Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3810 April 26- May 10 2019 | Page 19

FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 12 NEW MELONES LAKE Find Active Bass for Great Action ANGELS CAMP - Savvy anglers are experiencing some top-notch black bass fishing, even though dropping water levels have created tough conditions for spawning largemouth bass at New Melones Reservoir. “The lake is experiencing some changing conditions from day to day,” said John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing Guide Service said. “With the water levels falling and the unstable weather, the fish have been hesitant to commit to shallow water. A few fish are slowly moving up, but seem to be there one day and gone the next. Regardless of the fluctuating conditions, we have been able to stay on top of the bite and put our anglers on some great fishing. The key has been to look for ambitious fish first, and then back off to deeper water to target the ones that are holding back.” “When fishing for active bass, swimbaits, umbrella rigs and sight fishing is the name of the game. You can sight fish all day long right now. To catch the finicky fish a NED rig or shakey head has been the ticket. The water temperature is warming and the fishing should only get better each week. The next couple months are among my favorites,” Liechty advised. “Many bass in the pre-spawn and also laying on beds which now makes for the best time of the year for bass angling,” Gene Hildebrand of Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp said. “With fluctuating water levels, you may find the bass between 10 and 40 ft. Swim baits, ned rigs and shakey heads are working, if you want to keep it simple green pumpkin color for your plastic baits. He said anglers have reported improving crappie catches, topped by a 2.7 pounder. Anglers have been enticing the fish with live minnows. Big trout honors go to Ted Campbell, who landed two nice 6.12 and 3.13 oz. rainbows up river in 20 ft. of water while Apr 26 - May 10, 2019 FRESHWATER VOL.38 • ISS. 10 some trophy largemouths. During a NorCal 90 tournament at Lake Oroville on April 6, Dennis Helms landed a 12.58 lb. largemouth while using a rip bait. “He would have won first place in the event by catching just that one fish,” said James Sorenson at North Valley Tackle. The team of Helms and Brent Foster placed first with a limit weighing 20.42 pounds, winning $1650.00. These folks had an incredible trip to Lake Don Pedro in late March, landing Robbie rainbow trout, kokanee, spotted bass and largemouth bass. Merwin and Photo courtesy of GOLD COUNTRY SPORTFISHING, Oakdale. Rich Hunter placed second with 12.22 tossing out Gitzits. pounds, while Ryan Friend and Matt “After a couple weeks of anglers landing McKenzie finished third with 10.69 pounds kokanee on Melones, things have tapered Most of the 37 anglers who fished the off this week, possibly due to bass mania event weighed in their limits. on the lake,” said Hildebrand. “This year ‘The fishing has been pretty good and all should produce quality kokanee, as this is of the boat ramps except the spillway are the 3rd season for the land locked salmon now open,” said Sorensen. “The majority of that were planted in 2016 as fingerlings.” the fish are being caught within 20 feet of New Melones Reservoir’s current lake shore and off main lake points. I caught a level is 1051.93 and 36.07 ft. from full, bunch of fish averaging 1 ¾ pounds on my down from the high level of 1057.05 on latest trip to the lake while using Reaction March 9. The Tuttletown upper ramp Innovation Flirt Worms on Shakey Heads.” is operational as well as the high ramp Although he hasn’t heard any word on the Glory Hole Point side of the lake. on the salmon action, Sorensen did see Angels Cove ramp is also in use. anglers out trolling for kings on his last trip. Boaters flipping and pitching are catching and releasing some largemouths in the 3 lb. class while pitching and flipping around tules and other structure on the Thermalito OROVILLE LAKE Afterbay. 12.58 Lb. Largemouth Leads Lake Oroville is holding 2,852,453 feet Spring Catches of water, 81 percent of capacity and 104 percent of average. The lake level is OROVILLE – Most of the bass caught 857.27 feet in elevation. at Lake Oroville are spotted bass, but - Dan Bacher anglers every winter and spring also catch Recreation Starts With A Visit To Bill Eads RV! ill Eads RV has proudly been serving the greater Sacramento Area for over 12 years! 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Joe Aksamit of Joefish Guide Service was targeting kokanee this week, and he said, “I had Mike and Bruce on board, and the bite was great for the first two hour before shutting off completely when the weather moved in. We were able to put in 4 kokanee and 3 fat rainbows, and we lost 5 more kokanee at the boat. Both species are fat and hot with the largest kokanee going 16.5 inches. We scored with pink Rocky Mountain Tackle’s Plankton and Billfish squids coated with Pro-Cure Bloody Tuna behind 4.25-inch Tsunami and Moonshine dodgers in the top 15 feet in the main body. “ Andre Fontenot of San Bruno, was out on Sunday, and he boxed kokanee to 16.5 inches using his homemade J-Pex lures. Mo Souza of the Rocky River Recreation Company confirmed the improving kokanee action by stating, “Interest in kokanee has been high, but we did plant 1000 pounds on Friday morning in the marina.” - Dave Hurley PYRAMID LAKE Shore Cutthroat Bite Remains Mediocre RENO - Historically, the period from late February to about the middle of April was prime time at Pyramid Lake. Throngs of anglers would converge on the lake for their shot at a big Lahontan cutthroat. The masses of anglers still remain, but the spring bite has really been lacking over the last few years. This year is no exception. Anglers are grinding out fish at many beaches from Warrior’s on the north end to Blockhouse on the south. The tactics used vary on the location. At deep beaches like Spider and Blockhouse, fishermen throw spoons and dredge deep water trout. 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