FROM ALL ANGLERS

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

ROGER’S COMMENTS: I don’t think there is any better way to spend time on the water than with a couple of good buddies who have the same mind set as you do, are good team players and are humble enough to listen and try different ideas. I call it competitive cooperation, and I think it’s a healthy way to get the maximum effort, results and fun out of a fishing trip.

Having a couple of good anglers working together to figure out the bite, and then putting it all together is no accident. Good fishermen are always looking for angling solutions to problems they have’nt been able to figure out yet. I find they listen carefully to what’s said-looking for the right key to open the door –and they’re not afraid to really give the idea a fair trial. It’s amazing to me when I see a good angler trying to help another struggling fisherman with a key tip, and the guy completely discounts the gem of knowledge, saying, “Oh yeah, I do something sorta’ like that too.” That’s when you realize that the angler just doesn’t really want to change his mindset or his fishing, and isn’t really open to any new ideas or help.

Key: 1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=excellent fishing.

VALLEY
New Melones Reservoir
Bass-3 Crappie-2 Catfish-2 Trout-3 Kokanee-1

Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported a few smart trout anglers with boats have had success still-fishing way upriver, rather than trolling. Bass anglers report catching plenty of trout while fishing in the creek arms and upriver with small shad imitation lures. Trout are feeding heavily on the small threadfin shad that are so plentiful in the lake right now. The rainbows are starting to move up, as the water temperature cools down. Trollers have been having success with shad-patterned lures such as Needlefish or Excel lures, and smaller Rapala Countdowns from the surface to 20 feet in depth, both in the mouths of coves and upriver. Brown trout anglers are trolling Trophy Sticks or Countdown Rapalas at depths from 20 to 40 feet near structure. Night fishing under lights is still producing limits at depths from 30 to 50 feet, but it is getting much colder in the evenings. Kokanee fishing is over until next spring with the red salmon attempting to spawn up the river arms. Bass are chasing the shad both in the coves and out over deeper water. There are numerous smaller fish with large bass difficult to come by. Anglers have been searching for shad boils and tossing top water lures once the boils are located. There is a still a good top-water bite going on at dawn and dusk with Zara Spooks, buzz baits, or Pop-Rs. Bass can also be taken on drop shot plastics in shad-imitations, Senkos in green pumpkin, watermelon or shad-colors. A few fishermen are working Hopkins Spoons or dragging brown or brown/purple jig up submerged island tops and humps.
Catfishing is slowing down with the cooler weather, as the fish move out into deeper water at this time of year.
Crappie and bluegill action continues to be slow with the best action at night under lights at depths from 10 to 30 feet around submerged trees with live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white in Bear, Carson or Mormon Creeks. The lake rose to 958.01 in elevation and 46% of capacity. The Angels Cove Launch Ramp is closed with the Tuttletown on the low water ramp and Glory Hole still at the mid-ramp. The lowest ramp at Glory Hole is usable until the lake hits 860 vertical feet in elevation. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing touts nearby Lake Tulloch as a solid trout option, particularly during the week when there is a scarcity of recreational wake boarders and jet skiers. He has been pulling shad or Vance’s Slim Fins at depths from 13 to 17 feet in the main lake. The water temperature is 64 degrees, and Smith expects the bite to really take off once the lake dips below 60 degrees. Trout plants are scheduled over the next two weeks. (209) 736-4333, Monte Smith (209) 581-4734, Danny Layne -Fishn’ Dan (209) 586 2383, Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass-2 Trout-2 Crappie-3 Catfish-2 Bluegill-2
Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait is astonished that crappie to 2-pounds continue to be taken on small minnows or minijigs. Trout fishing has been slow with a few fish found around the river inlet. Bass fishing is decent with a top water bite in the morning before changing over to jigs, crankbaits or plastics during the daylight hours. Channel catfish are starting to move into deeper water around Boulder Gulch or around the French Gulch Marina with the fish in shallower water near the banks in the early mornings or in the evenings. The lake dropped to 2547.27 feet in elevation and 18% of capacity. In the Bakersfield area, trout plants at Hart Park, Woollomes, Truxton, the Park at River Walk Lake and Ming have given locals another species to target. Trout plants are scheduled to start at Buena Vista around the middle of November prior to their derby. Big Ed’s Bait and Tackle (760) 379-4170, Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657, North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Stripers-2 Catfish -2 Bass-2 Crappie-1
Ly Tu of Ly’s Fishing Goods in San Jose said that before the last storm there were stripers boiling on the surface of the main lake chasing shad, with anglers seeking out diving birds and tossing Zara Spooks and Pencil Poppers for fish to 26-pounds ,but the Fresno CSBA striper derby on Sat. found the fish had moved down to around 50 feet and the bite had slowed way down, probably due to the low pressure pattern. Most fish were taken from 30 to 50 feet deep on minnows, with most boats scoring only one or two fish. There were very few topwater boils.Tu said the rising water left the banks very muddy, and boaters have had to launch at Basalt instead of Dinosaur Point. Basalt launching is still on a decent surface, but 4 wheel drive is the best bet.In the Forebay, bank fishermen are using dip nets for freshwater shrimp which are used for stripers in the 22 to 24-inch range. Throw nets or seine nets are illegal to use for the shrimp. Game Wardens are giving tickets for using the illegal nets. The grass in the Forebay is lying down with the increased pumping of water in and out of the lake. The lake rose to 21% of capacity with 9456 acre-feet of water pumped from the Delta. Wind conditions: 800-805-4805. < Ly’s Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711.

