Two close friends of mine recently lost their father due to an unexpected illness.
I’ve known them since I was in junior high. Although, the last time I saw their father he barely remembered me.
He was instrumental in a lot of my childhood fishing exploits. He worked at Lawrence Livermore Lab, and on his way to work in the morning he would often drop us off at Lake Del Valle.
We would stay there the entire day, fishing and exploring. On his way home from work he would pick us up. Almost every Friday night I would spend the night over his house.
We would all wake early in the morning and ride our bikes to our favorite local pond. Often, he would be the one who would pick us up after a long day of fishing. He didn’t fish himself but obviously knew the importance of supporting the passion that his two sons shared for fishing.
Fortunately for me I got the best-friend treatment. I was usually asked to go whenever there was fishing involved. His recent passing has been a reminder to me of all of those people that have helped make me who I am today.
Because of that, I’m very grateful for the people that I’ve met through fishing and plan on driving my son and his friends to and from wherever they want to go, in memory of Bob.
Currently, 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.
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 and 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.
Bass fishing is slow right now; 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.
Your best bet is getting there first thing in the morning. Anglers are having luck catching small limits of kokanee while trolling between 30 and 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 who are using either chicken livers or sardines. Most of the catfish are being found in the backs of coves.
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.
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 to make a call confirming 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, it was worth less than $10.
To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.
I’ve known them since I was in junior high. Although, the last time I saw their father he barely remembered me.
He was instrumental in a lot of my childhood fishing exploits. He worked at Lawrence Livermore Lab, and on his way to work in the morning he would often drop us off at Lake Del Valle.
We would stay there the entire day, fishing and exploring. On his way home from work he would pick us up. Almost every Friday night I would spend the night over his house.
We would all wake early in the morning and ride our bikes to our favorite local pond. Often, he would be the one who would pick us up after a long day of fishing. He didn’t fish himself but obviously knew the importance of supporting the passion that his two sons shared for fishing.
Fortunately for me I got the best-friend treatment. I was usually asked to go whenever there was fishing involved. His recent passing has been a reminder to me of all of those people that have helped make me who I am today.
Because of that, I’m very grateful for the people that I’ve met through fishing and plan on driving my son and his friends to and from wherever they want to go, in memory of Bob.
Delta Report
With water temperatures dropping and days getting shorter, the fishing should be getting better. Currently, 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 and 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 good with most trout being caught by trollers. Anglers are trolling between 40-50 feet deep with Apex spoons. Bass fishing is slow right now; 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 right now 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 and 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 who are 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 to make a call confirming 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, it was worth less than $10.
To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.
