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CA DELTA REPORT
Updated - 5/22/2006
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Rain Still? Maybe June will be BetterDan Mathisen Outdoors


Well, First off I must apologize for the Fishing report last week as I have been on the water 28 of the last 31 days. It Darn near Memorial Weekend and still Raining!

Bombers and Rebels lead the way for the trolling crowd as they continue connecting with striped bass, 5 to 22 pounds throughout the Delta. Some of the better areas are in Cache Slough and near Miner Slough, where the Deep Water Channel starts, near Lights 51 and 54, north of Rio Vista. Another good location has been The Decker Area fish for both trollers and bait dunkers that use pile worms, sardines and shad. The same stuff working near B&W Resort on the lower Mokelumne River.
Other areas have also produced some great, ok, decent striped bass fishing. Up near Wimpy’s the bait fishing and Rat-L Traps crowd are getting a few fish on these Delta Favorite lures. The state Department of Fish and Game has been planting steelhead near the resort and the stripers are working them over. Trollers must run up stream to put baits in front of the feeding bass.
New sturgeon fishing restrictions has brought angler intrest to a new low. Only two keepers in the 11-inch slot limit, 46 to 56 inches, have been logged since the regulations were put in place. "Nobody seems to care any more," said Audie Urbano at Hap's Bait in Rio Vista.


Off The Bank? Angler’s are hooking stripers, mostly school-sized, at Mossdale on the San Joaquin River and Whiskey Slough next to Lower Jones Tract, mainly on bait. Catfishing is excellent in Old River and the Mokelumne River, mainly on shad minnows.


Black bass are going full swing. Five-fish limits in local tournaments exceed 30 pounds to be in the money. Good artificial lures include a variety of spinnerbaits, Senkos, topwater frogs and swimbaits. Frank's Tract is producing best.
Ready for top water Black Bass? The Bite is crankin’ up now! Dan Mathisen Outdoors has a few June and early July Dates left!
Rio Vista - Isleton

Bob’s Bait Report www.themasterbaiter.com

The weather sudden changed from hot day to record raining day in May is another strange event this year beside long heavy raining months. The water still flows strongly in Sacramento River.
Fishing for striped bass was really good through the week with the average keeper size of 25”. This time of the year, there are plenty of shaker size in the channels system that will take whatever bait before the keeper size has a change to bite. If using sardine or anchovy, the big size of hook should be used from 6/0 to 9/0. Anchovy head is cut off then hooked with size 8/0 and then tie it with thread. Sardine depending of it size should be cut bigger than size 9/0 hook. Be sure to tie it with thread.
Of course pile worm and bloodworm are the good baits for striped bass but it very attracts the shaker striped. If the big size school of striped bass is spotted then pile worm or bloodworm is the best bait to catch them.
Fishing for large mouth bass was also very good last week in Miner Slough, Mokelumne River, Three Miles Slough, Hog Slough, and Potato Slough. Trolling method to catch striped bass can be used in Mokelumne River, San Joaquin River, and Decker Island, The best lure for striped bass is Broken Back Rebel. Three inches plastic worm should be attached at the middle trailer hook for better trolling results.
Sturgeon fishing was gradually slow down and most keeper sturgeon are at Sherman Island, Decker Island, or along highway 160 to Isleton Bridge. Good bait for sturgeon are ghost shrimp, pile worm, or grass shrimp.
This year should be the best year for salmon and American shad fishing due to very good water level and strong water current. Some good size salmon were caught at Thermalito After Bay Damp.
This weekend will be the long weekend since Memorial day holiday will be on incoming Monday. There will be the busiest weekend in the Delta from the beginning of this year.
Best luck to you all and have a nice and safely weekend.


The Wilson Files- Mark Wilson

Thursday, May 18, 2006...lI played deckhand for Barry Canevaro today. Barry invited Cindy and Bob Art along to striper troll, and me to help out. Barry took us to his favorite secret hotspot where everyone fishes across from Sherman Island. The plan was to hit the hotspot at high tide when the striper bite should start. It did. We had about 18 to 20 hits today for 3 shaker stripers and 10 keeper stripers, plus one broken off fish. The two biggest stripers went at 21# (male) and 18# (female), and then from 10# down to 18". We kept the big male striper and another male striper at 6 pounds and all the other fish were released. Again, the bite was around the morning's high tide and that was it for the rest of the day. The water turned dirty from the wind, big tides, and the big ship that steamed downriver. A good time had by all. That's it. Good luck. Catch you later - Mark.

