Central California fishing report: Don Pedro bass, king salmon, trout bites good

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

New Melones pumping out bass and trout, Kyle Wise reported. Don Pedro bass, king salmon and trout bites good, Monte Smith said. McClure bass action hot, Aaron Jones reported. Lake Isabella catfish, bass, trout and crappie on the feed, Copes Tackle said. Pine Flat lower kings river trout action improved, Tas Moua 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 2

The Fifth Anniversary Striperz Gone Wild Fall Fishing Tournament took place in excellent weather at Volta Road and the California Aqueduct on Saturday. Club organizer, Bill Sterling, said, “129 adults and 25 youth arrived to fish the tournament, and the target-length was set very high at 31 inches. Fishing was tough with only 10 fish to 21½ inches weighed in. The weather was perfect, but unfortunately it was nearly a full moon, and this seemed to have slowed down the bite. Pedro Vargas took first in the adult division at 21½ inches, Calvin Dangknan in second at 19½, and Dominic Bonnadonna at 19.25. Max Casillas was the sole youth to weigh in, and his fish was 18½ inches. Overall, it was a great time with a whole lot of smiles and laughs.”

Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle confirmed the slower aqueduct bite for striped bass, but he said, “The water seems to be warmer towards Manning, Highway 198, and Mt. Whitney, and the largemouth bass bite has improved with jerkbaits, umbrella rigs, flukes, and spoons around the check gates.

In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported ‘hit or miss’ fishing with some anglers picking up limits while others are striking out. Cut mackerel, sardines, or anchovies before and after check gates are the best bets for striped bass. Some anglers reported success along inside bends and near outtake grates. The largemouth bass bite improved this week with topwater action picking up with Poppers or walking baits on long casts to the opposite side of the aqueduct along with plastics or grubs on a drop-shot rig, Fresh shrimp, chicken liver, or dip bait were effective for catfish.

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.

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2 At Eastman, Tas Moua reported the bass have moved out into open water, and shaking a minnow such as the Crush City Mooch Minnow is working. There are a few bass holding in the shallows, but the bite is inconsistent. At Hensley, catfish and bluegill remain the top species. Eastman is at 474.43 feet in elevation and 10% of capacity with Hensley at 455.25 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November.

Call: Eastman Lake ; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151.

Lake Don Pedro​

Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2 Largemouth and spotted bass are on a rampage as Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle said, “Pick your technique as they are chasing shad in the main lake and in the coves. Walking baits such as the Berkley Choppo are working along with flukes, spoons, or umbrella rigs. If you don’t have sonar, work mid- or deep-diving crankbaits to locate the bass.” The bait schools are thick, and Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing is working to get his lures deep enough to stay out of the bass to get to the trout and king salmon. His custom shad-patterned spoons or Trinidad Tackle’s Optimizer Jr. spoons are working at depths from 45 to 70 feet, and he said, “The kings are at 45 feet in the early morning, and we are going through stacks of shad that are at least 10 feet thick at depths from 20 to 30 feet. The bass are higher in the water column, and they will load up every rod when you pass through the schools.” Launch updates are posted at . The lake dropped around a foot to 791.30 feet in elevation. Two club bass tournaments remain in October with four more club events in November.

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 nine inches to 2567.78 feet in elevation and 38% of capacity with surface temperatures around 80 degrees. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported but overall fishing remains solid as largemouth bass over five pounds are found in 5 to 25 feet of water on reaction baits. Crawfish-imitating plastics on Texas rigs, jigs, deep crankbaits, and dark-colored brush hogs or lizards have been producing good numbers. As the day warms, anglers are switching to 6– to 9- inch Texas-rigged worms in purple, Aaron’s Magic, or red craw at depths from 15 to 25 feet off points. Catfish action has been excellent especially around Camp 9 and French Gulch with SSS Dip Bait, shrimp, or mackerel. Crappie fishing continues to be very good offshore with mini jigs, Keitech swimbaits, or live shiners with the best action around Red’s Marina, Engineers, South Fork, and French Gulch. One angler reported quality action on fish up to two pounds around structure in 20 to 25 feet of water in the South Fork area. No trout reports have come in this week.

