This week I was lucky enough to have off work. Aside from a few household chores, I wanted to try and be on the Delta when the fish started to move up shallow. After four straight days of fishing and little to show for those days, I finally hooked into a giant. Interesting enough, I had been getting bites all day long, but none would take the bait. For this fish, I had several bites while repeating the same cast. So, I let my boat drift past the spot and made a parallel cast. I not only got the biggest bite of the day but caught my biggest fish of the year so far. Like anything we’re passionate about, we’re always learning. In the past I would have never made that cast or caught that fish. I was contemplating leaving just minutes before, but I wanted to see if the fish would react differently to my bait presented at a different angle. I learned so much from that one catch and already can’t wait to get out there some more.

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 sixties. 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.

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.

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 have been moving shallow in search of spawning areas. Shaky head trick worms in green pumpkin is 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: