May 18,2012

Folsom lake has good for some nice spotted bass up to 4 pounds working the submerged willows in the North Fork.  Smoke grub, Carolina rigged Robo worms and Senkos fished as close to the trees as you can get are working the best.  Still some fish spawning and in post spawn.  A lot of small males guarding beds are beeing caught so let them go as soon as you can.  The top water bite is slowly starting as some of these post spawn fish get back to feeding.  There is a lot of flooded cover so take your time working baits and you will get more bites.

Lake Berryessa bass are mostly spawned out and a lot of males guarding beds.  The topwater bite hear is better early working baits from the bank out over any cover you can find, weed lines are the best.  Work a smoke grub on 1/8 oz. darthead slow along some of these deep edges in the Narrows for some nice spotted bass.  Carolina or drop shot rigged Robo worms in Aarons Magic or Morning Dawn will get you bites all over the lake. 

April 19,2019

Lake Berryessa has opened up in a big way.  Fish are bitting all over the lake.  The main body has fish up on beds in some areas with a lot of cruzing fish.  Rip baits and spinner baits have been a good to start with.  Then move to fishing plastics like Senkos, Texas rigged and darthead worms.  Draging dropshot rigs has been taking some fish.  The Alabama rig can bring some great strikes, so I alternate using it along with these other tecniques.  Lake temps are up in the high 50's and the lake level has come up 8 to 10 inches from the last storms.

FOLSOM  lake is almost at full pool, just 10 to 12 feet left. It has been coming up 1 foot a day for the last couple of months so they may start to hold it.  The bass have been moving up with the water.  Consintrate most of your fishing in the 5 to 15 foot range and look for cruzing fish looking for spawning areas.  I have seen these fish spawn deep when the lake rises this fast so keep your eyes open and your electronics on.  The bite has been fair to good and with this latest warm weather it should break wide open.  Visabillity has been only about 1 to 2 feet so work your plastic baits slow. Senkos, Texas rig, shakey head worms and drop shot rigged worms work good during these conditions.  For reaction baits tray spinner baits and Grubs on a 1/8 oz. head.

The Delta has been on fire for good fish ranging from 3 to 8 pounds and with this warm weather this week it will come alive all over.  Crank baits and spinner baits worked over weed cover and wakey rigged plastics like Senkos or Zoom Magnum trick worm . 

March 13,2012

Lake Berryessa has been slow to start this year.  Most of the fish we are catching have been in the Main Body on the east side flats and the west bank from Pope creek to Big Island.  We are dragging tubes in green pumpkin red flake on a Carolina rig for most of the fish.  The Alabama rig has produced just 4 fish in 4 weeks so it is not the hot bait everybody says it is.  Senkos fish in the back of coves looking for those nice fish moving up early is working.  The reaction bite will turn on as soon as the water warms up more in the high 50's, right now it is 52 in the morning but the weather will play into this.  Fish slow for the best results.

Folsom lake is very low so look out when you are running around if you are not use to being on the lake when it is this low. Work the outside points and the penninsula area with plastics on a Carolina rig or a drop shot rig and just drag it slow along the bottom and watch for fish holding in these areas waiting to move up into coves around April.

February 4, 2012

Sorry for the late reports

Folsom Lake is low, cold and clear.  The bass fishing has been slow but you can still scratch out a limit with a little work.  The main areas to focus on would be outside points, creek channels leading into main spawning coves and structure like rock piles in 25 to 40 feet of water.  This lake starts to wake up around the end of March or mid April, but with the warmer weather we seem to be getting the bite may come sooner.  Draging Carolina rigged Robo worms in Arons Magic with red flake or Baby Brush Hogs in Green Pumpkin is a great way to start followed by shakey head or grubs on an 1/8 oz, head.  Work these baits slow over the areas I mentioned and you will find fish.  Your electronics will be your best friend so use it.

Lake Berryessa is always one of the first lakes to show signs of life early.  A recent tourny proved that with some nice limits.  My favorite bait this early is a grub fished on a 1/8 oz. dart head jig just casting it out on points and steep walls in the Narrows and reeling it back slow.  When you find more active fish spinner baits and rip baits are next.  The North end east side flats can be the best place for fish starting to move up as this area gets the most sun and warms up faster. Do not stay in one place to long if you are not getting bites because fish move up and down all day this time of year, so thay may be better on the West side today and the north side latter or the Narrows today or the Dam area.  You just need to move around.

Good luck!

December 1,2011

Folsom Lake has been drawn down to its winter level which is LOW.  Most of the fish are holding on off shore structure and points from 25 to 50 feet deep.  Also check any creek channel leading into coves for bait balled up.  If you find this use spoons and drop right down to the level of the fish.  Drop shot rigs and jigs fished slow with crawdad sent along the outside edges of the points, rock piles and creek channels.  This is the time of the year when you may not get many bites, but the ones you get are nice.  Just remember to fish SLOW and be patient.

Lake Berryessa is still putting out fish when you can find the bait, but not as red hot as it was 3 weeks ago.  Spoons are still my number one bait then dropshot or jigs.

Nov. 4,2011

Lake Berryessa is on fire (the bite is red hot)  Lake is in turnover and all fish are putting on the feed bag.  Blade Runner spoons have been wrking the best for me and other I know.  Look for bait schools in deep coves in the Main Body and in the Narrows and you will be in the fish.  We are going for bass but, we are catching trout, catfish, and squawfish all in the same spot. 

Folsom lake has been dropping for 3 to 4 weeks now and the fish have been tough to catch. we are finding our share but most are waiting for the water to stablize.  Drop shot, spoons and Jigs are rigs to try if you go.  Look for fish to be holding on outside points.

September 29,2011

Folsom lake is still dropping very slow.  The main bite for me has been working off shore structure in the main body on both sides of the peninsula, and the north fork up to the rock gardens.  Drop shot rigs, dart head worms and jigs fished slow in these areas are the best techniques.  Still waiting for the fall bite to take off.  This will be when the surface temps start to drop and deeper fish start to feed heavy in the 10 to 20 foot range on bait fish and crawdads before winter sets in.  This bite can be crazy for about 2 weeks so look for weather changes to set this up.

