Central California fishing report: New Melones kokanee still hanging on
Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Best bets
Delta stripers hitting, Jeff Soo Hoo said. Don Pedro pumping out king salmon and rainbows, Monte Smith reported. Isabella bass, crappie, and catfish bites good, Copes Tackle said . New Melones kokanee still hanging on, Kyle Wise reported.
Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother
Unless noted, area code is 559
Valley/Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 3
Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported continued slow action in the northern section of the California Aqueduct around Patterson Pass Road near Mountain House. Catfishing has been more productive than striped bass. Most striped bass anglers are heading to nearby Los Vaqueros Reservoir for solid action. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported decent action for both striped bass and catfish during the cooler parts of the day in the early mornings or at night. Cut sardines, chicken liver, or live bait fished on a one- to three-ounce sliding sinker rig depending on flow have been working along with topwater Zara Spooks or jerkbaits at first light. Catfishing is also best after dark on Triple S Dip Bait, chicken liver, or anchovies. Largemouth bass preferred dark-colored Senkos fished weightless or topwater poppers on long casts near the moving water around the check gates.
A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
At Eastman, Tas Moua reported kayak anglers have been scoring with squarebilled crankbaits along the rocks near the dam and in the coves. Deep-diving crankbaits are also effective. Boaters with Live Scope are shaking minnow-imitation lures near the Buoy Line. At Hensley, Moua reported bait fish have been pushing up along the shorelines, and bass in the 1½- to 2-pound range are taken on topwater lures or plastics. Both lakes are heavily releasing water, and Eastman dropped 5 feet to 481.92 feet in elevation and 13% of capacity with Hensley dropping 4 feet to 457.09 feet in elevation and 9% of capacity. One tournament is scheduled at Eastman through the end of September.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported an excellent king salmon and rainbow trout bite running his custom shad-patterned spoons at depths from 55-95 feet. He said, “Saturday’s trip was exception with 10 rainbows to four pounds and nine king salmon. I expect next year to be outstanding for king salmon since we have been landing so many in the two- to three-pound range that will grow considerably in the next several months. There is quite a bit of bait in the lake, and the fish are hungry. We even released a big largemouth at the end of the day trolling among the shad schools. I was out on Monday shooting video with the Catch America crew, and although the expectations were high, the action was excellent using the same techniques.”
For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported a topwater or jerkbait bite in the mornings and evenings before the bass drop in the water column. Nail-weighted Senkos or deep-diving crankbaits are working at depths to 25 feet while jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are targeting deeper fish from 25 to 40 feet. Spoons are also effective for suspended bass. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake dropped two feet to 801.70 feet in elevation this week. Three bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of September. A self-inspection is required for launching.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 3 Trout 2 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake dropped 1½ feet to 2,572.72 feet in elevation and 45% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported the bass bite is holding strong for shoreline anglers, and while many of the catches are still in the smaller class, quality fish are showing with more regularity on 4-inch Keitech swimbaits, plastics on a drop-shot, small finesse jigs, square-billed crankbaits, or shallow-running crankbaits worked along rocky points and submerged structure. The crappie bite remains consistent, particularly in the marina area on small shad-pattern jigs like Get Bent Baits or live shiners under floats with the best action in the early mornings or late evenings at depths from 15 to 20 feet. Trout action is steady in the North Fork and around both dams for trollers pulling Needlefish, Tasmanian Devil spoons, or Berkley’s Flicker Shads on lead core for some of the larger holdover rainbows. Catfish activity has ticked up this week with better numbers showing in the evenings and after dark with frozen shad, Triple S Dip Bait, or nightcrawlers fished along the flats. In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported the upper section hasn’t received a trout plant in about two months, and anglers are noticing a higher ratio of wild and native trout compared to hatchery holdovers. In the popular 20-Mile stretch, trout are being taken on a variety of offerings, including artificials, minijigs, nightcrawlers, crickets, or salmon eggs. Fly anglers are also reporting action on small nymphs and attractor dries in the riffles. On the lower Kern, the smallmouth bass bite remains steady with fish holding along rocky banks and current seams with double-tail grubs on finesse jig heads or Roostertail spinners. Catfish are found in the deeper pools and slower runs, especially during the evening hours, with nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or cut bait. The flows in the upper Kern River rose slightly to 415 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake holding steady at 1010 cfs at First Point. One bass tournament are scheduled through the end of September.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.
