Central California fishing report: Pine Flat trout action good

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 bass action takes over, Randy Pringle reported. Shaver Kokanee and trout still hitting, Dick Nichols said. Pine Flat trout action good, Jim Tartaglia reported. Don Pedro a multi-species banquet, Monte Smith said. New Melones bass on solid bite, Aaron Jones reported. Wishon rainbows on heavy bite, Kelly Brewer said.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley/Westside waterways

Striper 3 Catfish 3

The northern section of the California Aqueduct is improving for both catfish and striped bass with either bait or lures. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported decent action with most anglers avoiding the daytime heat by fishing in the early mornings or evenings. The best locations for striped bass remain around the check gates or along inside bends with cut sardines, anchovies, or jumbo minnows or a three-way rig with no roll sinkers. White jerkbaits or Rat-L-Traps are picking up small striped in the early mornings or evenings. Carolina-rigged dip bait, chicken liver, or cut baits are best for catfish around the outtake gats. Roboworms or grubs in green pumpkin on a Texas-rig or drop-shot are best for largemouth bass.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

At Eastman, Tas Moua was out on his kayak on Sunday, and he reported slow fishing during the middle of the day, but he found a good bite around 4 pm with jigs, Brush Hogs, and dice lures before working an LV 500 lipless crankbait at sunset. He said, “The fish would pick it up as soon as it hits the bottom. A few fish were pushing 4 pounds, but there were plenty of one-pound bass. My son was working a 7-inch Hawg Hunter X Minnow swimbait, and he got two bites, but they didn’t stick. He did pick up a 4½-pound largemouth on a creature bait on a Texas-rig. The lake is dropping fast, but there is no algae bloom at the present time.” At Hensley, Moua reported a similar bite to last week with jigs or plastics on a Carolina-rig, shakey head, or drop-shot as the bass are oriented to main lake points with the dropping water levels. Both lakes are releasing water, and Eastman dropped over 7 feet to 524.31 feet in elevation and 40% of capacity with Hensley dropping over 4 feet to 485.10 feet in elevation and 27% of capacity. Only one more event is scheduled at Eastman through the end of June.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 3 King salmon 3 Crappie 2

Don Pedro is producing quality kokanee to 2.4 pounds along with king salmon and rainbow trout. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing has been finding solid action for his clients running Pro Troll’s Kokanee Killers behind a Mac’s pink dodger at depths from 55 to 70 feet for kokanee, king salmon, and rainbow trout. The kokanee remain in very good shape averaging 15/16 inches with a few up to 18 inches. They are in there, and you just must find them.” Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported a solid topwater with the Berkley Choppo 90 in the mornings or evenings, but the bass move into deep water by mid-morning. Dragging jigs or plastics on a Carolina-rig or drop-shot on a slow presentation are working best. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The Blue Oaks launch ramp is currently closed, but if the lake drops a few more feet, it will be open by the coming holiday weekend. The lake is starting to release water, and it dropped 5 feet to 819.86 feet in elevation this week. The lake will host four bass tournaments during the middle of July. A self-inspection is required for launching, and boat traffic is expected to be intense over the holiday weekend.

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

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area

Bass 3 Trout 2 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake dropped 1½ feet to 2,584.87 feet in elevation and 62% of capacity. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported the lake continues to fish well for multiple species even as the water temperature reaching into the high 70’s. The bass bite remains excellent, particularly from the North Fork area all the way to the Cemetery with fish holding in 3 to 15 feet of water with a wide range of baits including shad-profile lures, jerkbaits, crankbaits. Flukes, spinnerbaits, or Senkos in watermelon/red or shad colors. Dragging jigs and working craw baits around rocks and boulders continues to be a reliable approach while chatterbaits or large swimbaits are drawing aggressive reaction strikes, especially during the early morning and late afternoon windows. Crappie fishing has been solid in deeper water with the slabs schooling in 20 to 30 feet around submerged brush and docks with mini-jigs, small swimbaits, or live shiners. The catfish bite has picked up in the evenings and overnight hours with good reports coming from the Lime Dyke and other deep coves with cut bait, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or clams. Trout anglers are still finding success near the Cemetery and North Fork areas in the early mornings using Power Bait, spoons, or nightcrawlers. Bluegill are active in the shallows near French Gulch Marina and are readily taking small worms and insect-style baits.

