It has been a while since I’ve been so excited to go fishing. 

There’s been a lot that’s got in the way of me being able to go. This past weekend I did the unthinkable: I loaned out my truck to a family member, something I never did before or thought that I would ever do. 

Now, I just hope that nobody ever asks to borrow my truck again. I must have been caught during a moment of weakness. I still can’t believe I allowed anyone to use my truck. 

I got my truck back, but now everyone at home is fighting the flu. I don’t know what’s worst, being in a house full of people with the flu or trying not to catch it yourself. I joked the other day saying that I would finally catch it as we got closer to the weekend. Right now I feel just fine, I sure hope that I don’t jinx myself! 

Either way, the lakes are filling fast and it looks like for once in a very long time just about anywhere I choose to go fishing there will be plenty of water. 

Delta Report

The striped bass really seem to be scattered. Anglers are having a tough time pinning them down with one specific pattern. Those having the most luck are moving from spot to spot while covering a lot of area. The techniques being used are both live and artificial baits. It’s really just a matter of finding the fish. 

Bass fishing is fair for anglers fishing with jigs. January is known for hit or miss fishing for bass. As the water temperatures increase the bigger bites will surely come.

Lake New Melones

Trout continue to bite for a lot of anglers who are fishing off the bank. Anglers are fishing around Glory Hole Cove and catching trout up to 2 pounds. The hot bait has been Power Bait. Anglers trolling are doing well while top-lining and using side planners. A single night crawler threaded onto a Wedding Ring behind a Sling Blade is hard to beat.

Bass fishing remains consistent as the bass have moved deeper. The bigger bass are being caught by swimbaits as they are definitely following the trout up shallow. For numbers, try targeting points and backs of creeks with soft plastics and jigs.   

Lake Don Pedro

Trout fishing continues to be great for both anglers trolling and bank fishermen. Anglers are doing well while fishing the Moccasin Arm of the lake and finding fish stacked up in the backs of the river arm. Anglers trolling are dragging heavy spoons on lead core on a fast presentation while targeting the fish that are close to the surface. 

The salmon bite is expected to improve as we get closer to February. Bass fishing has slowed , as anglers are struggling to find a consistent bite anywhere on the lake. There have been a few anglers that have been able to catch fish on spoons while searching for schooling fish. 

Lake Amador

Heavy loads of trout are being planted into the lake on what seems like a daily basis. Anglers fishing off the bank are getting their monies worth in most cases. Power Bait has been the ticket either fished off the bottom or beneath a bobber.

Lake Pardee

Lake Pardee is scheduled to reopen Feb. 17 for fishing. 

Lake Camanche

The south shore pond seems to be the hot area. Anglers are doing well while fishing with power bait. North shore bank fishing is still producing limits this week, mostly in the early morning hours when the water is coldest. South shore has a couple of good reports as well. 

Bass fishing remains fair, anglers catching fish while working small plastic baits along the bottom. 

Tip of the Week

This time of year is one of the most difficult to predict. The fishing can be great one day and be horrible the next, the weather can be even more unpredictable. My best advice for those of you planning to go fishing is to be prepared for the worst weather wise. It always seems like when the fishing is the greatest, or when we least expect it, the weather turns for the worst.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.