• Lake Berryessa

While the hot catfish bite has cooled off, trollers can limit out on trout and salmon. Try pulling an Apex or Needlefish behind a flasher in seven to 10 feet.

Drop shot rigs and split shot worms will take small mouth bass at the 20-foot level.

• Clear Lake

Here’s the first report on this year’s winter/spring jumbo minnow season. My partner and I scored and released 24 large mouth bass on Monday.

Two were just over four and a half pounds, two were dinks, and the other 20 were nice, fat “keeper-sized” bass from a pound and a half to three pounds.

These healthy bass point to a good season and lots of much bigger bass to catch in the months ahead.

Guide Bob Myskey is a real pro. While no one could guarantee a big stringer of fish, I will guarantee that you’ll have a fine day on the water and learn a lot from Bob.

He’s going to get real busy this winter — so, call him at 349-4460 to book a trip. Be sure to dress warmly when you go; I looked like the Pillsbury Doughboy with all my gear on and still was cold early.

• Bodega Bay

The weather here turned good last weekend and the fleet out of Wil’s Bait & Tackle (875-2323) brought home fine limits of crab and rockfish.

Better plan for that special crab trip so you will have plenty of big ones for holiday entertaining.

• Napa River

More of the same — still good striper fishing — and the weather is cooperating. There is some rain predicted for the weekend but with the upper river still mostly dry, it probably won’t shut down the bite.

Call or stop by to see the team at Sweeney’s on Imola Ave. in Napa.

They’ll be glad to give you the latest scoop. While you are there, ask them to update you on new techniques and gear that will make your time on the water more fun.

You don’t have to drive south anymore to get live bait; Sweeney’s has new tanks to hold all of the most popular critters.

Of course, you can stock up on frozen baits there, too.

• Sacramento River

Pro guide Kirk Portocarrero (800 670-4448) reports that the late fall king salmon bite is up and down — but bright kings in the 30- to 40-pound class are being caught regularly.

The season closes Jan. 14 and reopens in July.

• Smith River

I’d rather target the Smith for big, strong steelhead from New Year’s Day right through March.

The best way to fish that river is with full time river guide Kevin Brock (800 995-5543). We’ll be on the water with him in late February for our ninth annual trip to the Smith.