Lake Nacimiento Fishing Report

The bite has been awesome at Nacimiento this month, even as water temps hit 80 and levels continue to drop almost a half foot per week. The white bass action is really the highlight right now... big schools cruising the outer edges of flats, feeding heavily on shad. Boaters and shore guys alike have been crushing numbers on long-cast spoons (Kastmaster) or spinners... letting them sink to the bottom, then reeling back through the schools.

The spotted bass bite is wide open as well. Small swimbaits, spoons (same as for the white bass), dropshots, or any other shad imitation are working in the backs of coves and on transition edges. There's also a morning topwater bite on walking or prop baits (Spook, Chappo)

Some big crappie are biting too, near rock or submerged wood structure. Catfish biting in just about every shallow cove on nightcrawlers and shrimp.

The bass bite at Nacimiento is flat out on fire right now. Water temps have climbed into the mid-to-high 60s, and the fish have responded with extreme feeding behavior. Spotted and white bass are piling up in the back of coves, with anglers pulling 20-30 fish like it's nothing. Small swimbaits, drop shots, chatterbaits... pick your favorite... it's all getting eaten all day long.

Largemouth are starting to move up to nest, and big females are starting to show themselves shallow. A 10-pounder was reportedly pulled off a bed just last week. Crappie are a little more hit-or-miss currently, but the schools are definitely out there.

Nacimiento’s bite has been good, especially during windy conditions. Spotted bass are pushing up on rocky points and flats, and they’re eating moving baits with purpose. Bladed jigs are working well... white with a silver blade is a top choice, especially when paired with a trimmed pin-tail trailer to match the forage. No fancy retrieve needed… just cover water and let the wind do the work.

Crappie are also loading up around rocky pockets and wind-protected points. Big slabs are crushing 3-inch swimbaits worked slow and steady, keeping the bait just above them.

White bass are mixed in and taking shots at the same bladed jigs in similar areas as the spots... wind-blown banks. Pearl-colored drop shots and mid-depth crankbaits are also picking up fish, especially in calmer mornings.

Reaction baits are dominating when it’s blowing, and the better fish are keyed in on structure with moving water. Slow it down in calm windows, but when the wind picks up, tie on a bladed jig and start casting.