Sacramento Area Report - by Jack Chapman

No Report!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hook Line And Sinker Report


Black Bass:
The Bass continue to bite all over the delta but the size is starting to diminsh. With the first wave of spawners pretty much done the bigger fish will move off shore but there will still be plenty of smaller males up shallow guarding fry and also getting ready for the next wave of spawning. This upcoming week we'll see the second full moon stage and that means BIG , FISH TIME! all over again. Continue to flip plastics (senkos, brush hogs, sweet beavers and tube baits) and jigs up shallow to cover to get the maximum amount of bites. Stick with the darker patterns(blk/blue, watermelon/red and junebug) but also throw in some bluegill patterned baits as the post spawn fish will start feeding on the bluegills as they move shallow to spawn. Also, the topwater bite has come on strong as of late and will only continue to get better. Frogs and buzzbaits lead the way with black being the dominate color.

Striped Bass:
The striper bite has rebounded in the past 2 weeks in the west and central delta. Area's like Sherman Island, Franks Tract and Mildred Island have seen some good fish going through with the average running 10 lbs. but I've had reports of fish pushing 40! Trollers have been picking up the numbers dragging broken-back rebels and rat-l-traps behind the boat in chrome/black, gold/black, clown and hot orange patterns. The bigger fish I've heard have been coming up on topwater baits like Super Spooks and Pencil Poppers. Bone and Trout patterns have been producing. On the Sacramento side trolling broken-backs has also been putting fish in the boat from horseshoe bend to collinsville.

Sturgeon:
The sturgeon bite down around the Suisun bay/Martinez area has been on FIRE as of late with a lot of OVERSIZED fish being reported. In particular from Bouy 2 to Benicia, Big and Little Cut and the Fleet have been good areas to try. You name the bait it's been catching fish. Grass and ghost shrimp, salmon roe and lamprey eel. I have been hearing particular results on roe.

I haven't had any particular reports on any other species but the catfish, bluegill and crappie should all be pretty abundant up shallow. Try either around Franks Tract or Holland Tract for the best results on any of them.

 
Delta Bank Fishing
by Roland “Innovate” Aspiras

The weather has been absolutely wonderful the past couple of days! Finally, the Sacramento River is starting to resemble its former self…somewhat.

Stripers have been all the news from the banks lately. However, in the last week, the fishing has slowed down around the Miller Park and Garcia Bend area. Maybe it is due to the sudden climate change, or maybe because many of the fish have pushed up further into the system. Who knows? The fishing is fair at best with Pile Worms, Blood Worms and Sardines being the best bait. Not many reports of big Hens have been reported lately, so its possible that they are on their way up the river.

The Port of Sacramento is still producing fish as well with anglers scoring fish on just about anything they throw out. I would suggest Mudsuckers on a sliding rig or Jumbo Minnows underneath a Slip Bobber for a chance at the larger linesiders. Crappie is usually good at the Port as well – use medium sized minnows at night 4-5 feet under a bobber. Bring a couple of lanterns to attract the fish.

It was rumored that Shad were starting to come out of the Old Sacramento River below Freeport. I took a trip past Freeport last Wednesday and saw a few anglers trying their luck, but saw no fish being caught. Spots to fish were limited due to the water levels being so high. I predict the fishing should turn on in another week or so. If you just have the urge to try it out now, I would suggest fishing the brightest color Shad Dart you can find. Chartreuse/Green would be my pick.

Catfish around this time of year starts to pick up. With the high and fast water I would suggest flipping out your bait close to shore. Use a three-way swivel rig and bring lots of extra weights – getting snagged out there is almost inevitable.

Although shore access on the better sloughs in the Delta is limited, there’s still places where you can catch Black Bass – Tyler Island Road on the Mokelumne River usually produces nice fish. Keep it simple with your baits. 5 Inch Senkos in any type of Watermelon or Pumpkin will do great. ½ Ounce Spinnerbaits are good too. Chartruese, White, or a combination of the two colors is usually what I use.

Make sure that when you have some insect repellent when you go out. The warm weather usually causes large insect blooms and mosquitoes are out in full force.

So that’s this week’s report. The fish are biting. Go out and have some fun on the banks and be safe. And as always, make sure you pick up after yourself so the next person can enjoy the spot you just fished.

Roland “Innovate” Aspiras

Fish Hookers Report

If you can get past the windy conditions, fishing is decent. Barry Canevaro from Fish Hookers Sportfishing reports trolling for stripers is good, mostly on the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers, and it's pretty close to limit fishing. Canevaro said sturgeon fishing isn't great, but he's leading a trip to Suisun Bay on Thursday. Striper fishing is close to limits, using P-Line Predators and Bomber 16As. Also, Rio Vista and the Deep Water Channel are good for stripers.

