Central California fishing report: Pine Flat king salmon action good (2024)

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.

Best bets

Delta stripers, bass and sturgeon bites good, Jeff Soo Hoo reported. Pine Flat king salmon action good, and Eastman bass hitting, Michael Crayne said. McClure bass kick into gear, Ryan Denner reported. Don Pedro bass bite solid, and McSwain producing limits, Dave Hurley reported.,

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

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.

Valley/Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 3

The northern section of the California Aqueduct remains fairly quiet, but as the water is cooling down, the striped bass should be getting active. Inclement weather has kept most anglers off the water for the past week, but wintertime is a good time to target striped bass while the largemouth bass will be more impacted by the cold water. Once the water temperatures drop into the 40s, the bite for both species will slow down. Striperz Gone Wild ‘Toys for Tots’ tournament is scheduled for Dec. 14 at Volta Road on the California Aqueduct. The entry fee for this tournament is an unwrapped children’s toy that will be donated to youth in Merced County. In the southern aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported bass anglers experienced a slowed bite, but a larger grade of striped bass has been hauled in with cut bait or jumbo live minnows near Tupman, the Buena Vista Golf Course, and Freeborn. Lure anglers used brown tube baits or white Flukes with a slower presentation to land fish after the check gates. Catfish anglers reported a good daytime bite while soaking chicken liver, Triple S dip bait, or cut anchovies while bass anglers used grubs on a drop-shot Reapers, or 4-inch Roboworms before and after check gates to land some cold winter bass.

Aqueduct anglers are always advised to use caution as well as wearing a PFD as the water is swift, cold, and dangerous.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-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; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657.

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 1 Bluegill 2 Catfish 3 Crappie 2

It’s been feast or famine at Eastman, but there have been some quality largemouth bass landed in the past week. Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported a solid swimbait bite for the larger grade of bass while plastics on a Texas-rig, jigs or big plastics on a shakey head are best for numbers. With the colder water temperatures, the bass are holding near structure. Hensley has been slow for months, but Ron Orbaker of the Sierra Bass Club posted a massive limit over 22 pounds including a big fish at 7.53 pounds during their recent tournament. Crayne reported a solid crankbait bite at Hensley while catfish remain a strong possibility on chicken liver or anchovies. Eastman held at 533.85 feet in elevation and 47% of capacity with Hensley rising slightly to 472.99 feet in elevation and 18% of capacity. No tournaments are scheduled for the remainder of the year at either body of water.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 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 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

A trout plant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife occurred this past week, and the swimbait bite has started with some impressive largemouth bass landed recently. The bass are holding around the abundant shad schools from 30 to 50 feet as the water temperature remains steady in the low 60s until about 70 feet. With the recent storms and more wind and rain, the lake may turn over within the next two weeks. With the trout plants, bank anglers are starting to get in on the action, but trolling is still an option around the shad schools. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake continues to recede, and it dropping to 774.56 feet in elevation and 69% of capacity. Only one club tournament is scheduled through December.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

McClure Reservoir

Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Ryan Denner reported McClure has picked up considerably for spotted and largemouth bass with quality fish from 3 to 9 pounds landed recently.

“Jigs are working well, but there is also a good bite with plastics on the drop-shot or umbrella rigs with small swimbaits,” Denner said. “The bait is moving around, and it remains deep from 30 to 60 feet in depth.” A few trollers are working hard in deep water for the occasional king salmon or rainbow trout. There are four club tournaments in December, and the lake is rounding into shape for these events. The Merced River is at 263 cfs at Merced Falls downstream of Lake McSwain. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina will only be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays during the winter.

The lake dropped to 803.99 feet in elevation and 63% of capacity. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina will only be open on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm during the winter months.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

Some 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout from the Calaveras Trout Farm were released into the lake this past week, and as if by magic, limits of planters are taken from the banks at the normal locations of the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, and the peninsula near the marina with garlic-scented Power Bait, Kastmasters, or inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are finding holdover rainbows with shad-patterned spoons in the cooler waters of the river arm up to the Exchequer Dam. The lake dropped significantly to 67% of capacity.

Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 2 Trout 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake is at 2,556.54 feet in elevation and 26% of capacity. Water releases at First Point have dropped to 285 cfs. Cope’s reported the water temperature is dropping fast, and is approaching 55 degrees. The largemouth bass and other species are settling in for the winter. Bass are being coming off main lake points with crankbaits, creature baits, or jigs on a football head, and the best grade of largemouths have been showing up off Rocky Point, Piney Point, or French Gulch. A few crappie are taken at the marinas with various colored jigs and live shiners. The catfish bite has slowed down, and although the trout bite is tougher, anglers have found some in the North Fork with artificials.

