Saturday January 27, 2008

     On Sunday January 27, 2008 Pardee Lake opened the gates for a small group of bass anglers and the media in anticipation of opening day. The event organized by Kent Brown, the host of Ultimate Bass Radio Show, gave a sneak preview of the action anglers can expect this year at Pardee Lake.

     Over 20 anglers paired up and hit the water about 7 a.m. spreading out across the lake and into the creek arms in search of Pardee’s lunker smallmouth bass. The lake did not disappoint…With the water noticeably stained from recent northern California storms, strong wind and rain, Pardee’s large population of large and smallmouth bass did not seem to mind, as many anglers boated several 8 pound plus class fish and a few smallmouth over 9 pounds.

     As the select group of anglers returned to the launch ramp about 2 pm a quiet excitement grew over the attendees - with recent memory of the state record smallmouth on everybody’s mind. The live wells began to open and the onlookers saw what they expected…world class smallmouth bass.  Alan Fong, host of Fun Fishing show, landed a smallmouth bass over 9 pounds as a closing act.  Click Here to View Story and images of  Pardee Lake Record Smallmouth

A few of the impressive catches of the included: Earl Dalton landed an 8.2 pound largemouth on a 1/2 ounce  football head jig with a Yamamoto split tail fishing deep ledges. Dean McDaniel boated a 9 pound plus smallmouth. Kent Brown landed two fish with a combined weight of over 8 pounds. Alan Fong with a 9.23 lb smallmouth. Greg Gutierrez with a nice smallmouth.

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The bass were not the only species anxious to take the anglers’ offering as several trout were also boated.

Pardee Lake set to open the gates Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Pardee Lake will open the gates THURSDAY January the 31st for Campers and Recreational Vehicles only. The gate will be manned until 10 pm both Thursday and Friday for the opening. Fishing for shore anglers will begin FRIDAY morning at 12:01 AM and at daybreak for boaters the same day.

Lots of plants are scheduled prior to the opening this year which will complement the aggressive planting schedule began last season. Lake level fluctuates a bit this time of year but is usually 10 to 15 feet below the spill around opening in anticipation of runoff from winter rains. Water temps are hovering in the low 50s or lower. Surface temps-been pretty cold up here for the last two weeks, 30s to 50s mostly, dress in layers. Expect the water to be a little dirty after a rain but it usually clears up quickly.

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