Fish Sniffer Issue 3914 | Page 19

VOL.39 • ISS. 14 FRESHWATER June 26, 2020 19 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 17 SAN PABLO RESERVOIR cont. Calero, Coyote Lake and Stevens Creek reservoirs, now that the lakes are open to boating again (nonpower boating only at Stevens Creek) with a reservation. Boating is limited to single boaters or members of the same household only. Reservations are required 7 days a week for both power and non-power boats. Please visit www. gooutsideandplay.org to book your boating reservation. Calero Reservoir continues to provide the most productive bass fishing in the region. “The fish are hitting best on Senkos and Lucky Craft crankbaits in the top 10 feet of water, now that the bass are on a post-spawn bite,” disclosed Jeffrey Padilla at Coyote Bait and Tackle. “Fish from 1 to 7 pounds have been caught lately.” “The crappie fishing has slowed down, but the bluegill action has picked up at Calero and and other area lakes,” said Padilla. “The bluegill have moved into the shallows to spawn.” For catfish, Padilla suggested shore fishing at Chesbro and Uvas Lakes. Cats averaging 2 to 4 pounds are falling for chicken liver and prepared catfish baits. The striper action has switched from San Luis Reservoir to the O’Neill Forebay at the San Luis State Park.. “One customer reported doing very well on stripers in the 18 to 24 inch range while throwing swimbaits from his kayak,” said Padilla. The state park is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Both day-use parking and the boat launches are open. Campgrounds and the visitor center remain closed. Special While most of the trout being caught at Shasta these days are rainbows, there are some very nice browns up for grabs too. Photo courtesy of JEFF GOODWIN’S FISHING TEAM, Redding. events and public gatherings continue to be canceled until further notice. - Dan Bacher SHASTA/WHISKEYTOWN LAKES Whiskeytown Kokanee Hot, Shasta Trout Bite Comes On Strong REDDING - If you live in or want to travel up to the North Valley, fishing opportunities are widespread. At Whiskeytown the kokanee bite is very good, but there have been some problems with copepods. The Shasta trout bite is on track as the trout move into deeper water. “I hadn’t fished for kokanee at Whiskeytown for quite a while, but with the fish running large again I decided to take a trip up there from Sacramento last week,” reported Fish Sniffer reader Ted Cutler. “My brother Tim and his son Gary joined me on the trip.” “We got full limits of fish two days in a row. The fish had copepods, but they were fine inside. The smallest fish we kept was 14 inches and our biggest salmon measured just over 17 inch and was probably pushing 2 pounds. We got our fish on Vance’s chrome and green dodgers teamed with orange and pink Vance’s hoochies tipped with corn soaked in Bloody Tuna Pro-Cure. The best depth for us was between 35 and 55 feet deep,” said Cutler. At Shasta, a variety of different spoons are doing the damage at Shasta. Half ounce Hum Dingers are a good bet as are ¼ ounce Kastmasters and Krocodiles, large Ex-Cels and large Needlefish. Some anglers are using dodgers, but the best action has been coming on naked shad pattern spoons trolled 30 to 60 feet deep from 2.5 to 3 miles per hour. Bass action has been fantastic at Shasta for mainly spotted bass, but there are some Thomas Buoyants for Trout & More! The Thomas Buoyant minnow is unsurpassed as a deadly trout and salmon lure! First issued a U.S. patent in 1946, the Buoyant is an erratic-action wobbler that imitates the darting motion of a frantic, fleeing baitfish. This action, combined with jewelry-quality finishes, creates a spoon that entices even the wariest of trout or salmon, and many other types of game fish, into striking. The largest 5/8 oz. size is especially deadly on big trout! It is important to use a moderately slow retrieve or troll speed for the Buoyant to achieve its most effective action. An occasional sharp twitch of the rod tip can really draw hard strikes! Cast or trolled, deep or shallow, the Thomas Buoyant has been a favorite of successful anglers for over sixty-five years! Made in the U.S.A. To check out the Thomas Buoyant and the entire line of Thomas lures got to www.thomaslures.com. 3722 TAHOE SPORTFISHING EST. 1953 Lake Tahoe’s Largest Fishing Fleet year-round fishing Half & Full Day Charters single fisherman to large families & private parties smallmouths and largemouths in the mix too. The fish are now in a summer pattern. They move up on prominent rock structure early and late. When the sun is high they move offshore. Reaction baits and topwaters work when the fish are up. During the midday hours drop shot rigs are the best choice. Most anglers are getting 20 to 40 fish per day. Lake Shasta is 40 feet from the top and dropping slowly. TAHOE Mackinaw Test Tackle SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Limits of macks have been the rule for anglers fishing with the Tahoe Sportfishing team. Minnows and blades have been the hot offering on Tahoe Sportfishing boats as is often the case, but they’ve been mixing in some lures too. The Tahoe kokanee bite has yet to kick in, but should be getting started soon. The team at Tahoe Sportfishing has some of the best skippers on Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Sportfishing boasts a fleet of 8 boats that range from 30 to 45 feet in length. The boats are safe and the crews are well trained, so you’ll be able to relax and fight fish! CONTINUED ON PG 20 We supply everything you need to fish! Mackinaw Kokanee Salmon Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Call or Book Online (530) 541-5448 tahoesportfishing.com|@tahoesportfishing The Thomas BUOYANT spoon is un-surpassed as one deadly trout and salmon lure! The Buoyant is an erratic-action wobbler that imitates the darting motion of a frantic, fleeing baitfish. This action, combined with jewelry-quality finishes creates a spoon that entices even the wariest of trout and many other types of game-fish into striking. Cast or trolled, deep or shallow, the Thomas BUOYANT has been a favorite of successful anglers for over 70 years! Stainless Steel rings and extra-strong hooks. 3914 1946-2020 Our 74th Year of catching fish! info@thomaslures.com www.thomaslures.com • 1.800.724.6768