Fishing report: Week of Jan. 25

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

BEST BETS

Delta sturgeon hammering baits, Mike Pipkens said. Huntington rainbows still active, Jack Benigno reported. Don Pedro trout near the surface, Bill Holbrook reported. New Melones holdover rainbows hitting, Melanie Lewis said. Pine Flat rainbows producing limits, Merritt Gilbert reported. McClure bass and trout action good, Jason Mello reported.

ROGER’S REMARKS

There always seems to be a defining moment in anglers’ early careers when a special experience sets the tone for the rest of their fishing lives.

It was the early 1970s and I was a sophomore living in the dorms at Fresno State. One day a friend of mine and I decided to go to Millerton and do some afternoon shore fishing. Loading up my huge old white Cadillac Sedan de Ville, called the U.S.S. Poseidon (it reminded us of an aircraft carrier!), we headed to the Madera side of the lake for some nice coves. After parking, we headed out over the foxtail covered hills for a spot about three quarters of a mile away as the sun dropped — perfect timing for a top-water bass bite!

We finally came over the top of a hill, to our destination, when we spotted a guy flyfishing right smack dab in the middle of our secret spot! Deciding he didn’t know what he was doing, we walked down to the shoreline away from him and started fishing. I was casting a 5-inch shiny top-water plug called a Hellcat out into the middle of the C-shaped cove hoping for a bass to hit, as the flyfisherman worked a small popper off to my left in the glassy water. Working toward each other we eventually ended up 30 yards apart, but casting out into the middle of the cove at the same spot. That’s when it happened!

His popper was just a few feet away from my bigger top-water plug that I had just cast when I suddenly noticed a disturbance in the water all around my plug. It was nothing real noticeable, but the signature of a large fish considering it! Letting the ripples expand for a second, I decided to finally twitch the plug again, but as I did so all heck broke loose! A big striper erupted completely out of the water as it engulfed my plug, thrashing wildly about in its attack.

Completely caught off guard, the flyfisherman thought the rampaging striper had taken his nearby popper and set the hook so hard he fell down on the shore. Ignoring my screaming line, he tried to frantically strip in the loose line, but when he figured it out he wasn’t a happy camper.

The fish quickly hauled me down the shore as I frantically tried to pressure it with my 7-foot rod and Mitchell 300 reel spooled with 8-pound test line. Pressuring the running fish as much as I dared I kept having to give up ground as it headed for open water, pulling me right to the end of the point. Watching the line burn all the way down to the last few wraps, I couldn’t believe it when suddenly the striper reversed course and ran back into the cove as fast as I could reel. Saved!

My buddy ran over and landed the 10-pound striper, my biggest at the time. The disgusted flyfisherman took a look and headed for the parking lot.

It was nearly pitch black as we trudged over the last hill to our car, when I could just make out an animated conversation from the distant lot. One voice said emphatically, “I tell you, those guys got a big striper. I saw it!” Another voice replied, “Are you sure, Bob?” They must have spotted us, because they turned on the car headlights, and one guy muffled, “Oh my gosh!” as the lights lit up the hillside scene of us dragging the big striper back.

Next day we decided to go right back and do it again! There was only one car in the lot as we parked, loaded up and ran all the way to our spot. Coming over the last hill, we suddenly came upon two very embarrassed anglers, the flyfisherman and his buddy using our exact rigs and plugs, casting like their lives depended on it. “No, we haven’t gotten any bites!” they sheepishly explained. We laughed all the way back to the car!

Roger George can be reached at rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net

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PHOTO GALLERIES

Check out catches from local anglers that have submitted photos from their outings …

Gallery #51 (New November 3)
Gallery #50
Tournament Gallery #3 (New July 4)
Archived Galleries

Take your digital camera with you so you can send us your pictures for our galleries. Please send your photos to fishpictures@fresnobee.com. Please include the following information: Your name, city, type of fish, length and weight of fish, when and where caught, and what type of bait used. Large photos work best – we can crop and reduce a picture, but we can’t expand a small picture and make it look decent. You can also send photos to rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net.

