One of the most difficult things I’ve had to deal with since purchasing a new boat has been rigging the boat. In the past, I’ve purchased used boats that were already rigged up the way I wanted. All I had to do was replace those items that broke as time went on. I’ve had my current boat for about five months and don’t believe I’ll have it fully rigged for another year or two. There are just too many options and some of those options are pretty expensive. New boats, unlike cars, come pretty standard, there are usually no electronics mounted, it’s up to the buyer to add those items once the boat is purchased. Of course, you can have those options added into the sale of the boat but you’re going to pay a lot more for those options if the dealer has to install them. It’s something I’ve never thought too much about when I was boat shopping. Looking back, I doubt I’ll ever buy a new boat again.
Delta Report:
Bass fishing has started to pick up once again; fish are feeding heavily on baitfish right now leading some to believe that the fall bite has already started. With the cool nights and longer days bass do start to feed in preparation for a long winter. A variety of baits have been working right now, reaction baits have been bringing in large numbers of fish. While flipping baits such as sweet beavers and brush hogs have been bringing in the bigger fish. Striper fishing has also started to pick up as some small schools have been showing up, look for the bite to really pick up as the water temperatures drop even further.
New Melones Lake:
Trout fishing seems to be the best at night under submersible lights right now. Anglers trolling for trout are catching them between 20 and 30 feet deep around the under the Stevenot Bridge. Bass fishing remains fair, Carolina rigged plastics have been working well. Bluegill and crappie continue to bite well in the backs of coves and around any floating structure. Catfish have been providing action for those willing to soak their bait through the night. Clams and chicken livers have been working well.
Lake Don Pedro:
Trout fishing is great right now for those who are trolling between 30 and 35 feet deep. Anglers are using a variety of different baits to catch trout. The most popular bait right now seems to be a Chucker T nickel or silver spoon. Bass fishing is steady right now with a lot of smaller fish being caught from the shoreline down to twenty feet deep. Anglers fishing for bass are doing best in the early morning hours while fishing around main lake points.
Lake Camanche:
This past weekend really slowed down the fishing for a lot of anglers as the boat traffic made fishing tough. Bass fishing is good early in the morning, top water lures and jigs have been working well lately. Try fishing around points as bass can be found schooling down to depths of 35 and 40 feet. Trout fishing has slowed down, anglers are trolling deep in order to find them between 40 and 50 feet.
Lake Pardee:
Trout fishing continues to be tough; trollers are hooking up while fishing between 30 and 60 feet deep. Catfishing has slowed a little bit but the bite remains good for anglers fishing cut bait in the South end coves. Bass fishing is fair right now; key areas are around isolated islands with jigs and worms. Topwater baits are working well in the morning and evening hours.
Lake New Hogan:
Striped bass fishing is hit or miss at this lake right now as schools of bass move up and down with the baitfish. Currently there are a few boils here and there but mostly smaller fish. Bass fishing remains good for those fishing senko’s and topwater baits during the morning and evening hours.
Tip of the Week:
Right now there are a lot of baitfish being brought to the surface. Now is the time to keep a top water bait tied on and ready. Especially in the Delta, without notice a large school of fish can be passing by, and the only thing they’re going to hit is a top water lure.
