Central California fishing report: Eastman Lake producing huge trout
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 sturgeon and stripers biting, Steve Mitchell said. Bass lake trout active, Ike Beighey reported. Pine Flat bass improved, and McSwain trout plants kicking out limits, Dave Hurley said. Don Pedro king salmon hitting now, Monte Smith reported. Eastman producing huge bass, Brandon Grimsley said.
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 due to heavy current from increased pumping out of the south Delta. He said, “Clifton Court Forebay and Bethany Reservoir at the start of the aqueduct have been the top spots for striped bass.” Striperz Gone Wild Annual Memorial Aqueduct Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Volta Road near Los Banos. The entry fee is 10 cans of unexpired food to be donated to residents of Merced County. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported anglers have been working the aqueduct banks for catfish, striped bass, and largemouth. Striped bass are taken on cut sardines, anchovies, or jumbo live, minnows on the bait rig or Carolina-rig after the check gates. SSS dip bait, cut anchovies, or chicken liver are working for catfish while largemouth were reported by anglers working drop shot in the eddies before and after the check gates.
Aqueduct anglers are always advised to use caution as well as wearing a PFD as the water is swift, cold, and dangerous.
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 3 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Last week’s trout plant will only enhance the swimbait bite at Hensley, but there has been no further word since the huge 17.1-pound largemouth caught and released last week. Brandon Grimsley of Valley Road and Gun in Clovis said, “Eastman continues to produce quality swimbait fish with my co-worker Aaron Vang landing two over 11 pounds on an 8-inch MegaBass Magdraft. After his impressive win during last weekend’s Central Valley Kayak Fishing event, Damian Thao of Fresno is back at it again with another 35-pound bag including a kicker at 10.1 pounds on a topwater lure. Swimbaits continue to draw the most attention, but the bass should be moving up with the warmer weather, and big plastics or large profile jigs on a slow presentation remain effective. Eastman is at 549.85 feet in elevation and 61% of capacity of capacity with Hensley at 498.12 feet in elevation and 40% of capacity. Only one event is scheduled at Eastman through the end of April.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 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 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing continues to put his clients onto limits of king salmon in the 15- to 16-inch range at depths from 17 to 70 feet with various colors of Pro-Troll’s Kokanee Killers tipped with corn behind a dodger. Rainbow trout are taken at depths from 17 to 26 feet with shad patterned spoons. Smith reported the first sighting of small 1-inch shad in the trout and salmon bellies. The water clarity is outstanding at up to 15 feet with a surface temperature of 55 degrees. Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported plastics on the drop-shot or jigs are working for numbers with the larger grade found on underspins, Keitech swimbaits, or umbrella rigs. This week’s rain and cold should push the bass off the shoreline once again. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake rose to 80% of capacity. The lake will be very busy with 10 tournaments scheduled through the end of April including the three-day Bass Angler Magazine Pro/Am from March 28-30.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose 1½ feet to 2,565.52 feet in elevation and 36% of capacity. Cope’s reported Bass are coming on 3/8 or ½ ounce football black/blue jigs, green pumpkin creature baits. Rapala’s black/blue Clean Up Craws, or brown/purple jigs with Berkley’s Chigger Craws are getting some quality bites. Big swimbaits have been a good option. Rocky Point, Engineers and Piney Point continue to be the top bass locations. The crappie bite is starting to be more consistent at depths from 15 to 20 feet of water as large schools are holding over offshore structure. Minijigs or live shiners remain the best bet. As the weather warms the water expect them to move shallower any day. The trout bite has been very good for rainbows to 4 pounds with Get Bent Baits, Hook Up Baits, spinners, or garlic-doused Pinched Crawlers. The annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is scheduled for April 12-14.
In the upper Kern, the flows have increased, but they remain ideal for fishing. Anglers have been scoring trout from Riverside Park in Kernville to Johnsondale Bridge with salmon eggs, minijigs, spinners or pinched crawlers. In the Lower Kern trout have been coming on salmon eggs, pinched crawlers, garlic-doused Power Bait, or minijigs. The lower Kern River bass bite is improving with small crankbaits, jigs and spinners. Catfish can be found on dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut baits.
The upper Kern River rose from 1035 to 1359 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake held at 455 cfs at First Point.
