We are finally open again! And the fish have responded in kind here at Lake Del Valle the lake temperature has been found to be hovering in the upper 50s with 59 degrees being the average temperature. The trout fishing has come back in force with many nice sized trout getting caught mostly on shad imitations; smaller Kastmasters are the main lures that people look to out here and they focus these in the coves in Swallow Bay and slow roll them for the best results many trout are getting caught in the shallows! Many anglers are also having good luck trolling rapalas in the long stretch of shoreline in between these coves, most are trolling at minimal speed in the shallower water by the shoreline. Bait wise the Mice tails are working excellent, the more fluorescent colors are recommended. The best part about mice tails is that if the bait fishing with them is slow you can cast them out and use a Senko.

The Bass fishing has really picked up now as we went Spring with lots of Largemouth and Smallmouth being caught along the rock points that jut sharply around the lake. Drop shooting the Senkos is the most effective way to lewer them if you have to right kind of gear to do so. Square bill crankbaits or quickly working jerk bait can be the way to get the attention of these bass hiding in the rock points if the worm imitations aren’t working try switching to something with a lot more displacement.

The Catfish bite has been slow lately, but they are still out here looking for the Catfish for them to start biting more when the temperature starts to hear up! Anchovies or mackerel are the best baits to use out here if you have some extra squid from an ocean trip, I’ve also heards good things about using it. The Catfish are going to be hanging out around the fallen trees that you see near the shoreline around the lake, Catfish like to nest around structure. Also the tulle patchers along the shore have carp spawning in them right now if you see carp jump then its a good sign the catfish are also nearby.

The striped bass have also been slow lately with only a few smaller ones caught on jerk baits or shad imitation lures. For bait use nightcrawlers or anchovies they are best bet to entice the stripers. Most of the striped bass will be found around the areas where the tout are because until the shad start to rise to the surface the stripers mainly feed on the smaller tout in the water.

Welcome back to the lake! Good luck out there- Captain Jacob