Fishing report, March 13-19: Delta sturgeon still eating well, McSwain planting producing easy limits, bigger bass at Eastman Lake
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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The Delta sturgeon are still eating well, and McSwain plants producing easy limits, Dave Hurley reported. Eastman Lake is still kicking out bigger bass, Michael Crayne said.
Valley
Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 3
“The aqueduct is heating up for striped bass as one angler landed five linesides within a few hours. Anchovies, blood worms, or jumbo minnows continue to be the best bet in the stained water,” Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild said. “Reaction baits must have a combination of noise and vibration to entice strikes, and Rat-L-Traps or jerkbaits with rattles are most effective. With temperatures in the 70’s expected this week, the striper bite should improve.” Striperz Gone Wild is holding their Spring Memorial Striped Bass Tournament on April 6 at a location on the aqueduct yet to be determined.
The entry fee is 10 cans of unexpired food, and there is a prize for whoever brings the most cans. As Merced County has one of the highest food insecurity rates in the country, this event provides much needed food for the Los Banos and surrounding community. Food, awards, a raffle, and a photo booth will be present at the event. In the south aqueduct in Kern County, striped bass continues to be fair with dirty water creating tough conditions. Cut baits, fresh shrimp, live worms, or chicken liver on the Carolina and sinker rig are the best option for both striped bass and catfish.
Fishing Safety at the California Aqueduct
Anglers must be extremely cautious in the wet and slippery conditions on the concrete. The aqueduct has fast and deep currents – up to 30 feet in some places – so please heed all water safety tips, along with these tips for staying safe on the Aqueduct:
• Wear rubber-soled shoes for safe footing and life jacket.
• Never fish alone.
• Observe no trespassing and all signs, like restricting vehicles or bicycle use. Keep out of fenced areas.
• Stand back from the aqueduct’s steep, slippery, and difficult-to-climb sloping concrete sides.
• Look for the safety ladders and lines. Safety ladders along both sides of the aqueduct are spaced 500 feet apart and marked by bright yellow paint. The safety lines are strung on plastic floats, close to bridges and other structures that cross the Aqueduct. These ladders and lines can save your life.
• Do not go into the water to land a fish, recover fishing gear, or for any other reason.
• Take your own drinking water. The aqueduct water is untreated and not safe to drink.
• Don’t play near the aqueduct.
• Don’t make fires.
• No camping.
• Don’t block vehicle access gates or roadways.
• Do not climb structures or fish from bridges crossing the aqueduct.
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 3 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
“Eastman continues to kick out quality largemouth bass with limits more than 25 pounds being weighed in. The window for LV 500’s is a short one with around a one-hour window before the bite dies,” Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle said.
Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis added, “Bass in the 4- to 5-pound range have been coming on lipless crankbaits, finesse presentations, or with rainbow trout patterned swimbaits, but the pressure has been intense, particularly on the weekends. Crappie and bluegill continue to be taken deep in the rockpiles or brush piles with minijigs.” Hensley is showing signs of life for small bass staging along the shorelines. Eastman rose 4 feet to 656.38 feet in elevation and 76% with Hensley also rising 4 feet to 495.70 feet in elevation and 38%. The annual passes for the US Army Corps of Engineers lakes of Eastman, Hensley, New Hogan, Pine Flat, Kaweah, and Success are now available for $40/year. They are available from the park office at the lake, the pay booth, or several gas stations or bait shops near the lake. A double trout plant is scheduled at Eastman the week of the 24th with a single plant at Hensley.
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 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported outstanding rainbow trout action for fish pushing 4 pounds pulling shad patterned spoons on lead core and on the downrigger at depths to 10 feet. The water temperature is 53 degrees, and the clarity is outstanding.
Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service went kokanee fishing on March 11 for solid action as the lake is expected to be kicking out quality kokanee this year. Bass fishing is also showing signs of life with the spotted bass moving into flats in preparation for pre-spawn. Fresno Bass Club held an event on Sunday, and Bill Kunz of St. Croix rods said, ‘The spots were chomping.’ Small Keitech swimbaits on an underspin, plastics on the drop-shot, or tubes are also producing numbers of spotted bass. The occasional large fish is taken on trout-patterned glide baits or Huddlestons. There is daily vehicle fee of $20 and with an additional $15 for boat launch. The lake held at 800.57 feet in elevation and 83% of capacity. Updates on the launch ramp are available at https:// www.donpedrolake.com/. 11 bass tournaments are scheduled at the lake through April 30. All the temporary mooring lines have been removed from the west bay and the 5 MPH buoy lines have been placed back in their original locations.
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 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose slightly over a foot to 2,571.47 feet in elevation and 43% with water releases from the dam at 374 cfs at First Point. The best action for bass remains off primary lake points and offshore structure in 15 to 35 feet of water with deep-diving crankbaits along with jigs. Trout fishing is best near Red’s Marina on garlic scented Power Bait, spinners, or worms.. Crappie fishing is fair to good in deeper water around offshore structure with minijigs or live shiners. Catfishing has improved with Triple S Dip Bait or cut mackerel. The 33rd Annual Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Isabella Lake will be held from March 23rd through March 25.
Adult entry is $40 with youth entry at $15.
Information and registration is available at https:// www.kernrivervalley.com/isabellalakefishingderby. A trout plant is scheduled the week of the 17th along with a plant at Brite Valley Reservoir.
In the upper Kern, the trout bite remains steady throughout the 20-Mile stretch with the best bite near Riverside Park in Kernville to the Powerhouse with salmon eggs or minijigs. Fly anglers continue to do better later in the day with either nymphs or streamers. In the lower Kern, salmon eggs, pinched crawlers, Power Bait with garlic, or minijigs are picking up the occasional trout while bass fishing remains best with crankbaits, jigs, or spinners. Catfish can be found on Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. The flows on upper Kern at Kernville rose from 812 to 957 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 over 2 feet to 622.85 feet in elevation and 21% due to water releases despite heavy inflow from the Kaweah River. The bass are moving into the shallows, and plastics on the drop-
shot or Ned-rig along with other finesse techniques are most effective. The crappie bite remains fair with small live minnows, or minijigs. Catfish are taken on Triple S Dip Bait or cut baits. Trout fishing has slowed, but a few holdovers are taken with Power Bait, minijigs, spoons, or spinners. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers rose dramatically from 334 to 497cfs. There are three tournaments scheduled on the lake through April 30. The next trout plant is scheduled for the week of March 24. Trout plants are scheduled at Murry Park Pond the weeks of March 11 and 17, along with a plant at Del Lago Park Lake the week of March 24.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose two feet to 628.35 feet in elevation and 47% of capacity. Similar to Kaweah, bass are moving into the shallows, and finesse techniques remain best with plastics in earth tones on the drop-shot or Ned-rig. Deep-diving crankbaits or vertically jigging spoons are also picking up a few fish. Catfishing and crappie action has been slow. Three bass tournaments are scheduled on the lake through April 30.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351, Sequoia Fishing
Co. (559) 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com..
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
For the first time in years, there are reports of kokanee coming out of McClure although trollers have been attempting to keep this quiet. Few bass tournaments are scheduled within the next few months with most heading to nearby Don Pedro. Small Keitech swimbaits on an underspin, jigs,
tubes, or plastics on the drop-shot are working for numbers as the spotted bass are moving into the shallows. Crappie are found in deep water inside submerged trees in coves with live minnows or minijigs, but the action has slowed. The lake held at 806.92 feet in elevation and 64% of capacity. Barrett’s Cove will be closed for NICA bike races March 15-17 and from April 5-7. The Barrett Cove South Marina and Café will open under new ownership weekends-only through Memorial Day starting March 30. Only two bass tournaments are scheduled on the lake through April 30.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 2
Heavy fishing pressure has taken its toll, and the action slowed down this week, but more fish will be dumped in prior to the annual Merced Irrigation Spring Trout Derby on April 6-7.