Lake Berryessa  has been more consistant still working the main body points.  The fall bite hear can be the best ever if we get the weather to work with us.  Surface temps are still high so the top water bite is still slow but always worth a try in the early morning.

The Delta stripers are starting to show.  Fly fishing for them with streamers is picking up as is the top water bite and swim baits. Look for this bite to only get better as fall and winter get closer.  Black bass are hitting plastic worms fished along the weed beds close to current breaks.  The bigger fish are coming punching through floating weed mats.  The tap water bite is fair early in the morning working poppers and Zarra Spooks along the weed edges. 

September 11,2011

Folsom Lake has been fair working deep brush and trees.  The main body points and rock piles show fish but they have been very tuff to get to bite.  Drop shot rigs have been the best with jigs and Carolina rigs also getting some.  The top water bite for me has been slow to say the least.  Hoping for some cooler weather to drop the surface temp some.

Lake Berryessa is still good fishing the main body points down to 35 feet.  Drop shot rigs are the best way to target these fish.  Smallmouth up to 3 pounds have been the a constant with some lagemouth and crossbreed (smallmouth/spotted) bass.

Delta has been great for fish up to 13 inches.  They seem to hit everything you throw, topwater, spinnerbaits and crank bait, and frogs..  There are some nice fish but they have been slow to show.

August 25, 2011

Folsom lake Bass are still around with all the boat traffic.  Get out early and fish the main body points and tree lines with topwater baits and rip baits.  This bite has been on and off but worth a try.  Then start fishing plastics in 20 to 30 feet of water on main lake points and off shore rock piles.  Drp shot rigs have been the best with Arons Magic Robo worms or shad patterns.

August 19,2011

Lake Berryessa has been great for fish on points in the main body.  Use your electronics to locate fish in 25 to 30 feet of water, then drop shot down to them with a Robo worm in a shad pattern or a Basstrix minnow.  Work these fish untill they bite.  They are chasing a lot of bait up and down these areas.  Believe it or not most of the bait seems to be this years spawn of Bass.  We have been spooning up 2 inch bass from these spots.  Talk about learning curve. Most of the basshave been Smallmouth with some Hybrids mixed in.  The largemouth  have been up to 5 pounds.

August 7, 2011

Lake Berryessa is still in summer mode.  There is some top water in the early am and then we switch to plastics for the rest of the day.  Drop shot, Carolina, and Texas rigs fished in 25 to 30 feet off points in the main body has been the best producer.  My last trip this week we had 3 top water bites with the best fish a 3.5lb. spotted bass.  Some nice smallmouth bass and spotted bass we caught on drop shot rigs fishing main body points.  Summer is one of the toughest times to catch fish, but you still can with some effort.  Your electronics are your best friend so learn to use them.

 July 7.2011

Lake Berryessa has a great topwater bite in the early am and the evening.  The rest of the day fish plastics.  The Main Body has been the best.

June 30,2011

Folsom lake is still full.  This weekend will be crazy out there so if you go, go early and leave by 10 am.  The top water bite is fair working baits over the tree line in the main body.  The rest of the time switch to plastics and work the points and off shore structure.

Lake Berryessa has a good top water bite early and late.  During the day fish the outside weed line and off shore rock piles in the main body and the Narrows.

If your looking for just catching but not size try Camp Far West lake.  The bite is great but the fish are only up to just keepers.  Some better fish can be caught, just slow down and fish deeper with plastics and jigs.

June 11,2011

Folsom Lake is looking great as of yesterday.  I have been fishing areas under water that have been dry for the last 6 years.  I am seeing a lot of fry (baby bass) which means we must of had a great spawn for once.  The lake did not drop to leave the beds dry like in past years.  Most of the fish I am catching now are close to submerged brush piles and willow trees.  Working 4 inch senkos and grubs in and around them and a drop shot rig with a small shad colored worm has been good.  Some of the fish I can see come out and grab the bait as it is falling.  Reaction baits and top water baits are starting to do better in the early morning or late evening.

Lake Berryessa has been consitant working Carolina rigged Robo worms on points.  Grubs and Tubes fished on 1/8 oz. darthead is also working.  The top water bite is picking up in the early morning but as soon as the sun gets up it all but goes away. 

The Delta has been red hot on shallow running crank baits over the weed at high tide.  top water baits are also working and you can fish them all day if you like.  Senkos are a good back up as they always work.  Drop shotting 6 inch worms along weed beds can get you some nice fish if you have not tried that.

Good Luck! 

April 16,2011

Folsom lake has busted out with great bass fishing.  This week we found some fish up guarding bed areas in 6 feet around brush and fish down to 18 feet.  Reaction bite around rock piles in the main body was also fair.  Working grubs on 1/8 oz. darthead and Carolina rigged Robo worms produced most of the fish and 4 inch senkos Pag rigged.

Lake Berryessa has fish all over the lake in spawn and pre spawn mode.  The north end can be great for locating bed fish in the flats.  Work spinnerbaits over and through weed pockets to locate these fish fast.  Small swimbaits and senkos will also get them. Grubs on a darthead and Robo worms fished Carolina style will get you a limit of nice fish to.  Topwater baits worked slow over flats will some times bring out the bigger fish protecting bed areas. 

Don't be affraid to try new techniques as this is the time of the year to get them on almost anything.

The Delta has been just off the hook when it come to great fishing.  Senkos fished up shallow, spinnerbaits and crankbaits will all get fish now.

Good Luck! 

March 28, 2011

Folsom lake has been fair to good until this last storm.  The lake dropped some and most of the fish pulled of the bank.  This next week of good weather should put them right back up.  Look for some great fishing to come. 

