Fishing Report – Los Vaqueros Reservoir – 5/30/2011

General Conditions

Striped bass fishing continues to provide the best action with stripers up to 27lbs caught. Anglers also catch a few big catfish, some nice trout as well as some largemouth bass. Many of our regulars take limits of striped bass almost every time they visit. There is always a chance to catch something special at Los Vaqueros!

The cool weather and wind has kept our water temperature around 62 degrees. Water conditions for fishing are excellent.

Trout

Nightcrawlers are the best choice for trout. Either float them under a bobber or inflate them with a worm blower. If you are bait fishing from a boat try the backs of coves and cast close to shore. There is no need to make long casts if you are fishing from shore. Trollers have been taking a few fish on Rapala’s.

Trout are in great shape and averaging between 2 and 3lbs. Top trout weighed in at 4.7lbs. Overall trout fishing is just fair but every day we see at least a few trout with an occasional limit checked in.

Largemouth Bass

Not a lot to report on largemouth Bass. We had very few people fishing for them as the focus was mostly on stripers. Top bass reported weighed in around 5lbs. As always senkos are your best bet. Watermelon is a good color choice.

Stripers

Fishing for stripers continues to be excellent for skilled anglers. Anglers fishing with bait and anglers trolling rattletraps are catching nice fish from shakers (under 18 inches) to fish up to 27lbs. As in all fishing, some anglers do better than others. On the same day we will have boats that may not catch a fish to boats that catch and release 15 or so stripers in all sizes. We had 2 anglers catch their 2 fish limits in 45 minutes trolling. They were trolling rattle traps in the middle of the reservoir. You need some luck but there is a lot of skill involved. Keep mixing it up until you start catching fish then stick with it. Top striper for the week was 27lbs and caught by 10 year old Alexandria Christenson. She caught her fish trolling a 1 ounce chrome rattletrap.

Salmon

On May 13, the California Department of Fish and Game planted 20,000 fingerling Kokanee Salmon. On May 27, Fish and Game planted another 40,000 fingerling Chinook Salmon. These fish should provide some good fishing and excitement in years to come.

Catfish

Our catfish are big. Top fish of the week was 25.9lbs caught by Blake Todd on anchovy fishing off of Oak point. We are anticipating a few fish over 30lbs this summer.