Fish Sniffer Issue 3920 | Page 21

FRESHWATER 22 Sept 25, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 20 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 21 SHASTA LAKE cont. into the thermocline the bite window has opened up,” said Hower. Bass anglers are finding good topwater action early and late in the day. Both walking baits and poppers are drawing strikes when fished along rocky banks that drop into deep water. The main body has been the best areas for bass, but anglers are finding plenty of action throughout the Sacramento Arm too. During the midday hours drop shot rigs or Mother’s Finest Worms rigged on darter heads are deadly. Most of the bass landed are 12 to 14 inch spots, but larger fish are showing. As of press time, Shasta was 96 feet from maximum pool and dropping slowly. STAMPEDE/BOCA RESERVOIRS Kokanee Get Ready for Fall Spawn TRUCKEE – The kokanee salmon have moved into their fall spawning pattern at Boca and Stampede Reservoirs. Captain James Netzel has finished up his kokanee fishing at both reservoirs this year and will be booking king salmon trips on the Sacramento River in the metropolitan areas. Fish Lake Tahoe! DaiLy Trips All Gear Provided 5 hours $ 90 (800) 877–1462 • Discounts for Cash • • Large or Small Groups • Group Discounts • Gift Certificates Over 50 Years Experience on The Lake P.O. Box 488 Carnelian Bay, CA 96140 3902 (530)546–4444 E-mail: [email protected] • www.mickeysbigmack.com 3204 TRUCK & SUV ACCESSORIES ROCKLIN (916) 773-7333 6455 PACIFIC ST. 11844 ATWOOD ROAD These ladies took a September trolling trip in the West Delta with Captain David Hammond and rounded up limits of striped bass. Photo courtesy of DELTA PRO FISHING, Elk Grove. “Being my last day of kokanee season for me, I bet a couple of kids a Tight Lines hat they didn’t have the guts to hold a kokanee in their teeth. Well, I lost the bet but got a great picture as a result,” said Netzel. “We ended up having a spectacular day at Boca. While yesterday’s bite Call Your Rocklin Trucksmart for a Great Deal on a Rhino Truck Bed Lining! (916)773-7333 AUBURN (530) 888-7825 was a bit slow, today totally kicked butt!!! Same speed, same Lures, same area as I’ve fished the past few weeks.,” he stated. “I would like to extend a special thank you to my sponsors that made this season one to remember. 2020 has been rough but high Sierra kokanee was a highlight,” he added. Rhino Linings protect against impact, abrasion and rust. This sprayed on lining is also slip resistant, so your gear stays where it belongs. TAHOE Limit Style Fishing For Kokanee & Macks SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - At times it’s been hot by Tahoe standards, there have been periods of wind and periods when the air has gotten pretty smoky, but none of this has been able to slow the outstanding trolling action that is now on tap at the big lake. The Tahoe Sportfishing fleet has been putting their clients on limits of both kokanee salmon and mackinaw depending on what the target species is any given day. On the kokanee front, the fish are ranging up to 16 inches and have been blitzing a variety of different corn tipped spinners. For macks, threaded minnows behind large flashers have been the ticket. Most of the macks showing up at this time are great eating size fish that average 2 to 4 pounds. If you’d like experience Lake Tahoe at its best, give the folks at Tahoe Sportfishing a call now to secure your spot (530) 541-5448 or check them out online at tahoesportfishing.com Fish Sniffer readers, Seth, JJ and Victor Flanigan of Fair Oaks took Victor’s North River up to Lake Tahoe in search of kokanee and ended up with full limits of sockeyes to 13 inches and added a 5.8 pound mackinaw that grabbed a Wedding Ring Spinner intended for the salmon. WEST DELTA Stripers & Catfish Offer Thrills PITTSBURG - August and September mark the peak of warm water fishing in the West Delta. Catfish are on a very good bite and black bass are hitting well. Stripers are beginning to show in stronger numbers point to a great fall bass run. “The striper bite is really good right now and the fishing pressure is light,” 3722 TAHOE SPORTFISHING EST. 1953 Lake Tahoe’s Largest Fishing Fleet year-round fishing Half & Full Day Charters single fisherman to large families & private parties reported Captain David Hammond of Delta Pro Fishing. “We are averaging about 20 bass per day while trolling. Some days are better, while other days are slower.” Bait anglers are hooking stripers while fishing shad and anchovies near the Power Lines, but you have to sort through lots of shakers for a keeper or two. The occasional keeper sturgeon is being pulled out of the deep water below Pittsburg, but fishing pressure is very light. The top baits continue to be roe and eel. For catfish, anglers are advised to soak standard offerings like clams, mackerel and cut anchovies in 10 to 20 feet of water. Target areas that feature current. The best fishing takes place early, late and after dark, but you can also catch them in the daylight hours. Smallmouth bass are active in the sloughs above Rio Vista for anglers tossing surface poppers and crawfish pattern crankbaits. The average bass goes about 14 inches, but fish to 3.5 pounds are possible. We supply everything you need to fish! Mackinaw Kokanee Salmon Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Call or Book Online (530) 541-5448 tahoesportfishing.com|@tahoesportfishing