Monterey County Fishing Reports

San Antonio is hovering around 53°F and remains roughly half full. It received its first trout plant of the season during the final week of December, but the bite never fully materialized. A few trout are still being caught on chartreuse or rainbow PowerBait, though limits have been tough to come by.

Catfish have been a far more consistent option, with the best action coming from the backs of coves and inlet areas. Garlic shrimp and chicken liver have been getting fish mostly in the 2-4 pound range, perfect for the dinner table, but nothing giant.

Bass have shifted into deeper winter patterns. While overall numbers are down, a few guides are still reporting occasional fish on deep-diving crankbaits and larger jigs worked along deeper structure in 15-25 feet.

San Antonio is providing a decent summer bite across multiple species. The bass bite has been best early mornings on crankbaits and jerkbaits, although the shallow reaction bite slows as the sun comes up. Midday requires a shift to drop-shot Roboworms and small shad plastics tight to structure or near transition zones. Crappie are hitting the same finesse baits on light gear.

Catfish have been a good option for shore casters soaking cut bait, nightcrawlers, and chicken livers... some big cats have been landed this summer. Trout are rare but still showing on occasion for anglers working spinners or floating baits. Carp are always available on those slow days in the shallows on corn.

Bass fishing action at San Antonio has been consistent. While the fish haven't been notably large, they are looking very healthy with big bellies, likely due to the abundant shad population migrating around the lake. Anglers are throwing chatterbaits along with Texas-rigged worms and brush hogs. They're catching fish in a variety of spots, including in the shallows off brush piles (near Harris Creek) and off rock walls in 5-15 feet of water.