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Klamath River Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
Report by Capt. Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and fishes the Klamath River for kings and steelhead. What is working right now The Klamath River king run turned on big in mid-September 2025. A full moon and big tides pushed large pods of kings in, and Capt. Jerry Lampkin's drift boat landed 20 plus kings and three steelhead in one afternoon. Steelheading stayed good too. The catch depends on staying on the moving pods, since later in the week the fish pushed way up the river and the numbers dropped off. More fish should arrive with the next tides. Are king salmon in the Klamath River?Yes, big time. A recent full moon and big tides brought large pods of kings into the lower Klamath. Capt. Jerry Lampkin's boat of three landed 20 plus kings and three steelhead in one afternoon. Anglers are not even targeting kings but cannot help hooking them. How is steelhead fishing on the Klamath?Still pretty good. Jerry is catching steelhead mixed with the kings, including a 19-inch fish on a slower day. The kings have stolen the show with the tides, but steelhead remain in the system and keep coming to the boat alongside the salmon. How do you catch the Klamath kings?Stay on the pods. When a wave of fish is in, staying on them as they move upriver makes for an epic day of 20 plus kings. Lose them and the bite drops fast. Jerry went from 20 plus one day to five, then two as the pods pushed up. Why did the bite slow later in the week?The pods moved. Wednesday and Thursday produced 20 plus kings, but by Friday it was five kings and Saturday just two with a steelhead. The fish had moved way up the river. Boats that ran up after them found the better action. When will the next fish arrive?Jerry expects another batch of kings to push in with the tides this week. He also planned to run up to the Rogue River to try for one for the barbecue. The Klamath run moves in waves, so timing the fresh pods is everything. What is the Klamath outlook?Good, in waves. Kings are running strong on the big tides and steelhead are mixed in, but you have to stay on the moving pods. Fresh fish should arrive with the next tides. Exact water conditions were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jerry Lampkin): The kings have come in big-time. The last full moon and the big tides we're having this week, the big pods of fish have come in. On Wednesday, the three of us in my buddy's drift boat landed 20-plus kings and three steelhead in the afternoon. But you've got to stay on top of those fish. Klamath River September 15, 2025 FAQ Are Klamath River kings biting?Yes. A full moon and big tides pushed large pods in, and Jerry's boat landed 20 plus kings in one afternoon. Is steelhead fishing still good?Yes, steelheading is still pretty good, with steelhead mixed in among the kings including a 19-inch fish. Why is timing important on the Klamath?The kings move in pods. Stay on them for an epic day, but once they push upriver the numbers drop fast. How did the bite change through the week?From 20 plus kings Wednesday and Thursday down to five Friday and two Saturday as the fish moved way up the river. What is next for Jerry?He planned to wait for another batch of fish on the tides and run up to the Rogue River on Monday. What lures were used?Specific lures were not specified in this report. Who is the guide?Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch Nate Kelsch, known as Big Nate, runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch's tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa was incredible in mid-September 2025, with big kings and monster kokanee coming from 45 to 110 feet. Nate Kelsch runs his Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod paired with 6-inch offset dodgers, T-Pex lures, and Chrome Killer Corn. Chase marks through the column and put the gear right on the fish. It is the same Berryessa kokanee kit he uses every single trip. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Big king salmon and monster kokanee. Nate Kelsch had returning clients put a hurting on them, with donkey-sized kings and kokes. He calls the bite incredible, so it is game on for the Berryessa kokanee and king program. What depth are the Berryessa fish holding?Everything came from 45 to 110 feet. Nate Kelsch chased marks all morning through that band rather than fishing one depth, so watch your electronics and put the gear on the fish. What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?His Berryessa kokanee kit: 6-inch offset dodgers ahead of T-Pex lures with Chrome Killer Corn on the hooks. Nate Kelsch has preached this setup for months and uses it every single trip. Specific colors were not specified in this report. What rod and reels is Nate Kelsch using?His new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod, built with custom carbon fiber and Fuji ceramic guides. He pairs it with an Okuma Coldwater Convector or Shimano Tekota reel, which are not carried by Catch America. How is the trout bite at nearby Lake Camanche?It fell off almost completely, dropping to two or three bites for six guys on the long-leader PowerBait program. Warm-water species like crappie, catfish, panfish, and bass are still available there and at Amador and Pardee. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch): Big kings, monster kokes, guys, monster kokes. Today I really unveiled the brand-new Big Nate's Guide Service and Catch America trout trolling rod. That, mixed with the stuff from my Berryessa Kokanee kit: 6-inch offset dodgers and T-Pexes with the Chrome Killer corn. We caught everything today from 45 feet all the way down to 110. We chased marks all morning long, and the bite's incredible. Lake Berryessa September 15, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Lake Berryessa in mid-September 2025?Big king salmon and monster kokanee, per Nate Kelsch. What depth are the Berryessa fish holding?From 45 to 110 feet, chasing marks. What is the best kokanee setup at Lake Berryessa?A 6-inch offset dodger ahead of a T-Pex with Chrome Killer Corn. What rod does Big Nate use at Berryessa?His new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod with custom carbon fiber and Fuji ceramic guides. How is the trout bite at Lake Camanche?It fell off almost completely, down to two or three bites for six anglers on PowerBait and long leaders. What is biting at Amador and Pardee?Warm-water species. Use Senkos, rip baits, or topwater, plus live minnows where allowed at Amador, and squid, anchovies, or chicken liver for catfish. Shop the Tackle Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod Trolling Dodger 6 inch T-Pex 1 inch - Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure by Big Nate Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreFeather River Fishing Report | September 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service and fishes Feather River king salmon out of Gridley. Capt. Brady guided this drift-boat trip. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now King salmon are running the Feather River in September 2025 and the guides got their limits. Capt. Brady drifted roe on a number 2 hook with a fish pill to float the bait and number 8 slinkies to tap bottom, following the main channel runways out of Gridley. Side-drifting gave a better presentation than dragging. Lots of jacks are in the system, a good sign for next year. Are king salmon biting on the Feather River?Yes. After a two-year lull the run is back and Capt. Brady and Jeff Goodwin got their limits of Feather River kings. They are seeing fish roll in nearly all the holes and hooking quality adults plus a strong wave of jacks. Kings are the main target. How do you rig for Feather River salmon?Drift roe. Run a number 2 hook through the egg cluster with a bait loop, add a small fish pill to float the bait up into the strike zone, and use a number 8 slinky to feel bottom. You want a light tap every 25 to 40 feet. Where do you find the fish?Follow the main channel runways. Capt. Brady compares them to Interstate 5, the migration lanes salmon use every year. Stay on those main runways and the fish bite as they move through. Side roads produce a few, but the main lanes hold the moving pods. Should I drag or side-drift for Feather River kings?Both work, but when a hole gets pressured, move up to quieter water and switch to a side-drift. Capt. Brady found a side-drift gave a better presentation than dragging and drew the bite. Reading the water and changing tactics on pressured fish put fish in the boat. What else catches Feather River salmon?Beyond drifted roe, guides run flat fish, dead-stick bait on the bottom and work it back and forth, back-bounce roe, and down toward Yuba City anglers throw spinners. There are numerous ways to hook these fish once you locate a runway holding moving salmon. What is the outlook for Feather River salmon?Encouraging. The run rebounded after two years, and lots of jacks in the 2025 system point to a stronger three-year-old class and a longer season in 2026. Jeff Goodwin plans more boats and trips next year. Exact water temperature was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We're drifting roe today, got a number two hook on here. We got a little fish pill that helps float the bait up off the bottom. We're running number eight slinkies this morning, so you just want to feel that bottom hit. That little tap, and that's what I'm looking for every 25, 30, 40 feet. Feather River September 2025 FAQ What bait for Feather River king salmon?Drifted roe on a number 2 hook with a bait loop, floated with a small fish pill and fished behind a number 8 slinky. Where are the salmon holding?In the main channel runways, the migration lanes fish use every year. Stay on those lanes and the fish bite as they move through. Should I drag or side-drift?Both produce. On pressured fish, move to quieter water and switch to a side-drift for a better presentation. Are there a lot of jacks in the Feather River?Yes, the last week and a half was a jack attack. Lots of jacks in 2025 is a good sign for 2026 returns. What is the 2026 outlook?Hopeful. Jeff Goodwin expects a stronger three-year-old class, a longer season, and more boats and trips next year. Who guided this trip?Capt. Brady guided the drift boat, with Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service hosting. What other techniques work?Flat fish, dead-sticking bait on the bottom, back-bouncing roe, and spinners down toward Yuba City. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreFeather River Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service and guides Shasta Lake and Sacramento-area salmon and steelhead for Catch America. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now The Feather River salmon fishery is producing nice king salmon in late August 2025, with most anglers sitting on anchor. Capt. Jeff Goodwin says Silvertron spinners are a mainstay, and Brad's KillerFish in the KF15 size is his pick on anchor. The Rogue River is also full of salmon, best fished in the estuary or just inside the jaws. How is the Feather River salmon fishing right now?Producing nice fish. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is not guiding the Feather this year but has boats sampling it, and they are coming in with some pretty nice king salmon. He sees the Feather as a good future option for clients while waiting on a Sacramento River season. What lures work for Feather River salmon on anchor?Most anglers sit on anchor, where Silvertron spinners are a mainstay. Jeff also likes running Brad's KillerFish, preferring the KF15 size himself for anchor fishing. He says it is hard to go wrong with that setup on the Feather this time of year. How is the Rogue River salmon fishing?The Rogue is full of salmon with new fish entering daily in late August 2025. Fish stack in the estuary and at Indian Creek, though the Indian Creek bite is hit or miss. Anglers get more consistent bites inside the jaws near the ocean, where there is lots of bait but lots of boats. Where should you target salmon right now?On the Feather, sit on anchor and run spinners or Brad's KillerFish. On the Rogue, target the estuary or just inside the jaws for the most reliable action. Jeff's Rogue trips are booked for 2025, and clients getting off the boat now are booking for next year. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Everybody's pretty much sitting on anchor up there and that's kind of a staple. Silver Tron spinners are a mainstay as far as that goes. But you can always run out some Brad's Killer Fish. Hard to go wrong there. I like the KF15s myself for sitting on anchor. For the Rogue, it's full of salmon. We got new fish coming in every day. Feather River August 25, 2025 FAQ What is biting on the Feather River in August 2025?King salmon, with anglers producing some nice fish while sitting on anchor. What lures work for Feather River salmon?Silvertron spinners and Brad's KillerFish, with Jeff preferring the KF15 size on anchor. How are anglers fishing the Feather for salmon?Mostly sitting on anchor, which Jeff calls the staple approach there right now. How is the Rogue River salmon bite?The Rogue is full of salmon with fresh fish daily, best in the estuary or just inside the jaws. Where is the Indian Creek bite on the Rogue?Fish are stacked at Indian Creek but the bite there is hit or miss, per Capt. Jeff Goodwin. Is Jeff Goodwin guiding the Feather this year?No. Jeff has boats sampling the Feather but is not guiding it, and his Rogue trips are booked for 2025. Shop the Tackle Brad's KillerFish KF15 Shop Goodwin's Tackle Shop River Salmon Gear
Learn moreDon Pedro Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and guides trout, king salmon, and kokanee trips on Don Pedro Lake. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is on fire in late August 2025. The water is perfect with a green tint, around 80 degrees on top and clear to about 10 feet. Capt. Monte Smith is trolling spoons fast for limits of rainbows and kings, plus next year's kokanee. Top spoons are the Speed Spoon, Optimizer Junior, and the Popped-Eyed Spoon, all with a touch of gel scent. Fish early, the bite is first thing in the morning. What is biting at Don Pedro right now?Rainbows, kings, and next year's kokanee. Capt. Monte Smith has had a tremendous three to four weeks, boating nice mixes of kings and rainbows and finishing with limits by late morning. The lake is loaded with bait, so the fish are chewing on a first-thing-in-the-morning bite. What are the water conditions at Don Pedro?The water is perfect with a green tint and clear to about 10 feet on a shark weight. Surface temperature is around 80 degrees, which just pushes the cold water deeper. Weekdays are wide open with only a couple of other boats after the holiday weekend. What lures are working at Don Pedro in August?Fast-trolled spoons. Monte is running the Speed Spoon, the Optimizer Junior, and the often-forgotten Popped-Eyed Spoon. He adds just a little gel scent to the back of each spoon so it bleeds