I received an email last week asking to share some of my fishing hot spots. 

Honestly, I haven’t heard someone refer to a fishing area as a “hot spot” in quite some time. Over the years I’ve learned that there are very few, if any, hot spots left anymore. Almost every boat on the water is equipped with a GPS. 

I’ve been on more than one boat where the angler I was fishing with marked every spot where he caught a fish, so that he can come back to that exact same location the next time out. I’ve also seen anglers mark areas where they’ve seen other boats fishing, so that they can come back at a later time to see if there are any fish there. 

I had a friend once who was bragging about all the fish he’s been catching. When I asked him where he’s been fishing, he replied “In that spot where we saw your friend fishing!”

As I tried to explain to him about finding his own areas to fish, he responded, “If I see a boat fishing an area, I’m going to come back and fish it as well.” 

Every time I go out fishing, I’m looking for new areas to fish. As much as I’d like to think that I’m the first person to ever fish a particular spot, I know better.  

Delta Report

The current water temperature continues to drop, which usually is an indicator that the fish should be actively feeding. Lots of smaller fish are being caught on reaction baits especially when there is a little wind and cloud cover. The bigger bass are still being caught on top-water baits or by flipping. 

Small schools of striped bass are being found throughout the delta right now working bait on the surface. Early signs of larger schools of striped bass are starting to be reported around the Pittsburg/Antioch area. Anglers catching the larger striped bass are either fishing top-water lures, swim baits, or live bait around current.  

The Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival is only a few weeks away with the 68th Annual Event taking place from Oct. 9-11. Information on the derby is available at www.bassfestival.com. 

New Melones Lake

Thare are very few anglers fishing the lake because of the water levels. Trout fishing has slowed down quite a bit recently. Anglers having any luck are trolling from 30 to 90 feet deep. Anglers fishing at night under submersible lights are having the best luck while fishing the main lake and dam areas. 

Bass fishing remains steady for anglers fishing drop shotted plastics or while dragging small plastics along the bottom. Jig fishing is also starting to become popular as anglers are catching some of the better quality bass while working depths down to 30 feet with brown jigs. The lake dropped 2 feet to 12 percent of capacity and 801.101feet in elevation this week. 

Lake Camanche

Fishing is slow on the lake for everything except for bass. The bass have been biting just about anything. There are a little smaller bass being caught but the action is steady. Trout fishing has all but died down until the water temperatures drop which should bring the trout closer to the surface.   

Lake Don Pedro

There are very few anglers fishing the lake right now as the lake is being used heavily by recreational boaters. Late fall is usually an excellent time for anglers to catch King Salmon, so most anglers are crossing their fingers and hoping that in the next month or so the water temperatures will drop enough creating better conditions for fishing. 

Bass fishing continues to be steady with a lot of smaller fish being caught while dragging small plastic worms. The lake is releasing water, but it is holding at 32 percent of capacity. The launch ramp widens to two lanes near the bottom, and launching a boat is no problem.  The lake dropped ½ feet to 674.07 feet in elevation.  

Tip of the Week

Professional bass angler Rick Clunn said it best: “Bass fishing is like playing basketball without knowing where the basket is.” 

Nobody knows exactly where the fish are. Most anglers, including myself, just keep casting or moving until we catch a fish. 

This time of year is different though; most species of fish are starting to feed heavily in preparation for winter. Cast, cast, and cast some more. There are more fish out there looking for an easy meal than any other time of the year.