The latest tournament was the Tri-States Team T.O.C. held out of Konocti Resort the weekend of October 20. It took better than 50 pounds to win the two day event and the top five teams all broke the 40 pound mark. Vernon Chapman and Mike Haider topped the field by nearly 7 pounds with an impressive total of 10 fish for 51.63 pounds.

"The bite has been up and down here at Clear Lake," reported Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle. "I went out on Monday and absolutely hammered them. The next day, I couldn't get bit."

According to Higgins, the most productive baits have been topwater baits such as buzzbaits, frogs and Zara Spooks. Crankbaits, Senkos and Dead Ringers have been working best once the topwater bite slows down.

"I guided two night trips up at Clear Lake this week," reported Larry Hemphill of Larry Hemphill's Guide and Instruction Service. "The bite was excellent Thursday evening when I fished with Todd Foster and Kris Weaver from Laytonville. We landed a total of 8 fish with our largest five weighed 29-1/4 pounds."

Hemphill said they caught the majority of their fish in the Narrows working 10 inch Power Worms and Dead Ringers in 15 feet of water. "Todd had the biggest fish of the night at exactly 8 pounds. It was his largest fish to date. I also fished the following evening and the bite was much slower. We landed 4 fish for a total weight of 13-1/2 pounds."

The onset of cooler weather and heavy plants of big rainbows have made the trout fishing turn on at California's newest reservoir, Los Vaqueros.

"The fishing has been dynamite this week," said Russ Standley at the Los Vaqueros Marina. "Everybody is going home with fish. The trout are mixture of recent planters and holdovers to 4 pounds."

The lake was planted with 1200 pounds of rainbows on October 4, October 11 and October 18 and 2,000 pounds on October 10. The fish averaged 1 to 3 pounds.

"Bank anglers are catching fish on the west side and points near the marina while using Power Bait, nightcrawlers, Kastmasters and Roostertails," said Standley. "Mark Pineda, Jr. landed a 3.2 pound tagged rainbow on October 20 while fishing Power Bait on the west bank."

Roger Watson set the lake catfish record to date with a 15 pound channel cat that he fooled while fishing a worm from the west shore. Another angler, Ronnie Walls of Antioch, also landed a 7-1/2 pound channel catfish in September.

Anglers renting boats are catching a mixture of rainbow trout and largemouth bass to 3 pounds while tossing out crawdad crankbaits in the coves, added Standley.

x

"We limited out on rockfish every trip this week," reported Rick Thornton of Anchor Charters. "We're sitting in 80 feet of water off Westport right now and the weather is fantastic; sunny skies and a 3 to 4 foot swell with no wind."

According to Thornton, the catch has been mostly black rockfish running 3 to 5 pounds along with a mix of blues and some quality reds. "On Saturday morning, we had full limits of rockfish and 7 lingcod to 17 pounds for 21 anglers," he said. "Then we made an afternoon trip and caught easy limits for 12 anglers. We're catching most of the fish on Super Flies and a few on 4 to 6 ounce bars."

Albacore continue to show off the coast of Fort Bragg, but only the commercial boats are hitting them right now because the fish are now 70 miles out and conditions have been windy offshore.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Now it's time for Umpqua coho," reported Guide Terry Jarmain. "Trolling bait and spinners and casting spinners are the most productive methods."

Accompanying Jarmain on a recent combination fishing trip on the Umpqua, Jim Steel of Eugene and three of his friends managed to haul in 9 coho salmon. They then fished 2 hours in Winchester Bay and bagged 60 dungeness crab.

"A few striped bass have been reported by anglers drifting roe on the lower river," noted Jarmain. "As we start to get our fall rains and the Umpqua begins to rise, the bite in the upper river will improve. However, if we get too much water and the river blows out, I'll be headed to the Elk and Sixes for a few weeks of salmon fishing."

"The Umpqua finally got a little rain, but it's still not enough to get the sturgeon bite going, since the crabs and bullheads are still taking the bait off the hooks," reported Bob Greig from Elkton Bait & Tackle. "A good rain should push the crabs and bullheads out."

"The chinook salmon have made their way up-river and have begun to spawn, but anglers are still hooking into a few chinooks upriver," said Greig. "The next good rain should also push the silvers upriver, where they will go into their spawning mode."

The most productive baits continue to be spinners with silver bodies and a hoochies. "Pink blades are more productive in the lower river, but dark color blades are more effective upriver," noted Greig.

