Crappie are making a comeback at San Pablo

San Pablo Reservoir - El Sobrante, CA (Contra Costa County)


by San Pablo Reservoir
8-1-2011

Trout
With last week's warmer weather the trout bit was slow. Since the lake's temperature is rising, it is best to cast deep. Shore fishing has been good at Oak Point, Sobrante Point and the main visitor center. Trout are still biting PowerBait, night crawlers, or a night crawler/power egg combo. We have had some success trolling. A few 3 and 4 pounders have been caught trolling the mouth of Scow Canyon in 26 feet of water. If trolling, use a Fire Tiger Rapala or a Needlefish about at least 25 feet deep. Trout have also been reported from the Rock Wall to Sandy Point.

Bass
The Bass bite has picked up. Black bass are good on green pumpkin plastic worms and lizards and fire tiger crank baits from 6 to 10 feet. Fish early in the morning and late in the evening for the best results bouncing tubes, lizards and Brush Hawgs in watermelon and green pumpkin colors has worked well for Black Bass. Smallmouth Bass are good on Zara Spooks and 3 inch baits off the main lake points and from mid-lake to the dam early in the morning. Largemouth Bass are good on Texas-rigged worms and jig-head worms, watermelon seed, green pumpkin and watermelon candy are the best colors.

Catfish
With 3,000 pounds of catfish planted over the past two weeks and another 1,000 pounds on the way, Catfish bites will continue to improve. Although the catfish haven't been large, the numbers of catfish have been impressive. The majority of catfish have been caught inside Scow Canyon, the boat launch and Sorante Point. Cats are biting on chicken liver, night crawlers, Bloody Blood Gulp Catfish Dough and PowerBait catfish scent.

Crappie
This is the first time in a long time we have seen crappie. With the lake near capacity for the last two seasons, crappie have made a comeback despite the aggressive bass population. We have several limits from Scow Canyon and reports of various catches from the launch. When fishing from shore, try to fish around some of type of cover such as docks or logs. Most of the time you will find them suspended in the middle, so don't fish the bottom. Try a number 12 hook and a worm or PowereBait Crappie nibbles about 3 feet below your bobber. If fishing with a crappie jig, let it settle to the bottom. Twitch it a couple of times off the bottom, pick it up and let it re-drop. The best jig seem to be anything with chartreuse in it.


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More Reports

7-25-2011
Trout The summer trout bite has started to pick up. It seems the trout took a little longer to acclimate from the earlier plants, but we are seeing results. Trout are still biting on Power Bait, night crawlers, or a night crawler/power egg combo. Since the lake's temperature is rising, it's best to cast deep. Shore fishing has been good at Oak Point, Sobrante Point, and the main visitor center. If trolling, use a...... Read More

7-17-2011
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