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KEY:

* Try dynamite
** Have to work hard
*** Limits possible
**** Fish jumpin’ in boat

VALLEY

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass *** Crappie ** Catfish ** Trout *** Kokanee **

Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported good action for both holdover and planted trout as the bite picked up once again in the past week. The rains started the process of nutrients flowing out of the inlets, and bank fishermen have been working moving water with Power Bait or marshmallow/night crawler combinations. She said, “It is very important that your bait floats, so small hooks, plenty of Power Bait, and a worm inflator are helpful.” Larger trout are attracted to minnow-imitation lures such as Rapala CD7s or CD9s. Trollers are using a less is more approach with small flashers or dodgers like a Sep’s Sidekick or Crystal Basin Wild Thing followed by a night crawler 3 to 5 feet behind. Minnow-imitation lures fished solo have been working, and a tandem Needlefish set-up is another good bet. Lewis advised, “It is very important to use light line when the water is as clear as it is now, and a 3- to 5-foot piece of 4- to 6-pound fluorocarbon will do the trick.” The smaller fish are biting on the surface, and the bigger fish are down at 15 to 25 feet. Eddie Maple of Lodi landed a 6-pound brown trout during Saturday’s rainstorm on a custom, hand-painted Rapala J7. It is very early for kokanee, but there also have been reports of kokanee to 15 inches landed near the surface by anglers targeting trout. Lewis rated bass fishing as pretty good with the fish in their winter haunts at depths from 25 to 65 feet along main lake structure. The spots are fat, healthy and loaded with shad. As a result, shad-patterned plastics on a drop-shot rig or Yamamoto Hula Grubs in natural crawdad colors are working best, but large swim baits, such as a Spro BBZ or a Huddleston will work on windy or overcast days. Few anglers are targeting catfish, but Lewis advised trying at depths from 35 to 70 feet along deep ledges and main lake points with night crawlers, frozen shad or anchovies. Soaking the baits in Pro Cure scents has increased the number of bites, as well as using a weightless rig on an open bail for less resistance.

Gatlin Hampton of Douglas Flat landed the largest catfish of the week at 6.25 pounds while targeting trout with Power Bait. Crappie and bluegill action is still slow to fair with the best action on small minnows, red worms or mealworms on a slip-float rig at depths from 15 to 25 feet with 4- to 6-pound test. The lake held at 1,049.88 feet in elevation and 82% capacity.

Call: (209) 736-4333 ; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fishn’ Dan (209) 586-2383 ; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass ** Trout *** Crappie ** Catfish ** Bluegill **

Conditions were less than ideal over the past weekend with the cold, stormy weather, and trout fishing remains the best thing going in the lake. The Auxiliary Dam and Piney Point are the top bank spots with Power Bait scented with garlic in a variety of colors, Chunky Cheese or the new Berkley Mice-Tails. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. The 23rd annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is March 31-April 2, and set to offer record prizes over $250,000. Applications are now available online at www.isabellafishingderby.com/

2012_derby_app.pdf and at the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce office, and merchants in the Kern River Valley and in Bakersfield. Crappie fishing is limited to the warmer water in the marinas with either minijigs or live small minnows. The catfish bite is fair with clams, frozen shad or anchovies from the bank access areas. Bass fishing remains very slow with only a few fishermen targeting the lake, and the majority of area bass fishermen are venturing to other waters. The lake rose less than a half foot to 2,560.05 feet in elevation and 30% capacity. There continues to be few reports of the upper river, and slow action has been the norm from the Johnsondale Bridge to the inlet of the reservoir. The lower river has also slowed down with the waters becoming a bit stained from the inflow. The local small reservoirs have been planted heavily, and Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “River Walk has been particularly good for planters and a few larger fish.” The small local lakes of Truxton, Woollomes, Ming, Hart Park and the Park at River Walk will be planted this week. Power Bait in any garlic scent or the new Micetails are top offerings. At Buena Vista, the weekend’s Kern County Trout Derby was a success with a 6-plus-pound rainbow taking the top prize. Most area crappie anglers are also heading to Buena Vista at night with small minnows.

