Fishing on the Delta this past weekend was very difficult. I can’t remember ever fishing a tide like one I faced last weekend. The water level fluctuated a total of one foot between high and low tide meaning that the water was barely moving where I was fishing. In the past I used to carry a tide book in my boat but have since relied on downloadable tide app for my phone. I don’t know if it’s me reading using the app wrong but I’m still not able to get an accurate tide prediction.
Recently while visiting one of my local tackle shops, I made sure to purchase an old reliable tide book. I’m sure that there are plenty of accurate tide apps that I can download into my phone but why replace something if it’s not broken.
Delta Report:
Plenty of post spawn fish are being caught on reaction baits right now. Franks Tract continues to be a hot spot for Bass. Vegetation throughout the Delta is starting to take over a lot of dead end sloughs and grass lines are forming. Most of the Bass I caught were holding on the deeper grass lines visible at low tide and attacked the swim bait right before or after passing over one. There are still plenty of Bass to be found on beds but I’d much rather blind cast for them.
New Melones Lake:
The Trout bite has all but died for many, but the Kokanee bite has really started to pick up for a lot of anglers. Kokanee are being caught for those trolling anywhere from 25 to 45 feet deep. Red, chartreuse, pink or silver Apex have been the top producing lure, with Uncle Larry’s Spinners, Hootchies, Killer B’s, and Glitter Bugs in the same colors all catching fish, too. Bass fishing has also been good lately, the last full moon brought up a lot of nicer sized fish. For those not bed fishing a variety of different baits are fairing well right now. Crankbaits, Rip Baits, Rattle Traps, and plastic worms are just a few of the baits that are catching Bass right now. Night-fishing for catfish is also starting to pick up, any major cove or creek arm is a good place to try. Anchovies, Sardines, or a ball of Night crawlers are always a deadly combination when fishing for Catfish. The Crappie and Bluegill bite is also starting to turn on, some anglers are even reporting catching limits of Crappie when fishing tight to structure while using live minnows. All launching on the lake is on gravel out of Glory Hole Point making having a vehicle equipped with four wheel drive necessary.
Lake Don Pedro:
All the talk right now is about the King Salmon bite all over the lake right now. The best spots still seem to be around the Jenkins Hill area while fishing The King Salmon anywhere from 13 to 80 feet deep. Anglers having the most success are trolling with frozen Shad and Anchovies injected with Pro Cure’s bait gels. The Kokanee are also on a good bite, but are still scattered around the lake at depths of 25 to 50 feet deep. The best set-ups are Sep’s watermelon dodger, silver prism or copper dodgers, while trailing lures such as Uncle Larry’s Mad Irishman, Copper Pop spinners or kokanee bugs, all tipped with white shoe peg corn soaked in Pro-Cure’s carp spit, kokanee special, and shrimp and prawn oils. Fleming Meadows has the only paved launch ramp available on the lake.
Lake Pardee:
It’s hard for me to accept the news of an early closure of Lake Pardee. It’s one of my favorite summertime destinations. Recent reports from the lake have been pretty good for anglers that are interesting in trolling for Kokanee. Anglers trolling are catching near limits or limits of Kokanee while trolling between 40 and 60 feet deep with their favorite Kokanee lures. Apex lures and Hootchies are the go to lures right now for those trolling for Kokanee. Bass fishing continues to be good as there are still a lot of fish up shallow willing to bite. Just make sure to keep your distance as they can be spooked easily.
Tip of the Week:
A lot of boaters have a throw cushion on their boat that is required by the Coast Guard. Very few boaters has it readily available. I’m as guilty as anyone of having my throw cushion stored somewhere in my boat that I can easy get to, but isn’t exactly readily available. This year I’ve made it a habit of mine to make sure that it’s readily available, not in a compartment but right out in the open.