McSwain is one lake where bank anglers have as great an opportunity as boaters, and the regular locations of the Brush Pile, the Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula near the marina are generally packed with anglers, particularly on the weekends. Berkley Mice Tails, rainbow garlic Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters in gold or blue/chrome continue to be effective. Entry to the tournament is $35 in addition to a $10 vehicle and a $9 launch fee. The derby begins at 6 a.m. on Saturday and ends at noon on Sunday with $2,000 for the heaviest stringer, $2,000 for the longest trout, and $500 for the Wild Card. There is also a wild card and a custom prize in the Kid’s Division with a free raffle at noon Sunday.
Derby entrants must download the Fish Donkey app to participate. Boaters are heading into the river arm from the First to Second Fence Lines for holdover rainbows with Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler along with spinners or spoons. The McSwain Marina is closed through March 30 before opening for weekends only from April 1 through May 31. It will be open for the tournament weekend, and the Real Deal Market and Café is open for breakfast and lunch for sale during the derby. The lake is at 91% of capacity.
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
No bass tournaments are scheduled at the lake through April 30, and bass fishing interest is focused upon Eastman or Pine Flat. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun said, “The largemouth bass are moving into the shallow flats while the spotted bass remain holding in deeper water. The river mouth near East Bay has been one of the top locations. Crappie remain in deep water structure, and electronics are a must.” The lake rose less than 2 feet to 540.05 feet in elevation and 68% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once daily 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are steady at 550 cfs. A trout plant is scheduled at Sycamore Lake Pond this week with plants at Woodward Park the next three weeks. 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 3 Kokanee 2
The lid is off at New Melones as Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service put his clients onto kokanee to 18 inches on Tuesday. Given a few posts on social media, Melones will not be the same for the next several months as the kokanee are expected to grow to the 22-inch and four-pound range by summer’s end.
“I had three clients that wanted to go kokanee fishing, and although I hadn’t targeted kokanee so far this year, we had been picking up the occasional kokanee while trolling for trout,” Wise said. “Specifically targeting kokanee at depths from 30 to 40 feet with J-Pex’s, our first fish came in at 18 inches followed by a number of fish from 14 to 16 inches. We had plenty of hookups to fill limits, but their acrobatic leaps led to losing quite a few.”
Melones will host the Kokanee Power Team tournament on June 8, giving the big fish a few more months to grow. Following the optimism of the early season returns, the possibility of a 19- or even a 20- inch kokanee showing up during this event exists. Once again, in order to provide accurate information for the Department of Fish and Wildlife for their annual plants, anglers are requested to complete the Kokanee and King Salmon Survey after every trip at this link. Rainbow trout fishing remains solid with Rapalas, Wiggle Hoochies, or rolled shad from the surface to 20 feet. Bass tournaments are a regular occurrence now, and numbers of spotted bass can be taken on Senkos on a Neko-rig, umbrella rigs, or jigs in 15 to 35 feet of water while largemouth bass are moving into the backs of creeks at depths from 15 to 25 feet with jigs or swimbaits. Rainbow trout patterned swimbaits are producing the largest cut of bass. New Melones has a daily use fee of $8 with a boat launch of $10 (day use included). The lake rose to a foot to 1052.63 feet in elevation and 84% of capacity.
Eight bass tournaments are scheduled through April 30 including this coming weekend’s Best Bass Tournaments. Several club bass tournaments are scheduled at afterbay Lake Tulloch in March/April.
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 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle said, “The bass are moving into the shallows in pre spawn mode, and although the bigger fish have been following glide baits, the best action has been by flipping a jig or a Senko into the followers.” Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis added, “The bass are holding in the mouth of coves and around brush piles or trees. Plastics on a shakey head, crankbaits, or 4.8-inch Keitech swimbaits on an underspin are also effective.” A trout plant is scheduled in the lake the week of March 24.
In the lower Kings, both the river and Avocado Lake were planted during last week. Most anglers are working the river below the dam near the bridge with Atomic Tubes, spinners, nightcrawlers, or Power Bait. Finding less pressured water is the key as the easily accessed areas can be crowded. The flows on the lower Kings at Trimmer have dropped from 1593 to 1100 cfs while the lake rose four feet to 905.92 and 75% of capacity.
