Fishing on an empty stomach is something I’ve never experienced the day after Thanks-giving.
I always seem to have time to make turkey sandwiches the night before, or the morning of my trip. I find it interesting, because most of the time I forget to pack a lunch. I usually have to buy something at the gas station, or hope that one of the guys I’m fishing with packed a big lunch.
Interestingly, I came across an article that had nothing to do with fishing but had to do with hunger. It stated that when we’re hungry our senses are increased. Supposedly, it’s our body’s way of increasing its chances of finding its next meal. It makes a lot of sense, no pun intended.
Knowing this information will help me deal with the hunger pains the next time I’m out on the water, but not nearly as much as a cooler full of turkey sandwiches.
Delta Report
Striped bass fishing continues to pick up for anglers fishing a variety of techniques. The three techniques working are drifting live bait, trolling broken back rebels and spooning jigs where schools of fish are present.
Largemouth bass fishing has been hit or miss. Anglers are having luck while fishing jigs along tule edges and points. The colder the water gets, the slower you should fish.
New Melones Lake
Fishing for trout is slowly improving as the temperatures are cooling. Anglers catching trout are trolling from 5 to 30 feet deep around the dam, spillway and Glory Hole Point areas. As more and more trout start to make their ascent towards the surface, anglers fishing off the bank are beginning to also have luck.
Bass fishing is starting to pick up, as anglers are fishing between 20-40 feet deep while dragging small worms through the schools of actively feeding fish.
Catfishing is still excellent on the lake, as anglers are catching them on cut bait or chicken livers while fishing off the bank. Those targeting catfish are looking for areas where there are large rocks present.
Don Pedro
Fishing for trout and bass is slow on the lake. Anglers catching trout are trolling through large schools of bait that are found right below the surface. The bass are also feeding on the schools of baitfish making them easy targets one you find them actively feeding. The lure of choice for angers trolling is either a Kastmaster or large spoon trolled in the main lake.
New Hogan Lake
The bite has been good for large numbers of bass. Spider grubs in watermelon red is working well if thrown up to the bank and worked down to at least 20 feet. Reaction baits such as rip baits are working but not as well as the jig. Six-inch shaky head worms in green pumpkin have been getting a lot of attention.
For the deep-water angler, the larger fish are coming from anglers fishing the schools of bass down to 60 feet while using a drop shot or a jig.
Lake Camanche
Trout plants have begun on the lake and anglers are reporting catching trout while fishing near the dam. Bass fishing continues to be good on the lake, as anglers are scoring good limits while fishing reaction baits and plastics in 10-15 feet of water.
Tip of the Week
As the weather is getting colder, the fog is surely to make navigating our waterways difficult. It’s important that you have your lights on and that you travel at a speed that is slow enough so that you can avoid colliding with other boats.
Sometimes, it’s even best to just start fishing where you are and while waiting for the fog to settle. There’s no fish worth risking injury to yourself, others or your equip-ment.
To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.
