At least once a year my family has a garage sale. We pull out the normal garage sale items like clothes, small appliances, tools, furniture, and anything else that’s been taking up space. Usually, I set up a table with old fishing gear. This year I didn’t have much time to prepare, so I left out my fishing gear. I did put out some old rain gear and a box full of plastic baits that I wanted to get rid of.
It didn’t take long before someone started asking me if I had more fishing gear. From that moment on, I was able to sell just about anything I put out fishing related. I was selling items at a great price but I was still surprised at what they were buying. From rods with broken tips to reels that were over 20 years old, it didn’t seem to matter, they wanted them.
Somewhere along the way I believe anglers start to feel that they can never have enough fishing equipment. Some rarely fish, but cannot pass up the opportunity to add more fishing equipment to their collection. Personally, I cannot remember the last time I visited a garage sale. I can, however, remember the last time I walked through the fishing section of a store. Just yesterday I was at Walmart buying some oil for my car, before I knew it, I was looking through tackle. I didn’t buy anything but did spend a decent amount of time looking. When I finally did get home my wife asked me “What took you so long?”
“I was looking at the new tackle,” I told her.
“You mean, you were looking for more things for our next garage sale,” she laughed!
I guess she has a point, I’m just glad we only have a garage sale once a year!
Delta Report:
Plenty of post spawn fish are being caught on reaction baits right now. Franks Tract continues to be a good spot for Bass. The swimbait bite is starting to improve as the bass are either looking for a big meal or protecting their fry. Vegetation throughout the Delta is starting to take over and grass lines are forming nicely. On windy days spinnerbaits are working well in red or white.
New Melones Lake:
The Trout bite has all but died but the Kokanee bite has really started to pick up. Kokanee are being caught by those trolling anywhere from 25 to 45 feet deep. Bass fishing has been great lately. 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.
Lake Don Pedro:
The Kokanee are also bite it picking up right now as anglers are doing well while trolling for them between 20 and 45 feet deep with standard kokanee gear. Bass fishing is very good right now as anglers are catching them all over the lake on a variety of different techniques. Trout fishing has been fair for anglers trolling from 30 to 60 feet deep with heavy spoons.
Lake Camanche:
The trout fishing in the pond has slowed down. There still are a few trout being caught on power bait but they’ve been on the small side. Fishing for bass continues to be good right now. Anglers are fishing top water in the morning and Senko’s during the day. Several fish can still be found up shallow on spawning beds. Catfishing has started to improve for anglers fishing off the bank with anchovies or chicken livers.
New Hogan Lake:
Bass fishing is good right now for anglers searching out bedding bass or fishing for bass that are cruising the shallows. Most of the talk right now has been about the early morning striped bass bite. Anglers are trolling rolled anchovies at 25 feet deep through schools of stripers. The bite usually dies down by 10 a.m. so it’s a good idea to plan on fishing early for them.
Tip of the Week:
When storing your reels it’s best to back off the drag as much as possible. The drag system in reels usually consist of two curved washers that when tightened down create tension. Over time if left in that position, the washers will begin to weaken and the drag system will stop working.
