Fishing report, April 17-23: Delta stripers and bass bites are enticing anglers. Don Pedro trout are on a tear and bass Lake trout are making for easy limits.

Compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

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Best bets

Delta stripers, sturgeon and bass bites drawing out anglers, Randy Pringle reported. Don Pedro trout on a tear, Monte Smith said. New Melones Kokanee exciting anglers, Kyle Wise reported. Bass Lake pumping out easy limits of nice trout, Mike Beighey said. McSwain trout plants fueling the bite, Dave Hurley said. Isabella crappie bite excellent, Copes Tackle reported.

Valley

Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

In the northern section of the California Aqueduct, heavy flows continue, but the water is starting to clear up. The striped bass bite is starting to show signs of life. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported a 33-inch striped bass was landed this week. In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported the striped bass bite has started to pick up with cut sardines, anchovies, and jumbo live minnows while lure anglers are scoring with flukes, small swimbaits, or jerkbaits in the turbulent water after check gates. Fresh sardines have been responsible for a larger grade of striped bass. Chicken liver, dip bait, or fresh shrimp on bait rigs near outtake grates and check gates are picking up catfish. Largemouth bass anglers used Senkos or finesse baits before and after check gates to score bites, and a Rat-L-Trap landed a 5-pound bass.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis added, “Swimbaits have been the big thing at Eastman, and most anglers are targeting the larger bass in the river arm, on the northeastern side of the lake, or along the face of the dam. This week’s weather should bring the big female onto the beds as they have been going back and forth with the cold fronts that have been moving in and out. The reaction bite should continue to improve with the warm weather.“ Damian Thao took first during Saturday’s Bass 559 kayak tournament with a five-fish limit measuring 93.25 inches for a 18.65-inch average. The double trout plant a few weeks ago has left a few holdovers in the lake, and the big bass are focusing upon crappie, bluegill, or the remaining planted rainbows. At Hensley, Crayne reported bass fishing remains slow, but there is a jig bite starting to take place for fish in the 2- to 3-pound range. Catfish, bluegill, and crappie all remain possibilities at both lakes. Eastman rose 2 feet to 673.32 feet in elevation and 85% of capacity with Hensley rising 3 feet to 508.61 feet in elevation and 53% of capacity. There are three bass tournaments on Eastman and one on Hensley scheduled through the end of May.

Call: Eastman Lake (559) 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam (559) 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing found a good trout bite last week, and they were even able to find a few small kokanee. Smith found his best action from 20 feet early in the morning to as deep as 50 feet running a variety of hardware. Lynda Wirfs of Salida landed a 7.2-pound king salmon while fishing with her husband, Steven, up the river arm near Moccasin. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service took a scouting trip to see if they can locate kokanee, and they were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the lake’s rainbows in the 2- to 3-pound range. Wise was running the new Paulina Peak’s Slim Flutter Bugs or pink hooches at depths from 15 to 45 feet.

He said, “The kokanee were very small at 10 to 11 inches, but the trout bite was phenomenal.” For bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for the Best Bass Tournaments Mother Lode and Central Divisions on Saturday and Sunday. He said, “It poured all day on Saturday, and it was tough conditions, but Joe Ploharz found a good bite on ripbaits working a school of trout and salmon busting shad on the surface. While he was catching these fish, there were quality largemouth bass getting in on the action. The following day, the smaller spotted bass had moved in and the largemouths had moved on. The most consistent bite was from the banks to 15 feet with plastic worms bounced off of the bottom on a shakey head. Overall, the fishing was phenomenal.” There is daily vehicle fee of $20 and with an additional $15 for boat launch. The lake held at 802.62 feet in elevation and 84% of capacity. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https://www.donpedrolake.com/. 7 bass tournaments are scheduled at the lake through the end of May.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