Lake Kaweah
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 3
The lake dropped just over 3 feet to 592.21 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. Cope’s reported fair to good fishing as spotted bass are holding on main lake points and over submerged rock piles with Hula Grubs, plastic worm in Oxblood or Aaron’s Magic on a shakey head or Ned rig. There is a topwater bite along with crankbaits in the mornings and evenings. Live minnows are working for crappie amongst submerged structure while catfish are taken on cut sardines or Triple S Dip Bait. The Kaweah River continues to drop, and it is currently at 66 cfs at Three Rivers. Only a single bass tournament is scheduled through the end of September.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped three feet to 602.71 feet in elevation and 17% of capacity. Cope’s reported fair action for bass anglers as the largemouths remain scattered and suspended along rocky shorelines and points with plastics on the drop-shot or other small finesse baits on a slow retrieve. Few reports for crappie or catfish.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Aaron Jones reported, similar to Don Pedro, there is a topwater or jerkbait bite in the mornings and evenings before the fish move off the shoreline by mid-morning. Jigs, plastics on the drop-shot, or lipless crankbaits are effective for deep fish from 25-40 feet with deep crankbaits up to 25 feet. Suspended bass are taken on flukes around steep bluff walls or points. Numbers of small bass continue to dominate action. The lake dropped over 3 feet to 824.30 feet in elevation. Three tournaments are scheduled through the end of September.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 2
Small planted rainbow trout to 12 inches remain the best thing going with Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters or similar spoons from the normal locations of the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. Trollers in the river arm are finding a few holdovers with the regular suspects of Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler, Rapalas, or spoons at depths from the surface to 30 feet. The lake rose to 87% of capacity. The Splash and Dash water feature dominates the lake through the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. Information https://mysplashndash.com/knowbeforeyougo/#hours.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
“The lake lived up to its reputation as the Dead Sea, according to Mike Pawlowski of the Sierra Bass Club commenting on Saturday’s club tournament, adding, “It was tough out there.” The winning limit was 10.58 pounds by the team of Ron Orbaker and Ryder Hunt, led by Hunt’s big fish at 4.03 pounds, but the weights dropped off precipitously after the leaders. Tas Moua confirmed the tough bite with the best action with curly-tailed Robo Worms in Baby Bass on a drop-shot at depths from the banks to 35 feet. He said, “The better fish are found deeper.” Recreational boating dominates here with the triple-digit heat. The lake dropped 7 feet to 515.76 feet in elevation and 51% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant remain steady at 234 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No bass tournaments are on the schedule through the end of September.
Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
The larger kokanee are turning rapidly, and they are hugging the bottom, but Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to put his clients onto limits of big fish dragging the bottom at depths from 90 to 110 feet with Apex lures in pink/purple behind a gold 5.5-inch dodger. He said, “They are starting to turn, and around half are in good shape with the other half being iffy, and you have to have stick weights to keep from hanging up on the bottom.” Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported a window for topwater lures such as the Berkley Choppo 90 or River2Sea Whopper Plopper along with jerkbaits in the mornings and evenings before the bass move out to as deep as 40 feet. Nail-weighted Senkos or deep-diving crankbaits are effective to 25 feet while jigs, plastics on the drop-shot, or lipless crankbaits are working from 25 to 40 feet. Similar to the other lakes, suspended bass are taken on spoons.
