By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
While not used by many, knot works best for me
Placeholder Image

Every angler has his or her favorite knot.

The first knot that was taught to me is the one I still use today. It’s a simple knot that I find myself using more out of sentimental value than ease of tying or effectiveness.

I must have been no older than 10 years old when I was taught the knot. I’ve since gone on to learn a handful of others for different applications, but I continue to use my “seven-twist knot,” as I call it.

Usually, when I seem to be breaking off for unknown reasons or just need a change, I’ll go to my favorite knot for confidence. A close friend of mine who’s a professional angler laughs at my knot, as it’s not used by many.

True, it’s not the most popular knot used, but it was the first ever taught to me and it’s always worked well.



Delta Report

Water temperatures have been in the high 70s to low 80s. The reaction bite for largemouth bass has been good lately, especially when the wind breaks up the surface.

There are also a lot of small schools of striped bass found working throughout the sloughs. Make sure to have your favorite topwater bait ready incase you encounter an active school of fish.

Catfishing remains good during the evening hours and bluegill can still be found in bunches along the shallows.



New Melones Lake

Kokanee fishing continues to be hot along with the bluegill and catfish bite. Anglers fishing for kokanee are trolling as deep as 100 feet during the day.

At night the rainbows are being caught by those fishing around submersible lights with live minnows and power bait. Bluegill are being found in the backs of coves and caught by those using worms for bait.

Catfish are being caught all over the lake but mostly from the shore during the night on anchovies and clams.

Bass fishing continues to be good for numbers as many bass can be found in schools off points and main lake structure.



Don Pedro

Bass are being caught in the top 10 feet of water on jigs during the day and on top water baits early in the morning and as the sun is setting. Kokanee are being caught as deep as 115 feet during the day by trollers.

Bluegills continue to provide steady action for those fishing small worms under a bobber around shoreline cover.



Lake Pardee

Fishing for bass has been fair to good as there are still a lot of fish to be caught up shallow on shaky head worms. There is also a lot of schooling activity to be found on the lake right now as a drop-shotted Robo worm through visible schools of fish has been producing numbers.

The water clarity is great, and the water level is higher than all its neighboring lakes.



Lake Amador


Fishing continues to be slow during the day for anglers fishing for bass and trout. Bluegills have been biting during the day on small worms in the backs of coves and around the dam area.

Bass have been pushing the shad into the backs of coves and can be found feeding close to the bank. Bass are being caught at night on spinnerbaits, buzz baits, jigs, and brush hogs. At night some trout are being caught near the dam while fishing under a submersible light.



Tip of The Week 


One of the biggest problems anglers have when storing their hooks is rust. A friend of mine told me to toss in a few of those little gel packs that sometimes come within packages that are sensitive to moisture. The gel packs actually work great and should be placed in all your tackle boxes to avoid rust.



To contact Jarod Ballardo, e-mail jgbbass@yahoo.com.