Fishing Report (6/15/11)

FISHING REPORT

VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — The kokanee bite is nothing short of phenomenal with the majority of central valley anglers targeting this lake, even during the middle of the week. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing wasn't able to get out a third rod without getting hit on Monday after launching from Tuttletown Ramp. He put his clients on to three limits in four hours, losing several fish in the process. He has been working depths from 32 to 48 feet with Shasta Tackle's Pee Wee hootchies behind a Vance's or Sling Blade dodger. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said, "With the kokanee action so hot, few anglers are targeting trout, but we are seeing the occasional rainbow thrown in with a limit of kokanee." The best action has been at depths from 35 to 45 feet in the deepest part of the lake with shad-patterned lures such as Excel, Apex, Needlefish or Rapala Countdowns scented with Bang or ProCure threadfin shad. Bank anglers should head to local creeks like Angels Creek. Lewis added that bass action has been fair as the fish are either in the spawn or post-spawn mode. Top-water lures in the morning and evening hours are effective with spinnerbaits, jigs and Senkos working in the heat of the day. The best action is in the backs of creek arms and protected pockets off the main lake in the early morning, with swimbaits such as Lunker Punkers, Toad Thrashers, Super Spooks and Pencil Poppers. Later in the day, target main lake points with Senkos, jigs or other larger-profile soft plastics. Catfish are moving into the coves and into shallower water as the water warms up. Crappie are holding close to submerged trees where water and feed are running into the lake, particularly in Bear Cove or Coyote Creek. Call: (209) 736-4333, Monte Smith (209) 581-4734, Danny Layne (209) 586 2383, Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023.

• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR AND O'NEILL FOREBAY — Both the big lake and the forebay are attracting anglers, but the forebay is producing the smaller grade of stripers to 23-inches with anchovies, pile worms or flukes. Anthony Lopez of Coyote Bait in San Jose touted Check 12 as the top area. In the main lake, the bass are sporadic, but the quality is far better with fish to 10-pounds landed with anglers boating to the area around the dam and tossing top water lures or jerkbaits for the occasional striper. Call: Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711.

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — Stephanie Powell at the McSwain Marina reported continued outstanding trout fishing from both the banks and for trollers. An 8-pound rainbow was landed at the 2nd Fence Line on a blade/crawler combination, and another rainbow at 4-pounds was taken outside the marina. Trollers are working the normal pattern from Gilligan's Island to the dam at depths to 20 feet. Shore anglers are scoring with garlic Power Bait, white Power Eggs, or night crawlers under a water bubble around the marina or on the Merced side of the dam. Call: (209) 378-2534

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported king salmon continue to be landed with anchovy fillets under a bobber from the banks up the river arm near Bagby. Trout limits are found from the spillway to the dam with night crawlers behind a Vance's dodger or orange or ruby red Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler at depths from 30 to 40 feet. The trout bite continues at the Hornitos Bridge with various colors of Power Bait. Bass fishing has slowed, but the best action has been with live crawdads or minnows. Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053.