Eastman Lake
Bass-2 Trout-1 Bluegill -2Catfish-2 Crappie-2
Ranger Keith Willis reported the cooler weather has helped to clear up the water, but the fish are becoming less active. Merritt Gilbert said there have been a few bass taken off of the face of the Dam and on the offshore humps at depths from 5 to 10 feet with plastic worms, minnow-imitation lures or live bait. Catfishing is best from dusk to midnight with chicken livers or anchovies. John Esteves or Chowchilla landed a 21-pound catfish on beef liver near the dam in the evening. Wax or red worms are working for panfish, once they have been located near structure. The lake rose minimally to 472.03 feet in elevation and 9% of capacity. 689-3255.

Hensley Lake
Bass-3 Trout-1 Catfish-2 Bluegill-2
Bob Scharton of Herb Bauer’s Sporting Goods reported good action for small bass on 6-inch Keeper 1058 or 4-inch Keeper 1050 in shallow water close to the banks. The water is a bit stained from the recent rains. Merritt Gilbert said a few catfish in the 1.5 to 3-pound range can be found on chicken livers or anchovies. The lake rose slightly to 477.07 feet in elevation and 21 % of capacity.. 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151

McSwain Reservoir
Trout-3
The McSwain Marina reported great action over the weekend’s Merced Irrigation Trout Derby over the weekend with the $3000.00 trout landed by James Marshall of Groveland. Richard Lee of Stockton picked up one of the $1000.00 fish. There were a total of 18 additional tagged fish paying $140/each. Victor Gomez of Turlock caught the big fish at 5.47-pounds for $200.00. The lake was heavily planted prior to the derby. Bank anglers are scoring with Kastmasters in split chrome, corn yellow or chartreuse Power Bait combined with a white marshmallow or Power Egg at the Brush Pile or Handicapped Docks. Trollers have been picking up limits in the early morning with green Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler behind a dodger from Gilligan’s Island to the Dam and back at depths to 20 feet (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass-2 Stripers-1 Shad-1 Trout-2
Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said bass limits to 7.5-pounds can be taken on Texas-rigged plastics, or jigs with the fish moving out into deeper water at 20 to 25 feet in depth. No striper report. The lake rose to 541.93 feet in elevation and 69%. Trout plants are scheduled on the lower San Joaquin River during the next two weeks. 225-1838, 292-3474.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass-2 Trout-3 King Salmon-1 Catfish-2
Merritt Gilbert reported a decent bass bite with a few spots to 3-pounds taken on top water lures in the mornings before heading to the bottom with jigs or plastics worms. The best action is in the main lake to Windy Gap around steep banks or long points. The trout bite is also continually improving with limits to 15-inches taken on Needlefish, Thomas Buoyants, Cripplures, or Humdingers from 20 to 25 feet near the Powerlines, Zebe Creek or the Deer Creek Marina to the Dam.
Both the bass and trout are chasing the shad schools, so anglers are locating the bait with their electronics and working the bait balls. The lake rose to 774.87 feet in elevation and 24% of capacity. The lower Kings below the Dam has slowed down with minimal water releases from the dam. Trout plants are scheduled on the lower Kings during the next two weeks. 225-1838, 292-3474.

Lake Kaweah, McClure Reservoir
Bass-3 Trout-2 King S-2 Kokanee-1
Manny Basi reported a continued strong bass bite with top water PopR’s in the mornings before switching to drop shotting with the Reaction Innovation worm in Bad Shad Green. He added that a small profile jig head with a Yamamoto Hula Grub in color 330 is also effective. Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling said the crappie bite in Cottonwood Creek is on the upswing, even in the daytime, with small minnows around structure. Catfishing remains good with chicken livers, crawdads or anchovies along muddy, sloping banks. There have been a few trout located around the Dam at depths to 80 feet. A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, Fishwrangler’s Guide Service (209) 604-8222, Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053.

