The bass bite at Thermalito Afterbay is a grind. Fish are scattered and roaming, and the lower-than-normal water levels have left much of the shoreline cover, including tules, too shallow or completely dry. Productive zones are limited to rocky banks, offshore structure, and the dam area, but even there, fish aren’t holding—they’re constantly moving.

Water temps are in the low 70s. Water clarity is good, but drops in spots with heavy boat pressure in the afternoons.

Weightless worms are getting most of the consistent action, around 10-15 feet with a slow fall working best. Downsizing bait and hook size has helped trigger more bites too. Dropshots are working for fish holding offshore. Craw imitations are a solid choice right now... many fish are puking up bright red craws. Big trout-pattern swimbaits have produced some 5–6 pounders recently, but the swimbait bite is hit-or-miss. A light early chatterbait bite is also in play up shallow.