Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother
Unless noted, area code is 559
Valley/Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 3
The flows in the northern section of the California Aqueduct have been slowing down, and fishing has been improving for both striped bass and catfish.
Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported solid catfishing near the head gates with anchovies, pile worms, or chicken liver while striped bass have been ‘Hit or miss.’ He added, “When the water is moving near the dam along Patterson Pass, striped bass fishing has improved.” Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported good action for striped bass with either grass shrimp or anchovies.
In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported fair to good fishing with small striped bass and plenty of catfish taking a variety of baits. A small grade of striped bass is taken on cut sardines, anchovies, or chicken liver, wrapped with bait thread. Catfish are caught near outtake grates using chicken liver, dip bait, or cut bait, and several anglers reported catching five or more in a single outing. Largemouth bass chased bait at first light with topwater lures such as Poppers or walking baits cast across the aqueduct. Bass also hit flukes along with Roboworm’s Smokin’ Shad or green pumpkin on a drop-shot rig.
A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf .
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474 ; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 1 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
At Eastman, largemouth bass continue to hover over the rockpiles and island tops in deep water, but there are some fish up shallow in the mornings and evenings. Plastic worms from 7 to 10 inches along with large profile Brush Hogs on a Texas-rig continue to produce the occasional quality bass in the stained water from the algae bloom. At Hensley, catfish and bluegill remain the top species. Eastman held at 474.34 feet in elevation and 10 percent with rising slightly to Hensley at 456.01 feet in elevation and 8%. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November. The first trout plants of the year are scheduled for both Eastman and Hensley the week of November 10.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing was out with Doug Philpott of Philpott Marine and Trailer in Modesto along with Tim Sellars, former manager of Fisherman’s Warehouse in Manteca on a shakedown trip on Philpott’s new boat, and they found good action for both king salmon and rainbow trout running a variety of shad patterned spoons at depths from 45 to as deep as 90 feet. Smith said, “The water temperature is 55/56 degrees at 100 feet, and the shad schools are scattering out. We didn’t see many large balls of shad, and the fish have moved a few hundred yards from their previous location. We only landed one bass where we have been catching and releasing up to a dozen per trip.” For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle said, “It’s junk fishing right now as there is no true pattern, and everyone is finding their own patterns. Jigs, plastics on a drop-shot or underspins are working best as the bass are chasing shad. The topwater bite has slowed down, but you can still find a few on the surface. There is a decent crankbait bite for those searching, and there are largemouth bass as deep as 80 feet.” Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com . The lake dropped two feet to 786.31 feet in elevation. One club bass tournament remains in October with four more club events in November. A self-inspection is required for launching. Trout plants are scheduled the weeks of November 10 and 17.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734 ; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 1 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake dropped close to two feet to 2564.77 feet in elevation and 35% of capacity with surface temperatures around 80 degrees. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported solid fishing as the bass bite remains very good on crankbaits, large worms, or football jigs around Engineers Point, Rocky Point, Pine Point, and other spots in the main lake basin. Creature baits on a Texas-rig have also produced some quality bass.
The North Fork arm has seen the best overall action, especially on flats and rocky gravel points in 10 to 15 feet of water. Crappie continue to bite near the marinas on small mini jigs or live shiners while catfish have been showing near Camp 9 on SSS Dip Bait, frozen shad, or cut mackerel. In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported the upper Kern was stocked this week in Section 4, from Riverside Park in Kernville to Powerhouse #3, and anglers reported steady trout action throughout the 20-mile stretch up to Johnsondale Bridge with stick jigs in various colors, Pinched Crawlers, or salmon eggs.
