Fishing Report: Week of July 19

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

Delta bass action good, Alan Fong said. Delta Mendota stripers hitting bait, Meng Xyong reported. New melons catfish bite on, John Liechty said. San Francisco salmon bite working, Roger Thomas said. Pismo surf perch active, Merritt Gilbert reported.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

In the California Aqueduct, Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics reported, “Fishermen continue to catch stripers, even in the soaring heat. Soaking bait has been the method of choice. Anglers throwing SpeedLures, LuckyCraft Pointers or flukes are catching fish in lower light conditions. Water continues to flow full bore along the aqueduct.” In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield reported that Gary Perkins of Bakersfield remains the leader in the July Catfish Derby with a 22-pounder landed in the aqueduct. The canal is getting mossy, but fishermen are catching and releasing up to 30 undersized striped bass on sardines, anchovies, or lug worms. Catfishing is best with garlic shrimp, nightcrawlers or stink baits.

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake is dropping, and the fish have moved off of the shoreline. There is an afternoon bite with reaction bite for the occasional fish to 4 pounds. Catfish can be taken on mackerel or chicken livers. Bluegill and crappie fishing remains slow.” The lake dropped 5 feet this week to 21 percent capacity and 496.88 feet 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

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “There is continued slow action for bass with some small fish landed in the late afternoons with Senkos or reaction baits.” The lake is expected to drop precipitously in the coming weeks to less than 10 percent capacity. Bluegill and crappie also are slow. The lake is at 34 percent capacity, dropping 2.5 feet to 494.61 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

Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported a slow kokanee bite, but he put client Bill Mechedo of Hughson onto a 6.5-pound king salmon at 100 feet in depth. Smith will be targeting king salmon and rainbow trout in the coming months amid the slowdown for kokanee. For bass, there a small window for topwater lures in the early mornings before working the bottom with plastics on the Texas rig or drop-shot. The fish are moving off the shoreline early with the dropping water levels. All three launch ramps are open; the lake dropped 2 feet to 74 percent capacity and 785.10 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

Jacob Rutledge of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “Now that the Erskine Fire has been contained, people are returning to the lake to fish, and the bass bite has improved with jigs or large plastic worms from 6-12 inches. The bass are still deep, and no one really knows when they came up to spawn this year.” Catfishing is the other solid option with frozen shad, garlic shrimp and prepared stink baits. Crappie action is fair at best. The lake is starting to release water, and it dropped a foot to 2,556.61 in elevation and 26 percent capacity. Because of warm water temperatures at the Kern Hatchery, the remaining trout have been released into the upper Kern River. Rutledge said, “The river is loaded with big trout, and salmon eggs, live crickets, Roostertails or nightcrawlers are all working for the planters.” In the lower Kern River below the dam, smallmouth and largemouth bass remain the top species with plastics on the drop-shot or jigs. Buena Vista is best for catfish and the occasional bass or bluegill. Fishing at the local lakes is limited to bluegill or the occasional largemouth bass.

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

Sierra Sporting Goods in Exeter reported the rapid recession of the lake has the bass off the bite. Drop-shotting plastic worms at depths from 20-25 feet is the best technique for largemouth bass to 3 pounds. Landing keeper-sized bass is a challenge as there are many fish under 13 inches. Crappie, bluegill and catfish are the top species – and with the lack of small minnows, minijigs are working for crappie in submerged structure. For bluegill, wax worms, jumbo red worms, or meal worms are best. The lake dropped 36 feet to 636.72 in elevation and 29 percent capacity. Catfishing is best at night with live crawdads, sardines or anchovies.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

The lake dropped more than a foot per day, and the bass have moved out into deeper water. Bass action remains slow with the best coming in the early mornings or evenings with topwater lures, Senkos, lizards or deep-diving crankbaits. The lake dropped 8 feet to 627.69 in elevation and 46 percent capacity.

