Modesto CA Fishing Report May

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wgbassgirl
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Modesto CA Fishing Report May

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Fishing Report
last updated: May 07, 2008 05:09:12 AM

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LAKE CAMANCHE

Trollers continue to catch trout in main lake, and anglers getting on the water at first light can still catch trout on the surface, but most trout move down to 25-35 feet during day. One angler reported catching five trout, with two in the 8-pound range, while top lining with blue/white a Rapala lure. He started at first light, in the main body of the lake, and had his lure at least 250 feet out behind his boat. ... Camanche regular Steve Bjerke rented a boat from North Shore this week and caught and released 11 bass up to 20 inches. He was fishing the main body of the lake, and also upriver, with 4-inch Robo Worms in brown/blue. Most of his fish were 10-15 feet deep. ... Eddie and Robin Neeld of Cameron Park weighed in three catfish for 22.68 pounds fishing with chicken liver in South Shore marina arm. (Northshore Store 763-5166, Southshore 763-5915).

DELTA

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported an outstanding bite for big largemouth bass in the mid-Delta in clear water. His clients landed 12 fish of more than 10 pounds the past two weeks. One client had six fish of more than 6 pounds in one day. Pringle emphasized large baits for large fish. The Strike King Pure Poison with a 6-inch Berkley Big Worm trailer or Persuader E-chip flipping jigs are his top choices. He's been using a slow presentation. Casting accuracy is a must as the fish are holding in less than 5 feet of water. Benicia Bait reported good sturgeon action in the area from the Benicia Bridge to the Glomar to the first row of ships in the Mothball Fleet with shrimp baits. Jack Kelly of Viera's Resort reported a wide-open striper bite in the Sacramento River near Isleton, Steamboat Slough and the Deep Water Channel in both shallow and deep water with Yozuri Crystal Minnows and broken-backed Rebels. Several large female fish, including a 40-pounder released, were landed in the past week. Water temperatures continue to climb, and fish are both coming and going through the Delta in a hurry. (Fishermen's Warehouse in Manteca 239-2248, Randy Pringle 543-6260, Kevin Yost-Lucky Strike Fishing 707-301-8050).

LAKE DON PEDRO

Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said king salmon fishing is tough, but his group found a 4.2-pound fish rolling shad at 95 feet. Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service reported an excellent salmon bite when you can locate the fish. They're not holding in one area for any length of time. Rainbow trout are found in top 20 feet with Vance's Slim Willies tipped with a 'crawler or ExCel Spoons. Kokanee can be found from Goose Island to Buzzard Point 50 feet deep with Uncle Larry's Spinners, Marni Bugs or Sockeye Slammers behind green Sling Blades or gold Vance's Dodgers. Mike Van Guilder Jr. of Fishwrangler's Bass Guide Service said a variety of plastics and methods are working throughout the lake. The fish are spawning or in post-spawn. There's a bit of a reaction bite. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford reported an excellent night bass bite with 6-inch black Senkos and fair bite during day. The fish are within 10 feet of the banks. (Monte Smith 581-4734, Danny Layne-Fishn' Dan 586-2383, Bait Barn 874-3011).

McCLURE RESERVOIR

Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported wide-open bass fishing from the banks to 25 feet with Robo Worms in Margarita Mutilators and shad-colored plastics. Best action has been up the river past Barrett's Cove in the flats and in Cottonwood Creek. There is a top-water bite with Zara Spooks early or late, and 25- to 30-fish days are possible. Trout fishing is very good in the canyons from Barrett's to Bagby from the surface to 25 feet with Wedding Rings tipped with a 'crawler with or without a flasher, shad-colored ExCels or blue/chrome Kastmasters for fish to 2 pounds. Crappie fishing is still best at night for fish to 1½ pounds, with some action during the day around rock piles, brush or submerged islands with small minnows or red/white minijigs at 30 feet deep. Catfishing is wide-open on live minnows, anchovies or cut baits at 15-20 feet on muddy, sloping banks. Lake came up 1,684 acre-feet, but dropped overall to 36 percent capacity. (A-1 Bait 563-6505, Fishwrangler's Guide Service 604-8222, Bub Tosh 404-0053).

