I’ve been fooled once again by thinking that I had all the answers towards catching fish at Lake Pardee. Having primarily a bass fishing background, I figured that trout fishing was going to be a lot easier. Especially since most of our lakes and rivers are planted weekly with fish that have never seen a lure or live bait before. Last week, I went out and had an excellent day by catching a limit of beautiful trout without much effort. Thinking that I had all the answers, I went out two days later and struggled to put a fish in the boat. I used the same exact lure, fished the same depth, and fished the same area. I did bring my bass fishing gear just in case, and I was able to switch over to fishing for bass halfway through the day. I hated having to abandon fishing for trout but it was nice having another plan.
Delta Report:
The bite is very good right now; a lot of quality sized bass have been moving shallow to feed and spawn. The key to catching the bigger fish has been finding not only the right area but being there when the tide is just starting to go out. This time of year it’s also very important to make several passes over a bank where you just caught a fish. Senko’s are working really well right now as well as spinnerbaits and jigs. Once the tide bottoms out try fishing the outside weed lines or targeting noticeable clearings within the weed beds.
New Melones Lake:
The Crappie bite is improving on the lake as anglers are targeting submerged trees with live minnows and crappie jigs. The key to finding the good trees has been finding the ones that are around areas where there is running water or next to spawning flats. Trout fishing has slowed down as the water temperature is in the low 60s. Bass fishing steadily increases as more and more fish have made their move shallow for the spawn. Senko’s and baitfish imitating reaction baits are working well from the surface down to 35 feet deep. Glory Hole Point still has the only available paved launch ramp.
Lake Don Pedro:
The Bass bite has been great lately with a lot of reports of anglers catching over 20 fish a day while using rip baits, jigs, and spinnerbaits. For sheer numbers the drop shot or shaky head with a 4 to 6 inch Robo Worm worked from the bank down to 30 feet should bring in a lot of fish. Try searching the bank as well as there is sure to be some fish that have moved shallow for the spawn. Fleming Meadows has the only available paved launch ramp.
Lake Pardee:
Bass fishing is hit or miss for some anglers. With the lake quickly becoming a favorite of many swim bait fishermen there’s been plenty of boat traffic over the past few weekends. If all possible try getting out on the lake during the week. The water is gin clear so make sure to make long casts and use more natural baits. Trout fishing is hit or miss right now as anglers are catching trout and kokanee while trolling from the surface down to 20 feet deep.
New Hogan Lake:
Bass are on beds right now or in ditches adjacent to bedding areas. Shaky head trick worms in green pumpkin are working well right now. No sign of Stripers but there are large schools of Bluegill that can be found around bedding areas which can be caught on worms.
Lake Amador:
The lake is still being stocked weekly and is almost full. Trout fishing is good right now for anglers fishing off the bank with Power Bait. Anglers trolling are also having luck while trolling from the surface down to 15 feet deep.
Tip of the Week:
One of the biggest mistakes anglers make this time of year is fishing a productive area only once. Especially during the spring months fish move up and down the water column in search of spawning areas.