The upper Kern River, Cope’s reported continued stocking has led to excellent action in the popular 20-mile stretch above Kernville. Anglers are reporting solid action on both bait and artificial presentations. Salmon eggs, garlic-scented Powerbait in chartreuse or orange, crickets, and small spinners like Rooster Tails and Panther Martins are all producing fish while fly anglers are scoring with attractor nymphs, streamers, and dry flies, especially during the late afternoon hatches. The best success has come by focusing on slower sections and eddies behind rocks, where trout are holding out of the current. Trout plants are scheduled in Sections 5 and 6 next week. The lower Kern River is running stronger with flows near 1,650 CFS making wading more difficult and potentially unsafe in some stretches. Bank fishing is recommended. Trout plants are scheduled this week in Section 3 (Sandy Flat to the Isabella Dam), and some anglers are already reporting trout catches using salmon eggs, garlic Power Bait, or small spinners.

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 3 Trout 2- Catfish 3

The lake dropped 17 feet to 687.25 feet in elevation and 70% of capacity. Cope’s reported spotted bass fell for plastics on the drop-shot, hula grubs, and shaky heads in 5 to 20 feet of water while Senkos, Keitech swimbaits, or small crankbaits were effective in less than five feet of water. The larger female bass have come off the ledges and secondary points out into deeper water, but many of the females are thin from the recent spawn. Kayakers found good crappie action over structure near Horse Creek with small minnows. Carolina-rigged cut baits or chicken liver continue to work for catfish. The Kaweah River continues to drop, and it is currently slowing down to 347 cfs at Three Rivers. No additional bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of July. Another trout plant is scheduled at Hedrick Pond this week.

Lake Success

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake dropped 2½ feet to 647.52 feet in elevation and 87% of capacity. Cope’s reported largemouth bass are holding near submerged rocks, brush, and trees, with stick baits, jigs, and finesse baits producing well. Plastic worms in Oxblood, watermelon/black flake, or Tequila Sunrise were effective for drawing strikes while jerkbaits or spinnerbaits also worked. A few topwater fish are taken on Poppers on a slow retrieve. Crappie responded to small live minnows near submerged vegetation on a slip bobber rig. Catfish reports were on the slow side, but whisker fish should be available for anglers using dip baits, chicken liver, or cut baits in deeper water during the day and up shallow after dark.

McClure Reservoir

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

Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported a c consistent topwater bite with the Berkley Choppo 90 in shad patterns. After the fish move out into deeper water, plastics on the drop-shot or jigs on a slow presentation at depths to 30 feet are the answer. It’s a matter of quality over quantity. Trollers continue to find rainbow trout and the occasional holdover king salmon at depths from 40 to 65 feet near the dam with shad-patterned spoons. The Reel Deel Market at Barrett’s Cove is now open for the summer. The lake dropped 6 feet to 849.20 feet in elevation and 88% of capacity. Tournament action has slowed down with only 2 small club tournaments scheduled through the end of July.

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

Lake McSwain

Trout 2

Bank fishermen are reporting holdover rainbows from the banks at the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina with garlic-scented Power Bait, and the best action is in the early morning. Trout plants have not occurred since early April, and the number of fish in the lake is limited. Trolling with Rapalas, Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler, or spoons at depths from the surface to 15 feet have been effective for a few quality holdovers in the river arm. Reel Deal Market at McSwain is open on summer hours. The lake dropped slightly to 79% of capacity. The lake will be extremely crowded over the holiday weekend with the Splash and Dash water feature. Information https://mysplashndash.com/knowbeforeyougo/#hours.Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported the there hasn’t been much change here as most bass anglers are heading up into the river arm with plastics on a shakey head or drop-shot along with jerkbaits. The main lake is ‘hit or miss.’ The lake has started to release water, and it dropped 12 feet to 564.08 feet in elevation and 87% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have dropped to 185 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Only one bass tournament is scheduled in mid-July.

Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2

Boat pressure remains relatively light due to restrictions for the invasive golden mussel. Kokanee to 18 inches remain the best story, but with the warming temperatures, the fish are dropping in the water column. Trollers continue to find limits, but they are taking a bit longer than previously. A variety of spinners or J-Pex lures tipped with corn or Pautske’s Fire Core behind a 5½-inch gold dodger at depths from 50 to 70 feet have been the story. For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported bass are active with a solid topwater bite along with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot for the suspended fish at depths to 30 feet by mid-morning. The reaction bite is good with underspins or paddletailed swimbaits for numbers of spotted bass. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 20. Boaters are advised to schedule a decontamination via https://musseldecon.com/ with a deposit of $60. Costs will vary from a minimum of $60 to $180 up depending upon the size and complexity of the vessel. Boats not making a reservation will be charged as much as $180. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped 5 feet to 1035.60 feet in elevation and 76% of capacity with downstream Tulloch at 97% 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 3 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Tas Moau reported the best bass action remains past Trimmer in the upper portion of the lake with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or jigs.

“The bass are pulling out into deep water with the dropping water levels,” Moau said.

The introduction of king salmon to Pine Flat Reservoir has been a boon for local trollers in addition to the lake’s rainbow trout. Pine Flat is the southernmost reservoir with inland king salmon plants, and it is only one of four lakes planted in 2025 due to the presence of IHN in three of the four egg collections. Jim Tartaglia of Reedley has been targeting kings for months at the lake, and he said, “We landed a total of three kings on Saturday including a 25-inch/5-pound king at 75 feet just outside of Zebe Creek with an anchovy fillet behind a dodger. We had to fish 5 hours to get them, but as more shad return to the main lake after spawning, the bite will improve. The kings have been illusive, but if your patience is good, trolling from 65 to 125 feet is where the fish are holding. The rainbow bite is still really awesome, and we are scoring at depths from 25 to 45 feet from Deer Creek to the dam with Sierra Gold lures tipped with a nightcrawler on a short leader behind a 6-inch dodger.” In the lower Kings River, the flows dropped from 2,241to 1,642 cfs at Trimmer, and the flows are dropping steadily.

Another trout plant is scheduled this week, and with the dropping water levels, planted rainbows are taken on a variety of offerings, including: Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait in the transition from fast to slow water. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake dropped 16½ feet to 894.39 feet in elevation and 69% of capacity. Two bass tournaments are scheduled in late July.Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported a solid evening bite with anchovies for striped bass to 24” along the dam or Dinosaur Point. A few anglers continue to toss Duo Realis freshwater jerkbaits in size 120 or 130 along with the saltwater Tide Minnows at night. Extra-large minnows are not available due to the heat.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said he did a scout trip with a friend on Saturday , and they hit a morning window bite in the main lake releasing over 15 fish to 24 before the bite totally shut down.

“We spent the rest of the day trying to find some active fish but with the water still falling over one foot a day plus the continuing spawning behavior it’s like they go totally inactive. I’m hoping that they will stabilize the lake soon. Small spoons seemed to be the best bet- if you can find active fish,” George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, consistent numbers of striped bass are taken on either bait or jerkbaits, but the grass is starting to get thick with the warm water temperatures. A 40-inch striped bass was reported this week. The California Aqueduct continues to produce striped bass from 26 to 30 inches with jerkbaits or paddletailed swimbaits. The main lake dropped to 48% of capacity with the forebay rising to 84% of capacity. The banks in the main lake are muddy due to the rapidly dropping water level. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were 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. A harmful algae bloom warning has been established at Los Banos Creek 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

Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake reported traffic is making it difficult to fish, but if you can start earlier, you’ll have two hours before the traffic hits. After 8 a.m. everything changes, and it’s only going to get worse as the 4th of July nears. The lake is still kicking out rainbow trout from 13 to 15 inches with the occasional larger fish at depths from 20 to 35 feet with orange or pink Dick’s Mountain Trout Busters, Fin Reaper Spinners, pink-faded Rocky Mountain, Radical Glow tubes, pink mini squids tipped with pink or white Gulp! Maggots behind Dick’s Mountain dodgers at speeds from 1.3. to 1.6 mph. The 5 MPH Buoy are still too far in around the dam area, and this limits the ability to troll where the kokanee should be congregating. The Sheriff’s Office needs to relocate three of the orange buoys.” Tas Moua reported a good topwater bite prior to sunrise until dawn as the bass are holding along sandy beaches and grassy flats. The Toxic Baits Wade Hogg swimbait has been effective for larger fish. A 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

Edison has a trout plant scheduled for next week, and Portal Forebay, Mammoth Pool, and Ward Lake have been planted this week. Edison rose to 73% of capacity, Florence to 92% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool to 89% of capacity.

Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra. Hume Lake, Ward Lake, and Portal Forebay are all scheduled to be planted this week.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000.

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 3

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle, reported, “The kokanee action is still good as the second-year kokes are growing and put up a good fight. The trout plant of last week is providing another good source of fish. I fished with two friends from Sacramento this week. We decided to avoid my favorite spots and troll much of the lake at least to Eagle Point. The water temperature had dropped from last week’s 69 degrees to 65 degrees, and we found that the fish had risen in the water column from 25 to 32 feet. Good action of mixed trout and kokanee was found in front of Sierra Marina. Moving along the east bank heading toward the island at road 2 point, we got into a heavy kokanee bite, releasing 15 released fish within 2 hours. Moving out toward Eagle Point, it was one here and one there until we arrived at Eagle Point, and then multiple pole action began. We ended with 28 released fish and more hookups coming off. Pink or orange Mountain Tube’s or Mountain Candy behind a D-MAC Mountain Dodger did the job on the downriggers while the side poles were loaded with a Texas Tea Trout Buster behind a weighted Mountain Flasher at a setback of 100 feet. Scented pink corn was placed on all hooks. On the same morning, Brian Barron of Marshall Station and Scott Montiero of Oakhurst, hit the water at 6:30 a.m., finishing with limits of kokanee within 3½ hours running Needlefish spoons at 5 colors of lead core. Doc Barb Stewart of Prather took a solo trip to the the Sierra Marina area for two limits of mixed fish that were released using a pink Wedding Ring behind a Dick’s D-MAC Mountain Dodger. Jack and Annie Engle of Fresno also found two limits at Black Rock and Dorabela Cove with Annie catching and releasing a trophy trout. The Engles were running orange Dick’s Mountain Tube’s at 25 to 35 down. This is another example of cooler water bringing the fish back up, but with warmer temperatures, I think the fish will return to the 40-foot column.”

Both ramps are open. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. At Huntington, the High Sierra Regatta will take over the lake on the weekends of July 12-13 and 19-20. There hasn’t been much change as the recent trout plant has improved bank fishing with Power Bait or nightcrawlers near the mouth of Rancheria Creek. Trolling is producing unlimited numbers of small kokanee and rainbow trout. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver rose to 88% of capacity with Huntington at 98% of capacity. Trout plant are scheduled for Shaver Lake, Mono Creek, Dinkey Creek, Tamarack Creek, and the South Fork of the San Joaquin River this week.

Call: Paul Brown 300-4001; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 3

Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store reported both lakes were planted on Thursday and Friday, and the planted rainbows are biting everything that you can throw at them. Max Gross of Fresno fished with a friend Chris Young - and Max reported “lights out action “ – hooking up with over 40 fish in 3 hours trolling the lake. Trollers continue to score with blade/’crawler combinations or spoons at 3 to 4 colors of lead core for the larger rainbows in the 14-inch range, and they are also starting to pick up some brown trout. Inflated nightcrawlers are working best from the banks. Trout plants are scheduled at Courtright, Wishon, and Dinkey Creek again this week. Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

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

It’s all about rockfishing out of this port with the Riptide returning with 13 limits of rockfish including two cabezon and 2 lings on a recent trip. The Queen of Hearts had a similar score with 7 limits and a ling. The minus tides pushed schools of striped bass outside the Golden Gate, and they continue to move south down the coast. The best time for surf casters with big spoons or topwater lures is at night or before first light in the early mornings along the beaches at Mussel Rock and Linda Mar. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. There will be a 7,500-fish quota salmon season from Sept. 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and many of the local party boats and six-packs are starting to be booked. Dungeness crab season is over until the first Saturday in November.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

