The lake is clear, to slightly stained. There is debris floating on the surface, which is a good sign the lake has turned over. rolling anglers should try fishing near the surface with large shad patterned plugs. Top-lining plugs, is a great way to locate fish. Try using Rapalas, Speed Traps, and Rattle Traps. Spoons are working well also. Try using Needlefish (003 size), Excels, Kastmasters, and Speedy Shiners. Also, shad patterned (natural) colored baits work best on clear days, and fire tiger (bright) colored baits work best on cloudy/rainy days.  Bank fishing really picked up this week. The water temperature has dropped and the big bows are moving in shallow and swimming the shore line. There has been a lot of surface activity in the calm wind protected coves. A great way to catch these fish that are feeding on the surface is with a bubble and a fly, or a bubble and a crawler. Bass: Fair. For most anglers the bite slowed down a bit this last week. The bait has been hard to locate making the bass seem to spread out more. Focus on primary and secondary points leading to and from the back of the major creek arms. Try using baits that cover water, and resemble shad. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and lip-less cranks, should do the trick. There is also a good drop-shot bite. Roboworm Alive Shad, Gulp Minnows, and Zoom Tiny Flukes are all fish catchers on Melones.  Also, crawdads are a more consistent and predictable food source. Try using a jig around wood and rock on main lake points and secondary points.

Glory Hole Sports  (209) 736-4333, (209) 586-2383