Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/05/2008 12:30 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 07/05/2008 12:31 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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New Melones Fishing Report for 7/4/08~By Glory Hole Sports
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,287,680 acre-feet of water. The lake water level dropped two feet last week and is at 979 ft. above sea level and 109 ft. from full capacity. Water in the main lake is approximately 76-79 degrees. Water is gin clear in the main lake, with a strong mud line forming at shore. ....
All ramps are in the water. Angels boat ramp is the shallowest ramp. It will come out of the water and be unusable (which historically often happens in the summer) when the water level drops below 975 ft. above sea level, so we will be losing it soon. Water levels have not dropped low enough to render it unusable since 2004. The ramp at Tuttletown becomes unusable if water drops below 900 ft. The Glory Hole ramp is usable until water gets below 860 ft., and then there is another unimproved ramp available below that.
CAUTION: Quickly dropping water levels are exposing many islands that are not marked! Sometimes there will be a tree and rock-covered hump just under the surface, even in the middle of the lake. Keep an eye out for changes in water color or pattern of waves- there may be a jagged rock lurking just under the water surface! Now is not the time to buzz across the lake- please slow down and be careful!
Trout: For the most part, Bank fishing is over at the lake. Best bank-fishing luck can be found in local rivers and creeks such as Angels Creek or Murphys Creek, which have been receiving regular plantings of catchable rainbows. Power Bait, Pautzke’s Eggs, or small spinners such as Rooster Tails or Mepp’s are all good choices for local stream fishing. Alton Stevens, Anthony Morgan and Nick Allen caught three limits of rainbows while soaking nightcrawlers in Angels Creek. Trollers are catching mostly kokanee instead. Troll 50-60 feet deep in the main lake, using any shad-patterned lure, or a crawler/spinner combo. Use ball-troll flashers on your downrigger ball when fishing for rainbows in deeper water in warm weather. Night fishing under a submersible light is legal on New Melones Lake, and is a great way to target bigger rainbows in the summer. Glory Hole Sports has a good selection of fishing lights.
Kokanee: limits are easy to come by now, but the biggest fish are proving to be somewhat elusive. There are lots of immature kokanee- most are only 8-10 inches in length being caught- most anglers report that double hook-ups are common, with the small fish attacking any lure you troll. Bigger fish seem to be hugging the bottom near wind-blown banks. Kokanee Power held its annual two-day derby here last week, and plenty of 2-pound-plus fish were weighed in. . Over 100 anglers participated. Mike and Kendra Tripp took 1st place with a two-day total (three fish are weighed in each day) weighing 12.46 pounds. Jim and James Franco caught the biggest single fish of the derby. It weighed 2.44-pounds, and measured 18.62 inches. Anglers reported using a huge variety of lures. Pink hootchies, Apex, or spinners worked best in the morning, and green or firetiger lures worked better in the afternoon. Nickel or Nickel green or chartreuse dodgers were the most popular attractor. Always use shoepeg corn to tip your lures. Use ProCure UV garlic, Kokanee Special, anise plus, or freshwater shrimp. Some anglers are adding a drop or two of vanilla to their corn. According to Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sportfishing (who led the derby on day one), working structure on the south side of the dam, 70 to 80 feet deep with green Apex or Uncle Larry’s Mad Irishman spinners behind Vance’s nickel green or nickel dodgers will catch the biggest limits. Remember- scent is very important when fishing for kokanee. Be sure to wash your hands before handling lures, dodgers or line. The smell of cigarettes, sunscreen, or human-scent from your hands will slow your chances of catching the kokes.
Bass: good, despite falling water levels. Fish main lake points. There is a hot topwater bite happening right now. Zara Spooks are working great, especially at dawn and dusk. Spinnerbaits are another good choice. Green pumpkin or watermelon Zoom Baby Brush Hogs, or weightless Senkos are also good choices. Try deep-diving crankbaits retrieved from longs casts over main lake points in the heat of the day. Shaded areas and mud lines are also good sports to target when the sun is high in the sky. Please remember to gently release any bass that you catch. Remember- the Department of Fish and Game does not plant bass, so it is up to us to maintain our bass fishery.
Catfish: picking up with the heat. Use anchovies, mackerel, sardines, chicken liver, or a ball of nightcrawlers. Leave your bail open so the cats can pick the bait up and swim with it- you will be more likely to hook them that way. Also, be sure to use a sliding sinker weight. Night fishing is always best for cats, when they are most actively feeding.
Crappie and bluegill: Fair. Night fishing under a light is best, although anglers are catching crappie during the day, too. Crappie can be found hanging out in submerged trees, about 10’-20’ feet deep. Bear Creek, Mormon Creek and Carson Creek are all good bets. For crappie, try fishing live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white. Remember- 25 is the limit for crappie. Bluegill are starting to become more active, and they are great fun for the kids to catch. A small piece of crawler or a cricket under a large bobber fished tight to structure in the backs of coves will provide lots of fun and entertainment for children.
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