The lake rose nearly a foot to 2,575.44 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity in spite of water releases from the dam rising from 610 to 916 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield reported excellent crappie action over the past few days with 25-fish limits of slabs working from 5 to 10-feet of water with white minijigs or live shiners. There is a good trout bite from both the shorelines and for trollers. Minijigs, various colors of Power Bait, pinched crawlers, Roostertails, or Berkley Mice Tails are working from the shorelines. Trollers are scoring with Flicker Shad, Tasmanian Devils, or Needlefish on lead core. The bass bite is improving with plastics on a shakey head or Senkos near trees. Anglers have also been finding them deeper off main points with big plastic worms, deep diving crankbaits, trout imitation swimbaits, or crawdad imitation baits. The catfish bite improved this week on Triple S Dip Bait, cut mackerel, or sardines. There are two American Association Bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through May. In the upper Kern, Cope’s reported holdover and native trout are found along the 20-Mile stretch by split-shotting salmon eggs, minijigs, Gulp! pinched crawlers, or trout worms while fly fishermen are doing well with well with nymphs, stripping streamers, or dry flies in the afternoon. The last trout plants in both the upper and lower Kern were several weeks ago. In the lower Kern, Cope’s reported holdover trout have been caught with salmon eggs, Gulp! pinched crawlers, or minijigs. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has improved with jigs, worms, and small crankbaits. Catfish can be found with cut sardines, or Triple S Dip Bait. The flows on upper Kern at Kernville rose from 1117 to 1529 cfs.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.

Lake Kaweah

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake rose 9 feet to 657.60 feet in elevation and 44% of capacity with heavy inflow from the Kaweah River. Cope’s reported an improved bass bite with finesse baits as the bass are holding in 5 to 25 feet of water. Spider jigs or plastic worms in Aaron’s Magic, Ox Blood, or Smokin’ Shad on the drop-shot or a shakey are producing along with Senkos on a ‘dead stick’ presentation. Crappie fell for small live minnows and minijigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles over submerged brush. Trout reports continue to be slow while catfish are taken on cut mackerel, chicken liver, or Triple S dip bait.

The Kaweah River at Three Rivers rose from 730 to 1079 cfs. There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through May 31.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake rose nearly 2 feet to 638.00 feet in elevation and 64% of capacity. Cope’s reported fishing is heating up as bass anglers reported an improved grade of females on finesse baits in pre-spawn holding areas in the shallows. Jigs with a craw trailer or Roboworm’s the People’s Worm, Tequila Sunrise, or Green Pumpkin on either a Ned- or Carolina-rig fooled bass in 5 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing was best with chicken liver, garlic scented nightcrawlers, or Triple S bait while crappie ate small live minnows and Hookup Baits. Three bass tournaments are scheduled on the lake through May.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com

McClure Reservoir

Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

King salmon are showing up here, and it has been a number of years before the kings have shown their faces at McClure. A total of 197,957 king smolts have been planted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2020, and the plants are starting to pay off. Ryan Denner of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported a similar bite to Don Pedro as the cold front really didn’t push the bass out of the shallows. The California Bass Federation fought the rainy and cold conditions on Saturday for winning limits in the 11-pound range. Jigs, tubes, small swimbaits on an underspin, or plastics on the drop-shot remain the best options. The lake rose 5 feet to 824.26 feet in elevation and 74% of capacity. With few bass tournaments scheduled within the next few months, most bass anglers are heading for nearby Don Pedro or New Melones. There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

The winners of the Merced Irrigation District Spring Trout Derby were announced with Nash Aguilar sweeping both the largest trout and the length of the longest three trout for a total of $4000 in prize money.

About 228 anglers swarmed to the impoundment in search of the recently planted rainbows and the big prize money, but much of the prize money left with one winning angler. The Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula in front of the marina remain the top bank anglers with the usual suspects of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, spinners, or Kastmasters while trollers are working river arm near the Second Fence Line with Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler along with spinners. The lake dropped slightly to 92% of capacity. The McSwain Marina is now open weekends through May 31.

Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The bass bite has slowed a bit, and the best action seems to be in the river arm with finesse presentations such as plastics on a drop-shot or shakey head. The spotted bass are cruising around in the shallows.”

