January 14, 2013
Water Conditions: New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,614,656 acre-feet
of water. The lake level rose one foot this week, and is currently at
1015 ft. above sea level and 73 ft. from full. Water temperature has
cooled and is 48-52 degrees. The lake is clear, to slightly stained.
The lake has turned over.
Trout: Good.
Department of Fish and Game is now planting rainbow trout weekly at New
Melones. With the lake turned over, trout are schooled up in hunting
"wolf-packs," chasing shad right up into the shallows, so that is where
the action is. Bank anglers and those who cast lures or bait into the
shore from their boat will have the best luck for rainbows. Trolling
anglers should target major coves and creek arms, close to shore. Kelly
and Paul Reed went out with Guide Gary Burns, and caught two limits to
keep, and released 6 more, while trolling in Carson Cove with crawlers
behind a Glitterbugs teardrop blade. With rainbows hanging out in very
shallow water, now is the time to tie on a planer board to help get
close to shore while trolling. Fish the top 10 feet of water with
shad-patterned Rapalas, Speed Traps, or Rattle Traps, Needlefish (003
size), Excels, Kastmasters, or Speedy Shiners. In rainy or overcast
weather, try a brighter pattern such as firetiger. Bank fishing and
still-fishing from a boat has produced the most fish. There has been a
lot of surface activity in the calm wind protected coves. Blue/silver
Kastmasters have been the star lure of the week for trout, but
Rattletraps are working well, too. Walking the bank as you cast will
help you find the fish. For bait fishing, try using garlic scented
Power Bait (rainbow or chartreuse), or put on a Gulp Egg or a
marshmallow/nightcrawler.
Winner
of the Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Pete Rudy
of Twain Harte, who fished from the bank in Glory Hole Cove to catch a
2-pound, 11-ounce rainbow. He caught a limit, but only kept two, on an
inflated nightcrawler.
10-year-old Mathew Rodgers of Sutter Creek caught a limit of 'bows on gold Kastmasters while bank-fishing in Carson Cove.
Kokanee: Done for the season.
Bass: Fairly tough. Most
anglers are having trouble locating quality fish. The water temperature
drastically dropped over the last few weeks. The fish seemed to have
moved into deep water for the winter. They are feeding on main lake
points throughout the day. But, with such cold water they will feed a
lot less than normal due to a slower metabolism. Now is a good time to
fish finesse style presentations, such as a drop-shot rig. Small, slow
moving baits will trigger more bites. Anglers should try using 3-4" hand
poured worms in natural shad and crawfish hues. Also, bass will feed
heavily on crawfish at this time of the year. Try using a heavy 1/2oz.
or 3/4oz. football head jig with a trailer around wood and rock on main
lake points and secondary points. California Reservoir Lures' jigs are
designed for Mother Lode lakes. To cover more water use a heavy 1/2oz.
or 3/4oz. football head jig. The heavier jig sinks faster and you can
keep contact with the bottom while moving the bait fairly quickly.
Sonora Bass Anglers
fished the lake on Saturday 5, 2013. First place went to Justin Rose and
Josh Paris. They brought in a 5 fish limit that weighed 17.68 pounds.
They also had big fish of the tournament, a 10.21 pound largemouth that
Justin caught on a jig.
The swim bait bite is
getting better. Try using smaller swim baits to catch spots and nice
largemouth. If you want to catch a huge fish throw an 8" rainbow trout
swim bait. Remember to practice catch and release! If you do keep a
bass, please keep the spotted bass and release the big female
(largemouth) black bass. Glory Hole Sports can teach you the
difference, so you can practice good conservation of the species.
Catfish: Haven't seen any
this week, but they are out there. Melones catfish tend to be
fish-eaters rather than bottom foragers, so use live minnows, frozen
shad, mackerel, or anchovies for best success. Move/drag your bait
slowly across the bottom to cover more water and target fish that are
aggressively feeding. Generally cats will feed in shallow flats or areas
with large chunk rock near deep water.
Crappie: Slow. There are
fish in 15-40 foot of water, in the backs of creek channels near
submerged timber. Live minnows or redworms fished under a slip-float,
with a bobber stop is a good way to target these fish.
