How to tune and wrap plugs for river kings.
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.
Browse By Water
Lake & River Reports
Start with where you fish, then narrow into the newest bite information.
Kokanee, trout, dodgers, spoons, and guide updates.
Lake ReportsShasta LakeReservoir trout, landlocked kings, depth, and baitfish lanes.
Lake ReportsLake OrovilleOpen-water trolling updates for trout and salmon.
River ReportsSacramento RiverPlug tuning, wraps, scent, and river salmon conditions.
Browse By Species
Reports By Bite
Jump straight to the reports that match what you are chasing.
Spoons, minnows, flies, plastics, scent, and reservoir trolling.
Species ReportsKokaneeDodgers, hoochies, spinners, corn, depth, speed, and scent.
Species ReportsSalmonRiver and ocean reports with flashers, plugs, bait, and scent.
Species ReportsStriped BassDelta trolling, baitfish color, current, and water movement.
Browse By Guide
Guide Reports
Follow updates from the guides behind the gear and on-water programs.
Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
Guide ReportsJeff GoodwinNorthern California salmon, trout, and kokanee reports.
Guide ReportsAustin MoserNorthwest salmon updates, flashers, plugs, and bait programs.
Guide ReportsDavid JohnsonOregon salmon reports and changing river conditions.
Gear From Reports
Shop What Shows Up
Find the tackle families most often connected to current reports.
Search baits for trout, landlocked salmon, and open water.
Report GearDodgersFlash and kick for kokanee, trout, and light trolling spreads.
Report GearFlashersRotating flash for salmon and larger trolling presentations.
Report GearHard BaitsPlugs and bait profiles for trout and salmon programs.
Report GearScentsGuide-used scent options for trolling setups.
Watch In Page
Report Videos & Tutorials
Helpful videos stay on the page so shoppers can learn without leaving Catch America.
Flash, bait, and hardware for big salmon water.
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.
Folsom Lake Fishing Report | December 2025
Report by Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and reports from Folsom Lake and Northern California waters. What is working right now Folsom Lake was slow in early December 2025. Jerry Lampkin ran the North Fork, the dam, and the South Fork and marked fish deep, but they would not commit to trolled lures. The water was a clean, calm 63 degrees. The day ended with a rainbow trout and a bass hitting as the lines came up. A tough day, but not a skunk. How is the fishing at Folsom Lake right now?Slow. Jerry Lampkin ran the North Fork, the dam, and the South Fork and found fish holding deep, but they were not interested in the trolled lures. It was a grind, but the lines produced a rainbow and a bass right at the end of the day. Where are the fish at Folsom Lake?Down deep. Jerry Lampkin marked fish on the bottom way up the North Fork and a few more at the South Fork, but did not even mark a fish at the dam. The fish were there but would not bite trolled offerings. What are the water conditions at Folsom Lake?The water is a beautiful, clean 63 degrees and calm, with no floating debris despite recent storms. Only about 10 to 12 boats were out. Conditions looked great even though the bite did not cooperate. What did produce at Folsom Lake?A rainbow trout and a bass hit as the lines were being pulled up at the end of the day. Specific lures, colors, and depths were not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Folsom Lake?Jerry Lampkin hopes for a better bite next week. The fish are present and the water is in great shape, so it is a matter of them turning on. Watch the full report From the report (Jerry Lampkin): We found some fish down on the bottom way down deep up the North Fork. They weren't interested in anything we could throw at them. We headed for the dam and didn't even mark a fish. Now we're up at the South Fork and we marked a few fish, but nobody's interested in biting. The water's a beautiful 63 degrees. Folsom Lake December 2025 FAQ How is the Folsom Lake bite in December 2025?Slow. Fish are holding deep and were not interested in trolled lures, per Jerry Lampkin. What is the water temperature at Folsom Lake?A clean, calm 63 degrees. Where were fish marked at Folsom Lake?Deep up the North Fork and a few at the South Fork, with nothing marked at the dam. Did anything get caught at Folsom Lake?Yes, a rainbow trout and a bass hit as the lines were pulled up at the end of the day. What lures worked at Folsom Lake?Specific lures and colors were not specified in this report. How busy was Folsom Lake?Light traffic, only about 10 to 12 boats out on the water. Shop the Tackle Shop Trout Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | December 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service and is a Catch America pro-staff captain, fishing here alongside Cal Kellogg. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa is producing big trout on soft plastics. Capt. Nate Kelsch and Cal Kellogg ran Trout Trix Minnows, the larger Trix Minnow XL, and Trout Trix Worms in shad, chartreuse, purple, and pink, plus a couple of Trigger Spoons. They stuck 17 to 20 hookups including hefty Eagle Lake trout, with the soft plastics hooking fish cleanly in the jaw. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Big rainbow and Eagle Lake trout, piling up on soft plastics. Capt. Nate Kelsch, out with Cal Kellogg, said the soft-plastic bite is popping loose at Berryessa. They had 17 to 20 hookups on the day, including several big fish, after a slow, foggy run out. What lures are working at Lake Berryessa?Soft plastics. They ran regular Trout Trix Minnows, the larger Trix Minnow XL, and Trout Trix Worms, plus a couple of Trigger Spoons. Real shad and minnow looks, a chartreuse, a purple minnow, and a pink worm all produced fish. Why do soft plastics work so well at Berryessa?Like bass on soft plastics, trout grab a bait that looks and feels real and hang on. The Trout Trix Minnows and worms loop around the lower jaw and hook fish so they are not getting away. Nate got fish on every style they tried. How were they fishing at Lake Berryessa?They ran the soft plastics on the troll, including off a downrigger, after a slow run through a solid wall of fog. A mix of the older Trix Minnow and worm styles and newer prototypes all got bit. Exact depths and trolling speed were not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?The soft-plastic trout bite is strong at Berryessa and Nate expects it to keep producing big fish. Cal notes these baits work all over the world, and Berryessa is proving it. Run the Trout Trix series to catch more and bigger fish. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): We just put in some Trout Trix Minnow, a regular size one, and one of our new ones, slightly larger. We have a real shad, minnowy-looking one out, and a chartreuse. We also have a couple of Trigger Spoons out. We got big fish, we got about 17 to 20 hookups already. That's a big old Eagle Lake trout on the Trix Minnow. Lake Berryessa December 2025 FAQ What is the best lure at Lake Berryessa right now?Soft plastics, including Trout Trix Minnows, the Trix Minnow XL, and Trout Trix Worms, plus Trigger Spoons. What colors are working at Berryessa?Shad and minnow patterns, chartreuse, a purple minnow, and a pink worm all caught fish. How many fish did they catch?About 17 to 20 hookups, including several big fish. What species were caught at Berryessa?Big rainbow trout and hefty Eagle Lake trout. Why do soft plastics hook trout well?They loop around the lower jaw and hold, and fish grab the realistic bait and hang on. Who guided this Lake Berryessa report?Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) alongside Cal Kellogg for Catch America. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows Trix Minnow XL Trix Worms Trigger Spoon Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreSan Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | December 2025
Report by Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and fishes San Luis Reservoir for striped bass. What is working right now San Luis Reservoir stripers are in a transition bite in December 2025, rated about 3 to 4 out of 10 by Roger George. The lake has come up 16 feet in 13 days and surface temps slid from 68 to 65 degrees, so fish are on the move and searching for bait. Trolling the main lake is producing. Limits are possible and a few big fish are coming, but you have to hunt every trip. What is the striper bite like at San Luis Reservoir right now?Slow and sporadic, rated 3 to 4 out of 10 by Roger George. The lake is in a transition period with the water rising fast and fish on the move. Limits are still possible and a few big stripers are being caught, but it takes work to find them each trip. Why is the San Luis striper bite so unpredictable?The water is coming up almost 2 feet a day, up 16 feet in 13 days, which spreads out the bait and scatters the fish. Surface temps dropped from 67 to 68 down to 65 to 66 degrees. Day to day swings in fog and bright sun are also moving the bite around. Where are the stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?Fish are scattered and searching for bait. The rising water is pushing some stripers up toward the shoreline to feed, but they can drop from very shallow to fairly deep quickly. Roger George has been catching fish trolling out in the main lake. How is Roger George catching San Luis stripers?He is trolling the main lake and covering water to locate scattered fish. On one bright, sunny day with the water rising almost 2 feet he landed seven or eight fish. Specific lures, colors, and depths were not specified in this report. What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir stripers?Roger George expects the bite to improve once the water level stabilizes, and he would raise his rating then. For now it is a hunt every trip. He has not said when the fast inflow will slow down. Watch the full report From the report (Roger George): The fishing overall has been up and down. We've had water coming up like crazy. It's come up 16 feet in the last 13 days. That is an amazing amount of water. It throws the fish off, the bait gets a little bit spread out. So the fish right now are looking and searching for bait. San Luis Reservoir December 2025 FAQ What is the water temperature at San Luis Reservoir in December 2025?Surface temps