Central CA fishing report, July 16: Shaver Kokanee hitting, Pine Flat trout active
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 Shaver Kokanee hitting, Dick Nichols said. Don Pedro Kokanee action good, Monte Smith reported. Westside canals producing improved catfish and striper bites, Copes Tackle said. New Melones bass and Kokanee action “ outstanding”, Kyle Wise reported. Isabella multi species bites good, Dave Hurley said. Pine Flat trout on good bite, Jim Tartaglia 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 3 Catfish 3
The northern section of the California Aqueduct continues to improve for both catfish and striped bass. Catfish are taken on chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or cut sardines while stripers are also hitting sardines, minnows, or lures such as jerkbaits. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported excellent catfishing particularly after dark with cut bait, fresh shrimp or Triple S Dip Bait. The striper bite has slowed down with the best action on cut sardines and jug worms. Topwater lures such as Poppers or Rapala Skitter Walks are effective along the aqueduct edges while dark-colored Senkos or 6-inch plastic worms on a Texas-rig produced largemouth bass near check gates or in the eddies.
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, the topwater bite remains best in the late afternoons into the evenings, but the best action has been with a variety of presentations. USA Freshwater Kayak Team member, Damian Thao of Fresno, reported solid action for big fish by dragging the bottom with large 7- to 8-inch worms along with 1- to 1.5-ounce jigs in addition to throwing an 8-inch Lunker Punker in rainbow trout pattern as the largemouth bass continue to chase the holdover rainbows.”. At Hensley, bass are found on the rockpiles while catfishing is best at night with cut bait, chicken liver, or nightcrawlers.. Both lakes are releasing water, and Eastman dropped 6 feet to 511.72 feet in elevation and 30 percent with Hensley dropping over 4 feet to 477.86 feet in elevation and 21%. No tournaments are scheduled at Eastman through the end of August.
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 2 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing has been working the lake weekly, and he said, “I have transitioned from larger offerings such as Pro Troll’s Kokanee Killers to smaller hoochies, and our best action has been at depths from 67 to 78 feet. We have been finding some fat, healthy kokanee to 2.4 pounds, and you can’t even wrap your hand around their girth.” During Sasturday’s Kokanee Power ‘Phil Johnson Memorial’ Team Tournament, Gary Coe, past president of Kokanee Power, reported the Justin Ross team took first with a three-fish limit at 6.58 pounds followed by the Johnny Vryhof team at 6.17. Coe said, “There were a number of big fish landed early in the week, but the bite was tougher during the tournament, perhaps due to pressure. The kokanee were found earlier in the week near Jenkins Hill and the Cemetery, but they scattered by the weekend.”
For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported topwater lures are working in the mornings and evenings with jigs, plastics on the drop-shot or deep crankbaits effective when the fish move out into 25 feet or deeper. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The Blue Oaks launch ramp has reopened. The lake continues to release water, and it dropped 5 feet to 814.66 feet in elevation this week. The lake will host 4 bass tournaments through the end of August. 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 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake dropped nearly 2 feet to 2581.07 feet in elevation and 57%. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported fishing remains productive for multiple species. Bass anglers are finding steady action on flukes, spinnerbaits, or Senkos in watermelon red and shad colors, especially in the North Fork in the stretch from the launch ramp to the Cemetery.