Call: Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657 ; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper ** Catfish ** Bass ** Crappie *

The striper bite continues to wane slowly, but a few linesides in the 18- to 24-inch range can be taken in the normal places with jumbo minnows in Portuguese Cove, Dinosaur Point and the Trash Racks. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill said the striper have been dropping into deeper water with the recent cold weather. From the banks, Ly Tu of Ly’s Fishing Goods in San Jose reported a fair bite from the Basalt Recreational Area with anchovies or frozen shad. Bank anglers continue to line the access areas along Highway 152. The reaction bite has slowed in the recent weeks. In the Forebay, trollers are starting to work the lake with Yozuri plugs for small striper. Parking access to the shore area at the Highway 33 Bridge is now prohibited, and anglers will have to park elsewhere and hike to the bridge. The main lake remains high at 95%.

Important note: EFFECTIVE OCT. 1, 2011, VESSEL INSPECTIONS FOR QUAGGA AND ZEBRA MUSSELS TO BEGIN AT SAN LUIS RESERVOIR SRA. All boats, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, sailboards, inflatables and float tubes must undergo a mandatory inspection. These invasive species threaten recreational opportunities, the water delivery infrastructure of California and the aquatic habitat of San Luis Reservoir SRA. Failure to allow inspection of any watercraft will result in the refusal to launch.

Call: Ly’s Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644 ; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711

Eastman Lake

Bass ** Trout ** Bluegill ** Catfish ** Crappie **

Prior to the weekend’s storms, bass fishing was decent with dark-colored Senkos, Brush Hogs or jigs at depths from 15 to 35 feet for bass from 1.75 to 4 pounds. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “There haven’t been too many fishermen on the lake, but 8 to 9 fish days are possible.” He added that trout trolling has been popular on the lake, and Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger, blade/crawler combinations or small spinners are working from the surface to 20 feet in depth. A trout plant is scheduled for next week. The Lakeview Trail is open between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge, but the area of the lake extending upstream along the Chowchilla River is still closed beyond the buoy line. The lake rose nearly a foot to 556.49 feet and 68%.

Call: 689-3255

Hensley Lake

Bass ** Trout ** Catfish ** Crappie **

Few reports for Hensley for bass, as area fishermen are targeting Pine Flat or Millerton due to tournament activity. The best thing going is trout fishing off the banks at the Swim Beach with rainbow or chartreuse Power Bait. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. The lake rose more than a foot to 492.72 vertical feet and 34% capacity.

Call: 225-1838; 292-3474; 673-5151

McSwain Reservoir

Trout ***

Stephanie Powell of the McSwain Marina said, “The action from the banks continues to be more productive than trolling, and shore anglers are scoring limits from the marina to the peninsula and along the left side of the access areas at the marina with night crawlers or orange Power Bait.” Trolling has been limited to a few fish per rod with most boats working around the Floating Restrooms. The lake is high for this time of year. The Department of Fish and Game, and Calaveras Trout Farm are planting the lake on an alternating weekly basis.

Call: (209) 378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs

Striper ** Catfish **

The local water conveyance systems continue to be very slow with few fishermen even trying. In the south aqueduct, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “The reaction bite has improved with 5-inch white tubes on a three-quarters- to 1-ounce jig head,” adding, “Blood and sand worms or anchovies are picking up small legal stripers along the access areas.”

