There’s a lot of talk going around about how tough the bite is this year for largemouth bass.

It’s true the bite is tougher than in years past, but the past five to six years was exceptional to say the least. Thinking back to June 2003, a friend and I finished in the top five with a limit of less than 13 pounds.

At the time, anything over 13 pounds in the summer was sure to put you high up in the standings.

Personally, I like fishing when it’s tough and have never done well when everybody was catching them with ease.

The evening bite on the Delta has really started to pick up for those who are tossing topwater baits. It seems like that last hour before the sun goes down is the best.
 
For numbers of bass during the day, senko’s fished wacky style flipped around tulle islands is a productive pattern.

For those searching for big fish, topwater frogs and spooks are big-fish baits this time of year. The bites may be far and few, but the quality of fish is sure to increase.     

Anglers that are trolling are having luck catching kokanee. There are also trout that are starting to be caught by those fishing for kokanee.

Trout usually run 10 feet shallower than kokanee in the main lake and are hitting brightly colored lures. For brown trout, Rapala Countdowns or Trophy Sticks in rainbow trout or shad patterns are popular lures.

Bass fishing on the lake has been great. An angler can easily catch over fifty fish a day while using small worms fishing from the bank down to 35 feet deep. In the early morning hours look for the bass to be pushing the bait sometimes up on the bank in some places.  

Smallmouth bass have been providing excellent action for anglers fishing late and early with top-water lures. Once the sun is high try switching to small plastic baits fished deep, shaky head worms, darter heads, and drop shotted Robo Worms in either a craw or shad pattern should produce good results.

Rainbow trout up to three pounds are being caught with shad-patterned lures or blade/crawler combinationswhile trolling 30 to 40 feet deep.  

King salmon are biting rolled shad or anchovies in Fleming Bay between70 and 120 feet deep.

Bass fishing has been good lately for those anglers fishing with green crawdad crank baits in 8 to 10 feet of water. Jigs fished down to 20 feet are also working well in brown and blue

On July 19, the 11th annual Conroy Oakley Pro-Teen tournament will be held out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.

The purpose of the event is to introduce teens 13-19 years old to fishing through a professional style tournament where they will be paired up with a boater for six hours. They are in need of more boaters for the event. The cost is $30. For more information, call (925) 684-9775.

Kokanee Power will hold its annual two-day tournament on New Melones Lake on June 27-28. This is an open tournament, and is always a lot of fun.  

Entry fee is $70 per member, and $80 per non-member, and paybacks are incredibly generous.

There is also an amazing raffle at the dinner (dinner included with fee).

Sign-ups will be at Glory Hole Sports on Friday night and Saturday morning. For more information, visit Kokanee Power’s website: http://www.kokaneepower.org

Shakey Heads have become popular among bass anglers over the past few years. Since then many different brands of shakey heads have been produced. I’ve must have tried them all by now!

One that I really like is the Picasso Shakedown Shakey Head. My hookup ratio has increased since switching over and the bait keeper works exceptionally well. The hook that is used is ultra sharp Gamakatsu hook.

What I also like about this product is that after at least a hundred fish and being fish over rocks its paint remains in tact. From and anglers point of view, it just feels right and my confidence is through the roof when using a Picasso Shakedown Shakey Head.

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