Memorial Day weekend is over, and I’m sure many of us who were out on the water have a story or two to tell.
I thought that maybe the high fuel prices would keep many boaters home, but I was wrong. My guess is that many had been planning the weekend in advance, so the cost of fuel was probably an afterthought.
What caught my eye more than anything was the amount of boats I witnessed being loaded with alcoholic beverages. Some boaters tend to believe that they cannot be stopped for drinking and driving the same as if they were driving a car.
The Department of Motor Vehicles may in fact revoke or suspend your driver’s license if convicted of operating a vessel while intoxicated. Those on skis or wakeboards can also be sited if found to be over the legal limit of 0.08 percent or BAC or greater.
Those under aged that are found to be over 0.01% BAC will be fined $250 and be required to take an alcohol education or community service program. The person may also lose the privilege of getting or keeping their driver’s license.
The Delta
Bass fishing continues to be great. Over the weekend there was an excellent to- water bite early in the day.
Once the sun got high, Senko’s and Sweet Beavers were the ticket towards catching mid-day bass. Bluegills have begun to make their way onto spawning flats, many post-spawn bass can be found close by.
Over the weekend it took 30 pounds for a five fish limit to win. The weights should start shrinking as many of the bigger fish being caught should start to move off.
New Melones Lake
Trout fishing is very tough for many anglers fishing off the bank. Fishing for kokanee is excellent as anglers are catching nice fish while trolling between 40 and 60 feet deep.
Bass fishing has been tough; anglers are having a hard time putting together any real pattern. The bass seem to be either chasing schools of shad or scattered throughout the lake.
Night fishing for catfish is starting to pick up, any major cove or creek arm is a good place to try. Anchovies, sardines, or a ball of nightcrawlers are always a deadly combination when fishing for catfish.
The crappie and bluegill bite has really started to pick up, some anglers are even reporting catching limits of crappie when fishing tight to structure using live minnows.
Lake Don Pedro
The annual Kokanee Power Phil Johnson Memorial Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday. King salmon to 5 pounds are being found at depths from 80 to 120 feet in Middle Bay, Fleming Bay, and off Hatch Creek with rolled threadfin shad or anchovies. Bass fishing is decent with fish being caught early, on top-water lures and with bottom bouncing lures during the mid-day. Kokanee are also biting well but are still scattered around the lake at depths of 25 to 50 foot levels.
Lake New Hogan
Rolling shad or anchovies in the main lake area has been very productive, for stripers 5-6 pounds. Most fish have been holding between 15 and 25 feet deep.
Bass fishing remains good as many fish can still be found shallow. The top-water bite has really started to take off during the morning hours. Some bed fish are still being found in the backs of coves.
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 age 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.