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.

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