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Memory of boat that I should not have sold
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If you were to ask my dad about the best car he ever had, he would mention the corvette he owned back in the 60s. 

I spent an entire childhood listening to him talk about that car, making me wonder at times if it even existed. I’m guessing that all of us at one time or another had something we wished we would have never got rid of. 

Admittedly, I have two, my first car and my previous boat. Both were great, but I believe more than anything that it’s the memories that were made while owning those items, that make me miss them the most. 

Recently, while talking with a friend, he mentioned a picture that was taken on my last boat. Afterwards, I viewed the picture, and wished more than ever that I had my old boat back. It was a picture of my son holding his first fish. 

There used to be an old commercial about priceless moments. That was definitely one, taken on a boat that I should have never sold.

 

Delta Repor

Lipless rattle baits are working well for numbers of fish. Once the wind is down, anglers are having success while tossing Senko’s along the weed lines. 

For bigger fish, many are tossing Snag Proof frogs. The bites are far and few, but the quality of fish is above average. As we get closer to fall, the bite should pick up and the stripers should start making their way through the system. 

New Melones Lake

Trout fishing has really slowed down for anglers fishing at night for them. They’re still catching them while fishing at night under submersible lights, but the numbers are down.

Bass fishing has slowed down recently as smaller fish are being caught on small plastics during the day.  Catfishing is still good for anglers fishing the evening hours while using cut bait. Many anglers are fishing right off the bank with chicken livers for catfish up to 11 pounds.

Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing remains good with most trout being caught by trollers. Anglers are trolling between 35 and 55 feet deep with Apex spoons. 

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

Lake Camanche

Anglers are doing well while fishing for trout. Many are trolling between Little Hat Island and Big Hat Island. Most anglers are finding trout between 25 and 40 feet deep and are trolling speedy shiners coated with Kokanee Feast. 

Bass fishing remains good for those fishing with senko’s and crankbaits during the day. Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing at night off the bank. 

New Hogan

There are still a lot of striped bass being caught by anglers fishing the schools of fish that are chasing baitfish to the surface. Anglers catching them are using flukes and top water baits like Zara Spooks and Poppers. 

Fishing for largemouth bass is good. Anglers are doing well using a variety of baits. Some anglers are choosing to fish with shakes head worms while others are using their favorite crank baits. It’s really just a matter of choice. 

Lake Amador

Fishing for catfish has been really good. Anglers are doing well while fishing with chicken livers, night crawlers, or cut baits during the morning and evening hours. 

Bass fishing is good for anglers fishing reaction baits in the morning, and slow-moving baits during the day. Trout plants are scheduled to continue mid-October. 

Tip of the Week

When searching for the right place to fish off the bank there are a few things you might want to take into consideration. The first thing I look for is structure. I haven’t had much luck while fishing banks that were smooth or shallow. 

Also, try fishing points; these are areas where the bank comes to a point. If there is a considerable drop in depth once casting out from the point the better. If the points fail to produce, try fishing the backs of coves.

Fish sometimes can be caught in the backs of coves when they’re not feeding on the points. 

There are times when waiting it out is the best solution, and other times when trying a variety of different spots can make all the difference.  

 

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.