Finding submerged structure is the key for crappie which are plentiful throughout the lake. The best numbers are found near Red’s Marina with In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported flows are low, and anglers are having to work a bit harder to find fish. The coming trout plants in several sections of the upper Kern should bring out the bite on salmon eggs, crickets, or Panther Martins. Fly anglers are reporting the best success on dry-dropper rigs with a Yellow Sallie nymph on the bottom. Trout are also being caught In the lower Kern River in the canyon on trout jigs and Panther Martins. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are being hooked on small plastics, Get Bent baits, or spinnerbaits. Catfish action has been steady with nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or cut bait. Trout plants are scheduled in the upper Kern sections 4, 5, and 6 the week of Oct. 6, section 4 the weeks of Oct. 13 and 20, and sections 4 and 5 the week of Oct. 27. The flows in the upper Kern River held rose slightly to 478 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake dropped from 517 to 412 cfs at First Point. Cope’s Tackle and Rod tournament this coming Saturday, Oct. 11, is the only scheduled tournament at Isabella through the end of November.

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 2

​The lake rose a half foot to 589.73 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. Cope’s reported fishing improved as spotted bass responded to grubs on a dart head grubs, Ned-rig, o drop-shot. Bass have been found as deep as 40 feet while others held much closer to shore. Slow-rolled underspins with a Keitech trailer produced a better grade of fish along main and secondary points. Crappie anglers used minijigs or small live minnows to land fish over submerged structure in 15 feet of water while catfish are taken on a bait-and-wait approach using cut sardines or mackerel. The Kaweah River rose from 86 to 172 cfs at Three Rivers. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November. Lake Success​

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake dropped slightly to 595.09 feet in elevation and 11% of capacity. Cope’s reported improved largemouth action on spider jigs, plastics on a shakey head, or Senkos in brown or purple along with deep-diving crankbaits or topwater lures along rocky points in the trees. Garlic-scented nightcrawlers, SSS dip bait, or cut anchovies are effective for catfish while crappie are taken on small live minnows. McClure Reservoir​

Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported like Don Pedro, the spotted and largemouth bass are feeding heavily on shad in the main lake and in the coves. Topwater lures, flutter spoons, umbrella rigs, or flukes are all effective along with plastics on the drop-shot or jigs. He said, “A seven-pounder was landed on a jig this week so there are some larger fish in the lake.” The lake dropped to 801.03 feet in elevation and 62% of capacity. The lake is seeing lots of action in the next two months with five club tournaments in October with six more in November. Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417. Lake McSwain

Trout 3

The Merced Irrigation District’s Fall Trout Derby took place on Oct. 4-5, and the derby format is changed this year with no derby registration, and no FishDonkey. A $20 vehicle entry fee applies on Oct. 4 and covers all passengers for derby participation. The recent trout plant has spurred on the bank bite with Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. Another trout plant is scheduled for this week. The lake is at 90% of capacity. Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River​

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported the bass are boiling on the surface near Temperance Flat in open water, and small Keitech 2.8 or 3.3 swimbaits on an underspin are working for the fish breaking water. Spy baits are also getting some play. The lake has risen to 510.34 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have risen to 410 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of October, but there are five club tournaments in November. Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273. New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch​

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3

Trout and bass are taking center stage here, and the key is finding the bait schools in the main lake and in the coves. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service is finding quick limits of quality rainbow trout with hand-painted Speedy Shiners or T-Spoons in red/gold or pink/purple at depths from 45 to 65 feet. He said, if you get up to 40 feet, your lines will get attacked by the spotted bass.” The shad school’s are thick, and bass are taken on ‘whatever you want to throw at them,’ including topwater, crankbaits, spoons, flukes, or umbrella rigs. All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels.