All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina, and boaters are advised to schedule a decontamination via https://musseldecon.com/ with a deposit of $60. Costs will vary from a minimum of $60 to $180 up depending upon the size and complexity of the vessel. Boats not making a reservation will be charged as much as $180. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped to 1023.71 feet in elevation and 71% of capacity with downstream Tulloch at 96% of capacity.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
The lake continues to drop like a rock, but Tas Moua reported the bass bite is starting to turn on with crankbaits worked along points along with spoons or umbrella rigs such as the Geecrack Bladed Steel 5-way loaded with Keitech’s four-inch Easy Shiners in Sexy Shad. Numbers of bass to 12 inches are the rule, but Moua reported a seven-pound spotted bass was landed on a Senko near Windy Gap this week. The dropping water levels have affected trolling for rainbow trout and king salmon. Trout trolling for rainbows at depths to 50 feet is your best bet. In the lower Kings River, the flows are stable at 322 at Trimmer this week, and trout plants are scheduled over the next two weeks. The plants will turn on the action for planters with a variety of presentations including: Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. With the slower flows, the rainbows are holding in the transition from fast to slow water. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake dropped another eight feet to 785.11 feet in elevation and 27% of capacity. Only one bass tournament is scheduled through the end of September, the Bass 101 Night Tournament on September 15. The blast off for this event will be at 6:30 pm rather and 6 p.m., and it will end at 7:30 am. The Pine Flat staff will host a recognition ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Deer Creek launch ramp to honor the six fishermen involved in the lifesaving rescue on January 1, 2023. Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
The water level in the main lake actually rose from 38% of capacity to 40% of capacity this week after months of rapid water releases down the California Aqueduct as water releases out of the south Delta have been increased. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a consistent striped bass bite for schoolies from the shorelines with pile worms or anchovies along along with Duo Realis 130 jerkbaits in Chartruese Shad or Neo Pearl. Tas Moua added, “The schools are moving through, and the best action has been in the evenings.”
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the constant winds continue to keep boaters off the lake most days. “There are few reports from boat anglers this week since the breezes have been in the 20’s most days. Hopefully the warmer weather – up to 106- will slow the wind down this week and we can find out how the fish are patterning. “George said.
In the O’Neill Forebay, Moua reported bass are boiling on the surface near the Power Lines in the middle of the lake, and topwater lures have been finding the mostly undersized striped bass. Clements confirmed the boils occurring and added flukes or ripbaits to the arsenal for the bass busting on the surface. The forebays is at 86% of capacity. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
The trout bite is slowing down for trollers, mostly due to heavy recreational boat pressure, but there are still trout taken from the banks. Tas Moua was on the lake during the week in the late afternoon, and eh reported landing a few trout on nightcrawlers from the end of a dock with deep water access along with a bass on a jerkbait in a cove. Crappie and bluegill are also starting to get active. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. One bass tournament is scheduled through the end of September.
Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Portal Forebay will receive trout plants for the next two weeks, and this should be a good location for bank fishing with Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers. All the High Sierra lakes are dropping with Edison at 60 while Florence at 61% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool at 68% of capacity. Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.
Road conditions 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2
Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charter reported a change of the guard amongst the lake’s trolling guides with the retirement of 7-year guide, Tom Oliviera. Nichols said, “I was very fortunate to have worked my final years with Tom as Shaver Lake guides. My respect for Tommy, not only as a fisherman/ but a fantastic experience for folks to fish with, is epic. In my book, Tom is one of the best fishermen that fished Shaver. His reputation is right up there with the best. I wish Tom a very good retirement.” The kokanee slowdown continues with most struggling except for the lake’s regular guides. Oliviera ended his guiding career with four limits on his MAG Tackle gear while Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net also posted limits around the Sierra Marina with Rocky Mountain Tackle’s squids or Hornet Spinners in pink or orange at depths from 40 to 60 feet. Veteran kokanee fisherman, Earl Taniguchi of Fowler, said, “It sounds like you just have to be at the right place at the right time”.