Lake Berryessa has been steady as the bite goes.  The north end has started to come on with the reaction bite.  Crank baits and spinner baits worked on weedy points seems to be the best. 

This is the best time of the year to target big fish in both these lakes so don't let the weather stop you.  Good luck!

March 7,2011

Folsom Lake is starting to show some signs of life with fish moving on points.  Most of the Fish are in 20 feet of water.  Work plastics slow on Dart head, Carolina rig or Texas rig in green pumpkin, Arrons Magic, Mornning Dawn.  Dropshot rigs work if you mark fish on points or rock piles and drop down to them.  Water temps are still low so don't look to hard for a reaction bite yet.

Lake Berryessa fishing is picking back up again with fish starting to move up on flats in the north and points in the Narrows.  Swimming a grub or tube on a 1/8 oz. darthead very slow.  Carolina rigged plastics and Senkos fished with no weight on the weed edges leading into coves working also. 

January 30, 2011

First report of the new year is for lake Berryessa.  This is the first lake in Northern California to have Bass working up to the shallows to spawn.  This week we are starting to see smaller fish up to 3 pounds in 15 to 20 feet of water.  Mixed bag of Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted bass.  Plastics and jigs fished slow on secoundary points and edges seem to be holding the most.  The water temps are up to 55 in the late afternoon.  This bite will only get better.

December 29, 2010

Lastt report for 2010.  Lake Berryessa has been slow to come around but if you spend the time to look for bait you will find the fish,  Creek channels leading into coves even small coves are the first places, then check off shore rock piles in the main body.  Spoons, jigs and drop shot are the main techniques this time of year.  Good luck and Happy New Year.

 December 7, 2010

Folsom Lake surface temps have been in the mid 50's for a short while and most fish have moved on to deeper structure.  Most of my fishing has been in the main body, but I will go and check out both the north and south fork about 1/2 mile in.  Points that lead into creek channels have been holding some fish with most hanging close to rock piles and brush along main creek channels.  Drop Shot an jigs work good in these areas but if you find Bass feeding on bait balled up go to Blade Runner 3/4 to 1 oz. spoons.

Lake Berryessa fish have been scatured due to the late turnover but you can still manage to find some feeding fish using drop shot rigs and spoons fished over rock piles and creek edges.

Delta Stripers are starting to pick up with my last trip on thursday catching 30 fish up to 5 pounds.  Most were caught on top water baits like pencil poppers and Zarra Super Spooks in 4 feet of water.  Hope for some bigger fish soon.

 October 23, 2010

Lake Berryessa fall bite has been great one day and slow the next.  Hot and cold weather has kept the surface temp from dropping to fast.  With this latest round of cooler weather the bite should get better as the temps get into the mid to low 60's.  The best fall bite may only last for a couple of weeks but it could be some of the best fishing before the temps drop into the 50's.   Blade Runner spoons and Gann's jigs have been the best lures for us so far.  look for schools of bait over deep creek chanels and work the spoons around and through them.  Work the jigs on some of the off shore rock piles in the main body.

Folsom lake has been a lot like Berryessa with most of the better fish holding in 20 feet of water and deeper.  The main body is where I sepnd most of my time working rock piles with jigs and drop shot rigs.  If you can find a bait school the Blade Runner Duh spoon in 3/4 to 1 oz. shad or morrning dawn can load up the boat fast.  Most of the fish are 1 to 3 pounds.  The spoon bite will get better as the surface temp drops into the low 60's.

August 4,2010

Lake Berryessa top water bite has been hit and miss with some days getting fish up to 5 pounds before the sun comes up.  Yesterday we ended up on a great spoon bite using 1 1/4 oz. Blade Runner spoons in 50 feet of water over large bait balls.  Most of the fish were smallmouth up to 3 1/2 pounds.  In one spot we had 15 bass in less than an hour.  Look for this bite to get better as we head into fall.

Folsom lake has been dropping about 5 feet a week and the bite has been slow.  Most of the fish are suspended over deep water or moved out to deep structure.  Drop-shot, Carolina rig and jigs are the best techniques to use now.  The top water bite has been fair if you can get out very early.  The main body points and any submerged trees you can find have been the best spots.

The Delta top water bite is still good all day if you stick with it.  Zarra Spooks and Chug Bug early along the weed lines and then swith to a frog on the mat after the sun comes up.  Buzz baits have also been working.  Punching the mat with Hippo Tackle 1.5 and 2 oz. weights with a Brush Hog or your favorite creature bait is working to. 

July 15,2010

Folsom lake has started to drop.  The good news is it is dropping slower this year than it has in the past.  Start looking for the Bass to move deeper.  Offshore rock piles, creek channels, ledges and points are good areas to search.  If you can get out early to beat the heat the topwater bite has been far to good.

Lake Berryessa has been consitant for smaller fish using plastics along weed beds and points.  The early topwater bite can be good fishing along the edge of the weeds and banks that have deep water close by.  The heat of the day keeps most fisherman away but the bite can be productive if you stay with it.

June 21, 2010

Folsom Lake is looking great and fishing is just about as good.  Most of the bass we are catching are still holding deeper than along points, submerged trees, and rock piles. The topwater bite has been on and off but always worth a try as most of or better fish have been caught that way.  Drop-shot, Carolina rig, and darthead plastics seem to be the best methods to get bites.

Lake Berryessa has been great for topwater fishing.  I concentrate on outside weed lines and points for these fish early in the am.  Later you can find some nice fish using frogs in some of the thicker weed beds along the eastside and the back of coves.  The topwater bite can last all day if you move around and try diffrent baits.  For numbers you can fish drop-shot or Carolina rigged palstics.  Most of these fish run from 1 to 3 pounds, but you get a lot of bites.

June 8, 2010

Folsom lake is going strong on the plastic worm bite.  Both the North and South fork have been very good with fish from 1 to 3 pounds.  Grubs fished on 1/8 oz, darthead and Carolina rigged Robo worms fished from 5 to 25 feet.  Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted bass are all being caught.  The reaction bite is still slow.