A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 a.m.-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. The hours are subject to change. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped slightly to 1,016.29 feet in elevation and 68% of capacity with downstream Tulloch at 91% 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 3 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported the bass are moving into deeper water chasing the shad schools as the topwater bite is slowing down. Crankbaits, Roboworm’s plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head along with finesse jigs are working. The bass are found along the saddles, drop offs, and ledges from 20 to 25 feet in depth. In the lower Kings River, recent trout plants including a large plant of brooders has turned on the bite with Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. An additional plant is scheduled this week along with the weeks of Oct. 20, and 27. The conditions are excellent with the slightly higher flows at 544 at Trimmer. 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 rose to 771.16 feet in elevation and 23% of capacity. No tournaments in October, but there are two in November. Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273; ‘Fishing with Jimmy T’ on YouTube. San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay​

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

The water level in the main lake continues to rise to 53% of capacity with increased pumping out of the south Delta. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the topwater bite is starting to turn on with the cooler weather, and anglers are concentrating around Dinosaur Point and south, looking for offshore boils. Zara Spooks, Duo Realis 130’s, and Lucky Craft Pointer 78’s are all working in shad patterns. The bank action remains steady with pile worms or anchovies. Tas Moua reported anglers near the dam are finding stripers in the 21- to 24-inch range working flukes from a boat.

Roger George of Roger George Guide service reported that the full moon has slowed the overall bite in the main lake. “ I scouted the lake with a buddy and we found the troll bite was very slow with lots of suspended fish. We worked the 60-75 feet range with silver Shad colored lures for 12 fish to eight pounds releasing all of them. It was slow fishing. We ran into a few boils too but couldn’t get the fish to bite. I think it may take until the end of the week – with the fish feeding all night in the bright moonlight- for the bite to go back to normal,” George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, Moau reported a strong topwater bite next to the Power Lines with lures in bone or white, and he said, “The bigger the better if you want an opportunity at a legal 18-inch striper. Thirty to fifty fish are possible, but most are undersized.” The California Aqueduct remains slow with only 10 fish to 21½ inches brought to the weigh in during the Striperz Gone Wild Fifth Anniversary tournament on Saturday. The forebays are at 83% of capacity. New measures to stop the spread of golden mussels have been adopted by the Department of Water Resources, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California State Parks. These include mandatory watercraft inspections of all vessels leaving San Luis Reservoir are now in place and will help prevent the spread of mussel to other lakes and reservoirs. To help reduce the risk of mussel colonization, DWR has implemented routine inspections of SWP facilities and expanded its efforts by applying new strategies to protect pumping plants, hydroelectric plants, and water supply deliveries. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use . Los Banos Creek Reservoir is closed to public access through April 2026.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle , Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954.

High Sierra

Bass Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0

Report to return next week. Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273. Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool​

Water releases during the High Sierra lakes slowed down with Edison dropping to 47% of capacity, Florence rising slightly to 40% of capacity, with Mammoth Pool dropping to 48% 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 Mountain Tackle, said, Shaver Lake action continues to be slow. Jay Irvine and Jody Allen of Visalia were on the lake on Saturday and Sunday, and Irvine reported the best action both days was found in Dorabella Cove with Dick's Mountain Hoochies behind a Dick's Lady Jane Mountain Dodger at 10 feet deep. On Saturday, they managed to catch two kokanee and seven trout, and the side poles were the best bet. Sunday’s action was even more challenging, leading Irvine to say, “We fished Dorabella Cove, and the bite was a bit more difficult than on Saturday as we landed two trout and one kokanee. We emptied the tackle box using a yellow/orange beaded Trout Busters behind Mountain Dodgers in several colors along with an orange Mack’s Koke-a-Nut behind a Paulina Peak’s dodger in green or chartreuse along with a D-MAC Mountain Dodger. The fish were all caught at 10 to 15 feet deep. Dave Loftin, Gene Winsett, Dave Weaver, and Duane Weigant from Visalia were on the lake on Friday and Saturday, and after being chased off the lake during a intense hailstorm on Friday, they found a single bass at the mouth of Stevenson Creek on a crankbait behind a Mountain Flasher. These are experienced trollers, and that’s a strong indicator of how challenging the bite is right now.’ A trout plant is scheduled for this week, and this will help improve the action. Small trout remain the story for trollers at Huntington. Both ramps are open. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at for conditions. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at for conditions. Shaver dropped to 68% of capacity with upstream Huntington dropping to 61% of capacity. Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service ; Paul Brown 300-4001. Wishon/Courtright​