"Anglers can still venture out for smallmouth bass and pick up big numbers of fish by throwing out spinners, dark colored plastic worms, or by soaking worms," added Greig.

"The lower Umpqua River near Tidewater is still holding big numbers of coho and the fishing will hold strong through the fall months," confirmed Todd Hannah of Oregon Angler Guide Service. "The four anglers fishing with me on the lower river on my latest trip landed 16 salmon while using spinners."

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Fish have been moving into the Trinity system all week long," reported fishing guide E.B. Duggan. "There is a good quantity of salmon from Hoopa all the way to Lewiston. The trick is to find out what they are biting on and where they are holding."

According to Duggan, steelhead have also been mixed in catches. "The nice part is that sprinkled amongst all these salmon are some very nice steelhead," he explained. "The top baits this weekend were roe and tuna balls for the salmon and plugs, spoons and crawlers for the steelhead."

"We a great week of salmon fishing on the Trinity," reported Tim King of King's Guide Service. "There's plenty of fish in the river right now. A lot of the fish have turned, but there's still plenty of bright fish being caught."

King said the flows had been cut down to 300 cfs at press time, so they were dealing with low and clear water conditions. "The big news this week is the steelhead are starting to move in behind the salmon," he added. "The salmon are hitting best on roe and the top bait for the steelhead has been nightcrawlers."

At press time, releases into the Trinity at Lewiston were 300 cfs. Trinity Lake is currently 74 feet below the overflow and 57% of capacity.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"The white seabass bite started up again on October 19, when Cory Duncan fooled a 35 pound seabass with live squid south of the Cement Ship," reported Frank Ealy at Capitola Boat & Bait.

Then on October 21, a number of large white sea bass were caught in the same area. Jim Salvino landed a 58 pound seabass, while Glen Larson took two seabass weighing 48 and 35 pounds. Mike Hicks also landed a 41 pound seabass while drifting live squid and anchovies the same day.

"The halibut, seabass, rockcod and lingcod are on the bite," stated Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine. "I fished near the Cement Ship in 55 feet of water and caught one 46 pound seabass on dead squid. I saw at least 8 seabass caught around 50-75 feet of water in Capitola."

"Our tuna charter threw in the towel at noon on my last trip, since no one had seen are heard of a fish anywhere," said Joe Stoops of Chartle Sportfishing. "We ran into the bay on a tip from a friend. Our 4 anglers boated limits on halibut to 31 pounds while fishing semi-live bait near Moss Landing in 55' of water."

On his previous trip, his 4 anglers hit a big school of tuna trolling 26 miles west of the harbor. "We stopped at 11 albacore from 33 to 40 pounds," Stoops said.

"The tuna bite went belly up on October 19, when the offshore weather became rough," confirmed Bill Rawson of Shamrock Charters. "We caught zero fish on Friday, 4 fish on Saturday and decided to cancel Sunday's trip aboard the Wild Wave. We'll continue shallow water fishing for rockfish after the deep water fishing closes on October 29."

The Sea Stag III and the Stagnaro II returned early the past few trips with limits of assorted rockcod, according to Ken Stagnaro of Sea Stag Sportfishing. The anglers fished Super Flies, bait strips and bars to entice the rockfish.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Anglers are fooling trout to 15 inches while tossing out nightcrawlers, Rooster Tails and Panther Martins," said Jean Rodgers at Vaughn's Sporting Goods. "Fly fishermen are catching fish with callibaetis cripple and midge patterns."

Baum Lake near the Hat #1 Power House is also a solid prospect for trout enthusiasts. Planted browns and rainbows to 14 inches are grabbing the same baits, lures and flies fished in the Cassel area. "The most productive area is the parking lot below the fish hatchery," added Rodgers.

The wild trout section of Hat Creek is yielding slow trout action for anglers using #20 Pale Morning Duns. Pheasant Tail Cripples and Pheasant Tail nymphs are also producing rainbows averaging 10 inches each.

The Pit River below the #1 Power House is kicking out decent numbers of rainbows for anglers fishing nightcrawlers and larger Panther Martin and Mepps spinners.

"Lake Britton is yielding slow smallmouth bass action," he added. "However, anglers fishing top water lures in the early morning and evening hours are nailing a few smallmouths."