Lake Berryessa reaction bite is hear.  The topwater bite has been good fishing the weed edges early in the am with some going on into the day.  Small swimbaits and wake baits are getting some of the bigger fish. The pastic worm bite is still strong all over the lake fish points down to 25 feet.   

May,19,2010

Lake Berryessa bite is the best so far.  Many limits with most fish from 1 to 3 pounds.  Fishing a grub  or a Robo worm on 1/8 oz. Darthead and a Carolina rig seem to be the best.  The top water bite is still slow but coming. 

Folsom lake has started to come on with the water holding now with all the runoff still to come.  Most of the fish are coming on plastics fished slow around brush piles and rocky points.  The coves are good when we get some warm days making these fish move up. 

April 19,2010

Lake berryessa main body has been the best area for numbers and size.  Most of the fish are in the top 15 feet of water either on spawning beds or coming off of those areas.  Carolina rigged Robo worms, Pag rigged Senkos, spinnerbaits, and grubs have been the lures of choice.

Folsom lake is rising every day about a foot.  The fishing has been steady with most of the fish in the to 10 feet of water.  Reaction baits have not been good but plastics like Carolina rigged Robo worms, Pag rigged Senkos and grubs will catch fish.  Both the North fork and the South fork are good areas to try.

April 2,2010

Lake Berryessa  still doing good even with the weather coming and going.  We have had fish up to 4 pounds this week and a crappie that was about 2 pounds that fell for a slow worked grub at 17 feet.  Most of the fish we caught on plastics worked very slow.  One swimbait fish on a Hippo Tackle 5 inch shad was a nice spotted bass the rest on a Carolina rigged Robo worm and grub with a 1/8 oz. darthead.

The Delta was a good surprise for a father and son team I took out on Monday.  They caught fish up to 6.5 pounds all on Blade Runner spinnerbaits and crawdad Speed Traps.  They tried there hand at flipping Senkos but the wind came up and they had a hard time getting it in the zone.  I switched them back to cranking and it payed off with 3 more nice fish up to 5 pounds.

 March 20, 2010

Lake Berryessa is the best choice for consistant action.  Limits have been the norm with the great weather.  Some fish look like they have spawned out, but most are moving up on beds or in prespawn mode.  Lipless crank baits, rip baits, spinner baits are good choice for finding the reaction bite but most of the fish are falling to plastics.

Folsom lake is coming on with the north fork warming up first then the south.  April will be a better month for this lake, but the bite now has been great for March.

Feb. 1, 2010

Lake Berryessa is slowly coming up with the latest rains and we are looking for more this week.  The fishing is picking up with some fish starting to move up.  The run-off from the rain most of the time is warmer than the lake water and this brings fish up along the edges of the mud lines and creek mouths.  Slow rolled white spinner baits and crawdad crank baits can be a good choice.  Look for this lake to come on strong in the next few weeks.

Folsom lake has been slow to meduim as bites go with signs of life in the form of fish moving up in the to 20 feet of water.  This lake comes on best around April because of the snow melt keeping the water temps low.  The bigger bass will slowly start to make there way into the coves to spawn but they hold off the ends of points feeding as much as they can before coming in.  Big swim baits and rip baits can score some nice fish but you may only get one or two bites all day.  Not bad for the reward of the fish of a life time.

The delta striper bite slowed with the last rains staining up most of everybodys water but the south side down around Mildered Island has been clear along with some of the back sloughs. 

We need the rain so don't complain.  We will have to suffer for now but it will make things much better for the rest of the year.

If you have any questions or need more info call me at 916-502-FISH or pop me an email at guidebass.com. 

Janusry 9, 2010

Happy New Year!

Just think in another month we will be in Black Bass prespawn mode finally for Lake Berryessa and Clear Lake.  I can not wait.

Lake Berryessa has been on the slow side but that is what winter fishing is all about.  Find good structure, bait balls or ledges holding fish and work them all day.  great time to break out the jigs and pork trailers.  The bites will be soft with most just giving you some resistance.  Just set the hook on anything that feels funny. 

Delta stripers has been Boom or Bust.  We go out one day and caught 40 and the next only find 4.  It has been like this for most of the season.  You don't know unless you go out.  The fish have also been on the small side with not many over 15 pounds. 

December 2,2009

Lake Berryessa has been very consitant on the spoon bite.  Finding the bait balls is the most time consuming part.  The north end at the mouth of Putah creek has been good for Bass, Trout, Salmon, and catfish all caught on Blade Runner spoons.  I do target Bass but the other fish seem to like my spoons just as much.

Delta Stripers are on the move with good days producing 30 to 40 fish and bad days 10 to 20 fish.  Most of these fish are just schoolies up to 6 pounds, but some have pushed the 10 pound mark.  Hippo Tackle swim baits and spoons have put most of the fish in the boat with top water baits catching a few.

Folsom lake spoon bite has been fair and the jig bite the same.  No traffic on the water is great but 5 MPH takes some time to move around.

October 26,2009

Delta stripers have still been running small but we are catching a lot of them.  Top water baits like pencil poppers have been working good in Franks Tract and Big Break on outgoing tide.  The Tides this month ahve been slow so the action has not been red hot.  The spoon bite has been fun but agian the fish are small but willing.  The main thing is to move around if your favorite spot is not working.  These fish are on the move and fish you were on yesterday may not be there today.

Good Luck! 

September 28, 2009

Folsom lake is not looking to bad at this time but it will get lower soon.  The bite now has been best on the main body creek channels and edges using spoons and jigs.  Most of the fish are from 15 to 35 feet feeding on  pond smelt and small shad.  The North and South fork are doing well if you look for the bait balls as you work into some of the coves following the creek channels.  Some topwater action can be had but it is hit and miss or just being there when it happens.

