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 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.
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePoints
I had so much fun the day before, I had to come back to see if I could repeat. And although the numbers weren't quite as high as yesterday, (maybe cuz of more wind, colder temps?) I still caught a ton and I got into a few big'ns.... I'll take that trade any day! I truly can't say enough about that Lew's Custom Pro reel. If you're thinking about upgrading your reel, you really need to consider this one! It puts the rest of my reels to shame. And love the action on that 6th Sense Provoke! Super fun weekend on my favorite lake within 100 miles of my home.
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueDeep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructurePoints
True Story: I was selected to test out Shimano's new Flouro, which I received last week. So I loaded up a couple reels and headed out to my favorite lake to give it a try. First cast with the new line and I hooked up. (sorry for the lame photo, but that was the catch) It was probably 100+ more casts before I got fish #2....but what a start! This was a forced crank bait and swim bait day for me, as I try to learn how to fish hard plastics and stop falling back to my comfort zone of finesse fishing. So if I'm catching fish on a 6th Sense crank bait...it's definitely a "Hotbait". And the Shimano line was really nice. I was actually using 10lb test and it really casts well. It was the first time out with it, so I'll reserve comments on durability until I've been out with it 10 or more times. But for the day, it did great. It has really good feel, and it didn't nick up at all during the day. And I spent all day driving that crankbait right down to a rocky bottom. If you're using Flouro, I would definitely recommend giving it a try. I'll continue to comment as I get out there with it more in the coming weeks.
- SpeciesSpotted BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLedges
Well...we had to pull out the entire arsenal this day. The bass were all over the place. Some where up in the shallows, above ledges, some were down on the bottom at the base of ledges and they were still in water column, as the 6th Sense Provoke showed us. First time using the Z-Man micro finesse set up and glad we did. On a day that we truly used everything we had, that was the hot bait of the day. It felt strange going so light and small....but the lightweight rod and reel set up made a 2lb Spottie feel like a 4 pounder. Lot's a fun!
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!