The lake rose 2.5 feet to 563.57 feet in elevation and 87 percent. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant remain steady at 550 cfs. There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3

Visions of huge kokanee are drawing trollers to the lake, and Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service reported limits of kokanee to 17 inches by 10:30 a.m. running the new Paulina Peak Skinny Platinum Flutter Bug at depths from 15 to 45 feet. He said, “The kokanee are scattered, and you must search around for them, but the bite is excellent once you find them. I have been starting out with planer boards in the mornings before the sun comes up.” Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing went scouting with Tim Sellars, former manager of Manteca’s Fishermen’s Warehouse, and he said, “We landed one kokanee at 16 inches, and it was really fat and healthy. These are really beautiful fish. We also landed trout as well, but the kokanee are clearly the highlight of this lake.” For bass, Ryan Denner of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported finesse presentations with plastics on a drop-shot, jigs, or small swimbaits on an underspin are producing.” Melones is ready to break out with this week of warm weather. There is a daily use fee of $8 with a boat launch of $10 (day use included). The lake rose 0.75 feet to 1054.86 feet in elevation and 85 percent. There are six bass tournaments scheduled at Melones and 11 at Lake Tulloch through the end of May.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Alex Niapas, Catching California Guide Service (209) 728-4225; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The king salmon have moved deep in the water column between 80 and 90 feet, and there have been some big salmon to over 6 pounds. Countdown Rapalas, big spoons such as Needlefish in Cop Car, or Brad’s Cut Plugs are working for the salmon while the holdover rainbows are higher in the water column. Dick’s Mountain Tubes or Trout Busters at depths from the surface to 40 feet are best for rainbows.” For bass, Crayne said, “The bite has slowed down some with the cold front, and finesse techniques remain the best with jigs, plastics on the Neko-rig or drop-shot, or jerkbaits on a slow retrieve.” There are two bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May. In the lower Kings, the final scheduled plant took place three weeks ago, but there may be additional plants in late April. Fishing interest has slowed with the lack of plants. Crayne reported fly fishermen are working the catch-and-release section. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer rose from 1569 to 2553 cfs while the lake rose 3 feet to 921.24 and 83 percent. The Kings River from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bridge on Pine Flat Road downstream to Cobbles (Alta) Weir is open to fishing all year. The Kings River, from Cobbles (Alta) Weir downstream to the Highway 180 crossing is open to fishing all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559)292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the inclement weather and wind quieted down the fishing interest at the main lake over the weekend, but bank anglers are soaking jumbo minnows near Dinosaur Point. In the O’Neill Forebay, the largemouth bass bite has been excellent for fish to 6 pounds with plastics on a Ned-rig or shakey head in the grass along the Highway 152 side of the impoundment.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported an overall moderate to slow bite for most trollers , shore ripbait and minnow anglers last week before the storm hit. The algae is going crazy in the 60 degree and up water, but the lake is staying fairly stable for now. “ I guided Johnny and Joann Tacherra and their son Johnny Jr. - all from Burrel, last week and the day started out slow but I found some fish in the main lake that were biting Lucky Craft and Rapala plugs in Shad patterns in 50 foot plus depths. We released over 30 stripers to 24 inches, most 22 to 23 inches , once I found the active schools. The fish are moving a lot and the spawning period is ready to happen. They are turning on the pumps at times. The fish should be going once it heats up this week.” George said.

The main lake held at 73% of capacity with the forebay dropping slightly to 86% of capacity.

To check the wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

High Sierra

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 0

Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Guide Service said, “The lake is rising, and the trout are jumping in the boat. Limits have been easy as from the Sheriff’s Tower out in front of Willow Cove and through the channel to in front of the Forks are the hot spots. I limited out in an hour and a half in the top 20 feet trolling Dick’s Mountain Tackle’s pink tubes, orange Wiggle Hoochies, or orange Trout Busters tipped with pinched crawlers behind a Blue Fin Mountain Dodgers, Dicks Mountain Orange Wiggle Hoochies and Orange Dicks Trout Busters tipped with a pinched crawler at 1.6 mph. Rocky Mountain Tackle’s Blue Ice dodgers with pink Radical Glow Tubes are also killing um.” Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service came in with four limits of fish to 3 pounds. The annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby will take place May 4-5 with $55,000 of tagged trout of which $25,000 is dedicated to three grand prizes. Information: https://www.basslakechamber.com/fishing-derby. There are five bass tournaments scheduled on the lake through the end of May. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun reported the bass bite has been quiet, but the reaction bite will start soon as the water continues to warm up.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing (559) 676-8133.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

The gate to Kaiser Pass Road remains closed through Memorial Day Weekend. The Kaiser Pass lakes are starting to release water with fewer anglers heading over the pass to fish the small impoundments. Edison rose to 24% of capacity, Florence rose to 12% of capacity while Mammoth Pool rose from 62 to 74% of capacity.