Brian Klassen of Reedley found tough action trolling from 6 to 9 am with one fish running a Sierra Gold lime green spinner behind a Rocky Mountain Tackle’s green Moon Jelly dodger at 56 feet and two more near the cabins where they meet the dam on a pink Rocky Mountain Wiggle Hoochie behind a a gold Paulina Peak dodger. He said, “We marked a lot of fish in this area, and as typically in the late summer, they hug the bottom in this spot. We noticed once again a large group of trollers including all the guides fishing tight to Sierra Marina and we marked a lot of fish there from 40 to 80 feet/ but we couldn’t get a strike. We ended with 3 kokanee around 12 inches within the three hours.” Nichols added, “The Shaver Lake slowdown may now be categorized as POOR fishing for both kokes and trout. A limit is possible, but that’s about all that can be expected. The lake continues to drop, and the kokanee are going deeper. With the mountain temperatures higher than normal, the kokanee may make their final run to near the bottom.”
At Huntington, Klassen was out on Saturday with his brother Evan and Brad Latham of Porterville, saying, “Having not been there in years, I fished down the middle of the lake and immediately started picking up kokanee in the 8- to 12-range on pink Paulina Spinner Hoochies behind a pink Paulina Peak dodger or an orange Baby Simon behind an orange dodger with both lures tipped with anise-scented corn. We made our way to the dam, but when we turned around, the hot bite just died on us. We netted 22 kokes and 4 small rainbows, and the fish were all over with big concentrations at 60 to 80 feet, but the most active were in the 45- to 55-foot range.”. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver dropped to 74% of capacity with Huntington holding at 98% of capacity.
Call: Paul Brown 300-4001; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 2
Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store reported the trout bite is fair at both lakes for trollers running blade/crawler combinations at 20 to 40 feet. Trout plants occurred at Courtright and Dinkey Creek last week. Both lakes continue to fluctuate with power generation through the Helms Tunnel. A trout plant is scheduled at Wishon the week of Aug. 24.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 3 Bluefin tuna 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The bluefin bite broke out in a big way during the week with several bluefin taken south of the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy for both private and six-pack boats fast-trolling Nomad’s MadMacs. Albacore were another option with the Codfather out of Alameda running outside of the Farallons to load up their 72-inch kill bag on Monday with 14 longfins in the 20- to 30-pound range. They had 8 fish on, landing six on one pass. Deckhand Joseph Green said, “I even got on the action during this chaotic spell, reeling in a longfin and gaffing it myself.” Several more boats will be heading out in the coming days while the weather holds. On the rockfish front, limits continue to be the rule with the Queen of Hearts out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing posting 21 limits and 4 lingcod while the Riptide returned with 10 limits and a solitary ling. There is a 7500-fish quota salmon season from September 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and the next all-ladies trip on the New Captain Pete sponsored by the Golden State Salmon Association is on September 6 with an all-female crew led by Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete. This trip will sell out within days. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches.
On another front, during the Aug. 13/14th meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted emergency changes to the state’s groundfish regulations so that recreational ocean fisheries are no longer constrained by quillback rockfish. A new stock assessment completed earlier this summer indicates it is no longer necessary to restrict groundfish fishing to specific depths north of Point Conception in order to avoid quillback rockfish, allowing anglers to take advantage of expansions to open fishing areas. The Commission acted to rapidly change the regulations to allow additional opportunities before summer’s end. At the present time, the current regulations requiring 20 fathoms or less until September 30 are in place, and more information will follow when the regulations have been changed to allow boat-based rockfishing deeper than 20 fathoms. Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819;
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 2 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 2
From the beaches, Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported an improved striped bass bite from Watsonville to Marina in the early mornings around 4 a.m. with Duo Realis Tide Minnows or topwater lures. Perch fishing has been ‘here and there.”
