmouth and largemouth bass on plastics on the drop-shot or jigs. At Buena Vista, catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill are providing the best action. Truxton is best for bluegill while the RiverWalk remains very slow with the lack of moving water. Hart Park and Ming are the best local option for bass. 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.

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

The lake is releasing water, dropping 4 feet to 702.53 in elevation and 86 percent capacity. The bass are holding in deeper water because of the lake’s fluctuation. There is a small window for topwater before working the bottom with jigs, Senkos or plastics on the drop-shot.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Co. said, “Bass fishing is fair, and the hot weather and recreational boaters are not helping. There is a brief window in the early mornings or late evenings with topwater lures, plastics, or crankbaits.” The lake held at 638.64 feet in elevation and 65 percent capacity. Stokke said, “The Tule River is fishing excellent for natives and stockers as the river flow is perfect for trout. Balch Park and all campgrounds are fully stocked with trout. I took a pack trip on the lower section of Click’s Creek out of the Golden Pack Station and caught and released golden trout at 10-12 inches, and I will be going on a pack trip to the Big Kern during the first week of July.”

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

The lake is starting to release water, and it dropped slightly to 60 percent capacity this week despite inflow from the upper Merced River. There has been no word of the status of the five gold-tagged rainbows planted a few weeks ago. These are worth $250 if caught by Dec. 31. Bass fishing is best with topwater lures in the early mornings or evenings before working the bottom with plastics or jigs. 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, and they will most likely be closed for the rest of the season.

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

Four of the five planted gold-tagged rainbows have been brought in for the $250 reward, leaving one of the tagged rainbows in the lake. Trout fishing is best in the early mornings or evenings after 7 p.m. with the heat affecting the bite and the fishermen during the day.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Millerton was once a top lake for bass tournaments, but with the high price of launching a boat and the requirement for a low-emission motor, most central Valley tournaments have relocated to adjacent reservoirs. One exception is the Bass 101 annual Father’s Day tournament. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis prefished the lake and anticipated that “the winning limit will be in the 12.5- to 13-pound range as there are three or four teams that have been on the fish with topwater lures, ripbaits or spinnerbaits. The best bite is up the river arm in the afternoons from 4-7 p.m., but the morning action is much slower. I started by throwing topwater lures in the early morning for three small blowups on a Zara Spook, but after switching to plastics on the bottom, I hooked several small fish along the same bank. Plastic worms on a Texas-rig, drop-shot, or dart head are working best, and we caught over 50 bass, but only three were over 13 inches.” Patrick Movey of the Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse said, “With school letting out, recreational boating is taken over the lake, and the calmest period is in the early mornings.” There are still few striped bass or shad reports. The lake has risen to 85 percent capacity and 562.17 feet in elevation. In the San Joaquin River, very few fishermen are targeting the river with the exception of bass anglers around Sycamore Island and farther downstream. 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. The San Joaquin River is closed to the take of salmon; they may not be targeted by fishermen and must be released immediately if inadvertently caught.

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

Kokanee action remains good with the rising water level covering more vegetation and increasing the plankton population. The plankton feeds the kokanee, and they are growing rapidly and should be 18 inches in length by the end of the season. The best setup has been a Rocky Mountain Tackle or Uncle Larry’s spinners behind a large dodger are working, but the smaller Glitterbugs micro hoochies behind a teardrop dodger are also effective. The kokanee are scattered, and nearby Lake Pardee is a more solid option for numbers. Bass fishing is fair at New Melones with the opportunity for a trophy bass on reaction baits remaining. John Liechty of Xperience Bass Guide Service took out Nate Monroe this past week in the hunt for a trophy, and Monroe landed a 5-pound largemouth on a large topwater bait in the early morning. Liechty said, “We went out early in search of a better than average topwater fish, and we decided to throw topwater lures for the first few hours before switching to jigs or soft plastics once the sun came up. We made multiple stops and fished some very productive water and it paid off with Nate landing the big largemouth. One bite, one big fish was all we were fishing for, and we got it.” After landing the big fish, they put another dozen fish in the boat working the bottom with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot. Liechty added, “The key to getting bites is to keep your bait on the bottom and bump into structure and cover.” Trout fishing is fair, but there are a few quality rainbows taken in the deepest portions of the main lake with shad-patterned spoons at depths from 30-40 feet. Night fishing under lights is starting to heat up, and boats are anchoring in 30-60 feet of water and dropping the light from 15-25 feet down. After the light attracts the baitfish and plankton, the trout will move in. Live minnows, nightcrawlers, or trout dough bait are best under the lights. Some large catfish have been taken in the shallows with large pieces of shad, mackerel, anchovies or sardines on a sliding sinker rig. The best action is in the early mornings or evenings with few fishermen out during the heat of the day. The crappie bite has slowed considerably within the past few weeks. The lake is releasing water, and despite inflow from the upper Stanislaus River, the lake has dropped a foot to 885.93 in elevation and 27 percent capacity after receding for the past few weeks. Glory Hole remains the only launch available on the lake 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

