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Be prepared before warmer weather arrives
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Manteca resident Randy Blankenship caught this 9-pound largemouth bass on a RattleTrap while fishing at Mossdale Marina. - photo by Photo Contributed

What a crazy spring we’ve been having lately!

I can’t remember the last time it being this cold this late in the year. As much as I’m enjoying the cooler temperatures, I’m pretty sure that within a week’s time our temperatures will go up again.

What scares me when thinking about a sudden rise in temperature is how our bodies are going to react. Not having time to acclimate, our bodies become less efficient dissipating heat.

It takes an average person 14 days to completely acclimate themselves, and we haven’t had 14 continuous days of hot weather this year.

Extreme caution must be taken when venturing out, especially if your body starts giving you signs.

Fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps are usually the first signs of heat stroke. Most importantly, make sure to drink plenty of water and pay close attention to the signs that your body is sending you.    

Delta Report
The bite remains good on the Delta. Bass have been hitting top water lures as well as a variety of different reaction baits.

You can’t go wrong with buzz baits early and late in the day. Once the sun gets nice and high snag proof frogs are catching some of the bigger Bass.
Spinnerbaits and crankbaits have been working well for those fishing in the wind.  

New Melones Lake
The trout fishing has remained slow. Few trout are being caught by fishermen who are targeting Kokanee.

The kokanee that are being caught have been between 15 and 17 inches long. Trollers should try their luck 40-50 feet deep in the main lake. Most anglers trolling for kokanee are having their luck while trolling Pink Hootchies.

Bank fishing in the lake for trout seems to have come to an end. Bass fishing continues to be the hot bite, as there are plenty of post spawn bass willing to bite. The topwater bite has really opened up as anglers are doing well while using Zara Spooks and Poppers.

Crappies are starting to show up for fishermen fishing around submerged trees especially at night on live medium-sized minnows.

Lake Don Pedro
The King Salmon bite is great for anglers trolling at depths between 60-140 feet. Anglers are mostly using rolled anchovies and fishing around Fleming Bay.

Anglers fishing for trout are still catching them while trolling from the surface down to 30 feet deep.

Humdingers and Uncle Larry’s Spinners have been the hot lures lately on the lake for trout. Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers fishing with shaky head worms from the bank down to 20 feet.

Lake Camanche
As the water temperature increases fewer anglers are catching trout. With this recent cold front the trout should be on the bite again.

Bass fishing remains good throughout the lake. Many fish can be found cruising the shallows that have either spawned, getting ready to spawn, or have already spawned.

Small plastic worms or shallow running crankbaits are fooling plenty of fish.

Catfishing is picking up for a lot of shore anglers soaking chicken livers or anchovies. A main lake point with some depth is a good place to start.

Lake Tulloch
Anglers are enjoying an extended fishing season on this beautiful lake as the cooler temperatures have kept the boat traffic down.

I wouldn’t try fishing this lake during Memorial Day Weekend as there’s surely going to be a lot of boat traffic.

Although there are plenty of five mile zones to fish in, those areas are rarely calm.

Kid’s Fishing Derby
San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers will welcome youngsters to Oak Grove Regional Park for the 26th Annual Fishing Derby for Kids on Saturday, June 5.

Kids aged 15 years and younger are invited to fish for catfish for free at Oak Grove’s 10-acre lake during the event, which begins at 6:15 a.m.

Approximately 1,500 pounds of catfish will be planted prior to the derby. There is no registration fee for the event, however, a $3 fishing permit fee and valid California fishing license are required for those 16 years of age or over who would like to fish.

A $5 vehicle-parking fee will also apply. All State Fish and Game laws apply. Participants must supply their own fishing equipment. Oak Grove Regional Park is located on Eight Mile Road and Interstate 5 in Stockton.

Park gates will be open at 6:15 a.m., derby registration closes at 10 a.m. and the last weigh-in is at 12:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded shortly thereafter. For more information, call (209) 331-2050.

To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.