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 nine feet to 641.21 feet in elevation and 32% of capacity. Cope’s reported fair fishing for bass along points and over rocky cover with plastics on the drop-shot, Hula Grubs, or crankbaits. There were few reports for other species. The Kaweah River rose from 654 to 828 cfs at Three Rivers. Trout plants are scheduled this week at Kaweah, Mooney Grove Park, and Murry Park Pond.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake held at 627.80 feet in elevation and 46% of capacity. Cope’s reported decent fishing as Roboworms in brown, watermelon, or Baby Bass on a drop-shot at depths from 10 to 20 feet along with Senkos or crankbaits over rocky structure. Crappie fishing picked up later in the week with warming water temperatures triggering bites on small live minnows. Catfish anglers reported fair fishing.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
About 1,000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows was released last week, and trollers are picking up a few running shad-patterned spoons from the surface to 30 feet. Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported numbers of bass are found with Senkos, plastics on the drop-shot or Neko-rig, or jerkbaits in the main lake. With the warming trend, the bass are moving up. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina will only be open on Saturdays now from 10 am to 2 pm during the winter months. Angler’s Edge Market in Snelling has closed. The lake rose to 821.89 feet in elevation and 72% of capacity. Five club tournaments are scheduled through the end of April.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 3
Some 2,000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm trout were planted last week. The Merced Irrigation District’s annual Spring Trout Derby is April 5/6 with registration at https://tourney.fishdonkey.com/#/tournament/15853/details. Additional rout plants will occur prior to the event. Fishing pressure ramps up immediately after the plant before easing off. Plants have been occurring every other week on Mondays. Regular plants are necessary to keep the action going, and it’s currently a few fish per rod to limits for those willing to work long and hard with rainbow glitter Power Bait, garlic Power Bait, Kastmasters, or inflated nightcrawlers. Trolling is most effective with red Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or blade/’crawler combinations in the river arm above the First Fence Line. 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
Brandon Grimsley reported spotted bass are moving into the shallows, and plastics on a Neko-rig or drop-shot are working for numbers of small spots to two pounds. About 30 days are the norm, even from the banks. The lake rose to 533.99 feet in elevation and 63% of capacity. One bass tournament is scheduled in March. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have ramped up to 1,096 cfs. Sycamore Island is reopened, and the park will be open every day from 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. No tournaments are scheduled through the end of April. Another trout plant is scheduled at Fresno’s Woodward Park this week.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee
Trout fishing remains up and down as Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service covered 50 miles of shoreline on Sunday to end up with 8 rainbows and 3 bass running Rapala’s, Wee-Tad’s, or Speedy Shiners. The bite has been inconsistent, and you must cover plenty of water. Even with the restrictions for golden mussels, bass fishermen are showing up in greater numbers to take advantage of the strong bite with plastics, jigs, Senkos, or underspins in the shallows at depths to 15 feet. With the 30-day quarantine restrictions, there are few boats on the lake. Only the Glory Hole launch ramp is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to obtain a red tag to start a 30-day quarantine period. Boats must be off the water by 4 p.m. to receive a green tag to relaunch without quarantining or decontamination. Bank fishing is allowed. Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, may also be subject to inspection. The lake rose to 1049.25 feet in elevation and 82% of capacity. Downstream Lake Tulloch is closed to boating due to the potential for invasive golden mussels.
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 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
The bass bite continues to improve as the fish are moving into the shallows. The swimbait bite is best in the early mornings or late afternoons, and the crankbait bite will heat up as the fish are moving up. Finesse techniques of plastics on the drop-shot or jigs are producing numbers. The crappie bite is ready to take off as the fish are moving toward nearshore structure. David Geil of Sanger picked up a limit of rainbows to 15 inches can be taken with orange Dick’s Mountain Hoochies behind a Dick’s Orange Scale dodger at depths from the surface to 30 feet.
“The bite was fairly slow, but he was able to scratch out a limit,” Geil said.
In the lower Kings River, a trout plant occurred last week with another plant this week. Roostertails, Atomic Tubes, Joe’s Flies, small spinners, or nightcrawlers work best, but the flows have been relatively high at 1569 cfs 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. Citations remain a common occurrence for fishing with barbed hooks or in possession of trout. The lake rose to 879.37 feet in elevation and 62% of capacity. Three bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of April.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported bank fishing has been best with jumbo minnows, anchovies, blood worms, or pile worms near Dinosaur Point. The lake continues to rise, and boaters are drifting minnows near the dam or at the mouth of Portuguese Cove.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that he scouted this week with a buddy in the main lake and found a small bite window after lunch working at the 70-80-foot depths with American shad patterns.
“We finally got on some fish and ended with over 20 schoolies plus a 13 pounder and a kicker fish of 40 inches going 21 pounds we released,” George said.
