Largemouth bass, including plenty of fish to 12 pounds, should be in the shallows at Diamond Valley Lake. Everything from downsized plastics to bulky swimbaits will work.

MAY
Largemouths
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Everyone wants to catch the fish that the rest of us talk about for the rest of the year. To do that, there's no better place than what many consider one of the country's top five largemouth fisheries.

The problem is that every inch of the Delta's maze of twisting rivers, sloughs and islands looks like it should hold multiple trophy bass.

But that's not the case. You'll narrow your search for big bass by looking for clear conditions and areas away from swift current.

Locations with relatively sparse weeds tend to be better, too. Start by casting crankbaits that just tick the top of submerged vegetation. Then pitch and flip jigs to thicker cover.

For information, call Hook, Line and Sinker at (925) 625-2441.

Other Choices
Lake Nacimiento's creeks are prime locations for catching white bass on live or imitation shad. The key is finding schools of bait being worked to the surface by bass, then casting into the fracas.

It's illegal to possess live whites.

When trolling or mooching for 8- to 14-pound king salmon in Monterey Bay, you'll likely have to compete with marauding sea lions. But there should be plenty of fish to go around.

JUNE
Kokanee
New Melones Reservoir
These small landlocked sockeye salmon are becoming increasingly popular in the West. New Melones is one of the premier destinations.

Limits of 2- to 3-pound fish are common, but you'll need a well-equipped boat to find and catch them. If you don't have the right gear, there are several guides in the area.

After locating a school with your electronics, use downriggers to get dodgers trailed by small spoons, hoochies or kokanee bugs down to the fish. Make sure you have an assortment of offerings in pink, orange, red and chartreuse.

For information, call Glory Hole Sports at (209) 736-4333.

Other Choices
American shad will put your reel to the test on the lower Feather River. Popular spots for casting shad darts or flies for fish to 6 pounds include the mouth of the river at Verona, Shanghai Bend and Vance Riffle.