PATIENCE - THE MAGIC FISHING BAIT!

 

🎣 Be Patient: The Secret Ingredient to Fishing Joy

There’s more to fishing than catching fish.

It’s the quiet moments before sunrise as the lake slowly wakes up. It’s the feel of the cool morning air on your face. It’s watching a blue heron stalk the shoreline or sharing a laugh with your kid as you wait for a bite. It's in the way the water gently laps the side of the boat and the way time seems to slow down just enough to remind you — this is living.

SPRING BASS FISHING ON MY MIND

 BASS FISHING ON MY MIND -- WHEN SPRING COMES

By Del Albright

As winter starts to leave us, I start thinking about spring bass fishing because it is my favorite time to be on the lake. Yes, we hit the water in the fall, but it's not the same. The spring bite is a blast as bass head to shore to spawn. Wacky worms are the trick for local lakes.  And we mostly catch and release the bass we catch because we like to catch them again!

Spring is prime time for bass fishing in Northern California, as warming water temperatures trigger bass to move into pre-spawn and spawn modes. Here’s what you need to know for a successful trip:

Best Northern California Lakes for Spring Bass Fishing

1. Clear Lake – One of the top bass fisheries in the country, with big largemouth bass moving into shallow water.
2. Lake Berryessa – Great for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, with clear water and submerged structures.
3. New Melones Reservoir – Excellent spotted bass fishing in spring.
4. Lake Shasta – Offers a mix of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
5. Don Pedro Reservoir – Known for trophy-sized bass.
6. Folsom Lake – Ideal for early-season bass in shallow coves.

Springtime Bass Fishing Tips

• Target Shallow Water: As water temps hit the 55-65°F range, bass move to shallow flats, coves, and creek arms.
• Look for Structure: Stumps, rock piles, docks, and submerged vegetation hold bass preparing to spawn.
• Use Natural Colors: In clear water, go with green pumpkin, watermelon, or shad-colored baits. In murky water, chartreuse and black/blue work well.
• Adjust to the Weather: Sunny days push bass shallow, while cooler weather may send them slightly deeper.

Best Lures & Gear for Spring Bass Fishing

1. Jigs (3/8 - 1/2 oz.) – Football head or flipping jigs in craw or natural colors work well around cover.
2. Spinnerbaits – Great for covering water quickly in windy conditions.
3. Chatterbaits – Effective in stained water with aggressive bass.
4. Soft Plastics (Senko, Brush Hog, Creature Baits) – Excellent for pitching into beds.
5. Jerkbaits (Suspending models) – Mimic wounded baitfish and trigger bites in early spring.
6. Crankbaits (Medium diving 6-10 ft.) – Ideal for pre-spawn bass staging on deeper structure.
7. Topwater (Frogs, Poppers, Buzzbaits) – Start using these as water temps rise above 60°F.

Essential Gear

• Rod/Reel Setup:
  • Medium-heavy baitcasting setup (7’0” rod, 6.4:1 gear ratio reel) for jigs and spinnerbaits.
  • Medium spinning rod for finesse techniques (drop-shot, wacky rig, Ned rig).
• Fluorocarbon Line (12-17 lb.) – Best for clear water and bottom-contact baits.
• Braid (30-50 lb.) – Good for fishing around heavy cover.
• Polarized Sunglasses – Helps spot bass in shallow, clear water.

I hope you will just get out there and FISH!  

##

SHASTA LAKE FISHING CLUB VID

 SHASTA LAKE BASS OR ASS FISHING CLUB MEMORIES

BASS BITE ON SHASTA LAKE IN SPRING

 

Low Water Spring Bass Fishing on Shasta Lake

Every year for 40 years now, I take a "boys" trip with 50 fellow fishermen to Shasta Lake of N. CA.  We hunker up in rented houseboats, set up a camp kitchen, and fish for 4 days, bass, trout and salmon.  It's always a lot of fun, and certainly a memory builder.

The bass bite was senkos, for the most part.  Top water worked around the stick-up trees.  And overall, it was a hot spring bite.  Not all the fish had spawned, so we hooked up anywhere from 5 to 25 feet deep.

Great fishing.  Great fun.  And houseboats are a ton of fun and convenience.

We launch out of Packers Bay Marina.

CHAMPION BASS BOAT FOR SALE (EXCELLENT SHAPE)

 

                       1993 EXCELLENT SHAPE, LIVES INSIDE, BASS BOAT FOR SALE

Northern CA, hour east of Sacramento; incredibly good shape used bass boat.  Check out the Craigslist: https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/boa/d/mokelumne-hill-champion-boat-1993/7374949745.html

 

 

CHAMPION BASS BOAT UPGRADE

 

                                     VINTAGE CHAMPION BOAT FOUND A NEW HOME

                                                                     By Del Albright

Our fishing/photojournalism business has acquired a "new" used Champion Bass Boat to increase our ability to carry a passenger, pack more photo gear, have more room and go a bit faster in competitive situations.

It's a 1991 Champion DCR 184 with a 175hp Direct Injection Mercury ProXS. 

The old boat (above) with the 90hp Merc vs. the "new" boat on the left.

#fishing #bassfishing #bassboat #championbassboat

KNOW YOUR BASS, FISHERMEN

 

BASS FISHING SEASON IS ON AND THE BITE IS HAPPENING!

By Del Albright

The spring bite is happening in many western states now for several types of bass, depending on where you live.  In N. CA, for example, bass species such as Spotted, Largemouth, Redeye and Smallmouth might be all living in the same waterway.  Usually the regulations don't worry about differences in freshwater bass species, but you should know what you are catching -- and of course be aware of any regulatory differences.

Just take the time to learn what you are catching -- no matter the species.

D.

FISHING FOR A RE-CREATED SPIRIT

 LAKE TIME; BREAK TIME; REFRESHING LIFE

GET OUTSIDE, DO SOMETHING, STAY ALIVE

By Del Albright

Just being outside, no matter what you are doing, can sometimes be the answer to your prayers! Fresh air, sunshine, and lollipops  -- whatever you find, the act of being outside can breathe new life into yours.

In my case, I love to go fishing and boating. Open-air, views of the sky, and the lolling of a boat will do wonders for my nap time, too.

The wifey finds relief from stress the same way, but also just loves to tend to her garden.  Find your sweet spot and do the same.  Get your spirit re-created by being outside when you can.

Caught this Black Crappie while bass fishing.

This is Josh Parris, my bass fishing buddy, and teacher for a recent trip.  Great guy.