VALLEY
• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods said bank fishing is slow, but a few rainbows to 2.5 pounds can be taken on Power Bait in chartreuse or green glitter, Power Eggs or marshmallow/night crawler combinations or small lures. Trolling has also been fair with Wedding Ring/night crawler combos, Uncle Larry's Spinners or spoons around the mouth of Glory Hole Cove or other major creek arms. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing recommended trolling spoons from the surface to 15 feet with spoons on lead core line at 2.5 mph from the Spillway north and along the mouth of Mormon Creek. Lewis said spotted bass seem to be in prespawn already, but the bite has been tougher. Reaction Innovation Smalley Beavers or Flirts are working; in addition to Senkos or 4-inch shad-colored plastics along drop-offs or steep flats at 5-40 feet deep. Catfishing is slow, but Gary Heinle of Arnold landed an 11-pound, 6-ounce cat on sardines at night in Angels Cove at 60 feet. Crappie fishing is best at night under lights on small or medium minnows or crappie jigs at 30-5 feet deep around submerged trees. Call: 736-4333; Monte Smith 581-4734; Danny Layne 586 2383; Sierra Sport Fishing 599-2023.
• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR / O'NEILL FOREBAY — Ly Tu of Ly's Fishing Goods in San Jose said the striper bite is slow on the main lake. A few are working the Forebay near the 33 Bridge or Check 12 with anchovies or pile worms for barely legal stripers. The action at Check 12 is best when the water is moving from the pumps. Call: Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711.
• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said the best action is still from the banks with lime glitter, sunrise or bubble gum Power Bait or Power Eggs. There are only a few boats on the lake, and they continue to work the pattern from the Chimney to the 2nd Fence Line with Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler or minnow imitation plugs. Call: 378-2534.
• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Manny Basi of the Bait Barn said anglers can land unlimited numbers of 12- to 13-inch bass on a drop shot or with live minnows, but fish in the slot limit have been hard to find. There were 33 limits from 49 boats in Sunday's Fresno Bass Club Tournament with fish at 2 to 50 feet. Diana Mello at A-1 Bait said small live minnows have been a hot item. Call: A-1 Bait 563-6505; Bub Tosh 404-0053.
• LAKE DON PEDRO — Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported a bit of a slowdown in trout action with six rainbows landed on a Saturday trip with his daughters. He continues to score with trolling spoons from the surface to 13 feet, but the best action has been on the surface. Best action was in Hatch Creek. He added the shad schools have been holding deep in the water column, and one angler dropped a shad-imitation spoon to 80 feet for two quality 'bows loaded with small shad. Water clarity has improved to 8 feet visibility with surface temperatures 53- to 55- degrees. Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service has been working the Moccasin Recreational Area for rainbows in the canyon from Rough and Ready Island to the Buoy Line with small Needlefish, Triple Teasers or ExCels at depths to 20 feet. He added that king salmon to 16 inches are scattered from the Stent-Jacksonville Bridge to the Buoy Lines in Woods Creek at 30-60 feet with Speedy Shiners, Shasta Tackle Matrix Paddletails, ExCels or rolling threadfin shad. Manny Basi said the most consistent bite is from drop-shotting shad-imitation plastics in dark green pumpkin, dragging Brush Hogs or small profile Bass Patrol jigs with a small profile trailer. Finesse techniques are the only game in town. Call: Monte Smith 581-4734; Danny Layne 586-2383; Bait Barn 874-3011.
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