Tough bite today on Shasta Lake.

Nice post spawn rainbow caught today on Shasta Lake!
Photo Credit: Capt. Jeff Goodwin

by Jeff Goodwin
5-15-2018
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Today we fished Shasta Lake for trout and although I was optimistic after yesterdays bite, things didnt pan out quite like I had hoped.  I had three anglers today and six rods in the water all day.  Our first pass started out like so many others and we had a few fast bites, one of which was a nice multi pound rainbow trout we caught with a Trinidad Tackle UV dodger and a small spoon.  We had three more takedowns on a rod that I was toplining with and a 2 oz. Trinidad Tackle Eco line weight (attached 50' behind the spoon).  All three fish popped off  quickly and left everyone wondering what had just happened.  That was all we had for bites until late afteroon when I decided to make a big run up the Sac arm where I knew I'd find some fish.  Right on que, we had a rod bouncing with a nice rainbow trout on the other end just minutes after dropping lines down.  However, with thunder heads looming in the distance, it bacame clear why we had an off day and that it was likely the weather change killed todays bite.  Water temps, bait balls, and some good numbers of fish arches on the Lowrance screen were a promising sight today, but the Shasta rainbow frenzy just isn't quite here yet.  I hate to say it, but we need some hot days to get the lakes around here to stratisfy  which will surely kick the trout/salmon bites on the lakes into high gear! 

Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.