dropped from 67 to 68 degrees down to 65 to 66 degrees, per Roger George. How fast is San Luis Reservoir rising?About a foot to a foot and a quarter per day, up 16 feet in 13 days, with inflows reaching 12,000 acre-feet on some days. How would the guide rate San Luis striper fishing right now?Roger George rates it about a three to four out of ten during this transition period. Are limits of stripers possible at San Luis Reservoir?Yes. Limits are possible and a few big fish are being caught, but anglers have to work hard to find them. What depth are the San Luis stripers holding at?They are moving and can go from very shallow to fairly deep quickly, so a set depth was not specified in this report. What lures is Roger George using for San Luis stripers?He was trolling the main lake, but specific lures and colors were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreEagle Lake Fishing Report | November 12, 2025
Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service and guides fall fly-trolling trips on Eagle Lake. He is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Fall means topline fly trolling at Eagle Lake, and the November 2025 bite is strong. Bryan Roccucci runs hot orange J-Fair and Tui Chub pattern trolling flies just 2 to 5 feet down on topline rigs, scented with Minnow Mayhem fly spray. Fish are over 15 to 30 feet of water, dropping to 10 to 15 feet on bright, calm mornings. Hard-charging rainbows are running 2 to 2.5 pounds up into the high 4s. What is biting at Eagle Lake right now?Hard-charging rainbow trout on topline trolled flies. Bryan Roccucci reports fish running 2 to 2.5 pounds up into the high 4s, and they are smoking hot when hooked. This classic fall topline bite will continue for the rest of the season. What depth are the Eagle Lake trout holding?The flies are getting down just 2 to 5 feet on the topline rigs. Fish are sitting over 15 to 30 feet of water, and on bright, calm, fog-free mornings they can drop down to 10 to 15 feet. What flies and colors are working at Eagle Lake?Hot orange J-Fair flies scented with Minnow Mayhem fly spray have been the top producer, with a few coming on the Tui Chub pattern too. The stained water gives brighter colors and that scent an edge. These specialty flies are not carried by Catch America. How is Bryan Roccucci rigging and presenting?Topline fly trolling: run scented trolling flies 2 to 5 feet down on topline rigs over 15 to 30 feet of water. He is also running fly casting trips with intermediate lines and minnow patterns on the strip, plus balanced leeches under indicators. Trolling speed was not specified. What are the conditions at Eagle Lake?Mild fall weather with water temps in the low 50s, up to 53 on flat sunny afternoons and 50 to 51 in the morning. Water clarity is a little stained. The bite is expected to continue through November. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): Fall here at Eagle Lake means one thing and it's time for topline fly fishing. We're scenting up the flies with the Minnow Mayhem fly spray and running those flies on the topline rigs, getting down 2 to 5 feet. Hot orange J. Fair flies have been our top producer. We're starting to pick up a few on the Tui Chub pattern as well. These hard-charging rainbows are running 2 to 2 1/2 pounds all the way up to the high 4s. Eagle Lake November 12, 2025 FAQ What depth are Eagle Lake trout in November 2025?Flies are run 2 to 5 feet down over 15 to 30 feet of water, dropping to 10 to 15 feet on bright, calm mornings. What is the best fly for Eagle Lake right now?Hot orange J-Fair patterns scented with Minnow Mayhem fly spray, with a few on the Tui Chub pattern. How big are the Eagle Lake rainbows?Running 2 to 2.5 pounds up into the high 4s. What is the water temperature at Eagle Lake?Low 50s, up to 53 on flat sunny afternoons and 50 to 51 in the morning. What is the water clarity at Eagle Lake?A little bit stained, which is why brighter colors and scent are producing. How long will the Eagle Lake topline bite last?This classic fall topline fly bite is expected to continue through the rest of the season. Shop the Tackle Shop Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Dropping water temperatures are pulling Shasta Lake trout up top for winter. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is now spending nearly all his time in the upper water column, working side planers and divers, with occasional downrigger checks deeper. Rainbows and browns are the main show, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving. On the Sacramento River, hatchery steelhead are keyed on eggs behind spawning king salmon. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Rainbows and brown trout are the main show. Dropping water temperatures are bringing fish up to the surface, making them easier to find. Capt. Jeff Goodwin expects nice rainbows through January and February, and is starting to target big browns coming back after their fall spawn. What depth are the Shasta Lake trout holding at?Up top. Most bites are coming near the surface, so Jeff spends about 99 percent of his time working the upper water column with side planers and divers. He still drops a downrigger or two now and then to check deeper water, but the top bite is best. When is the best time for big browns at Shasta Lake?Around Thanksgiving. That is when Jeff likes to start looking for the bigger browns coming back into the system after spawning. It is a prime window to catch some of the biggest fish to open the winter season. What is happening on the Sacramento River?Hatchery steelhead fishing runs from the second half of December into January. After a great king salmon return, trout and steelhead are hanging behind spawning salmon and keyed on eggs. Jeff side drifts with bobbers or pencil lead to get down to holding fish in this barbless fishery. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River?Strong. Jeff has a great winter season ahead, with nice rainbows expected on Shasta through February and March, and quality steelhead and rainbow opportunities on the Sacramento River from mid-December onward as the fish key on eggs. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We have some dropping water temperatures, which means we are finally starting to see more fish coming up to the surface. We are going to spend 99 percent of our time up top looking for those bites on side planers and divers. These trout are hanging out with the spawning salmon now and they are really keyed in on eggs. So we are side drifting with bobbers or with pencil lead. Shasta Lake November 2025 FAQ Where are the Shasta Lake trout in November 2025?Up top near the surface, worked with side planers and divers. What are the main species at Shasta Lake this time of year?Rainbows and brown trout, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving. When is Sacramento River steelhead season?From the second half of December into January for hatchery steelhead. What are Sacramento River trout feeding on?Eggs, holding behind spawning king salmon after a strong salmon return. How does Jeff fish the Sacramento River for steelhead?Side drifting with bobbers or pencil lead to reach holding fish in a barbless fishery. Why are the Shasta Lake trout moving shallow?Dropping water temperatures are pulling fish up into the upper water column. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake trout into winter?Nice rainbows are expected through February and March. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreFrench Meadows Reservoir Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a Catch America pro-staff captain who bank fished French Meadows Reservoir with Nate for this report. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Bank fishing is on fire at French Meadows Reservoir in November 2025. Cal Kellogg and Nate limited on rainbows and browns fishing bait from a rocky point where shallow flats meet the main channel. The water is a frigid 32 degrees. Vary your cast distance to find the right drop, watch for rising fish, and fish the new Catch America 7 foot 6 inch Spinning Rod Cal designed for trout. What is biting at French Meadows Reservoir right now?Rainbows and browns, and the bite came fast. Cal Kellogg and Nate limited out bank fishing bait from a rocky point. One cast got hit within 10 seconds. Fish were feeding tight to structure where shallow flats meet the main river channel. Where should I bank fish at French Meadows Reservoir?On a point that divides shallow feeding flats from the main channel, near submerged stumps and rock. French Meadows was a logged meadow before it was dammed on the Middle Fork of the American River tributaries, so structure is everywhere. Trout patrol these edges hunting forage. What is the key bank fishing tip at French Meadows?Vary your cast distance to find the productive drop. Nate got bit on a longer 8-second drop when a 4-second drop nearby was slower. Watch for rising fish and move to them. Nate spotted four fish rise 20 feet away, cast over, and hooked a brown two minutes later. What rod is Cal using at French Meadows?The new Catch America Spinning Rod, a 7 foot 6 inch fiberglass, medium-action rod Cal designed for bank fishing trout. Its soft cork grips, forgiving tip, and stout mid-section cushion the fight while giving enough backbone to control a 6 to 10-pound trout. What are the conditions at French Meadows Reservoir?Cold. The water is about 32 degrees, so the fish are cold-water hungry and fry up as excellent eating. Expect snaggy rock, so work fish out carefully rather than breaking off, and use a high, tight line to track the bite like a strike indicator. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Nate just threw that rod in, guys. He literally had that out there for 10 seconds and it was getting hit. That water is about 32 degrees. We got a beautiful rainbow, big old male, long, lean, getting ready for winter. We saw some fish rising over here, so I decided to make a little cast, and there she was, a beautiful brown. French Meadows Reservoir November 2025 FAQ What is biting at French Meadows Reservoir in November 2025?Rainbows and browns on bait, with a fast bank bite off a rocky point. What is the water temperature at French Meadows Reservoir?About 32 degrees. Where should I fish from the bank at French Meadows?A point dividing shallow flats from the main channel, near stumps and rock structure. What is the best bank