The Fish Sniffer

(Clear Lake) Spooning for black bass is heating up as the water temperature cools on Lake Berryessa. However, a few fish are hitting top water lures - just ask Don Paganelli of Paganelli's Bass Fishing Experience.

"I caught an 8 lb. largemouth on a black and white Blade Runner buzzbait, but that was the only top water fish that day," said Paganelli. "After that, we switched to fishing Blade Runner spoons and landed good numbers of bass while fishing up to 25 feet deep in the Narrows."

Larry Hemphill, fishing guide, found tough bass fishing on his latest trip to Lake Berryessa.  

“I took a client with his young daughter out yesterday, teaching techniques and good fishing areas in the narrows,” said Hemphill. "After I got them going, I threw a green pumpkin Berkley Havoc bait and was  surprised to soon land a spotted bass at almost 3-1/2 lbs. I soon realized their equipment was not really bass worthy - so I discussed and had them use some bass rods,” he stated.

The bite was somewhat slow with several fish lost. “We caught all spots - some between 2 and 2-1/2 lbs,” noted Hemphill. “Several bass and a few trout (or salmon) were chasing bait but were hard to catch. We hooked 2 or 3 but lost them.”  

Expect the rainbow trout and king salmon fishing to improve as the water temperature cools down. Shore anglers should use minnows and nightcrawlers under bobbers to entice the fish.

The lake level has dropped 6 inches during the last 2 weeks and is now at 419.19 feet or 20.81 feet below Glory Hole spillway. The water temperature was 69 degrees and dropping at press time.