I don’t know too many anglers who aren’t hoarders. I’m not any different, although I do try to donate a few items every once in a while, especially when I come across a young angler who is “hooked,” as the say. 

A few days ago, while going through some of my old tackle, I ended up spending more time looking through my tackle than actually getting what I needed. I got stuck reminiscing, I guess. 

For a lot of the baits that I no longer use there’s a story to be told. Like the time I couldn’t find a specific color, so when I finally did, I bought as many as I could. Or the time I customized a bait by using half of one bait and half of another to make what I thought was my secret bait. 

Or the time before tungsten weights came out, forcing me to purchase the heaviest lead weights that I could find. 

Oddly enough, I could tell stories about just about every bait that I have. Maybe that’s why anglers are reluctant to part with unused tackle. 

For every bait, there’s a story. For every story, there’s a memory. And memories about fishing are worth holding onto. 

Delta Report

The water temperature continues to drop, which usually is an indicator that the fish should be actively feeding. Lots of smaller fish are being caught on reaction baits, especially when there is a little wind and cloud cover. The bigger bass are still being caught on top-water baits or by flipping. 

Small schools of striped bass are being found throughout the Delta, working bait on the surface. Early signs of larger schools are starting to be reported around the Pittsburg/ Antioch area. Anglers catching the larger striped bass are either fishing top-water lures, swim baits, or live bait around current. 

The Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival is only a few weeks away with the 70th annual event taking place from Oct. 13-15. Visit www.bassfestival.com for more information.

New Melones Lake

There are very few anglers fishing the lake, which is odd considering there are some really nice-sized trout being caught.  Anglers having luck are trolling from 40 to 60 feet deep and trolling at a speed of 1.8 mph. Anglers are reporting bites on a variety of baits with Speedy Shiner, Needlefish, and Excel Lures being the best. 

Bass fishing remains steady for anglers fishing drop-shotted plastics or while dragging small plastics along the bottom. Jig fishing is also starting to become popular as anglers are catching some of the better-quality bass while working depths down to thirty feet with brown jigs.

Lake Camanche

Fishing is slow on the lake for everything except for bass. The bass have been biting just about anything. There are smaller bass being caught, but the action is steady. 

Trout fishing has all but died down until the water temperatures drop which should bring the trout closer to the surface.   

Lake Don Pedro

There are very few anglers, as the lake is being used heavily by recreational boaters. Fall is usually an excellent time for anglers to catch king salmon. Most anglers are crossing their fingers and hoping that in the next month or so the water temperatures will drop enough creating better conditions for fishing. 

Bass fishing continues to be steady with a lot of smaller fish being caught while dragging small plastic worms.

Tip of the Week

Professional bass angler Rick Clunn said it best: “Bass fishing is like playing basketball without knowing where the basket is.” 

Nobody knows exactly where the fish are. Most anglers, including myself, just keep casting or moving until we catch a fish. 

This time of year is different, though. Most species of fish are starting to feed heavily in preparation for winter. Cast, cast, and cast some more. There are more fish out there looking for an easy meal than any other time of the year.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.