slowly in the warm water. Do not overdo the gel or it weighs the spoon down. How do you fish the Popped-Eyed Spoon?It comes flat. Put a bend in it on the water and it will run at slow, medium, or fast speeds depending on how you bend it. Play with the bend and watch your speed. Monte says these will put fish in the boat, and do not overlook big baits in hot water. What is the best time to fish Don Pedro now?First thing in the morning. The bite has been the first few hours, and Monte gets off the water with limits before it gets too hot. Weekdays are ideal with almost no boat traffic, sometimes only two other boats in the area. Monte's outlook for Don PedroMonte calls this an exceptional time of year with the lake full of bait and an easy morning bite. Expect fast spoon action for rainbows and kings. Exact fishing depths were not specified in this report beyond fishing the cooler water below the warm surface. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): The water at Don Pedro is perfect. We can still see a shark weight about 10 feet. It's got that green tint to it, and we're running spoons, and we're running them fast. I'm putting my sauce on there, on the back of the spoon, just a little bit. It's a gel, and it slowly bleeds out a little scent. Don Pedro Lake August 25, 2025 FAQ What is the water temperature at Don Pedro in August?About 80 degrees on the surface, which pushes the cold water deeper. Clarity is around 10 feet with a green tint. What spoons work at Don Pedro?Speed Spoons, Optimizer Juniors, and the Popped-Eyed Spoon, all trolled fast with a little gel scent on the back. How much scent should I add?Just a little gel on the back of the spoon. Too much weighs the spoon down. A small amount bleeds scent slowly in the warm water. When is the bite best at Don Pedro?First thing in the morning, the first few hours. Monte finishes with limits before the day gets too hot. Are weekends or weekdays better?Weekdays. After the holiday weekend there is almost no boat traffic, sometimes only two other boats in the area. What species are in the mix?Rainbow trout, king salmon, and next year's kokanee. Who is the guide?Capt. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing, reachable at 209-581-4734. Shop the Tackle Speed Spoon Junior Optimizer Spoon Popped-Eyed Spoon Shop Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Trolling Spoons
Learn moreDon Pedro Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and guides Don Pedro Reservoir for Catch America. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is in great shape in mid-August 2025 with excellent 10 foot clarity and surface temps near 80 degrees. Capt. Monte Smith is trolling spoons 55 to 93 feet deep and boating 7 to 8 king salmon a day plus numerous rainbows. He runs his homemade spoons without dodgers, and recommends Optimizer Juniors as a spoon that works slow or fast. How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?Very good. Capt. Monte Smith had a great early day in mid-August 2025, catching a lot of fish. He boated seven or eight king salmon and numerous rainbows, keeping only three or four and releasing eight or nine kings. He expects the strong bite to hold as summer crowds thin out. What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in August?Deep. Monte is fishing 55 to 93 feet and catching kings, rainbows, a few bass, and an occasional kokanee. Surface temperatures are around 80 degrees, so he is not fishing up top. Water clarity is an excellent 10 feet of visibility for late August. What lures work at Don Pedro right now?Monte runs his own homemade spoons, which are not for sale, without dodgers because of the clear water. For anglers, he recommends Optimizer Juniors, which troll well slow or fast. He also mentions Speedy Shiners for fast trolling and Excel spoons as options, though those are not Catch America products. What are the conditions at Don Pedro?Excellent. Clarity is about 10 feet and the surface is near 80 degrees. Monte says the lake is in great shape, and with school back in and vacations over there is hardly anyone out. He expects the good fishing to continue right through the fall. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We are fishing 55 to 93 feet deep, and we're catching kings, rainbows, and a few bass, and an occasional kokanee on my homemade spoons. You can run the Optimizer Juniors. That's a great spoon to use whether you're going slow or really fast. We're not running dodgers on our equipment. We had seven or eight kings today, numerous amounts of rainbows. Don Pedro Reservoir August 18, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Don Pedro in mid-August 2025?King salmon, with seven or eight a day, plus numerous rainbow trout and a few bass, per Capt. Monte Smith. What depth are Don Pedro fish holding?From 55 to 93 feet deep in the warm August water. What is the water clarity at Don Pedro?Excellent, about 10 feet of visibility, which Monte calls great for late August. What is the surface temperature at Don Pedro?Around 80 degrees, so Monte