Fishing Report (2/10/10)

VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR/TULLOCH — Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford said the bass bite is "on fire," especially at New Melones. The big story was the lake record spotted bass landed by Kyle Rasmussen, former Olympic skier, at 7.97-pounds on a Roboworm. Rasmussen held the previous lake record at 7.63-pounds. This wasn't the only large spot taken this week with a 6.87-pounds landed by Craig Matteney. Basi said, "You can throw anything at them right now," but small profile brown/purple jigs or drop shotting with watermelon/redflake or green pumpkin 4-inch plastics or Senkos from 5 to 40 feet close to deep drops or steep walls. A slow presentation is a must. Larger fish are hitting swimbaits such as the Huddleston ROF 12 in trout patterns. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said the falling barometer affected the trout bite, but some 2-pounders are being caught off the banks at Glory Hole Point on Berkley chartreuse or green glitter Power Bait, Power Eggs or a crawler/marshmallow combinations. Boaters are still fishing on the anchor with similar baits in the same areas along with Carson and Mormon Coves. Trolling has been fair with Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler, Uncle Larry's Spinners or bright-colored spoons such as firetiger or rainbow trout patterns along the mouths of major coves from the surface down to 15 feet. For brown trout, Lewis recommends pulling Countdown Rapalas, Trophy Sticks or other large minnow imitations in rainbow trout or shad patterns. Catfishing has been slow the past two weeks, but a few quality crappie have been caught on small or medium minnows or crappie jigs in a variety of colors at 30 to 45 feet around submerged trees or structure. The lake rose two feet to 971.03 elevation and 50 percent capacity.

• LAKE TULLOCH — Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service touted this lake just downstream from New Melones for excellent action on rainbows to 16-inches. He recommends fishing from the surface to 20 feet off of the Resort, the Green Springs Arm or upriver in the canyon. Water temperature is ideal at 52 degrees.

CALL: 736-4333, Monte Smith 581-4734, Danny Layne 586 2383, Sierra Sport Fishing 599-2023.

• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR / O'NEILL FOREBAY — Heavy inflow from the surface creeks and pumping from the Delta has slowed the striper bite considerably. Ly Tu, of Ly's Fishing Goods in San Jose, said most area anglers have given up for now. A few small stripers have been caught on live jumbo minnows or mudsuckers drifted near the ledge in Portuguese Cove or the trash racks. Tu hasn't sold any minnows in the past few weeks, but Coyote Bait is still having a few anglers buying live bait. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait recommended trolling large Rapalas or X Raps at depths of 50 feet in similar locations as the bait drifters. In the Forebay, the area around Check 12 is good when the flood gates are opened, but when the water is still the fishing gets very slow. The lake won't improve until the weather calms down. The lake rose another 8 feet to 476.25 and 61 percent of capacity.

CALL: Wind conditions 800-805-4805; Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711;

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — McSwain Marina reported the rain kept most anglers off the lake over the weekend, but the few who tried were rewarded with limits — though it took most of them the majority of the day. Bank anglers have the advantage over trollers in the stained water with Power Eggs or Power Bait working best. There have only been a few trollers. The lake is scheduled to be planted by the end of February. The Merced Irrigation Tournament is scheduled for April 17-18 with prizes to $3,000 for tagged fish.