Last weekend I decided to take my dad trout fishing at Lake Pardee.

It was a perfect morning; anglers fishing around the boat ramp were even catching trout leading me believe that we were in for a great day of fishing.

After three hours of fishing and not even a bite, I began to question whether or not I chose the right lake to fish. I then proposed to my dad that we pull out the boat and head over to Lake Amador. He agreed.

Within an hour from making that decision we were fishing on Lake Amador. At first, it was just as tough as Lake Pardee until we were clued in by a passing angler on how deep the fish were holding at. We ended up nearly limiting out before the bite completely died down and my gamble ended up paying off. Normally, I wouldn’t even think twice about leaving a lake just because I wasn’t catching fish. That day was special though. I got another chance to fish with the man who started it all for me.

Delta Report

Bass fishing continues to be good for those fishing wacky rigged Senko’s or flipping jigs around tulles. When the wind is blowing, many are having success while tossing shallow running crank baits and spinner baits.

The bass are just getting ready to or spawning so look for them to be in the backs of sloughs or on top of tulle islands. It’s really important this time of year to pay attention to the grass, bass will clear out areas along the bottom. Clearings in the grass are a good sign that there may be a bass spawning there.

Bluegills are starting to be found up shallow and around the docks. Typical bluegill baits are working well. Bluegills usually start their spawn as we get closer to May.

New Melones Lake

Fishing for trout is tough. As the weather warms look for the bite to get even tougher. There are a few reports of Kokanee being caught, hopefully that’s a sign that the Kokanee season is going to be starting early this year.

Bass fishing is starting to pick up as many anglers are catching a lot of numbers up shallow with a variety of different baits. For numbers you can’t beat a small plastic worm or Senko fished from the bank down to 10 feet deep.

Those catching larger fish are fishing swim baits and jigs. They’re not getting the numbers of fish other anglers are getting but they’re catching quality. 

Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing continues to be good. Most of the trout are being caught by those trolling from the surface down to 25 feet deep.

Bass fishing continues to be good there are a lot of fish being caught shallow right now on baits fished from the surface down to 10 feet deep. 

Lake Pardee

There is a good trout bite for those fishing off the bank around the launch ramp area. Anglers fishing off the bank are either tossing lures to schools of trout cruising through the launch area or fishing off the bottom with Power Bait.

Bass fishing will improve as the weather starts to improve. Water temperatures are a little on the cool side right now but the water levels are good and an increase in temperature should help bring the bass up shallow.

Lake Camanche

Trout fishing is really for anglers fishing off the bank with power bait and for anglers trolling from the surface down to 25 feet deep.

Bass fishing is starting to pick up for anglers tossing wacky rigged Senko’s along the bank while working them down into deeper water.

Lake Amador

My first impression on Lake Amador last weekend was how low the water was. The trout fishing was as advertised though. The trout that I caught were holding between 10 and 15 feet deep. Anglers that were catching them off the bank said that all their success came earlier in the day and that they were using Power Baits Floating Mouse Tails.

Tip of the Week

With the warmer weather coming there’s very few things more miserable than having a headache while the sun is beating down on you. I make it a point every year to purchase a few items that I keep in my boats survival kit.

On the top of that list is a bottle of aspirin, extra strength. I can’t tell you how many times something as simple as having aspirin on the boat has saved the day for me.