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

The lake keeps releasing water, dropping to 55 percent capacity. It has dropped 5 feet to 784.75 in elevation. There is a small window for topwater lures in the early mornings before switching to working the bottom with jigs, live crawdads, or live minnows. Crappie are holding around submerged structure with catfishing best along muddy, sloping banks with anchovies, sardines or mackerel. The McClure Point and Barrett Cove South launch ramps are open. with the Barrett Cove North ramp under construction.

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

Not much change without trout plants since May. The campgrounds are filled over the weekends, but fishing has been at a standstill for the past several weeks.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Small bass remain the rule, and recreational boating has taken over the lake. The best bass bite occurs in the afternoons from 4 p.m. to closing, and there is a reaction bite for the better cut of bass with spinnerbaits or topwater lures.” There were no striper reports. The lake dropped 5 feet to 555.33 in elevation. In the San Joaquin River, not much change with minimal fishing interest with the exception of a few bass fishermen downstream of Sycamore Island. 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

The largest kokanee in the state continued to come out of Melones with quality taking precedence over quantity. Kokanee to 2.4 pounds have been landed this year, and the lake record of 2.8 pounds is in jeopardy. The kokanee are starting to school up. John Liechty of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said, “The lake is dropping water, and the bass have moved out into deeper water from 35-40 feet. The trout bite remains slow with the fish holding in the deepest portions of the lake for trollers. Catfishing is very good with sardines, frozen shad, or mackerel as the whiskerfish seem to prefer fish baits. Crappie action is heating up with small minnows or minijigs in the submerged trees.” The lake is releasing water on a daily basis, dropping 2 feet for the week to 878.82 in elevation and 25 percent capacity. 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

Recreational boating is heavy at Pine Flat and Millerton, and fishing interest has waned within the past few weeks. The lake is receding rapidly, and the bass are suspending into deeper water. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The lake is dropping quickly, and the bass bite has slowed. The night bite is slow with experienced fishermen only picking up a few fish on recent trips. The Sierra Bass Club will be holding a night tournament this coming weekend. Trout fishing is best in the upper end of the lake from Trimmer to the headwaters at five colors of leadcore.” The lake dropped 17 feet to 834.85 in elevation and 44 percent capacity. There remains minimal change in the lower Kings with high water from the releases and few trout fishermen are targeting rainbows in the swift water. 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

O’Neill Forebay has been the best location for striped bass in the central Valley because of the rapidly dropping main San Luis Reservoir and overall slower action in the aqueduct system. Meng Xyong of the Fishaholics out of Fresno reported, “I started out trolling Speedlures in the mornings for a few chasers and a dink in deep water before scrapping the deepwater bite for the shallows. Once I found some weed edges in 10 feet of water, I landed a sublegal striper on a Green Ghost Speedlure before switching over to the Speedlure 110 SP in Purple Halo, and the bite was on! Every other cast was a hit or fish on, and with every hookup, they got bigger. The bite was on for a good hour before I was blown off of the lake with 2-foot swells, so I left them biting. The wind and swells will slowly creep up on you, so it is important to know your limitations on the forebay.” Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that the falling water is taking the lake way down below what anyone expected – to 257,000 acre feet, a drop of 4 feet in 4 days. “I hope they are going to slow down this heavy drawdown sometime soon,” George said. Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a good striper bite at Check 12 with blood worms or pile worms, and the lack of jumbo and extra-large minnows has limited the number of fishermen in the main San Luis Reservoir. In the main lake, it is a long walk to the shore with the water level at 13 percent, but a few fishermen are tossing cast nets for freshwater grass shrimp and using the shrimp for schoolie stripers.

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

Shore fishermen are working the natural points or cuts for spotted bass to 1.5 pounds with plastics on the drop-shot, split-shot, or dart head in the early morning before the recreational boats arrive in force. The dock areas have been less productive. Trout fishing remains slow. The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is in effect, and most bass boats wait until after the fee is lifted after the Labor Day Weekend. The lake is close to spilling at 96% of capacity.

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

At Edison, there are few fishermen but quality brown trout to 20 inches have been taken by trollers pulling Tasmanian Devils or Flatfish near the dam. At Florence, Brett Burch of Sanger has been limiting out on brown trout pulling small spoons behind a dodger on leadcore line to four colors. Edison held at 68 percent capacity while Florence dropped to 76 percent, with Mammoth Pool dropping to 82 percent.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

The Shaver Lake kokanee bite remains hit or miss, but good days are possible. A few trophy rainbow trout continue to show up on a regular basis. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters out of Shaver Lake said, “Over the past weeks, we have had both good and bad days, but 5-8 kokanee has been the norm. We landed eight kokanee at the Island on a recent trip with Apex lures at 33-40 feet deep, and the next day, Jim Allen of Coalinga picked up three kokanee and two trophy rainbows to nearly 6 pounds to fill out his limit. A change in trout fishing may be coming as the lake will be lowered around 15 feet in the next few weeks to 82 percent of capacity. There are no more scheduled plants of catchables from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, but the lower water should keep the rainbows from filling up on insects washing off of the shorelines. The kokanee are scattered, and we have been even catching catfish.” Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service said, “It has been tough work out there, but young Drew Walker landed a limit to 16 inches on Saturday, scoring five out of six hits. Our best action has been on either Tasmanian Devils in firetiger or cutthroat or the double pink Cotton Candy hoochie at depths from 35 to 40 feet. Corn scented with Pro-Cure’s herring, prawn, or shrimp oil is working.” Steve Santoro of Fish Box Charters also confirmed the slower kokanee action with an average of 4-6 fish per boat. He has been working a few schools, but he said, “The fish are scattered, and the lake is dropping as fast as it came up. Verlin Dill of Madera and Maxine Dadoonian of Fresno were out on a slow day with only four hits, but Maxine landed a 5-pound Shaver Lake trophy as well as a 16-inch kokanee. Both fish came at 45 feet on the downrigger with Father Murphy’s new Kokanee Combo’s in pink. The larger kokanee are starting to show signs of the impending spawn with their upper and lower jaws starting to lengthen.” Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported smallmouth bass to 2.25 pounds can be taken with Yamamoto grubs over isolated rockpiles at depths between 20 and 30 feet. The shoreline rocks are loaded with 8- to 9-inch smallies, but the better cut is in deeper water. At nearby Lake Huntington, Doctor Barbara Stewart put in a limit of kokanee to 11 inches running orange Wedding Rings at 20 feet in depth in the west end of the lake. The sail boat regattas have been active on the weekends. Shaver dropped slightly to 87 percent, with Huntington at 98 percent capacity.

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

Slow trout action at Courtright and Wishon continued with trollers working hard for a few fish, but there were good signs of life out of another high Sierra lake on the San Joaquin watershed, Lake Edison. Chuck Crane of the Wishon Village RV Park and Store reported, “At Wishon, fishing has been very slow for both trollers and bank anglers with the best action on blade/’crawler combinations at 3-6 colors. The time of day is important, and the best fishing is in the early, early morning. There have been a number of small brown trout taken on the nightcrawler combinations as well as Rapalas. Shore fishing has been very slow with patience necessary for a few fish per rod near the mouth of Short Hair Creek. Fly fishermen are starting to head up the river inlet for a good quality of native rainbows and browns on dry flies.” At Courtright, Crane added, “The fishing is also slow, but at least a few trollers are picking up limits using blade/’crawler combinations at 4-6 colors of leadcore. Two to three fish per rod on the norm, and shore fishing is also slow with trout dough bait in pink, orange, or multi-colored near the day-use area. Many fishermen are leaving with finding success.”

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Captain Michael Cabanas of the Huli Cat went rockfishing Sunday after putting in a salmon trip Saturday. They found some large rockfish including cabezon to 4 pounds and a 5-pound Bolinas cod along with a 14-pound ling landed by Donovan Ash of Pacifica on a whole squid on a live bait rig. Saturday’s salmon trip brought in a pair of small salmon at 6 and 7 pounds on anchovy/flasher combinations while Friday’s rockfishing trip came up with a bonus 26-pound halibut landed by Gary Bondoc of San Ramon on a mackerel on a live bait rig.