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. Pine Flat is hosting two remaining bass tournaments through April 30. Trout plants are scheduled on the lower Kings the next three weeks with a plant at Avocado Lake this week and also the week of March 24.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun (559) 292-3474, 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle (559) 515-6273. Sequoia Fishing Co. (559) 539-5626.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said, “Striped bass action has been a bit slower in the muddy water, but boaters are casting 4- to 5-inch Dep’s style flukes in Smoked Shad or Pearl Ice on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook for school-sized linesides. Portuguese Cove remains a solid location. Trollers are starting to appear with Duo Realis 129 or 130 jerkbaits in chartreuse shad. or sardines are working best in the dirty water as blood worms and pile worms are scarce.
In the O’Neill Forebay, the bite has slowed down with the stained waters.” Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that he guided two to three guests on each of three different days last week in changing weather conditions.”
Two days last week had wind but once we found active fish -and we were able to release over 20 fish to 24 inches on each trip working the 50-60 foot depths in the main lake while moving from area to area . The third trip was on the only nice day and we released over 30 stripers to 25” once again working the 50-60’ depth ranges with any kind of minnow colored bait in the main lake . The fish are already milting too ! “ George said.
The Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club went camping at San Luis over the weekend.
Club adviser, Michael Spencer said, “Our trip was made by Brett Phillips, Chris, Crystal, and Alexis Apuy, and June and Travis Nguyen who came out to show students how to hunt the lineside. We cannot thank these kind and generous people enough. The- forebay was blown out
from winds the night before. Our boaters are heroes. and we are so appreciative of the privilege we enjoy in having all of them support our young anglers.”
The main lake rose to 72% of capacity with the forebay also rising to 88% 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, “We have a very good bite for trout, and multiple limits are the norm. We have been scoring from the surface to 20 feet from in front of Miller’s Landing to the Forks with Dick’s Trout Busters, Mountain Tubes, or Bomber Hoochies tipped with a maggot behind a Dick’s Bluefin Mountain Dodger.
The water temperature is 51 degrees, and once it warms up a few degrees, the bite will continue to improve.” The annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Bass Derby is the first weekend in May. Beighey is accepting reservations now for the upcoming season. Bass fishing remains slow in the cold water. The public boat ramp is back in the water. A webcam of the launch ramp is available at https:// basslakeca.com/. A trout plant is scheduled for this week.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing (559) 676-8133.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The gate to Kaiser Pass Road remains closed through most likely 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 receded slightly to 32% of capacity with Florence also dropping to 13% of capacity while Mammoth Pool rose slightly to 43% of capacity.
Road conditions (559) 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake (559) 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Trout 3 Kokanee -3
Shaver guide Emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle said, “Adverse weather kept most fishermen at home this past week, but with good weather going into and through the weekend, more anglers made the trek up. Four boats of fishermen hit the lake on Friday with more than a dozen boats on the water Saturday morning. The Department of Fish and Wildlife planted once again on March 6. Mike Gill, his son Matt and grandson Bear of Paso Robles were on one of the boats on Saturday, and withing 2.5 hours of trolling, they scored three limits of kokanee ranging from 12 to 15 inches, releasing several smaller kokanee. Matt Gill said other boaters had limits of browns and rainbows. The recent trout plant was producing bows to 3 pounds near the Sierra Marina.
“The hottest colors were pink or orange tipped with scented corn from the surface to 20 feet.” Gill said. “They fished again Sunday morning and found the bite to be near non-stop for kokanee, once again using orange or pink hoochies tipped with corn behind a Dick’s Popsicle Mountain Dodger. The Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project, under the direction of longtime planting chairman Bob Bernier, will add up to one thousand trophy sized rainbows from an Oregon hatchery before summer, approximately 7000 pounds. Good weather is in the forecast as we enter the beginning of the season. The Sierra ramp is a little congested near the Sierra Marina,
and the Gills reported that launching was difficult. They would not recommend boats 24 feet or larger to attempt a launch. The water continues to be low. The main ramp is only 3 feet into the water. The auxiliary ramp is best. A webcam of the Shaver launch ramp is at sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html and for Huntington at http://www.shaverlakewebcams.info/ huntington.html. Shaver dropped slightly to 47% of capacity with Huntington rising slightly to 37% 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
Trout 0
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 April.