Road conditions (559) 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Trout 2 Kokanee 2

Shaver Lake Guide Emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters and Mountain Tackle said, “Beautiful weather prevailed at Shaver Lake, heading into the weekend, and I teamed up with Dave McGlothlin of Clovis to provide a fishing trip for Jim Allen of Coalinga. We found the bite to be slower and later in the morning than the week before when we boated over 4 limits of kokanee. Allen was able to reel in over a limit including the largest Shaver kokanee so far this year, an 18.5-inch male. You don’t find many of these this time of the year. We were targeting kokanee over trout. The trout bite might be off, and the kokanee bite is slower due to the rise in water capacity in the lake. Saturday and Sunday produced heavy rain and some snow on Shaver, keeping many fishermen away. Southern California Edison will be increasing the water level starting last week. The lake should rise 8 feet this month. History indicates that rising water has an adverse effect on fishing with the drawing of insects from the shoreline and the vegetation found in the water.

Shaver regular, Brian Barron of Marshall Station and Scott Montiero of Coursegold were also out in their boat on Thursday for 6 brown trout, 2 quality rainbow trout, and 2 kokanee pulling a Needlefish on lead core line at 3 colors near the Point.” The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project will be planting it’s 2024 allotment of 7,000 pounds of trophy-sized rainbows within the next few months. Shaver is at 44 with Huntington at 48% of capacity.

Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service (559) 288-8100; Jerad Romero, Jrods Guide Service (559) 392-6994; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing (559) 802-8072.

Wishon/Courtright

The gate to McKinley Grove Road closed on Dec. 1, limiting access to the high elevation lakes. The road is anticipated to be reopened in late April.

Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 2 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

It’s all but official as the Pacific Fishery Management Council has recommended an ocean salmon closure for 2024 throughout California. This is the second year without a salmon season, and this will have major impact to ports such as Half Moon Bay. Rockfish trips deeper than 50 fathoms opened on April 1, but nearly all boats are waiting for the season to open in waters less than 20 fathoms from May through September. The Ankeny Street will be taking rockfish trips in the shallows from May through September along with the occasional deep water trip. This is the typical response for the Half Moon Bay party boats. 10-crab limits remain a possibility, but only hoops or snares are allowed for the remainder of the season. The City of Pacifica Pier is open, and crab anglers continue to soak anchovies, squid, or sardines in snares. Dungeness crab season ends on June 30 in this section of the coast.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Anglers in the Monterey Bay have been fishing “Federal Waters” all week, with the tacit approval of The California Department of Fish and Wildlife. CDFW is still dotting “T’s” and crossing “I’s” apparently. State waters stop at a line three miles from shore. Unfortunately, Monterey Bay, like San Francisco Bay, legally is a “closed bay.” This means state waters extend to the narrowest point of the bay. In San Francisco, that would be the Golden Gate a narrow passageway. Monterey Bay, however, is 30 miles across and the Federal line extends roughly from Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz straight across to Point Pinos near Monterey. This puts the Federal waters line about 12 miles offshore from Moss Landing. The immense Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon provides many good spots for deep water fishing that anglers cannot advantage at this time. Monterey and Moss Landing anglers are most affected by this current legal condition.

From Santa Cruz, the 50- fathom line and the three-mile Federal waters boundary are in closer proximity and anglers have done very well this week, catching a mix of vermilion and chilipepper rockfish, and some truly impressive lingcod. In Santa Cruz, Dungeness crabbing is getting slower. Rockfishing is very productive beyond the 50-fathom line in Federal waters. Skipper JT Thomas reports limits of big quality vermilions and other rockfish beyond the three-mile Federal line this week. On Sunday’s trip aboard the Miss Beth, client Skylar Donohue was top dog, pulling in a double from 350 feet of water that included a 10-pound vermilion and a giant 25-pound lingcod .

