Over the years, I have seen several different fishing nets being marketed to fishermen. One challenge that comes with netting fish has always been keeping the hooks from snagging themselves within the netting material. At the request of anglers, rubber nets were made, and for a while they were the wave of the future when it came to nets.

After a while though, anglers started to complain that the rubber nets were too heavy and were hard to scoop through the water. Many anglers eventually abandoned their rubber nets and have gone back to their nylon nets.

Lately, I’ve seen a new trend in nets.

Manufactures are starting to produce more storage-friendly nets and changing the basket design. Personally, I still prefer a good nylon net, and as much as it’s an inconvenience to have a net in the way while fishing.

I’ve learned to work around it and know what to expect every time I reach for my old trusty nylon net. Until then, I wait for someone to invent a material that won’t snag hooks and is light and strong.

Delta Report

Fishing on the Delta is good for numbers of smaller bass. Anglers are having a hard time putting together any real pattern, as they are being caught on a variety of different baits.

As more baitfish make their way through the system fishing should get easier.

Striper fishing is still spotty with most fish being caught by those fishing the west side of the delta. As the water temperature drops the stripers should begin to make their way further through the system.

  New Melones Lake

Trout fishing is good, as anglers are doing well while trolling between 35 and 50 feet around the mouths of major lake coves and creek arms. Anglers trolling for trout are using shad patterned lures.

Catfish are being caught all around the lake on cut bait. The best time of day to catch them is in the evening.

Bass fishing has slowed down recently, as smaller fish are being caught on small plastics during the day.

  Lake Don Pedro

Bass fishing is good on the lake, with a lot of fish being caught on reaction baits. The water temperature has been dropping so the crank bait and rip bait bite have been especially good for many.

Trout fishing is also good. Anglers having the best luck are trolling from them at depths between 20 and 40 feet. The best areas for trout right now are Mexican Gulch, Big Creek, Graveyard Bay, and off Oat Hill toward Hatch Creek.

Lake Camanche:

Trout fishing is hit or miss on the lake. Most anglers having success have to troll at least down to 35 feet.

Bass fishing is great first thing in the morning as well, as right as the sun starts going down. During the day, anglers are struggling to get many bites.

The best bite on the lake right now seems to be from the catfish. Anglers are catching them day or night off the bank while fishing stink bait.

Lake Pardee

Fishing for Kokanee has slowed a lot since the spawn has started. There are very few reports of any Kokanee being caught right now on the lake.

Anglers fishing for bass are having success early in the mornings while tossing topwater baits and later in the day. There is a good reaction bite on the lake, as cooler water temperatures have made the bass more active.

Tip of The Week

If you’re thinking about planning a camping trip, I recommend that you reserve a site in advance.

When choosing a location there are a couple things that you may want to take into consideration: location of the bathrooms, showers, and high traffic areas, should be noted as campers will often walk through campsites to get to the bathroom or shoreline. 

If the roads are unpaved, dust can also be a problem if camped right next to a high traffic area.

It’s a good habit to visit the campgrounds before reserving a site, this will give you an opportunity to observe the routs campers are taking and the really good campsites shouldn’t be hard to pick out.


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