Some time ago I decided that one fishing pole wasn’t enough. Before long I had more fishing poles than I could possibly keep track of.

I recently went out fishing with a close friend of mine who brought with him 12 fishing rods. It’s nice to just grab a different rod without having to re-tie, but how many rods is enough?

I’ve fished with a lot of guys over the years, some pack light, while others like bring the whole tackle store with them.

Once during a night tournament, I had a partner bring a battery charger with him just in case my boat’s battery died. When I purchased my current boat, I figured that I had plenty of room for those who wanted to bring everything with them.

I soon realized that it’s better to tell the person I plan on fishing with to pack light.

If you’re planning on going fishing on another’s boat, I suggest you ask first how much you should bring. If he or she says “Bring anything you want,” I would bring four rods at the max, a small tackle box and something to eat.

The last thing you want to do is have all your stuff cluttering up the boat, and if you do insist on bringing all 12 fishing rods at least bring lunch for two!

Delta Report

The big bass are biting as the spring bite is really starting to gain momentum. Most anglers are catching nice limits while fishing throughout the Delta.

Franks Tract continues to be a popular area with many of the other flooded islands becoming great producers as well. Popular baits are jigs, crankbaits, and pitching soft plastics.

Crappie fishing on the Delta is also turning on for a lot of anglers fishing around Whiskey Slough while using Minnie jigs and medium sized minnows.

New Melones Lake

The trout bite has slowed down this past week, as many anglers are struggling to catch numbers. Bank fisherman are fishing off main lake points with power bait for their fish while trollers are finding fish between 20 and 40 feet deep.

Bass fishing has started to really pick up anglers are reporting catching Spotted Bass in the 2-4 pound range. The swimbait anglers have tried to keep quiet lately, but there is a decent swimbait bite for bigger fish while working the points with a Huddleston Deluxe Swimbait.

Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing continues to improve for anglers fishing Don Pedro. Kokanee are also starting to show up in and around Fleming Bay. Trout are being caught by those trolling within the top 25 feet with Uncle Larry’s Spinners.

Large swimbait fish are being caught for those working points. The swimbait of choice seems to be the Huddleston Deluxe in a trout pattern.

For those targeting smaller bass crankbaits and jigs have been producing decent limits of fish.

Lake Pardee

Trout fishing is good at Lake Pardee most fish are being caught between 5 and 10 feet deep. With the cold temperatures, planted trout have remained in and around the launch area providing anglers fishing the bank with decent action.

Anglers trolling are using flashers trailed with night crawlers. Anglers fishing the bank are doing well using Power Bait.

Veterans Bass Fishing Tournament

The Manteca Bassin' Buddies Bass Club is having a "Take a Veteran" bass fishing tournament on May 5 at Russo's Marina in Bethel Island.

There is no entry fee or cash involved; it’s a donation-only event to show appreciation for the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms.

The club’s members, families, and businesses are all donating their time as well as providing a barbeque lunch.

If you’re interested in participating as a veteran or would just like to donate your time for this great cause, please contact Ray Yamada at rayyamada@gmail.com or (209) 482-1943.

To contact Jarod Ballardo, email jgbbass@yahoo.com.