Wednesday, while I was out fishing, I was surprised to see a small group of teens fishing for bass along the bank. 

What surprised me the most was that it was barely 6 a.m. Over the years there has been a steady decline in the number of youths fishing. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the decline. 

Working with teens, I found that most of them have never been fishing in their lives. I have a younger cousin who is in his teens and has become interested in fishing. The problem is that he plays competitive baseball year round, making scheduling a fishing trip difficult. His grandfather, my uncle, has asked me to help assist him in taking my cousin fishing for the first time. 

So, next weekend, I’m going to do just that. I’m still a little undecided on where I’m going to take him fishing. Hopefully wherever we decide to go, my cousin becomes hooked on fishing just as I was when his age. 

The Delta

Anglers are doing really well for bass while fishing in the wind with reaction baits. Spinner baits have been working especially well. There are a lot of baits fish in the shallows making lure fishing good. Anglers fishing top-water lures are still doing well as well as those that are flipping vegetation. You may not catch a lot of big fish, but the numbers are there for those looking to fill a limit. 

Bluegills are being caught in large numbers right now for those fishing with small worms in the backs of sloughs. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers and clams. 

New Melones Lake

Trout are being caught for those fishing under submersible lights during the night and the kokanee bite remains good for those who choose to troll. The hot bait seems to be Apex Lures tipped with shoepeg corn fished trolled anywhere from 60 to 100 feet deep. 

Bass fishing remains good for smaller fish during the day and bigger fish are being caught earlier in the day on top water lures. 

Bluegills continue to bite well for those fishing brush piles with worms. All launching on the lake is on gravel out of Glory Hole Point making having a vehicle equipped with four wheel drive necessary. 

Don Pedro

Kokanee fishing has gotten tougher for anglers, as the kokanee have been holding tight to structure making them hard to target for anglers trolling. 

Trout fishing is fair for anglers that are finding them. They are scattered throughout the lake right now making it tough to target a specific depth. 

Bass fishing is fair early and late in the day for anglers fishing with top water lures. Fleming Meadows has the only paved launch ramp available on the lake.

Lake Amador

Lake Amador has been good for those fishing at night. During the day the only fish reported caught are Bluegill which are being caught up shallow on worms. At night, bass are being caught on large power worms and spinnerbaits. Large Catfish are also being caught with some weighing over ten pounds on chicken livers and clams. A few trout are also being lured to the surface at night by submersible lights which can be caught on minnows and power bait.

New Hogan

I apologize to those who visited New Hogan thinking that there would be a courtesy dock available. I, too, was surprised on my last visit. 

The stripers are being found chasing schools of shad to the surface. If you get there early in the morning or stay later in the evening you’ll have a good chance of catching a small limit on top-water lures. 

During the day I had luck while trolling an umbrella rig without a downrigger. The umbrella rig that worked the best for me had small willow leaf spinner blades on it.

Lake Camanche

The bite is really good for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. 

Small plastic worms worked along the bottom are producing a lot of bites during the day. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of coves.

Tip of the Week

One of the most rewarding fishing moments has been catching a fish while using bait that I made myself. Plastic baits can be made with very little effort in your own garage. 

I’ve been making my own baits for years, not only has it been fun catch fish on something that nobody else is using but it’s been a great way to keep me busy. You Tube, is filled with tutorials towards helping you get started in case you’re interested.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com.