The Delta stripers are coming in for the fall winter season and the action has been great for topwater and small swimbaits.  The best times to look for are the first few hours of the outgoing and incoming tides.  If you can work these during the early hours or just as the sun starts to go down you will have the best action.

Lake Berryessa has been real good for nice fish in the 2 to 3 pound range working spoons from 25 to 40 feet.  Look for schools of bait holding in creek channels leading into coves on the west side of the main body and the Narrows.  Some topwater action in the early hours but it has not lasted long.  Cooler nites and days will make this lake and Folsom go wild so get ready.

June 18,2009

Went to clearlake with a trip on wednesday and had a great day.  My client was prefishing for a tourney on Saturday so I can not tell you exactly where we fished but we spent all day in the north end.  We fished outside weed lines with 5 inch Hippo Tackle swimbaits and spinnerbaits for the first part.  This was my first outing with this swimbait and on my first cast I caught a 8.50 pound monster.  This was great and we got 3 more off the same spot then we left.  We hit several other spots and caught a few more on the swimbait and then swicht to Senkos and finished the day with about 18 pounds for our biggest 5.   The topwater bite was not there and the frog bite did not produce.  This should change with some hot weather.

June 8,2009

Folsom Lake is still full of water at this time but they have started to make larger releases as of June 1st.  The lake has started to drop but not very fast.  Most of the fish are in a post spawn mode.  Over the weekend most of my fish were taken on the drop-shot method using Robo worms in Aarons Magic and Morning Dawn colors.  The topwater bite was off just a little I believe due to the wierd weather we had during the week.  I am seeing a lot of bait (pond smelt, shad) holding around outside points and submerged willows.

Lake Berryessa has had a great topwater bite still going all over the lake.  Most of the fish are active in the morning but the bite last all day on the main body working around outside weed beds.  Small swimbaits, Grubs, and rip-baits will also work.  Carolina rigged  Robo worms and brush hogs will get you bites all day if the others fail you.

Good Luck!

May 21,2009

Flsom Lake is looking great for the first time in a while.  The water levels have stabalized for the most part and the fishing has been picking up.  The topwater bite in the morning has been good fishing over willow trees and other submerged brush.  Carolina rigged baits like brush hogs and 6 inch worms dragged through the flooded grass and brush down to about 20 feet is producing some better fish.  Look for this lake to change again in June when they start to blow the water out.  I hope I am wrong but they do it every year just when the fishing gets good.

Lake Berryessa has had a great topwater bite for most of the morning.  The main body has been the best area for size with fish up to 4lbs.  Grubs fished on a 1/8oz. dart head and worms fish on a drop-shot or carolina rig will catch fish all day.  Small hollow belly swimbaits in shad patterns worked slow through the weeds are getting some nice fish.  The bites don't come often but they are usually nice fish.

Good Luck!

May 4,2009

Folsom Lake is on right now.  Most fish can be taken on a Carolina rigged Robo worm or a slow fished Grub on a 1/8oz. dart head.  The reaction bite in the morning has been good using Lucky Craft Pointer 110 or Staycee 90 in Ghost pattern.  If you have a overcast day the reaction bite could go all day.  Topwater should start to come on soon.

Lake Berryessa has been very consitant for fish from 1 to 3 pounds.  Most are males guarding nest.  The bigger fish are there just along the outside weed line and secondary points.  The topwater bite is picking up, just look for bait activity in the back of coves.  Carolina rigged worms and grubs are all working. 

The Delta this past week has been good with the biggest going 10 pounds caught by John Flores of Marysville.  He and his uncle have never fish the Delta and I think they will be back. 

For a look at the latest catches check out the photo section.

Good Luck! 

April 9,2009

If its April its time for Folsom lake Bass.  Now is the time you should think about spending quality time at this lake.  The best Bass fishing of the year can be had this month.  Largemouth, Spotted, and Smallmouth bass are all up and bitting.  Reaction baits like Lucky Craft Stacy-90 in Ghost or chart. shad makes a good rip bait. The Spro Arucu Shad lipless crankbait, Bomber fat-free shad, and Blade Runner spinnerbaits all work well when these fish are feeding.  Plastics like Robo worms Aarons Magic or smoke grubs fished on a 1/8oz dart head will always catch fish.

Lake Bereyessa has been consitantly putting out fish for me.  Most are still getting ready to spawn.  The full moon this month will bring out most of them.  Swimbaits fished slow in shallow spawning areas can put out some big fish.  Most of the fish we are catching are falling for plastics fished on a Carolina rig or a drop-shot rig.  Aarons Magic, and MM are great Robo worm colors on this lake. Reaction baits are starting to do better like rip baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits in shad patterns. 

Get out there and catch some fish and drop me a line to let me know how you did.

Good Luck!

March 7,2009

Sorry for the delay in reports.  I will try to keep up to date.

Folsom lake

A lot of water comming in to this lake is making things tough for most.  A good bait to use now would be a jig.  Work them starting on outside points and move into the cove.  If you have a good feeder stream coming in the back og the cove work a spinnerbait right down the middle.  Chart. and White would be a good color.  This lake fills up faster than most so look for a good season if this weather keeps up.

Lake Berryessa

One of my favorite lakes to fish.  At the upper end you have Pope and Putah Creek comming in that will stir up the north end with some off colored water.  This mud line will warm up faster than clear water and akes the fish move up tighter to the bank.  The north end warms up first any way but this will be great cover and move things along faster.  Slow rolled spinner baits and crank baits are great reation baits this time of year.  Swimbaits if you have the time and will to stick with it can pay off big also.  Jigs and plastics will round out the rest of the baits.  Smallmouth Bass love crawdads so jigs and tubes fished on clay and rocky banks can be very productive for these hard fighting fish.

Good luck!

