I have been away from fishing for awhile,but about to get back into it, why am I not hearing anything on Calaveras redfishing ? Comments...
Roger

Last I heard the bank fishermen were catching some from the banks using whole shrimp.
Haven't heard much on cats and a friend of mine said he went out the last two weeks a couple of times and didn't do very well.
It's not the same lake as it used to be, and for what reason I have no clue.

I fish calaveras pretty often and a few topics pop up here every once in a while but not very often. Water temps were up above 82 degrees last time out and the reds have been on the move. Some of the guides have been fishing braunig lately if that tells you anything. Now through about September is pretty good for reds at calaveras. Good luck.

I fished Calaveras regularly 1990-2010 at lest once a week. Schools of reds tearing up the shad on the surface was a common sight. Catching 8-10 reds on tilapia per trip was common (I am a C&R fisherman), then in the last few years, there was a sharp decline. The only change to the lake, was a new power plant put on line. Stats indicated that stocking had not been reduced. My old "honey holes" were not producing like the use to. Thought it must be me. As I have been away for awhile, I was hoping the lake was back. Something is going on !
Roger

I changed my tactics and now fish the shallows for reds instead of trolling for them and enjoy it much more and catch a lot more fish. If I find a school in deeper water I'll jig a weighted spoon with lighter tackle to catch them. I got here here in 2014 and it's pretty a pretty steady fishery for me so I can't compare it to your day but there is still plenty of fish. Since the wall closed I see a lot less boat traffic and maybe that has put more pressure on the rest of the lake.

russcue1...Now that's what I was hoping to hear. It had been so long since I had read a good fishing report, that I was wondering where the reds could have gone. Sounds like you have caught on to "how to catch em". Years ago, I was into "downrigging, but that sure got old. One day I took my castnet, caught some 3-4" tilapia , put out 4 rods & drift fished. After about 30 minutes, I got into a school & it was off to the races. Been doing it that way ever since.
Thanks for the reply...
Roger

Calaveras used to be full of brushpiles on structure until they transplanted the hybrids and redfish into the lake and then the guides and everyone else began trolling the lake and pretty much raked the bottom clean of any brush piles.
Now that the wall is out of the equation folks might do good to put out some brush piles again.....Just a thought!

Jimbo..You & I go way back on Calaveras. Elroy Kruger (fishing guide) of Universal city, was instrumental in putting in all those brush piles.Lost a lot of tackle, but caught a lot of fish on his brush piles. Are you still fishing out there with your yak ? Thought I might give Calaveras a try this week, but my motor has been sitting & won't start...might be awhile.

Haven't been out this year with the boat or the kayak. Been dealing with back issues but I've been bank fishing a lot mostly during the week and some Sat. mornings for a couple of hours.
I don't do very good, but it's just good to get out of the house.
I'll tell you though I've noticed very light crowds during the week and even weekends that aren't holidays have been pretty light. (boat ramps included)
That's an indicator to me that one, either the fishing stinks, and the prices are too high and people are going elsewhere.
I've got a disabled vet pass so I get in free, but folks won't go if they aren't catching fish no matter how much they charge.
Just my observations!
If folks think it's crowded on every weekend, they just haven't been fishing the lake very long, and or don't remember what it used to be like....Not to mention they closed off over half the park several years ago to some of the best bank fishing areas there was.

Thanks to VietNam, I am considered 100% disabled by the VA, so I too get into Calaveras free. I haven't had my boat in the water for at lest 2 years....health issues.
I think you pretty well named the reasons for light crowds at Calaveras. A family of 4, plus a boat, is going to spend some money !
Jim...hope your back gets better, my problem is one you live with.
Roger

Unless it's a coincidence, the crowds starting get lighter when they closed the wall. It was certainly a popular place but maybe the cost is contributing too!

They pretty much did it to themselves again just like when they closed half the park.
Makes a lot of sense to have to pay more for less doesn't it?

I can understand the politics for closing the wall, just like when they closed off the hot water discharge area (I don't agree with either of them)but they shot themselves in the foot closing off half of the park. I really feel sorry for the bank fisherman..very limited access to good bank fishing now.

they closed the wall because kayakers thought its ok to pull your kayak over the wall and go fish the restricted areas.
calaveras and brauning are infested with redfish even as the guides rape the waters daily.

When Thousand Trails lease runs out, what then ? Will the park revert back to SARA ? Comments ?