Fishing and football have been two of my deepest passions since I was a youngster.

It’s been many seasons and I’m still just as crazy about both of them. The difference this year is that I’ve actually got the urge to get out and do some hunting.

For years I’ve always butted heads with hunters, especially duck hunters, but for some odd reason I’m interested in hunting. Call it a mid-life crisis!

Unlike a lot of my fellow soldiers, firing the various weapons and operating all the equipment never really excited me. I looked at it as a job and just did what I had to do in order to make it through the day. I haven’t fired a weapon since the day I left the military.

Unlike fishing, which simply requires a license, I was told that I have to first take a hunter’s safety course. It makes complete sense; I just wished I would have taken it over the summer when I had more free time.

So, hopefully in the near future I’ll be amongst the hunters, hoping that the fisherman stay away from my hunting areas. 



Delta Report

With water temperatures dropping and as the days become shorter the fishing should be getting better.

Bass are being caught on just about anything. Reaction baits such as rattle traps and spinnerbaits are producing lots of numbers. Stripers are starting to make their way into some of the flooded islands such as Franks Tract, Big Break and Mildred Island.

Anglers are using cut bait and trolling for stripers. The bite isn’t wide open yet but is improving steadily.



New Melones Lake

Trout fishing continues to be good, as the water temperatures drop even more look for the trout to start following the bait closer to the surface. The best fishing continues to be at night for anglers fishing underneath a submersible light.

Most of the trout being caught are being found between 20-30 feet deep. Bass fishing has slowed down recently. Smaller fish are being caught on small plastics during the day.

Catfishing is still really good for anglers fishing off the bank at night while soaking anchovies or chicken livers.  



Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing remains fair with most trout being caught by trollers. Anglers are trolling between 40-50 feet deep with Apex spoons.

Bass fishing is slow. There are a lot of smaller fish being caught but very few of any size. Anglers are currently catching bass while drop shotting and spooning anywhere between 25-35 feet deep.  



Lake Pardee

There is very little fishing pressure during the week for anglers fishing for trout. The fishing is slow, especially during the mid-day hours. Your best bet is getting there first thing in the morning.

Anglers are having luck catching small limits of kokanee while trolling between 30-50 feet deep. Bass fishing is slow. Those catching fish are targeting schools of fish found as deep as 30 feet while using small plastic worms.

Catfishing is good on the lake for those using either chicken livers or sardines. Most of the catfish are being found in the backs of coves.



Lake Camanche

Trout fishing is very slow. Bass fishing continues to be good for those fishing traditional summer patterns. Topwater baits are working well early in the morning and late in the day.

During the day anglers are catching limits of fish while tossing crankbaits or small plastic worms. Catfishing is also good on the lake for those fishing off the bank with night crawlers or anchovies.



Tip of the Week

I’ve purchased fishing tackle online several times over the past few years with mixed results.

Some places are very good at getting their product out to you as soon as possible. Others have taken orders without checking their inventory, leaving me with backordered items. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find an online tackle store that carried everything I was looking for. I do suggest that before placing an online order make a call to confirm that what you plan on ordering is in fact in stock.

I’m currently waiting for items that were ordered several months ago. One particular company gave me store credit for discontinued items that I paid for. Fortunately for me it was less than $10.



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