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass ** Striper ** Shad * Trout **

Jay Graham of the Fresno Bass Club reported on last weekend’s club tournament by stating, “The majority of fish were caught either on the drop-shot, Texas rig, jigs or dart-head plastics between 40 and 60 feet, as the reaction bait is very slow.” He advised anglers to reel in slowly to prevent the decompression that occurs upon rising from the depths. Graham added, “It is important to have an air bladder deflator, and my personal choice is the Bends Mender Deflator Needle, as it is long enough to deflate through the mouth and has a pin to clear out the needle every time the cap is replaced.” Ten limits were weighed in from the 30 anglers participating in the tournament. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The wind and rains made for very uncomfortable conditions over the weekend and pulling in a limit over 7-pounds was a challenge.” One striper estimated at 15 pounds reportedly was hooked in the river arm above Finegold on a spoon at 60 feet in depth, but this fish came unbuttoned. The lake dropped 1.5 feet to 530.30 feet and 61% with the launch ramp on the Second Ramp. Woodward Park is scheduled for another trout plant this week. Access to the San Joaquin River continues to be limited to the Broken Bridge with the continued closure of the Lost Lake areas, but anglers are scoring planters with yellow or chartreuse Power Bait, Kastmasters and Gulp! Worms, but the flows have increased in the aftermath of the weekend storms and water releases from the dam. The work to clear up the debris at Lost Lake has begun.

Call: 225-1838; 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

Bass ** Trout *** King salmon * Catfish **

Limits of trout are available, but anglers will have to work a bit harder to put fish in the box. Merritt Gilbert said, “Larger trout to 19 inches have been taken in the main lake along the wall across from the Pine Flat Lake Resort at depths from 40 to 50 feet with Needlefish or Apex lures; and up the river arm to Trimmer, small shad-colored spoons such as Rainbow Runners, Needlefish or ExCels, and Dick’s Trout Busters on a 2-ounce weight are working for rainbows in the 13- to 14-inch range.” Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno said the fish are moving up into the main lake around Windy Gap and Zebe Creek with a variety of lures. Bass fishing is decent; and during Saturday’s rainstorm, a few spotted bass moved up into the shallows. Spinnerbaits or jigs are picking up these fish, but the best technique remains on the bottom with jigs, or plastics on the drop-shot or dart-head. Dark-colored Senkos or Hula Grubs in Color 208 or smoke/black/

purple also are working. The lake rose 2 feet to 867.57 feet and 57%. Interest in bank fishing on the lower Kings remains high due to the recent plant of trophy fish. Another trout plant will take place this week, Roostertails in chartreuse, Kastmasters, Joe’s Flies, night crawlers or various colors of Power Bait continue to be effective. The bank action at Avocado Lake has although the lake will be planted once again this week.

Call: 787-2387; 225-1838; 292-3474

Lake Kaweah

Bass ** Crappie ** Trout ** Catfish **

Overall bass fishing has been slow, but Jerry Williams of the Success Bass Club landed a huge largemouth at 15.97 pounds on a swimbait to take Saturday’s American Bass Association tournament. In addition to this kicker, they rounded out a 19-plus limit with another bass at 3.85 pounds. There were few fish weighed in, and the second place limit dropped precipitously to 12 pounds. Despite the large fish taken on swimbaits, drop-shotting or jigs are the most consistent producers with the bass holding deep in the water column. The Houseboat area has been producing crappie at light under lights. Trout fishing continues to be the most consistent bite along the first or second launch ramps with Power Bait, night crawlers, Kastmasters or Roostertails. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. The lake rose over 7 feet to 602.17 feet in elevation and 12% capacity.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success

Bass ** Trout ** Catfish **

The stormy weather limited fishing action over the weekend, but trout fishing continues to be the top draw at the lake. Anglers have been lining up in small groupings along the Rocky Hill side of the lake and tossing out Power Bait, night crawlers or Kastmasters. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. Bass fishing continues to be on the slow side with the fish moving into the shallows in the early mornings before dropping deep by mid-morning in search of warmer water and shad schools. Jigs, spoons or drop-shotting are the top techniques. The Tule Point south and Rocky Hill launch ramps are still open, but the best access remains at Rocky Hill. The lake rose 3 feet to 605.43 feet in elevation and 20%.

