As winter has set in and the New Year is quickly approaching, now is the best time to service all your fishing equipment.
For most boat owners it’s recommended that you have your engine serviced at least once a year by yourself or your favorite mechanic. If your engine is still under warrantee you definitely want an authorized mechanic to perform the service.
Be prepared though, some services can easily exceed $500.
Services usually consist of a series of diagnostic tests and the replacement of parts such as water pumps, which deteriorate over time.
If you’re on a budget and cannot afford to take it in for a service there are some things that you can do yourself especially on older engines.
I highly recommend purchasing an engine manual and reviewing their maintenance section. There are usually a few easy maintenance suggestions that may keep you going until you can afford a full service.
A little preventive maintenance can save you thousands of dollars over time and ensure that when vacation time finally arrives your equipment will be ready to go.
I prefer using a No. 2 bait hook when drifting bluegill and hook them through the bottom lip and out through the nose area. Make sure that once bit to let the striper run as they have to swallow bluegill head first.
Largemouth bass fishing has slowed lately with very few big fish being caught. Anglers using jigs are having the most consistent bites while flipping and pitching.
Anglers fishing off the bank are catching trout up to 5 pounds on Power Bait. Anglers trolling are also doing well, but not as good as those fishing off the bank. Anglers trolling are doing best by searching out the coldest parts of the lake.
Bass fishing has slowed some for a lot of anglers as the water temperatures continue to drop. Schools of bass can be found as deep as 40 feet. During select times of the day bass can be caught of main lake points while using rip baits.
The bait of choice seems to be power bait. Make sure when fishing with Power Bait that enough is put on enabling the bait to float off the bottom.
Anglers trolling are trolling the top 20 feet with shad imitators and anglers fishing off the bank are fishing the North Shore area.
Bass fishing has slowed down but anglers are still able to catch them while working jigs down to 40 feet.
Trout are being caught but no where near the amount of fish are being reported as near by Lake New Melones. The water is really clear, pushing a lot of the trout closer to the bank. Those catching trout are trolling near the bank with and shad imitating lure from the surface down to ten feet deep.
Bass fishing remains tough as a lot of bass are positioning themselves in deeper water. Jigs and other slow moving baits are your best bet right now for catching bass.
Anglers fishing the smaller stuff such as drop shotted worms and shaky heads are currently struggling to catch a decent limit.
Trout fishing has been good for anglers trolling between 30 and 45 feet deep. All shad imitating baits are working well for trollers right now.
As the water temperature drops fish become less and less active. Unlike us, the colder the temperature the less fish must eat in order to stay alive.
Artificial baits must be worked slowly as the cooler the water the slower the baitfish actually moves.
Next time you hook a fish in the middle of winter, take note of how much less that fish fights compared to a fish the same size caught during the warmer months of the year.
To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.
For most boat owners it’s recommended that you have your engine serviced at least once a year by yourself or your favorite mechanic. If your engine is still under warrantee you definitely want an authorized mechanic to perform the service.
Be prepared though, some services can easily exceed $500.
Services usually consist of a series of diagnostic tests and the replacement of parts such as water pumps, which deteriorate over time.
If you’re on a budget and cannot afford to take it in for a service there are some things that you can do yourself especially on older engines.
I highly recommend purchasing an engine manual and reviewing their maintenance section. There are usually a few easy maintenance suggestions that may keep you going until you can afford a full service.
A little preventive maintenance can save you thousands of dollars over time and ensure that when vacation time finally arrives your equipment will be ready to go.
Delta Report
Striped bass fishing continues to be good. A lot of anglers using live bait are using live bluegill caught around the many Delta docks. I prefer using a No. 2 bait hook when drifting bluegill and hook them through the bottom lip and out through the nose area. Make sure that once bit to let the striper run as they have to swallow bluegill head first.
Largemouth bass fishing has slowed lately with very few big fish being caught. Anglers using jigs are having the most consistent bites while flipping and pitching.
New Melones Lake
Trout fishing continues to be really good off the bank. Anglers fishing off the bank are catching trout up to 5 pounds on Power Bait. Anglers trolling are also doing well, but not as good as those fishing off the bank. Anglers trolling are doing best by searching out the coldest parts of the lake.
Bass fishing has slowed some for a lot of anglers as the water temperatures continue to drop. Schools of bass can be found as deep as 40 feet. During select times of the day bass can be caught of main lake points while using rip baits.
Lake Amador
Trout fishing has taken over lately on the lake. Weekly plants continue to keep the lake stocked with nice sized cut bows. The bait of choice seems to be power bait. Make sure when fishing with Power Bait that enough is put on enabling the bait to float off the bottom.
Lake Camanche
The Department of Fish and Game has started there weekly trout plants and many anglers are reportedly doing well right now while trolling and using power bait off the bank. Anglers trolling are trolling the top 20 feet with shad imitators and anglers fishing off the bank are fishing the North Shore area.
Bass fishing has slowed down but anglers are still able to catch them while working jigs down to 40 feet.
Lake Don Pedro
Fishing has been tough on the lake recently. Trout are being caught but no where near the amount of fish are being reported as near by Lake New Melones. The water is really clear, pushing a lot of the trout closer to the bank. Those catching trout are trolling near the bank with and shad imitating lure from the surface down to ten feet deep.
Bass fishing remains tough as a lot of bass are positioning themselves in deeper water. Jigs and other slow moving baits are your best bet right now for catching bass.
Lake McClure
Bass fishing continues to be tough for a lot of anglers. Most anglers are tossing large swim baits in hope of connecting with one or two really big bites. Anglers fishing the smaller stuff such as drop shotted worms and shaky heads are currently struggling to catch a decent limit.
Trout fishing has been good for anglers trolling between 30 and 45 feet deep. All shad imitating baits are working well for trollers right now.
Tip of the Week
Water temperature should be taken into consideration when selecting baits. As the water temperature drops fish become less and less active. Unlike us, the colder the temperature the less fish must eat in order to stay alive.
Artificial baits must be worked slowly as the cooler the water the slower the baitfish actually moves.
Next time you hook a fish in the middle of winter, take note of how much less that fish fights compared to a fish the same size caught during the warmer months of the year.
To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.
