Fishing Report (3/17/10)

VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service reported the water in the southern portion of the lake has warmed up and there is a good surface bite for rainbows using Uncle Larry's Powerbait spinners, Glitterbug spinner/hootchies, silver Triple Teasers and blade/crawler combinations. The best areas have been off of Bear Cove to Peoria Bay trolling at a speed of 1.5 mph at 5 to 15 feet. A few kokanee are showing up near the 49 bridge into Coyote Creek at 20 to 30 feet on the Uncle Larry's Pinkie tipped with garlic-scented corn behind a Vance's Watermelon Dodger. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods said trolling is still the best option. Greg Branson of Mokelumne Hill landed a 1.25-pound brown trout on a firetiger Apex at 50 feet in the main lake. Bass fishing remains fair, but things should heat up with the warm weather. Spots in the 1 to 2-pound range can be found along main lake points at 20 to 25 feet with Texas-rigged plastics or jigs. Swimbaits are landing larger fish, including a 13.5-pounder on a Huddleston caught and released by Nick Barse. Mike Sanders of Hughson caught and released a 6.98-pound spotted bass on a 6-inch Roboworm in oxblood on a lake point in Angels Cove. Catfishing remains slow with the only fish being found in deeper water. Anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken livers or night crawlers are still the staples. Crappie and bluegill fishing is fair at night under submersible lights near Bear, Mormon or Carson creeks with small or medium minnows or crappie jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white at depths from to 25 to 40 feet near structure. 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 reports that high water levels are keeping action in the main lake slow. He said stripers are chasing shad in the early mornings in Portuguese Cove or between the Basalt Recreation Area and the dam, and top-water lures such as Pop R's or swimbaits should be effective. Most fishermen are working the forebay soaking pile worms from the inlet off of Highway 33 or at Check 12. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle said trollers are pulling Rapala X Raps, primarily in Tennessee Shad, at 5 to 15 feet for stripers in the 20 to 28-inch range. Rapala Husky Jerks are also working from the banks. Clements said a group of three anglers should expect a couple of collective fish. A few catfish had been taken on mackerel near Check 12. Wind conditions: 800-805-4805. Call: Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711;

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — McSwain Marina reports that a Calaveras Trout Farm plant last Friday perked up action, and Aaron Kjono and Gary Collette of Sonora boated limits of rainbows from 1.5 to 2-pounds in three hours pulling CD5 Rapalas in rainbow trout, firetiger or brook trout on the normal trolling pattern from the second fence line to the chimney. Bank fishing has improved with green Power Bait being tops with Laurie Mosher scoring a 4-pound rainbow and Antonio Candido of Hughson landing limits to 3-pound near the campgrounds or the brush pile. Call: 378-2534

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford says bass are easy for find, particularly using live minnows, but the fish are small. Best artificial action has been on ½- or ›-ounce Berserk Purple Hornet jig or drop shotting with the Pro Gold redflake color 300 at depths from 40 to 50 feet. Live minnows have been hot from the banks. Trout fishing has been slow by McClure standards with only a few fish a rod by anglers working hard. No catfish or crappie reports. Call: A-1 Bait 563-6505, Bub Tosh 404-0053.