Arthor: Robert Clark

Date: June 15, 2019
Time: 1700-2300
Location: Lake Berryessa, Markley Cove Boat launch
Air temperature: 65-93
Wind: SW 8-12MPH
Water Temperature: 74-81
Water Clarity: 3-8 feet
Seasonal fish pattern: Post Spawn
 
Summer time is by far my favorite time of year for night fishing. When the sun goes down the weather cools down but the fish keep biting, and it’s a great time to chase a new P/B! On Friday June 15th my friend Wyatt Crow and I decided to try our luck at Lake Berryessa and see what luck the full moon would bring us.

We started out on the main lake with top water baits on main lake points. I started off with a River2Sea Rover 128 in the Abalone Shad color, Wyatt chose a Sammy 100 in Flake Golden Sexy Minnow. We started on the calmer side of the first point we pulled up to and were immediately rewarded with some action. We got some smaller fish up shallow, but found the better bite in 8-15 feet. The fish were chasing bait all over and were very active throughout the early evening. With around 45 minutes of safe light left we decided to make the run back to the narrows. We started in the backs of coves in the narrows throwing Chatterbaits. While coming through some shallow grass my Chatterbait got hammered! After the initial excitement wore off of hooking a big fish I soon realized something was off about this fish, and we soon netted a 10lb Channel Catfish. We caught a few 1-2lb fish as the light faded and upon nightfall we switched over to Jigs. We found several rocky areas that produced better quality fish in the 3-8 foot range, including one that was pushing 6lbs. At around 11PM the bite slowed down and we opted to get off the water before it got too late. We finished up the night with a tad over 18lbs for our best 5 fish.

If you’re on the fence about night fishing you owe it to yourself to give it a try this year. With cooler air temperatures, less traffic on the water and the quiet peacefulness of the night it’s an all-around great experience. Be sure to have your lights on and stay safe out there on the water and go fish!

Tight Lines,
Rob Clarke