Trout 0

The Garnet Fire is contained, but with the federal government currently shut down, access to Wishon and Courtright is unclear. The latest information has closed access to both Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs. The closure starts at the intersection of Trimmer Springs Road, continuing north along Big Creek Forest Road 10S69, and then up to the intersection with Dinkey Creek Road. It also includes the McKinley Grove Road at Camp Fresno to the north, and areas with no public access to Courtright, Wishon or east to the trailheads to the John Muir Wilderness and beyond, to the south. A trout plant is scheduled at Wishon this week. Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay​

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

When it’s rough at the Farallons, the California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley heads south along the San Mateo coastline, and Sunday’s trip resulted in 24 limits of rockfish and lingcod to 15 pounds. The local Half Moon Bay boats are also on fish with the Queen of Hearts out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing posting 20 limits and 11 lingcod to 18 pounds on Saturday. The newly opened waters have only enhanced great fishing, and with the opener of Dungeness crab season within a month, there is great promise for the upcoming combination trips.

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 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

From the beaches, Mickey Clements from Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported an improved perch bite in northern Monterey Bay around Santa Cruz as they are selling increased numbers of Honey Badger, Lucky 13, and Mekini Baitz grubs. Striped bass action remains ‘hit or miss,’ but there linesides to be found in the early mornings before first light with Duo Realis Tide Minnows in dark patterns such as Midnight Black or Blurple. Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “Rockfish limits were reported for most of the charter boats in Monterey this week. Sunday's voyage aboard the Check Mate resulted in 330 rockfish plus 15 lings for the 33 anglers aboard. J&M sent 20 anglers out on the Kahuna. Everyone got their limits of cod with four lingcod as a bonus. Charter operations from Santa Cruz had similar results at the north end of Monterey Bay. Kenny Stagnaro's Legacy trip on Saturday counted full limits of quality rockfish from north coast reefs not far from Santa Cruz. Captain JT Thomas from Go Fish Santa Cruz reported catching limits of vermilion, widows and canaries as they fished deep this weekend. Skipper Rodney Armstrong from Santa Cruz Coastal Fishing Charters remains stoked on the quantity and quality of rockfish available in the Santa Cruz area right now, especially after CDFW re-opened the deep water areas for bottom fishing. Armstrong said, "The fishing remains really good. We have been fishing both near shore and in the deep. We have had limits of rock fish every trip. One trip we ended up with five lings. We can fish whatever depth we want until the end of the year.

Anyone who looks at the ocean these days can see evidence of the vast amount of bait we have in the bay right now, both offshore and close to the beach. Most of the bait are anchovies, though a mix of bigger sardines, mackerel and smelt are contributing to the wild feeding events. Squid spawns continue to pop up here and there all the way across the bay. It is an ongoing feeding frenzy, sort of like a giant "All You Can Eat" buffet for gulls, terns, pelicans, shearwaters, cormorants, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins and even a good number of humpback whales. Many big feeding events are easily visible from shore. And remember, that frenzy extends well offshore across the bay right now. Ed Burrell from Capitola Boat and Bait also reported big herring are being caught off the Capitola Wharf, with anchovies in the vicinity as well Todd Fraser, owner of Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz reported some nice rockfish and halibut caught further north near Ano Nuevo this week, despite a strong south swell. Fraser added that a few boats continue the tuna hunt out in the middle of the bay, with a small number of bluefin tuna caught from the "Fingers" area near Davenport.” Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching ; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay​

Halibut 3 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2

When the boats can reach the Farallon Islands, limits of rockfish and lingcod remain the run. Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sport Fishing has taken up to 25 limits of lingcod on a single drift as the recently opened waters haven’t been touched for years, and they are loaded with fish. The weather is the only limiting factor. Fanny Shoals and Rittenburg Bank are once again in play, but with the tremendous action, there hasn’t been the need to go this distance. Dungeness crab season opens on Nov. 1, and the party boats are already starting to get filled. Halibut are currently on a resurgence in the central bay, and six packs and party boats are picking up to limits of halibut after loading up with striped bass. The Pacific Dream out of Berkeley posted 20 halibut and a striped bass working around Alcatraz Island on Saturday after loading up with 12 limits of rockfish and lingcod outside the Golden Gate. Striped bass are holding in San Pablo Bay, and boats anchoring and chumming them up are finding quick limits of linesides to 7 pounds White seabass remain a mystery, but there is hope for the remainder of October into early November. The San Francisco bait receiver will remain on normal hours until Oct. 14 before switching to Friday through Monday from 6-9 a.m., closing Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until the second week of November. Call: Captain Trent Slate, Bite Me Charters (415) 307-8582; Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions ; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady ; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing ; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.

