Water temp 54-56

Clarity 5-15ft

New Melones lake has yet to turn over. With the water still a bit warmer than normal many of the typical fall patterns are still working. The Swimbait bite has been day to day, some better than others. We’ve been alternating between 8-10” soft and hard swimbaits in depths from 5-35’. 

Don Minter with some good ones from a recent Swimbait trip

Some good choices have been the Huddleston 8” or savage gear pulse tail 8” for soft baits and the River2sea S Waver 168 or Deps 250 for glide baits. 

Steve found a chuck spot on a glide!

Other good techniques to put fish in the boat have been football jigs, drop shot, spoons, float and fly and shaking worms. The Alabama rig and underspins are also starting to be more productive but have been area specific. As the temperatures continue to fall the bite and overall numbers should start to improve. 

Josh Parris Guide Service

(209) 217-7368