How much is too much? Recently while watching a video of a well-known professional angler, he mentioned how important the right equipment was in using the bait he was demonstrating. Being a good student, I had my note pad out and wrote down all the model numbers and baits that he was using. After, I went online and searched for the rod and reel that he was using. The total price for the rod and reel was over $1000! I’m just as bad as the next guy who spends too much on his hobby at times but paying that much money for a rod and reel isn’t going to happen anytime soon. So, I did what most of us do, I searched online for something close to what he was using but at an affordable price. I ended up getting a very nice rod and reel for a little over $300. That also might sound like a crazy price for a lot of you but it’s about as inexpensive as you can go anymore to have a rod and reel that you can pretty much use day in and day out for the next 10 years. Of course, I could buy a $100 rod and reel combo that would work just fine for several seasons. I’ve made that mistake before though, and as much as I hated having to pay that much money for a rod and reel, I’d rather buy something once, and be done with it.
Delta Report:
The recent rains and high winds have puzzled a lot of anglers by forcing them to search for clearer water. Most anglers are having success while fishing for bass by venturing to the backs of dead end sloughs while tossing Senko’s and chatter baits. It’s more important than ever this time of year to not leave an area that you’re catching fish on too soon. Striped bass fishing has turned on for a lot of anglers. Anglers trolling for stripers in the west Delta are doing great around Franks Tract and Rio Vista while trolling Yozuri shallow and deep divers.
New Melones Lake:
The trout are currently biting for anglers trolling shad imitating lures. Particularly #2 Excel’s in black/silver, Rapala Countdowns or R-Lures in the Cop Car pattern. Kokanee in the 12-14” range are starting to be found. The top technique for bass fishing has been to drop shot plastics from 10 to 20 feet deep. Recently a tournament was held on the lake where it took almost 30 pounds for a five fish limit to win. Those anglers reportedly were using glide baits and swim baits for the bigger fish in their limit.
Lake Don Pedro:
Rainbows are still biting regardless of the recent storms the lake has been pummeled with. Most anglers catching trout have been catching their fish while trolling the top 20 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on the lake right now. Anglers are doing well while fishing with drop shots and under spins. Like the neighboring lakes anglers are also scoring big catches while tossing large swimbaits.
Lake Pardee:
Bass fishing has been slow lately as the water has really cooled off due to the rains and the snow melt. Once the water temperatures rise to more spring like temperatures, look for the bite to improve. Anglers trolling for trout are doing well. There have been several trout plants on the lake that have made fishing for trout pretty good recently. Anglers trolling are using a variety of baits down to 20 feet deep.
Lake Camanche:
Fishing for bass and trout has been good recently. For trout anglers are focusing on the ponds and the main lake with traditional trout baits. They are also trolling around the dam area with shad imitating lures from the surface down to 30 feet deep. For bass anglers are fishing from the shore down to 25 feet deep with crankbaits, jigs, and shaky head worms.
Tip of the Week:
When the fishing gets good anglers often forget to check their line for abrasions. You wouldn’t think about it but fish’s teeth can actually scour some of the toughest of lines. When fish bite down on bait they often close their mouths completely, the initial hook set sends the line in an upward motion right against the teeth of the fish often causing a fair amount of damage to overall line strength. Especially when deep hooked, the line is likely to rub along the upper or lower teeth throughout the duration of the fight. Check your line often and never assume that it could handle another fish as the one that breaks your line is often the biggest fish of the day.
