12 May 25- June 8, 2018 VOL. 37 • ISS. 12

FRESHWATER REPORTS:

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DEL VALLE RESERVOIR cont.

schools of shad fry danced around the docks and shorelines trying to evade hungry predators.“

“ Fish breaking at the surface could be heard from all around. Excited to start my day with so much activity going on, I decided to try my luck at some top water action! After a few casts with a Whopper Plopper, a bass exploded on it, but missed the bait. I quickly threw a Senko back into the swirl and hooked up quickly with a nice pound and half small mouth bass,” Cooper recalled.

“ As I worked my way along only minutes later, another bass busted at it 10 feet from the boat. Missing the bait once again, I switched rods and let the Senko slowly fall into the swirl left behind. After a few seconds my line started to run away as a 3 lb. 6 oz. largemouth took the easy meal,” he said.

“ As the day went on and wind began to blow, I focused on current breaks. Whether if it was from points or structure, these breaks created ambush spots for hungry fish. As the Plopper speeds along, I like to slightly pause it for a split second where I think the attack will happen. This quick stop and go triggered 3 other bass bites in the exact location I was expecting them,” he noted.

Trout fishing is also going strong. For example, James Goss, of Modesto caught a 3 lb. trout at Swallow Bay using Pink Flicker Shad. Gustavo Gonzalez from Hayward bagged 5 rainbows while fishing from the shore in the narrows with a variety of Mice Tails.

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Kenny and Bill landed 8 catfish, topped by a 17 lb. channel cat. They caught these fish using chicken livers near the dam about 40’ deep. The park district stocked Del Valle with 750 pounds of rainbows the week of May 14.

EAST DELTA

Solid Striped Bass Bite Despite Consistent Wind

STOCKTON- The San Joaquin side of the Delta has been outstanding for striped bass trolling over the past few weeks despite consistent high winds.

James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service has left the friendly confines of Korth’ s Pirates Lair at the mouth of the Mokelumne after a two month stay, but he was able to find consistent action for striped bass within those months. He ended up on a high note with a 26-pound striped bass on a penultimate trip trolling Yozuri Crystal Minnows from Eddo’ s upriver to the Old River Flats.

Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert, stayed on the San Joaquin near Spindrift on Tuesday due to the high winds limiting access to the Sacramento River, and he said,“ We had a good day with 8 stripers to 10 pounds released, and a few of the females were spawned out. There are still plenty of fish out here, but there weren’ t many boats trying.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said,“ Many fishermen are complaining about the poor bite, but the weather conditions are a month overdue. We had all our weather when the fish were spawning, and this changed everything. You have to slow down right now and use scent to get the bass to move. A‘ deadstick’ presentation is necessary, and you have to slow down. I have been scoring with the Berkley Max Scent D-Worm, Power Worm, or General in earth tones since the scent is a big advantage.” Mike Pipkins of Gotha Bait in Antioch reported Holland Tract, Discovery Bay, and Orwood Marina are good locations for crappie or red ear perch with mini jigs along with wax worms. He said,“ Stripers are all over with keepers to 28 inches off of the Antioch Fishing Pier. A pair of keeper sturgeon and an 8-pound largemouth bass were also landed off of the pier this week.”

This angler took a May 1 Delta fishing trip with the team at Tight Lines Guide Service and scored a limit of very nice stripers.

Photo courtesy of TIGHT LINES GUIDE SERVICE, Loomis.

Luther Thompson of H and R Bait in Stockton reported good striped bass fishing in the main San Joaquin River near Windmill Cove with fresh shad. They are receiving 35 pounds of fresh shad every other day. Crappie are taken at Tiki Lagun near the boat dock, Bacon Island Road, and Whiskey Slough with medium minnows

- Dave Hurley

FEATHER RIVER

Striper Action Best Near Nicolaus

YUBA CITY – Fishing pressure for striped bass on the Feather River slowed down after the Department of Water Resources reduced combined flows below the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to only 1050 cfs, but anglers are still picking lots of stripers in the Nicolaus area.

“ Tim Boggs, two other anglers and I caught our limits of stripers on our latest trip from Verona up to Beer Can Beach,” said Mel Gillette at Elkhorn Outdoors.“ We were back to the shop by 10 a. m. We caught our limits of fish, ranging from 18 to 22 inches, while drifting jumbo minnows.”

“ The striped bass fishing is still good on the Feather, but there are not as many fish as there were earlier because many of the fish have spawned and left,” said Bob Boucke of Yuba City.“ The best area to drift minnows now is Beer Can Beache.”

Meanwhile, shad fishing has busted loose on the Feather River, as it normally does this time of year as the weather heats up.

“ Shore anglers and boaters are hooking shad at the mouth of the Yuba River and Shanghai Bend,” said Boucke.“ They are using an array of shad jigs and flies.”

- Dan Bacher

FOLSOM LAKE

Trollers Connect With Planters, Holdover Rainbows

GRANITE BAY- Trollers working the warming waters of Folsom Lake are finding decent fishing for a mixture of recently planted rainbows and larger holdover trout.

“ Fishermen are reporting the top action while trolling with white and white / black hoochies at 25 to 35 feet deep,” said Craig Newton at Willfish Bait and Tackle.“ The

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Decent late winter conditions created much needed inflow into Eagle Lake. While the lake continues to be lower than anglers and locals alike would prefer, the level is stable and boat launching will not be a problem in the south basin.

Fishing at the Eagle was outstanding last season with an abundance of big rainbows showing during the fall months. Those fish will be even bigger this year and they should be hungry come the May 26 opener.

Eagle Lake RV Park is open for business, and will be offering boat slip rentals at Spalding again this year. They offer a full service park, including comfortable cabins, tent sites, full hook up RV sites, a fully stocked store, Free Wi-Fi, and more. Call early for reservations, especially if you want to reserve a boat slip. Call( 530) 825- 3133 or go to www. eaglelakeandrv. com.

Heritage Land Company in Spalding offers a huge selection of cabin rentals that start at only $ 60 per night, and they offer everything from a studio to a magnificent 4 bedroom home. They also have a large inventory of vacation homes for sale, all at very reasonable prices. Call Dave Leroy for information and reservations at( 530) 825-2131 or go to www. eaglelakeheritage. com.

If you would like to learn how to catch trout at Eagle Lake, the best thing to do is hire a knowledgeable guide. Cliff Spediacci of Hook & Ladder Guide Service lives in Spalding and has been fishing the lake for years. Contact him at( 530) 250-5996 or go to www. hookandladderguideservice. com.

Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy’ s Guide Service has been fishing the lakes of Northern California for over 20 years, and specializes in the big Eagle Lake rainbows. Call him at( 530) 283-4103 or see www. bigdaddyfishing. com