Rich Lingor Say's Following The Shad Spawn In May Is The Move To Make For Catching Fish @ Lake Nacimiento

When May claims its turn on the calendar,  most of the Spotted bass, White bass, and Crappie at Lake Nacimiento have rotated through their Spring spawning migrations. Targeting spawning zones and nearby staging areas produced fantastic results from very cooperative fish. One trip produced at least a hundred catch and release fish for me with other skilled anglers reporting similar success. There is usually a smaller part of the fish population that are late to the party and go through the motions on the next moon phase. So you might catch some in the same zones, but most of the fish will be looking for food instead of a mate. As May begins to knock on summerʹs door, catfish, bluegill, and shad add more color to the fishing mosaic. The shad are the biggest part of the forage menu for all of the larger game fish. Shad begin their spawning ritual in May, and the game fish follow them. Lures that imitate the size, shape, and profile of a shad can pay their biggest dividends once the shad are on the move. Following the bait fish can be the biggest key to finding the game fish. Bluegill begin to spawn in early summer in some of the same shallow areas. Bluegill can be a worthy quarry for anglers equipped with lightweight tackle.  They also become forage for opportunistic game fish.  Some of the larger bass are caught by savvy anglers targeting bluegill spawning areas.

 Catfish, bluegill, and red ear respond more readily to traditional organic baits such as red worms and meal-worms for the perch, and cut baits for the catfish as the water temperatures warm. 

Nacimiento 's water level is providing comfortable launching conditions. While there is plenty of water in Lake San Antonio, and there is enough  water on the Harris Creek launch ramp, the lake remains closed. At the town hall meeting at the at the Lockwood Hall, County supervisor Simon Salinas said that with the departure of parks director Mark Marisol, that they may be able to find "creative ways to get the park open". Supervisor Salinas and his assistant Chris Lopez indicated that they are in favor of opening the lake and we need to get the remaining  supervisors on  board with the idea and suggested  emails, phone calls and letters are helpful. 

Itʹs time to get out on the water.

                                                    Tight  Lines !   Rich Lingor