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"I would say the bite was a little slow this week, but we still weighed in some nice fish," reported Reuben Chavez at Lassen View Resort. "I just weighed in a 4 pound, 4 ounces brown caught by Walt Leavender from Napa. He caught the big brown and two other rainbows while trolling a nightcrawler along the east shore."

According to Chavez, drifting bait and jigging has produced the most consistent action this week. "The springs area and the dam have been two good spots," he said. "Start out fishing shallow 15 to 30 feet deep with crawlers, crickets or gitzits. You might also hook a big brown by throwing a Kastmaster early and late in the day. You can see some big fish working the surface at those times."

Trollers are working the same areas with a variety of baits including Rapalas, Needlefish, crawlers and Speedy Shiners. Trollers are mainly catching rainbows in the 2 to 3 pound class with an occasional brown to 5 pounds.

For bank fishermen, the Power House and the dam have been the top spots. "Bank fishermen are catching fish crawlers, flies and jigs under a bobber," said Chavez.

Lake Almanor is approximately 18 feet from full.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"All of the popular riffles in the low flow area, including the campground and out house riffles, are producing steelhead," said McGrath. "There are tons of salmon spawning in the river now, so spawn egg and champagne pattern Glo Bugs are yielding the best fishing."

Some fresh chinook salmon are still being caught in the Feather River from Verona to Shanghai Bend, according to Frank Draper at Star Bait and Tackle in Marysville. Sam Alfred landed two kings weighing 34 and 25 pounds while fishing a Gibbs Minnow in the Feather below Shanghai Bend.

"A big pod of salmon moved into the area between Live Oak and Honcut Creek, but the fish aren't biting," said Ray McReynolds of Sierra West Outfitters. "The two anglers fishing with me caught three steelhead, ranging from 3-1/2 to 5 pounds, and one 28 pound salmon on October 20. However, we didn't catch any thing the next day."

The river above the mouth of Honcut Creek is closed to the take of salmon, though anglers can continue to catch steelhead and other species.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"The salmon run in the Sacramento River mouth is still kicking out chinooks averaging 10 to 25 pounds," reported Denis Iske of Hap's Bait.

"Most anglers are finding success while trolling Wiggle Warts. Striped bass are still making their way through the system, and anglers fishing near Decker Island are hooking into big fish averaging 20 pounds."

Bob took his 31 pound striper while drifting bait near Decker Island. Ruben was drifting shad during a recent outing on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista when he fooled a feisty 61 inch sturgeon in early October.

"A few anglers fishing in Cache Slough and near Sherman Island are finding a slow bite while soaking shrimp baits, but it's going to take a good rain to make the fish more active," noted Meeka Birring from Freeport Bait.

"Besides the slow sturgeon action near Sherman Island, a steady striper bite is being experienced in the same area as well as near Decker Island and the Rio Vista Bridge," said Birring. Anglers are finding a consistent bite while soaking bullheads, pile worms, or by trolling Broken Back Rebels.

"Salmon anglers fishing from the mouth of the Sacramento River to the Isleton Bridge are landing quality salmon while using spinners, Flatfish, and Wiggle Warts," noted Meeka.

For a complete Delta Report, click here.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"We have heard of a few trout caught around Lombardo's and the action around Edison Point is picking up," reported Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun.

The trollers are using Wedding Rings, crawlers behind blades, Apex lures in chrome and frog Needlefish. Most the action is at the 40 to 45 foot level.

The average rainbow is running around 12 inches, with occasional fish up to 17 inches. Bank anglers are scoring 2 to 3 fish per day by soaking green or yellow Power Bait. The areas around Lombardo's and Deer Creek are the hot spots.

"Salmon are few and far between, but worth the effort," said Gilbert. "The fish are around 4 pounds. The deep water of 80 to 100 feet has been producing a few fish. Apex lures in chartreuse or drifted minnows are the top choices."

Catfish action is good for cats up to 3 pounds. Stink Baits or chicken livers will land 2 to 3 fish per outing.

"We should start to get a fall reaction bite on the spots," explained Gilbert. The fish are starting to hit Yamamoto worms in chartreuse or watermelon/pepper. The points along the southern shoreline have been fair.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Anglers are taking rainbows in the 2 to 2-1/2 pound range and browns weighing 2 to 3 pounds in Ice House Reservoir," stated Steve Salayi at the Ice House Store. "Most anglers are bank fishing with inflated nightcrawlers, Rooster Tails and Kastmasters near the dam and in the creek inlet."

