Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3807 Mar 15-29 2019 | Page 25

SAN PABLO RESERVOIR cont. The lake level is 309.9 feet in elevation and the surface water temperature is 54.6 degrees. “We did not plant any trout over the past week,” said Shoemaker. San Pablo Recreation area is open daily from 6:30am –5:00 p.m. Boats have to be off the water at 4:00 p.m. The café is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. SANTA CLARA VALLEY/ SAN LUIS LAKES Largemouths Begin Moving Into Shallows COYOTE – Santa Clara Valley reservoirs have been pounded with storms, but that hasn’t stopped largemouth bass from beginning to move into the shallows. “Shore anglers are picking up some largemouths averaging 3 pounds in Almaden, Unvas and Chesbro reservoirs,” said Greg Padilla at Coyote Bait and Tackle. “The fish are hitting red crawfish imitation squarebill crankbaits in as shallow as 2 feet of water in these lakes. However, the bass at Calero are still holding in deep water.” The two top bass reported were 7 pounders that came out of Uvas. “The striped bass fishing at San Luis Reservoir is slow with the cold and muddy water,” said Padilla. “However, anglers are picking up a few stripers in the 18 to 24 inch range while using jerk baits and from shore and boats. Bait anglers are also catching some stripers while fishing jumbo minnows or shad.” Padilla noted that water is clearest SHASTA LAKE Trout & Bass Available, but Chilly Water Temps Slows Bite REDDING - There is a lot of good news and some so so news coming out of Lake Shasta. The good news is that the lake is coming up quickly and is within 50 feet of the top. This represents about 99% of the annual average for this time of the year. Translation? A lot of water is passing through the lake and water managers are holding that 50-foot cushion to accommodate run off from future events. This spring, visiting anglers can look forward to a full lake and great fishing. While the water has come up a lot, the lake isn’t particularly muddy. It’s got a stained appearance but the level of clarity is fine for both trout and bass fishing. The water temperature is the biggest stumbling block for anglers. The temp in many areas is hovering in the middle 40’s and that means you’ll have to slow down and This young angler took a family fishing trip to Collins work harder for bites from Lake recently and ended up with two big rainbows! both trout and to some extent Photo courtesy the COLLINS LAKE RECREATION AREA, spotted bass. Oregon House. Trout trollers are working with minnow plugs and spoons and achieving decent results. If you can find an area that is at the trash racks, while the water off holding rainbows, a minnow presented Portuguese Point is muddy. Fishing in the under a bobber is a good bet simply O’Neill Forebay is also tough because of because you can keep it in the strike the cold and muddy water conditions. zone for as long and necessary. The - Dan Bacher average rainbow is running about 14 BASS FISHING SPOTLIGHT 23 March 15 - 29, 2019 FRESHWATER VOL.38 • ISS. 6 inches but fish to 3 pounds have been showing. There were no reports of browns being caught this week, but they are around and fishing pressure has been light. Bassers are targeting suspended fish with spoons and drop shot rigs armed with 6-inch Mother’s Finest Worms in both baitfish and dark colors. Other guys are dragging spider grubs rigged on football heads with good results. There are absolutely some big spots and largemouths close to the banks that can be tempted with trout and hitch pattern swimbaits. To hook up it takes patience and attention to detail. CONTINUED ON PG 24 TAHOE SPORTFISHING est.1953 Lake Tahoe’s Largest Fishing Fleet year-round fishing Half & Full Day Charters single fisherman to large families & private parties We supply everything you need to fish! Mackinaw Kokanee Salmon Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Call or Book Online (530) 541-5448 tahoesportfishing.com|@tahoesportfishing By Stacy Barawed Young Bass Anglers Overcome Tough Winter Conditions At Folsom Lake! marched right up to the weigh station, single fish in tow, with all of the confi- dence in the world. Once their fish was weighed, they posed for photos with their Boat Captain, safely released their fish back into the lake, and enjoyed a nice BBQ lunch prepared by volunteers. Although results varied from zero fish to five-fish limits and even a big fish toppling the scales at 5.2 lbs., the methods used by the majority of anglers were similar. “It’s all about finesse fishing right now,” said Damon Witt, FLW pro angler and one of many volunteer Boat Captains for the event. “Drop shots, Ned rigs, darter heads.” When he’s not professionally guiding on Folsom Lake or holding seminars at Bass Pro Shops, Witt is mentoring the Vista del Lago Fishing Club as well as his alma mater’s club in Texas. “The best part is teaching and spending quality time with the kids. It’s all about them.” The Vista del Lago Fishing Club, led by Advisor Brian Sharp for the last few years, draws support from the local community to help with the event. Bobby Burgess of Burgess Custom Jigs Vista del Lago President Brennon Sharp and Vice President Hunter volunteered as Jacobson hope to become professional bass anglers in the future. From a Boat Captain the size of those Folsom Lake bass it looks like they are off to a good for the first start! Photo by STACY BARAWED, Fish Sniffer Staff. time this year after receiving a call from a friend. He now mentors high school freshman Kyle Hara, who weighed a nearly 6-pound bag along with his tournament partner, Daniel. On a larger scale, the club is backed by several sponsors like Dobyns Rods, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and the Folsom Police Officers’ Associ- ation. The club is also affiliated with the FLW and High School Student Angler Federation, allowing students to compete on the national scale with Kyle Hara shows off a pair of quality spotted bass scholarship money on the line. With so much community support, that were part of his 6-pound bag while fishing Folsom Lake on February 10. it’s no wonder many of these anglers Photo by STACY BARAWED, Fish Sniffer Staff. are aiming for professional fishing careers. Sheldon Reese is hoping to Jacobson replied, “Well...maybe I could follow in the footsteps of his father, FLW become a firefighter.” Pro Jimmy Reese; Sheldon showed his dedication that day, fishing the tour- nament while still recovering from a rolled ankle. *Trolling With plenty of Motors regional tournament *Fishfinders experience already under their belts, club *GPS President Brennon *VHF Sharp (son of their Radios advisor, Brian) *Radar and Vice-President *Batteries Hunter Jacobson also and have their eyes on Chargers touring profession- ONE DAY SERVICE ally one day. Largest Service on Installations with appointment “Do you have Center a back-up plan, in the West! though?” I asked. Marine Electronics Sales • Service • Installation Sunny’s Electric Marine (916) 487-3868 Children are the future of fishing! Nothing was more evident during the weigh-in at the Vista del Lago High School Open at Folsom Lake on February 10th. By 2pm, a large crowd, many of whom were huddled in blankets, had gathered at Browns Ravine to witness the results from 74 pairs of youth anglers visiting from across the state from towns as far away as Redding and Fresno. Ultimate Bass Radio’s own Kent Brown emceed the festivities. Interacting with every pair of anglers, Brown praised those who knocked it out of the park and provided encouragement for those who struggled. “Conditions were tough today!” remarked Brown. “You should all be proud of yourselves.” The chilly weather didn’t seem to phase two of the youngest anglers from the Junior Division. Belle Nevarez, 8, along with partner Deedra Powell-Smith, 7 1/2,