In the Lower Kern, trout are showing in the canyon up to Keysville on trout jigs and spinners. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass have been hitting Senkos, small crankbaits, or jigs. Catfish are being caught on SSS dip bait, cut baits, and nightcrawlers while bluegill continue to bite on live worms. Additional trout plants are scheduled in Sections 4 during the weeks of October 27, November 3, 10, and 17 while Sections 5 and 6 will also be planted the weeks of October 27 and November 3. The flows in the upper Kern River dropped to 311 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake rose from 651 to 1080 cfs at First Point.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351 ;
Lake Kaweah
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 0 Catfish 3
The lake rose 3.5 feet to 598.84 feet in elevation and 10%. Cope’s reported fishing for bass anglers who are using electronics to locate submerged rockpiles, humps, or bluffs. Spotted bass are responding well to small finesse baits such as Senkos worked on a slow retrieve. Deep-diving crankbaits are proving effective for enticing quality largemouth bass. Crappie are found along main lake points at depths from 10 to 20 feet of water with mini jigs or small live minnows. Live nightcrawlers or cut baits on the bottom are reliable for whiskerfish. The Kaweah River rose to 181 cfs at Three Rivers. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351 ;
Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake rose a foot to 598.23 feet in elevation and 14%. Cope’s reported another decent week of bass fishing with finesse baits producing good numbers. Plastics in Aaron’s Magic, watermelon red flake, or green pumpkin on a drop-shot or on a shakey head along with spider jigs are all working along with Senkos. Reaction baits such as crankbaits or topwater lures are working early or late. Catfishing is best in the North Fork with cut mackerel or Triple S dip bait while crappie reports remain on the slow side.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351 ;
McClure Reservoir
Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported solid action for a smaller grade of bass with spoons, shaking a minnow, or flukes as the fish are schooling up throughout the lake on the shad schools. Jigs are also an excellent option. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked 5,400 pounds of trout split between Barrett Cove Recreation Area at McClure and at McSwain on October 23 so trout action should heat up from the banks and for trollers. The lake dropped slightly to 796.25 feet in elevation and 59%. The lake is seeing lots of action with 6 club tournaments in November. A trout plant is scheduled at downstream Yosemite Lake this week and at McClure the week of November 10.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 4
A trout plant took place on October 23, and as always, limits of planters are taken from the banks on Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the normal locations of Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. The larger holdover rainbows have headed up the river arm past the 1st Fence Line, and trollers are scoring with Wedding Rings, blade/’crawler combinations, or spoons. The lake is at 93 percent.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Bass fishing remains slow overall with the best action in the river arm or in the main lake on the Madera side or near the dam with Keitech swimbaits, plastics on the drop-shot, or small jerkbaits around rocky structure. The bass are deep for the most part as the water temperatures remain warm.
The Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club is hosting a high school association tournament at Millerton on November 9, but in the meantime, the club members have been participating in various ways: helping Cub Scouts earn their Fishing Badges at Pine Flat, holding their annual Trunk O’ Treats community event on Thursday night, and hosting Roosevelt’s Youth Service Day cleanup by Beautify Fresno. RHSBFC alumni from 2017 to 2020 came out to support the club at a vendor booth at the recent Fresno State Bulldogs football game.
The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have dropped slightly to 404 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. A trout plant is scheduled at Sycamore Park Pond the week of November 3. No bass tournaments are scheduled at Millerton through the end of October, but there are five club tournaments in November. Trout plants are scheduled at Woodward Park the weeks of October 27, November 3, and November 10.
Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee
The lake remains open, and it will stay open for the foreseeable future. There was some confusion on the lake’s status due to a rumor that the lake was to close last week due to the government shutdown. As a result, angling pressure was lighter this week. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find limits of holdover rainbow trout to 3-plus running Speedy Shiners in red/gold at depths from 30 to 50 feet in open water. With the warmer water conditions, both spotted and largemouth bass continue to suspend around main lake points, bluff walls, or island tops, but they area re also found in open water chasing bait. Small spoons or plastics on a drop-shot are working for the deep fish. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed, but bass fishing is reported to be strong. Tulloch is scheduled for a trout plant the week of November 3.
All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The hours are subject to change. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped slightly to 1015.35 feet in elevation and 67% with downstream Tulloch at 85%.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932 ; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966 ; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 0 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
The bass continue to hold in deep water from 60 to 75 feet in depth, and jigging a small shad patterned spoon is the best bet as the bass are chasing the shad schools. Live minnows have also been working within the shad schools. The water level is rising, but the troll bite for king salmon and rainbow trout remains slow. Once the lake turns over, the action should pick up as the holdover rainbows will be much closer to the surface. In the lower Kings River, anglers have been lining up along the easily accessed points to take advantage of the recent trout plants.
Additional trout plants are scheduled this week along with November 3 and 10. Limits of planters including some larger fish are taken on Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. The conditions are excellent with the slightly higher flows at 536 at Trimmer. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake rose four feet to 781.47 feet in elevation and 26%. There are two bass tournaments scheduled in November. The first trout plant of the year is scheduled at Avocado Lake the week of November 17.
Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273; ‘Fishing with Jimmy T’ on YouTube.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
The water level in the main lake held at 53% for the fourth consecutive week. Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported an improved striped bass bite with topwater lures such as Zara Spooks or Duo Realis 130 jerkbaits in Chartreuse Shad or white along with 4-inch paddletail swimbaits in shad patterns on a jig head. Trollers are scoring with umbrella rigs over the flats near the dam or at the mouth of Portuguese Cove. Linesides in the 19- to 30-inch range are also taken from the banks along Dinosaur Point with anchovies or grass shrimp. The story is the same at the O’Neill Forebay with good numbers of small, undersized striped bass with a variety of techniques.
The best bet for larger, legal fish are with a variety of presentations including: River2 Sea’s Rig Walkers, 4-inch Keitech swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps, or Duo Realis jerkbaits. The forebay dropped to 77%. New measures to stop the spread of golden mussels have been adopted by the Department of Water Resources, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California State Parks. These include mandatory watercraft inspections of all vessels leaving San Luis Reservoir are now in place and will help prevent the spread of mussel to other lakes and reservoirs. To help reduce the risk of mussel colonization, DWR has implemented routine inspections of SWP facilities and expanded its efforts by applying new strategies to protect pumping plants, hydroelectric plants, and water supply deliveries. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake – use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir . Los Banos Creek Reservoir is closed to public access through April 2026.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711 , Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing reported “The water level is dropping as it does every year at this time, and it is dropping fast. Fortunately, you can still launch a boat, but soon, launching will be limited to small boats. The trout bite is still fair to good, and there are some big fish still out there. I think most trollers are picking up a limit or two of trout. Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service and I will start our 2026 season at Bass Lake in April. Wittwer will move over to Shaver in May, and I will remain at Bass Lake. I believe there will be some record next year, and I can’t wait to start. I’m also looking forward to finding some kokanee next year, but we only caught a total of six kokanee this year.
There is a theory is that wake boarders are stirring up algae in shallow water, and this is killing the fish. Out of 50,000 kokanee fingerlings planted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife annually, there must be a good every reason why they have been so scarce.” For bass, Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported the fish are holding along the rockpiles at depths from 25 to 30 feet chasing the remaining kokanee. A recent tournament was taken with 12 pounds including a big fish at 5 pounds. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1 . One bass tournament this coming weekend, but none are scheduled in November. A trout plant is scheduled for the week of November 17.
Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Snow fell last week in the central Sierra with the potential for more this week, and access to the high-country lakes may be limited. Water releases during at the High Sierra lakes have slowed down but they are steadily dropping with Edison to 35, Florence to 34% while Mammoth Pool rose to 45%. Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or htt ps://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.
Road conditions 297-0706 .
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3
Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle, reported, “Shaver Lake continues to provide up to a couple limits of mixed trout and kokanee as Dave Loftin and Brian Okubo of Visalia trolled on Friday, and Loftin reported starting at sunrise at 7:00 am with a water temperature of 57 degrees. They worked the middle of the lake from the Sierra Marina to the dam, circling back, and they landed seven rainbows from 12 to 14 inches along with four kokanee. One of the kokanee was a spawning 2nd-year fish at 15 inches in full blush colors without scales. Loftin reported using pink Mountain Hoochies tipped with a white grub behind either Dick’s weighted Mountain flashers or Dick’s regular Mountain flashers with a setback of 130 feet. The kokanee were found at depths from 25 to 30 feet with the trout as high at 10 feet in the water column. I also received reports of good numbers of trout around the Boy Scout Camp and Tunnel Creek, but no kokanee.”
Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver dropped slightly to 66 with upstream Huntington rising to 67%.
Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100 ; Paul Brown 300-4001.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
Access to both Wishon and Courtright remains closed with no public access past Camp Fresno. Fire and road equipment is still working from Dinkey Creek past Wishon Dam.” The closure starts at the intersection of Trimmer Springs Road, continuing north along Big Creek Forest Road 10S69, and then up to the intersection with Dinkey Creek Road. It also includes the McKinley Grove Road at Camp Fresno to the north, and areas with no public access to Courtright, Wishon or east to the trailheads to the John Muir Wilderness and beyond, to the south. The Wishon RV Park and Store has closed for the season.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Rockfish 4 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The harbor is gearing up for the Dungeness crab opener, and few party boats went out for rockfish this week as anglers are waiting for the crab combination trips. The parking lot of Half Moon Bay launch ramp should be filled with boat trailers and tailgaters on Saturday.
Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819 ;
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Rockfish 4 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch
From the beaches, Yahir Leon from Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported a continued excellent surf perch bite from Watsonville north to Santa Cruz with small jerkbaits such as Lucky Crafts Flash Minnows in 110 or 12, motor oil/red flake grubs on a Carolina-rig, or small paddletailed swimbaits. Striped bass are still landed on occasion with the best opportunities in the early mornings with topwater lures, spoons, or jerkbaits.