Lake Don Pedro
Bass-2 Trout-2 Kokanee-1 King Salmon-1
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported a slowdown in the trout bite prior to and after the downpour. He was able to put his clients on to six quality rainbows to 4-pounds the day before the rains, but things turned tough later in the week with a couple of quality fish lost on their way to the boat. They were pulling Vance’s Slim Fins or the Shasta Tackle Wiggle Hootchies at depths from 55 to 70 feet for the rainbows. Smith said the water is still relatively clear despite the heavy inflow. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn reported the bass bite was also tough with a few fish to 4-pounds taken from the banks to 30 feet in depth with the S Wave mini swimbait from River2Sea or drop-shotting with the Reaction Innovation plastic worm in Bad Shad Green. Monte Smith (209) 581-4734, Danny Layne -Fishn’ Dan (209) 586-2383.

HIGH SIERRA
Bass Lake
Bass-2 Trout-2 Kokanee-1
Merritt Gilbert said the bass bite slowed down after the storm, but prior to the 7-inch downpour, anglers were scoring with reaction baits in the mornings along the outside edges before switching to Texas –rigged plastic worms, brass N’ glass or jigs at depths from 30 to 40 feet. Trout fishing continues to be slow, but things will improve close to Thanksgiving with the resumption of trout plants and cooling water temperatures. The lake dropped to 59% of capacity 642-3141, Todd Wittwer 288-8100, 642-3633, 642-3737; Mike Bieghy 642-3748.

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee-2 Trout-2 Smallmouth-2
Dick Nichol’s of Dick’s Fishing Charters reported the big storm left 8 inches of rain at Shaver Lake, slowing down fishing interest. Since the storm has passed, there have been several of the large brood trout from 3 to 5-pounds landed by bank anglers tossing Power Bait from the Edison Campground or near the Shaver Lake Marina. Nichols added that kokanee fishing has produced a few next year’s fish at various levels between 30 and 45 feet using Captain Jack’s Green Fat Bugs and Pink Super Hoochies with a tip of corn. Small Mouth Bass can be taken regularly in the rocky areas of the lake on small spinners and crickets according to Matt McCandless at Shaver Lake Sports. Shaver has risen to 69% of capacity with Huntington dropping to 57%. 841-2522, 841-2740, Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435, Rancheria Marina 893-3234, Young’s Sporting Goods 841-8271, Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-5331.

Wishon/Courtright
Trout-2
Patrick Movey reported brown trout to 15-inches have been taken by anglers pulling Trophy Stick lures in rainbow trout along the shorelines. Anglers should check for access to Courtright. Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

OCEAN
San Francisco Bay
Halibut-2 Stripers-3 Rockfish- 4 Leopard Shark – 3 Sturgeon-2
Bob Wright, second captain of the California Dawn, reported fantastic ling cod and big rockfish action on Saturday at the Farallon Islands. They made two long drifts for 35 ling cod to 17-pounds, including a good number of fish over 10-pounds. They ended up with 130 rockfish for the 20 anglers on board composed of an excellent grade of fish. James Smith of the California Dawn had similar numbers on both days over the weekend with a few fish short of 22 limits on Saturday to go with over 20 lings, despite a good number of anglers choosing to stay inside the cabin. They had a banner day today with 26 limits of rockfish and 38 ling cod to 15-pounds. He will be working on the rockfish for the remaining two weeks of the season with trips planned from Wednesday through Sunday during the coming week. The New Seeker and New Huck Finn out of Emeryville also had great days on Saturday with a combined 35 limits of rockfish, 34 lings to 11-pounds, 4 halibut to 11-pounds and a pair to stripers to 5-pounds working the Farallon Islands and back inside the bay. On Sunday, three boats out of Emeryville put in near limits of rockfish at 660 rockies for 72 fishermen to go with 79 lings to 20-pounds and a pair of bonus halibut on their way back to the harbor. The rockfish season ends on October 31st, so interested anglers have to step up and make a commitment before the long closure until next summer. Inside the bays, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait in San Rafael reported outstanding striper action at Buoy 5 on live shiners, most preferably from Loch Lomond. Jim Cox of the Touch of Gray put in 3 limits of bas to 16-pounds on Friday with near limits on Saturday in the same area. Cox put his 6 clients on to limits today, staying with his winning formula of location and shiners. Fraser said skiffs are pounding the bass with shiners at Red Rock with some reporting hooking a fish every drift. There have been a few sturgeon and the occasional halibut taken in the area. The striper bite on bullheads or mudsuckers along the China Camp shoreline remains consistent. Joel Sinkay of Leonard’s Bait at Port Sonoma reported good striper action in Sonoma Creek with six bass in the 12-pound range taken over the weekend. There were a couple of sturgeon also landed from the banks of Sonoma Creek. It is a telling statement that the party boats are heading outside for rockfish, instead of staying inside the bay and working halibut.

