Rancho Seco Report July 16

I have been putting some days on the water this month.  He has been fishing his home lake Rancho Seco, 7 out of the first 13 days of this month. 

July 16, 2018

I have been putting together 7-15 fish days on almost every trip out this month. I opened up the month with this 24.5” 7lb 4oz bass, so WOW what a great start but finding big ones the rest of the tips out have been difficult. I am culling through lots of 10-13” just to catch one 15” or bigger. 

But enough of my woes, and on to the fishing report.

Water temp is 80-82*

Water clarity is 8’ most days

Weeds are thick, in some parts of the lake they are just below the service when the water depth is 18 or greater. 

If you are looking for a quick bite get to the lake early in the morning and watch for bass pushing bait to the surface.  While some are casting top water at these visible targets I am using a ghost color shad jerk bait. Just casting in the general area of the blow-up and most times they will be on before the first twitch of the bait.  You can continue to do this until 9am most days.  When I feel that bite has slowed or turned off, l am using lite line (6 lbs. test) and drop-shot a 4” green pumpkin worm on the edges of weed lines. The bass are hitting it on the fall or just as you clear the bait from the grass.  This is producing the most fish and while they are not all that big it seems that if you can catch one you can follow up and catch two more in the same area.  I am mixing up a few other baits throughout the day but sticking with the drop shot to get the most bites.  I have been throwing some glide baits and getting very few followers, but none want to seam commented to the bait.  What would my report be without a bluegill reports also, yes I have been taking the kids out with me and using a size N* 8 hook with no weight and a ¼” nightcrawlers one could just cruse the shallows and get bites all day.

You can follow Ernie on the following social media pages:
 Instagram @bassbait_photos
Twitter @Drycreekgolfnet
Facebook @ Ernie Williams Kayak Bass Fishermen
YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1vtuL6_bohOevGavVs8UtQ

Fishing Report Rancho Seco

Team Member Ernie Williams has been out fishing Rancho Seco for the last few days.  

He reports that bass bit is still slow; he has put in four trips with only six bass, with only three bass over 12”.   His biggest going almost 22” and he reported that on the next cast he landed an 18” and that was it for three hours.  Bass are moving chasing bait but not taking top water baits even when landing on the blow ups.  Water temp is 74.6* in the morning and climbing to 76* by afternoon.   Water Clarity is 6-9 feet depending on wind and what part of the lake. Submerged vegetation is coming thicker than in years passed and at greater depth too.  He has been throwing, dropshots, swimbaits, jigs, bladed jigs, Swim jigs, Spybaits, umbrella rigs and deep diving crank baits.

For those that don’t know Ernie he takes his Son with him on his Kayak and was able to keep him happy by moving along the shore line looking for small pan fish land countless bluegill, and red ears on ¼” night crawlers on 2lb test and size N/#2 hooks.  Casting or just dipping the worm in the water will have 3-8 pan fish rushing to your hook.

He posted a video of him landing the two bass back to back.

https://youtu.be/WZ9lRrJ31_M

 

General information about Rancho Seco, it is 162 acers, with a max depth of 46 feet, gates open at 7am $13 for car top and $15 for trailers.