Call: Wishon RV Park (559) 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 crabs 3
The recently approved 2024 rockfish regulations lead to more opportunity for shallow water fishing during specific months. The new regulations are designed to protect quillback rockfish as they are found primarily between 20 and 50 fathoms (120 to 300 feet). Since quillbacks are rarely found in the Central Management Zone south of 36 degrees of latitude, the depth restrictions are far more liberal in the Central below this line and in the Southern Management Zones. In the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central Zones above 36 degrees, rockfish season will start on April 1 deeper than 50 fathoms. During May, June, July, August, and September – rockfishing is allowed only less than 20 fathoms before returning to deeper than 50 fathoms in October. During the crucial months of November and December when the crab/ rockfish combination season is open, rockfishing will be allowed only shallower than 20 fathoms. Kayakers will now have access to the shallow waters during certain months after being shut out from access for months last year.
Quillback and cowcod rockfish remain closed while the sub-limit for vermilion rockfish south of the 40/10 line is two fish. A descending device is highly recommended on all vessels. In the Southern Zone and Central Zone south of 36 degree, rockfishing is open at any depths in April, May, and June before transitioning to less than 50 fathoms for the remainder of the year. All of this is good news for an industry that was severely limited in 2023.
The city of Pacifica has reopened the pier, a popular location for crabbing with snares.
Call: Captain Michael Cabanas, New Captain Pete (510) 677-7054, 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
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
“Perch fishing remains strong with a variety of grubs including Mekeni Baits, Lucky 13’s, or Charlie Brewer’s Crappie Sliders,” Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said.
Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching Trips in Monterey will start rockfish trips in water deeper than 50 fathoms on April 1, and this harbor is close to deep water without a long ride. For the remainder of the month, they are still running the occasional sand dab/Petrale sole/Dungeness crab combination trip depending upon weather conditions and interest.
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Considering we are in the middle of our slow season for fishing in the Monterey Bay area, we just enjoyed a huge weekend with tons of action. Most notable was the long-awaited 19th Annual Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament held on Saturday. The annual event is a fund-raiser for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. Three hundred perch anglers scattered far and wide to pursue the wily surfperch that are moving in to spawn along the beaches and rocky shorelines of Monterey Bay. A few anglers traveled as far as Half Moon Bay or Carmel on their hunt, and good catches were reported from the West Cliff Drive area and Davenport Landing. A variety of perch species were reported caught, including pile perch, walleye, striped, black, rainbow and of course the barred surfperch.
Avid surfcaster and local DFW biologist Ken Oda enjoyed the day’s activities despite his failure to place in the winner’s circle. “Nice derby, good food and people, and great turnout! The Sand Crab Classic has the same feel of the club derbies that my dad and grandfather entered - down to the trophies - in Monterey years ago. They were fun and had a sense of community like this one.” Everyone enjoyed the banquet at the Santa Cruz Portuguese Hall, and additional support for the MBSTP was raised via raffle. Big thanks go to the host of sponsors, both local and national. Most participants left the banquet not only with good memories, but also tackle, clothing, hats, rods and reels and other fishing paraphernalia.” Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951, Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
Within the past week inside San Francisco Bay, private boats, party boats, and kayakers have been launching into the south bay to troll frozen herring or anchovies in addition to hoochies. Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete has moved over to Oyster Point from Half
Moon Bay to take advantage of the early season halibut bite in the south bay. On her inaugural trip, they landed a handful of halibut. Dodds and deckhand, Meghan Fox, form the only all female party boat in northern California.
Another boat that has been running regularly is the Codfather out of Alameda, and they have put in as many as 6 halibut and three striped bass on their first trips. Halibut are sight feeders, and the best action usually occurs on smaller tides where the water clarity is best. The clearest water in San Francisco Bay is found in the early season in the south bay with the shelves around Oyster Point and the Alameda Rockwall being popular locations.
