By Dave Hurley
ANGELS CAMP – New Melones has sported one of the strongest kokanee bites in California for numbers, but like most other bodies of water holding kokanee, the fish are transitioning to their annual attempt to spawn. With the changing conditions, a change in techniques is also required.
Leading up to the Kokanee Power Derby in June, kokanee trollers invaded the lake to cull through unlimited numbers of 14- to 16-inch fish, but now the lake is empty as the kokanee aren’t as willing to come on board. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service is no longer being chased around by the flotilla, and he has the lake to himself. But he has adapted to the kokanee’s transition, saying, “Fishing is a lot tougher as the fish are hunkered down on top of each other on the bottom. I start each day trolling J-Pex or Head Hunter Spoons behind an 8-inch dodger at depths from 75 to 90 feet near Carson Creek at speeds from 1.0 to 1.1 mph, but once the sun comes up, the troll bite dies. When the sun comes over the mountains, we are jigging 3/4th- to 1-ounce P-Line Laser Minnows over the island tops where the kokanee are holding. The key is to go slow while jigging as you must keep your lure in the strike zone as long as possible. I use spot lock to stay over the spot, and it is important to just lift the spoon slowly up a foot. It is a patience game, and jigging is the most effective technique at this time of year. The kokanee have lost all their scales, but the eggs in the females are not developed so I believe this bite will stick around throughout September.”
New Melones has special restrictions for boats due to the golden mussel with all boats needing to be tagged and quarantined for 30 days or a decontaminated with hot water from the New Melones Marina.
