GENERAL CONDITIONS

Boils, Boils, and more Boils! Striped Bass action is on fire here at Lake Del Valle. Water temperature is 72 degrees with a visibility of about 5-10 feet depending on where you are on the lake. Chilly overcast mornings break to sunshine mid-morning, and we are experiencing warm to hot afternoons. The last week has been pretty windy out here, but that’s to be expected as we enter into the fall season.

We are seeing boils throughout the narrows and south end. For those of you who own your own boat I strongly suggest fishing in the south end early in the morning around 6-7 am. Unfortunately our rental boats are not allowed in the south end. However Stripers are boiling just outside the no wake zone north of the public launch ramp all the way to Hetch Hetchy camp in the mid narrows. Top water lures like zara spooks, and pencil poppers are working great for most anglers but subsurface lures like jerkbaits, swimbaits, and jigs are working just as well for others.

CATFISH

The hot bite this week has been catfish with many anglers coming back with big fish. Most anglers are fishing in the lower and upper narrows around fallen trees, tule patches, and weedbeds. Catfish are turned on right now eating Anchovies and Sardines in mid to shallow water. We are waiting for the creek to start flowing when the rains comes to see some bigger cats.

TROUT

Trout fishing is very slow because of the warm water. To target Trout you need to be in deeper water, and your best bet is by the Dam. They are in twenty to thirty feet of water. Power Bait or Night Crawlers work well.

BASS

Black Bass are starting to show themselves more often with the water dropping in temperature. Most anglers are getting them on either top water lures, crank baits, or worms (senko or roboworms.) Best places to fish for them would be anywhere with cover in the water, whether it be fallen trees, tules, etc.

STRIPED BASS

Striped Bass are still getting caught regularly all throughout the day. The best time to fish for these guys would be either early morning from about 6-10 AM and from 4-8 PM. Most anglers are catching them on either top water lures or jerk baits. If you prefer to bait fish the best place to fish would be out at the dam. Best baits to use would be either anchovies, sardines or chicken liver.