Due to heavy trout plants over the past month, the bite in the upper Kern has been steady. Salmon eggs, pinched crawlers, jigs, or live crickets are producing. The Kern River Section 5 is scheduled to be planted this week. In the lower Kern River, trout are taken on salmon eggs, trout jigs, or spinners near Keysville. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has slowed down with a few fish showing on small reaction baits or small jigs. The flows at Kernville have risen to 526 cfs.Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.

Lake Kaweah

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake is at 596.08 feet in elevation and 9% of capacity. Cope’s reported fishing has been fair to good as the bass have moved deeper in the water column. Spotted bass held on secondary points in 15 to 35 feet of water with finesse baits along with deep diving crankbaits, spoons, or underspins. Catfish reports were on the slow side with a few fish taken on dip baits or cut sardines while crappie took minijigs near the marina. The Kaweah River at Three Rivers rose to 194 cfs.succe

Lake Success

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake is at 598.03 feet in elevation and 13% of capacity. Cope’s reported bass anglers found good fishing for smaller bass. Largemouth took small football head jigs with a craw trailer, Senkos, or Reapers on a Carolina-rig. Aaron’s Magic, Natural Shad, and Tequilla Sunrise have been good color choices. Bass also fell for umbrella rigs over rocky structure and near the trees. There have been few reports from crappie and catfish anglers.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported that not much has changed as the bass bite remains very slow. The Tulare Police Activities League Fundraising Tournament was held over the weekend, and the top limit for pre-fishing was just pushing 10 pounds. Plastics on the drop-shot remain the best technique. The lake dropped to 495.09 feet in elevation and 39% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant held at 442 cfs. A single tournament is scheduled in December.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2

A trout plant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife occurred this week, just in time for the swimbait casters to make 1,000 casts for that one big fish. The big fish have been inactive for some time, but the introduction of catchable rainbows and the cooler water pushing the bait into the shallows, the action should improve. Trout trolling remains slow, but the lake could be turning over within the next few weeks, bringing the rainbows to the surface. There are two club tournaments two in December. The lake held at 1,033.23 feet in elevation and 75% of capacity.

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 King salmon 3 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

The annual Black Friday tournament is this coming Friday, Nov. 29 at the Deer Creek Recreational Area safelight until 3 pm. All registration will be done at the ramp. Information: Kong Moua, tournament director 470- 3332.

Michael Crayne reported solid king salmon action as the kings are moving up in the water column while the rainbows are up as high as from 20 to 30 feet below the surface. Shad-patterned spoons, rolling shad, or Brad’s Cut Plugs filled with anchovy are producing the occasional king while spoons or blade/’crawler combinations are best for rainbows. The bass are also holding around the shad schools from 30 to 50 feet, and plastics on the drop-shot or spooning remain the best techniques. Another trout plant is scheduled in the lower Kings River this week, but a word of caution, several citations have been issued in the catch-and-released section near Avocado Lake for barbed hooks. On the Lower Kings River, the catch and release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) and extends 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. Bank anglers near the bridge below the dam or at Winton Park are scoring up to limits with Power Bait, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, spinners, or spoons. The flows have dropped to 420 cfs at Trimmer, and the trout are holding in the deeper pools. The lake is at 826.23 feet in elevation and 41% of capacity. Four club tournaments are scheduled in December.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a continued good striped bass bite in the main San Luis Reservoir with jumbo minnows or anchovies.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the storm front disrupted the reaction bite in the big lake for a couple days.

“There was some topwater action early for a short time before the fish were shutting off for boaters working the shorelines and for trollers. The low pressure front slowed things down quite a bit, and now we have another wave coming . The fish are definitely moving a lot right now. We need a few stable days,” George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, Clements reported a good bite for numbers but a smaller grade of striped bass with topwater lures such as Zara Spooks or umbrella rigs such as Yumbrella’s or Picasso’s. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were recently detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.

