New Bullards Bar Reservoir
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New Bullards Bar Reservoir Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Spotted BassTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonWinterStructurePointsWell the magic wacky rig pattern for gorging Spots at 40 ft deep is over....They're just not bunched up like they have been for all of January and the first part of Feb. But they're not up on the shoreline yet either. I had a real hard time finding them today. And the ones I did find were teenagers...Nothing big to brag about this day. I had to stay on the move all day long, going from point, to ledge, to creek inlets and the only activity I could get was using the Rapala DT 14. Mostly near ledge drop offs. So I guess they're maybe in a pre-spawn pattern that has them on the move and setting up for quick access to deeper water, as well as getting ready to stage in the shallows. Time to adjust...
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonWinterStructurePoints
Another two week break and incredible how the lake has changed....again. We just got thru a 10 day storm of constant rain and snow, and was surprised to see snow still on the banks. Water temp was almost 5 degrees colder than last outing. I've been worried about becoming a one trick pony shooting a wacky rig so much....until I read a Cody Meyer article in the last issue of Bassmaster Magazine saying that's exactly what he does in the winter for those big Bullard's Bar spotties. Don't let the cold weather stop you. They're out there and they're big this time of year!
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonWinterStructurePoints
So nice to be back on my home lake after a terrible experience on Clear Lake last weekend. The Spotties were suspended more than they been the last few weeks. They're definitely on the move. I could still crush with a wacky rig senko twitching it along the bottom at 40-50 feet deep. But I did most of my damage getting larger bass with the Keitech on the Strike King underspin. They were suspended at about 25 feet in those same 40-50 depths. I kept the retrieve as slow as possible to keep it in the 25 foot strike zone. Had a blast!...as usual!
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueBlade BaitsSeasonWinterStructureRock Pile
Wow! What a difference a week makes. Conditions were terrible, with consistent winds 20+ MPH that had the lake churned into a frenzy. I couldn't stand on the bow deck, with 2 foot rollers rocking my boat all over the place. So that ended the streak of finesses fishing. The bass were scattered but I was able to locate some rockpiles in 20 to 30 feet of water that I could get the Jack Hammer down to. That Chartreuse Split Tail trailer is amazing. Also did pretty well with the Pro Blue/Red Pearl Strike King Rage Swimmer on the Spotlight Head Jighead. I like to clip off the round head of the rage swimmer to tuck it up snug to the jighead. Had to beef things up in order to fight the crazy currents caused by the wind. The day was a grind with the wind (all respect to the 200 million people dealing with that crazy ice storm over the weekend) ....but I found'em!
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonWinterStructurePoints
After the last few times out here....you know I had to go at it again! And I wasn't disappointed. Another amazing day. The spottie in my picture spit up a 5 inch kokanee just as I was reaching down to get him into the boat. That cost me a couple ounces in my Bag for the day! They are gorging right now. And this Sexy Shad Senko must look a lot like a kokanee to them....
SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Large)SeasonWinterStructurePointsThis is more of an equipment report than a fishing report. I've been hunting those giant spotties in Bullard's Bar for two years now with plenty of success catching 3lbs and under...but nothing big. So I picked up some large glide and swim baits to change up my game....and then realized I needed a new rod to throw them. So although my quest for a giant spotty in Bullards continues, I can't say enough about the new Evergreen Combat Stick that Nick recommended. I threw those huge baits until my arms nearly fell off and that rod was amazing. Can't wait to hook into a giant with that thing...and shout out to Strike King Game Hawgs for wiping off the skunk. (love the blue craw pattern) Cuz with an hour of daylight to go, I hit the shoreline and landed a few babies before leaving.... And remember, if you're in Northern Cali and want to swap war stories, join the subreddit r/NorCalBassFishing. Tight lines!
NorcalyakinBronze AmbassadorSpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonWinterStructurePointsHad a tournament at bullards today, super tough bite, i managed to place 8th in california bass nation kayak and 10th in wild west kayak. I was working long tapering points up hill with a Carolina rig, every time i felt the rig go over a good size rock i would pause my retrive for 5 seconds.
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePoints
What a day! Cold, cloudy, rainy,...couldn't have been better! I discovered that if you set up on a point that extended out into the water, at about 30 feet depth and cast across the ridge line, it felt like a sure thing. I was on one point for over an hour and caught 8 from that one spot. With that Lew's Custom Pro (wish I had one of these on every rod I own) and the Shimano Mastiff Flouro, I could cast a country mile. Just check out the belly on that Spottie! Best day ever with a Jerk Bait.