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “Big squid spawns in the middle of the bay are keeping commercial boats busy catching multiple tons nightly. There are a good number of bruiser white sea bass on the fringes of the squid areas, and a few are showing up here and there between the Monterey Harbor, Sand City and Point Pinos. Rockfishing has been spectacular near Monterey, with weather conditions allowing boats to travel down coast towards Point Sur where the fish are more numerous and usually bigger. Party boats reported limits all week of a good variety including vermilion, canaries and yellowtail rockfish plus up to a dozen lingcod per outing. Anglers launching from Moss Landing continue to enjoy very good halibut fishing on the sandy flats near the deep canyon edges. The flatties are now moving slightly away from the beach with the best bite being from 40 to 70 feet of water. Despite offshore conditions looking perfect, the tuna hunters from Moss are still drawing a blank. Monterey Bay anglers are all on the alert with recent news of an albacore catch by a boat from Half Moon Bay this week. The warm water and temperature breaks are out there and looking good. From Santa Cruz, most private boats are going out with halibut limits in mind. And most are returning with limits of fish ranging from 10 to 30 pounds. Rockfishing near Capitola and Santa Cruz is steady and productive. Boats heading north towards Davenport are finding an increasing number of big fall flatties outside the bull kelp lines in 60 to 70 feet of water, especially near Three and Four Mile Beaches. This week saw an increase of reports for catches of big white sea bass and scattered pods of feeding bonito close to shore. The wild beaches north of Santa Cruz are ripe for the picking up bigger striped bass that have come down from San Francisco Bay. Unlike the giant schools of stripers near Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, these fish are loners or traveling in smaller schools. While the waves were down last week, anchovies were getting pushed into shore by feeding humpbacks. When that bait is in there’s a good chance the striped bass are there as well or soon will be. A powerful southwest swell pulsed in over the weekend that will change things up a bit, but stripers like good wave action. Stripers continue to be caught down the Central Coast towards San Luis Obispo and beyond. Perch fishing is ramping up, with both numbers and size of fish increasing all along the coast, though finding clean water was a challenge this week due to the south swell.”
Both Monterey and Santa Cruz will be able to participate in the next window for ocean salmon on September 4-7, and the boats are filling up fast.
Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 3 Bluefin tuna 2 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2
This is the time of year when a variety of species is possible, and add white seabass, bluefin tuna, albacore, and thresher shark to the normal Bay Area species of halibut, striped bass, rockfish, and lingcod. Albacore were found outside the Farallon Islands on Monday for boats running out of the bay, and one six-pack loaded up with five white seabass outside the Golden Gate. Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, was assisting Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions on Friday, and they found white seabass on the meter, but they weren’t interested in biting. For the six-pack, Feeding Frenzy, they were willing to bite over the weekend. Wang reported limits of striped bass in the 4- to 5-pound range at Red Rock before heading south outside the Gate to Montara for limits of rockfish and lingcod. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing also went south to Pillar Point on Sunday for limits of quality rockfish and a healthy lingcod count. He said, “Most of the boats are heading south along the San Mateo coastline for rockfish as the Marin coast is limited to small fish. These reefs need some time to recover.” Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing also went south on Sunday on the Diamond out of Emeryville for rockfish, and he reported limits of big school fish consisting of blues and blacks along with a handful of lingcod in rough weather conditions. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn 2 hosted another Phenix Rods/Optimum Baits swimbait trip on Monday for a spectacular score of 28 limits of rockfish including 10 cabezon to 8 pounds, 28 limits of lingcod to 20 pounds, and 25 halibut to 30 pounds. The halibut bite is improving as the tides are starting to back off. The scores are increasing daily. This bodes well for Thursday’s Western Outdoor New’s annual charter on a ‘Super Combination’ venture. As of press time, there were still a few spots available.
On the Marin coast, the Happy Hooker out of Berkeley went north on Monday for 10 easy limits of rockfish, 14 lingcod, 7 halibut, and a bonus thresher shark. Most boats are heading outside the Golden Gate with the scores for both halibut and striped bass dropping precipitously inside the bay.
Call: Captain Trent Slate – Bite Me Charters, (415) 307-8582; Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.