The bite isn’t fast or furious in the early season as evidenced by 3 halibut and a striped bass for 11 anglers on ½-day trip on the Oakland Anglers out of Emeryville Sport Fishing on Thursday, March 7, but the allure of California halibut is real. The California Dawn I and II and Happy Hooker out of Berkeley will start their bay operations next weekend. The daily bag limit for California halibut is two-fish a minimum of 22 inches in length. These regulations were adopted on an emergency basis in 2023 due to advocacy from the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association based upon the pressure on halibut due to the salmon closure. Due to the limited, if only, salmon season anticipated this season, a two-fish limit is more than reasonable.
With the potential for salmon season closed and rockfish opening in waters deeper than 50 fathoms on April 1, boats from the coastal ports of Half Moon and Bodega Bays are moving into the bay to target halibut.
Boaters will continue to troll frozen bait or artificials in the relative shallows until live bait is first available, traditionally in late April into May. The availability of live bait will allow the boats to work deeper water throughout the bay. Striped bass fishing remains solid in San Pablo Bay with ghost shrimp, mud shrimp, or grass shrimp in the stained water.
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 and Port San Luis will run whale watching and nature trips until rockfishing opens on April 1.. Party boats out of both harbors are taking reservations for the April 1 opener in waters at any depth in April and 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 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The California Delta was pounded with heavy rain last weekend, but there are signs that thewaters are clearing up, bringing the spring largemouth and striped bass bite into play. There have been some encouraging signs for both species during the past week of clear water, and it’s only a matter of time before the action busts wide open.
Sturgeon remain the top draw as multiple diamondbacks continue to be brought to the boat with the possibility of a slot-limit fish. For striped bass, the main Sacramento River has been limited to cut bait due to the muddy water, but the north Delta sloughs and in the Mokelumne River system have been full of life.
“The area around the Isleton Bridge on the Mokelumne River has been solid for striped bass for those casting 5-inch swimbaits or jerkbaits, and the males are already milking,” Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman, Stockton said.
Melissa Pitchford of Lodi along with her husband and a friend, went out after work this week, and she landed her personal-best striper at 21 pounds on a G Ratt Sneaky Pete.
“The sunset bite was on fire. It was my first trip out this season, and on our first and second stop,” she said. “I was throwing a River2Sea Swaver or a Keitech swimbait for nothing while the guys were hooking up left and right. Success came after a few casts when I switched over to the Sneaky Pete on our last stop for my personal best.”
Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors confirmed the clear water in the Mokelumne River along with in the central Delta from Mildred Island to the Port of Stockton. “Largemouth bass fishing is good around Hog, Beaver, and Sycamore Sloughs in the Mokelumne along with Snodgrass a little further north as the water clarity is around 12 inches,” he said.
Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, launched out of Ladd’s Marina this week, and he found a strong largemouth bass bite by dead-sticking the Berkley General heavy worm in earth tones on the outside edge of the weed lines. He said, “I threw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits without success before slowing down to a crawl with the big plastics. Initially, we were getting into bass in the 1.5- to 2-pound range, but we found a pattern and started catching larger ones from 3 to 5 pounds. There was some debris in the water, and the main channel around Ladd’s on the San Joaquin is dirty. Our best action came on the switch from the high to the low, and the incoming tide is limited with the heavy inflow from the upper Sacramento River.”
The Third Annual California Striped Bass Association- Isleton Chapter Barry Canevaro Memorial Striper Derby will be April 6 at the Rio Vista Boat Ramp. This will also be a fundraiser for a veteran’s organization.
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
March 15-17
Bakersfield – Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show – information - https://www.calshows.com/.
March 24
Oakley – Bass Hole Tackle Swap Meet – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 6
Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club Spring Fishing Tackle Faire at The Boat Shoppe, 2125 Ventura Ave Fresno, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tournament results –
March 9
Lake Camanche –Central Valley Anglers Trout Derby (Three-fish limits)
1st: George Rayborn – 10.25 pounds; 2nd – Bob Morris – 9.90; 3rd – Craig Perry – 9.00.