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

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service said, “Monterey Bay area anglers enjoyed the shot at king salmon last weekend. Limits were fairly common, and the fish were of high quality, mostly in the teens with some fish over 20 pounds. Saturday was called “wide open” by many, but the bite withered on Sunday. Luckily, rockfish is still going strong out to 120 feet of water. Charter boats were getting half to full limits of cod and one to 10 lingcod per outing last week, and the bite is improving as conditions improve. Wednesday’s trip on the Kahuna from J &M Sportfishing in Monterey reported 111 cod for 12 angers aboard, a whisker away from full limits. On the north side of the bay, Santa Cruz Coastal Charters maximized the fun using light spinning gear to catch some big rockfish, including one gargantuan lingcod that weighed in at 33 pounds on Monday’s trip.

Halibut fishing is hitting stride as the water warms. Water temperature in the bay is averaging around 3 degrees warmer than “normal” this season. Monterey anglers reported good halibut catches from Del Monte Beach up to Sand City. Many were in the 20- to 30-pound range. From Moss Landing, halibut hunters are heading north towards Pajaro and doing very well for big flatties in 40-60 feet of water. Halibut fishing is strong near the Santa Cruz Harbor and especially around Capitola and New Brighton Beach in 30-60 feet of water. Wednesday’s trip on the beautiful Miss Beth was dedicated to halibut fishing. At an “unknown location,” Skipper JT Thomas hooked his clients up with limits of big halibut up to 25 pounds. We would like to visit that spot soon, if we can figure out where the heck it is.

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 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2

Minus tides turned a solid halibut bite into a grind as the bay is coated with dirty water, chasing striped bass outside the Golden Gate along with party boats seeking better action for coastal rockfish.

Mid-week, Captain James Smith of the California Dawn Sport Fishing put in 35 halibut to 15 pounds along with 3 striped bass for 20 anglers on Thursday, but the action ground to a halt as the minus tides and wind turned the water muddy the following day The California Dawn 1 went outside on Saturday for 22 limits of lingcod to 18 pounds, 3/4th limits of rockfish, and a single 15-pound halibut. Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley also went outside on Saturday for 14 limits of rockfish and 21 lingcod.

Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco said, “We went to the Berkeley Flats on a ½-day trip on Saturday for 6 halibut and 3 bass along with a number of short halibut. The big bass that we were recently onto have vacated the bay with the big tides, and I expect they turned left outside the Golden Gate and can be found somewhere around Pacifica. The bait has also vacated for the most part, and it seems that these minus tides are bringing in more mud that normal. We went to the south bay on Sunday, only to find extremely muddy water. Fishing inside the bay under these conditions is a challenge.”

Captain Frank Rescino ran the Lovely Martha out of on a half-day trip on Saturday, and although they grinded for eight halibut and four striped bass in the Berkeley Flats, deckhand Bubba Foster hooked and landed a 49-inch, 51-pound white sea bass. Koyasako, known as the ‘Ghost Whisperer’ for his proficiency with locating the bay’s white sea bass, said, “We have been seeing some encouraging marks recently.”

The tides are backing off every day this week, and the halibut bite should be back on by the coming 4th of July holiday weekend.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388

San Luis Obispo

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

Rockfish continue to hold center stage out of the San Luis Obispo County porta, and Sunday produced limits for 87 anglers on four trips out of Morro Bay Landing with 675 assorted rockfish, 102 vermilion, 78 Boccaccio, 15 copper rockfish, and 18 lingcod to 11 pounds. The Black Pearl out of Morro Bay went up the coast on a 1½-day trip for two limits of rockfish including sub limits of vermilion rockfish for 18 anglers. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out with 48 anglers on Sunday for 261 assorted rockfish, 46 vermilion, 138 Bolina, 6 copper, 5 cabezon, an ocean whitefish, and 28 lingcod to 16 pounds. All depth season below Point Lopez ended on Monday, June 30, and the season is now restricted to 50 fathoms until September 30.