Call: 784-0215

McClure Reservoir

Bass *** Trout *** King salmon ** Kokanee ** Crappie ** Catfish **

Trout action remains good with near limits reports up the river arm near Bagby with night crawlers behind a copper/gold flasher. King salmon to 21 inches have been landed near the Dam on blue hootchies behind a shad-patterned dodger at a depth of 35 feet with kokanee also starting to show up. For bass, jigs or tubes are working in deep water from 40 to 50 feet, and live crawdads continue to be effective. The lake rose 1 foot to 806.30 feet in elevation and 64% capacity.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505 ; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053

Lake Don Pedro

Bass ** Trout *** Kokanee * King salmon **

Bill Holbrook of Escalon Bait and Tackle said trout are found on the surface along the 5 mph buoy line outside of Moccasin, and small spoons, Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of night crawler behind a dodger, or blade/crawler combinations are working at depths to 15 feet. Anglers have been launching out of Moccasin and trolling up the river arm at depths from 40 to 45 feet with rolled shad or anchovies for kings ranging from 16 to 18 inches. Holbrook said, “These fish will grow quickly to the 20- to 24-inch range by the spring with all of the shad in the lake.” Locating birds has been a key to finding the trout schools, and Smith reported a huge flock of grebes in the open water off Schoolhouse Point. The bank trout bite for planters remains decent in Fleming Meadows or the Blue Oaks Launch Ramp with Kastmasters, Power Bait or night crawlers. Bass fishing continues to be slow with the only action taking place in deep water with 4-inch Pro Worms leech 261S light which is salt/pepper with a violet streak or with 3.5-inch tubes in green pumpkin/pepper. Brown jigs with a green pumpkin trailer also have produced fish. A very slow and methodical presentation is necessary in the depths to 40 feet.

Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734 ; Danny Layne-Fishn’ Dan (209) 586-2383 ; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550 ; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

HIGH SIERRA

Bass Lake

Bass ** Trout ** Kokanee *

The lake is starting to rise with the inflow, and float tubers have been finding a few bass in the submerged trees in the shallows. The Pines boat launch was retrofitted by PG&E with ramp extensions allowing boat access during low lake levels through the winter months weather permitting and for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service will be providing a seminar on Bass Lake kokanee fishing this Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno. The lake rose to 41% capacity.

One scheduled quarry blast is 3:45 p.m. Thursday. A blasting schedule should be updated every Friday and is available at cranevalleydam.com/blasting-schedule

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Kokanee * Trout *** Smallmouth *

Snow fell on Huntington over the weekend; but prior to the storms, Jack Benigno of Visalia continues to find limits of rainbows from the banks near Deer Creek with Berkley Gulp Nuggets in pink and green. Benigno said, “This week’s trout were smaller in the 10- to 14-inch range, and the ice runs out 5 to 6 feet from the shoreline at the point in Deer Creek, and I had no problem landing fish.” With snow falling in the high country, refilling of Shaver Lake should start during the first week of February, as there was a healthy amount of water held in the high country above Shaver to quickly restore the lake to normal early spring levels. Dick Nichols, president of the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project, said, “An estimated 80,000 trout will be planted in the lake starting in a couple of months, and approximately 6,000 to 7,000 of these will be trophy-sized.” With the success of donations and the annual dinner, the SLTTP will provide approximately 2,500 trophy-sized trout for 2013. The SLTTP meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Tiffany Pines meeting room. Captain Jack Yandell and Shaver Lake fishing guide Dick Nichols, will be featured at Shaver Lake fishing seminars at Herb Bauer’s in Fresno on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. and Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis on March 31 in the early afternoon. Long time Shaver Lake resident Lee Gates will be on the agenda and present a historical slideshow at each event. Yandell and Nichols also will be using the slideshow in their presentation. The slideshow will have current photos of Shaver along with photos of the late 1800s. Nichols will provide photos of the lake bottom, cover the hot fishing spots of the lake, and what it takes to catch the trophy-size trout. Yandell, Shaver Lake’s resident kokanee expert, will cover the progress of the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project, a slideshow of last year’s trophy trout caught, his recommendations on catching big fish and the use of the down rigger. Huntington rose to 54% capacity and Shaver Lake remains at 0%.