However, trollers are also finding success at Ice House while trolling Uncle Larry's spinners and other lures behind flashers and dodgers. The boat ramp is still open to launching at Ice House.

Loon Lake is also producing wild and holdover rainbows and browns. Both trollers and bank fishermen are finding success with the same enticers as at Ice House.

"The Gerle Creek campground is closed now, but anglers who hike into the creek are catching some quality browns in the 1 to 3 pound range while casting Rooster Tails, Kastmasters and other lures and inflated nightcrawlers," said Salayi.

The only campgrounds open in the Crustal Area Recreation Area at press time were the Strawberry, Lower Ice House, Ice House Resort and Camino Cove facilities, according to Salayi.

For Wiza's Tahoe area report, CLICK HERE.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"A monster trout of 18 pounds was planted in Lake Mary and is still out there," reported Susan Greilich of Kittredge Sports. Anglers have been scoring several 2 to 3 pound fish and limits of 12 to 14 inch are common.

Rainbow Power Bait, inflated night crawlers and red worms are fooling the fish. Bank anglers are finding the best action around the outlet.

Trollers are working worms during the day and flies at sundown to land limits. Thomas Buoyant in red/gold and Panther Martins in gold are the top lures. Green matukas and brown wooly buggers are the producing flies.

Lake George is kicking out good numbers of trout in the 12 to 16 inch range. Super Dupers in gold and yellow Power Bait are producing limits.

"Action at June Lake is outstanding," Greilich stated.

"Trollers are finding the trout all along the southern shoreline. Crawlers behind blades or dodgers, Super Dupers in gold/red, Phoebes in gold and Wedding Rings are fooling 4 to 5 fish per outing. Most boaters limit out by noon."

Bank anglers are scoring with rainbow Power Bait around the western shoreline. Gull Lake has been kicking out limits of 1 to 3 pound fish. One lucky angler landed an 11 pound trout. Floating Rapalas in trout patterns and Power Bait in rainbow are the best baits.

For the SouthEast Sierras Report, click here.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Everyone is catching fish right now," reported Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store. "Trollers are doing well all over the lake and bank fishermen are catching fish on spoons and flies. The main thing is to fish lures in bright colors such as watermelon, white, firetiger, chartreuse or pink."

For trollers, anglers are taking advantage of the calm conditions and working the Pyramid and Hells Kitchen areas. "Some of the bigger fish have been caught around Hells Kitchen this week," said Molino. "Apexes, Flatfish and spoons are working well and there's a lot of fish being caught jigging marabou jigs."

For bankies, Molino suggested anglers stick to some of the deeper water areas until the weather cools down. "The Blockhouse, Wino Beach and the Cattleguard are your best bet for fishing off the bank right now," she said. "Any type of bright colored spoon should work well. The fly fishermen are doing best on wooly buggers."

Big fish honors go to Bill Matson of Reno, who weighed in an impressive 11 pound, 2 ounce cutthroat on October 17.

x Back to "Hot-Bites" Report Index

"Our Farallon trips produced the best action this week," reported Bob Nakaji of the Berkeley Marina Sport Center. "Salmon season is starting to wind down, but there's still some big fish being caught out at Duxbury. I also had a few reports of a good striper bite up in San Pablo Bay."

On Sunday, October 21, the New Golden Eye ran to the Farallons and brought in limits of rockfish and full limits of lingcod for 24 anglers. The New Easy Rider targeted salmon and managed a total of 7 fish to 31 pounds for 12 anglers. The El Dorado checked in with 5 salmon to 41 pounds for 18 people and the New El Dorado III found similar action with a total of 4 salmon to 40 pounds for 15 anglers.

"We'll begin our crab/rockfish combo trips on Saturday, November 10," added Nakaji. "This should be a good crab season and we'll also be targeting limits of rockfish in shallow water along the Marin coast."

"I ran a trip to San Pablo Bay on Friday and we caught full limits of striped bass to 21 pounds for 16 people," reported Captain James Smith of the Happy Hooker. "It was mostly schoolie-sized fish with a handful of larger fish mixed in the catches."

The Happy Hooker and the Baywatch are moving to Martinez Marina at press time where they will spend the next couple months targeting striped bass, then switch over to sturgeon around mid-December."