Shasta lake winter trout bite continues!

Larry and Dick showing off their 4# rainbow double hook up from yesterdays trip! One fish took a Bay Rat Lure and the other an Optimizer spoon!
Photo Credit: Capt. Jeff Goodwin

by Jeff Goodwin
12-5-2018
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Today we fished Shasta Lake and found a great first light bite.  Third rod in the water went FISH ON and we hit two more fish within several minutes.  My thoughts were of gratitude and excitement for my clients and I had high hopes for another killer bite.  Well, I chose to move off of the area that has been hot for rainbows, and trolled over into an area where I consistently catch big browns.  After a few hours without a single brown takedown, we headed back to the rainbows only to learn they were also taking a break.  We made a few runs here and there on the McCloud arm and could only find the occasional bite.  Desperate to get something going, we ran to the top of the lake arm and trolled all the way back without even a touch until we hit a spot that almost always produces.  Two big bites, but two empty spoons and its back to square one.  We trolled back down and hit a double and landed two four pound rainbows which restored some hope for a strong finish.  That strong finish would have been realized if we didnt lose nearly every big take down we had the rest of the day.  Overall it was a great day which was only overshadowed by several big losses.  Im off the water for a few days, but have a big week ahead with lots of time on Shasta Lake fishing for big browns and rainbow trout!  Stay tuned, the big fish are just one bite away from making the front page of my fishing reports!

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.