Halibut numbers are increasing near Santa Cruz Mile buoy. 50 to 80 feet are still the best depths to drift live bait or troll for big flatties. Rockfish are available, but boats must pass over some really good deep water fishing spots to escape the State waters boundary before fishing. This situation should be rectified by next week.

Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching out of Monterey reports full limits of rockfish on every trip taken this week, plus the occasional lingcod. They also counted up to 400 horse mackerel caught on one of the trips, which means fun, fast fishing and enough frozen bait to last all summer. “Private boater and kayak angler halibut catches have been steady in Monterey for the past month, including a good number of big fish over 30 pounds. Typically, the March-April halibut moving into shallower waters are smaller males. This influx may be a harbinger of a stupendous halibut season for 2024. Please note the full bag limit on flatties has been reduced to two fish per day, instead of three as in previous years. The Monterey anglers who reported big flatties were fishing by Red Can buoy near Pacific Grove, or “the Hotel” near Del Monte Beach.”

Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay

Halibut 3 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2

The tables were turned over the past week as the halibut bite broke out at the end of the week with party boats returning with two-fish limits for the first time this year. Most of the action is in the south bay, and these are impressive scores considering the boats are trolling as live bait will not be available until the end of the month at the earlier. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn out of Berkeley posted an excellent score on Sunday with 41 halibut to 15 pounds and 3 striped bass. Saturday’s scores were slower as the wind and rain made for miserable conditions. The California Dawn was still able to pick up 16 halibut to 15 pounds and 15 striped bass for 9 anglers. Striped bass are still in the bay, but halibut are always the preferred species. For rockfish, the 50-fathom restriction lasts through April 30, but Captain Rick Powers of the New Sea Angler out of Bodega Bay has been one of the only captains willing to make the long run to Rittenburg Bank. Bodega Bay is the closest port to Rittenburg at 23 to 25 miles, and the fishing is phenomenal. Powers put a light load of 13 anglers onto full limits of ‘monster’ rockfish consisting of canary, vermilion, Boccaccio, and yellows along with 12 ling cod to 16 pounds. The weather is expected to clear again by the middle to the end of the week, and Powers will make another run to Rittenburg.

Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley Marina was out with a light load of 6 anglers on Monday for 9 halibut. Both the Pacific Dream and Happy Hooker are offering a special rate for children 12 and under at $130/angler on weekdays -$70 off a regular trip, and they are also offering some special Sunday trips at half-price.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.

San Luis Obispo

Surf perch 3

Boats from Morro Bay Landing and Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis will continue to run whale watching and nature trips until taking their first rockfish trips scheduled May 1. Rockfishing is allowed at any depth in May before being limited to less than 50 fathoms for the remainder of the season. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing.

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

Striped bass are the story in the California Delta, and the linesides have flooded into both the Sacramento and San Joaquin sides of the river. Also flooding into the river are sea lions as the marine mammals can be found off any dock or in any slough in the Delta. Sea lions have been observed as far north as the Yuba River. Few anglers have been targeting sturgeon, but Captain Zack Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures out of Pittsburg put a father and son duo onto quite an adventure with a massive sturgeon that was well over 10 feet.

“I can lift an 8.5- to 9-foot sturgeon up so we can get a look at its head along the side of the boat, but I couldn’t even budge it to take its head out of the water” he said. “The fish took at least 35 minutes to bring to the side of the boat, and I was amazed when it jumped out of the water completely two times. It tried jumping a third time, but it only came out halfway when it was tired. I have never seen anything like this before, and I have seen a lot of sturgeon. I am hesitant to say how large it was, but I will have a much better idea when I review the video this week. It was really, really big!”

Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, said, “Stripers are wide open along the Santa Clara and San Andreas Shoals, Venice Island, Frank’s Tract, Dutch Slough, near Eddo’s Marina, and in the south Delta. The Sacramento side is also happening. Sea lions are thick, and they are taking fish off of the lines. Bank anglers are finding good action near Isleton, and largemouth bass fishing is also heating up.”

Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service fished Saturday’s Hammerdown Striped Bass Tournament out of B and W Resort.

He said, “There were 90 anglers, and the slot was between 24 and 28 inches with the heaviest fish being the winners. We found great action for numbers trolling in Georgianna Slough and in the Mokelumne River about B and W. Most of the boats were trolling along the shoals on the San Joaquin and in front of Eddo’s Marina.” The Hammerdown Striped Bass Derby raised funds for Rec4Vets, and the April 6 Isleton Chapter of California Striped Bass Association’s striped bass derby raised over $1300 for Rec4Vets. This veteran’s organization will hold their own event specifically for veterans on May 4 out of Brannan Island State Park.

For sturgeon, there are changes coming for white sturgeon with the re-adoption of the emergency regulations along with a presentation of regulation changes on the April 18 agenda of the California Fish and Game Commission.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Tournament results

April 7

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association

1st - Ish Monroe/Ryan Brewer – 22.57 (Big Fish – 9.74); 2nd - Christian Ostrander/Marc Jang – 21.75 pounds; 3rd – Jamond Andrews/Harvey Pulliam – 21.45.

Lake McSwain – Merced Irrigation Trout Derby

Largest trout – Nash Aguilar 22.5 inches; Stringer of three longest trout – Nash Aguilar – 65.5 inches; Wild Card – Salvador Alvarez – 14.25 inches; Youth Wild Card – Ciriaco Ramos – 16 inches.

April 13

Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments Mother Lode Division

1st –Joe Ploharz – 19.83 pounds; 2nd – Charles and Jimmy Welch Jr. – 18.87; 3rd-Mike Goodman/Brian Rabith – 18.49. Big Fish – Todd and Jordan Rocha - 5.98.

McClure – California Bass Federation Angler Division

1st – Mark Corrente – 11.44 pounds; 2nd – Matthew Mendes – 11.17; 3rd- Eddie Hinojosa – 10.43. Big Fish – Russell Rummerfield – 3.51.

McClure – California Bass Federation Co-Angler Division

1st – Andrew Skyers – 10.52 pounds (Big Fish – 4.71); 2nd – Ron Orbaker – 9.83; 3rd- Mike Gaston – 9.59.

April 13-14

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Pro/Am Pro Division (10 fish)

1st – Clint Groenewold – 45.97 pounds (Big Fish – 10.00); 2nd – Joey Skym – 45.72; 3rd- Roy Hawk – 45.63.

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Pro/Am Amateur Division (10 fish)

1st –Kirk Marshall – 47.09 pounds; 2nd – Nick Barse – 42.24 (Big Fish – 7.62); 3rd- Brad Marr – 41.98.

Tulloch – Yak A’ Bass –

(10-fish): 1st – Abel Patino – 176.00 inches; 2nd – Daniel Balaba – 174.50; 3rd – Bam Miller – 168.25.

April 14

Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments Central Division

1st – Stephen and Chad Sweitzer – 16.78 pounds; 2nd – Mark Weiglein/Scott Burke – 15.76; 3rd- Daniel McAlister/Pat Ammerman - 15.57. Big Fish – A.J. and Landon Azevedo – 4.51.

Eastman– Bass 559 Kayak

1st – Damian Thao – 93.25 inches; 2nd – Max Lee – 88.50; 3rd – John Meyers– 85.75.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

April 16

Don Pedro – Mid Valley Agriculture

April 20

Santa Margarita – Golden Empire Bass Club

Tulloch – Sierra Bass Club

Don Pedro – Angler’s Press

Eastman – Sheet Metal Workers Local 104

Lopez – Best Bass Tournaments

April 20-21

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kern County Bass Masters/Riverbank Bass Anglers Pine Flat – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

April 21

Delta/B and W Resort – Best Bass Tournaments

Tulloch – Fresno Bass Club

April 27

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Valley Backlashers

Delta/B and W Resort– Central Valley Anglers Spring Striper Derby Don Pedro – Yak A’ Bass/Bakersfield Bass Club

Bass Lake – Kerman Bass Club

Success – United States Army Corps of Engineers

Isabella – American Bass Association

April 28

Bass Lake – Kings River Bass Club

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.