SHASTA LAKE SPOTTED BASS FISHING

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:13 am

I lived in Redding and fished Shasta Lake for over 40 years . Why is it that even though it seemed that Shasta went from northern Largemouth to Spotted bass overnight; I never had a problem catching fish there, there was never a slot limit on Shasta , and Shasta seems to me to just be great fishing all the time, compared to say (Oroville and others)!! What is it that makes Shasts so much better ? To me it seems that way anyway ? It is still today my favorite lake in Ca.

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:33 am

Do not know the full answer, but my quess would be when F&G introduced Spots to offset the redeyes(so I here) they just took off as conditions were what they like, various structure, deep of lake, walls, points and such that just work super for those little devils.
Add the good food sources and there was just no need for a slot limit and such. Someone will have other ideas, but those are mine.
Bill K

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:04 am

I have also heard the Shasta has a different strain of Spotted Bass (Kentucky) than Oroville (Coosa). I have heard this from several sources but no black and white proof to prove it.

Dewayne · Post by **Dewayne** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:59 am

You also have to consider forage differences. Shasta has shad as the main forage base where Oroville has Pond Smelt as the primary forage. There have been years where Oroville was much better than Shasta, but the last few Shasta has been better. There are lots of variables to consider, but since most of us fish catch and release a slot limit is just ineffective.

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:08 am

I thought it was kinda interesting that during my Thanksgiving trips to H'Oroville, that the fish I was catchin' were pukin' up a pretty balanced mix of smelt and bass fry.

Rich hamilton · Post by **Rich hamilton** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:49 pm

I have to agree with the potential difference in the species of shasta and our motherlode lakes. I did not realize that there was different strains but I new after fishing shasta a bunch and the motherlode that their behavior and feeding habits are slightly different. I have posted this question before but always chalked it up to lake size, elevation and or forage. I really believe shasta spots are much more aggressive and reaction oriented than several of our motherlode lakes. there are times when this is not the case but it is amazing to fish Mcclure/melonies one weekend and shasta the next and see the huge differences. I have seen the same with blacks ie: mead where they will eat a 1oz hunk of unpainted lead in 60 feet crystal clear water and other black lakes where you wouldhave a hard time getting bit with it