Monday, December 23, 2013

New Melones Fishing Report from Glory Hole Sports

12-23-13 Fishing Report

Water Conditions:  New Melones Lake is currently holding
1,047,425 acre-feet of water.  The lake level rose very little this week and is currently at 949 ft. above sea level and 137 ft. from full.  The water is fairly clear in some areas and slightly stained in others.  The water temperature dropped quite a bit due to freezing weather and snow fall and should be in the mid to low 50's. This cold snap is enough to complete the annual turn over of the lake. The docks have been moved back to the middle ramp on Glory Hole Point.    
Sean Gast and Joe Jackson of Twain Harte caught some nice rainbows throwing Kastmasters near Carson Cove. 


Trout: Very Good.  Anglers are catching bunches of fish with limits coming fairly easy.  The weather forecast is predicting another clear and sunny weekend.  With the recent cold weather and cooling surface temperatures the trout has been really good.  The cold surface temperature has moved a large amount of fish to the surface making them easier to catch for both trolling anglers and bank anglers.  The Department of Fish and Game has had multiple plants so far for the month of December.  
Jerry Brown of Angels Camp went fishing a few times this week.  He caught a limit on each outing.

Bank anglers have been catching many limits of planted and holdover rainbow trout.  Most anglers have reported having a majority their success floating Power Bait on a standard bait rig.  Many different color dough baits seem to work with rainbow, chartreuse, salmon egg, and pink being favorites.  Also, the fish seem drawn to the garlic scented bait.  If you are fishing with a color that is not scented try adding some garlic scented oil to entice more bites.  For anglers who prefer using artificial presentations, try fan casting Kastmasters and Krocodiles.  Another way to catch them is with a mini jig under a slip float or behind a bubble.  
Glory Hole Sports Big Fish Week goes to Stone Schummer of Copperopolis.  He landed a nice limit of rainbows while trolling a Needlefish on the main lake.  His biggest fish weighed 2-pounds even. 

Trolling anglers should try fishing from 30' to the surface.  With a large majority of fish moving to shallow water, it's a good idea to troll near the shoreline or use a side planner.  Trolling spoons have been working well.  Speedy Shiners, Needlefish, and Excel Spoons are all good choices.  Another setup that catches them is a nightcrawler threaded onto a straight shank hook or a trolling fly tipped with a chunk of crawler.  Be sure to let out plenty of line.  This is a great time of year to catch some large brown trout.  When trolling with multiple rods it's a good idea to have one setup for browns.  Try using large jointed plugs or rolling shad.  When that rod hits it could be a fish of a lifetime.  We do encourage catch and release for the brown trout as The Department of Fish and Game will no longer be planting them. Carefully measure, weigh and photograph trophy fish and send us pictures and information. 
3-year old Madilyn Nasont of Columbia with her first fish.
4-year old Rebecca and 7-year old Hannah Wampler of Escalon landed a handful  rainbows while fishing off of Glory Hole Point.
9-year old Madison and her brother 7-year old Justin Bain of Altaville brought in some nice rainbows.
Caden Spurr, Jonathan Peña, and Jordan Peña from Valley Springs landed a few nice ones.

Kokanee: Done for the season and done spawning upriver.  The fish generally start biting again in the spring mid-April into May.

Bass:Slow.  The bite seems to very hit and miss for most anglers.  Most fish are schooling in deep water from 40-70'.  It is very important to use your electronics to locate fish and bait.  Try using vertical jigging spoons near the balls of bait.  A great cold water tactic is drop shot rig.  Try using small shad patterned bait a light fluorocarbon line to get these finicky fish to bite.  Another good thing to keep in mind is with cooling water their metabolism will slow also.  Try slowing down a bit and using baits that crawl across the bottom.  A ¾ oz. football jig is hard to beat for this style of fishing.  Try using a crawdad colored twin tail grub, Brush Hog, or Beaver as a trailer.  Also, use plenty of scent and reapply multiple times throughout the day to help the fish locate your bait.  The bite should pick up once we get some winter weather.   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: Slow.  The catfish will be moving to deep water near rock piles and ledges.  Most anglers don't target catfish at this time of the year.  But, the ones that do will hook into some lunkers. Try fishing near large rocks and boulders.  A large ball of crawlers is hard to beat.  But anchovies, sardines, and shad work well too.