Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3826 Dec 6-20 | Page 21

FRESHWATER VOL.38 • ISS. 26 Dec 6 - 20, 2019 19 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 19 reported Fish Sniffer reader David Niles of Concord. SHASTA cont. “My wife Sherry get better and better as we head into and I try to fish Tahoe winter. Think shad pattern lures and get every year somewhere them well away from the boat,” advises between the first week Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin’s Guide of November and Service. Thanksgiving. During Robert Hower of Redding has been this period, the spawn fishing the central part of the lake several is coming to an end and times and week in search of trout and he’s a percentage of the fish been landing rainbows that range up into move into the shallows the 3 to 4-pound class. where we can target Robert is using shad imitating spoons. them without going really Some of his fish are coming on the deep. We fished for a surface, but he is still picking up fish down total of three days and in the water column too. picked up 19 mackinaw It looks like the lake is still in transition, to 11 pounds,” Niles but the transition may well be in its final disclosed. stages. A storm or two and some colder “Our top lure was a weather will kick things into high gear. silver and black jointed Bass anglers can catch fish using a wide Rapala, but we got fish range of offerings. Soft plastics work the on rainbow Rapalas and best for numbers, but reaction baits and large Speedy Shiner topwaters are drawing strikes too. Once Spoons too. Most of the water gets down in the middle or lower our strikes came while 50’s trophy hunters will start hooking up working water that on a variety of different swimbaits. ranged from 30 to 75 feet deep. We launch out of Cave Rock and fish both Robert Hower has been working the top 25 feet of the water column at Lake Shasta and he’s been landing some very nice rainbows while pulling shad pattern spoons. This big trout was caught during an early November north and south of the ramp,” Niles concluded. trolling adventure. Photo courtesy of ROBERT HOWER, Redding. Tahoe Sportfishing TAHOE skippers are offering both half day and full With Spawn Over, Macks some plugs too. consistently hooking 8 to 10 fish per day. day trips at this time and the fishing Move into Shallower Water If you’d like to fish Tahoe this fall or Many of the fish are oversize, but we are has been good for macks that average SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – “I’d like to see winter, but don’t want to tow your own getting enough keepers to have limits and 3 to 4 pounds and range up to 10 plus. some snow fall in the Tahoe Basin, but boat up to the big lake, consider jumping near limits most days. Roe and eel have Minnows teamed with blades have been I’ve got to say that the weather at Tahoe on one of Tahoe Sportfishing’s charter been the hot baits for us, with roe offering the hot ticket, but they’ve been mixing in was absolutely amazing last week,” boats. the most consistent results.” The team at Tahoe Sportfishing has Striper anglers willing to work for their some of the best skippers on Lake fish are landing limits of bass that range Tahoe. The Tahoe Sportfishing boasts up to 12 pounds. Trolling is working a fleet of 8 boats that range from 30 to best on the San Joaquin side since 45 feet in length. The boats are safe weeds are less of a problem there. On and the crews are well trained, so the Sacramento side, drifting weeds are you’ll be able to relax and fight fish! challenging both trollers and bait anglers. Both morning and afternoon trips are You can catch bass in the Sacramento, available and both open load fishing but you’ll have to spend a lot of time and private charters are available. cleaning weeds off your gear. The best option for hooking stripers is drifting live jumbo minnows and mudsuckers on the shoals in the San Joaquin. This approach allows you to cover a maximum amount of ground while having minimal problems with weeds. WEST DELTA Salmon trollers continue to hook fish while trolling up river from Rio Vista. Anglers Limit on Sturgeon! Various spinners teamed PITTSBURG - Sturgeon fishing in the with patience are producing West Delta is absolutely red hot right chromers that can range now, with anglers hooking keepers up to 25 pounds. The and oversize fish on every trip. Striper average salmon goes fishing is fair to good depending on the about 10 pounds. day. With the mild, rain free conditions The bite varies from we’ve experienced weeds continue to day to day. If you hit the be a challenge. water when a pod “The sturgeon are still chomping in is pushing through Suisun Bay,” reported Captain Hayden the results can be. Mullins of Dragon Sportfishing. “We are Phil traded punches with this monster rainbow while fishing Collins Lake in late November. Photo courtesy of the COLLINS LAKE RECREATION AREA, Oregon House. TAHOE SPORTFISHING EST. 1953 Lake Tahoe’s Largest Fishing Fleet year-round fishing Half & Full Day Charters single fisherman to large families & private parties We supply everything you need to fish! Mackinaw Kokanee Salmon Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Call or Book Online (530) 541-5448 tahoesportfishing.com|@tahoesportfishing Willfish Tackle Of Auburn, CA Kicks Off Holiday Shopping Season With Huge Sale November 29 & 30 W illfish Tackle has announced a huge post Thanksgiving sale with everything in the store being marked down anywhere from 10% to 30%. There will be deep discounts on a wide range of rods and reels. If you buy a reel you can have it filled with mono for free or braid for half price This is killer sale you won’t want to miss. Willfish is located at 11944 Masters Court, Auburn, Ca. For more information call (530) 887-0839.