Modesto-area fishing report

BEST BETS

• Don Pedro trout bite is good ... McClure trout are on the prowl. ... New Melones rainbow fishing is better. ... Pine Flat trout fishing, "best in area," says one guide.

VALLEY

• LAKE DON PEDRO — Guide Rick Frisk of the Fishermen's Friend in Lodi reported that trollers working close to the shoreline are finding a good bite for planter trout using ExCels, Needlefish or Speedy Shiners. The fish are oriented toward both the surface, but fast-trolling lead core at depths to 6 colors is a option. Frisk said Middle Bay and near the dam are the top areas. Look for birds as sign there are trout below the surface. Bass fishing is slow, and the top techniques remain working ½- to ¾-ounce Berserk Junior Special or Purple Hornet jigs in tandem with a Yamamoto cinnamon/purple flake twin-tailed Huli Grub at 70 feet. A slow presentation is necessary with all baits. A few quality fish are landed on umbrella rigs dragged slowly across the bottom. Live minnows are working for both bass and crappie. Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586-2383; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — With the extended cold spell, trout fishing is the best thing going; trollers are finding limits of rainbows at 20 to 40 feet on night crawlers behind flashers or Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger in Temperance Creek or around the dam. Bank fishing is steady with night crawlers or Power Bait near McClure Point and Barrett's Cove. Warm water species have slowed significantly with the best action found in the deep water with jigs such Berserk Bait's Purple Hornet or Junior Special with a Yamamoto twin-tailed trailer in cinnamon/purple or umbrella rigs such as the Berserk with Mad Shad Light Holographic swimbaits or the ABT Multi-Rig with K-Tech rainbow trout swimbaits. An absolute "dead stick" presentation is necessary. Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — Trout fishing is the only game in town, and bank anglers are picking up a few planted rainbows from the handicapped docks, the brush pile, or the points near the marina with Power Eggs, Power Baits or night crawlers. Trollers are scoring a few fish per rod with night crawlers behind a dodger or Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger from the floating restrooms to the second fence line. Trout are planted every other week. Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR/ TULLOCH — Guide Gary Burns put in limits of rainbows to 14 inches with the best action in Carson Cove with small night crawlers to 10 inches behind a Glitter Bug Teardrop Chrome Blade with a ¼-ounce weight. Burns said he had to "look around for the rainbows, so don't give up." Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said recommended trolling the top 10 feet with shad-patterned Rapalas, Speed Traps, No. 3 Needlefish, ExCels, Kastmasters or Speedy Shiners. Rick Frisk of the Fishermen's Friend in Lodi confirmed good trout fishing in Carson Cove, Mormon Cove, the spillway, Glory Hole Cove and up the river arm. He said a variety of lures are working for fish hugging the shore. Bank fishermen are also scoring with rainbow or chartreuse/garlic Power Bait or Gulp! Eggs at Angels Cove, Glory Hole Cove, Black Bart or Tuttletown launch ramp. The bass bite is "fairly tough," but the Sonora Bass Anglers had a club tournament Saturday. Justin Rose and Josh Paris won it with a limit of 17.68 pounds, including a 10.2-pound largemouth taken on a jig. The swim bait bite is improving. Catfishing remains is fair on live minnows, frozen shad, mackerel and anchovies. Crappie fishing remains slow. Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023