December 11,2008

Lake Berryessa seems to be the place to go.  The spoon bite has been running from fantastic to good.  Look for bait schooled up in the creek chanels leading into coves just off the Narrows.  If you find the right spot you can catch fish all day or until you want to move.  Most of the fish are in 30 to 50 feet.  Trout and Salmon are also going after the spoons.  Drop-shot technique has been working using Morning Dawn or Arons Magic robo worms.  Remember to let your fish go as soon as you get them up or their bladder will fill and you will be forced to keep them or learn to release the preasure manually.  Blade Runner Bait Co. spoons in morning dawn, shad and char./white,  3/4 to 1 1/2 oz. is what I would use.

Folsom lake launch ramps are dry.  You can try to launch from the bank at your own risk but the rewards might be worth it.  Just be careful.

Delta Stripers are still willing to hit topwater, fish traps, and spoons.  Most are just schoolies up to 8 lbs. but they are still fun to catch.  We have had some great days with up to 30 fish.  We have been doing a lot of moving around as the fish do not hold in any one area to long.  We need some color in the water to slow them down, and hopefuly this will bring in some bigger fish.  If you are looking for Largemouth bass try throwing crank baits along the rocks or flipping around tules and rocks.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

October 27,2008

Lake Beryessa is still consitantly putting out fish.  Topwater bite has been very short lived only lasting for the first couple of hours after safe light.  Drop-Shot plastics and spoons have been the best bet to catch most of the fish.  Look for bait being pushed back in coves and on points in the Narrows.  The main body has been slow except for the early topwater bite.

Folsom Lake, or should I say pond, has a good crankbait bite in the morning and some topwater if you give it a chance.  After that bite go to drop-shot or Carolina rig.  Jigs in green craw have been good as is the spoon bite.  Look for bait balls holding close to deep water and rop your spoon straight through them.  Bass have been holding just of the bottom right under the bait.  The only ramp open at this time is granite bay.  Watch for rocks.

Delta stripers have been hit and mis with the hight temps.  The fish have not been staying long in any one area so we move around a lot.  The topwater bite is early and late so bettween those time try spoons fished along channel edges or fish traps casting around weed lines in Franks Track.

September 23, 2008

Lake Berressa is starting to cool down with the shorter days and cooler nights.  The fishing is starting top pick up with surface activity early using Zarra Spooks, Zoom Flukes and small swimbaits.  Spinner Baits in white burned just under the surface can also be good.  Crank baits like Spro Aruku Shad and Speed traps in shad patterns run just off the weed beds and points are working during the day.  Plastics fished on Dart Head jig or on a Carolina rig worked on off shore rock piles along with Drop-shot rigs will round out the day.

Folsom Lake is still putting out nice numbers of fish.  Both ramps (Browns Ravine, Granite Bay) are still open and 5 MPH on the water.  You can cover a lot of water even at these low speeds so do not let that stop you.  Swimbaits collecting dust in your garage should be used now.  Wake baits and slow sinking swimbaits fished slow over rock piles and along the channel side of some of these new islands can land you some nice fish and maybe your best ever.   Plastics fished on a Dart Head, Drop-shot, or Carolina rig will work all day.  Top water baits can also be worked all day with most of the bites being really nice fish.  The bites may not come often but the rewards are worth it.

September 2008

Folsom Lake (Folsom Pond) has been fair to great since the 5 MPH speed limit.  The two ramps are still open and reports that the lake is closed are false.  Most of the fish are in the main body.  Work reaction baits in the early morning like Zara Spooks, Swim Baits, and large rip baits, and Zoom Flukes, for some nice fish.  You can even use these tactics most of the day if you have a slight breeze or some cloud cover.  Jigs, Carolina rigged plastics,  and Drop-shot rigs, fishing on the channel edge and rock piles will also produce some nice fish.

June 16, 2008

Lake Berryessa has been good but the wind lately has made it tough to fish.  When the wind blows head for the Narrows and fish the windy points.  The bait pushes up and you can find groups of fish stacked in these areas.  The Topwater bite has been great when you can fish the flats on the east side of the main body.

Folsom lake is getting tougher as they have pulled the plug and letting out water dropping the lake 1 to 2 feet a week.  Most of the fish will pull off the banks and suspend over deep water making them tough to catch.  I am still finding some fish holding on steep points close to the bank.  Start looking at off shore rock piles to produce most of the fish.

April 27, 2008

Folsom lake is still doing well.  The lake has been rising about 3 feet a week.  We are finding Bass at all stages from prespawn , spawning , and post spawn.  Most of the fish are being caught using plastics like Carolina rigged Robo worms in Arons Magic color.  Reaction baits are also working if you fish them early in the am.

Good luck!

 March 25,2008

Its a new year and I can finaly update this section of my site.  Sorry for the lack of information but I hope to keep you up on the latest for the lakes that I cover.

Please send me an email if you are looking for addtional info and any other questions you might have.

Folsom Lake

We have been doing very good fishing in the North Fork part of the lake.  In the mornning we start with reaction baits like the Spro ArkuShad lipless crankbait and Luky Craft rip baits like the 110 Pointer Minnow and Stayce 90 in the ghost pattern.   Start to work these baits on the outside points and make your way into the coves.  The Spotted bass are in full spawn mode and fat with eggs.  They will spawn deeper than the Largemouth and at a colder temp.   Most of the fish we have been catching have been Spots but I am starting to see more largemouth.  If the reaction bite is slow for you go to a 1/8 oz. Dart head or Shakey head with a 4 inch robo worm in the Arons Magic pattern and work this from 5 to 15 feet of water on a slow retrive just hoping it slowly off the bottom.  The Carolina rig with the same worm is also doing well.

Good luck!

August 15,2007

Folsom Lake is looking like it does in the winter time, DRY!  You can still catch fish so do not dispare.  The main body has been the best area.  Most of the fish are holding off the points and deep rock piles.  There has been a fair top water bite early and late with Zarra Spooks and Nip-a-DeeDee prop baits doing most of the catching.  Keep your eyes open during the day for an unexpected top water bite as some of the smaller bass are pushing bait fish to the surface.  I have seen this almost every time I have been out in the past few weeks, and you never know when to see it happen.  Plastics in the Arons Magic and Morning Dawn have been working fished on a 1/8 oz. dart head or on a Carolina rig.

