Today, more than anytime I can remember, technology is making its biggest impact on fishing.
Anglers used to joke about someday being able to see the fish on a screen, just like if they were watching TV. We are very close to having that ability — so close that there are fish finders on the market that show the fish moving on the screen instead of just seeing an arch.
The ability of even some of our older units is so far advanced that it’s becoming tough to compete with younger, tech-savvy anglers.
On more than one occasion this year, I witnessed anglers slow their boats down, not out of courtesy, but so that they can mark my boats location as a waypoint, allowing them to return to that spot when I’m gone. Not so much on the Delta, but while fishing the lakes.
It’s frustrating but also a sign of the times. As a result, I believe that there are less secrets today than ever. Anglers are no longer sharing baits, but waypoints. As I mentioned in a previous column, “Fishing is like playing basketball without knowing where the basket is.”
Technology has now put some anglers on the free throw line, but they must still make the basket.

Delta Report   
Typical spring-like conditions of off-and-on activity has been making it tough. When the wind is blowing, try reaction baits such as spinnerbaits and swimbaits across points where there are sparse tulles. When calm, try tossing green pumpkin Senko’s towards visible holes within the grass beds or fishing the outer most weed lines.
Jigs fished deep from 6 to 8 feet is also a good technique for this time of year for targeting fish that are in transition.

New Melones Lake
Trout fishing has slowed down for a lot of anglers fishing off the bank. Trollers are finding the biggest fish upriver, with planters and an occasional kokanee in the main lake between 20 and 50 feet deep with nightcrawler/Wedding Ring combos, U.V. Apexes or a Cop Car Needlefish or other shad-patterned lures trolled at 1-1.5 mph.
Bass fishing continues to be very good for anglers fishing from the bank down to 20 feet. Bass are spawning throughout the lake, making them easy targets for site fishermen. One of the most overlooked patterns is the morning topwater bite.
Now is a good time to toss a Zara Spook type topwater bait first thing in the morning.

Lake Don Pedro
Bass fishing has really turned on as many fish can be found spawning throughout the lake. Senko’s and small worms are working well one the sun comes up.
In the morning, target the backs of coves with top-water lures as there are many schools of fish that have migrated to the backs of coves. Coves where there are underwater brush piles or trees are holding schools of fish.

Lake Camanche
Trout fishing at Lake Camanche continues to be very good for a lot of anglers. Both the lake and the pond are putting out nice limits of fish.
Bass fishing continues to be good on the lake as many fish have moved shallow and be caught with a variety of different baits. Because of the spawn try using baits that can be worked across obvious spawning flats or beds.
In the morning, try top-water baits and if the wind picks up try tossing swimbaits as the swimbait bite is always good when there are trout being caught on the lake. 
 
Lake Pardee
Bass fishing is really starting to pick up as the water temperatures continue to rise. Look for the fish to be up shallow on beds.
Because the lake is so clear, the bass will be spawning a little deeper than most other lakes. A big mistake anglers make when searching for beds on clear lakes is that they look too shallow.
Trout fishing remains good for anglers fishing with power bait around the launch area or trolling the main lake from the surface down to 25 feet deep.

Tip of the Week
Most fishing rods now a day are made with cork handles. After multiple times out combined with the handling of fish and bait, they can become dirty. Over the years I have tried several ways to clean the cork handles.
One of the most effective ways that I have found was to use wet wipes. Surprisingly wet wipes do a great job and can also be used to wipe down all your rods components.
 
To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.