I’ve got to confess that I’ve secretly been shopping around for bass boats. 

There’s really only one brand that I would purchase. The problem I’m having is coming to terms with the price of a new bass boat.

 For the boat that I want, the cost could be upwards of $70,000 after taxes and licensing. As much as I’ve been trying to justify such an expense I just can’t do it. My last bass boat I purchased used for $20,000. At the time that was a lot. 

Fast forward to today, I’d purchase that same boat for $20,000 in a heartbeat. As a result, I’ve been seriously considering purchasing a used bass boat over a new. 

It just doesn’t make sense to pay that much money for something that can be purchased used at a fraction of the cost.   

Delta Report

Fishing has been tough for a lot of anglers fishing for bass. For a lot of people out fishing this past weekend, the flip bite all but died down as the top-water bite accounted for some of the bigger fish caught. There are lots of smaller schools of bass actively feeding on small baitfish which can be caught on reaction lures and small top water baits.  

Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing cut bait. Look for bigger catfish to be relating to deep holes along the river.

New Melones Lake

Bass fishing continues to be good for smaller bass on soft plastics while worked along the bottom. Bigger bass are being caught in the early morning hours on top-water lures and at night on top as well. During the day, anglers are dragging Carolina rigged plastic baits such as brush hogs and lizards. 

Kokanee fishing continues to be tough. Anglers trolling are catching a few trout while trolling between 40 and 60 feet deep. As we get closer to October, trout fishing usually starts to pick up. Bluegills continue to provide steady action for those fishing around boat docks and the backs of coves. 

Fishing for catfish is good for those fishing at night.  

Lake Don Pedro

Bass are being caught on Senko’s and top-water baits. Hula grubs and crank baits are also working well while fished between 5 and 10 feet deep. 

Trout are pretty active in the river channel near Moccasin Creek at depths from 40 and 60 feet deep on small spoons, spinners or blade/crawlers.

Lake New Hogan

Bass fishing remains good for those fishing Senko’s and topwater baits during the morning and evening hours. New Hogan is one of those lakes that gets very little fishing pressure compares to the other local lakes. 

There is a small fee of no more than $5 to launch a boat and fish for the day. It does get a lot of boat traffic during the weekends though. It’s well worth the visit if you can manage a day off during the week.

Lake Pardee

Kokanee and trout are providing plenty of action for anglers trolling early on in the day. For Kokanee anglers are trolling as deep as 90 feet deep and for trout anglers are having luck trolling between 25 and 35 feet deep. 

Bass fishing is hit or miss. The best bites are coming early and late in the day.

Lake Camanche

Catfishing is king on the lake as there have been a lot of large catfish being brought up to the marina to be weighed. Anglers fishing for catfish are fishing around main lake points with cut bait or inflated night crawlers. 

Bass fishing is also good for anglers fishing around the visible islands with small worms such as Robo Worms. 

Bluegill are also there for the taking just about anywhere along the shoreline where there is some type of structure for them to swim around. Anglers fishing for bluegill are using red worms and wax worms.

Tip of the Week

When storing your tackle, it’s important to separate certain items in order to prevent rust or damage to your tackle box. Some plastic baits for example will actually melt through a plastic box if having direct contact with another plastic. They’re also most likely to have a high salt content which will also take its toll on exposed metal. 

Lead weights and hooks should never be stored in the same box as the moisture from the lead will surely create rusty hooks. Hard baits should be left out to air dry before placing back inside a tackle box. 

Silicone packs that come with a lot of items we purchase today can be re used to help keep moisture out of your tackle box.  

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.