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

Keith Semler of Chris’ Landing in Monterey reported a strong current was a deterrent for rockfishing in Monterey Bay over the weekend, but the Caroline managed 27 limits of rockfish along with three ling cod Sunday. On Saturday, the Star of Monterey put together three-quarter limits of rockfish and a ling for 23 anglers while the Caroline posted three-quarter limits of rockfish and 10 lings for 20 anglers. They have rockfishing trips scheduled throughout the week. Some quality striped bass are coming from the shores along central Monterey Bay from Rio Del Mar south to Sunset Beach on ripbaits, topwater lures and sand crabs. Surf perch fishing is solid at Rio Del Mar, and many fishermen are using Lucky Craft Surf Pointers.

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing said, “

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

After running north of Point Reyes for a few days, the bite north of the point died Saturday. The action was great Friday with Captain Roger Thomas of the Salty Lady putting in a 90-mile roundtrip for 27 salmon to 26 pounds for 17 anglers including 7-year-old Claire Cannon from San Francisco with a 25-pounder. The bite slowed north of the Point, but Captain Thomas reported a late bite off of Buoy One on Sunday afternoon. He said, “The two Sausalito boats put in 61 salmon for 34 anglers after finding the fish late in the day. The bite was wide open, and I think these are a totally different school of fish from the ones north of the point.” The Salty Lady was back out Monday for near limits with 24 salmon for 13 anglers fishing in the same area. The Emeryville Sport Fishing boats got in on the late action in the Shipping Channels with near limits of salmon for 30 anglers with 58 salmon to 22 pounds with the six-pack Sundance returning with limits for their passengers. The weather was good enough Saturday for the Sea Wolf out of Emeryville to make it to the Farallon Islands for 27 limits of rockfish and 43 ling cod to 15 pounds. It was rougher Sunday, but the Sea Wolf and Tigerfish combined for 55 limits of rockfish and 70 ling cod to 14 pounds. The striped bass are back in the bay, and the six-pack Captain Hook ran by Chris Smith put in six limits of striped bass and six halibut inside the bay with Dan Wulff of Manteca landing the jackpot halibut. Second Captain Bob Wright of the Happy Hooker worked the rockpiles on a 25-man charter on Sunday for limits of striped bass before heading outside in rough conditions for a few rockfish and a ling until the group wanted to return to the docks. Shark fishing remains outstanding in the south bay with various six-packs putting together tremendous numbers of leopard sharks along with the occasional seven-gill. The salmon bite was up and down over the weekend with scores over a fish per rod on Saturday slowing down to far less than a fish per rod on Sunday. This is all weather related as it was rough, rough, rough Sunday and even rougher Monday.