A smaller grade of striped bass is found with bait in the O’Neill Forebay. Flukes on a jig head and rip bait sales have increased. The main lake continues to rise with increased exports out of the south Delta, and it is now 88% of capacity while the forebay dropped to 78% of capacity. Heavy water exports out of the south Delta continue to lead to high flows in the northern section of the California Aqueduct, resulting in ‘hit or miss’ action for stripers. The best fishing in the upper aqueduct system has been at Clifton Court Forebay. 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 recently 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 3 Kokanee 1
The lake level is rising, and trout trolling has been excellent for rainbows to six pounds with a variety of offerings including: orange Apex lures tipped with pink Maggots behind a Dick’s Big Blue Mountain Dodger or orange Wiggle Hoochies or Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler from the surface to 20 feet from the dam to the Forks. Jerad and Manny Romero landed a six-pound rainbow on a Radical Glow Tube behind a Rocky Mountain Tackle Tsunami dodger trolling with guide Todd Wittwer. Chris Counts of Fresno and his friend landed limits of rainbows with one at 22 inches running Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a nightcrawler behind a Sunrise Mountain Dodger, pink or orange Wiggle Hoochies tipped with pink corn behind a Max 4-inch dodger, or Fire Tiger Rapalas from the surface to 20 feet. Brandon Grimsley added, “Bass fishing is improving, but anglers are keeping the swimbait and glide bait bite quiet although limits in the 12- to 15-pound range have been the story.” A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. A trout plant is scheduled this week.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Kaiser Pass Road is closed to vehicle traffic with only snowmobile access available. All lakes held this week with Edison is at 23, Florence at 9, and Mammoth Pool at 51% of capacity.
Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra, 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, reported, “Shaver Lake broke from the nasty weather including 3 plus feet of snow to beautiful recent weather. On Saturday, at least a dozen boats hit the water with many finding a decent number of scattered trout. Not just rainbows, but a few browns and an occasional leftover golden.I think the focus on Black Rock, Stevenson, and the mouth of Scout Cove would be good places to start at depths from 25 to 30 feet down with spinners or tubes tipped with a crawler behind a weighted Mountain Flasher with a 100-foot set back. Kokanee are few, and even the second year fish are not biting. The third year kokanee are dependent on the spawn of three years ago, and they have been few in number so far. The CDFWhas a trout plant scheduled for April which should increase the trout population. A couple of limits of holdover trout to 16 inches is possible. Both marinas will be open by mid-April with a full line of supplies and rentals, and both launch ramps are good to go for launching.” Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions prior to arriving at the lake. At Huntington, fishing interest is left to the most dedicated brown trout trollers. Shaver rose slightly to 69 with Huntington dropping to 35% of capacity.
Call: Paul Brown 300-4001; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
McKinley Grove Road is closed, limiting access to both reservoirs. McKinley Grove Road will remain closed until the regularly scheduled reopening on Memorial Day weekend,, depending upon weather.
Road conditions – Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete is stacking out her crab gear after this upcoming weekend, and the next opportunity for boat-based fishing starts on April 1 with deep water rockfishing more than 50 fathoms. Few party boats out of this port have been willing to travel the more than 20-mile distance to deep water, instead opting for the shallow water season May 1-Sept. 30. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. The Pacific Pier has partially reopened after several weeks of closure.
Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
From the beaches, Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle said that the mouth of the Salinas River opened up, and school-sized striped bass are taken along the Watsonville-area beaches with ripbaits or topwater lures. Perch fishing remains solid from the beaches from Santa Cruz through Monterey Bay with Honey Badger, Lucky 13, or Mekini Baitz grubs on a Carolina-rig are working for perch along with jerkbaits such as Duo Realis 120’s.
“No one did much fishing this past week in the Monterey Bay area. Conditions were just too rough, even for most surfcasters,” Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said. “If the wind and swells remain moderate, fishing for tasty sanddabs and sole is still very productive. Dungeness crab season will remain open until June 30. The extent and shape of salmon season is still to be finally determined, as ABC organizations continue their studies and talks.”
Optimism is low for a significant salmon season for the California saltwater. Best case scenario so far is a proposal to have a few “windows” of salmon fishing, each lasting for a week or so, he said.
“Rockfish season, however, is a definite go in our area,” Bushnell said. The Department of Fish and Wildlife chart for RCG Complex fishing resembles a checkerboard this year with multiple swapping of depth and species restrictions.
In short, April 1 through April 30, we are allowed to fish for shelf and slope rockfish species. All fishing is limited to the deeper water outside the 50- fathom line. May 1 through Sept. 30 allows fishing for inshore species. Take is prohibited seaward of the 20-fathom line. Nearshore species include black, black and yellow, blue, brown, calico, china, copper, gopher, grass, kelp, tree fish and olive rockfish.
