Often I see fishermen point at an area or spot and say “It looks good over there!” For someone who’s new to the sport he or she may wonder to themselves what exactly are they looking for? First, you have to realize that fish live under water and not on top of the water. Part of the learning process for anglers, is their ability to distinguish between what looks good to them and what the fish may be attracted to. You would be amazed at the amount of spots that get very little fishing pressure because they don’t look like anything special from above. Some of my most prized spots are all by themselves, where there is no identifiable landmark. Often, a strategy professional anglers use is to seek out areas that look the most unappealing. There’s a good chance that the average angler is going to overlook such areas, and if there are fish in the area, they’re going to be less reluctant to bite. Next time you’re out, force yourself to fish areas that don’t look appealing to you. By doing that you may be surprised at what you find.
Delta Report:
Early in the morning anglers are doing well while fishing for bass with top water lures. During the day anglers are either catching them with reaction baits like Rattle Traps or flipping heavy cover with sweet beavers. Bluegills are plentiful right now and can be caught just about anywhere while using red worms. It’s always good to have a rod with a top water lure tied on this time of year just in case a school of striped bass appear. Anglers are starting to catch stripers while trolling shallow and fishing cut bait around the North and West Delta. There are also reports of a good school of salmon making their way through the system as anglers fishing with jigs are doing well around the Freeport area.
New Melones Lake:
Trout fishing is fair right now on the lake. Anglers are having luck while fast trolling heavy spoons or running ExCel spoons behind an 18-inch leader on a slower troll at depths from 45 to 70 feet. Anglers fishing for kokanee are still doing good while trolling between 80 and 90 feet deep with hootchies trolled behind a dodger. Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing cut bait throughout the evening hours around all the lake’s recreational areas. Bass fishing is fair right now; there are a lot of bass following the schools of shad found all over the lake. Anglers are using shaky head worms or drop shot rigs through the schools of bait for small limits of fish.
Lake Don Pedro:
Trout and bass fishing is really good on the lake right now. Anglers fishing for trout are finding them while trolling around the schools of baitfish being found from the surface down to 35’ deep. Anglers fishing for kokanee are doing great while trolling between 60 and 75 feet deep. The kokanee are showing signs of spawning so the bite has been slowly fading. Bass fishermen are targeting the many schools of fish being found around main lake points. Currently there is no shortage of smaller fish. Finding the bigger ones has been a challenge. Anglers having luck finding bigger fish are fishing with swimbaits and jigs.
Lake Camanche:
Trout fishermen are finding trout while fast trolling Speedy Shiners between 35 and 40 feet deep. Bass anglers are having luck early and late in the day on top water lures. During the day, the bite has been tough as anglers are working small plastic baits slowly along the bottom as the bass have become very lethargic during the day.
Lake Pardee:
Trout fishing is better right now for anglers fishing off the bank. The lake continues to be planted on a weekly basis with 1000 pounds of trout. If you can time it right and get there during or right after the lake was planted you have a good chance of catching an easy limit. Bass fishing is fair right now, the best areas are around isolated islands with jigs and worms. Top water baits are working well in the morning and evening hours.
Tip of the Week:
Late summer is an interesting time of the year. A lot of anglers I believe would be surprised at what works this time of year. As far as bait selection, don’t be afraid to try something new or something a little out of the ordinary. I’ve had some great times fishing this time of year while using untraditional baits.
