My summer is quickly coming to an end, and like a lot of summers past there are a lot of things that I was unable to do.
Mostly projects around the house.
I was able to teach my daughter how to swim, though, which seemed to make up for all the other tasks I was unable to accomplish.  As far as fishing, my summer started out with a bang. I caught my personal-best sized trout and competed in a bass tournament, all within the first two weeks of my break.
As the summer went on, my fishing focus has shifted towards a few big tournaments that are coming up in September and October. I’m planning on fishing at least one of the two.
It’s been a lot different than years past. In the past, I would fish everyday no matter how hot or miserable it felt outside. As I’ve gotten older and wiser, I guess I’ve taken a more methodical approach by waiting until the tournament date gets closer before I invest too much time, energy and money on finding out what’s going to work on tournament day.
Some would say that I needed to be out there on the water as much as I can. I’ve learned that there’s no substitute for being relaxed and confident while out on the water. So, this summer has been all about relaxing and spending time with family and friends.

The Delta
Anglers are doing well for bass while fishing in the wind with reaction baits. Spinner baits have been working especially well. 
There are a lot of baits fish in the shallows making lure fishing good. Anglers fishing top-water lures are still doing well as well as those flipping vegetation. You may not catch a lot of big fish, but the numbers are there for those looking to fill a limit.
Bluegills are being caught in large numbers for those fishing with small worms in the backs of sloughs. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers and clams.

New Melones Lake
Fishing for kokanee has become surprisingly tough for anglers. Many believe that the dropping water levels has caused the fish to shut down.
Bass fishing remains good for smaller fish during the day, and bigger fish are being caught earlier in the day on top-water lures. Bluegills continue to bite well for those fishing brush piles with worms.

Don Pedro
Kokanee and trout fishing has been good for anglers trolling. They are doing well while trolling Apex Lures behind a sling blade between 30 and 50 feet deep. Bass fishing is fair early and late in the day for anglers fishing with top-water lures.

Lake Amador
Lake Amador has been good for those fishing at night. During the day, the only fish reported caught are bluegill which are being caught up shallow on worms. At night, bass are being caught on large power worms and spinnerbaits.
Large catfish are also being caught with some weighing over 10 pounds on chicken livers and clams. A few trout are also being lured to the surface at night by submersible lights which can be caught on minnows and PowerBait.

Lake Pardee
Bass fishing is good for anglers who are finding shade along the bank or fishing deep with plastics. Trout and kokanee fishing has also been good for those trolling earlier in the day until about noon.
The lake continues to be planted with trout making it one of the few lakes that are still planting trout this late in the year. Bluegill fishing is good for those fishing the shallows with worms and crickets.

Lake Camanche
The bite is good for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Small plastic worms worked along the bottom are producing a lot of bites during the day. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of coves.

Tip of the Week
Believe it or not, one of the biggest enemies to your tackle is moisture. A lot of times while fishing, we change baits and put old ones back into our tackle boxes wet, and don’t even think twice about it.
Then, weeks later, we return to that same bait to find out its hooks are rusted or dull. Because of this, I advise leaving the bait to air dry before placing it back into your tackle box or tray. 

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.