You just never know how your day is going to go while on the water. I’ve been out on the most beautiful days where everything seemed perfect and never got so much as a bite. I’ve also been out in some of the worst weather and experienced some of the best fishing. There are so many unknown factors out there that it’s almost impossible not to think of someone being lucky. One of my most eye opening experiences came when I fished as a co-angler during a Bassmaster Tournament on Lake Amistad. I was able to fish with three different professional anglers. Being a lifelong fan, I was expecting to see something from the pros that I’ve never seen before. None of them casted any better than I did or had a secret bait or technique that I didn’t know about.
What they did have was a sense of calmness that I’ve never seen before from someone fishing for $100,000. They all caught their biggest fish of the day while working the banks just like everyone else.
One in particular had to pull into a cove that he never fished before because the main lake was too rough and proceeded to catch two fish over 5 lbs. on a bait that he’d never fished with before. Another spotted a bass cruising and tossed a regular 6” worm in front of it and the fish bit the worm. For those who’ve tried to catch a cruising fish, you know that never happens! I was blown away by that experience and believe that you must have some luck on your side to make a living as an angler. I’ve also tried to remain calm and not worry so much about when my next bite will come, you just never know.

Delta Report:
Bass are still being found along the edges of the grass while using crank baits or senko’s. There are a few reports of stripers being caught in Franks Tract and around Big Break by those tossing pencil poppers or fishing with live or cut bait. As the water temperature continues to drop the fishing will surely get better for striper. Several salmon are being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Remember, if you catch a salmon on the San Joaquin side of the river it must be released. Only those caught in the Sacramento side of the river can be kept.

New Melones Lake:
Trout fishing has slowed a bit as anglers are having a tougher time bringing in limits of fish. Those having the best luck are trolling between 15’ and 35’ deep around the mouths of the many major cove arms. As the water temperature drops the shad will start making their way into the backs of the coves and the trout will surely follow them. Bass fishing is fair right now as anglers are catching a lot of small fish while fishing small worms and lures. If you have a fish finder, keep an eye out for schooling activity as typically during this time of year the bass will have the shad schooled up around the main lake points.

Lake Pardee:
Trout fishing is hit or miss for anglers trolling from 20’ to 35’ deep. Bass fishing is good for anglers fishing senko’s and small jigs or worms down to 35’. Remember, the lake will be closing for the season starting November 6th.

Lake Don Pedro:
Anglers trolling for trout are doing well while trolling between 25’ and 50’ deep The key to finding the schools of trout are following the birds. The birds are keyed into the schools of shad and the trout are following and feeding off of the schools of shad. Bass fishing is fair right now for anglers who are finding schools of fish. Some anglers are still catching fish on topwater lures but it’s really hit or miss right now.
The lake has dropped to 794.48 and 79 percent capacity.

Lake Amador:
The first plant of cuttbows for the 2011/2012 season took place on Tuesday with over 5000-pounds of fish ranging from 2-pounds upward. The plants took over 4 hours to complete, and there will be regular plants on a weekly basis of at least 3000-pounds. The lake is only 12 feet from spilling, and irrigation releases have ceased for the remainder of the year. Crappie fishing remains strong with plastics or mini jigs in the first coves out of the launch ramp.

Fisherman’s Warehouse
Upcoming Seminars
6 p.m.:
Oct. 27 Barry Canavaro on Stripers
Free Fishing Event October 29th Weber Point:
Nick the Informative Fisherman from Informativefisherman.com is holding a free fishing event for all on October 29th at 10 a.m. next to the Weber Point Event Center. There will be a big fish prize and free drawing for all. For more information visit the website or call Nick at (719) 285-4247.