Surf perch fishing has been all of the rage for Central Valley anglers wanting to escape the heat, and Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said, “We are selling a tremendous amount of gear for surf anglers heading to Pismo Beach and Oceano. The perch fishing has been excellent, and Berkley Camo or Sand Worms are big items.” For rockfishing, the Patriot out of Patriot Sport Fishing at Port San Luis went out on a half-day trip on Monday with 32 anglers for 15 copper rockfish, 40 vermilion rockfish, 208 assorted rockfish, a boccaccio and 11 ling cod to 10 pounds. Out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay, the Rita G also ventured out Monday with 23 anglers for 35 vermilion rockfish to 4.8 pounds along with 195 assorted rockfish. Their next open two-day trip is Nov. 18-20, and these trips have been selling out quickly. 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. The full list of trip dates is 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 river salmon season opened Saturday and according to script, a few salmon were taken by shore anglers and trollers below the Freeport Bridge. The bulk of the run is coming within the next few months, with traditionally the best action in September and October. But the few fish was an encouraging start. Captain Mike Gravert of Intimidator Sport Fishing added, “This year’s king salmon opener was greeted with huge optimistic hopes due to the heavy flows in the Sacramento River. The honest report at this point as I sit here on Sunday afternoon is that there were four landed in the Freeport area. We at ISF are still very optimistic that better conditions may, could bring better Sac Metro fishing opportunities for all.” Steve Santucci of Steve Santucci’s Fly Fishing Guide Service touted the smallmouth action in the north Delta, stating, “Lots of top water action can be had for these feisty fish. The stripers should be hitting the Delta in early August.” Do Doung of Dockside Bait in Pittsburg said, “The cooler weather has brought out more fishermen, and small stripers in the 19- to 22-inch range are plentiful on anchovies, sardines, or frozen shad.” Striped bass are starting to trickle into the San Joaquin side of the Delta, and although the action isn’t hot and heavy, the opportunity to pick up a limit of schoolies is possible. Largemouth bass and panfish remain the most consistent species in the warm waters of the San Joaquin River. Dan Mathisen of Dan’s Delta Outdoors in Oakley said, “There are a surprising number of stripers showing up, and we are seeing them on a more consistent basis. A 41-inch striper was landed off of the Antioch Fishing Pier on a sardine. For largemouth bass, the Bass N’Tube event was held over the weekend with a 28.86-pound two-day limit, which is excellent for fishing from a float tube. The frog bite is heating up, and the punch bite is very good with natural colors of Sweet Beavers in the dirty water along with purples in clear water. The key is finding current in 4-6 feet of water.” Mathisen is preparing for the two big frog tournaments: the Ultimate Frog Challenge on July 30-31 and the Snag Proof Open on Aug. 6-7, both out of Russo’s Marina. Chris Ball of Snag Proof, Angelo Alero of River2Sea, and Mathisen are hosting a frog seminar July 28 at the shop. Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento was on the San Joaquin-Delta during the week, and he reported great action with the topwater Pop A’ Dor lure for largemouths to 8.5 pounds. He said, “This lure is hard to get, and it looks like a bumble bee with metal wings. I am throwing it across the edges of the weeds, and you have to have current since the fish relate to current when the water temperatures are over 70 degrees.”

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

At Nacimiento , there is a good topwater bite with small profile lures in the early mornings or late in the afternoons. The action slows to a crawl by mid-morning with the heavy recreational boat traffic. Finesse techniques on the bottom are picking up a smaller grade of spotted bass. White bass are schooling around the normal locations of Las Tablas, the Narrows, and Snake Creek; white Roostertails or Kastmasters are picking off this species. At Lopez, finesse techniques on the bottom are the most consistent producers with jigs, plastics on the drop-shot or Brush Hogs working for a smaller grade of bass. There is a topwater bite early or late for the best grade of largemouth bass. Catfish are showing up on cut baits. At Santa Margarita, the hot temperatures have limited the window of opportunity to the early mornings or late evenings. Red-eared perch, bluegill and crappie action is heating up with the usual offerings. Cut baits are producing some huge catfish. 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

• Saturday: Dan’s Delta Outdoors at Delta/Big Break; Bass Anglers of Northern California at Delta/Russo’s Marina; Taft Bass Club/Tri Valley Bass Club at Nacimiento
• Saturday-Sunday: Mid Valley Bass Club at Delta/B and W Resort, Sierra Bass Club at Pine Flat; Golden Empire Bass Club at Isabella
• Sunday: California Delta Team Trail at Delta/B and W Resort
• July 30: American Bass Club at Delta/B and W Resort; American Bass Club at Isabella
• July 30-31: Angler’s Press at Delta/Russo’s Marina

• Fresno County: Dinkey Creek; Kings River, Below Pine Flat Dam
• Kern County: Kern River, sections 4-5
• Madera County: Sotcher Lake
• Tulare County: Balch Park Lake Lower and Upper; Hedrick Pond (Redwood Lake); Kern River, sections 5-6
• Tuolumne County: Herring Creek; Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch); Moccasin Creek; Powerhouse Stream; Stanislaus River Clarks Fork, Middle Fork, North Fork, South Fork; Tuolumne River North Fork

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of July 19."