Striped bass are being located they begin to school up for their annual spawning ritual. your best bet is to move around and find clearer water conditions for better results. In most areas the water is milky and badly discolored. The Sacramento River is running high and murky, so your best bet is to venture over into the San Joaquin River where the water clarity is much better. Some of the better and productive locations have been Light 17 area just east of the Antioch Bridge, False River between Bradford and Jersey Islands, flooded Mildred Island, Middle River, Old River, into the Discovery Bay area. Most of the recent catches are averaging about 21 to 23 inches in length, up to an occasional 6 to 9 pounder in the mix. In some cases the bite is quick and it can turn off just as quickly. So, being at the right place at the right time is important. striped bass are being caught by fly fishermen tossing Clouser flies, especially inside Mildred Island, drifting live golden shiners or bluegill and at anchor tossing your bait of choice such as threadfin shad, anchovies or cut sardines. The striper fishing will only get better as we move into the months of April and May. Stay tuned for further updates in my column.

The sturgeon fishing is still rated fair to good off the Mothball Fleet, Garnet Point, Suisun Cut, Montezuma Slough and Broad Slough with eel strips tipped with nightcrawlers. the best action is taking place on the last two hours of either the incoming or outgoing tides when the water movement begins to ebb.