fishing tip at French Meadows?Vary cast distance to find the right drop, and move to rising fish. What rod does Cal Kellogg recommend for bank fishing trout?The Catch America 7 foot 6 inch fiberglass medium-action Spinning Rod he designed. Why is French Meadows so full of structure?It was a logged meadow before being dammed, leaving stumps and rock throughout. What river feeds French Meadows Reservoir?Tributaries of the Middle Fork of the American River. Shop the Tackle Catch America 7 foot 6 inch Spinning Rod Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreSan Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Roger George Roger George of Roger George Guide Service fishes San Luis Reservoir for striped bass and reports for Catch America. What is working right now Striped bass fishing at San Luis Reservoir is slow in November 2025, rated about three out of ten. Fish are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and hard to activate. Roger George is trolling near 2 mph about 100 feet back over flats to cover water, with only brief topwater boils. The lake sits near 50 percent full and stable. One giant striper over 41 inches and 26.5 pounds came on a Catch America film trip with Cal Kellogg. What is the striped bass bite like at San Luis Reservoir right now?Slow. Roger George rates it about three out of ten in November 2025. The troll bite and shoreline casting have both been sluggish. Fish are scattered, and a full moon plus an incoming storm front are expected to hurt the bite for a few days before possible weather windows open. What depth are the stripers holding at San Luis Reservoir?Many fish are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and have been hard to reach and hard to get active. Roger sees brief topwater boils here and there, but the fish push up then drop back down quickly and do not stay on top. How is Roger George trolling San Luis Reservoir?He runs about 2 miles per hour, roughly 100 feet back, working over flats where he can mark fish and cover ground. Jigs have been slower than usual. He suspects fish are feeding on shrimp on the bottom rather than shad or the newer silverside minnows. What were the notable catches at San Luis Reservoir?On a Catch America filming trip with Cal Kellogg, angler Robert Barcellos hooked a giant striper that made about four runs over roughly ten minutes. It measured over 41 inches and weighed 26.5 pounds in beautiful shape. What are the lake conditions at San Luis Reservoir?The reservoir holds about 1,050,000 acre-feet, near 50 percent full, with water coming in and going out slowly for a stable situation. Weather is the wild card, with a full moon and a storm front moving through as Roger filed this report. Watch the full report From the report (Roger George): The troll bite and the casting along the shoreline has been fairly slow. A lot of those fish have been suspended down mid-level, around 40 to 60 feet, and they have been hard to get active. Right now the bite overall is about three out of ten. When we finally got that fish up, it was over 41 inches, 26 and a half pounds, beautiful shape. San Luis Reservoir November 2025 FAQ How is striped bass fishing at San Luis Reservoir in November 2025?Slow, rated about three out of ten, with scattered fish and a full moon and storm front working against the bite. How deep are the stripers at San Luis Reservoir?Many are suspended mid-level around 40 to 60 feet and have been hard to get active. What trolling speed works at San Luis Reservoir?Roger George runs about 2 miles per hour, roughly 100 feet back, over flats to cover ground. How full is San Luis Reservoir right now?About 1,050,000 acre-feet, near 50 percent full and stable, with slow inflow and outflow. What was the biggest striper caught in this report?A striped bass over 41 inches and 26.5 pounds, landed on a Catch America film trip with Cal Kellogg. What are the stripers feeding on at San Luis Reservoir?Roger suspects shrimp on the bottom rather than shad or the newer silverside minnows, though that is not confirmed in this report. Is there topwater action at San Luis Reservoir?Only brief boils that come and go. Fish push up then drop back down and do not stay on top. Shop the Tackle Shop All Striped Bass Gear Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreDon Pedro Lake Fishing Report | November 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 a great fall fishery in November 2025, with the lake rising from storms and seriously clear water. Capt. Monte Smith caught fish down to 75 feet on lead core, biting nonstop on the new Optimizer Junior in electric banana plus soft plastics, along with a king salmon. Surface temps cooled about 5 degrees to around 60. Run the Optimizer Junior at 2 to 3 mph. How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?Great. Capt. Monte Smith had a Catch America crew out and the fish were biting nonstop in November 2025. They caught a lot of fish on the new Optimizer Junior and some on soft plastics, plus a king salmon. There is hardly anyone on the water, making it a great time to fish. What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in November?Down to 75 feet. Monte caught fish that deep on lead core, which tells him the lake has not turned over yet and the thermocline is still very deep. The bigger fish are down there, holding away from the smaller planters that make up much of the lake. What lures are working at Don Pedro right now?The new Optimizer Junior, which is half the weight of the original and really produced, especially the electric banana color. Monte also ran soft plastics for a few fish. He caught most of the morning's fish on lead core over several hours. How fast should you troll the Optimizer Junior?Monte says it is versatile: you can run it at 2 miles per hour, 3 miles per hour, or a little slower. There are also brand new colors out. He caught fish at a range of speeds this trip and calls the Optimizer Junior a must-have for the Don Pedro fall fishery. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We had a Catch America crew out trying out some new lures, soft plastics, and mainly the new Optimizer Junior. It's half its weight, so it really produced. The electric banana caught a lot of fish. We caught fish down to 75 feet today, so that tells me the lake has not turned over yet. The water has cooled off about 5 degrees, so it's down to about 60 on the surface. You can go 2 miles an hour, you can go 3 miles an hour. Don Pedro Reservoir November 2025 FAQ What is biting at Don Pedro in November 2025?Rainbow trout biting nonstop plus a king salmon, per Capt. Monte Smith. What depth are Don Pedro fish holding in November?Down to 75 feet on lead core, where the bigger fish are holding. What lure is working best at Don Pedro right now?The new Optimizer Junior, especially the electric banana color. What trolling speed works for the Optimizer Junior?Anywhere from 2 to 3 miles per hour, or a little slower. What is the water temperature at Don Pedro in November?About 60 degrees on the surface, down roughly 5 degrees, with seriously clear water. Has Don Pedro turned over yet?No. Catching fish down to 75 feet tells Monte the lake has not turned over and the thermocline is deep. Shop the Tackle Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Spoon Shop Smith's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreSan Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California angler and a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now San Joaquin Delta stripers are on the move chasing bait in 61 to 62 degree water, ranging from brilliant to frustrating day to day. Fish the last hour of the outgoing and first hour of the incoming tide, and keep plugs clean of the dying weeds. Over at Collins Lake, a hybrid lead-core rig with a bubblegum pink Trix Minnow at 1.8 to 2.2 mph took rainbows to 4 pounds. What is biting in the San Joaquin Delta right now?Striped bass, and the fishing ranges from brilliant to frustrating depending on the day. Capt. Cal Kellogg reports the bass are on the move chasing bait in 61 to 62 degree water. The biggest striper on his boat recently was 44 inches, released safe and sound in the low 30 pound class. When is the best tide for Delta stripers?The bite is most intense during the last hour of the outgoing tide and the first hour of the incoming tide. That tide change is when to focus your effort, since the fish are scattered across a big area and moving day to day. How do the weeds affect Delta fishing?Dying weeds are making it tough. Trolling means constantly cleaning plugs, and anchoring or bait fishing coats your bait with weeds in the current. Keep your presentation clean to get bit while the weeds continue to die off. What is working at Collins Lake for trout?On a kayak trip in wind and rain, Cal caught quality rainbows to about 4 pounds on a hybrid lead-core rig running a bubblegum pink Trix Minnow at 1.8 to 2.2 mph. He caught fish near the dam, the mouth of the Narrows, and off the peninsula. What is the outlook for the Delta and Collins Lake?Delta stripers stay catchable on the tide changes as they chase bait, and the weeds will keep dying off. Collins Lake is producing steady rainbow action. Specific striper lures for the Delta were not specified in this report beyond plugs and bait. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): The striper fishing has been ranging from absolutely brilliant to absolutely frustrating. Water temperature is about 61-62 degrees. The bite is best during the last hour of the tide and the first hour of the tide. At Collins Lake, number one offering, hybrid leadcore rig running the bubblegum pink Trout Trix minnow. Speed, 1.8 to about 2.2. San Joaquin Delta November 2025 FAQ When is the best tide for San Joaquin Delta stripers?The last hour of the outgoing tide and the first hour of the incoming tide. What is the water temperature in the Delta?Around 61 to 62 degrees, keeping the bass on the move chasing bait. What was the biggest striper caught?A 44 inch fish, released safely, in the low 30 pound range. What lure works at Collins Lake?A bubblegum pink Trout Trix Minnow on a hybrid lead-core rig at 1.8 to 2.2 mph. How big are the Collins Lake trout?Quality rainbows up to about 4 pounds. Why is Delta trolling tough right now?Dying weeds constantly foul plugs and bait, so you must keep your presentation clean. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn more






