Memorial Day weekend is over and I'm sure many of us who were out on the water have a story or two to tell. I thought that maybe the high fuel prices would keep many boaters home but I was wrong. My guess is that many had been planning the weekend in advance, so the cost of fuel was probably an afterthought. What caught my eye more than anything was the amount of boats I witnessed being loaded with alcoholic beverages. Some boaters tend to believe that they cannot be stopped for drinking and driving the same as if they were driving a car. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may in fact revoke or suspend your driver's license if convicted of operating a vessel while intoxicated. Those on skis or wakeboards can also be cited if found to be over the legal limit of 0.08 percent BAC or greater. Those under age that are found to be over 0.01 percent BAC will be fined $250 and be required to take an alcohol education or community service program.
The person may also lose the privilege of getting or keeping their driver's license.
The Delta:
Bass fishing continues to be great right now. Over the weekend there was an excellent top water bite early in the day. Once the sun got high Senko's and Sweet Beavers were the ticket towards catching mid day bass. Bluegills have begun to make their way onto spawning flats, many post spawn bass can be found close by. Over the weekend it took thirty pounds for a five fish limit to win. The weights should start shrinking as many of the bigger fish being caught should start to move off.
New Melones Lake:
Trout fishing is very tough right now for many anglers fishing off the bank. Fishing for kokanee is excellent right now as anglers are catching nice fish while trolling between 40 and 60 feet deep. Bass fishing has been tough; anglers are having a hard time putting together any real pattern. The bass seem to be either chasing schools of shad or scattered throughout the lake.
Night-fishing for catfish is starting to pick up, any major cove or creek arm is a good place to try. Anchovies, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers are always a deadly combination when fishing for catfish. The crappie and bluegill bite has really started to pick up, some anglers are even reporting catching limits of crappie when fishing tight to structure using live minnows.
Lake Don Pedro:
King salmon to 5 pounds are being found at depths from 80 to 120 feet in Middle Bay, Fleming Bay, and off Hatch Creek with rolled threadfin shad or anchovies. Bass fishing is decent right now with fish being caught early, on top water lures and with bottom bouncing lures during the mid day. Kokanee are also biting well but are still scattered around the lake at depths of 25 to 50 foot levels.
Lake New Hogan:
Rolling shad or Anchovies in the main lake area has been very productive, for Stripers 5 to 6 lbs. Most fish have been holding between 15 and 25 feet deep. Bass fishing remains good as many fish can still be found shallow. The topwater bite has really started to take off during the morning hours. Some bed fish are still being found in the backs of coves.
The person may also lose the privilege of getting or keeping their driver's license.
The Delta:
Bass fishing continues to be great right now. Over the weekend there was an excellent top water bite early in the day. Once the sun got high Senko's and Sweet Beavers were the ticket towards catching mid day bass. Bluegills have begun to make their way onto spawning flats, many post spawn bass can be found close by. Over the weekend it took thirty pounds for a five fish limit to win. The weights should start shrinking as many of the bigger fish being caught should start to move off.
New Melones Lake:
Trout fishing is very tough right now for many anglers fishing off the bank. Fishing for kokanee is excellent right now as anglers are catching nice fish while trolling between 40 and 60 feet deep. Bass fishing has been tough; anglers are having a hard time putting together any real pattern. The bass seem to be either chasing schools of shad or scattered throughout the lake.
Night-fishing for catfish is starting to pick up, any major cove or creek arm is a good place to try. Anchovies, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers are always a deadly combination when fishing for catfish. The crappie and bluegill bite has really started to pick up, some anglers are even reporting catching limits of crappie when fishing tight to structure using live minnows.
Lake Don Pedro:
King salmon to 5 pounds are being found at depths from 80 to 120 feet in Middle Bay, Fleming Bay, and off Hatch Creek with rolled threadfin shad or anchovies. Bass fishing is decent right now with fish being caught early, on top water lures and with bottom bouncing lures during the mid day. Kokanee are also biting well but are still scattered around the lake at depths of 25 to 50 foot levels.
Lake New Hogan:
Rolling shad or Anchovies in the main lake area has been very productive, for Stripers 5 to 6 lbs. Most fish have been holding between 15 and 25 feet deep. Bass fishing remains good as many fish can still be found shallow. The topwater bite has really started to take off during the morning hours. Some bed fish are still being found in the backs of coves.
