Department of Fish and Game is now planting rainbow trout weekly at New Melones. Trolling anglers had some luck this week fishing in main lake creek arms and over the main river channel. The trout seem to be in transition from deep to shallow water. We have had reports of fish being caught from 5-35 feet of water. With the water temperature dropping we should start seeing more fish being caught toward the surface. With the fish coming to the surface, try top lining 100-150 feet behind the boat with a modified jointed Rapala. Shad patterned trolling spoons will also catch some quality fish. Try using a tandem spoon rig. The two spoons swinging back and forth represent a small ball of fleeing shad. Be sure to and some shad scent to your baits. Bank fishing has been slowly picking up. There are fish feeding on the surface near the shore line, in the early morning.  For bait, garlic scented Power Bait is hard to beat. Also, try fishing small feeder creeks and inlets whenever we get some rainfall. Cooler running water attracts fish, and also washes nutrients and insects into the lake. 

Bass bite is good. There are large schools of spotted bass chasing balls of bait. To catch a bunch of these keeper size spotted bass, try using a spoon in the major creek channels. 1/2oz and 3/4oz are both good choices. Stick with a shad pattern black/silver or blue/silver. Another good way to target these fish is with a drop shot rig. Try using small hand poured worms, leaches and leafs. There is always a jig bite and right now it is a good way to catch better than average fish. Brown/purple, brown/brown, and green pumpkin are all good choices. This time of the year can be good for cranking. Crawdad and shad patterned baits fished from 5-15 foot of water can be a great way to locate fish.

Catfish bite is good.  The catfish are moving shallow and feeding on cloudy/rainy days.  Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383