Topwater bites have been effective early in the day followed by a consistent worm bite down to 20 feet using Oxblood or purple plastics. Crappie are showing in good numbers near the South Fork in deep brush or submerged structure with small to medium live shiners or white/chartreuse mini jigs at depths to 15 feet. Evening catfishing has been excellent with SSS Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, and cut baits. The trout bite continues to be solid for both bank and shore anglers. Trollers are running Tasmanian Devil spoons, Needlefish, or Berkley’s Flicker Shad crankbaits while bank anglers are scoring with Power Bait or nightcrawlers from shore areas with deep water access. The upper Kern River, Cope’s reported the favorable conditions for both wading and fishing with the lower flows. Trout action remains strong especially in the stretches from Kernville up to Johnsondale Bridge.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has stocked several sections recently including the popular “20-mile stretch,” and anglers are reporting success using salmon eggs, garlic-scented Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or small spinners like Roostertails and Panther Martins. Fly anglers are also doing well using attractor nymphs, bead head Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, parachute Adams, or small streamers, particularly in slower pockets and behind boulders. The water temperatures remain in the low 60s with early morning and late afternoon offering the best bite windows. On the lower Kern, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has recently stocked trout in Section Three with fish being caught from Democrat to the Isabella Dam on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or small spinners. Smallmouth bass are beginning to show in rocky, slower-moving stretches where anglers are having success using soft plastics, curly-tail grubs, on small swimbaits in natural color patterns. Catfish are also active throughout the system and are taking cut bait and nightcrawlers especially in deeper pools and eddies. The flows in the upper Kern River continue to drop from 805 to 604 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake are steady at 1355 cfs at First Point. Four bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August.
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 another 15 feet to 655.21 feet in elevation and 42%. Cope’s reported, despite dropping water, fishing remained decent overall. Topwater Poppers or Zara Spooks dare effective during the morning hours., and spotted bass are also active along bluff walls and main lake points with plastics on the drop-shot rigs or weightless Senkos. Crappie are suspended over rocky structure with small live minnows or small Keitech swimbaits Catfish action was steady for anglers soaking dip bait or chicken liver on the Carolina rig. Kaweah experiences perhaps the most rapid drawdown of any reservoir in California, and fishing is expected to improve once the water stabilizes. The Kaweah River continues to drop, and it is currently slowing down to 178 cfs at Three Rivers. No additional bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August.
Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake dropped 5 feet to 638.35 feet in elevation and 65%. Cope’s reported bass anglers found active fish holding in the trees and along main lake points at depths from 5 to 20 feet, and the suspended bass responded well to Senkos and chatterbaits, along with darter head grubs or Roboworms on the drop-shot. Crappie were reported near the marina and in the North Fork, on crappie jigs tipped with crappie nibbles. Catfishing was solid, with hookups coming on cut sardines, anchovies, or dip bait on a Carolina rig.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported topwater lures are working in the mornings and evenings before the bass drop into 25 feet or deeper. Jigs, plastics on the drop-shot, Senkos on a Neko-rig, or deep diving crankbaits are all effective once the fish move out. The lake dropped 8 feet to 841.61 feet in elevation and 84 percent. Tournament action has slowed down with only 2 small club tournaments scheduled through the end of August.Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 2
Bank fishing remains very slow with minimal action from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. The occasional holdover is taken with garlic-scented Power Bait in the early mornings or late afternoons into the evenings. Trout plants have not occurred since early April, and the number of fish in the lake is limited. Trolling with Rapalas, Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler, or spoons at depths from the surface to 30 feet are working for a few holdovers in the cooler waters of the river arm. The Reel Deal Market at McSwain is open on summer hours. The lake rose to 92 percent. The l Splash and Dash water feature dominates the lake. 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 Fresno Bass Club held at night tournament with two limits possible over the weekend, and Bill Kunz of St. Croix Rods reported a brutal bite with only two anglers weighing in 10 fish (two limits) with the big fish a 4.06-pound spotted bass. The best action, if you can call it that, continues to be in the river arm with underspins, jerkbaits, plastics on the drop-shot, or shakey head. Recreational boat traffic dominates in the main lake. The lake dropped 17 feet to 547.52 feet in elevation and 87 percent. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have also dropped to 227 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Only one club tournament is scheduled through the end of August.
Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
Kokanee fishing continues to be outstanding for fish pushing 18 inches with the best action at depths from 55 to 82 feet near Carson Cove, Rose Island, and Glory Hole Point with J-Pex lures tipped with Pautske’s Fire Corn behind a 5.5-inch gold dodger coated with Herring Gel at speeds from 1.4 to 1.7 mph. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “There is no shortage of fish out there.” For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported topwater lures are effective in the mornings and evenings before the bass move out into deep water of 25 feet or more with jigs, plastics on the drop-shot, or deep diving crankbaits. Flukes are also effective for suspending fish. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 20. 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 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped 4 feet to 1031.73 feet in elevation and 74% with downstream Tulloch at 96%.
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
Rainbow trout action remains hot as Jim Tartaglia of Reedley was out with Stephen Thiessen and Greg Kimbel. Tartaglia said, “We launched at 5:45 am., and the trout bite was instantly hot as it has been. Trolling from 25 feet 75 feet with Sierra Gold rigs from Bottomlinetackle.com behind a dodger on an 8- to 12-inch leader was the hot ticket. Threadfin shad schools are starting to form into large bait balls in the main body of the lake, and although the king salmon are elusive right now, with all the bait, the trout and salmon will bulk up by the fall.” Bass fishing has slowed with the dropping water levels, but the best action remains above Sycamore with topwater early or late before working bluff walls or rockpiles for suspended fish. In the lower Kings River, the flows continue to drop steadily, and they have decreased from 1121 to 849 cfs at Trimmer this week. No trout plants are scheduled this week, but there are plenty of recently planted rainbows in the river. Finding the edge from fast to slow moving water is key with Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. 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 16 feet to 862.78 feet in elevation and 55%. Three club bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of August.
Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported bait fishing from the banks around Dinosaur Point has been the best option with anchovies or pile worms for striped bass up to 29 inches. Lure tossers are working paddletailed swimbaits on a jig head, flukes, Rat-L-Traps, or Duo Realis 120 or 130 jerkbaits in Neo Pearl or Chartreuse Shad.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the stripers have moved up in the water column into the 50 to 80’ range in the main lake. “ I scouted with a friend this week and the bite was improved, but it’s still not normal. We worked hard for 20 fish in the 21-25” range with one kicker striper we released -going 30” and 13 lbs- that I got working the 70’ depth in the main lake. There is still some spawning behavior going on- with quite a few males still milting. The lake level isn’t falling much now, so the fish should be much more patterned up soon. I expect the troll and jig bites to improve. There is some action early on ripbaits along the shore. The best bite this week appears to the guys working off the shorelines with bait. “ George said
In the O’Neill Forebay, the grass continues to plague bank anglers, but when clear water is found, bait is working best. The northern section of California Aqueduct has been best for catfish with cut baits, but it also continues to produce striped bass from 26 to 30 inches with jerkbaits or paddletailed swimbaits. The main lake dropped to 43% with the forebay rising to 87%. The banks in the main lake are muddy due to the rapidly dropping water level. 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. A harmful algae bloom warning has been established at Los Banos Creek 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
Recreational boat traffic has taken over the lake, and the only times where trolling is possible is in the early mornings before the flotilla of vessels arrives on scene. For bass, Tas Moua reported a few fish dragging a Senko, but it was slow on the north end of the lake. He said, “Normally it is better this time of year near the dam, but the boat traffic was very heavy over the weekend.” A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Edison, Portal Forebay, Mammoth Pool, and Ward Lake have been planted within the past two weeks. All the High Sierra lakes are dropping slightly with Edison at 74 while Florence at 94%, and Mammoth Pool at 83. 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 3
The kokanee bite remains strong as Paul Brown of Fishin’ with Paul took out Paul Banducci and son Ronello from Concord along with friends Josheh from Bakersfield and Jonathan from Sacramento earlier this week. Brown said, “We hit the water around 6:00 am and landed a 2nd-year Kokanee ten minutes in on our troll on a Dick’s Mountain Tackle Jimbo Trout Buster behind Doc Barb Mountain Dodger at 32 feet in depth near the Point. This combination worked best today, and we ended the day with nine Kokanee and one trout landed. The action was a little slower today with just over 20 bites, and most of our action took place at depths from 32 to 48 feet, but the bite died after 9:30 am. However, on our next trip, we found a ‘wide open’ bite right in front of the island at depths from 28 to 45 feet, once again with the Jimbo Trout Buster. We had double and triple hook ups, ending up with three limits, losing another eight in the process.”