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

A trout plant is scheduled for this week. Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing is looking forward to the 2025 season. He said, “We are stocking the shelves with fresh tackle and getting ready for the spring fishing to break loose. Not too many people are trolling as there are more bass fishermen. There’s kokanee out there, as I received lots of reports that some of them matured early. The lake is dropping and soon boats will not be able to be launched from the public ramp. The annual Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce Fishing Derby is the first weekend of May. Last year was one that kicked out a large amount of money, so I’ll bet this year is going to be even better as the large rainbows that didn’t get caught and are now even larger. We will start fishing towards the end of April through September.” live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Few anglers heading up Kaiser Pass as the fall months continue to advance. Edison is at 36, Florence at 18, and Mammoth Pool at 20% of capacity.

Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Trout 2 Kokanee 1

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “Shaver was kicking out limits of trout for most before the storm arrived on Friday, bringing heavy wind gusts. Jay Irvine from Visalia took his nephew from Clovis, New Mexico out on Monday, in the rain, sleet, and snow, and they had a great morning catching two limits, keeping eight fish for Thanksgiving dinner. The best set up was a black TNK Slow Go spinner with red dots and a red squid on lead core at two colors. Julian Francolino caught a 19-inch, 3.2-pound rainbow on the set up. The other set that caught fish was a black Woolly Bugger fly with copper head and tinsel at 8 to 10 feet in depth at 1.7 mph. Most of the fish were caught around Black Rock and the Island. Prior to the weekend, David Geil made the trip up to fish and was turned back thanks to the wind. David Loftin of Visalia towed his boat up for trout but was also blown off the lake. Only one boat was on the lake on Friday. Both Geil, a firefighter from Sanger, and Loftin, of Visalia, have been hammering trout for weeks separately. When this storm finishes, the trout bite should remain positive. Both Geil and Loftin have targeted the area around the Fisherman’s Club and Black Rock. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html

for conditions before going up as the marinas are closed.

At Huntington, it’s getting close to big brown trout time, but as is the usual practice for the dedicated ‘brown baggers,’ reports will be on the minimal side. Shaver is at 58% of capacity with Huntington holding at 62%.

Call: Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 2

Not much happening at either lake as the winter storms are bringing inclement weather to the high country. Courtright is all but drained to allow work on Helms Powerhouse Intake and discharge gates. The gate Courtright Way just past the turnoff for McKinley Grove Road will remain closed until the regularly scheduled reopening on Memorial Day 2025 Weekend, depending upon weather. The Wishon RV Park and Store has closed for the season so anglers will have to come prepared with supplies.

Road conditions – Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 2 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

It’s been pretty slow around Half Moon Bay although the Riptide was able to make it out on Saturday for five limits of rockfish and a lingcod. November’s rockfish regulations require less than 20 fathoms before finishing off the season during the month of December over 50 fathoms. A few boats will be willing to make the 20-plus mile trek to deep water during December if the weather cooperates.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 2 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 2 Surf perch 2

From the surf, Mickey Clements reported a slower surf perch bite as the swell has been large along with debris moving in from the recent southerly storm. He said, “Tom Niccum from our shop was out on Sunday morning, and he landed one large perch along with three other smaller ones near Santa Cruz.”

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “For surfcasters around Monterey Bay at least, it is now officially wintertime. Fishing from the beach for perch and stripers has slowed to a snail’s pace for most beach anglers in our area. This is a normal pattern. Every year we have a slowdown in November then the pace gradually picks up through February. A critical part of this pattern is the structuring of beaches caused by winter storm conditions, most notably big northwest swells and currents. The big water movement transports thousands of tons of sand, forming sand bars and gullies on the beach and just offshore that are perfect perch feeding grounds. Of primary importance in any water activity is to remember the adage safety first. Every year, people lose their lives in surf related tragedies along the coast. Coast Guard statistics don’t factor out the specific number of surfcasters who succumb to unexpected situations, but a quick online search pulls up news stories from every year recording incidents in northern California in which anglers have died. In July of this year, a surfcaster succumbed while fishing near the Carmel Highlands. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said “The body of a fisherman who went missing Friday was located. The man was overdue at Yankee Point near the Carmel Highlands. He was reported missing two hours later.”

On Nov. 10, 2023, a fisherman at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County died after being swept into the water. February of 2022 saw a similar tragedy according to KRON news who reported, “A fisherman who was dragged into the ocean by a sneaker wave at Muir Beach in Marin County has been identified. According to the US Coast Guard, sneaker waves were responsible for 17 deaths along the California coast last year.”

