Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/21/2011 01:22 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/21/2011 01:25 PM
Expires: 01/01/2016 12:00 AM
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Latest Fishing News~by Melanie at Glory Hole Sports
New Melones, CA....Kokanee Seminar Weekend...On April 16th and 17th, we will host a two-day weekend event at our store. It will be a smaller-sized version of our big annual seminar, but it will focus on kokanee, since it will be the start of kokanee season. Of course, local guides will be on hand with their boats. They will be happy to answer questions about trout, kings and striped bass, too. There will be vendors and special deals, just like during our seminars in the past. It will be a fun weekend- I hope you will join us!....
Melones Report
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,1,661,732 acre-feet of water. The water level rose another two feet this week and is now 1019 ft. above sea level and 69 ft. from full capacity. Water temperature is about 52-54 degrees at the surface- warmer in the south side of the lake. Water is really clearing up- gin clear in the main lake with about 15-foot visibility. There is some staining in the creek arms. With the rising water, there is about 20 feet of grass line underwater- this will be very beneficial for the spring spawn. Watch for floating debris and unmarked island tops.
Trout: Haven't heard much from trout anglers this week, due to the big storms. Bank anglers will have best luck under the Hwy 49 Stevenot Bridge. A slip-float bobber and a bobber stop at 15-20 deep with a minnow or a Power Bait/piece of crawler combo is a sure-fire way to catch fish right now. A drop-shot rig with a long (8-10 ft.) drop and a live minnow or minnow imitation is also a great set-up. Either way, your bait is in the right place to target suspended fish. If bank fishing or still fishing from your boat with a bottom rig, be sure to use a longer leader and bait that floats such as Berkley Select scented Power Bait, Power Eggs, or a crawler/marshmallow combo, to get your bait above the flooded grass. Using a worm inflator helps too. Check your bait in shallow water to be sure it is buoyant before you toss it out. Use a light (4-pound) leader- fluorocarbon is best to fool those wary fish. Trollers should tie on lures in colors such as shad or rainbow trout patterns. Target creek arms in the top 15 feet of water over deeper water for rainbows, and 15-25 feet deep for big brown trout. Some anglers are having luck trolling the main lake, too. Remember- it is very important at this time of year to have plenty of line out when trout are right at the surface, so your lure is away from your boat's chop. 80-100 feet is optimal. It's time to target trophy brown trout- this is the time of year that brown trout are caught regularly. January and February are the hottest months for browns, and most are caught while in the mouths of major creek arms. Use large rainbow trout, shad or firetiger patterned Rapala, Lucky Craft, or Trophy Stick Lures, or roll shad.
Kokanee: Done for the season, although we are seeing the occasional small kokanee caught. Mark your calendars for our Kokanee seminar weekend, April 16-17.
Bass: Picking up a bit for spotted bass. Target points upriver, or submerged islands and points in the main lake, 20-60 feet deep. Drop-shotting small crawdad-colored worms as the most productive. Spotted bass will become more active, and move towards shallow water and get ready to spawn when the water warms up a couple more degrees- this will really improve the bass bite.
Dennis Lee and his grandson, 11-year-old Hayden Lee (son of famous bass pro Robert Lee) have been catching big spots upriver- Hayden caught (and safely released) a 6.4-pounder on a Roboworm last week, and this week they caught a matching pair of 6½-pounders on watermelon Senkos. Anglers Choice held a tournament last Saturday. Brave anglers (at least those who could make it to Angels Camp through the storm) headed out to the lake in the rain and snow. Kyle and Anthony Rasmussen took 1st place with an 18.29-pound, five-fish limit that included the big fish of the tournament- a 6.44-pounder. They were dart-heading 4" worms. Other anglers who brought in limits used drop-shot worms and Pro-Guide Jigs. Remember to practice catch and release. The Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery. If you do decide to keep bass, please keep smaller spotted bass and turn the big spots and largemouth loose.
Catfish: The catfish action seems to have finally slowed. For best success, fish the creek arms where big cats are actively feeding on anything that washes into the lake.
Crappie and bluegill: We are hearing rumors of the crappie bite picking up a bit. Target water running into the lake, such as waterfalls and other run-off areas, especially near structure. Bear Cove and Coyote Creek are usually great spots this time of year. Use red and white crappie jigs or small or medium minnows.
GLORY HOLE SPORTS
2892 HIGHWAY 49
ANGELS CAMP, CA. 95222
(209) 736-4333 FAX (209) 736-0802
P.O. BOX 1195
MAIL ghs@goldrush.com
Check out our web site at www.gloryholesports.com
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