Largest Freshwater Fish (Catfish) ever taken in California

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/a...s/sports05.txt


Calaveras Outdoors: Angler reels in big catfish at Pardee



Thursday, September 29, 2005 6:33 PM CDT



Lou Carsner of Vacaville caught a 45-pound blue catfish on Friday evening at
Lake Pardee. He was fishing in the marina area using chicken liver as bait.
The catch is perhaps the biggest freshwater fish ever taken on rod and reel
in California. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) reports the
largest blue catfish ever taken by rod and reel weighed 97 pounds.

Fishing conditions

New Melones Lake

By Melanie Lewis

Glory Hole Sports

Trout: Trout fishing is very good, with fat, healthy limits being the norm
for both trollers and anglers who fish at night under lights. Trollers are
having good luck during the day trolling for rainbows from 35 to 55 feet
deep in the main lake, as well as upriver. Shad-patterned lures seem to be
the ticket. Try a Cop Car or Threadfin Shad Needlefish. Most trollers are
not using dodgers or flashers.


Kokanee: Fish are moving up into creek arms and a few coves, where they will
attempt to spawn, and eventually complete their life cycle by dying. These
fish are, for the most part, not good for eating since their flesh is no
longer firm. Some people swear they are still tasty when prepared in a
smoker, though.

Bass: Bass are looking to fatten up for the winter, and are feeding on shad
and crawdads. Target steep banks upriver and the mouths of creek arms at 30
to 40 feet deep. Dragging a jig along rocky points in the creek arms, as
well as submerged island-tops near mouths of creeks, may catch you a larger
bass.

Catfish: We are still seeing a surprising number of nice cats. Tuttletown,
Angels Cove, Glory Hole Point, or under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge are
all good spots to try.

Crappie and bluegill: Fish are moving deeper, so target 20 to 30 feet deep
and always, fish tight to structure.



Lake Don Pedro

By Monte Smith

Gold Country Sportfishing

Trout: The trout fishing is still good. The water temps are getting much
cooler and this is helping bring the fish back to shallower depths. Try
fishing at depths of 25 to 50 feet in the Mexican Gulch and out to the
Jenkins Hill area. Use Sep's Pro Secrets in watermelon and Excel lures in
shad patterns.

King Salmon: King salmon are still available by trolling anchovies injected
with Pro-Cure's bait oils, at depths of 60 to 90 feet in the dam area and
out past the first set of buoys from Blue Oaks launch area.

Salmon Update

By Danny Layne

Fish'n Dan's Guide Service

With each passing day I am seeing more and more king salmon building up in
the Sacramento and American Rivers, which will lead us to one of the best
fall runs in years. I think the salmon run is about to break wide open.

Most boats were getting at least one fish out in the Sacramento. Areas that
were good include Sacramento Yacht Club, Miller Park, the waterfall and the
I Street Bridge to the mouth of the American.

Silvertron, Blue Fox # 5 and Uncle Larry's Salmon spinners are the most
productive when trolled off a spreader with a 3- or 6-ounce weight. Green
seems to be the color for spinners.

A few fish are being caught before sunrise on the American. Areas to target
include the Clay Banks, the Upper Dredger and the Island. Lures that are
productive are Glow T-4 Flatfish, K-14 Glowstick, Kwikfish and # 15 ProTroll
Stingfish with E-chip. All lures should be wrapped with a sardine.

Highway 4 Corridor

By Marla Allison

Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods

The recent storms dropped hail and snow in the high country and cooled the
surface temps at the lakes. The trout are now moving into the shallower
water and beginning to feed aggressively in preparation for the winter. We
expect nice warm days over the weekend and the ramps are still in good shape
at Alpine and Spicer, so now is the time to enjoy the fall fishing.

Kinney Reservoir at the top of Ebbetts Pass is a good destination for bank
anglers. Limits are common using PowerBait or inflated worms. Float tubers
using flies are scoring with woolies fished 8 to 12 feet deep. Brook trout
are hitting at Highland lakes on baits and flies.

Stream fishing is getting better since the storms this week but plan on
hiking to find wild fish. The brown trouts should be preparing to spawn now
so they will become more aggressive as they move upstream. If you hook a
brown trout, please practice catch and release this time of year if possible
to protect this valuable resource. The best lures are still spinners and
Rapalas. Bait casters use floating salmon eggs, worms or crickets. Fly
casters are having success in the river with prince nymphs, zug bugs and
woolies. For those who prefer dries, try hoppers, stimulators, caddis, ants,
midges or black gnats.

Deer season is in full swing so if you want to avoid the hunters, Calaveras
Big Trees State Park is the best access to the river. The DFG has
discontinued plants for the season. Stream Fishing is open in the Sierra
District through Nov. 15. Lakes are open year-round.

Lake Camanche

By Eldon Porray

Camanche Recreation Company

Trout: Working the western end of the lake is best for bait anglers. Use
PowerBait in white or chartreuse. Overnighters are practically guaranteed
limits. Use submersible lights for best results to replace the moonlight the
fish have been using to see you presentation.

Best trolling lures to try include Excels or R-Lures in rainbow, white or
yellow. Some trollers are using blades, but the best bet is either a Sep's
Sidekick "Watermelon" dodger with the lure about 14 inches back.

Bass: Bass fishing is best early in the day. Four- to 6-inch lizards or
worms in purple, blue and green split-shotted from 8 to 15 feet is a
sure-fire method to take fish off rocky points and structure.

Catfish: There are lots of 1- to 2-pound catfish anywhere there is shade and
big rocks along the shoreline. Mackerel, sardines and anchovies are top the
baits to use. East cove and the Camanche Arm near the South marina are good
places to try.

Lake Pardee

By Fred Dorman

Lake Pardee Marina

Trolling: Trolling is very good at the face of the dam and around the red
buoy in the same vicinity. While heading there, try dropping a line outside
the narrows and anywhere along the east bank to the river mouth. Try 25 to
30 feet trolling depths.

Bank fishing: Cooler water temperatures in and around the recreation area
are encouraging recent plants to school and hold longer near the bridge, the
launch ramp and Rainbow Point. Newly planted trout can't resist silver/blue
casting lures and black wooly flies. For the more experienced and smarter
trout use a sliding sinker rig with a night crawler or processed bait in
rainbow or chartreuse with sparkles.

Cat fishing: Remains good in Rattlesnake Cove, the extreme south end and the
backside of Deer Island. Most popular baits are chicken livers, chorizo,
sardines and anchovies.