Last week, I wrote about the weather getting cooler.
Shortly after, we experienced near record highs. Fishing is often like predicting the weather — sometimes you’re right, and sometimes you’re really wrong.
On more than one occasion, I’ve returned from a tough day of fishing to find out that everyone was catching fish. Many of those times I was fishing the same baits. The difference was that I didn’t stick with them long enough.
As anglers, we tend to make things too complicated. Some of my most successful outings have been when I only had one or two baits that I fished all day long.
For many years I fished as a co-angler in tournaments. Not wanting to bring too much equipment, I brought just a few rods and a limited amount tackle. Looking back, I often caught just as many fish as the person controlling the boat.
I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but I’m pretty sure that if you can guess right less than half the time, you’re a pretty good angler.

Delta Report 
Fishing has been tough for a lot of bass anglers. For a lot of people fishing this past weekend, the flip bite all but died down as the top-water bite accounted for some of the bigger fish caught. There are lots of smaller schools of bass actively feeding on small baitfish, which can be caught on reaction lures and small top-water baits. 
Catfishing remains good for anglers fishing cut bait. Look for bigger catfish to be relating to deep holes along the river.

New Melones Lake
Bass fishing continues to be good for smaller bass on soft plastics while worked along the bottom. Bigger bass are being caught in the early-morning hours on top-water lures and at night on top as well. During the day, anglers are dragging Carolina-rigged plastic baits such as brush hogs and lizards.
Kokanee fishing is hit or miss for a lot of anglers trolling. Those that are being caught are bigger than they’ve ever been with a few topping 19 inches in length. Recent reports are that anglers trolling between 90 and 100 feet deep are having the most success.
Bluegills continue to provide steady action for those fishing around boat docks and the backs of coves. Fishing for catfish is good for those fishing at night. Crappie fishing at night has also been good lately for anglers fishing with live minnows around a submersible light. 

Lake Don Pedro 
Fishing for bass has been really tough. During a recent tournament held on the lake there were very few limits topping 10 pounds. The recent heat wave also has caused a lot of fish to seek deeper cooler waters. Anglers have to downsize and finesse fish for them.
Trout and salmon fishing has been very slow on the lake. Typically, the closer we get to fall the better the bite becomes.

Lake New Hogan
Bass fishing remains good for those fishing senko’s and top-water baits during the morning and evening hours. New Hogan is one of those lakes that get’s very little fishing pressure compares to the other local lakes.
There is a small fee of no more than $5 to launch a boat and fish for the day. It does get a lot of boat traffic during the weekends though. It’s well worth the visit if you can manage a day off during the week.

Lake Pardee
Kokanee fishing has been fair for anglers trolling early and late in the day. Anglers that are having success are fishing a variety of depths between 45 and 120 feet deep.
Bass fishing is hit or miss. The best bites are also coming early and late in the day.

Lake Camanche
Bass fishing is good for anglers fishing around the visible islands with small worms such as Robo Worms.
Bluegills are also there for the taking just about anywhere along the shoreline where there is some type of structure for them to swim around. Anglers fishing for bluegill are using red worms and wax worms.

Tip of the Week
It seems like every year there’s a better way to tie a fishing knot. Unless you’ve been breaking off, I’d stick with what’s been working for you. The knot that I use the most is one that was taught to me when I was 10 years old.
I still use it today, and even though there’s supposedly better knots out there, I continue to stick with what works best for me.

To contact Jarod Ballardo email jgbbass@yahoo.com