Fishing report: Sept. 8-14

Delta bass fishing Bass legend Kent Brown says Delta bass fishing can be great this time of year but requires a little diligence. "It's all about fishing the weeds and keeping an eye on the tides." He says with hot weather, the bass – and their prey – stay in weed beds for cover from the sun. "Weedless topwater frogs over the top of weeds is a great technique this time of year." He also suggests fishing soft plastics in crawdad and bluegill colors, but use larger weights (up to 2 ounces) to get through the heavy growth. If that isn't for you, Brown says, "Stay on rock banks with current, and the ends of islands, and use topwater lures, crankbaits and vibrating jigs. It's a great technique for the middle Delta area." Coastal offshore tuna Want an adventure? Put that Dramamine patch behind your ear and book a charter for albacore or bluefin tuna. Both species are running off the coast right now and the action should be good, weather permitting, for the rest of summer and into fall. These are big, hard-fighting fish and once a school is located you won't need to visit the gym for a week. Find out more and get up-to-date reports via nearly all charter companies along the Northern California coast. Folsom Lake landlocked salmon The action isn't red hot – it rarely is on Folsom – but there are some truly beautiful landlocked king salmon being picked up right now. Fish that were planted in 2022 are maturing and reaching weights up to 8 pounds, and fish planted in 2023 are anywhere from 4-6 pounds. They are hard-fighting, and an adrenaline rush all the way to the net. Last Saturday, brothers Dom (fourth grade) and Alex (eighth) tagged-team on my boat for a gorgeous 7-pounder. I learned later they were so proud of their catch they took it around their neighborhood and showed friends! Slow trolling a white 8" Pro Troll flasher with a purple hoochie tipped with an anchovy filet got the most action, although we picked up one on a fast-trolled black and white "cop car" Speedy Shiner. Get out before sunrise, stay near the south fork river channel and work slopes, humps and bumps. Look for bait and circle back if you get bit. There have also been quite a few rainbow trout in front of the dam with some pushing 18". Don't have a boat? I have availability (916-521-4641), as do fellow Folsom guides Wes Ward (916-342-1217) and Rudy Divin (916-818-8423). – Tom Mailey