fishes deep rather than on the surface. What spoon does Monte recommend at Don Pedro?The Optimizer Junior, which trolls well whether you go slow or fast. Does Monte run dodgers at Don Pedro?No. He runs his lures without dodgers because the water clarity is so good. Shop the Tackle Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Spoon Shop Smith's Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreKlamath River Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and reports on the Klamath and Rogue rivers. What is working right now The Klamath River steelhead bite has slowed in mid-August 2025, with the river caught between the steelhead and salmon runs. Jerry Lampkin still picks up one or two on soft beads, roe, and Hot Shots. The nearby Rogue River king salmon bite is picking up. A 22-pound king came on a flasher and anchovy, and a 15-pound king on a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster. What is biting on the Klamath River right now?The epic steelhead bite has slowed. Jerry Lampkin is still getting one or two fish on soft beads, roe, and the occasional Hot Shot. A little jack salmon hit roe one morning, but the big kings have not shown yet. Why is the Klamath bite slow in mid-August?The river is caught between the steelhead run and the salmon run, and the salmon run really has not started. Some tribal anglers also said the river mouth may be blocked off a bit, which could be part of the problem. How is the Rogue River king salmon fishing?Picking up quite a bit, usually a couple of weeks ahead of the Klamath king run. Jerry Lampkin scored a 22-pound adult king on a flasher and an anchovy, plus a 15-pound king on a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster. What baits and lures are working right now?On the Klamath, soft beads, roe, and Hot Shots. On the Rogue, a flasher with an anchovy or a trolled gold Kastmaster. These are not Catch America products, so match them with comparable trolling and drift gear. What is the outlook for the Klamath and Rogue?Jerry Lampkin plans to head back to the Rogue this week. Note he is not guiding the Rogue himself, so contact local guides like Kevin or Jeff to get in on that king bite. Watch the full report From the report (Jerry Lampkin): Last week's epic steelhead bite is pretty much over. It's slowed down a lot this week, but we're still getting one or two on soft beads, roe, and occasionally on a hot shot. The Rogue is picking up quite a bit. We went up there and scored a nice 22 lb adult on a Brad's flasher and an anchovy, and we ended up getting a nice 15 lb King on a 3/4 oz gold Kastmaster trolled. Klamath River August 18, 2025 FAQ Are steelhead still biting on the Klamath River?Only a few. The bite has slowed to one or two fish on soft beads, roe, or a Hot Shot, per Jerry Lampkin. Has the Klamath salmon run started?Not yet. Only a small jack salmon was caught on roe. The big kings have not arrived. What caught the big kings on the Rogue River?A 22-pound king hit a flasher and anchovy, and a 15-pound king took a trolled three-quarter-ounce gold Kastmaster. Why might the Klamath mouth be affecting the bite?Some tribal anglers said the river mouth may be blocked off a little, which could be slowing the fishing. Is Jerry Lampkin guiding the Rogue River?No. He recommends contacting local guides such as Kevin or Jeff to fish the Rogue. What was the water like on the Klamath?Specific water temperature and clarity were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Shop Salmon Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreDon Pedro Fishing Report | August 4, 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing on Don Pedro and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro king salmon and rainbow action is hot in early August 2025, with kings averaging 2 to 3.5 pounds and very plentiful at 40 to 75 feet. Kokanee are still around but hard to find as they enter spawn mode. Troll fast with heavier spoons like the Speed Spoon or Optimizer. Do not be afraid to run the bigger sizes for these aggressive kings. What is biting at Don Pedro right now?King salmon and rainbow trout, and the action has been really good. Capt. Monte Smith is focusing trips on kings, which average 2 to 3.5 pounds and are very plentiful and aggressive. Kokanee are still out there but hard to find, since they are constantly on the move and entering their spawning mode and colors.What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro?Fish are catching from 40 to 75 feet. The lake is falling a little but not drastically, so the bite has stayed very good. Surface temps are climbing with the weather, but the fish are holding in that 40 to 75 foot band. Warmer water actually has the kings chasing gear down.What lures work for Don Pedro kings?Troll fast with heavier spoons. Monte runs custom spoons, and Catch America offers similar Speed Spoons, which are a bit heavier so you can troll them faster. The Optimizer also produces, in both the Junior and the bigger sizes. Do not be afraid to run the bigger ones for aggressive kings.How should I present for Don Pedro kings?Troll fast with heavier spoons and run larger sizes than you might expect. The Speed Spoon is heavier so it holds depth at speed, and the bigger Optimizer gets attacked when the water is warm. These kings are acrobatic, so expect jumps and dives that can tangle nearby rods.What is the outlook for Don Pedro?Strong for kings. The bite has been very good and Monte is getting a lot of interest in these landlocked salmon. He would love to hook a 6 to 8 pounder like last year, but the plentiful 2 to 3.5 pound kings are a blast. