It’s funny how us fathers end up repeating the same words of advice that our fathers imparted to us as children. 

While fishing with my dad, he used to always tell me “You can’t catch anything if your bait’s not in the water.” 

I’ve since gone on to repeat that saying to just about every angler I fish with who questions whether the fish are biting or not. I’ve also been surprised at how many times I caught a fish after I tossed my line out while I ate lunch, changed clothing, stopped to put some sunblock on or just took a break for a moment. 

Next time you’re out there and someone is complaining on the boat about the fish not biting, check to see if their line is in the water. If it is, then maybe it’s time to change baits, or move locations.

Delta Report

Fishing for largemouth bass on the Delta is great as the Senko bite is on fire. Many fish have spawned already, but there are still more to come. Large schools of shad are found roaming the shallows turning on the early morning spinnerbait and buzz bait bite.

Topwater frogs are also working well in whites Slough for anglers fishing the newly formed matted vegetation. Dock fishing for crappie and bluegill has started to pick up as the fish have moved shallow. Crappie jigs and Wax Worms are working well right for anglers. 

New Melones Lake

The trout fishing has really slowed down due to the increase in temperature. Kokanee fishing has started to improve. The kokanee being caught are found between 30 and 45 feet deep off of Glory Hole Point. Freshwater Shrimp, Krill or Carp Spit are all good choices. 

Bass fishing continues to be good as a lot of fish can still be found shallow. Anglers fishing Senko’s and topwater baits are catching numbers. Crappie and bluegill continue to provide action for anglers fishing around submerged trees found in the backs of the coves.  

Lake New Hogan

Stripers have started to show up as anglers have been catching them while using Shad and Anchovies laced with pro cure scent down to fifteen feet deep. 

Bass fishing continues to be good as there are still plenty of fish found up shallow or in the guts of creeks leading to spawning areas. 

Bluegill and crappie can also be caught while using mealy worms or crappie jigs in the back of coves.

Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing has been fair for anglers. The trout have been scattered at depths between 25 and 50 feet deep. Anglers trolling for trout prefer trolling with spoons for larger trout.

Bass fishing continues to be good as anglers are still finding a lot of fish on beds. Don’t rule out looking for spawning fish on long tapering points or submerged Island tops as sometimes those fish don’t get pressured as often as the fish in the backs of the coves. Crappie fishing is great as anglers are catching Crappie on minnows and Crappie jigs in and around submerged trees.   

Tip of the Week

Launching a boat by yourself can be a big task. 

Over the years, I’ve found that the best way to go about it is to back the trailer into the water just enough to where the boat wants to slide off, unhook the bow strap, climb into the boat, drive it off the trailer, tie it off to the dock and then park the truck. If others are waiting in line to launch their boat try to park far enough back so that they may also launch while you are parking your vehicle. 

When loading, I tie off my boat out of the way from others, back the trailer in deep enough so that the boat can be driven completely on, drive the boat on, hook up the bow strap, climb into the back of my truck, climb out of the back of the truck into the drivers seat and drive the trailer and boat out of the water.