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Broken rod doesnt dampen day on Delta
Fishing Report pic
Photo by JAROD BALLARDO Jarod Ballardo shows off an 8-pound bass he caught while fishing the Delta on Thursday.

It’s been a little over a year since I’ve been bass fishing. 

Earlier this week I was invited by a childhood friend for a day of bass fishing on the Delta. While preparing for the day I decided that I was going to resist buying any new baits and use what I had.

In the past I would have visited my favorite tackle shop and purchased at least something. This time around I didn’t and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. 

Our day went great. Some of the same baits that I used to use to catch fish on were working better than ever. The only bummer of the trip was me breaking my favorite rod. It was over 20 years old, so I wasn’t expecting it to last forever, but I also wasn’t looking forward to the day when it finally broke. It broke while reeling in a fish, which is far better I believe than being broken while not fishing. 

The catch of the day was an 8-pound bass that I caught immediately after breaking my favorite rod, while using a rod that my friend loaned me for the day. 

Delta

Anglers fishing for bass are doing well with reaction baits such as Zoom Horney Toads and spinner baits. Both inside and outside weed lines are producing fish, but the bigger fish are being caught by those fishing large wake baits, top-water frogs or flipping plastics. 

Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing the Whiskey Slough area, while using clams and anchovies. The Bluegill are spawning, so the fishing has been really good for those finding them up in the shallows.

New Melones Lake

Kokanee fishing continues to be good early in the day while trolling apex lures 70 to 80 feet deep in green, red, or pink. 

Bass fishing remains good for numbers of smaller fish with the bigger ones being few and far between. Anglers are doing well while dragging Carolina Rigs along the bottom. There is a good top-water bite early and late in the day. 

Catfishing has been really good for those fishing at night with traditional catfish baits. Bluegill and crappie fishing is picking up for those fishing with either a minnow or worm under a bobber in the backs of coves. 

All launching on the lake is on gravel out of Glory Hole Point making having a vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive necessary. 

Don Pedro

Kokanee are providing anglers trolling with steady action just as long as they are trolling at the correct depths and speeds. The depth fluctuates throughout the day as the schools of fish typically go deeper as the sun gets higher. 

Bass fishing is good for anglers fishing early in the day with top-water baits and shaky head worms during the day. The bass like to school up during the summer around islands and main lake points. 

Fleming Meadows has the only paved launch ramp available on the lake.

Lake Amador

Fishing during the day has been really for those going for bluegill in the shallows. The bass fishing has really slowed during the day. Fishing during the night is great with lots of quality fish being caught. 

Berkeley Power Worms in any of the darker colors are working well. As the sun comes up look for the schools of bass to also come up for the first couple hours of the day. 

Lake Camanche

The bite is really good for those fishing for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Lures that are being used are spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while the bigger fish are being caught by those dragging plastics along the bottom. 

Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of bays.

Boaters Needed

On July 19, the 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 to 19 years old to fishing through a professional-style tournament where they will be paired up with a boater for six hours.

Boaters are needed for the event. Boaters fish for free. For more information, call 925.684.9775.