Dick Nichols added, “Brian Klassen of Reedley took Rod Stark of Fresno and friends Annette and Andra Moushigian along with their three sons for great action for kokanee from Black Rock to Eagle Point with Paulina Peak’s orange or pink Spinner Hoochies behind a gold dodger along with Dick’s Mountain Tubes in pink behind a Rocky Mountain Moon Jelly Splatter dodger was also effective, and the best depth was from 35 to 47 feet at speeds from 1.3 to 1.7 mph. Klassen put the boys onto 16 kokanee and 5 rainbow trout. All lures were tipped with pink or white Shoepeg corn scented with anise.” Both ramps are open. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. At Huntington, the High Sierra Regatta will once again take over the lake this coming weekend, July 19/20. There hasn’t been much change as the recent trout plant has improved bank fishing with Power Bait or nightcrawlers near the mouth of Rancheria Creek. Trolling is producing unlimited numbers of small kokanee and rainbow trout. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver held at 89 with Huntington also holding at 97%.
Call:– Paul Brown 300-4001; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100;
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 2
Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store reported trout action has slowed to some degree, perhaps due to the heat, but bank anglers are scoring with nightcrawlers, Power Bait, spinners, or spoons from the banks at both lakes. Trollers are working 4 to 5 colors of lead core line with blade/’crawler combinations, Rapalas, or Speedy Shiners.
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
Rockfishing remains the story until the next brief window for salmon fishing on September 4-7. Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete took out 7 anglers over the weekend for limits of rockfish and 6 lingcod working south of the harbor. Dodds will be working research trips for the California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program this week, and she will also be adding live bait to the coastal rockfish trips, the only boat out of Half Moon Bay featuring live bait. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. There will be a 7500-fish quota salmon season from September 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and many of the local party boats and six-packs are starting to be booked.
Dungeness crab season is over until the first Saturday in November.
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
From the beaches, Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a slowdown on both surf perch and striped bass action as the grass has moved into the shorelines, limiting angler access. He said, “Our main surfcaster, Tom Niccum, went out to the beach and didn’t even cast once due to the excess grass.”
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported,” Monterey Bay anglers enjoyed a great week for fishing. Winds were light, swell was small, and we had long mornings with glassy conditions. Making live bait is a no-brainer, with big schools of anchovies, mackerel and white croakers pretty much everywhere. Most of the meat anglers are focusing on rockfish and lings, but the halibut bite is compelling on flat sandy areas where the water is clear and warm.
Charter boats from Monterey are cashing in on the conditions. Chris’ Fishing Trips reported limits (240) rockfish and 10 lings for their Check Mate trip on Wednesday. Down the dock, J & M Sportfishing had a great report on Monday with a light load only six anglers aboard. That means plenty of elbow room at the rails. They made short work of it, catching limits of rockfish and three lings for the day. Up in Santa Cruz with the weather and sea conditions settling down, Skipper JT Thomas from Go Fish Santa Cruz took the long trip up to Franklin Point on Tuesday.
