The last time I took my son fishing he brought along his handheld video game.

It’s actually more than a game. It’s a clock, camera, video recording device, music player, and much more. Well, within an hour or two, there he was laid out across the boat and playing his video game. Call me old fashion, but I still eat my lunch during the boat ride from spot to spot, so that I can maximize my time fishing.  

Recently, I took a friend out fishing and he kept handing me his phone after each catch wanting me to take pictures for him. Throughout rest of the day, his phone kept buzzing and ringing as everyone was responding to his pictures either through text messages, email or phone calls.

There was a commercial not too long ago in which a group of campers drove as far away as they could, not to find the best spot, but to find a spot where their cell phones no longer received a signal.

There are a couple local lakes where I have a hard time receiving service — Lake Pardee is one of them. As much as it is sometimes an inconvenience not having service, it’s a convenience not being disturbed by the ringing and buzzing of a cell phone.

I remember my dad used to get irritated when I used to bring my Walkman and headphones on the boat with me.

Times have definitely changed. Even activities like fishing, where generations have gone to get away from all the distractions, most people are just hoping that there’s cell service when they get there.

Delta Report                

Striped bass fishing is really starting to pick up for a lot of local anglers. Most of them are targeting the inlets of the many flooded islands found throughout the Delta. Franks Tract and Sherman Islands are two of the most popular hangouts for stripers feeding on shad.

Bass fishing is good for anglers just looking to catch something. There are a lot of smaller fish feeding on the shad. Shad imitating crank baits and rattle traps are working well for both largemouth bass and stripers.

There is also a good bluegill bite around just about any set of boat docks. Red worms and Wax Worms are producing well.

New Melones Lake

Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reports:

“Fair trout fishing with trollers picking up a few limits in the main lake and mouths of major creeks at depths from 30 to 90 feet deep with shad-patterned Needlefish, ExCels, Vance’s Slim Fins, and Speedy Shiners.

“Night fishing under submersible lights is also producing quality limits with the best action towards the backs of the coves and creek channels. Bank fishing continues to be slow, but it should improve as the water temperatures continue to cool.”  

Catfishing continues to be good for anglers fishing with chicken livers through the night. Bass fishing continues to be good for large numbers for those fishing small plastics and tossing shad imitating lures. 

Lake Don Pedro

Danny Layne of Fish’n Dan’s Guide Service reports:

“Continued good action for rainbow trout to 3 pounds with a variety of lures at depths from 48 to 65 feet deep in the early morning near the dam. There is anticipation of even better action as the water cools in the coming months.”

Bass fishing remains good for anglers who are locating schools of bass feeding on schools of shad. Fishing around main lake points and flooded island tops seems to be the pattern right now. In the early morning hours anglers are having some luck while fishing with top water baits.

Lake Pardee

Fred Dorman of Lake Pardee reports:

“Trollers continue to have a tough time. No reports of any Kokanee caught at all. The trout have become illusive and are not congregating in any one location. Try along the Narrows, barrel line and in front of the spillway at 40 to 60 feet.

“The hot lures for Trout continue to be Thomas buoyant lures in gold/red, rainbow and fire tiger 18 inches behind flashers sling blades or dodgers tipped with a crawler. Bass fishing continues to be good up stream in the River arm and around the coves near the River inlet.”

Tip of the Week

If you know that the place you’re going fishing doesn’t have cell phone service, it’s good to turn your phone off completely. With my phone at least, if left on, it will continue to search for a signal, while draining my phones battery.

To contact Jarod Ballardo, email jgbbass@yahoo.com.