I think that I’m beginning to like fishing during the fall more than the spring. All my life I’ve looked forward to the springtime. The fall can be just as good or better. In the past, I’ve always been too busy during the fall to notice but it’s started to win me over these past few years. There’s just so much life in our local waters around this time of year, as the fish are making their last push towards feeding up for the long winter. I also enjoy the fact that only the truly dedicated pleasure boaters are still out on the water, which makes for calm relaxing days. Of course, the days are a little shorter than during the spring, but it allows me to sleep in a little more, and I’m home a little earlier. All those things I’ve never thought about before. Then again, like the bumper sticker says, “There’s no bad day to go fishing!”

Delta Report:

With water temperatures dropping and as the days become shorter the fishing should be getting better. Currently bass are being caught on just about anything. Reaction baits such as rattle traps and spinnerbaits are producing lots of numbers right now. The problem is the size of the fish being caught. Anglers are having a tough time finding keeper sized fish. Striped bass are starting to make their way into some of the flooded islands such as Franks Tract, Big Break, and Mildred Island. Anglers are using cut bait and trolling. Anglers fishing for salmon are doing well while fishing up north while trolling their favorite salmon spinners.

New Melones Lake:

Fishing for trout and kokanee has slowed down considerably as the lake is in a transition from summer to fall. There are reports of large trout being caught by anglers trolling anywhere from 40 feet deep to 100 feet deep. Like earlier in the year, the bites are far and few, but the quality is great. Bass fishing is great if you’re looking to just get bit. Anglers are catching a lot of smaller fish on small plastics during the day. Catfishing is still really good for anglers fishing off the bank at night while soaking anchovies or chicken livers.

Lake Don Pedro:

Trout fishing remains fair right now with most trout being caught by anglers who are trolling for them. Anglers are trolling between 40 and 50 feet deep with Cripplures. Bass fishing is slow right now; there are a lot of smaller fish being caught but very few of any size. Anglers are currently catching bass while drop shotting and spooning anywhere between 25 to 35 feet deep.

Lake Pardee:

Currently there is very little fishing pressure during the week for anglers fishing for trout. The fishing is slow right now especially during the midday hours. Your best bet is getting there first thing in the morning. Anglers are having luck catching small limits of kokanee while trolling between 30 and 50 feet deep. Bass fishing is slow right now. Anglers catching fish are targeting schools of fish found as deep as 30 feet while using small plastic worms. Catfishing is good right now for those who are fishing with either chicken livers or sardines. Most of the catfish are being found in the backs of coves.

Lake Camanche:

Trout fishing is very slow right now. Bass fishing continues to be good for those fishing traditional summer patterns. Topwater baits are working well early in the morning and late in the day. During the day anglers are catching limits of fish while tossing crankbaits or small plastic worms. Catfishing is also good right now on the lake for those fishing off the bank with night crawlers or anchovies.

Costa FLW Series Set To Visit Cal Delta – More than 150 pros and co-anglers are set to close the Costa FLW Series Western Division regular season from Sept. 27 through 29, at the Costa FLW Series at the California Delta presented by Power-Pole. The tournament, hosted by Russo’s Marina and the Sugar Barge RV Resort and Marina, is the third and final regular-season event scheduled in the FLW Series Western Division. The event will feature anglers competing for a top award of up to $75,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.

Also, the YETI FLW College Fishing season will continue with an event on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the YETI FLW College Fishing on the California Delta presented by Costa. The tournament, hosted by Russo’s Marina and the Sugar Barge RV Resort, is the third and final regular-season event for college anglers in the Western Conference and will award a top prize of a $2,000 club scholarship and an invitation to compete in the 2019 College Fishing National Championship to the winners.