Catfish bite strong at New Melones

New Melones Reservoir - Angels Camp, CA


by Nor Cal Fish Reports
7-22-2015

Water clarity is stained in many areas and will occasionally clear up. The water temperature is warm, with the average being 75-79 degrees. Glory Hole Point boat launch is a two lane dirt road and gravel leading off of the end of the point. There is not a courtesy dock and it is best to launch with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Trout bite is fair. Most anglers that are on the water are not targeting trout. The trout are down in deep water and holding near the old lake and existing river channel. The shad have also headed toward these deep/cool areas, and the trout will feed on them throughout the day. Trolling anglers try trolling down to 50-70' of water. Use a good topographical map or the contour map on your fish finder to avoid snagging your presentations on the bottom. When fishing in deep water you should use baits that rattle or wobble side-to-side. Fish will be able to find baits that create commotion. Plus, a little scent will go a long way. The fish will key in on the scent and track the bait down. Night fishing anglers have been catching a mix bag of fish while fishing under a submersible light. Trout, bass, catfish and crappie will swing by to feed on the shad that have been drawn to the light. Some of the biggest fish will lurk on the outside edge of the light. It is a good idea to occasionally make a few casts with a shad patterned lure. The kokanee bite has been okay and the ones that are being caught are thick and healthy. The bite has been very unpredictable. Some days they are easy to find and other days they seem nonexistent. The water is stained, which makes it more difficult for the kokanee to feed by sight. When setting up your presentation be sure to include sound, vibration and scent. Try using large slingblades and baits that wobble. Apex, Wee Tads and Wiggle Hoochies are all good choices. The side-to-side wobble will displace water and create a vibration that will help the kokanee locate the bait. Also, an Oregon Tackle Scent Chamber tied inline will ensure when the kokanee are near they will be able to track the bait down. Many anglers will use ball trolls or umbrella trolls to add extra flash. Or, run a series of contrasting colored slingblades off of the downrigger ball. Bass: Good. The bass have moved to offshore structure and can be found suspended in the timber near deep water. The shad are schooling over the cool water and many of the bass can be found out in the middle of the lake feeding on these balls of shad. It is best to look for intersections where deep and shallow water come together. Many fish, especially the larger fish, will feed during the night. Try starting your trip in the evening and fishing into the dark. The cooler air and water temperature will make them feel more comfortable and the low light conditions will give them an advantage over their prey. Catfish: Great. The catfish are in shallow water and heavily feeding. This has been one of the best years for catfish, and anglers are bringing in some really nice ones. Some anglers are reporting catching dozens of cats on each trip. The bite seems to be best at night, but it is very possible to catch them during the day as well. Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333



More Reports

Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

Lake Almanor: Fish stuffed in Hamilton Branch
Lake Amador: Amador water warm, bite slow
Anderson Reservoir: Good numbers, little size at Anderson
Lake Berryessa: Spotty fishing at Berryessa
Boca Reservoir: Boca shrinking
Bucks Lake: Get it done early at Bucks
Bullards Bar Reservoir: Bullards Bar kokes plentiful
Calero Lake: Too many boats, not enough bass at Calero
Lake Chabot: Little action at Chabot
Clear Lake: Bass remain willing at Clear Lake
Collins Lake: Poor prospects at Collins Lake
Convict Lake: Trout deep at Convict Lake
Coyote Lake: Coyote a good bass bet
Crowley Lake: Trout, perch plentiful at Crowley Lake
Lake Davis: Davis warming, trout hiding
Del Valle Lake: Slow bite at Del Valle
Donner Lake: Small kokes, planted trout at Donner
Folsom Lake: 5 mph limit in at Folsom
Indian Creek Reservoir: Indian Creek pumping out trout
June Lake Loop: June Loop a top bet
Lafayette Reservoir: Trout deep at Lafayette
Lewiston Lake: Trout bite haning on at Lewiston
Lopez Lake : Good panfish bite at Lopez
Los Vaqueros Reservoir: Trout bite strong at LV
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Great bite in Mammoth Basin
Lake McSwain: Spots biting at McSwain
Lake Mendocino: Buzz baits get Mendo bass

Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Thursday, July 16th, 2015

Lake Almanor: Trout stacked at Hamilton Branch
Lake Amador: More swimmers than anglers at Amador
Anderson Reservoir: Bass deep in Anderson
Lake Berryessa: Koke bite scattered at Berryessa
Bucks Lake: Early koke bite at Bucks
Calero Lake: Frog bite at Calero
Lake Camanche: Good cat bite at Camanche
Caples Lake: Caples full of water, fish
Lake Chabot: Slow bite at Chabot
: Small bass at Chesbro
Clear Lake: Strong bass bite at Clear Lake
Collins Lake: Collins a summer bath tub
Contra Loma Reservoir: Contra Loma cats take top billing
Convict Lake: Convict Lake and creek producing trout
Coyote Lake: Fair bass numbers at Coyote
Lake Davis: Slow bite continues at Davis
Del Valle Lake: Stripers, cats biting at Del Valle
Donner Lake: Koke bite improving at Donner
Don Pedro Reservoir: Don Pedro success requires work
Gold Lake: Gold Lake Basin good trout bet
Indian Creek Reservoir: Indian Creek producing trout
June Lake Loop: All Loop lakes producing
Lafayette Reservoir: Good action at Lafayette
Lewiston Lake: Lewiston trout bite holding its own
Lopez Lake : Panfish biting at Lopez
Los Vaqueros Reservoir: Trout continue to bite at LV
Mammoth Lakes Basin: Great trout bite in Mammoth Basin
Lake Mendocino: Low water may close Mendo launch
Lake Oroville: Summer pattern at Oroville
Prosser Reservoir: Smallies bite at Prosser
Quarry Lakes: Scattered catfish bite at Quarry Lakes
San Luis Reservoir: Grass plaguing anglers at San Luis
San Pablo Reservoir: Cats improving, trout slowing at San Pablo
Santa Margarita Lake: Bass bite so-so at Santa Margarita
Shadow Cliffs Reservoir: Boaters get cats at Shadow Cliffs
Shasta Lake: Shasta action best in evening
Shaver Lake: Slow bite at Shaver
Lake Sonoma: Sonoma kicking out small bass
Stampede Reservoir: Stampede fish in deep water
Trinity Lake: Trinity bass continue to cooperate
Tulloch Reservoir : Tulloch traffic tough on anglers
Uvas Reservoir: Cats, bass at Uvas
Virginia Lakes: Virginieas remain a hot spot
Carson River: East Carson clear
Napa River: Shaker stripers make up Napa catch
Sacramento River: Shad lingering near Colusa
Sacramento River: Shad, stripers biting near Chico
Trinity River: Salmon action sputtering on Trinity
Sacramento Delta: Live mudsuckers get Antioch stripers
: Benicia shoreline bite slow
Sacramento Delta: Plastics, punching get Franks Tract bass
Sacramento Delta: Pittsburg a tough challenge
Sacramento Delta: Largemouth, cats biting near Rio Vista
Sacramento Delta: Slow bite in Stockton
: Lings, halibut in Capitola
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