Northern California’s Lake Berryessa is a well-known producer of king and kokanee salmon, three varieties of bass, catfish, crappie and rainbow trout throughout the year…but something special happens here in the fall and early winter: You can catch pretty much all species in the same day, in the same areas on the same gear. Sounds like fun, eh?
Here’s the deal: As the lake starts to cool, the lake’s threadfin shad and pond smelt gather up in massive balls in the creek channels…and the species fish that eat said bait (all of ‘em) follow close behind.
Shad: It's what's for dinner (& lunch and breakfast)
The trick to success here is to motor around in the channels and watch your meter for bait (also look for grebes on the surface). It’s pretty simple…find the bait and you’ll find the fish.
You know the bait's thick when the graph thinks the bottom is 18.5 feet down in 30 feet of water!
When you see something like the photo above, bust out the shaddy-looking spoons and drop ‘em down…
W.A.S.P. spoons work well here!
Okay, so the real trick is to locate the edge of the bait balls — or smaller, more isolated pods of bait away from the big masses. That way, you’ve actually got a shot at having your spoon seen by the fish. Here’s a screen shot from my Lowrance of a fish eating my spoon…
Just like a video game...
And, just exactly what can you expect to catch off the bait balls? Trusty side-kick Reilly and I went out for a morning just to show what you can do. We started off with some kings…
At least there are some kings you can catch near the Sacramento Valley this year!
Next year's model...
Not to mention some nice rainbows…
Of course, you’ve also got some nice smallies…
Reilly looking all bass pro-like!
Largemouth, too. Though we didn’t get any huge ones, Berryessa pumps out some brutes.
What you do with my spoon??
Spotts live here, too…
Spotts here are small but scrapy!
Of course, all sorts of other critters are a possibility during spoonin’ season…
On light gear, the 8- to 10-pound channel cats were a blast!
Another real benefit of fishing Lake Berryessa this time of year is you’ll have the lake virtually to yourself…
Burr!
This time of year, expect the lake level to be at its lowest. Here’s the low-water ramp at Markley Cove…
Watch that left edge if you launch in the dark!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW… Had no idea but really seems like a great way to spend a day. Thanks for the tips! Is there any channels you would suggest more than others. I usually launch at the free launch but have no issue going to Markley Cove if thats the spot. Also you say the time to do this is fall/early winter, so sometime around late sept?
Thanks,
Brian
Kinda varies year to year. Didn;t find any last year so you just never know. yea, Sept-Nov, depending on the weather…