Don Pedro – Fresno Bass Club (Two limits)
1st: Ken Eddy – 30.29 pounds (Big Fish – 4.70); 2nd – Corey Squires – 28.33; 3rd – Cory Kerber – 27.51.
Lake Success: Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Adult Division
1st: Rodger Patterson/ Randy Weldon – 16.11 pounds (Big Fish – 4.61); 2nd –Tim Wells/Jeff D’Alessandro – 13.42; 3rd – Kevin Flint/R.J. Brinkman – 13.19.
March 10
Lake Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments High School Division
1st: Coleton Rader – 13.30 pounds (Big Fish – 3.36); 2nd – Trenton Housey – 11.34; 3rd – Bear Demacablin – 10.96.
Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Youth Division – March 10th – 1st: Kyler Rader – 1.75 pounds; 2nd – Colt Jensen – 1.50.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole High Rollers Division
1st: Colby and Jim Huntze – 23.21 pounds (Big Fish – 8.13); 2nd –Mark Gomez/Juan Acosta – 22.58; 3rd – Gary and Joey Skym – 16.00.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole Low Rollers Division
1st: Firuz Gizatullin/ Kyle Indelicato – 14.52 pounds; 2nd – Larry and Nick Fraser – 14.21; 3rd – Will and Jeff Kamthong – 12.32.
Pine Flat – Bass 559 Team Tournament
1st: Wayne Arnold/James Beasley – 11.17 pounds (Big Fish – 4.81); 2nd – Michael and Anthony Her – 10.99; 3rd – Tim Sr. and Tyler Wells – 10.19.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
March 16-17
Pardee – Yak-A-Bass
Kaweah – Lahu Bass Club
March 16
Camanche – 17/90 Bass Club
New Melones – Best Bass Tournaments/Santa Clara Bass Busters Tulloch – Valley Backlashers
Don Pedro – Sierra Bass Club
Hensley – Kerman Bass Club
Bass Lake – Kings VIII
Murry Park Pond – City of Porterville
Success – Kern County Bassmasters
Santa Margarita – Best Bass Tournaments/San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
March 17
Lake Camanche – Best Bass Teen Tournaments
New Melones – Kings River Bass Club
Pine Flat – Bass 101
March 23-24
Don Pedro – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
March 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Christian Bass League
Pardee – Bass Anglers of Northern California
Tulloch – Nor Cal Bass
San Antonio – Golden Empire Bass Club
March 24
Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto Ambassadors
Salt Springs – Bass ‘N Tubes
March 29
Don Pedro – E and J Gallo Winery
March 30
Bass Lake – California Bass Federation
Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts
April 6
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass/Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Delta/Rio Vista - 3rd Annual California Striped Bass Association- Isleton Chapter Barry Canevaro Memorial Striper Derby
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
California Aqueduct - Striperz Gone Wild Spring Memorial Striped Bass Tournament Pardee – Sonora Bass Anglers/17-90 Bass Club
Tulloch – Kerman Bass Club
Santa Margarita- San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
April 7
Pardee – California Bass Federation
April 12, 19, 26
Tulloch – Friday Night Tournament
April 13-14
Tulloch – Yak A’ Bass
April 13–
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
McClure – California Bass Federation
Eastman – Central Valley Kayak Fishing/Bass 559 Kayak
Lopez – American Bass Association
April 14
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – California Bass Federation
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
McClure – Stanislaus County Employees
Bass Lake – Kings VIII Bass Club
Kaweah – Bass 101
April 16
Don Pedro – Mid Valley Agriculture
April 20-21
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kern County Bass Masters/Riverbank Bass Anglers Pine Flat – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Santa Margarita – Golden Empire Bass Club
April 20
Tulloch – Sierra Bass Club
Don Pedro – Angler’s Press
Eastman – Sheet Metal Worker’s Local 104
Lopez – Best 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/Wimpy’s Marina – 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.
