New Melones Fishing Report from Glory Hole Sports

9-17-13 Fishing Report

Water Conditions:  New Melones Lake is currently holding 1,060,841 acre-feet of water.  The lake level dropped one foot this week, and is currently at 951 ft. above sea level and 135 ft. from full.  The water temperature is cooling a bit but still a fairly warm 76-80 degrees.  The lake is stained with mud lines forming near the shore in the afternoon.   

Trout: Fair.  The bite has picked up with most anglers catching a few fish and some nice limits on each outing.  The cooler nights and shorter days will help cool the water temperature.  This should make the trout more active and easier to catch.  The shad will be starting to school in the main lake near the mouths of major creek arms.  Try fishing over deep water near the dam, spillway, and Rose Island.  Trolling anglers try using shad patterned spoons.  Excels, Needlefish, and Speedy Shiners are all good choices.  Two spoons trolled in tandem is a good way to trigger a few more strikes.  The two spoons will resemble a pair of fleeing baitfish. Night fishing anglers have been catching trout under a submersible light.  During the dog days of summer many fish feed at night.  Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and live minnows are all good choices for fishing at night.  The Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Jim and Allen Munroe of Jackson. They caught a nice limit of rainbows on an orange hoochie trolled behind a Seps dodger. Their biggest weighed 1-pound, 6-ounces. 

 

Bank fishing has been very slow and usually is during the summer months.  Best bet for shore anglers is to head to the high country lakes.  Fly fishing local streams has slowed a bit due to low water flows.  During the day try stripping streamers and buggers or fishing nymphs under an indicator.  In the evenings try using a Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, or a Light Cahill for rising fish.    

Kokanee: Slow.  The kokanee are working their way upriver for their annual spawn and die.  We have had reports of a few fish being caught in the dam spillway area, but the majority of fish are being caught near the 49 bridge and up toward Parrots Ferry Bridge.  The fish are starting to get a little color with some having a little hook mouth showing.  The kokanee have been schooling in deep water for the last few months.  Try targeting fish from 70-100' of water.  Try using an Apex fished behind a large dodger.  Pink, green, and orange are good color choice for both the blade and the lure.  It is very important to add plenty of scent to the blade and lure.  Garlic, anise, kokanee special, and bloody tuna are a few favorites.  Don't forget to tip your baits with dyed and scent shoe peg corn.

Bass: Fair.  The bite has been getting better each day due to cooler weather.  Generally the top water bite is good at this time of year but right now we are getting very few surface blow ups.  Most fish are being caught on a variety of soft plastic presentations.  A Carolina rig, Texas rig, dart head, and drop shot are all good ways to catch them.  The fish are feeding heavily on schools of small 2" shad in deep/cooler water throughout the day.  A great way to catch them is to fish with exactly what they are feeding on. There are many baits on the market that resemble small bait fish and are great fished on a drop shot rig.  Roboworm Alive Shad, Zoom Tiny Flukes, and Skinny Bear Shad Eye Minnows are great little baits that produce fish.  There were a couple of big largemouth bass caught and released over the weekend.  On Saturday the 14th angler Graham Ward of San Andreas landed a 9-pound, 3-ounce fish.  He caught this giant on a watermelon/black Senko near some standing timber.  

On Sunday the 15th Josh Parris of San Andreas hauled in a 10-pound fish.  He caught this lunker on a 1/2oz. brown/purple jig.  

If you do keep a bass, please keep the small 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: Very good.  Most anglers are catching multiple catfish on each outing.  The average size catfish is 4-8 pounds, with fish over 10-pounds considered to be better than average.  We have had many reports of different baits that are working.  Night crawlers, liver, shad, and anchovies seem to be producing the majority of fish.  It is very important to use a sliding sinker or no weight at all.  The fish will drop the bait if they feel any weight.  It is a good idea to leave your bail open while waiting for them to bite.  Let the fish run with the bait for a few seconds then set the hook.  For bigger cats try using a whole mackerel or sardine fished on a double hook rig.  Many catfish will roam flats, points, and humps to feed. When choosing a location to fish focus on flat dirt/rock areas near deep water.  

The Glory Hole Sports Big Fish of the Week Contest goes to Kracker Morris of Arnold.  He spent a few nights on the water targeting some lunker cats.  He landed 7 fish, the three biggest went 13-pounds, 5-ounces, 14-pounds, 8-ounces, and a giant weighing in at 15-pounds even.