Big winds and big trout on Shasta!

Shasta Lake brown trout caught on a Bay Rat Long Shallow custom stick bait!
Photo Credit: Captain Jeff Goodwin

by Jeff Goodwin
6-8-2019
Website

Wind forecasts on Shasta looked pretty good for yesterdays trout trip with the Simones of Chico, but when we left the marina at packers, we were met by a stiff north wind and some big chop over deep water.  I pushed over into some calmer water and set lines looking for some bigger trout!  Its been a few weeks since the lower lake has been fishable with all of the wood and debris on the surface which had been fouling our lines.  Yesterday was an exception and we had lots of room to troll without snagging and dragging wood and pine needles with our lines.  It didnt take long and we were into a big rainbow that threw a custom color Bay Rat Lure after an impresive jump several feet out of the water.  Within an hour we had 2 big rainbows and a 5 lb brown to the net, but the winds were just getting worse.  By 10:00 it was too rough for my clients to stand in the boat safely so we headed in for the day.  It was a short trip hindered by poor conditions, but I left the lake excited about a fishable lower lake and a descent bite including big fish we havent seen in a few weeks.  Shad are now in the lower lake and for this reason the fishing should steadily imporve as we move towards July.  I still have openings in July and August before I move off Shasta Lake to fish for Sacraemento River King salmon in September.

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.