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): The action has been really good. We're focusing all our trips basically on king salmon now. They're averaging 2 to 3.5 pounds, and they're very, very plentiful. We're still catching fish from 40 to 65-75 feet. You got to troll them pretty fast. The Speed Spoon, they're a little heavier. You can also use the Optimizer spoon, the Junior and the bigger ones.Don Pedro Lake August 4, 2025 FAQHow deep are the kings at Don Pedro in August?King salmon and rainbows are holding from 40 to 75 feet as the surface warms.What lures work for Don Pedro king salmon?Heavier spoons trolled fast, like the Speed Spoon, plus the Optimizer in Junior and larger sizes.How big are the kings at Don Pedro now?Kings are averaging 2 to 3.5 pounds and are very plentiful and aggressive.Are kokanee still biting at Don Pedro?They are still around but hard to find, constantly moving and entering spawn mode and colors.Should I use bigger spoons for Don Pedro kings?Yes. Do not be afraid to run the bigger Optimizer sizes. Aggressive kings will chase them down in warm water.What trolling speed works at Don Pedro now?Troll fast. Heavier spoons like the Speed Spoon hold depth at speed and the warm-water kings chase them. Shop the Tackle Speed Spoon Optimizer Spoon Junior Optimizer Spoon Shop Capt. Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreDon Pedro Reservoir Fishing Report | August 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and is a Catch America pro-staff captain who power-trolls Don Pedro for kings and rainbows. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro Reservoir put out an epic power-trolling bite in August 2025. Fishing with Cal Kellogg, Capt. Monte Smith had kings and rainbows biting within minutes, often on the drop. He runs 75 feet down at 2.4 mph, using fluorocarbon leaders because the kings will saw through mono with their teeth. A chartreuse spoon caught the last two fish for limits. How good is the Don Pedro salmon bite right now?Epic. Filming with Cal Kellogg, Capt. Monte Smith had rods bending within five to ten minutes and kept the action going all day. King salmon and rainbow trout hit steadily, with the bite actually heating up as the day went on and the fish fighting harder and harder. How deep and fast does Monte troll Don Pedro?Monte power-trolls 75 feet down at about 2.4 mph, and several fish hit on the drop before the gear even reached depth. He moved to Middle Bay after the bite near the dam dried up, following the bait and fish there. Why use fluorocarbon leaders at Don Pedro?Because the kings have teeth and will saw through your leader with ease. Monte runs fluorocarbon to prevent break-offs. That confidence in the gear let the crew put heavy pressure on strong, acrobatic kings without losing them. How do you find fish at Don Pedro Reservoir?Monte reads the prevailing wind, which pushes plankton and threadfin shad into an area. He watches for grebes diving on bait and looks for big bait balls on the electronics. Where there is bait, the trout and kings are not far behind. What lure produced at Don Pedro?A chartreuse spoon caught both of the last two fish to fill limits. Monte tried several presentations, but the chartreuse spoon closed the deal on a strong finish, including a king Cal called nearly an ocean-sized keeper. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): Do you use fluorocarbon on your leader? Yeah, because the kings have teeth, and they will saw through your leader with ease. Okay, 75 feet down. How fast you going? 2.4. The bite was great first thing in the morning, but as the day went on, the bite heated up even more and the fish started fighting harder and harder. Don Pedro Reservoir August 2025 FAQ How deep does Monte troll at Don Pedro Reservoir?About 75 feet down. What trolling speed for Don Pedro kings?Around 2.4 mph power trolling. Why does Monte use fluorocarbon leaders?Kings have teeth and will saw through a standard leader, so fluorocarbon prevents break-offs. How do you locate fish at Don Pedro?Read the prevailing wind, watch for diving grebes, and look for big threadfin shad bait balls on your electronics. What lure filled the limits at Don Pedro?A chartreuse spoon caught the last two fish. What species did Don Pedro produce?King salmon and rainbow trout, with the bite improving through the day. Shop the Tackle Shop Capt. Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
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