I was recently both humbled and honored to be invited to participate in a local tournament with someone I introduced to the sport of bass fishing when he was 12 years old. 

He has continued to fish, has his own boat and is now 25 years old. We’ve never lost contact and have occasionally fished together over the years. The difference this time is that we’ll be on his boat, and he’ll be the one making all the decisions. 

It’s going to be nice for a change having someone else at the controls and truly relaxing instead of having to worry about boat positioning and operating the boat. Oddly, two of the things that I wanted to have control over the most while growing up, I’ve now embraced the idea of giving that job to someone else. 

Regardless of how the fishing is, it’s going to be nice to spend some time with someone who I feel fortunate to have been able to share my passion for fishing with.  

Delta Report

Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers fishing reaction baits for numbers of keeper-sized bass. For larger bass, anglers are still catching them while fishing with top water lures or fishing around thick vegetation. 

Striped bass fishing is starting to pick up as anglers continue to do well early in the morning on topwater lures and while trolling broke back rebels during the day. 

Salmon are also being caught by anglers fishing from the Rio Vista Bridge to the mouth of the Old Sacramento. Anglers trolling for salmon are using Silverton Spinners while using weights from 1-4 ounces. 

New Melones Lake

Trout fishing is slow. Not many anglers are fishing, so there are very few reports being submitted. Anglers are still catching a few at night under submersible lights but the bite has been slow. 

Catfishing continues to be good for anglers fishing with chicken livers through the night. Bass fishing continues to be good for large numbers for those fishing small plastics and tossing shad imitating lures. 

The only launch ramp currently open is off of Glory Hole Point. The launch is off of paved dirt. 

Lake Pardee

Trout have been hard to come by lately for most anglers. Some are doing well but report having to work very hard for their bites. Most of the fish are being caught between 6 a.m. and noon. Trollers are having the best of luck while fishing between 30 and 90 feet deep. 

The lake is scheduled to close soon, so if you’re looking to get out one more time on Lake Pardee you have until Nov. 6 before it closes until February.   

Lake Don Pedro

Water levels are still really low and down to one launch ramp. Many anglers have stayed away from the lake. Traditionally, as we get further in the fall, fishing for rainbows and king salmon gets really good before winter sets in. Unfortunately, there are very few anglers reporting on the bite making it tough to tell if the fish are biting or not. 

Lake Amador

Trout plants will resume next week. For now, most of the fish being caught are bass and catfish. Anglers fishing for bass are finding them around schools of baitfish off of main lake points. For catfish anglers are fishing around the dam area with cut bait or their favorite stink bait.

Bass Pro Shops Halloween Event

Bass Pro Shops in Manteca will offer Halloween activities for kids Monday through Friday, Oct. 24-28 from 6-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30 from noon -5 p.m., and Oct. 31 from 4 to 8pm. 

Among the activities are a free 4x6 photo with life-sized cutouts of Peanuts characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Sally and Lucy.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.