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

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

It’s frog time on the California Delta as the larger striped bass have all but vacated for the bay/ocean while sturgeon fishermen have also migrated westward to the bay. That leaves largemouth bass to fill the bill during the summer period where the water temperatures rise into the mid-70’s.

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was tournament director for Best Bass Tournament’s Delta/Wine Division out of Big Break Marina on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s open Golden Mussel event out of Russo’s Marina. Pringle said, “The bite was much different on Saturday than it was on Sunday as it was in the triple digits with no wind on Saturday before the temperatures dropped slightly on Sunday. The wind on Sunday allowed for a reaction bite with chatterbaits, crankbaits, or frogs in the current off the edges of berms in water greater than 5 feet. The bass were more lethargic on Saturday, but the winning weight was over 26 pounds with 22 pounds on Sunday. There are great numbers of bass but finding anything of size is a challenge.”

The two big frog tournaments will arrive within a month with the Ultimate Frog Challenge on July 26-27, followed by the original frog tournament, the Snag Proof Open on Aug, 2-3. Both tournaments will follow the same format with an afternoon tide followed by a morning tide, and they are based out of Russo’s Marina. The only major difference is the Snag Proof is limited to Snag Proof or American Baitworks frogs while the UFC is open to any soft-body top water bait.”

Dave King, director of Nor Cal Bass, found a tremendous bite in the evening for up to 40 bass to 3½ pounds using the Scum Frog Trophy Series Popping Frog in bone in the east Delta. King said, “I was out on the Wednesday nightery out of Ladd’s Marina as one of 71 boats, and I started using this frog for good results. It’s been all about numbers and color matters as the bone pattern outfished the green model five to one. The bass have been out in open water, and they are just annihilating the frog.”

Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors reported a solid bass bite for numbers, but the big fish have been on hold. He said, “Chatterbaits are working, but I will be bringing out the punch rod soon. Striped bass have headed out the Gate in the warm water.”

With lakes such as Camanche, Berryessa, and New Melones restricted due to golden mussels, recreational boat traffic has ramped up in the San Joaquin system, and the potential for more collisions in the narrow channels of the central Delta has increased exponentially.

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

Tournament Results

June 28

Delta/Big Break Marina – Best Bass Tournaments/Delta Wine Division

1st – Xong Heu/Yoham Chang – 26.54 pounds; 2nd- Donniell Butler/Marcel Murray – 20.57 (Big Fish – 8.04); 3rd – Fred and Emilio Ruiz – 19.80.

June 29

Delta/Big Break Marina – Best Bass Tournaments/Golden Mussel Open Division

1st – Mark Gomez/Juan Acosta – 21.91 pounds (Big Fish – 6.35); 2nd- Zach Thompson/Nick Cloutier– 19.96; 3rd – Lorenzo and Lucca Rossetti – 18.30.

June 28-29

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – California B.A.S.S. Nation Western Wild Card Kayak Qualifier

1st – Obedie Williams – 175.25 pounds (Big Fish – 24½0 inches); 2nd- Pua Yang– 168.00 inches; 3rd – Damian Thao – 165.00.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed

July 11, 18, 25

Don Pedro – Lake Tulloch Friday Nights

July 11-12

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments

July 12-13

Millerton – Fresno Bass Club

July 12

Delta/SJ County – Yak A’ Bass

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Tri Valley Bass Masters

Amador – Modesto Ambassadors

Don Pedro – Kokanee Power Team Tournament

Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Club/Bay Area Bassbusters

McClure – 17/90 Bass Club

Isabella – Bakersfield Bass Club/Golden Empire Bass Club

Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers

July 19

Salt Springs – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

McClure – Oro Madre Bass Club

Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club/Kings River Bass Club

Isabella – American Bass Association

July 20

Delta/B and W Resort – Best Bass Tournaments

Isabella – American Bass Association

July 26-27

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Ultimate Frog Challenge

July 26

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – NorCal Bass

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Pine Flat trout action good."