McSWAIN RESERVOIR

Stephanie Wood of McSwain Marina reported good trout fishing for bank anglers near the Dam, Handicapped Docks or upriver near the Maintenance Shed early in the morning with white or pink Power Bait or Power Eggs. Sam Gallegos of Turlock landed a 7.25-pound rainbow on salmon eggs near the Dam. Trollers are working the normal pattern with Wedding Rings tipped with a 'crawler, firetiger or shad-patterned Apex lures or blade/'crawlers. The DFG and Calaveras Trout Farm will plant the lake this week in anticipation of the Mariposa County Fish and Game Tournament. (378-2534).

MONTEREY

Todd Arcaleo of Chris' Landing reported great action on the opening to the rockfish season with limits of vermilion and yellow rockfish with a few ling cod from Point Sur. Trips are $60 per person.

(Chris' Landing 831-375-5951).

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR

Danny Layne of Fishn's Dan's Guide Service and Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sport Fishing reported outstanding kokanee fishing with numerous fish to 16½ inches at depths of 26-65 feet with Kok-A-Nuts, pink Sockeye Slammers, Glitter Bugs hootchies in pinks or green behind a Sling Blade or Vance's Dodger. The fish are holding above the 49 Bridge, Glory Hole Point, Tuttletown Boat Ramp, Bear Creek and Peoria Arm. Kokanee Power released trophy brown and rainbow trout from the net pens this week. Melanie Lewis of Glory Holes Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported continued great bass fishing despite falling water levels. Bass are in less than 5 feet and in all stages of spawning. Try Zoom Shakin' worms, Robo Worms with shaky heads, Senkos or brass 'n' glass in green pumpkin, watermelon or oxblood. Larger fish are still found on swimbaits. Catfishing is slow. Crappie and bluegill are picking up. Lake dropped 895 acre-feet to 58 percent capacity. (736-4333, Monte Smith 581-4734, Danny Layne-Fishn' Dan 586-2383, Fishwranglers Bass Guide Service 604-8222).

LAKE PARDEE

Trollers are concentrating at the Face of the Dam, the River Mouth and the Arm as far as Indian Rock. Catches are mixed (Rainbows and Kokes) and most have to work harder, fish longer and troll a bit deeper. Presently depths for downriggers are 20-50 feet. Small lures in red, pink and tiger patterns, Hoochies, Sep's, Midge Wobblers, Wedding Rings, Uncle Larry's copper pops, and Mad Irishman lures are all working. Tip everything with scented shoe peg corn and end with a lime or blue/silver Sep's dodger. ... The "mud Hole" continues to shrink as lake level drops. It may be time to check out the other points around the Recreation Area for bank fishing. Try Power Bait balls and worms. Hanging from a surface bobber or floating up from the bottom on a sliding sinker, both are working well. ... Don Laws of Delhi used a pink Hoochie to boat 11.63-pound German brown near Twin Coves. (772-1472).

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Halibut fishing is still the only game until the rockfish opener June 1. The bays are littered with private and party boats on weekends. Live bait is available at both the San Francisco and Berkeley bait receivers. Party boats out of Berkeley and Emeryville continue to post impressive halibut scores with increasing numbers of striped bass. The California Dawn and Happy Hooker out of Berkeley put in a fish and a half per rod for 41 anglers despite heavy winds, boat pressure, and big tides on Sunday. Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sport Fishing trolled up seven halibut to 18 pounds, plus four striped bass. High winds in San Pablo Bay made things unfishable over the weekend, but this week's minu
s tides should spur on the sturgeon bite near the Pumphouse with shrimpbaits. Good numbers of sturgeon seen jumping in the area. (Roger Thomas 415-674-3474).

SAN LUIS RESERVOIR

Stephanie Wood of McSwain Marina reported good trout fishing for bank anglers near the Dam, Handicapped Docks and upriver near the Maintenance Shed early in morning with white or pink Power Bait or Power Eggs. Sam Gallegos of Turlock landed a 7.25-pound rainbow on salmon eggs near the Dam. Trollers are working the normal pattern with Wedding Rings tipped with a 'crawler, firetiger or shad-patterned Apex lures or blade/crawlers. The DFG and Calaveras Trout Farm will plant the lake this week in anticipation of the Mariposa County Fish and Game Tournament. (378-2534).
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