What a crazy spring we’ve been having lately!

I can’t remember the last time I wore a sweater this late into May. 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; 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 Delta bite remains good for a variety of species.

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 while those cranking are catching nice limits.

Bluegill and crappie are starting to show up around the boat docks. Anglers are doing well while fishing with worms for bluegill and minnows for crappie.

As the weather warms, there should be large groups of bluegill making their way into the shallow spawning flats to spawn.

New Melones Lake

Trout fishing has remained slow. A few trout are being caught but mostly by fishermen who are targeting kokanee.

The fishing is great for kokanee. Almost all of the kokanee being caught are very fat and full of plankton. Trollers should begin trolling right off of Glory Hole Point and head towards the spillway or the dam. 

The mouth of Angels Creek, Angels Cove, and Black Bart Cove are also great spots. Kokanee are still pretty shallow — 15-40 feet deep. Anglers are using shoepeg corn-tipped with pink or orange, Glitterbugs, Micro Hootchies, RK Lures Micro Hootchies, Wedding Rings, or Murphys Bugs.

The hot scents are garlic, Carp Spit, and anise. Bass fishing has gotten tough as the weather has been so inconsistent. Anglers are catching them here or there but with no consistent pattern.

Most of them are just covering water while fishing a variety of techniques.

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

Bear Cove and Coyote Creek are usually hot spots this time of year.

Lake Don Pedro

Fishing for kokanee, trout, and salmon has slowed a bit this week. The kokanee are hitting Uncle Larry’s spinners and Shasta Tackle hoochies behind Vance’s dodgers at depths from 36 to 75 feet.

Trout have been mixed in with the kokanee but have been far and few. The kokanee are fat and healthy, just in time for the upcoming Kokanee Power Derby on June 4.

Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers fishing with shaky head worms from the bank down to 20 feet.

Lake Camanche

Trout fishing remains good as long as the sun doesn’t force the fish deeper. Anglers are still catching them while fishing off the bank or trolling for them.

Most anglers are fishing with either power bait or worms. Those trolling are trolling between 25 and 35 feet deep.

Bass fishing remains good as there are a lot of fish being caught up shallow on just about anything. Most anglers are using Senko’s fished weightless around obvious spawning areas.

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 27th Annual Fishing Derby for Kids on Saturday, June 4.

Kids ages 15 years and younger are invited to fish for catfish free at Oak Grove’s 10-acre lake during the event, which begins at 6:15 a.m. Approximately 3,000 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.