Call: Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Young’s Sporting Goods 841-8271, 841-2522, 841-2740

Wishon/Courtright

The gates to Wishon and Courtright are closed and awaiting a spring date in which to reopen.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

The gate at Kaiser Pass is now closed until spring. All of the lakes remain high for this time of year with Edison at 76%, Florence at 58%, and Mammoth Pool at 42%, with Redinger at 87%.

Call: 259-4000

OCEAN

San Francisco Bay

Striper ** Leopard shark ** Sturgeon ***

Emeryville Sport Fishing will be taking the remainder of January off, but resuming sturgeon trips in San Pablo or the south bay in February. Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker out of Berkeley Marina didn’t take a trip in Saturday’s rough weather conditions, but he said, “They are killing the sturgeon in the south bay, and we have the option to head to the south or north to San Pablo Bay as there will be a sturgeon trip next Saturday,” Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait in San Rafael said, “No one was out on Sunday with the NFL games on TV; and on Saturday, the conditions were terrible, and next to no one was out.” They sold out of mud shrimp, and this bait will be difficult to obtain for several days due to the high winds and rains in the Pacific Northwest. Fraser thought the tides are decent through the middle of this week, and he plans on going out on to catch a sturgeon for his annual seminar this week. The weather is expected to return to clear conditions after the passing of this next storm. Fraser’s seminar, “Sturgeon Fishing in Bay Waters” will take place Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:15 p.m. at the Marin Rod and Gun Club. Joel Sinkay of Leonard’s Bait and Tackle at Port Sonoma advises anglers to be aware of the changes for starry flounder where they are now classified as a groundfish, and they can only be kept in San Pablo Bay from the shoreline. Boat fishermen must release the flounder. He said the Pumphouse area has been the top region for sturgeon in the past week with combinations of ghost shrimp, grass shrimp and lamprey eel. The crabs are heavy on the weaker tides. Sinkay said the top sleeper bet is Sonoma Creek, and the lower Napa River is also decent for sturgeon near the Highway 37 Bridge and the Causeway. Striped bass to 29 inches have been taken in the Petaluma River with swim baits, but more rain is needed to bring the sturgeon up the river. In the south bay, herring spawns have been popping up here and there, and a major spawn was taking place at AT&T Park at the end of last week.

The DFG regulations state: 27.95. STURGEON CLOSURE. Green sturgeon and white sturgeon may not be taken in the following described area between Jan. 1 and March 15: That portion of San Francisco Bay included within the following boundaries: A direct line between Point Chauncy (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Point Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Point Lobos and Point Bonita.

Half Moon Bay

The rough ocean conditions over the weekend kept all boats in the harbor, and Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat is the only party boat putting together crab/sand dab combination trips for the remainder of the month. Crab limits have been relatively easy with a long soak, and sand dabs are also relatively easy at depths between 210 and 240 feet along a wide section of the coastline off Martin’s Beach. Sabiki rigs on the bottom have been bringing up five of the tiny, but tasty, flatfish at a time. “The key is being able to stay on the bottom with the Sabikis tipped with a small piece of squid,” Mattusch said. Most boats are focusing on whale watching, but Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete out of Huck Finn Sport Fishing and Captain Guy Anthony on the New Gravy will start with the combination trips in February. Further north, Sheryl Jimno of the Rusty Hook in Pacifica reported rough ocean conditions have limited crabbing from the pier, and the pier was briefly closed on Sunday due to high surf. A few anglers have been trying for surf perch or striper, but the high water has limited success. The surging waves should create an upwelling of sources in the food chain for improved conditions in the future months.

Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388 ; Huck Finn Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133, Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040 ; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’ Landing in Monterey said, “We didn’t go out over the weekend due to the weather, but we have sand dab/crab combination trips this week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and we will go any day we get enough interest.” The interest has waned in the past weeks, but the few anglers that are going out are coming back with limits of Dungeness and buckets of sand dabs. Arcoleo said, “Market-grade squid has not arrived so far into the bay, but there are huge schools of tiny 1-inch squid.” The larger squid are necessary to move white sea bass into the bay. North in Santa Cruz, interest in surf perch is heating up with the coming of the Eighth annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Tournament, Information is available at http://theletsgofishingradioshow.com

Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951 ; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173 ; usafishing.com

San Luis Obispo

Whale watching and nature excursions are the only thing taking place at both ports until April’s salmon opener and the May 1 rockfish opener, Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay is offering whale watching on Friday, Saturdays, and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for $39 for adults and $29 for children 15 and under. During the week, a minimum of 10 passengers is necessary for a trip. Group discounts, private charters are available from their three boats ranging from 55 to 90 feet in length. A photographer will be available on most trips. A 10% discount is being offered for early booking of all 2012 rockfish trips. Out of Port San Luis, Patriot Sport Fishing will be taking crab/sand dab trips on the weekends from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $60/adult and $45/children 12 and under. Their whale watching/ocean excursions will also run on weekends from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1-3 p.m. for $35/adult and $15/children 4- to 12-years-old and children 3 and under free. They advise bringing your cameras and binoculars to locate the gray whale pods, seals and seabird life. On their last trip, passengers witnessed a pod of Orcas that came to the boat and even splashed water on the bow. Video of this trip is available on the Patriot Sport Fishing Facebook page.

Call: Virg’s Landing, (805) 772-1222, (800) 762-5263 ; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214

OTHERS

Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez

Bass *** White Bass ** Striper ** Catfish ** Crappie **

There is great anticipation for a hot bite at Nacimiento for this Saturday’s inaugural Best Bass Tournament as the bass should be moving into the inlets with the arrival of fresh water. Local anglers are predicting improved action as the fish are sure to move up with the warmer water temperatures. There have been safety concerns during recent tournaments with boats flying at a fast rate throughout the lake, particularly through restricted areas. A 15-pound limit was weighed in at San Antonio over the weekend with the winning anglers tossing either jigs or creature baits. Lopez kicked out six-fish limits over 20 pounds during Saturday’s rainstorm on jigs or drop-shotting.

Quagga mussel inspections are required before boat launching is allowed. Nacimiento rose to 68% capacity, San Antonio held at 72%.

Call: (805) 238-1056 ext. 3, (805) 472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com (805) 466-6557

Delta/Stockton

Bass ** Striper ** Sturgeon *** Catfish ** Crappie **

The weather was the story over the weekend, and combined with the NFL conference championship games and the International Sportsmen’s Exposition in Sacramento, few fishermen were out on the Delta. Curtis Hayes of Benicia Bait and Tackle said he anticipated much better sturgeon fishing in the coming weeks due to the fresh water inflow, and fishermen are advised to reserve bait for the upcoming Diamond Classic out of Martinez Marina on Jan. 28 and the Original Sturgeon Derby on Feb. 4-5. Mike Pipkin of Gotcha Bait in Antioch reported continued good sturgeon action with grass shrimp, ghost shrimp or eel in all of the usual spots, including Chain Island, the PG&E Plant, Broad Slough, and Buoys 33 and 34, but ghost shrimp has been more difficult to obtain with the inclement weather in the Pacific Northwest. “This weather will stir up the bottom and move the fish around,” Pipkin said. He predicted an improvement by the middle of the coming week. In the northeast Delta, Don Paganelli of Paganelli’s Bass Fishing Experience said. “The only action has been during the short window at the change of the tides,” and he has been scoring the occasional lineside on Hippo Tackle’s Hollow Belly swim baits in white on a half-ounce jig head. Also in the northeast Delta, Captain Mike Gravert of Intimidator Sport Fishing has been working moving water from irrigation pumps in the south fork of the Mokelumne for striper to 8 pounds with jumbo minnows. “We found a patch of clear water in the south fork, but the river became increasing dirty the further north we traveled,” Gravert said. He added that sturgeon fishing in Prospect and Cache sloughs has been outstanding with ghost shrimp, and Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle caught and released 16 sturgeon, including several oversized, on a recent overnight trip using ghost shrimp. Of the 16 fish, only one was a shaker while the majority were oversized. Obviously the fish are on the move up the river. Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said the incoming storms will change conditions in the Delta by pushing the fish out of the shallows for a few days. He added that the bass will move back into the shallows within a few days of clear weather, and the key will be to use reaction baits that remain in the strike zone for an extended period such as the Timber Tiger DC8 crank bait or the ima Flit in Olive Herring. A slow presentation is a must.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260 ; Stan Koenigsberger/Quetzal Adventures (925) 570-5303 , Mark Wilson Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630 ; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030 ; Jolly Jay’s Guide Service (209) 478-6645

EVENTS

Results

Angler’s Choice at San Antonio on Jan. 21: 1, Bryan and Steve Grier, 14.93 pounds (big fish, 3.54); 2, Doug Slaton/John Tarnagini, 12.20; 3, Mead Hendricks/Steve Morris, 10.29

Fresno Bass Club at Millerton on Jan. 22: 1, Gary Jue, 6.76 pounds; 2, Robert Edding, 6.61 (big fish, 2.47); 3, Dick DeBenedictis, 6.55

Tri-Valley Bassmasters at Lopez (six-fish limits): 1, Salvucci/Salvucci, 23.27 pounds; 2, Camacho/Camacho 20.27; 3, Sawdy/Pigeon, 20.16

Upcoming

Thursday: Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service on Bass Lake Kokanee Fishing, 6:15 p.m. at Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse

Saturday: Sixth annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby at Martinez Marina, info: www.diamondclassic.org; Best Bass Tournament at Nacimiento; American Bass Association at McClure; Angler’s Choice at Pine Flat

Sunday: Angler’s Choice at McClure

Feb. 4: Keith Fraser’s 37th annual Sturgeon Seminar, “Sturgeon Fishing in Bay Waters,” 7:15 p.m. at Marin Rod and Gun Club, information: (415) 456-0321

Feb. 4-5: Foundation Sportsman’s Club Original Sturgeon Derby, aka the “Super Bowl Sturgeon Derby” at McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point, information: www.originalsturgeonderby.com

Feb. 23: Captain Jack Yandell and Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters on Shaver Lake Techniques and History, 6 p.m. at Herb Bauer’s in Fresno.

March 10: Eighth annual Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Derby in Santa Cruz, information: www:letsgofishingradioshow.com

TROUT PLANTS

Fresno County: Avocado Lake; Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir; San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam; Woodward Park Lake

Kern County: Brite Valley Reservoir; Hart Park Lake; Isabella Lake; Lake Truxton; Lake Woollomes; Ming Lake; The Park at River Walk lake

Madera County: H. V. Eastman Lake; Hensley Lake

Tulare County: Del Lago Park lake; Lake Kaweah; Lake Success

Solunar Table
	AM		PM
	Minor	Major	Minor	Major
Wednesday	8:06	1:40	8:03	2:02
Thursday	9:37	2:25	9:01	2:46
Friday	9:06	3:08	9:57	3:28
Saturday	9:37	3:50	10:52	4:12
n Sunday	10:07	4:33	11:48	4:55
>q Monday	–	5:17	10:41a	5:40
Tuesday	12:42	6:03	11:18a	6:26

q = quarter moon; a = 10:41 a.m. and 11:18 a.m.

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