Though not engaged in fishing, two visitors to Santa Cruz drowned near West Cliff Drive after being swept from the rocks by a sneaker wave in July. For their boating death statistics, the US Coast Guard reports that Nearly 90% of boating deaths can be attributed largely to lack of education, inexperience and inattention by operators of the vessel. These are tragic statistics, especially considering fairly easy access to boater safety lessons, courses and other resources. These same factors apply in fatal incidents along the beach. Kathe Tanner from the Modesto Bee interviewed officials regarding a fatal surfcaster drowning at Big Sur, at Jade Cove. On March 20, 2022, Tanner reported, “The deputy said he could only conjecture about why the fisherman was swept out to sea. ‘Perhaps he was looking down, baiting his hook, and not paying attention to the waves.’ The incident once again highlights the danger of sneaker waves, he said, which break suddenly and can surprise people who aren’t watching the water. As law enforcers and marine experts have said for decades, never turn your back on the ocean.

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 2 Striper 3 Rockfish 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2 Crab 3

The big boats were able to make it out once again over the weekend after the weather kept them tied up during the week. Nearshore rockfishing has been tough, but the bite is coming around during the final weeks of the nearshore season. Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Ladywas out with a charter on Saturday for 3/4h limits of rockfish along with full limits of Dungeness crab. Davis said, “We had a nice mix of olives, blues, vermilions, and browns along with a few lingcod. The nearshore fishing is always tough in November as the swells are larger and the water is cold.” Davis will be running crab-only trips this week out of Emeryville Sport Fishing, and they put in 15 limits of Dungeness crab on Monday. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn said, “The rockfish are starting to bite again, crabbing has been lights out. Our two boats combined for 39 limits of Dungeness crab along with ¾ limits of rockfish and 20 lingcod to 14 pounds.” Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing also posted 9 limits of Dungeness crab on Sunday to go with ½ limits of rockfish.

“We were sitting on the rockfish above Duxbury, but they weren’t biting. The best bite was close to the Duxbury Reef,” he said.

Captain Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sport Fishing found solid fishing on Sunday for 21 limits of crab to 21/2 pounds, 21 limits of rockfish, and 3 lingcod to 15 pounds. Another boat capsized north of Bodega Bay, resulting in the loss of life. This was the third private boat capsizing since Dungeness crab season opened on Nov. 2.

The latest Risk Assessment from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife resulted in the continued delay in the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season in Fishing Zones 3-6 along with the temporary crab trap restriction in the recreational crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, which are between the Sonoma-Mendocino county line and Lopez Point in Monterey County. The Fleet Advisory for the recreational fleet in Fishing Zones 1-6 will also continue. The next scheduled risk assessment is expected to occur on or around Dec. 6.

Inside the bay, Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Paradise reported incredible striped bass action with as many as 80 linesides to the boat in San Pablo Bay. Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions confirmed the outstanding bite, and he said, “We still have some live bait in our receivers, but you can get them on cut sardines or anchovies right now as they are aggressively feeding.” J and P Bait in San Francisco is now closed for the season.

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 2

Out of Morro Bay Landing, just 15 fish shy of 46 limits of rockfish came over the rails on Saturday for the Avenger, Endeavor, and Starfire as their combined total was 410 assorted rockfish, 30 Boccaccio, 5 vermilion, and a solitary lingcod. Out of Virg’s Landing, the two boats were out on Saturday with a combined 27 passengers for 189 assorted, 54 vermilion, and 2 lingcod. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, one boat was out on Sunday with 15 anglers for 97 assorted rockfish to 3 pounds and a black cod. The regulations for rockfishing below Point Lopez are from 50 fathoms offshore through Dec. 31, Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

Striped bass continue to flood into both sides of the Delta, and Thanksgiving Week has traditionally been one of the best times to target linesides with bait as the water temperatures have dropped into the mid-50’s. Sturgeon action remains outstanding near Pittsburg as the impact of not harvesting along with improved technology and cured salmon roe. Anglers are starting to warm up to the idea of catch-and-release, and the six-pack boats are beginning to work a few days per week. Six-pack captains have been bringing as many as 20 diamondbacks to the boat per outing for their customers. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing put his customers onto close to 20 sturgeon on a recent trip.

“A few friends were out on Sunday night during a very small 1-foot tide, and they hooked 14 sturgeon, landing 10. It’s really good out there right now,” Mitchell said.

