By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Fishing Report 7-8-20
fish pix

For the last few months a friend and I have been fishing Wednesday night tournaments that are held on the Delta. The entry fee is $60 per boat, and the tournament is from 3:30pm until 9:30pm. So far we haven’t won one, but sure are having a good time trying. Last week we came the closest to winning, but lost a big fish in the final minutes. This week wasn’t so good but once again we had the big bites right before we had to leave. The Delta fished entirely different at night, many of the guys fishing the event say that the last 30 minutes is more fun than any other time of the day. I’ve read that one population of fish feed during the day while another population feeds at night. Supposedly, that is what makes fishing right before the sun comes up and as it’s going down. It’s a great time to be out there, especially this time of year. The tournaments are being held out of Buckley Cove. If you plan on fishing, get there early, they usually start checking in around 2:30pm.

 

Delta:

Anglers fishing for bass are doing well while fishing with reaction baits such as Zoom Horney Toads and spinner baits. Both inside and outside weed lines are producing fish but the bigger fish are being caught by those fishing large wake baits, top water frogs, or flipping plastics. Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing the Whiskey Slough area while using clams and anchovies. The bluegill are spawning right now so the fishing has been really good for those finding them up in the shallows.

 

New Melones Lake:

Kokanee fishing continues to be good early in the day while trolling apex lures 70 to 80 feet deep in green, red, or pink. The kokanee being caught have been really good in size. Many have been nearly 18 inches which has kept anglers interested, regardless of the sometimes difficult bite. There’s a great topwater bite early and late in the day. Some anglers are even catching topwater fish throughout the day. Most are choosing to slow down during the day and are doing well while fishing with Senko’s, Darter Head worms, and jigs. Catfishing has been really good for those fishing at night with traditional catfish baits. Bluegill and crappie fishing is picking up for those fishing with either a minnow or worm under a bobber in the backs of coves.

 

Don Pedro:

Fishing for kokanee and king salmon is tough on the lake right now. There are still some king salmon being caught while trolling rolled shad. Anglers are reporting catching them while trolling as deep as 100 feet. For trout anglers are finding them a little shallower than the king salmon but have been tough to pattern. Bass fishing is good right now for anglers fishing early in the day with top water baits and shaky head worms during the day. The bass like to school up during the summer around islands and main lake points.

 

Lake Amador:

The bass fishing has really slowed during the day. Fishing during the night is great right now with lots of quality fish being caught. Berkeley Power Worms in any of the darker colors are working well. As the sun comes up look for the schools of bass to also come up for the first couple hours of the day.

 

Lake Camanche:

The bite is really good right now for those fishing for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught right now just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Lures that are being used are spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while the bigger fish are being caught by those dragging plastics along the bottom. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of bays.

 

Tip of the Week:

Some of the most unsuspecting spots can be the best places to fish. There was a study done years ago, where they captured trophy sized bass, tagged them, and released into a new lake. Within a few weeks all the tagged fish were caught. The purpose of the study was to prove that the bigger fish were no smarter, they just found better, less pressured places to live.