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported, “The trout bite has improved considerably for trollers working above Trimmer from Windy Gap to Big Creek with blade/’crawler combination, spinners, or small spoons. Rainbows to 15 inches have been landed. Small Rapalas at 3-4 colors of leadcore or flat-lining are also effective.” Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno said, “Trout have been also taken from the shoreline with Power Bait.” Bass fishing remains sketchy with small limits to 8 pounds taken on the bottom with plastics on the dart head. Recreational boating is taking over the lake, which held at 65 percent capacity despite the release of thousands of acre-feet of water. In the lower Kings, the river is running high, making for difficult conditions for bait casters. There have been few reports of trout fishing on the lower river. 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 wind has been the limiting factor within the past week. During windows of calm winds, trollers are running minnow plugs deep for fair striper action. Bank fishermen are soaking pile worms, blood worms, or anchovies from Goosehead or Dinosaur Points. A shortage of jumbo minnows in local shops has kept anglers from drifting the live bait. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said he fished Saturday and caught several schoolie stripers to 27 inches, topped by a fat 34½-inch, 14-pounder he released. “The fish are suspending most of the day, especially with the full moon, so you have to be on the water when the bite window opens up,” George said. “I got the fish at around 75 feet on a lure. The water is falling very rapidly and we may see minimum pool fairly soon, in spite of the great water year. The Basalt ramp is now on the dirt facing to the west so you might want to use four-wheel drive from now on as the ramp falls. The Dinosaur ramp is OK so far. ” The Forebay continues to be the top striper location in the central Valley with cut baits, pile worms, or blood worms working off the main channel at Check 12. Boaters are finding good action with Speed Lures 110 SP, flukes, No Limit Custom Lures or Lucky Craft Pointers in shallow water when the wind is blowing. The wind has created dangerous conditions on the lake with at least one small boat capsizing. The reservoir continues to recede, and it is currently at 23 percent capacity.

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

Recreational boating has taken over the lake with the end of the traditional school year and the beginning of summer vacation. The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is in effect through Labor Day. A few bass fishermen are working the dock areas with Senkos for decent action for spotted bass along with the occasional largemouth. A few rainbow trout are coming for trollers in the northern end of the lake, and Mike Beighey continues to guide on the lake. Kokanee are all but nonexistent. The lake is close to spilling at 98 percent capacity. Campground status updates are available at 642-3212.

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

At Edison, brown trout in the 14- to 17-inch range are showing up from the banks with a variety of lures. The lake is filled at 56 percent capacity for the first time in several years. Florence dropped to 88 percent with Mammoth Pool at 99 percent. There are no reports from Mammoth Pool, but the trout action should be good after the lake opened last Wednesday.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

The second of the trophy trout plants from the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project occurred this past week, and the trophies from the original plant in April are starting to get active. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “We were able to land three trophies from our first plant that have relocated throughout the lake with youngsters Landon Maher of Clovis and Donovan Bodmer of San Jose getting in on the action with trophies at 3.82 and 4.2 pounds, respectively, and I know that these were from the April plants since they were far away from this week’s trophy plant. We have been averaging around eight mixed fish up to Saturday when the bite fell off a bit. The fish have been really scattered for the most part with action in Stevenson Bay or Eagle Point at depths from 21-35 feet with orange or green Apex lures behind either a Sierra Gold or CJ Dodger and with Dick’s Trout Busters on the side poles at 23 feet in depth.” The water level is beginning to stabilize at 82 percent capacity, and the action should improve once the lake levels off since the rainbows have been stuffing themselves with insects washed off the shore. Steve Santoro of Fish Box Charters found similar action to Nichols with six kokanee and two rainbows for clients Pastor Loren Van Woudenberg and his grandson Luke from Visalia. He added, “The Sierra Marina stated that the second concrete ramp will be opened over the weekend.” Bank fishing should improve as the recent trophy plant becomes acclimated to the lake. The project’s second plant consisted of rainbows in the 3- to 5-pound class. Contributions to the program can be made to SLTTP, P.O. Box 908, Shaver Lake 93664. At Huntington, the lake is at 98 percent capacity and launching a boat is no problem. Trollers are picking up small kokanee in the 8- to 10-inch range while quality rainbows to 15 inches are taken on spoons or blade/’crawler combinations. Bank fishermen are scoring with rainbow glitter trout dough bait in the creek inlets.

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

Courtright is the better option of the two High Sierra lakes on the Kings River watershed with limits of quality rainbows possible for trollers and bank anglers. With the fluctuating water levels at Wishon, the trout bite has slowed down considerably within the past week. Chuck Crane of Wishon Village RV Park and Store said, “Courtright is nearly full, and the trolling action has been very strong on the far side of the lake with blade/’crawler combinations or Speedy Shiners, Thomas Buoyants, or Needlefish in a variety of colors at 2-3 colors of leadcore. Long-lining Rapalas far behind the boat is also very effective. The shore action is best near the day-use area with pink or orange trout dough bait on a 4-pound test leader with a size 16 treble hook. You have to use both a light hook and line to get the bait to float off of the bottom.” Wishon has slowed with the water level coming up and down in order to generate electricity for the central Valley. The recent heat wave will only increase the demand for electricity. Crane said, “The lake is nearly filled at 20 feet below spilling, but you have to work hard for the rainbows with trollers finding their best action on the far side of the lake with blade/’crawler combinations or spoons such as Speedy Shiners, Thomas Buoyants, or Needlefish in red or copper at 2-4 colors of leadcore. Shore fishing is also slow, but there is some good action at the mouth of Short Hair Creek, You have to climb down the rocks in order to make it down there, but the fish are holding here. Trout dough bait in pink or orange on a long light leader and small hook is picking up a few fish.”

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat went salmon fishing off of Pacifica on Saturday, and Allen Carter landed a 14-pound salmon. There was a little action between Pedro Point and Pacifica over the weekend, but it wasn’t enough to draw the Sausalito fleet south of the Gate. On Saturday, Second Captain Michael Cabanas took a rockfish trip out of Pillar Point for ling cod to 12 pounds along with boccaccio’s to 7 pounds using a live bait rig and a frozen herring. Farther north, striped bass have been marauding baitfish along the shorelines, and shore fishermen have been concentrating on Linda Mar and Rockway Beaches in Pacifica. 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) 726-7133726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148

Todd Arcoleo of Chris’s Landing in Monterey reported half limits of rockfish and 23 limits of ling cod on the Check Mate with 19 limits of lings along with half limits of rockfish on the Caroline. They have been able to jig up some live squid for the bigger rockfish and the lings. They have plenty of room on the rockfish trips throughout the week. 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 beginning to show near shore. 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. 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 salmon bite slowed again with boats having some difficulty locating the fish after a week of rough weather. Working north of the Gate, three Sausalito boats took out 49 anglers for 13 salmon to 24 pounds before returning to the bay for nine stripers to 10 pounds. It wasn’t much better Monday with the New Rayann returning with five salmon to 24 pounds for 14 anglers. The ocean was reported to be calm, and it is a matter of time before the boats find the fish. The New Seeker out of Emeryville also found slow salmon action with three salmon and a striped bass for seven anglers. The New Huck Finn and Sea Wolf out of Emeryville Sport Fishing focused on rockfish with a combined 57 limits and 130 ling cod to 23 pounds. The Tigerfish out of Emeryville tried a combination trip with eight striped bass to 8 pounds, half limits of rockfish andand three ling cod. Captain Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker went south of the Golden Gate to Pedro Point for rockfish at 11 a.m. after putting in nine striped bass and a couple of halibut in the bay. He said, “We limited out with some quality black rockfish and assorted varieties, but there was only one ling cod. My group had difficulty staying out of the rocks in the bay while drifting for striped bass, so we made a bold move late in the morning.” He is running open load potluck trips throughout the week. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn continues to remove striped bass from the Bay/Delta system on a daily basis. Working the rockpiles with a large grade of anchovies hand-selected from J and P Bait in San Francisco, Smith put his clients onto an amazing array of striped bass, halibut and even a solitary leopard shark on Father’s Day. Captain Chris Smith on the six-pack Captain Hook also got in on the striper action, picking up a few halibut Sunday. Perhaps he also got some of the special bait in his tanks. The stripers were definitely keying on the larger bait, and if you didn’t have the big grade of anchovies, your scores were diminished.

