Fishing Report (5/30/12)

• VALLEY

• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service reported excellent action for both kokanee and rainbow trout and "the kokanee can be found almost anywhere in the main lake at depths from 30 to 70 feet, and they will hit all the typical kokanee gear such as hootchies or spinners tipped with shoepeg corn behind a Vance's dodger." He added that rainbows are striking spoons at depths from 18 to 35 feet, and they are scattered throughout the lake from the Spillway to the south end of the lake. Night fishing under lights is improving, and Power Bait or minnows are working near the spillway/dam areas or under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge. Bass fishing remains very good with fishermen catching bass in the 12- to 15-inch range up to 3-plus pounds. Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586 2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023.

• SAN LUIS RESERVOIR/O'NEILL FOREBAY — White flukes or pile worms are producing limits of legal stripers from 18- to 24-inches from the bank access areas throughout the lake. Patrick Movey of the Fishermen's Warehouse in Fresno: "Local fishermen have been walking down from the overlooks off of Highway 152 or Dinosaur Point with pile worms." The Rockwall has been another productive area. In the Forebay, Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported good catfish action near Check 12 with anchovies or night crawlers. Anglers have been targeting the whiskerfish instead of stripers, and they have been rewarded with 5- to 12-pound fish. Call: Ly's Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644.

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported good trout action from both the trollers and bank fishermen in response to last week's trout plant. Trollers are scoring with Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger, blue/chrome Kastmasters, or blade/crawler combinations from the Floating Restrooms to Gilligan's Island. Bank anglers are using Power Bait in any garlic scent. Next trout plant is in two weeks. Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Crappie action continues to heat up using small minnows in submerged brush. Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported good trout fishing in Cottonwood Creek with Needlefish, Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler, or blade/crawler combinations at depths from 20 to 30 feet. Kings salmon up to 2 pounds have been taken at depths to 70 feet on rolled anchovies near the Houseboats at McClure Point. Randy Reece of Escalon Bait reported a good top water bite in the mornings and evenings with PopR's or Spooks. Once the sun comes up, the fish drop to the bottom and Robo Worms Aaron's Magic on the drop shot is a good option. Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053.

• LAKE DON PEDRO — Monte Smith of Gold County reported excellent action for both rainbows and king salmon limits by trolling heavy spoons at depths from 17 to 35 feet, with the kings hitting at depths from 45 to 65 feet. Kokanee are located in the same open waters at depths from 35 to 80 feet with hootchies, spinners or bugs behind a Vance's Sockeye dodger. Danny Layne of Fishn' Dan's Guide Service has been working in the river channel west of Hatch Creek for both king salmon and rainbows and he has been picking up trout on ExCel lures at depths around 30 feet. Kings are hitting pink hootchies, Shasta Tackle Cripplures or Vance's Slim Fins at depths from 60 to 80 feet. Randy Reece reported an excellent bass bite on live crawdads, and catfishing is also improving with the crustaceans. For artificials, there is a top water bite in the mornings and evenings with PopR's or Spooks, and Brush Hogs on the bottom are best during the daytime. Call: Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586-2383; Bait Barn (209) 874-301.

• DELTA/STOCKTON — The big winds in the past week have limited boat access to the Delta. "I really don't have much to report since there hasn't been much going on around here," said Tony Lopez of Benecia Bait. Small stripers have been the rule, but a few sturgeon have come into the shop. Crappie fishing continues to be very good off of Bethel Island. The majority of striped bass are on their way back down to the bays from the upper rivers. Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Quetzal Adventures (925)570-530; Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030; Jolly Jay's Guide Service (209) 478-6645; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550.

• OCEAN

• SAN FRANCISCO BAY — The salmon bite went off outside the Gate on Sunday, and according to Captain Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete out of Half Moon Bay, the "main vein" to fish was between west and south buoys with 37/44 being good numbers. The three Sausalito boats combined for 119 salmon to 30 pounds for 68 anglers, and the average fish was 15 pounds. In the bay, Captain James Smith of the California Dawn out of Berkeley scored 12 halibut to 15 pounds and three stripers to 8 pounds for 20 fishermen. Smith: "Things are definitely picking up." Captain Bob Wright of the Happy Hooker reported, "We lit up the leopard sharks, keeping only a few males."

• HALF MOON BAY — Party boats were scoring quick limits on Sunday while the Half Moon Bay boats ran further south to the Deep Reef. The Riptide out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing was also south and west at the Deep Reef on Sunday, and they put in seven salmon to 18 pounds for 15 anglers. The Connie O, six-pack out of Bait and Switch Sport Fishing, also had a good day on Sunday with five limits of salmon north near the main vein of salmon. Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Huck Finn Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin Soleman (510) 703-4148.

• MONTEREY/SANTA CRUZ — Chris Arcoleo of Chris's Landing in Monterey reported a good salmon bite on Saturday with the Star of Monterey putting 19 salmon for 21 anglers with all fish ranging from 15 to 20 pounds. The Star of Monterey went rockfishing for ¾ limits working local reefs. Call: Chris' Landing (831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173. Web: www.usafishing.com.

• SAN LUIS OBISPO — Rockfishing was limited by the high winds and fish counts shrunk to less than ½ limits per rod. With decent weather, they have been averaging from ¾ to full limits. Call: Virg's Landing, (805)772-1 222; (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214.