Fishing after a storm sometimes can turn the bite on.

I remember one year when we had three storms in a row. Parts of Interstate-5 were actually closed due to flooding, but that didn’t stop us from fishing Lake Amador.

When we got there, the water was all muddied up and had risen several feet. Not really sure how to approach those conditions, we tossed out our plastic worms and proceeded to have one of the best fishing days we have ever had on the lake.

In that situation the storm turned the fish on, and the rising water brought a lot of fish shallow.

There are times when storms can make fishing very tough.

Several years ago on the Delta we had a series of storms that turned the water into a dark shade of brown, making conditions extremely tough for many. Parts of the Delta were even closed for a couple of days as the levees were topped off in many places.

Either way, fishing after a storm can be hit or miss. The closer we get to the spring season the better fishing after storms generally gets.

During the winter months, most fish typically like to stay in areas where conditions remain constant. Bass, for example, will choose to hunker down in almost a state of hibernation conserving as much energy as they can.

Fishing has been tough on the delta. The water has muddied up, and with water temperatures dropping into the low 40s the reaction bites have become scarce.

Anglers catching them are targeting deep holes that are void of current with jigs and other small plastics. Striper fishing is OK. Currently, there is a rattle trap bite in and around the Big Break area.

Trout fishing has slowed down a bit but anglers are still bringing in limits. The hot bait has been Power Bait.

Trollers are catching fish up shallow, but they have been a lot smaller than the ones caught off the bank. Because of this, a lot of boaters have chosen to drift live minnows under a bobber in the backs of coves in order to target the bigger trout.

Angels Cove and Glory Hole Cove have been the hot areas for trout. Bass fishing remains consistent as the bass have moved deeper.

The bigger bass are still being caught by swim baits, as they are definitely following the trout up shallow. For numbers try targeting points and backs of creeks with soft plastics and jigs. The bite for numbers of smaller bass is great for anglers targeting submerged wood and drop offs.   

The trout bite is good for anglers fishing from the surface down to 25 feet.

Anglers are targeting the bigger fish that are combing the bank while using side planers and trolling a variety of shad imitating lures. Anglers fishing off the bank for trout are doing well while using Power Bait.

Bass fishing has slowed as anglers are struggling to find a consistent bite anywhere on the lake. There have been a few anglers that have been able to catch fish on spoons while searching for schooling fish.

Heavy loads of trout are being planted into the lake on what seems like a daily basis. Anglers fishing off the bank are doing well while using Power Bait either fished off the bottom or beneath a bobber.

Fishing is good for trout, as anglers are catching trout both out of the pond and in the lake. For those fishing the lake, north and south shore day use areas are producing limits.

This month the lake will be planted heavily as 12,000 pounds of trout, 1,600 Largemouth Bass, 4,000 Bluegill, and 2,000 Catfish are scheduled to be released into the lake.

The lake is currently closed and is scheduled to reopen on February 5.

Something that I like to keep in my boat is a small tube of clear silicone. Silicone is great for sealing up any unexpected water leaks and can even be used to waterproof plastic baits such as top-water frogs.

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