Delta/Stockton
Bass- 2 Stripers-3 Sturgeon-2
Striper action has been pretty hot in the Delta with the larger fish concentrated from the Mothball Fleet to Bay Point. Mark Delnero of Fin Addict Sport Fishing was running the Lucky Strike Too on Friday, putting Richard Suchil Jr. of Stockton on to a 42-inch/24.9-pound striper on fresh shad at the end of the outgoing tide near the Middle Grounds. Jeremy Kangas of StickEm. Sport Fishing was working the sandbar near the Mothball Fleet with bullheads with 6 clients for 9 stripers to 15-pounds and a surprise 22-pound halibut on the bullhead. Jim Smith will be bringing the Happy Hooker to Martinez this coming weekend, and the possibilities of striper action on the live sardines look very promising with the fish in the area and good tides. Benicia Bait confirmed the good striper action at the Mothball Fleet with fish to 15-pounds taken on bullheads. There also was a 53-inch sturgeon landed on a bullhead over the weekend by an angler targeting stripers. Kevin Yost of Lucky Strike Fishing put one of his clients on to a 64-inch/49.1-pound sturgeon on Saturday morning on the incoming tide near the PGE Plant in Pittsburg. Sunday brought only shakers working the same areas at depths from 35 to 57 feet. Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sport Fishing had a sturgeon trip in the Pittsburg area on Friday for some good action on ghost shrimp and grass shrimp/eel combinations. Further upriver, Jay Sorensen of Jolly Jay’s Guide Service reported non-stop action for school-sized stripers to 24-inches on fresh shad on the San Joaquin and False Rivers. Mike Gravert of Intimidator Sport Fishing has been working the North Delta with jumbo minnows for outstanding action with seven fish over 10-pounds in his last three trips. Gravert said the conditions are excellent as he is locating pockets of cold water from releases from the area rivers. Randy Pringle said that the bass are in a very lethargic pattern til conditions stabilize for a while. He suggests fishing a Persuader jig with a Chigger Craw trailer in black and blue colors off deeper water areas very slowly on the bottom. Moving the bait very slowly and not even hopping it are important to getting a bite. The reaction bite should also kick in once the conditions get stable.
Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Kevin Yost, Lucky Strike Fishing (707) 301-8050, Mark Wilson Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630, Fin Addict Sport Fishing (209) 367-4665, Jolly Jay’s Guide Service (209) 478-6645.

Tournament Results

Kaweah – Visalia Bass Club – October 17th – 1st: Mike Chavarria/Erick Schott – 9.01-pounds (Big Fish – 7.39); 2nd – Steve and Scott Thompson – 7.23; 3rd –Terry Hamlin/Brian Shishido – 6.46.

Delta –Fresno Bass Club–October 17/18th : 1st – Cliff Woods– 27.04-pounds; 2nd –Morgan Swisher – 23.30; 3rd –Dan Marshall– 22.30. Big fish – Richard DeBenedictis – 7.73-pounds

Don Pedro–Jig’s Bait and Tackle–October 17th : 1st –Gerry Johnson/Robert Mansor– 8.95-pounds; 2nd –Rick Beller/Gene Perry – 8.88; 3rd –Alex Niapas/Garrett Anderson – 7.02.

McClure October 17-Sierra Bass Club
1st Place – Ryan Huskey, 5 fish, 7.44 lbs.
2nd Place – Carlos Contreras, Sr., 5 fish, 7.06 lbs.
3rd Place – Jay Bradshaw, 5 fish, 6.75 lbs.

Big Fish – Nathan Wilbon – 2.36 lbs.

San Luis CSBA Fresno Chapter Striper Derby, Oct. 17-
1st Andy Bedell 6.9 pounds
2. Chong Yang 6.7 pounds
3. Roger George 6.4 pounds

Upcoming

October 22nd–Ken Eddy –Bass Fishing– 6:15 p.m. ––Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse

October 29th–John Poindexter –Striped Bass Fishing– 6:15 p.m. ––Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse

Tournaments:

October 24th – Isabella – Bakersfield Bass
Delta/Russo’s – Angler’s Choice
Santa Margarita – Golden Empire Bass Club

October 25th -Delta/Russo’s – Hook, Line and Sinker

October 31st -Pine Flat – Western Outdoors News/Kerman Bass Club

November 7th -New Melones – Future Pro Tour
Millerton – Angler’s Choice
McClure – Angler’s Choice
Nacimiento – Taft Bass Club
Lopez – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Isabella – Golden Empire
Delta/Eddo’s Boat Harbor – Modesto CSBA

Tulloch – Sonora Bass/ Manteca Bassin’ Buddies/Los Banos Bass Club

November 8th – Kaweah – Visalia Bass/Kings VIII Bass Club

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