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “Fishing for rock cod remains very much a sure thing for boats all around Monterey Bay. Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching Trips from Monterey continue to post full limits of rockfish for all their forays. Lingcod counts are going up as we near the spawning season. Other Monterey anglers are going for sand dabs petrale sole and halibut on the flat sandy areas from Pacific Grove to Sand City in depths of 70 to 150 feet of water. On the North side of the bay, Stagnaro’s sportfishing reports near limits on all trips plus a few lings. Bluefin tuna are still in the area, but the bite has been very picky. There are some boats who catch one, but most others catch none.
Todd Fraser at Bayside marine provided a weekend tuna report saying, “There were a few boats who went looking for tuna today. I heard one boat was looking around the Davenport Fingers but did not hook up. There were a few other boats in the middle of the bay looking for tuna, but I have not heard anything. I just got a confirmation of one bluefin caught near Carmel. There was another bluefin hooked near the Fingers, but it was lost.” So, the tuna are still here, but chances of bringing one home are remote. Most of the tuna caught recently have been in the 50 to 100-pound class. The recreational Dungeness crab season is scheduled to open on November 1, 2025, though no one really expects the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to approve that opening date. A number of factors affect the opener and governance of the resource is controlled by numerous state and federal agencies. The primary cause of delays each year is to mitigate whale and sea turtle entanglement in crab lines. Commercial crabbers are increasingly turning to “pop-up” gear that store both line and buoys on the seafloor to be deployed when the angler sends a signal. Domoic acid levels are also a factor considered before agencies will give a go-ahead for Dungeness trapping. Because crabs molt their shell as they grow, the percentage of edible meat can vary. Poor meat quality can also delay the season for recreational and commercial crabbers.”
The Check Mate and the Caroline out of Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching in Monterey were out on Friday with a combined 62 passengers for limits of rockfish and 13 lingcod. Monday’s rockfish trip brought out 13 more limits and 4 lingcod.
Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951 ; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 4 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 0 Crab 0
Many of the boat shut down for rockfishing to prepare for Saturday’s upcoming Dungeness crab opener. The weather has been less than conducive for a run to the Farallons on Sunday, and a big swell over the weekend slowed down the overall rockfish count. The few boats working have been staying in San Francisco Bay for limits of striped bass along with the occasional California halibut. Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco posted limits of striped bass on both Saturday and Sunday working around Alcatraz, Angel Island, and Red Rock. A few white seabass continue to be landed, and the next few weeks should determine if there is a good showing of the ‘ghosts.’ Live bait at the San Francisco receiver is available Friday through Monday from 6 to 9 am, but it is closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The receiver will close the second week in November.
Although the recreational Dungeness crab season opens on Saturday, November 1 below the Mendocino/Sonoma County line (42’0.00’ North Latitude), the commercial crab season has been delayed along with the recreational crab season from the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to the Oregon Border. The northern sections are closed to recreational anglers due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid. The commercial season is delayed in all Fishing Zones due to ‘numerous reported entanglements, high abundance of humpbacked whales, and the presence of leatherback sea turtles.
As in the past several years, boaters will have to use hoop nets as the use of crab traps is temporarily restricted between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (36° N latitude, Fishing Zones 3 and 4). A Fleet Advisory has been issued for all Fishing Zones for the recreational fishery and crabbers should avoid setting any gear in areas where whales are present. Hoop nets must be serviced every two hours and cannot be left unattended for longer periods. State health agencies are advising the public not to consume crab viscera (guts) to avoid potential domoic acid exposure. Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction in these areas.Crab traps cannot be used south of Point Arguello. The next Risk Assessment is anticipated to take place in mid-December to inform a possible opening of the commercial fishery around the New Year.
Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169 ; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362 ; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736 ; Happy Hooker ( 510) 223-5388
San Luis Obispo
Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3
Rockfishing continues to dominate the San Luis Obispo County ports, and although the Dungeness crab season opens on Saturday, few crab will come out from this area of the coast although some will try. The Black Pearl out of Morro Bay posted limits of rockfish and over 20 lingcod on a recent overnight trip. On Sunday, three boats of Morro Bay Landing returned with a few fish shy of rockfish limits for 48 anglers with 348 assorted rockfish, 50 Boccaccio, 50 vermilion, 2 copper, and 4 lingcod. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out on Sunday with a combined 35 anglers for 341 assorted rockfish, 4 vermilion, one copper, and 3 lingcod to 12 pounds.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263 ; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100 ; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
With the recent rains and cooling water temperatures, striped bass are showing increased interest of migrating into the Delta. The best action remains on the western edge, and the next few weeks should be loaded with striped bass on both sides of the Delta. Smaller tides limited sturgeon action in Suisun Bay over the weekend, but Captain Steve Mitchell was able to put his clients onto 3 diamondbacks to the boat out of five hookups on Sunday. The weather was less than ideal, but all three sturgeon were quality fish in the previous slot range. Largemouth bass is also showing signs of improvement as the water temperatures are dropping into the 64- to 69-degree range. Hyacinth is breaking off, and both sides of the Delta have been plagued by floating mats of grass and weeds.
For striped bass, Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley said, “Fishing is really good right now as we found steady action both days over the weekend drifting live mudsuckers. I am still heading west toward the Benicia/Martinez Bridge, but there were birds working right outside of our harbor. I thought these were smaller fish, so I continued to where I knew there were larger fish. Fresh stripers are coming in daily.” Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop was drifting minnows near the Rio Vista Bridge, catching and releasing 27 striped bass to 23 pounds. Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors added, “There aren’t many large schools of striped bass, but they will start moving in soon. One day soon, they will just pop up.” Fong reported, “Bass fishing is very good up north, but it will get even better once the temperatures move into the low 60’s/high 50’s. Chatterbaits or flipping plastics remain the best techniques as the fish are moving tight to the submerged wood.”
The two-day tournament out of Russo’s produced winning weights over 20 pounds daily, and chatterbaits, jerkbaits, Senkos, or Rat-L-Traps are all working in shad patterns. The bass are holding close to wood or in the grass and ripping the crankbaits through the grass is effective. The shad schools are also holding around rocks, grass, or near the docks in the marinas.
In the south Delta, Omega Nguyen reported catfish are the top species as legal striped bass have been scarce. Live bait such as minnows, bluegill, or mudsuckers are working best for legal-sized striped bass as cut baits have been slow. Hyacinth is also thick in the south San Joaquin.
The Mokelumne River is open for salmon fishing with a one-fish daily bag limit in the section from the Lower Sacramento Road bridge to the mouth -downstream of the Lower Sacramento Road bridge and east of Highway 160 and north of Highway 12, and it will remain open in this section until October 31. Interest in river salmon has been high with the parking lots at New Hope and Wimpy’s Marinas being filled with trailers daily. The hatchery is receiving fish, and a major flood of salmon will be moving in with the recent rains.
Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736 ; Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, (209) 543-6260; Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-
Events:
Tournament Results:
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole High Rollers Division (10-fish weigh in) – October 25/26th – 1st: Jamond Andrews/Harvey Pulliam – 44.97 pounds; 2nd – Logan and Colby Huntze – 43.91; 3rd – Phil Dutra/Brett Scarlett – 37.31. Big Fish – Greg Woods – 9.77.
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Low Rollers Division (10-fish weigh in) – October 25/26th – 1st: Peter Lloyd/Will Karnthong – 26.98 pounds; 2nd –Andy and Andrew Kobayashi – 26.64; 3rd –Rio Burns/Shannon Peete – 25.96. Big Fish – Aaron Crowell – 8.95.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed
November 1st –
Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
McClure – Valley Backlashers
Millerton – Bass 101
Nacimiento – Golden Empire Bass Club
November 2nd –
Delta/San Joaquin County – Valley Backlashers
McClure – Kings River Bass Club
November 8th –
New Hogan – Sonora Bass Anglers
Don Pedro – Contra Costa Bass Club
Millerton – Kerman Bass Club
November 9th –
McClure – Riverbank Bass Club
Millerton – Big Valley High School Association/Kings VIII Bass Club
November 15/16th –
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass Tournament of Champions
November 15th –
Don Pedro – Tri Valley Bass Masters
McClure – Christian Bass League/Gilroy Bass Masters
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club
Pine Flat – Cope’s Tackle and Rod
Lake Evans/Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation – Taft Chamber of Commerce 2025 Trout Derby- information and registration – (661) 679-6351
Lopez – Bakersfield Bass Club
November 16th –
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
November 22nd –
The Park at River Walk/Bakersfield – 13th Annual Bakersfield Fire Fighters Derby
November 23rd –
Don Pedro – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s
November 28th –
Pine Flat – CA B.A.S.S. Nation
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing .
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing .