Many assume that I’m always catching fish. Even today, after years of experience, I still have days when I don’t catch anything. I’ve learned that my chances of catching a fish are dramatically reduced or improved by a variety of factors. Time of year, time of day, and tide are my top three. Every species of fish is more active during certain times of the year than others. Learning which time that is is fairly easy with a little research. Bass for example make their way shallow to spawn in the spring. As a result, most anglers catch their biggest fish of the year during the spring months. Just about every species of fish I’ve been after has been more active during the morning and evening hours of the day. If you’re one that likes to sleep in, you may be reducing your chances of catching a fish of a lifetime. If you’re fishing tidal waters it’s common knowledge that the change of tide is going to have an effect on the fish. As the tide rises and falls not only does the movement of water bring food to the fish, it causes the fish to instinctually feed on everything that was not available to them when the tide was high or low. Therefore, the bigger the tide, the better your chances. Of course there are many other factors to consider when struggling to catch fish. Sometimes everything seems to be perfect except for the fish wanting to bite. Those are the days that I’m reminded of that old saying “It’s called fishing, not catching, for a reason.”
The Delta:
Top water baits are still working well for bass during the morning and evening hours. There’s also a good Senko bite during the day while fishing around deep grass beds. Bluegills are being caught in large numbers right now for those fishing with small worms in the backs of sloughs. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers and clams.
New Melones Lake:
Trout are being caught right now for those fishing under submersible lights during the night and the kokanee bite remains good to great. The hot bait right now seems to be Apex Lures tipped with shoe peg corn fished trolled anywhere from 70 to 100 feet deep. The average sized kokanee is bigger than ever on the lake right now with kokanee up to two pounds being the norm. Bass fishing remains good for smaller fish during the day and bigger fish are being caught earlier in the day on top water lures. Bluegill and crappie continue to bite well for those fishing brush piles with worms and minnows. The best action for crappie is at night around a submersible light. The catfish bite is really good all over the lake right now at night. Catfish are being caught while using anchovies or chicken livers.
Lake Don Pedro:
Kokanee and King Salmon fishing has been hit or miss for a lot of anglers lately. Anglers are having to troll as deep as 100 feet in order to get a bite. Bass fishing is average for this time of year with a fair to good top water bite during the morning and evening hours of the day. During the day anglers are searching out schools of bass holding as deep as 40 feet.
Lake Amador:
Lake Amador has been good for those fishing at night. During the day the only fish reported caught are bluegill which are being caught up shallow on worms. At night bass are being caught on large power worms and spinnerbaits. The lake recently received a large plant of catfish.
Lake Pardee:
Bass fishing is good right now for anglers who are finding shade along the bank or fishing deep with plastics. Trout and kokanee fishing is slow once the sun has fully risen. Bluegill fishing is really good right now for those fishing the shallows with worms and crickets.
Lake Camanche:
The bite is really good right now for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught right now just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Small plastic worms worked along the bottom are producing a lot of bites during the day. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of coves.
Product Review:
There are more and more solar chargers out there now than ever. If you’re planning on fishing or camping somewhere where there aren’t any available electrical hookups, I strongly suggest you look into purchasing a solar unit. Some of the best deals that I’ve been able to find have been through Harbor Freight. The unit that I have is a little heavy but is worth its weight as it has kept my batteries fully charged for the past two years.