The big news continues to be the increased presence of the invasive golden mussel. With the mussels currently only found in the Delta and exported waters from the south Delta, there is great concern for the spread of the mussels to California’s lakes. The enforcement of a 30-day quarantine from Delta waters is a distinct possibility, and Lake Berryessa and Lake Camanche have already taken action to limit access to the lakes. According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, boaters in California should take steps to prevent the spread of golden mussels, an invasive species, including: After each use, boaters should clean, drain, and dry all systems, including livewells and bait buckets. Boats should be dried for at least five days and up to 30 days between launches in different bodies of water.

Before and after traveling, boaters should inspect all exposed surfaces of their boat and trailer and remove any plants. California-registered vessels operating in freshwater must display a Mussel Fee Sticker on each side of the hull. The sticker costs $16 and expires when the vessel registration sticker does. If you observe this species, take clear, close up photos, using some suitable object to show scale (size) and immediately report, email the department at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov, or call (866) 440-9530.

For striped bass, Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley reported continued outstanding striped bass action with fresh fish moving into the system. He said, “The action has been fast and furious with an excellent grade of striped bass. Jumbo minnows are doing the trick as mudsuckers are very hard to find.”

Chris Ditter of Head Rush Guide Service found a great troll bite on the San Joaquin River with shallow diving lures. “The fish were biting even through the slack tide, and the bite went wide open at the bottom of the tide. We even landed them on chatterbaits with a white swim tail,” Ditter said. “The stripers are also stacked on the Sacramento River side from Honker Bay to Liberty Island. One concern is the number of salmon rolling in the sloughs, and we hooked and released six salmon in Potato Slough on jerkbaits. The sea lions are thick in the Delta, and they are feeding on the salmon that have migrated into the sloughs and back channels.” Salmon must be released while in the water.

For sturgeon, Captain Zack Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures will be starting his catch-and-release operation soon out of Pittsburg Marina.

“The late Captain Rich Tipton of Lucky Strike Guide Service would say, ‘It always starts in Pittsburg,’ and the diamondbacks are holding in a small area outside of the Pittsburg Marina in deep water or near Chain Island.” Medinas said. “The big storms will break them up and cause them to move around.”

Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, reported a solid striped bass bite to five pounds soaking mudsuckers or fresh shad near Collinsville.

“These are fresh fish coming in with a blue stripe, and the linesides are running with the bait,” Wang said. “The witches hair has been challenging at the top of the tide as the water is cooling, and the grass is breaking off in the flats. Largemouth bass has also been solid, and there are numbers of salmon being caught and released on jerkbaits or crankbaits.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was also in the Mokelumne River for largemouth bass, and he reported solid numbers of largemouth bass on spinnerbaits, the ima Squarebill crankbait in Red Craw or shad, or the Berkley Slobberknocker.

“The key is working around rocks and weeds, and I am moving around to find the greatest water movement with these smaller tides. I didn’t see many striped bass, but this weather will bring them in,” he said.

Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors was out with his partner, Chad Frie, in the south Delta, and he reported good numbers of largemouth bass to four pounds on reaction baits, but there are few big fish.

“The fall bite is on, and there are schools of bait fish everywhere,” Borges said. “Everything is on reaction with underspins, jerkbaits, or little paddletail swimbaits.”

Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Jan. 16-19

International Sportsmen’s Exposition – Cal Expo, Sacramento

Information: https://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/sacramento/.

Tournament results

Nov. 16

Hensley – Sierra Bass Club

1st – Ron Orbaker – 22.96 pounds (Big Fish – 7.23); 2nd – Michael Jarrell – 18.49; 3rd- Joe Ploharz – 9.78.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

Nov. 29

Pine Flat/Deer Creek – California Bass Nation Black Friday Tournament – Information: Kong Moua, Tournament Director- 470-3332.

Dec. 1

McClure – Modesto Ambassadors

Dec. 7

New Melones – Westside Bass

Tulloch – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

Don Pedro – Sonora Bass Anglers

Pine Flat – Kerman Bass Club

Kern County/Various Waters – MB559 Fishing

Dec. 14-15

McClure – Hughson High School Bass Club

Dec. 14

California Aqueduct/Volta Road – Striperz Gone Wild annual ‘Toys for Tots’ Tournaments

New Melones – Folsom Bass Team

Kern County/Various Waters – Tulare Elk

Nacimiento – American Bass Association

Dec. 15

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole, Inc.

McClure – Riverbank Bass Anglers

Millerton – Fresno Bass Club

Dec. 28

Pine Flat – Bass 559

Jan. 1

Pine Flat – New Year’s Tournament

Jan. 4

Lopez – American Bass Association

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.