Advice On Bank Fishing Lakes In Central CA?

[Darth-Baiter]

Have fun.  Not a lot of bank fishing at Clearlake. But you can cast into a creek from Clearlake State Park.  Fishing is on fire. 
 

I heard new melones is as well.  Have fun. 
 

im going back to work Monday:(

 

oh if you’re in the area.  Lake Sonoma bank fishing is great right now.  Just walk either direction from the free boat ramp.  I’d go left (if you’re facing the water).  Hitting small jigs and Neds hard. Mix of smallies and largies 

[schplurg]

Got back from New Melones today. Great trip!!!

 

Caught my first spotted bass, I think. Is this a spot? Can you tell from this?

 

 

A few of them had spots on their tongue. Biggest was about 2 pounds. A few of them were very fat.

 

Also my first bed fish. They were right on shore hanging out, and it took a lot to catch one. 

 

The campgrounds were great. Stayed at Glory Hole.

 

One huge problem....the water is 80 feet low and the place I camped had some very steep terrain (and was well above the full waterline as well). Thought I was gonna have a heart attack climbing back up the hill the first night. It was really steep man. But I found better ways up and down after that.

 

Because of that I did not fish as much as I would have. It's also early in the season for me and I haven't hiked yet, so I'm a little out of shape.

 

Van camping was great. Bed was awesome. My cousin came for a night. It was beautiful there.

 

 

Kayak would have been the way to go and next time I will use mine. Weather was perfect. Great trip!

 

Thanks to everyone for all the great help!!! Still looking for more places!

[blckshirt98]

Sweet, I was looking forward to your report!  New Melones is heavy on spotted bass, if you think it's a spot, it's probably a spot, the fish in your picture definitely looks like a spot.  Glad you had a good time, looking forward to your next trip!

[schplurg]

Yep looks like a spot. Thanks! Next trip to somewhere will be in a week or two. Whole point of the van thing was to get me out to better waters which are farther from home.

 

The campgrounds and lake were practically deserted. That was definitely cool.

[schplurg]

Video of the New Melones trip. Water was loooow. Then again, it is a deep lake  I don't make money off my Youtube channel btw. Just for fun. I'm a dork.

 

 

 

[blckshirt98]

Nice video!  BTW I didn't realize you were gonna park your van in a spot and leave it there the whole time so you'd have to make that long walk!  Should be able to park it closer to the water if you drive over to the boat launches next time!

[schplurg]

7 hours ago, blckshirt98 said:

Nice video!  BTW I didn't realize you were gonna park your van in a spot and leave it there the whole time so you'd have to make that long walk!  Should be able to park it closer to the water if you drive over to the boat launches next time!

 

It was fine, I didn't really want to fish over there. I probably will next time though, I just didn't think bass would be there right then. Me and my cousin took a drive there and I thought about fishing it. The only spot really close to water is what looks like a new launch area for the low water level.

 

Which leads me to the big bummer - these lakes are only getting lower. Melones is down 80 feet. My folks and sister want me to move to Oregon. I don't really want to but if the drought stuff keeps getting worse there's little reason to stay. As an angler anyways, my opinion. This is sad. At least the Delta is "full".

 

I can just leave the awning off so I can drive. I may go back in a week, long hikes and all. I just don't know where else to go that is so cheap. We did drive to a few spots.

 

The worst hike up the hill was the first one in the video. The other spots were manageable.

 

I'd like to camp at the Delta but Turtle Beach wants $48 a night for a tent spot. No thanks. Gotta be cheaper somewhere.

 

Anyone know of reasonable Delta camping?

[schplurg]

Actually to avoid the hikes at New melones I will probably bring my kayak next time. Worried about the tendinitis but I could maybe just fish around the house boats and that cove.

 

Launch fee included with the campsite. Can't beat it for $22 a night.