It was well worth the ride for clients aboard the beautiful Miss Beth. They counted limits of big, quality vermilion and canary rockfish with a bonus of seven big lings, four brown and three blue. Stagnaro’s Sportfishing continues to offer a variety of trips, including sunrise and sunset go-outs, usually billed as a “six-hour trip.” They’re catching half to full limits of rock cod, and course counting a few lingcod per outing, plus an occasional halibut. Captain Rodney Armstrong with Santa Cruz Coastal Charters ventured up towards Four Mile beach on Wednesday for near limits of rockfish, a couple keeper lings, and a beautiful 25-pound halibut. On his second foray for the day, they stayed closer to Santa Cruz and caught quick limits, including canaries, browns, and black rockfish. Capitola Boat and Bait is reporting great fishing in their area. For a few weeks there’s been a daily flotilla of private boats scouring the sand for flatties outside Capitola and down towards the Cement Ship. The rental skiffs can do just as well as the big boats and they don’t need to go more than a mile from the wharf to get into the halibut grounds. Mike and Bryden Contreras proved the point on Sunday whilst landing a big double-digit halibut in calm glassy conditions.”
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 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
These are ‘Super Potluck’ trips right now, and our goal is to land at least three species, but today we are going for four: rockfish, striped bass, halibut, and lingcod. We’ve had limits of big halibut to 33 pounds from outside the Gate this week along with limits of lingcod north or south. July is the best time of the year for the ‘Super Potluck’ trips. We have another great tide set starting this Thursday for halibut on the bars,’ said Captain James Smith of the California Dawn Sport Fishing.
He was right on target as Saturday’s trip produced 27 limits of rockfish, including crew; 16 lingcod to 18 pounds, and 25 striped bass to 12 pounds on the California Dawn 2 while the California Dawn 1 posted 3/4th limit of rockfish, 14 lingcod to 23 pounds, and 19 striped bass to 14 pounds for 21 passengers. Smith got on a hot striped bass bite first thing in the morning inside the bay before running out of live bait, necessitating a trip to the bait receiver.
Perhaps the best score of the day was by Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Paradise Cove with 7 limits of striped bass from 12 to 15 pounds along with 7 limits of California halibut with several in the 15- to 20-pound range. Slate said, “We saw the birds working in the morning, and we slid over to anchor up for a wide-open striped bass bite. It was rough outside the Gate on the North Bar, so we worked calmer waters further north for the halibut. The fish box was stuffed, and it took close to two hours to fillet all the fish for my customers who were visiting from Indiana.”
Captain Steve Mitchell of the Malia Kai out of Berkeley also found great halibut action outside the Gate along with limits of striped bass. The striped bass are busting the surface on the larger tides while the halibut action has been best once the tides back off. This coming weekend shapes up to be another epic halibut bite for big flatties outside the Gate if the weather cooperates.
Western Outdoor New’s annual charter trip on the California Dawn 2 is Thursday, August 21 for rockfish and lingcod with a potential shot at halibut. Each angler will receive a Western Outdoor News supply bag packed with Gamakatsu hooks, a 300-yard spoon of Izorline, Costa Gear, a Katch Fishing hook keeper, a free Cancun vacation voucher and more. The jackpot winner will receive a Penn Carthage Rod and an Aftco gift card. Book online or call WON’s Landon Thomas for bookings or questions at (949) 366-0726.
Call: 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 3
Limits of rockfish were the story out of the San Luis Obispo County ports over the weekend. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats took a total of three trips on Saturday for a combined 60 limits of rockfish consisting of 449 assorted rockfish, 56 vermilion to 7 pounds, 48 copper, and 47 Boccaccio to go with 8 lingcod. On Sunday, the Black Pearl out of Morro Bay posted limits of rockfish for 32 anglers consisting of 309 assorted rockfish, 11 vermilion and two lingcod. Morro Bay Landing three boats out with four boats out on Sunday for 10 fish shy of 81 limits of rockfish composed of 654 assorted, 76 Boccaccio, and 31 copper to go with an amazing 35 lingcod to 19 pounds.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 3 Striper 2 Sturgeon 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The California Delta largemouth bass bite is heating up with the triple-digit weather as the water temperatures creep up in the high 70’s. There are still striped bass throughout the Delta, but interest has waned to anglers wanting to catch dinner Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “The Delta is fishing really good right now. When the wind is up, there is a solid reaction bite with the Berkley Slobberknocker swim jigs in crawdad pattern or the ima Squarebill crankbait in bluegull or crawdad patterns. I use bluegill when the water is of color and crawdad in clearer water. When the wind is down, there is a topwater bite with Furbet the Frog along with the ima Big or Little Stick. The bass are holding outside the weed lines with current, and you must find moving current. The bite is good on windy days, and it’s a matter of keeping your rod tip down and ticking the top of the weeds.”
Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors remains up north near Liberty Island in the shallows of less than 4 feet with chatterbaits, Senkos, squarebilled crankbaits, or flipping and pitching for five-fish limits to 23 pounds. “We also landed four striped bass from 5 to 8 pounds in the shallows, but you have to be brave to take your boat inside the island,” said Fong. Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, reported a crappie bite from the banks along Bacon Island Road in the south Delta along with stripers by drifting live bluegill around Frank’s Tract. There are stripers taken on jerkbaits off Tyler Island near B and W Resort on the Mokelumne. He added, “Bass are holding in the weeds west of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton, but from Ladd’s to downtown Stockton, heavy spraying has wiped out the weed growth, and the bass are absent.” The Ultimate Frog Challenge is coming to Russo’s Marina on the weekend of July 26/27, followed by the original frog tournament, the Snag Proof Open on August 2/3. It’s frog time on the Delta.
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-
Events:
Tournament Results:
Don Pedro/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments/ Mother Lode Region – July 12th: 1st – Tyler Bussart/Aaron Sapp – 18.50; 2nd – Michael Hitomi/Brandon Gee – 17.56; 3rd- Emilio and Fred Ruiz – 17.17.
Don Pedro –Kokanee Power ‘Phil Johnson’ Memorial Team Tournament (Three-Fish Weighin) – July 12th: 1st –Justin Ross Team – 6.58; 2nd – Johnny Vryhof Team – 6.17; 3rd- James Franco Team – 5.44.
Don Pedro –Kokanee Power ‘Phil Johnson’ Memorial Team Tournament Junior Division (One-Fish Weighin) – July 12th: 1st – Logan Davenport– 1.60; 2nd –Hudson Claveran – 1.34; 3rd- Mason Cetinich – 0.85.
Lake Isabella – Golden Empire Bass Club – July 12th: 1st – Tyler Slicton/Daniel Taylor – 26.37 (Big Fish – 7.85); 2nd – Wes and Roy Neal- 22.26; 3rd- Justin Neal/Jerry Waldrip – 16.22.
Millerton – Fresno Bass Club Night Tournament (10 Fish Weighin – July 12/13th: 1st – Scott Parsons – 17.23; 2nd- Kyle Reynolds – 13.40; 3rd – Lazaro Calderon - 13.08
Lake Isabella – Golden Empire Bass Club – July 12th: 1st – Tyler Slicton/Daniel Taylor – 26.37 (Big Fish – 7.85); 2nd – Wes and Roy Neal- 22.26; 3rd- Justin Neal/Jerry Waldrip – 16.22.
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
July 18/25 –
Don Pedro – Lake Tulloch Friday Nights
July 12th –
Delta/SJ County – Yak A’ Bass
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Tri Valley Bass Masters
Amador – Modesto Ambassadors
Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Club/Bay Area Bassbusters
McClure – 17/90 Bass Club
Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers
July 19th –
Salt Springs – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
McClure – Oro Madre Bass Club
Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club/Kings River Bass Club
Isabella – American Bass Association
July 20th –
Delta/B and W Resort – Best Bass Tournaments
Isabella – American Bass Association
July 26/27th –
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Ultimate Frog Challenge
July 26th –
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – NorCal Bass
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Central CA fishing report, July 16: Shaver Kokanee hitting, Pine Flat trout active."
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