Went to Calaveras today to troll for stripers and reds. We got there around 2 and gave up around 7. Fish were pretty consistently marking in the 9 to 17 foot range all around the dam and crappie wall. We downrigged gold and silver spoons big and small, trolled rattletraps and rapalas and couldn't buy a bite.

The guides were there trolling right in line with us, and they seemed to be doing well, especially right in front of the spill way on the dam. Whatever mojo they had, we did not have. Not sure what we were doing wrong, we were downrigging spoons and matching speeds with the guides, just didn't happen for us. We did see several reds and stripers caught near the dam, and cats being caught just around the corner from the crappie wall.

If anyone knows what the ticket is there for trolling and downrigging right now, I sure would like to know, its frustrating to watch everyone else catching fish when you should be in the zone...

but it was a nice day on the lake and much better than working!

Try trolling 1/2 oz jigheads with Gulp saltwater swimming mullet in glow, chaartreuse, or white. Reds really pick up on the scent.

Thanks Kyle I'll try that next time. We didnt try any plastics or gulp...

Anyone know if the talapia are shallow again by the reeds?

Anyone know if the talapia are shallow again by the reeds?

Hey bud, definitely drag the soft plastics, but also try some crank baits. Don't believe what you read on txpw.

Now if that ain't the truth!!

Wow we had another unproductive evening at Calaveras, this time trolling Gulp shad in various colors and rattletraps...still nothing.

I guess I'll have to resort to the old standby and fish off the wall next time...thanks for the help guys

Fished Calavaras for several weeks in a row three years ago all for not. Expensive to get into the place and overall terrible fishing. Have not been back since.

Thanks for confirming what I already know.

I always bring gear for catfishing when I go to Cally or Braunig. You can always catch a mess of cats if you whiff on the reds.

Get outta that deep water & downrig in the same bottom depths you are marking fish in & bounce your weights off the bottom. Rite now everyones picking them up on plastics. Your spoons should start firing mid to late April. Pearl/Chartruese back Saltwater Assassins or Salt/Pepper with Chartruese tails. Also late afternoon should be more productive than morning rite now. My advice is book a trip with Manny & learn from him. Very affordable & he's a great guy. TIGHT LINES!!!!

Rob

I am gonna go one afternoon this week. Will hit the reeds and throw some dark plastics and spinnerbaits in the reeds... Hopefully I will catch a few bass this trip!

mexicajun1....ya I'll try going shallower i guess next time...i know there are a ton of fish in there and the guys that know how to catch them are doing well. I followed manny around on friday and like I said he was catching fish in front of the dam and I wasn't so obviously he knew something I don't. I'll keep hitting it eventually I'll figure it out I guess. Thats what I have noticed about calaveras, either people do really well or they don't catch [censored]. Not willing to write the lake off just cause I haven't figured it out yet. thanks again to everyone for your tips. I'll pass them along when I figure it out...

Guys stop going to that Lake. It is dead and you should save time and effort and go to Coleto or Choke. Cally is really not the best lake around. I have caught Stripers and cats but you really have to work hard to get anything and that is cool as long as you have a great day here and there. and they just dont happen there at that lake. I pass by cally three times a week on my way to choke. I live 7mins from the gate and only go there now to test run boat and new toys like depth and side imaging I leave the rods in the box.

I would agree with you if you were strickly a crappie fisherman.

If anyone has caught a crappie there in recent years or just recently I'd like to see a picture, because I would have a hard time believing it. But who needs crappie when you can castnet Talapia? Rating = Poor

Next would be LMB, but they are still there in fair numbers, but it takes a little work to catch them. Rating = Fair to fair minus

Then you have Redfish which can at times make you talk to yourself, so I'd rate them. Rating = Good to Excellent, being a hot weather fish.

Next is a mystery, and that is the Hybrids. Rating = Poor to Excellent, take your pick based on how you do.

And then there are the ever relyable and loveable catfish.
Rating = Excellent most any time of the year, and the fish that make Calaveras worth fishing.

It's called fishing, and not catching, and on most lakes that is the case. Every lake is different, and you just have to adapt, and change with them in order to do well on any of them!

If you don't like the lakes now, just wait! Giant Salvinia coming to a lake near you!