Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3809 April 12-26 2019 | Page 25

VOL.38 • ISS. 9 Apr 12 - 26, 2019 FRESHWATER SACRAMENTO AREA Shore Fishing Only Game On River SACRAMENTO – Since the local boat ramps are still closed because of high water on the Sacramento River, shore fishing for stripers or catfish is the only option. “Bank anglers are catching stripers at Discovery Park and Bryte Beach, but they are mostly shakers in the 16 to 17 inch range,” reported Uncle Larry Barnes of Sacramento Pro Tackle. “On customer reported catching two 18 inchers in a week of bait fishing from Miller to Discovery Park. They’re using bloodworms off the river points.” “The Port of Sacramento is pretty dead now,” said Barnes. “One group of customers reported getting skunked, while the other group reporting catching one shaker. The water is cold still. It needs to warm up to bring the shad into the port, which will bring in the stripers.” When the water warms up, trolling with Yo-Zuris or other lures, throwing out Rat-L-Trips or Alabama Rigs for stripers or jigging with Bladerunner spoons will be the most effective techniques for boaters.. Shore anglers should drift jumbo minnows or fish mudsuckers and bloodworms on the bottom. Barnes noted that anglers fishing in the local ditches of the Natomas area are landing crappie and bluegill while fishing small minnows, redworms and jigs. - Dan Bacher SAN PABLO RESERVOIR Rainbows Are Starting to Bite EL SOBRANTE - With the arrival of nice spring weather, the rainbow trout are starting to bite at San Pablo Reservoir. “The water clarity is still murky but it is starting to settle,” said Marcella Shoemaker of the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. “Your best bet is PowerBait in bright colors.” Jonathan Olstad and Walter Huth of Richmond and Oakland caught 8 trout using large night crawlers on Sandy Point. Randy Burton from Concord caught 3 trout to 6.1 pounds while using PowerBait at Sandy Point. Bob and Randy Young of Oakland Theresa landed this massive mackinaw while fishing at Donner Lake. Photo courtesy of SHAUN RAINSBARGER, Shaun’s Guide Service. caught 1 trout each. Boon Carras from San Pablo caught a 7.12 lb. trout using Rainbow PowerBait at the pines. San Pablo Recreation area is open daily from 6:30am –6:00 p.m. Boats have to be off the water at 5:00 p.m. The café is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. SANTA CLARA VALLEY/ SAN LUIS LAKES Bass and Crappie Fishing Just Starting COYOTE - Santa Clara Valley reservoirs are just starting to produce a few largemouth bass and crappie, but the fishing remains tough because of cold, muddy water conditions. “Chesbro has produced a couple of big largemouths weighing 8 and 6 pounds,” said Denise Bradford of Coyote Bait and Tackle. “Uvas and Chesbro are kicking out a few crappie for shore anglers fishing small jigs and minnows.” The best news for local anglers is that Coyote and Anderson reservoirs will open to boating on April 15. Hopefully, the spring bass bite will be in full swing by that time. San Luis Reservoir striper fishing has also slowed down. “Anglers are hooking mostly small keepers in the 18 to 20 inch range, along with an occasional larger fish,” said Bradford. “They’re still drifting jumbo minnows or trolling A Rigs near the Trash Racks. Throwing jerk baits is also producing some fish.” - Dan Bacher 23 this time and will get a lot better soon as longer days drive up the water temperature. “Shasta Lake trout fishing is currently in its winter pattern, but spring is right around the corner,” reported Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin’s Guide Service. “The lake is full of big brown and rainbow trout as usual. The trout are back in the arms of the lake and most can be found in the Sacramento and McCloud River arms, but with colder water this year, the main body is fishing pretty good as well.” “Some days trout fishing is better than others of course, but more days fall into the good category than not. Most trout are now being caught near the surface down to 10 feet now that the water temps are in the high forties. The trout are usually 2-4 pound specimens, but there is always a good chance for a much larger brown trout,” Goodwin concluded. So, what lures and baits are working for Shasta’s trout? Goodwin has been working the lake with minnow plugs and large spoons. This should be a tipoff for anyone planning to visit the lake in the next couple weeks. Pull big spoons such as large Hum Dingers, Silver Horde Kingfisher Lites and large Needlefish on top. For minnow plugs Rapalas both floating and sinking models will serve you well as will Yo-Zuri L Minnows. For bait soakers, nothing performs as well as a lively minnow suspended under a bobber fished 4 feet deep. This rig will pick up its share of spotted bass and few crappie too. On the bass side there has been some CONTINUED ON PG 27 SHASTA LAKE Winter Pattern Persists at Shasta REDDING - Trout and bass fishing is good at Shasta at John Kitta landed and released this impressive 12.8-pound channel cat while soaking liver at Los Vaqueros Reservoir on March 17. Photo courtesy of THE LOS VAQUEROS RECREATION AREA, Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Best Selection — Best Service — Best Prices 3720 (916) ROCKLIN 773-7333 6455 PACIFIC ST. AUBURN (530) 888-7825 11844 ATWOOD RD www.trucksmart.com