Skip to content

Fishing Reports

Reports From The Water

Find recent bite updates by water, species, and guide. Then jump into the gear and videos connected to those reports.

Latest From The Water

Recent Reports

Quick updates from guides and anglers, organized so shoppers can find the bite faster.

View All Reports

Browse By Water

Lake & River Reports

Start with where you fish, then narrow into the newest bite information.

Browse By Species

Reports By Bite

Jump straight to the reports that match what you are chasing.

Browse By Guide

Guide Reports

Follow updates from the guides behind the gear and on-water programs.

Meet The Guides

Gear From Reports

Shop What Shows Up

Find the tackle families most often connected to current reports.

Watch In Page

Report Videos & Tutorials

Helpful videos stay on the page so shoppers can learn without leaving Catch America.

View All Videos
Plug Tuning For Salmon

How to tune and wrap plugs for river kings.

Salmon Gear Breakdown

Flash, bait, and hardware for big salmon water.

Kokanee Trolling Setup

Dodgers, scent, speed, and presentation notes.

Fishing Report FAQ

How To Use Reports

Use reports to understand conditions, then match the presentation to your water.

How often are reports updated?

Reports are added as new guide updates, field notes, and fishing conditions come in.

Why do some reports not show photos?

If a report does not have a useful image, the page shows the report without a blank or broken image area.

Where should I go after reading a report?

Use the gear links and species pages to find the tackle family mentioned in the report, then choose the setup that fits your water.

Shasta Lake Fishing Report | October 6, 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 Shasta Lake is fishing pretty good in early October 2025, mostly rainbow trout with a few browns and little salmon. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is finding most of his fish deep, around 125 feet, with the water still 69 degrees up high. He recommends white presentations, white dodgers and white flashers trailing spoons or little grubs. Browns should move higher come November and December. How is the fishing at Shasta Lake right now?Pretty good, per Capt. Jeff Goodwin. It is mostly rainbow trout with a couple of browns. He is not seeing much salmon and has not targeted kings, and the kokanee are pretty much done after the last rains pushed them out of his areas. What depth are the fish holding at Shasta Lake in October?Deep. Jeff got most of his fish around 125 feet in early October 2025. The surface is still 69 degrees up high, so the fish are staying down. He fished shallower last week and mostly found bass, so he recommends going deep. What lures and colors work at Shasta Lake now?White presentations. Jeff runs white dodgers and white flashers with something trailing behind them. Spoons are great and little grubs are great. He says white is always a good call this time of year on Shasta as the lake transitions toward fall. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Jeff expects the pattern to shift as the weeks pass and the lake cools with new, cold water. He says browns should start showing higher in the system come November and December. For now the rainbow trout fishing is solid for anglers willing to fish deep. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Mostly rainbow trout. I've caught a couple of browns. Not seeing much salmon. The kokanee are pretty much done. I got probably most of my fish today at 125 ft. White presentations are always good this time of year, white dodger, white flashers, anything trailing them. Spoons are great. Little grubs are great. It's still 69 degrees up high, so the fish are still down deep. Shasta Lake October 6, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Shasta Lake in October 2025?Mostly rainbow trout with a couple of browns, per Capt. Jeff Goodwin. Salmon and kokanee are scarce. What depth are Shasta Lake trout holding?Deep, around 125 feet, where Jeff got most of his fish. What is the water temperature at Shasta Lake?About 69 degrees up high, so the fish are still holding deep. What lures work at Shasta Lake right now?White dodgers and white flashers trailing spoons or little grubs. When will Shasta brown trout move shallower?Jeff expects browns higher in the system come November and December as the water cools. Are kokanee still biting at Shasta Lake?No. Jeff says the kokanee are pretty much done and left the areas he had been fishing. Shop the Tackle Shop Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Lake Almanor Fishing Report | October 6, 2025

Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service on Lake Almanor and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Lake Almanor trout are keyed on pond smelt and holding 30 to 40 feet, with some moving shallow to 20 to 25 feet as water cools past 60 degrees. On windy days, fast-troll Trigger Spoons or Junior Optimizers on Brown Town scent. When fish group up, switch to a trimmed Trix Minnow. The bite swings from slow to red hot in a day. What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?Trout, keyed heavily on the lake's pond smelt. Capt. Bryan Roccucci reports the bite has been unsettled after weather fronts with rain and thundershowers, ranging from slow to red hot all in the same day. Fish usually turn on at some point during the trip. What depth are the trout at Lake Almanor?Mainly 30 to 40 feet down, whether fishing fast or slow. Bryan is also starting to pick up fish shallow, at 20 and 25 feet, as cooler water pushes trout a little higher in the column. Watch for smelt getting chased out of the water. What lures and colors are working at Lake Almanor?On windy days, fast-troll Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers scented with Brown Town. When fish tighten up, switch to the slow program with Trix Minnows, trimmed a quarter to half inch to match the pond smelt, also on Brown Town scent. How is Bryan deciding fast versus slow at Lake Almanor?He lets conditions dictate. Windy periods call for the fast presentation with spoons. When conditions calm or fish are tightly grouped, he goes slow with a size-matched Trix Minnow. Both programs get the Brown Town scent treatment. What is the outlook for Lake Almanor?Bryan expects the smelt-focused bite to continue as water keeps cooling and trout feel better and move higher. Lake level is slowly declining on the fall drawdown. Water temperature is just over 60 degrees. Exact clarity was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): When we're having to fish the windy days, we're going with the fast presentation, the Trigger Spoons, the Optimizer Juniors, scent it up with that Brown Town scent. When we've got the fish tightly grouped up, we're switching over to the slow program, the Trout Trix Minnows. We've been running primarily 30 to 40 feet down, although we're starting to get some fish shallow, 20 and 25 feet. Lake Almanor October 6, 2025 FAQ What depth are Lake Almanor trout holding in early October?Mainly 30 to 40 feet, with some fish moving shallow to 20 and 25 feet as the water cools. What lures work on windy days at Lake Almanor?Fast-trolled Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers scented with Brown Town. What is the slow-program lure at Lake Almanor?A Trix Minnow trimmed a quarter to half inch to match the pond smelt, on Brown Town scent. What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor?Just over 60 degrees and slowly dropping as fall progresses. What are Almanor trout feeding on?The lake's pond smelt population, which the baits are matched to imitate. Who guides Lake Almanor for Catch America?Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Trigger Spoon Junior Optimizer Spoon Trix Minnows Brown Town Scent Shop Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Davis Lake Fishing Report | October 6, 2025

Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides high-country trout and Delta striper trips. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Davis Lake trout are feeding aggressively in early October 2025. Cal Kellogg trolled a Mickey Finn pattern Metal Head trolling fly in the top 10 feet at 2 miles per hour and it was trout after trout up to about 22 inches. Bright-colored flies and spoons with an aggressive presentation are taking these fish as they feed up before winter. What is biting at Davis Lake right now?Rainbow trout, and they are on the chew. Cal Kellogg had trout after trout up to about 22 inches. The fish are looking to put on weight and hit targets of opportunity, so aggressive presentations are producing. What depth are the Davis Lake trout holding?Right up high, in the top 10 feet of the water column. Cal Kellogg kept his fly in that top 10 feet and it was game on. Give the fish something up top and you will be yelling fish on. What lures and colors are working at Davis Lake?A Mickey Finn pattern Metal Head trolling fly was the ticket. Bright-colored flies and bright-colored spoons with aggressive approaches take these feeding fish. Keep the colors bold to trigger reaction strikes. How is Cal Kellogg rigging and presenting?He trolled the Metal Head trolling fly in the top 10 feet at a target speed of 2 miles per hour from his kayak. Keep it shallow, keep it moving, and keep the colors bright for these aggressive fall trout. What is the outlook for Davis Lake and the high Sierra?A winter-type storm was moving in, and once it clears Cal Kellogg expects the high-country trout bite from Davis to Almanor to be an angler's paradise for the next few weeks. Get up high and get your trout on. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Let's talk about Davis. I put on a Mickey Finn pattern Metal Head trolling fly. I kept it in the top 10 feet of the water column. Target speed: 2 miles an hour, and it was game on. Trout after trout up to about 22 inches. Bright-colored flies, bright-colored spoons, aggressive approaches will take those fish. Davis Lake October 6, 2025 FAQ What depth are Davis Lake trout in October 2025?In the top 10 feet of the water column, per Cal Kellogg. What speed should I troll at Davis Lake?About 2 miles per hour. What fly is working at Davis Lake?A Mickey Finn pattern Metal Head trolling fly in the top 10 feet. How big are the Davis Lake trout?Up to about 22 inches, looking to feed and put on weight. What colors work best at Davis Lake?Bright-colored flies and spoons fished with an aggressive presentation. What is the water temperature at Davis Lake?About 58 degrees first thing in the morning, warming to about 60 in the afternoon, and expected to drop after an incoming storm. Shop the Tackle Metal Head Fly - 2 Pack Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Lake Davis Fishing Report | October 5, 2025

Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a veteran Northern California trout and striper guide and a Catch America captain. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now The fall bite is on at Lake Davis on October 5, 2025, with the surface at 58.7 degrees. Capt. Cal Kellogg worked the top of the water column from a kayak and caught about 12 rainbows, including chrome, square-tail beauties. Top producers were a Mickey Finn Metal Head fly down 10 feet and an orange Trout Trix Minnow down 5 to 6 feet on lead core. How is the fishing at Lake Davis right now?Excellent. Capt. Cal Kellogg found prime fall conditions on October 5, 2025, with the surface at 58.7 degrees, and caught about 12 rainbows from his kayak. Several were beautiful, chrome, square-tail fish. He calls it redemption after a tough trip 10 days earlier. What depth are the fish holding at Lake Davis?Up high in the water column. Cal ran a lead core rig with the minnow down about 5 to 6 feet and a trolling fly down about 10 feet. Fish came in 17 to 26 feet of water off points and islands, holding near the top as fall cools the lake. What lures work at Lake Davis in the fall?Trolling flies and soft plastics. Cal's best was a Mickey Finn Metal Head fly with an added double hook. An orange Trout Trix Minnow on an action disc also produced, and he landed the first fish ever on the new Trout Trix Minnow Elite in UV clown. When should you run trolling flies versus soft plastics?Match water clarity. Cal says flies shine in nutrient-dense, lower-clarity lakes like Davis, and the more color in the water, the brighter the fly. In crystal-clear lakes he leans to soft plastics or spoons for their cleaner action. His target speed at Davis was 1.8 to 2.2 mph. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Lake Davis, October 5th. Surface temp 58.7 degrees. It is prime time. Lead core rod number one, rigged up with an orange Trout Trix minnow, running that action disc approximately a half inch off the nose. Target speed 1.8 to 2.2. Rod number two is armed with a Mickey Finn colored Metal Head trolling fly. I am going to run that minnow down approximately 5 to 6 feet, and this fly down about 10 feet. Lake Davis October 5, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Lake Davis in October 2025?Rainbow trout, about 12 for the day, including chrome square-tail fish, per Capt. Cal Kellogg. What depth are Lake Davis trout holding?Up high, with the minnow down 5 to 6 feet and the fly about 10 feet in 17 to 26 feet of water. What is the water temperature at Lake Davis?About 58.7 degrees on the surface, prime fall conditions. What lures work at Lake Davis in the fall?A Mickey Finn Metal Head fly and an orange Trout Trix Minnow, plus the new Trout Trix Minnow Elite. What trolling speed did Cal use at Lake Davis?A target speed of 1.8 to 2.2 miles per hour. When do trolling flies work best?In nutrient-dense, lower-clarity lakes like Davis, with brighter flies as water color increases. Shop the Tackle Metal Head Fly - Trophy Trout Trolling Fly Trix Minnows 3 inch - 5 Pack Trix Minnows Elite 3 inch - 5 Pack Shop Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Don Pedro Fishing Report | September 29, 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 fishing excellent in late September 2025 with lots of rainbow trout and king salmon from 2 to 3.5 pounds. Capt. Monte Smith trolls spoons to cover water fast, catching fish from 40 to 75 feet, with the real action at 45 to 55 feet. Bait sits in the 30 to 45 foot range. Watch for grebes and other signs of life to find the schools. How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?Excellent. Capt. Monte Smith had several trips this past week with lots of rainbows and several king salmon from 2 to 3.5 pounds. One grandfather and grandson group had 20 fish to the boat. A cloudy front on September 29 slowed things, but they still worked out 10 fish. What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in September?Monte is catching fish from 40 to 75 feet, but the deep fish near 75 feet are mostly just hanging in cold water. The real action is shallower, right around the 45 to 55 foot mark. Bait is showing in the 30 to 45 foot range on his electronics. How is Monte presenting at Don Pedro?Trolling spoons. Monte says it is one of his all-time favorite methods because he can cover a lot of water and find where the active fish are quicker. He watches the live scope and looks for grebes and any sign of life to locate the schools of fish and bait. What is the outlook for Don Pedro king salmon?Strong. With this year's kings running 2 to 3 pounds, Monte expects those fish to be at least 2 pounds heavier next year. The water is in great shape and he expects the good fall action to continue. Shark weights are still showing down 10 to 11 feet. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We've been doing excellent, and I mean excellent. Lots and lots of rainbows and several, several king salmon, all from 2 to 3.5 lb. Trolling spoons is one of my all-time favorite things to do. We can cover a lot of water. We're looking for grebes, any sign of life. We're seeing a lot of bait in that 30 to 45 ft range. We're catching fish from 40 to 75, but the real action is up shallower, right around the 45, 55 ft mark. Don Pedro Reservoir September 29, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Don Pedro in late September 2025?Lots of rainbow trout plus king salmon from 2 to 3.5 pounds, per Capt. Monte Smith. What depth are Don Pedro fish holding?From 40 to 75 feet, with the best action at 45 to 55 feet. Where is the bait at Don Pedro right now?In the 30 to 45 foot range, showing on Monte's electronics. What technique is Monte using at Don Pedro?Trolling spoons to cover water and locate active fish quickly. How do you find fish at Don Pedro?Watch the live scope and look for grebes and other signs of life over bait schools. How big will next year's Don Pedro kings be?Monte expects this year's 2 to 3 pound kings to be at least 2 pounds heavier next year. Shop the Tackle Shop Smith's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Crescent Lake Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Catch America This Crescent Lake report was filmed for Catch America. The reporting guide was not named in this report. What is working right now Crescent Lake, a 49-acre lake in Pierce County near Gig Harbor, is producing fast limits of planter rainbow trout in late September 2025. Fish the south end in 16 to 22 feet of water. The magic setup was a moon jelly dodger with an Uncle Larry's Double Trouble spinner at 9 feet, plus a Chinook diver at 10 feet trailing a bubblegum Trout Trix Minnow. How is the fishing at Crescent Lake right now?Good for fast limits of planter trout. This 49-acre Pierce County lake near Gig Harbor is a great spot for kids or a quick after-work session in late September 2025. It is stocked, so the fish are not big, but they are plentiful and fun. The lake is open April through Halloween. What depth are the fish holding at Crescent Lake?In 16 to 22 feet of water, all at the south end of the lake. Presentations ran shallower in that column: 9 feet on the downrigger with the spinner and 10 feet on the Chinook diver with the minnow. Once you hook up, the fish tend to hold together. What lures are working at Crescent Lake?The magic combo was a moon jelly dodger teamed with an Uncle Larry's Double Trouble Bloody Tiger spinner. A Chinook diver set at 10 feet trailing a bubblegum Trout Trix Minnow also produced. This lake is usually ripe for soft plastics like Trix Minnows and Trix Worms. How do you catch more fish once you hook up?Do tight circles in that area. The report notes the fish hold together at the south end, so staying in the localized spot produced a significant increase in both the speed and number of fish caught. Keep working that pocket rather than moving on after one bite. Watch the full report From the report (Catch America): What I found today was a combination of a Brad's Moon Jelly Dodger teamed with an Uncle Larry's Double Trouble Bloody Tiger Spinner. That was the magic. I also caught a couple using the Chinook Diver set at 10 feet, and I was trolling a bubblegum Trout Trix Minnow. All the fish came at the south end of the lake and fishing between 16 and 22 feet of water. Once you do hook up, I recommend doing tight circles. Crescent Lake September 22, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Crescent Lake in September 2025?Planter rainbow trout, with fast limits available at this stocked Pierce County lake. What depth are Crescent Lake fish holding?In 16 to 22 feet of water at the south end of the lake. What lures work at Crescent Lake?A moon jelly dodger with an Uncle Larry's Double Trouble spinner, and a Chinook diver trailing a Trout Trix Minnow. How deep were the productive setups run?9 feet on the downrigger with the spinner and 10 feet on the Chinook diver with the minnow. When is Crescent Lake open?From April through Halloween. It closes November 1 with no fishing after. Who reported this Crescent Lake update?The reporting guide was not named in this report. Shop the Tackle Uncle Larry's Double Trouble Spinner Trix Minnows 3 inch - 5 Pack Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

San Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a veteran Catch America captain who guides Delta stripers and high-mountain trout. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Delta striper fishing is steady out of the B&W Resort Marina in late September 2025, on bait, on the troll, and casting, with weeds still a challenge. Sturgeon were seen jumping off Three Mile Slough. At Lake Davis, Capt. Cal Kellogg top-lined a beautiful rainbow on a gold micro Trigger Spoon and got another on a prototype Trix Minnow XL. How is Delta striper fishing right now?Steady out of the B&W Resort Marina. Capt. Cal Kellogg is getting stripers on bait, on the troll, and casting. Weeds continue to be a challenge, but conditions improve every week as more fish push into the system. Put your time in and you will get nice stripers. Were there sturgeon on the San Joaquin?Yes. Cal saw sturgeon jumping right outside the mouth of Three Mile Slough, which is not something you see every day in that area. It is more typically a west-side and Suisun Bay behavior, so it was an exciting sight while running the Delta. What is working at Lake Davis for trout?During a big bug hatch that had trout feeding all around, Cal top-lined a beautiful high-mountain rainbow on a gold micro Trigger Spoon. Later he got one on his prototype Trix Minnow XL, a 2-inch pattern bait the trout jumped all over. Water was a perfect 66 degrees at dawn. How should I present lures at Lake Davis?Top-line a gold micro Trigger Spoon near the surface during morning bug hatches, staying mobile with a kayak to reach feeding fish. A small 2-inch Trix Minnow XL pattern also drew hard strikes. Match the small profile to the hatch the trout are keyed on. What is the outlook for the Delta and Lake Davis?Cal expects both fisheries to keep improving through October. Delta stripers should get more numerous as more fish enter the system, and the high-mountain trout bite should build into fall. Specific striper depths were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Delta striper fishing, it's steady out there, out of the B&W Resort Marina. We're getting them on bait, on the troll, and casting. I managed to get one beautiful rainbow on a micro Trigger Spoon in the gold color. Just top-lining it. And then later on, I got one on my new prototype bait, the Trout Tricks Minnow XL. San Joaquin Delta September 22, 2025 FAQ How is Delta striper fishing in late September?Steady out of the B&W Resort Marina on bait, troll, and casting, though weeds remain a challenge. What lure caught the Lake Davis rainbow?A gold micro Trigger Spoon, top-lined during a morning bug hatch. What water temperature was Lake Davis?A perfect 66 degrees at dawn with calm conditions. What is the Trix Minnow XL?A 2-inch pattern soft bait that produced a Lake Davis rainbow, which Cal was prototyping. Were sturgeon active on the San Joaquin?Sturgeon were seen jumping just outside the mouth of Three Mile Slough, which is uncommon there. What depth are Delta stripers holding?Specific striper depths were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Trigger Spoon Trix Minnow XL 5 Pack Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Lake Almanor Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service on Lake Almanor and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Fall trout are biting at Lake Almanor, holding 32 to 45 feet on the lake's pond smelt. Match the hatch with a scaled-down Trix Minnow scented with Brown Town, or cover water fast with a Trigger Spoon or Junior Optimizer. Best bite runs late morning through early afternoon. What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?Fall trout action keeps rolling, with a great grade of mixed browns and rainbows, lately leaning more rainbow. Capt. Bryan Roccucci reports exceptional fishing in mild, flat conditions. Water sits around 67 degrees and the lake is about 10 feet from maximum pool on a slow fall drawdown. What depth are the trout holding at Lake Almanor?Run your gear 32 to 42 feet down, sometimes as deep as 45 feet. That low 30s to low 40s band is holding fish for both the slow and the high-speed programs. The bite really takes off from late morning through early afternoon rather than first thing. What lures and colors are working at Lake Almanor?For the slow program, run Trix Minnows cut down to match the pond smelt and scented with Brown Town scent. For fast trolling, pull Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers in darker greens or a baitfish rainbow pattern, also scented with Brown Town. How is Bryan rigging and presenting at Lake Almanor?It has been dealer's choice. Slow-troll a size-matched Trix Minnow on Brown Town, or high-speed troll spoons to cover water. The water has some cloud, so adding Brown Town scent helps fish track the lure down. A specific trolling speed was not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Lake Almanor?Bryan expects the exciting fall bite to keep going as the smelt-focused feed continues. Fish are healthy and the mix of browns and rainbows stays strong. Water clarity is a little cloudy but not bad. Exact water temperature trend beyond the 67 degree reading was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): These fish are focused heavily on the lake's pond smelt population. The Trout Trix Minnows, we're cutting those down size appropriate, matching the hatch, scenting them up with the Brown Town scent, and running them down anywhere from the low 30s to low 40s. High-speed trolling is an option too, running Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers. Lake Almanor September 22, 2025 FAQ What depth are Lake Almanor trout holding in late September?Fish are running 32 to 42 feet down, up to about 45 feet, in the low 30s to low 40s range for both slow and fast trolling. What is the best lure for Lake Almanor trout right now?A size-matched Trix Minnow scented with Brown Town for the slow program, or Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers for high-speed trolling. What time of day is the Lake Almanor bite best?Late morning through early afternoon has been the prime window. Mornings pick up a few fish, but the bite really turns on later. What are the trout feeding on at Lake Almanor?They are keyed heavily on the lake's pond smelt, which is why matching the hatch with smelt-sized baits works. What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor?About 67 degrees in the mornings, rising slightly under sunny, flat conditions. Who guides Lake Almanor for Catch America?Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Trigger Spoon Junior Optimizer Spoon Trix Minnows Brown Town Scent Shop Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

