While out fishing with a friend recently, we talked about purchasing new equipment.
Like most things, improvements have been made and top-of-the-line gear is now twice as expensive as it was 10 years ago. I have a few friends who have to have to have the latest and greatest, and honestly I’m not sure how they can afford it.
I’m the type that will use something until it’s no longer serviceable. In fact, I’ve got a few reels in my boat right now that are over 20 years old.
I am in the process of upgrading some of my outdated equipment but it’s a gradual process. Every month I make one purchase. Last month, I bought a new rod, and this month I plan on purchasing a new reel. It’s a buying strategy that I embraced several years ago and has been working out well for me.
As much as I’d like to go out and make one huge purchase, I look forward to my monthly purchase. It has also given me an opportunity to test something out before determining whether or not I want to buy another.

Delta Report
Striped bass fishing is starting to pick up for anglers using live bait around Franks Tract and Discovery Bay. Anglers are using live mud suckers or bluegill to catch their limits of fish.
Bass fishing is slow for anglers. Now that the water temperatures are in the 50s, anglers are using mainly jigs and creature baits for their bites. Bluegill can still be caught around most docks but you must move around until you find them.

New Melones Lake
Anglers are in anticipation for the trout fishing to turn on as it usually does this time of year. Unfortunately, there have been very few reports of trout being caught. Bass fishing is fair for anglers fishing around schools of baitfish that are being found all over the lake.
Launching is still an issue as the lake hasn’t raised much. There are no paved launch ramps available. As a result of the current launching conditions, there are very few boats out on the water making it a great place to fish. 

Lake Amador
Fishing for trout is good for anglers fishing off the bank and trolling. The lake was just planted recently with Mt. Lassen trout. Anglers trolling for trout are trolling from the surface down to 15 feet deep. Anglers fishing off the bank are fishing around the dam areas with Power Bait.

Lake Don Pedro
Fleming Meadows has the lakes only paved launch ramp at the moment. Like New Melones there is very little fishing pressure on the lake.
Bass fishing has really slowed down as the lake should be turning over soon. Anglers catching bass are catching small limits while fishing with drop shotted worms and through school of shad that they are finding while using their fish finders.
Trout fishing hasn’t turned on yet as there are very few reports coming from the lake right now.

Lake Camanche
Anglers are doing well while fishing for trout both out of the ponds and in the main lake. Most anglers are fishing off the bank with power bait for limits up to 5 pounds. The lake and the ponds are being planted weekly with trout so the action should continue to pick up.

New Hogan
The lake water level is very low, which is keeping a lot of anglers away. Reports are that the striped bass bite is very good, as the bass are taking advantage of the low lake levels by cornering all the baitfish. Anglers fishing for striped bass are using lures or rolling shad.

Tip of the Week
I always keep a couple extra Ziploc bags in my boat as well as a fishing cleaning kit. Usually, I don’t keep my catch but when I do catch something that I plan on keeping, I can clean and pack my fillets in ice before I leave the lake.
Also, the Ziploc bags have come in handy for other things, like keeping my cell phone and wallet dry during an unexpected downpour.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.