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One of the misconceptions about planted trout is that they are always easy to catch. My opinion is that wild trout are much easier to catch because they have certain forage and insect life that they will feed on during different times of the day and year, so you can target them with specific types of bait, lures and flies.
In contrast, you never know if planted trout are going to bite or become active. I have been to many derbies and events where a massive number of trout have been planted and very few have been caught – and nobody is quite sure why.
However, during the 22nd Annual Trout Bout on Saturday, November 18, at Oak Grove Regional Park in Stockton, most anglers reported catching lots of fish. The event is sponsored every year by the San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation and the Delta Fly Fishers.
“We stocked 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout in the 1 to 2 pound range and we had a lot of folks catching trout today,” said Sandra Costa Adams of the San Joaquin County Parks. “Around 650 people showed up.”
Whey I arrived at the park around 12:30 pm, many anglers were already leaving with stringers of trout. Although not all anglers reported catching trout, the majority I talked to did.
For example, the Matteel family, including James Jr., James Sr., Amy and Megan, were carrying out limit stringers of trout. “We caught them on spinners, small nightcrawlers and chartreuse Power Bait,” said James Jr. “The best place to fish is over by the amphitheatre.”
Young Amy took second place in the eight-and-under category with a 2.26 lb. rainbow. Her trout – as well as the others I saw – weren’t anemic slim jims, but big, fat robust rainbows.
When I went over to the area where James Jr. directed to me to, I saw anglers hooking up a good number of fish. Daydan Carter of Stockton and his sons, 4-year-old Daylynn, 15-year-old Daydan, Jr., 12-year-old Dayvon and 14-year old Dontel had a stringer of big, quality trout.
The Carter family was getting ready to leave and I decided to try a little fishing myself. I began catching trout one after another – all around 2 pounds – after I decided to experiment with a waxworm/Power Bait combo. I didn’t bring a bobber with me, but Daydan Sr. loaned me a bobber and enabled me to quickly catch my limit.
After I caught my fish, I asked 12-year-old Solomon Burrell if he wanted to use my rod, since he hadn’t caught any fish in a while. I cast the bait out to the hot spot, gave the rod to him and the bobber suddenly went down and he battled a big, beautiful fish to the bank.
On the next cast, he hooked an lost another fish, but I had to get going, so I rigged up his rod with my bobber, a split shot and a wax worm/Power Bait combo. Hopefully, Solomon, his 2-year-old brother, Deshion, and his grandma filled out their limits.
The tournament every year is free for kids 15 years of age and under. There is no registration fee for the event, but a $3 fishing permit fee and valid CA. fishing license are required for those sixteen (16) years of age or over. A $5 vehicle-parking fee will also apply. All State Fish and Game laws apply. Participants must supply their own fishing equipment.
The derby coincided with the beginning of the trout season at Oak Grove, where 7,000 lbs. of one to two lb. trout will be planted through February.
“Future plants will be held every Friday through the first weekend in February,” said Costa-Adams. “Additional plants from the California State Dept. of Fish and Game will also occur throughout the season. Fish for those plants will be in the 1?2 to 1 lb. range.”
During the Trout Bout, kids and adults participated in a fish simulator game operated by the California Striped Bass Association. The simulator, where participants used an actual rod and reel while watching the fish on a video screen, allowed participants to experience fighting one of five species: a smallmouth bass, trout, salmon, dorado and sailfish.
The youth competition, open to youth aged 15 years or younger, allowed children to compete with other youths for the individual heaviest weight of one trout caught by a child. Children competed individually in one of three age categories (eight and under, 9 to 12 and 13 to 15).
The adult competition, open to ages 16 to 59, measured the individual heaviest weight of one trout caught by the contestant.
Finally, the senior competition, open to those 60 years of age or older, measured the individual heaviest weight of one trout caught by the contestant.
Here is the list of winners:
Youth Grand 8 and under 9 to 12 13 to 15 Adult Senior - Grand For more information about next year’s Trout Bout, call (209) 331-2050.
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