There’s an automated letter online at www.water4fish.org/savebass, rejecting the proposed bag limit because it will surely have an adverse effect on fishing locally.
I strongly encourage all of you to fill out and send in the letter towards helping preserve one of the best fisheries in the world.
Here is that letter:
“Many of you may have heard, the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta representing the San Joaquin Valley water diverters has petitioned the Calif. Fish and Game Commission to adopt higher bag limits and lower size limits for black bass and stripers.
“These changes are aimed to essentially eradicate these species from the Delta, Bay and rivers of the Central Valley. The proposal increases the bag limit on stripers from 2 fish to 6 and decreases the size limit from 18 inches to 12. It increases the black bass bag limit from 5 to 10 and decreases the size limit from 12 inches to 8.
“It would be devastating to the population of those species. This is a very serious threat to our fishing future and we must defeat it by protecting our fishing rights and fighting back with every action we can.
“The striped bass industry, the black bass industry and the salmon industry have joined together in a strong coalition to fight this bad action. This is potentially the largest coalition ever formed in Northern California to protect our fisheries.”
The Delta
Bass fishing continues to be good on the Delta. The early morning top-water bait hasn’t been disappointing anglers, as they have been having luck while fishing with Whopper Ploppers and Snagproof Frogs. Once the sun is high there are a lot of smaller fish feeding throughout the Delta that are willing to bite on a variety of lures.
Catfishing and fishing for bluegills continues to be good just about everywhere on the Delta.
New Melones Lake
Catfishing is king on the lake. There are a lot of nice catfish being caught by anglers fishing of the bank with traditional catfish baits. Most anglers are opting to fish for catfish during the night but they are also being caught by anglers fishing during the day.
Bass fishing remains good for those that are fishing the lake. There are a lot of small fish feeding on shad making them easy targets. The kokanee bite has started to slow down. Anglers trolling for kokanee are having to troll as deep as 70 feet during the day.
Lake Don Pedro
The kokanee bite has all but shut down as anglers are choosing to target trout and king salmon lately on the lake. Both fish can be found while trolling Sockeye Slammers and Needlefish between 50 and 60 feet deep.
Bass fishing is fair for anglers looking to catch a lot of small fish while the bigger fish have been harder to find. Anglers fishing for bass are concentrating on fishing the main lake points with small worms or jigs.
Lake Amador
The night bite continues to good for anglers that are willing to fish through the night. Anglers fishing for bass are having luck while fishing top water baits until the sun goes completely down and then changing to large plastic worms for the rest of the night.
There is also a good catfish bite at night for anglers fishing around the dam and launch ramp area with cut bait.
Lake Pardee
The lake is currently 90 percent full. Fishing is good to great for a variety of species right now. For Kokanee anglers are trolling as deep as 90 feet during the day.
For catfish anglers are fishing the coves with chicken livers or night crawlers. For bass, anglers are fishing with jigs down to 30 feet deep during the day while using top water lures during the morning and evening hours.
Tip of the Week
While out on the water recently I was asked by another boater if I had a screwdriver on board. He was having problems with his electronic trolling motor and had no tools with him. Another time I was called over by a boater who asked if I had a pair of wire cutters, he had a hook embedded in his thumb.
In both cases my basic supplies of tools have saved the days of those anglers. I highly encourage that anyone out there who has a boat pack a small tool box to leave on the boat.
It could very well save the day.
To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.