San Luis Obispo​

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 2

On Sunday, one boat went out of Morro Bay Landing with 32 anglers for 260 assorted rockfish, two vermilion, three copper, two ocean whitefish, and three lingcod. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out on Sunday with 29 anglers for 198 assorted rockfish, 14 vermilion, 10 Boccaccio to 11 pounds, one Bolina, a cabezon, two halibut, and 20 lingcod. It doesn’t appear that albacore will be showing along this section of the coast so it’s all about rockfish until the Dec. 31 closure. Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing.

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

The catch-and-release sturgeon season opened on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and the diamondbacks were chomping outside of the Pittsburg Marina. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg put his clients onto nine sturgeon to the boat with several missed hook sets. Setting hook on a sturgeon is perhaps the most difficult part, and customers want to accomplish this challenging task, often without the desired result. Striped bass fishing remains ‘up and down’ with by far the best action from the Benicia/Martinez Bridge to Collinsville. Live bait has been effective on both sides of Broad Slough, but it is a matter of finding the schools. Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley continues to post limits drifting live mudsuckers as far west as the Benicia/Martinez Bridge. The best is yet to come as there are still numbers of striped bass in San Francisco Bay. Largemouth bass fishing is best in the north Delta around Liberty Island with flipping in the shallows. As the waters continue to cool, the northern strain largemouth bass are transitioning onto structure. On the San Joaquin side, striped bass fishing is best around the Antioch Bridge as the linesides continue to hang out in the coolest water. The central Delta has been ‘hit or miss’ and there are numbers of undersized stripers in the system. Once again, catching numbers of largemouth bass hasn’t been a problem, but finding anything of size is a challenge as despite 69 of the west’s best bass anglers fishing the Bass Angler Magazine’s three-day Delta Super 60 showdown, the largest fish was 8.98 pounds. The California Fish and Game Commission will address an agenda item presented by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for a slot limit for striped bass from 18 to 30 inches in anadromous waters at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Striped bass anglers from throughout northern California will fill the auditorium to present their viewpoint on the issue. Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing ; Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, (209) 543-6260; Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Oct. 10-12

77th Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival – information: https://www.bassfestival.com/. Oct. 18

Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield presents ‘Fishapalooza 2025’ at 1654 Calloway Drive, Bakersfield. Information

Tournament Results

Oct. 3-5

Delta/ Big Break Marina – Bass Angler Magazine Super 60 Delta Showdown 1st: Bryant Smith – 27.26 pounds; 2nd – Ken Mah – 22.88; 3rd - Randy McAbee – 19.7

Oct. 4

California Aqueduct/Volta Road – Striperz Gone Wild Fifth Anniversary Fishing Tournament Adult Division 1st: Pedro Vargas – 21.5 inches; 2nd – Calvin Dangknan – 19.5 inches; 3rd – Dominic Bonnadonna – 19.25 inches. California Aqueduct/Volta Road – Striperz Gone Wild Fifth Anniversary Fishing Tournament Youth Division 1st: Max Casillas – 18.5 inches. Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club 1st: Nathan Towes/David Childress - 9.75 pounds, 2nd - Wes and Roy Neal - 9.68; 3rd - Wyatt Moore/Chandler Donovan - 8.50.

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 New Melones – Angler’s Press Outdoors Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club Oct. 5 Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto AmBASSadors

Oct. 11-12

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments

Oct. 11

Delta/Big Break – 17-90 Bass Club Don Pedro – Christian Bass League McClure – Sonora Bass Anglers Bass Lake – Kerman Bass Club Isabella – Cope’s Bait and Tackle

Oct. 12

McClure – Kings River Bass Club

Oct. 18-19

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Angler’s Press Outdoors New Melones – Bass Addicts of SoCal Lake Success – Ducks Unlimited

Oct. 18

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass Tulloch – Yak A’Bass McClure – Sierra Bass Club Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers

Oct. 25-26

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.

Oct. 25

Delta/Big Break – Delta Bass Club Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Don Pedro bass, king salmon, trout bites good."