This summer so far hasn’t turned out the way I planned it several months ago. In a perfect world, I’d be on the water or in a campsite every day until it was time for me to go back to work. Having a growing family makes that nearly impossible as not everyone’s schedule is in line with mine. Fortunately I have a window of opportunity coming up for me to get out fishing. It’s both exciting and a little difficult to decide where I want to go fishing. My list of destinations has been narrowed down to three different places. Of course, there are many others but for now I plan on focusing on the three. For some, summer has already started, for me, summer is just getting beginning.
Delta Report:
With the increase in temperature look for the bass to seek shade. Lots of small fish are being caught on reaction baits but the bigger bass are being caught by those throwing snag proof frogs and flipping brown jigs. This time of year it’s important to pay attention to the wind. Buzz baits and spinnerbaits can be extremely effective fished on the outside weed edges during windy conditions. With the Bluegill spawn in full gear a large wake bait may be the ticket right now.
New Melones Lake:
Kokanee are being caught by a lot of angers right now fishing near Rose Island, the dam, and near Glory Hole Point. The bass bite remains good for anglers throwing reaction baits. Pop-R’s and Zara Spooks are providing nice bites during the low light hours of the day. During the day anglers are doing well in the backs of coves where there is wood present.
Don Pedro:
Kokanee are providing anglers trolling with steady action just as long as they are trolling at the correct depths and speeds. The depth fluctuates throughout the day as the schools of fish typically go deeper as the sun gets higher. 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 Camanche:
Trout fishing is starting to slow down as the water temperatures have risen.
Those that are catching trout right now are fishing as deep as 45 feet deep to catch them. Bass fishing has also started to get tougher for anglers as bass have moved deeper. Those having success are focusing on suspending fish over off shore rock piles.
Lake Pardee:
Anglers are catching Kokanee while trolling between 40 and 50 feet deep early in the morning. Once the sun gets high the kokanee seem to be harder to find for most anglers. Bass fishing is good, there is a good top water bite in the morning. During the day anglers are having luck while fishing around the rocks with small jigs.
Lake Tulloch:
Smallmouth bass have been providing excellent action for anglers fishing late and early with topwater lures. Once the sun is high try switching to small plastic baits fished deep, shaky head worms, darter heads, and drop shotted Robo Worms in either a craw or shad pattern should produce good results.
New Hogan:
If you can get on the lake before all the skier’s do it’s definitely worth the trip. Right now the bass are up shallow and caught in the mornings on top water baits and on small plastics during the day. There are also reports of anglers trolling for striped bass as well. Anglers trolling for stripers are trolling either rolled shad or using umbrella rigs.
Tip of the Week:
One of the things that I’ve been forgetting to do every time I go shopping is to ask if the lake or business gives a military discount. After being reminded by a family member, I’ve been surprised at how many places I visit give military, senior, and other types of discounts. The savings doesn’t seem like a lot at first but it definitely will add up over the years.