From April through December, we enjoy a good representation of California halibut in the shallower waters, the 120-foot boundary does not apply to the halibut. October is limited to offshore fishing only. November is for the inshore areas and December only offshore fishing will be allowed. It is now mandatory that any vessel targeting rockfish must possess a descending device onboard thereat or other floating device in the ocean. This is particularly important when fishing the deep waters outside of 300 feet. Also a complete ban on the take of bronze spotted, quillback, yelloweye rockfish and cow cod remains in effect. fishing for these species is closed year-round, at all depths.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 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 0 Crab 0
The first opportunity for boat-based fishing outside the Gate will be for deep water rockfish starting April 1-30 before transitioning to shallow water less than 20 fathoms from May 1-Sept. 30. With spotty halibut action so far inside the bay, more party boats will opt to chase rockfish once the shallow water opens on May 1. With a third consecutive year of salmon closure on the horizon, party boats from Half Moon and Bodega Bay migrate into San Francisco Bay for early season action, adding to an already taxed fleet reeling from rockfish and sturgeon regulation changes. Striped bass were first introduced on the West Coast in 1882 as a gamefish alternative to Chinook salmon, and after years of increasing water diversions out of the Bay/Delta, the bass are accomplishing their original intent as other species are closed or highly regulated.
Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions in San Francisco anchored in San Pablo Bay with chunk anchovies on Sunday for four limits of striped bass to eight pounds along with a Starry Flounder.
“It is a matter of waiting these fish out and attracting them in as sooner or later a school will pass through,” he said.
Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Paradise in Tiburon was out on an exploratory trip on Friday, and they caught and released over a dozen lineside tossing swimbaits near Red Rock, but Sunday was a different story with only a few bass, also soaking anchovies.
“I counted 44 boats out in San Pablo Bay, and most everyone was struggling,” Slate said.
The California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley returned with over a fish per rod with 17 striped bass and five halibut for 15 anglers on Saturday, a typical early season ratio of striped bass to halibut. But Saturday’s scores demonstrated the fickle nature of relying on striped bass as the fish counts plummeted to limits for a few six packs to far less than a fish per rod for the larger party boats. Halibut counts have been light, but there have been more flat fish landed in the past week, primarily in the south bay. With the eminent salmon closure on the horizon, San Francisco Bay will face tremendous fishing pressure until at least May 1 when shallow rockfish season opens. Whether the fishery can hold up to the pressure remains to be seen, but there is a lot riding on the big shoulders of the striped bass
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
Surf perch 2
Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay is holding their next Surf Clinic on this coming Saturday, March 29, and you will learn how to read the ocean and pick the best fishing spots, Choosing baits and tackle, Mastering rigging setups, and improving your casting technique. Spaces are limited with sign up at virgslanding.com/sportfishing or 805-772-1222. The next season for boat-based fishing will be upon the opening of rockfish season from April 1 through June 30 at all depths.
Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing.
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
It’s sturgeon on the Sacramento side in Suisun Bay or striped bass on the San Joaquin side. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg will continue targeting sturgeon until April 1, and his last few trips have been nothing but spectacular with multiple diamondbacks brought to the boat including several over 6 feet in length. The water temperature has been stable, and the sturgeon are on the bite. Striped bass action in the California Delta is moving toward an apex as linesides have flooded in over the past few weeks. Most of the action is taking place in the clearer waters on the San Joaquin side, but it’s only a matter of time for the Sacramento side from Rio Vista to Collinsville to show signs of life.
Chris Ditter of Head Rush Sport Fishing has been on the stripers for the past few weeks, and they filmed an episode of Angler West TV where five limits were the story. On board was Meng Xyong of Tackle Builder’s Atlas Rig, and he explained the technique for his custom umbrella rigs while Ditter covered trolling deep- or shallow- diving Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows. Their previous trip resulted in over 40 hook ups, bringing 34 linesides to the boat. Ditter said, “We started off slow but went into beast mode with non-stop action. There are a lot of fish in the San Joaquin system, but you must cover lots of water as they are moving daily. Meng and I spent an hour or so on the water before the camera crew arrived, and we had a double and a triple using the Atlas Rig. Swimbaits in Sexy Shad or chartreuse/black have been effective on the rig along with Yo-Zuri’s in red/white, chartreuse/orange belly, or orange/gold – either deep or shallow. The boat traffic has increased on the San Joaquin since the Sacramento side remains slow due to heavily stained water. One key is to keep trying to unlock the bite as most of the action will occur on certain tides.”