Rockfishing is the only game in town at the San Luis Obispo port, with Patriot Sport Fishing sending out three boats Monday. The Flying Fish returned with 88 vermilion, six coppers, 10 bolina, 36 assorted and eight lings to 11 pounds for 20 anglers on a half-day trip; the Avenger with limits of rockfish and nine lings to 13.55 pounds on a three-quarter-day trip; and the Patriot with half limits of rockfish and three lings on a half-day trip. Out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay, the Princess took a three-quarter-day trip Monday for half limits for 32 fishermen with 10 vermilion and 118 assorted rockfish. Virg’s continues to take reservations for this year’s two-day trips aboard the Princess along the Big Sur coast. The trips leave Friday night and return Sunday evening at $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. 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 has moved into full summer mode with the arrival of triple-digit temperatures. Smallmouth bass are providing the best action in the rocky structure in the northern Delta while a few legal striped bass are landed on bait. Sturgeon fishing is limited to a few anglers since most Delta anglers are finding other venues for action. Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle in Freeport reported, “There are a few straggling shad in the Delta, but most of the shad are up in the American River. Stripers are still in the Delta, but most of them are undersized. Smallmouth fishing is solid in the sloughs and along the rocky banks in the Sacramento River and Old Sacramento River, and deep-diving crankbaits in crawdad patterns, Senkos, or plastics on the drop-shot around 10 feet in depth are working as well as Spro lipless crankbait in shad patterns.” Farther downstream, Do Doung of Dockside Bait in Pittsburg reported large stripers in excess of 20 pounds have been taken in Broad Slough with live splittail or with Sacramento pike, but these are few and far between. In Suisun Bay, sturgeon fishing is extremely slow with very few fishermen out trying. Largemouth bass are the focus in the San Joaquin Delta, and the Future Pro Tour was the latest event on the Delta with Dan’s Delta Outdoors Father’s Day event out of Big Break Marina on Sunday. Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported the slow tides and the winds created adjustments in technique this week with the necessity to slow down on the presentation. With the winds, the half-ounce Persuader spinnerbait in chartreuse/white is working along with the ima Squarebill crankbait in shad or bluegill patterns. The ima Rock N’Vibe in red/black or blue back with a chartreuse body is working as the crawdads are getting darker in color. The Heli P propbait or the ima Little Stick are a good choice when it is windy, but you have to slow down. Numbers of bass can be taken by flipping the Flat Dog or the Chigger Craw. He said, “You have to work it slow and stay in the strike zone.” Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento reported good action for largemouth bass with spinnerbaits or chatterbaits in the wind. He said, “We landed largemouth bass to 9.75 pounds on a three-eighths-ounce chartreuse/white spinnerbait. My nephew, Michael ‘Bub’ Fong has been doing really well on the San Joaquin by punching the weed mats with a Missile’s D Bomb under a 1.5- to 2-ounce tungsten punch weight. With this week’s triple digit temperatures, the bass will be hunkered down under the weeds.” Dan Mathisen of Dan’s Delta Outdoors reported Marc Young and Dave Newton took first prize at their Father’s Day tournament with a five-fish limit at 25.24 pounds with a 7.75-pound big fish. Brandon Gallegos at H and R Bait in Stockton reported striped bass fishing has slowed in the Stockton area, but the largemouth bass bite off Tracy Oasis is very good with nightcrawlers rigged like a Senko. He said, “Many fishermen are rigging the live worm Texas-style and then jigging it up and down along the weedlines.” Squarebill crankbaits or lipless crankbaits are also working as the bass are feeding heavily on crawdads.

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

At Nacimiento, recreational boating and the heat wave have brought out a smaller window for bass fishing, and the white bass are becoming more active in the Narrow and around Las Tablas with small white spoons such as Kastmasters or spinners such as Roostertails. Spotted bass are found in the very early mornings with topwater lures before working the bottom with plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head. 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 the lake for the next few months. At Lopez Lake, there is a brief window for largemouth bass in the mornings and evenings. The trout bite has slowed with the hot weather, pushing the planted rainbows to the coolest water in the lake. 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 percent 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

• Sierra Bass Club on June 18 at Eastman: 1, Dan Riportella 12.95 pounds (big fish 7.12); 2, Cory Condry 8.86; 3, Gary Johnson– 8.74.
• Dan’s Delta Outdoors on June 19 at R Delta/Big Break Marina: 1, Marc Young/Dave Newton 25.24 pounds (big fish 7.75); 2, Larry Hutton/Terry Devincenzci 18.43; 3, Isaac Budesilich/Michelle Brooks– 18.25

• 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: Big Creek, Huntington; Courtright Reservoir; Dinkey Creek; Kings River, Below Pine Flat Dam; Mono Creek; Portal Forebay; Rancheria Creek; San Joaquin River, South Fork; Tamarack Creek; Ward Lake
• Kern County: Cuddy Creek Pond; Kern River, sections 1-5
• Madera County: Chiquito Creek West Fork; Chiquito Creek, Lower; Fish Creek; Lewis Creek; Rock Creek; Sotcher Lake; Willow Creek North Fork
• Mariposa County: Big Creek, Madera
• Tulare County: Bone Creek; Dry Meadow Creek; Freeman Creek; Kern River, sections 5-6; Nobe Young Creek; Peppermint Creek, Lower
• Tuolumne County: Beaver Creek; Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch); Moccasin Creek; Pinecrest Lake; Powerhouse Stream; Stanislaus River Clarks Fork; Stanislaus River Middle Fork; Stanislaus River North Fork; Stanislaus River South Fork; Tuolumne River Middle Fork; Tuolumne River North Fork; Tuolumne River South Fork

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of June 21."