San Luis Obispo
Rockfish 3 Surf perch 2
With the showing of albacore off the San Francisco Bay Area coastline, there may be hope yet for the San Luis Obispo ports, but for now, its all about rockfishing. One Sunday, three boats went out from Morro Bay Landing with 70 anglers for 530 assorted rockfish, 72 vermilion, 42 Boccaccio to 8 pounds, 8 copper, 2 cabezon, and 15 lingcod to 15 pounds. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out on Sunday with 49 passengers for 352 assorted rockfish, 16 vermilion, 25 Boccaccio, 7 copper, 3 Bolina, one Petrale sole, and 21 lingcod to 16 pounds. The Black Pearl out of Morro Bay is featured on Angler Chronicles with the final showing on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 8:00 a.m. on Fan Duel Sports Network West. The show is over two days of fishing close to Big Sur and Cape San Martin.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing.
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
Striped bass continue to migrate into the California Delta, and Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing said, “These linesides are much larger than those still hanging out in San Francisco Bay. Normally, I don’t start this early, but we are finding fish right outside our harbor at Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley. One our last trip, we limited out, finding stripers in all but one location we looked, hooking up right away.” Johnny Wang of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton confirmed the solid striped bass, adding, “Trollers are picking them up on the San Joaquin from the Antioch Bridge to Eddo’s either running shallow or deep-diving lures. Wang continued, “Bass fishing is also strong on the San Joaquin, and 25-fish crappie limits have been coming off Bacon Island Road or the 1st Bridge on Eight Mile Road with minijigs.”
For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported crankbaits such as the ima Squarebill or Berkley Slobbberknocker swim jig in crawdad patterns are working for numbers. He said, “Tournament winning limits have been in the 17-pound range, and it takes picking up a 5-pound largemouth to achieve this. The bite hasn’t changed as much, but this is one time of year you must be accurate with your casts. If you are not heading out, it’s time to practice casting as if it takes three or four casts to get to a spot, you have lost your opportunity to land that fish. Practice accuracy by throwing into a low-profile target like a frisbee, hula hoop, or a rolled-up hose as you don’t want to throw it into a bucket. Throwing a lure into a bucket requires that you go up and down, and this will leave a splash, spooking the bass. I’ve been staying in the central Delta as it has been windy, and the spraying has left many areas without weed structure.”
In the south San Joaquin River below the Mossdale Bridge, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported better catfishing than striped bass as small, undersized striped bass are the rule. Fresh shad is not back in the shops.
After hearing the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s presentation along with public comment on the proposed 18- to 30-inch striped bass slot limit, the item will next be discussed during their October meeting.
The public may submit written comments on or before 5 p.m. Sept. 25, by postal mail to Fish and Game Commission, PO Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090, or email to FGC@fgc.ca.gov.
Written comments must be received before noon Oct. 3. If you would like copies of any modifications to this proposal, please include your name and mailing address.
Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.
Events
Tournament Results
Aug. 16
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc. High Rollers Division
1st – Nick Cloutier/Zach Thompson – 16.41; 2nd – Daniel and Matthew Abella – 15.98; Big Fish – Tyler Bussart/Aaron Sapp – 6.64.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc. Low Rollers Division
1st – Brian Lewis/Tim Brown – 16.79; 2nd – Brian DeSilva/Doug Minor – 16.40; 3rd- Ivan and Will Lazarin – 15.80.
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club Night Tournament
1st – Ron Orbaker/Ryder Hunt – 10.58 (Big Fish – Hunt – 4.03); 2nd – Nathan Jones – 7.14; 3rd- Mitchell and Jeff Karceski – 5.93.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed
Aug. 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Aug. 30
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Club
Sept. 6
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Club
Sept. 13-14
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Sept. 13
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – American Bass Association
New Hogan – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Don Pedro – Christian Bass League
Pine Flat – Bass 101
San Antonio – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Nacimiento – Bakersfield Bass Club
Sept. 14
Bass Lake – Kings VIII Bass Club
Sept. 20-21
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Sierra Bass Club
Sept. 20
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Don Pedro – Tri Valley Bass Masters/All American Bass Club
McClure – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s
Kaweah – Golden Empire Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Club
Sept. 21
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Riverbank Bass Anglers
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
Sept. 27-28
Delta/B and W Resort – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Sept. 27
Eastman – 17/90 Bass Club
Sept. 28
McClure – Valley Backlashers
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: New Melones kokanee still hanging on."