The delta has a good to fair frog bite that will last all day if work the tide.  Crank baits in crawdad patterns fished along the weed line at low tide is working for some nice fish.  Use a soft rod with 30 lb. braid and just pull and reel when you feel a bite.  The fish have not been taking the baits hard so do not set the hook to soon or to hard as you will pull the crank bait out of there mouth.  Flipping plastics always will put fish in the boat so try this out if you get frustrated with eveything else.

Good Luck!

July 12, 2007

Summer is hear and you know what that means.  SLOW DOWN! AND IF YOU THINK YOU ARE FISHING SLOW, SLOW DOWN MORE.  I can not say this enough.  The bass, for the most part, in all of our main lakes have gone deep for the summer.  Yes you can still find a topwater bite early and late, but most of the fish do not want to play this game.  Those fish are now holding off main lake points in 20 to 30 feet or more of water looking for a nice area to spend the rest of the summer.  Look for areas that offer quick escape to deep water like points close to main lake channels or offshore islands and rock piles.  This is one of thoses times that I preach about when your electronics are the best tool you own.  If you have not spent the time to play with it you need to do this now.  Go buy about 4 to 6 good marker bouyes.  These will mark your areas so you have a point of refrence to visably see.  Using your electronics criscross points moving your boat more and more out each time over deeper water until you find a sharp drop to deep water or channel that holds fish.  Do not waist time fishing an area unless you have marked fish.  Do alot of moving around and change spots until you find active fish.  Most of these spots will produce fish all day long once you have pin pointed that sweet spot.  This may seam like alot of work, but it will be well worth it as these spots will be good for the rest of summer.

I can not wait for FALL!  Go get them.

Good Luck   

 April 3,2007

Folsom Lake has been putting out constant action on all 3 Bass(Largemouth, Spotted, Smallmouth).  Reaction Baits in the morning has been good with alot of the fish in the top 12 feet of water.  Rip baits, Spinner baits, and Zoom Flukes have been my best baits.  After that bite dies off switch to smoke 3 inch grubs with 1/8 ozs. dart head.  Fish this bait on a constant slow retrieve. Cast it right into cover or on the bank and work it back to the boat.  most of your hits will feel like extra weight or weeds.  Set the hook on anything that feels different.  Other plastics working well are 4 inch Senkos fished on my Pag rig and 4to 6 inch worms fished Texas rig around rocks and brush.

Lake Berryessa has been good all over the lake.  I have been working the flats across from Big Island and the coves in the Narrows. White spinner baits, Crawdad crank baits, Lucky Craft rip baits have been great reaction baits sometimes all day long. Plastics like 3 inch smoke grubs with blue flake and 6 inch straight tail Robo worms in Arons Magic get them this rest of the time.

Good luck! and practice CPR

March 12,2007

Just as I thought. I still have some that want to catch Stripers. I took out a trip on Saturday 10th and found some great topwater action using pencil poppers.  We caught about 7 fish up to about 10 pounds.  The ones we missed looked to be in the high teens judging by the explosion under our baits.  The rest of the day was hit and miss on Fish-Traps and Rat-l-traps.  

Just can't get enough of that kind of action. 

March 5, 2007

Stripers are finaly done for me until September.

Folsom lake has started up finaly with the North Fork.  Fish from 1 to 5 pounds (Spotted Bass), and some nice Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are moving up to feed.  Start off with Rip baits like the Lucky Craft Pointer 100 in the Ghost pattern.  Spinnerbaits like 3/8 in white with silver willow leaf blades slow rolled off points and windy banks.  Small jigs in craw patterns and plastic worms fished on a darter head 1/8oz from 5 to 20 feet.  Work the points leading into coves and fish them on into the coves until you find where the fish are staging.  Your electronics will help you to pin-point the creek channel.

The Delta has been putting out some nice limits of Largemouth Bass up to 35 pounds.  The south end will heat up first and slowly make its way north.  Swim baits like Fish-Traps fished on 3/8oz. heads worked along the deep weed beds in Franks Track and Mildred Island have been good. Spinnerbaits in white and white/chart. are also doing some damage.  Crank baits in craw patterns like speed traps and rattle traps are doing well to.  Senkos pitched along the tules and the holes in the weeds can be another tool for fooling them this time of year.  Never be afraid to change. this is the time of year when the bite changes as fast as the weather.

Lake Berryessa has been fantastic with this early springlike weather.  Spinner baits and crank baits are putting some nice fish in the boat for my clients lately, and Robo worms and small jigs in craw patterns taking up the slack.

Good luck! and practice CPR

December 3,2006

Folsom Lake has been slow for  the last few weeks but with the colder weather the fish have started to group up more. We have been finding them off the mian body points chasing schools of bait.  The best lure for this type of fishing has been the spoon.  Blade Runner bait Company puts out a great spoon in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ounce. Pearl, chartruse, and a mix of the two have been the best colors.  Jigs in 1/2 to 1 ounce with Hula Grubs have also been good.  The shallow water bite is not consitant but sometimes you will find some nice Spotted bass chasing close to the surface.

The same goes for Lake Berryessa. use alot of the same techniques, but we are finding alot more fish chasing bait up shallow with the Trout.  Spinnerbaits, and Rip type baits will work good for this.

The Delta has been producing alot of Stripers this year with the bite staying consitant. Most of my fish have been on the San Joaquin side all the way down to Discovery Bay.  Look for bird action or do alot of moving around until you find fish and try fish traps, and spoons. The Topwater bite has been on and off but always give it a try. Pencil Poppers do best for this. 

Good Luck!

