Online shopping has made it extremely dangerous for us tackle junkies. I can never seem to have everything that I need. On average, I place at least one tackle order a week. I also visit my local tackle stores at least once a week. When I’m not fishing, I often think about my next fishing trip and what tackle I’m going to need. When I’m home, I’m most likely watching fishing videos or working on my equipment. In those videos, the angler most likely is advertising a new lure or technique which causes me to buy more tackle. My most recent purchase has me questioning my addiction. It’s a custom-made swimbait that cost $140. Funny thing is that I’m now afraid to throw it. The thought of breaking it off haunts me more than the thought of not catching anything on it. I’ve got to catch a fish on it though! The problem is that if my new bait proves to be the big fish bait that it’s advertised as, I’m going to need more than one.
Delta Report:
Plenty of post spawn fish are being caught on reaction baits right now. Franks Tract continues to be a hot spot for bass. The topwater frog bite was wide open this past weekend. Unfortunately, a lot of the fish caught were between two and three pounds. Vegetation throughout the Delta is starting to take over and grass lines are forming nicely. Most of the bass I caught were holding tight to the bank during high tide and moved to the edge of the grass lines during low tide.
New Melones Lake:
The trout bite has all but died for many, but the kokanee bite has really started to pick up for a lot of anglers. Kokanee are being caught for those trolling anywhere from 25 to 45 feet deep. Red, chartreuse, pink or a silver Apex has been the top producing lure, with Uncle Larry’s Spinners, Hootchies, Killer B’s, and Glitter Bugs in the same colors all catching fish, as well. Bass fishing has been good lately as the water temperatures have risen to the mid sixties. The last full moon brought up a lot of nicer sized fish. For those not bed fishing a variety of different baits are doing well right now. Crankbaits, Rip Baits, Rattle Traps, and plastic worms are just a few of the baits that are catching bass right now. Night-fishing for catfish is also 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:
Fishing for kokanee has been good, but they’re still scattered around the lake between 25 to 50 feet deep. The best set-ups are Sep’s watermelon dodger, silver prism or copper dodgers, while trailing lures such as Uncle Larry’s Mad Irishman, Copper Pop spinners or Kokanee bugs, all tipped with white shoe peg corn soaked in Pro-Cure’s carp spit, Kokanee special, and shrimp and prawn oils. Bass fishing has been excellent for those anglers fishing with topwater lures. Topwater Spooks, Vixens, and other walking type baits have been bringing in big limits lately.
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.
Tip of the Week:
Waterways are surely going to be stirred up by recreational boaters now on weekends and safety on the water cannot be stressed enough as we enter the summer season. Personally, I prefer to get on the water super early and get off the water before noon. In case you choose to join the crowds of people be extra careful and if you see a Sheriff’s boat that has its blue lights on, by law you must slow down to steering speed only for jet boats and idle speed for prop boats.