In the north Delta, Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors reported a few more stripers up to 20 pounds have moved into the area around Liberty Island, but he added, “I think with the water still murky on the Sac side, once the stripers come in, they will head to the upper river quickly and won’t stick around very long from Rio Vista to Collinsville.” As the weather stabilizes and the water warms up on the Sacramento side, the trolling fleet heading over there, but for now, it’s all about the San Joaquin side of the California Delta.
Largemouth bass action continues to improve, and 47 boats participated in Sunday’s Nor Cal Bass tournament out of Ladd’s Marina in Stockton.
“There are a number of bass in the six- and seven-pound range landed along with one over eight punching the weeds with a Yamamoto Cowboy. The bite is becoming far more consistent,” tournament director, Dave King, said.
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
March 15
Clear Lake – Sierra Bass Club
1st – Dave and Ken Smith – 20.96 pounds; 2nd – Thai Vue/Kha Vang – 17.86; 3rd – Brian Orange/Matt Yandell – 15.20. Big Fish – Chris Jones – 6.64 pounds.
March 22
Don Pedro – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Team Division
1st – David Donatelli/Zac Tate – 22.33 pounds (Big Fish – 9.58); 2nd – Dean Miller/Darrell Masterson – 21.80; 3rd – Eddie Arant/Jared Gregory – 20.60.
March 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
1st – Lorenzo and Luca Rossetti – 25.25 pounds; 2nd – Brittin Wiggins/Nick Peterson – 24.79; 3rd – John Woodhall/Randy Reed – 23.04. Tyler Bussart - Big Fish – 8.45.
Delta/Russo’s Marina –The Bass Hole Inc. High Rollers Division
1st –Juan Padilla Jr./ Laurice ‘Will’ Williams– 20.32 pounds (Big Fish – 7.63); 2nd –Tim Meeks/Eric Prichard – 20.01; 3rd – Hunter Schlander/Christian Ostrander – 19.07.
Delta/Russo’s Marina –The Bass Hole Inc. Low Rollers Division
1st – Shawn Murphy/Michael Hales – 21.19 pounds (Big Fish – 7.73); 2nd – Matt Larson/Tim Renner – 17.61; 3rd – Brian Lewis/Tim Brown– 14.49.
Don Pedro – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments High School Division
1st – Coleton Rader – 11.94 pounds; 2nd – Tristen Gammon – 9.82 (Big Fish - 4.62); 3rd – Trenton Housey – 6.48.
Don Pedro – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Youth Division
1st – Kyle Rader – 10.92 pounds; 2nd – Brysen Smith – 8.62 (Big Fish – 2.79); 3rd – Hudson Tankersley – 5.51.
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.
March 22
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Christian Bass League
March 23
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole Inc.
March 28-30
Don Pedro – Bass Angler Magazine
March 29
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Amador – 17/90 Bass Club
McClure – California Bass Federation
San Antonio- Golden Empire Bass Club
Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club
March 30
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto Ambassadors
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole Inc.
April 3-4
Delta/B and W Resort – Bass and Badges
April 5
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Bakersfield Bass Club
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
Delta/Rio Vista Boat Launch – 4th Annual Barry Canevaro Memorial Striped Bass Tournament
McClure – Kings River Bass Club
Pine Flat – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
April 6
Delta/SJ Co. – Sonora Bass Anglers/Manteca Bassin’ Buddies/Valley Backlashers
Delta/Contra Costa Co. – California Bass Federation
April 8
Don Pedro – Mid Valley Agricultural Services
April 12-13
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
April 12-14
Isabella – Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby
April 12
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Golden Mussel Event
Don Pedro – All American Bass Club/California Bass Federation
McClure – Kerman Bass Club
Eastman – SMART Local 104
San Antonio – American Bass Association
April 13
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.
Bass Lake – Kings VIII Bass Club
April 18
Don Pedro – E and J Gallo Winery
April 19
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Don Pedro – Angler’s Press
Pine Flat – Central Valley Kayak Fishing
Bass Lake – Sierra Bass Club
Success – Bass 101
Lopez – Best Bass Tournaments
April 26-27
Don Pedro – Bakersfield Bass Club
Santa Margarita – Golden Empire Bass Club
April 26
Delta/B and W Marina – Central Valley Anglers Striper Derby
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – 17/90 Bass Club
McClure – MCFFA Local 1289
Bass Lake – Kerman Bass Club
April 27
Bass Lake – Kings River Bass Club
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Eastman Lake producing huge trout."