September 13,2006

Folsom lake

The fishing has been on and off as the weather goes from hot to cold to hot. I have seen alot of bait balls starting to form all over the lake but they are always on the move. Most of the bass are suspended in 20 to 30 feet with the lake falling.  The reaction bite in the morning has been like the weather, but it is always worth a try. Topwater baits like Pop-R, Zarra Spook, and rip baits Lucky Craft Pointer Minnow. Use these baits over the main lake points and outside points in the north and south fork early in the am.  After that go to fishing plastics on a Carolina Rig or Drop-Shot in the same areas. As the water starts to cool down into the high 60's keep your eyes open for feeding frenzees as the Bass will start to feed heavy for the long winter.

Delta

Largemouth Bass are feeding on topwater baits like Buzz baits and poppers fished along the weed lines on moving tides. When the water bottoms out go to pitching jigs and plastics or try running crankbaits on the outside edge of the same weeds. 

August,10,2006

Folsom Lake is fishing in the summer mode.  I have been finding good to great action just before the sun comes up fishing topwater baits in the main body around the peninsula area and some of the of shore willow trees. After about 9 am I start to consentrate more on outside points and offshore rock piles with jigs and plastics. 

Lake berryessa has been alot the same with the topwater and rip bite working good on the main lake and some the coves in the narrows.

The Delta has had a great frog bite with the warm temps. but the recent cooler day's and nights has made the more aggresive on plastics fished on the outside edge of the weeds.

Good Luck!

Folsom Lake has been great in the early morning using topwater baits like Pop-R or Zara Spook in shad finnish. Work the willows in the main body and you will be on some nice Small mouth and Largemouth bass. After the sun comes up and the top bite drops off start with a darthead and a 4 inch worm and work the points. Also try a jig or Carolina rig in the same areas.

The Delta has been kicking out some nice fish on Frogs fished over the weeds and matts. At low tide you will need to probe the pockets will a Flip'n stick and a 6 inch worm or Senko. Buzz-baits have also been good fished around weed points close to moving water.

Lake Berryessa is doing good fishing the points in the Narrows. The submerged rock piles out in the main body are still producing some nice fish if you can get there before the skiers do.

Good luck! and practice CPR

 June 16,2006

Folsom lake has been at full pool for most of the month. The fish have been active early in the am on reation baits such as topwater poppers and Zarra Spooks, rip-baits like Lucky Craft pointer minnows and Staycee in the Ghost pattern, and White spinner baits. After that bite dies off you switch to grubs on 1/8ounce Dart head or Carolina rigged worms. Work areas that have submerged willows or rock piles. Drop-Shot rigs are also putting out in the main body.

Lake Berryessa is going great for an early topwater and rip bite before all the boat traffic hits. You will see allot of bait at the surface chased by small fish but the bigger fish are under the bait. Move to the off-shore rock piles and island tops and fish jigs and worms for some quality Smallmouth and Largemouth when the reaction bite dies.

The Delta has been good but the crazie weather we had this week slowed it down. The hot consitant weather will bring back the topwater and Frog bite.

Good Luck!

May 3,2006

Folsom lake has been on fire. The bass have been spawning all over the lake. Reaction baits and plastics will catch you lots of fish in both the South Fork and the North Fork.

The Delta has been GREAT, Most of the fish have spawned. You can still find fish on beds and some moving up to beds. Work Zoom Horny Toads and spinnerbaits at high tide to find fish. Flip Senkos at low tide around tule clumps and open weed pockets.

Good Luck!

April 3, 2006

Folsom Lake has had a 5 MPH speed limit on the lake due to rising water.  You can still catch fish, but you have to go slow. Spinner baits, Rip baits, and plastics have all been working.

Lake Berryessa has been on a consistent bite with the water viability at about 2 feet. This means warmer water later in the day and the fish moving up close to the bank. Crank baits, and dragging worms have been a solid pattern.

The Delta has had its share of water lately but the fishing is still good on the west side with this water warming sooner than the north east side. Flipping jigs, Senkos, and creature baits  have all been good. Crank baits will also do well.

Good luck!

March 20,2006

Folsom Lake water is on the rise and so is the fishing. Look for bass in the top 15 feet of water getting fat for the spawn. Spinner-baits, Crank-baits, Rip-baits are all working as well as Magic Worms and Grubs on an 1/8 ounce Dart Head. Be careful when running around the lake at sun-up, with the lake rising there is allot of logs, and trees floating all over the lake.

Lake Berryessa is doing good with fish being caught on all over the lake on Spinner-baits, Crank-baits, and Magic Worms. Great Smallmouth bite along rocky banks and inlets.

Delta Black Bass are kicking into high gear with big weights coming on Crank-baits, and Flipping Jigs or worms along the tulle edges.

Good Luck!

CPR

March 2,2006

Delta stripers are going strong in the Mokolume river. Try from New Hope Landing to the mouth using Fish Traps with 1/2 ounce head. Look for birds diving at the first hour of the tide change. Incoming and outgoing have both been good.

Folsom Lake has been good for spooning spotted bass in the creek channels. The lake is very low so drive with you eyes wide open and your depth finder on. There was a crank bait bite going but water fluctuations have slowed it down. Look for the lake to start rising toward the end of the month.

Lake Berryessa has had a steady bite going on big fish using swim baits. Pope creek and Putah creek are good smallmouth bets. The narrows and side coves have been good for spotted bass and largemouth bass.

Good Luck! and practice CPR (catch, photo, release)

February 2, 2006

Finally thanks to the guy's at Western Bass.com I am back on the web. I hope to have weekly updates on the Delta, Folsom Lake and Lake Berryessa. I do fish other lakes but these are my home waters. Feel free to email me for any other details you would like to know. I will be posting all my clients pictures as soon as I can and thanks for putting up with the old ones.

Delta Stripers are back with a vengeance. The San Joaquin is the best stop for them now. Try spoons on the edge of the shoals and Fish Traps and Rattle Traps on top and around the sides of the same.

Folsom Lake has had a good jig bite with a spoon bite mixed in. Also try a Carolina rigged creature bait.

Lake Berryessa will be the first lake to show signs of pre spawn so keep your eyes on th