For the past couple of years I’ve been reading a lot about the great kokanee fishing we have here locally.

Personally, I’ve never fished for them or even knew how to tell the difference between a kokanee and a trout. So several weeks ago I decided that I was going to finally give kokanee fishing a try.

Over the years, I’ve been to more tackle shops than I can remember. None can I remember being as helpful to me as Tim Sellars was while I was at Fisheman’s Warehouse in Manteca last week.

He pretty much told me everything I needed to know in order to catch a limit of kokanee. Needless to say my first trip targeting kokanee was a huge success. I’m by far not ready to enter any contest yet, but I’m pretty confident that I can catch them when they’re biting.

Tim’s information was spot on and I’m so glad that I asked him for advice.

Next time you’re in Fisherman’s Warehouse in Manteca, just ask for Tim!

Delta

Summer patterns prevail as anglers are catching bass while fishing with reaction baits such as Zoom Horny Toads and spinner baits. Both inside and outside weed lines are producing fish but the bigger fish are being caught by those fishing large wake baits, top water frogs, or flipping plastics.

Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing the Whiskey Slough area while using clams and anchovies.

The bluegills are spawning right now so the fishing has been really good for those finding them up in the shallows.

New Melones Lake

Kokanee fishing continues to be red hot early in the day while trolling apex lures 40 to 65 feet deep in green, red, or pink.

Bass fishing remains good for numbers of smaller fish with the bigger ones being few and far between. Anglers are doing well while dragging Carolina Rigs along the bottom. There is a good top-water bite right now early and late in the day.

Catfishing has been really good for those fishing at night with traditional catfish baits.

Bluegill and crappie continue to bite for those fishing with either a minnow or worm under a bobber in the backs of coves.

Lake Amador

Fishing during the day has been really for those going for bluegill in the shallows.

The bass fishing has really slowed during the day. Fishing during the night is great with lots of quality fish being caught.

Berkeley Power Worms in any of the darker colors are working well. As the sun comes up look for the schools of bass to also come up for the first couple hours of the day.

Lake Tulloch

The bite on the lake has been really good while fishing the morning and evening hours with top-water baits. During the day, go deeper for bass with small plastics and deep diving crankbaits.

Boat traffic has been really heavy lately so getting there early or fishing the evening is highly recommended. Night fishing has also been good to those fishing spinnerbaits in Copper Cove.

Lake Camanche

The bite is really good for those fishing for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Lures that are being used are spinnerbaits and crankbaits, while the bigger fish are being caught by those dragging plastics along the bottom.

Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of bays.

Lake Don Pedro

There is a very good bite for rainbow trout and kokanee. Areas such as Middle Bay and around Graveyard Bay have been producing good numbers for anglers trolling.

For rainbows, anglers are fishing between 40 and 50 feet deep and for kokanee anglers are fishing around 70 feet deep.  Ex-Cel lures, Slim Fin, or Humdingers are all working well.

Kokanee are falling for orange hoochies, Uncle Larry’s spinners in orange or green, and Kokanee Killers in Purple.

Bass fishing is improving as there are plenty of smaller fish being caught up shallow on small crankbaits and worms. In the morning and evening hours the top water action has been heating up. 

Boaters Needed

On July 17, the 14th annual Conroy Oakley Pro-Teen Tournament will be held out of Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.

The purpose of the event is to introduce teens 13 to 19 years old to fishing through a professional style tournament where they will be paired up with a boater for six hours.

Boaters, who fish for free, are needed for the event.

For more information call (925) 684-9775.



To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.