Madera County Fishing Reports

At Eastman, bass are hitting reaction lures like crankbaits and chatterbaits in the shallows during early mornings. As the day warms though, fish are pulling out to 20-40 feet and hold tight to rockpiles and other deep structure. Drop-shots are producing best for these deeper fish, although bites have been subtle. A few fish up to 5 lbs have been reported, but most are in the 2–3 lb range. A few bass are also out in open water, targeting bait schools.

The warming weather and CDFW trout stock at the end of last month have lit up the big bass bite at Hensley. A 17+ pounder was reportedly nailed last week on a big trout-colored swimbait, and 4–6 pound fish have been common since. These prespawn bass are in full-on feeding mode, gorging on trout... every one of them has a full belly. Swimbaits are pulling the biggest fish, but jigs and large Texas-rigged worms are getting bit too. Water temp is perfect... in the low 60s throughout much of the lake.

Eastman has quietly been serving up a very good winter bass bite over the last few weeks. The lake was stocked with trout once in November and again in mid-December, and these stocks have really fired up the bigger bass.

Now bass are still in winter mode, so infrequent bites are to be expected. But anglers are reporting 2-4 quality fish a day with 5-7 pounders not uncommon.

For those targeting giants only, slow-rolling a trout imitation swimbait or glide bait will get bigger bites. But most of the action is coming on natural-colored Roboworms fished in 15-20 feet of water, either drop-shot or T-rigged. Slow, subtle presentations are working best.