Flash Fishing Report www.flashfishing.net


A bit about Captain Steve, Captain Steve fished the San Francisco Bay since 1970, when his grandfather would take him out to the old Berkeley pier. He bought his first boat in 1980 and got his Captain's license in 1997. He enjoys small groups (no more than 6) and gives personal attention to all. Having 2 young daughters himself, he is especially patient with children on the boat. Bring your own equipment or use Steve's top of the line equipment. Steve has impressive state of the art commercial electronics on the boat to optimize your fishing experience! And yes, we went to the same High School, Welcome Capt. Steve!

 

FishDelta.com now brings you out of area reports as well!!!!!!!

 

Spring Fun on Tap in the Foothills


Angels Camp- Many anglers are catching mixed limits of kokanee/trout. The kokanee seem to be slightly deeper- troll 30-50 feet deep with a small lure or spinner such as a Sockeye Slammer, Hootchie, Uncle Larry’s spinner or #! Apex. Fluorescent red and hot pint are the most productive colors. Be sure you tip your lure with shoepeg corn soaked in ProCure oil- Kokanee Special or anise scents are good choices right now. Use a nickel/chartreuse or pink dodger. Best kokanee action has been in the early morning in the main lake near the dam/Rose Island, 20-40 feet deep.”

The bass action is good, with plenty of smaller fish providing action- 30-fish days are not uncommon. Bigger fish are harder to come by. Big fish seem to be suspended, and not interested in anything you throw at them Most bass are in 15-25 feet of water, near structure, such as trees. Look for flats near cuts and creek arms that have structure at different depths. Coves in the south side of the lake have been good, as well as cuts and coves upriver. Senkos are the hot bait right now. Rig a 5” green pumpkin, watermelon or smoke Yamamoto Senko with a 3/0 or 4/0 wide-gap hook, and no weight. 6” worms and Zoom Baby Brush Hogs are also working well, in the same colors. Throw a top-water bait such as a spook in the early morning. Other successful anglers reported best luck with Senkos, as well as some rip baits. We want to remind you- it is vitally important to practice catch and release during the spawn, so that we can continue to have a healthy fishery in the future.

The sleeper here has been the crappie that are showing in better numbers than I can remember in recent years. Try fishing the brushy coves and creek arms, near structure adjacent to rocky spawning areas. The south side of the lake has been good. Fish 10-20 feet deep near structure with minnows or red/white or red/chartreuse crappie jigs.

There have been reports of big cats being caught on marshmallow-crawler combos in areas with running water. This is a prime spot for two reasons: the water is usually a few degrees warmer, and there are so many insects washing down the creeks into the lake. The fish in these areas are feeding aggressively. Bear Cove, Angels Creek, Mormon Creek, and anywhere else there is any run-off into the lake is a good bet. Use a rig that allows your bait to float off the bottom and be carried with the current.

New Melones Lake is currently holding 2,209,000 acre-feet of water, and is at 91% capacity. The lake is full and beautiful. The lake level rose 1 foot this week, and is at 1,071 ft. above sea level and only 17 ft. from full capacity. Surface water temperature has really warmed up, and is approximately 55-59 degrees.

 

 


Lake Pardee

On May 1st Lake Pardee Marina became Pardee Lake Recreation Inc. Richard and Kerry Cooper of Jackson, along with Dennis Johnston and Linda Hill of Rancho Murrieta purchased the concession and officially took control of the company. They have some wonderful ideas to improve the facility and are rapidly implementing these improvements. The coffee shop is now open seven days a week. They will be doing plants with larger fish on a much more frequent basis than in the past.

Water conditions: The Mokelumne is still cascading over the spillway. Water clarity decreased a little this reading and is clear to 12 feet. Water temperature edged up to 68 degrees at 20 feet and 72 at surface when checked this afternoon.

Weather: Long range forecast calls for 80’s and 90’s throughout the week and into the weekend.

Trolling: Early morning is the best bite, Rainbow Trout the predominate catch. Heard that some Kokanee were caught this weekend trolling the face of the Rock Wall and the south shore from there to Twin Coves. Kokes are on the small side, twelve inches being the largest anyone has boated as of late. Sounds like most are dropping downriggers a bit lower to keep in the colder runoff strata at 20 to 40 feet. Hoochies along with small lures and beaded spinners tipped with anise or garlic scented corn or grubs behind cop car or watermelon dodgers or sidekicks are the most popular. Fire tiger, tire track and fluorescent reds and oranges appear to be the most productive colors.

