Nearly 10 years ago, when I first started writing this column, I wrote about a new product that was being advertised throughout the fishing community. I questioned whether or not it was just another gimmick. To my surprise, I was contacted several days later, not by a representative of the company, but the owner himself. I learned since then just how fast information can travel across the internet.

Recently while pulling my boat out of the water at a local launching facility, my son brought over to me a fishing license that he found on the ground. Since there wasn’t a phone number on the license, I figured that I would just mail it to its owner using the name and home address found on the license. While looking around my house for a stamp and an envelope, I wondered if maybe I would be able to contact this person by using an internet search. I ended up finding his Facebook page, sent him a message, and within an hour he was at my front door to retrieve his fishing license. He was more than thankful to me since he was leaving on a fishing trip the next day. I’m still amazed at how simple it was to find and contact him. As much as I miss the pre-internet period in time, this experience was definitely one that has made me appreciate the internet a little more.

Delta:

Shade is the most important factor when fishing for Bass on the Delta right now. Really pay attention to the banks and look for any shade pockets. This past weekend the bigger Bass being caught were caught on Sweet Beavers on the shady side of isolated islands. The top water frog bite has remained excellent for those willing to toss it all day. Anglers are catching frogfish in both open water and above matted vegetation. Catfishing has been very good recently along Whiskey Slough for anglers fishing with clams and anchovies. 

New Melones Lake:

The Kokanee bite has remained excellent for those fishing the right depths. Anglers are reporting that the Kokanee are being caught fairly shallow during the morning hour and between 80 to 90 feet deep during the mid-day. The most popular area right now for anglers trolling is between the spillway and the dam. Bass fishing has been good for smaller fish on small plastics during the day and top water lures early morning and right before sunset. There are a lot of islands becoming visible due to dropping water levels, try fishing on the deep side of the islands for schools of bass. Catfishing has been really good for night fishermen fishing just about anywhere on the lake right now. All launching on the lake is on gravel out of Glory Hole Point making having a vehicle equipped with four wheel drive necessary.

Don Pedro:

Kokanee are providing plenty of action for those trolling from 100 to 120 feet deep. Bass fishing continues to be great right now for anglers fishing for numbers. Pretty much everything is working for smaller fish, those fishing deeper with jigs or tossing large swim baits are catching the bigger fish. The bluegill bite has been very good around brushy areas with an occasional crappie being caught. Fishing at night for catfish has been fair to good for anglers who are patient. Fleming Meadows has the only paved launch ramp available on the lake.

Lake Amador:

Lake Amador is a night fishing lake this time of year. Not many anglers are braving the heat right now as the fish have become very sluggish during the day. Bluegills are about all that is being caught right now. At night there are some big Catfish being caught and even an occasional Trout for those fishing the dam area. There are also reports of Crappie being caught on minnows at night by those fishing around the dock area. If you do plan on fishing Amador at night make sure to get there before 9pm as the gates are locked after 9pm.

Featured Product: 

This week’s featured product is Power Pro braided fishing line. Over the past 10 years, braided line has really changed how people fish. Like with any new product after a while there are a lot of choices out there. I was turned on to Power Pro by a friend after several bad experiences with lesser lines and haven’t looked back. It’s true that there are less expensive braided lines that will get the job done, but if you’re looking to try braided line and want the best, I’d go with Power Pro.