Learn more

Don Pedro Fishing Report | September 22, 2025

Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and is known for fast-trolling spoons on Don Pedro Lake. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is stacked with shad in late September 2025 and the fast-troll bite is excellent. Capt. Monte Smith is covering water at 2 to 2.5 plus mph on Optimizer Juniors and custom spoons for rainbows, kings to 3.5 pounds, and schooling bass. Bass run in packs of 5 to 20 and produce singles, doubles, even quadruple hookups. Water clarity is 7 to 10 feet. What is biting at Don Pedro right now?Rainbow trout fishing is really good, with multiple fish every trip. Capt. Monte Smith is also catching kings, one day landing five from 2 to 3.5 pounds, plus smallmouth, spotted, and black bass. The lake is loaded with shad, so everything is feeding hard. How fast should I troll at Don Pedro?Fast. Monte trolls 2 to 2.5 or better miles per hour to cover a lot of water, much faster than a dodger setup allows. Dodgers force you to go slow, so he sticks with spoons to run and gun and find active fish quickly. What lures are working at Don Pedro in September?Optimizer Juniors and Monte's custom homemade spoons. Trolled fast, they draw rainbows, kings, and bass all on the same program. The bass hit spoons just as readily as the trout when they push up on the shad schools. Why are bass biting trolled spoons?The lake is loaded with shad and the bass are running in packs of 5 to 20 fish. Monte spots them on live scope, and within 20 seconds the rods start pounding. Fast-trolled spoons trigger smallmouth, spotted, and black bass right alongside the trout and kings. What kind of hookups can I expect?Lots. Monte reports singles, doubles, and even quadruple hookups at a time when a pack of bass moves through. It has been a great bite with a lot of fish boated every trip on the fast troll. Monte's outlook for Don PedroMonte rates the trout fishing really good with a shad-loaded lake and schooling bass adding to the fun. Expect fast spoon action to continue. Exact water temperature and fishing depths were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We're continuing to troll fast. We're running Optimizer Juniors and my custom homemade spoons, and we're covering a lot of water, going anywhere from 2 to 2 and a half or better miles an hour. The lake is literally loaded with shad, and these bass are running in packs, anywhere from 5 to 20 fish at a time. Don Pedro Lake September 22, 2025 FAQ What is water clarity at Don Pedro in September?About 7 to 10 feet, staying steady. You can see a shark weight down that far. What speed does Monte troll?2 to 2.5 or better miles per hour with spoons, much faster than a dodger setup allows. What lures are best right now?Optimizer Juniors and Monte's custom homemade spoons, trolled fast. Are bass biting at Don Pedro?Yes. Smallmouth, spotted, and black bass are schooling in packs of 5 to 20 and hitting trolled spoons. How big are the Don Pedro kings?One day produced five kings from 2 to 3.5 pounds. Why troll spoons instead of dodgers?Spoons let you troll fast and cover water. Dodgers force a slow troll, so Monte runs spoons to find active fish quickly. Who is the guide?Capt. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing. Shop the Tackle Junior Optimizer Spoon Shop Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Trolling Spoons

Learn more