Recent successes: two extremely attractive young ladies from Cameron Park, Elizabeth age 5 and Robin age 11 (last name omitted from the photo possibly to discourage irritating paparazzi and unscrupulous talent agents) posed with their catch of Rainbows and a couple of good size crappie caught on Mothers Day in the “mud hole”.

Shore Anglers: Anglers are still taking advantage of the Trout lingering in the Recreation Area. Numerous plants to 4 lbs have kept the shore anglers busy. Lots of activity in the lagoon behind the EBMUD boathouse (aka “mud hole”). Processed bait or eggs in white, rainbow and chartreuse with sparkles have been very productive.

As of 05/15/06 a total of 25,000 lbs of trout has been planted by Lake Pardee and the California Department of Fish and Game.

This Saturday is the PROJECT KOKANEE MIKE CARRINGTON MEMORIAL LAKE PARDEE FAMILY FUN DERBY. Sign ups are still possible Friday the 19th from 4 to 8 pm and on Saturday morning starting at 4 am on the lawn area facing the Lake.

Good Luck—Tight Lines

For information or reservations call (209) 772-1472




CLEAR LAKE LARGEMOUTH BASS...

"Spring has finally arrived , after snowing to near lake level just a couple of weeks ago", we are in a nother chapter of as the bass cruise. ! The big bass are moving up shallow and a lot are on near the beds, however I saw very few "locked-on" which could change in the next few days. Clients this week did very well on minnows, catching bass to 9.7 pounds. The lure bite seems to have slowed down quite a bit from last week from reports from other fisherman. There are just literally hundreds of cruising bass in the north end of the lake but try to catch them is very, very hard, senkos may be your best bet... Enjoy!

Dan Mathisen Outdoors is now booking Dates for Clear Lake Trips.

 



Big Bass Highlight catches


Wallace- Nor-Cal Bass club for held their tournament here at Lake Camanche on Saturday. They had 29 boats go out, and we congratulate Deacon Fernandes for his big fish of 7.81 pounds, and his winning weight of 20.45 pounds. Fish were caught on purple worms, jigs, brush hogs, and spinnerbaits. Dana Valdez, from Elk Grove, caught 2 beautiful bass this week on green worms. One was 8.34 pounds, and the other was 5.75 pounds. Steven Ritchie, from South Shore Camanche, caught a huge 9.49 pound bass on purple worms this week.

Trout continue to be found 20-30 feet deep on bright sunny days and closer to the surface on cloudy overcast days. On Thursday one group of fishermen reported catching limits of nice trout up to 3 1/2 pounds. They were trolling at 20 - 25 feet deep between Hat Island and the dam, using orange grubs behind a dodger, and also black Power Worms behind a dodger. Another group reported limits of trout along with a couple of big crappie. They were trolling near Hat Island in 30 feet of water, using FireTiger Apex lures, Rapalas in silver/black, and Rainbow Runners. Another group of fishermen were catching their limits of trout trolling Uncle Larry’s spinners with a piece of nightcrawler. They were trolling from South Shore Harbor to the dam, in about 25 feet.

Bait fishermen are starting to catch trout at Dike 3, south of the spillway. Anchor in about 30-35 feet of water and drop Power Bait to the bottom. The 3 biggest fish weighed in so far for our trout derby are a beautiful 6.26 pounder, caught by Joe Vanich from Sacramento. He was using Rainbow Rapala in the main lake. Second place is a 4.42 pound rainbow, caught by Jim Welch, from Sacramento. He was fishing with Power Bait in the South Shore Pond. Third place is a 3.53 pounder caught by Ted Chapman, from San Bruno. He was fishing with Power Bait in the South Shore Pond. Please remember to enter the Annual Charity Trout Derby. A one time $3.00 entry fee is good until May 14; you can win wonderful prizes; and it benefits The American Cancer Society. Details are available at both North and South stores and gates.

The crappie bite continues to get stronger, with anglers reporting fish being picked up around docks, submerged trees, and brush stick-ups. Causeway Cove, Camanche Arm, and Oregon Gulch are all great places to start, and minnows or mini-jigs are the best baits to use.

Lots of catfish are being caught right now. Jim Murray,from South Shore, reported a 25 pounder, and 2-15 pounders last week. Josh & Jake, from Stockton, caught a stringer of cats last week weighing 26 pounds. They were fishing with mackerel at the North Shore Day Use Area.

Lake Camanche’s current elevation is 226.96 feet above sea level, a drop of 2 vertical feet since last Sunday. We expect the lake to continue to drop slowly this coming week. Water is currently flowing into Camanche at 4,006 c.f.s. and water

 

 

Pennies on the dollar for fishing rods, reels, baits, lures, and more? You be the judge!

 


 
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