DELTA

The spring run of striped bass is now in full gear out on the Delta waterways, especially on the San Joaquin River where the fishing has busted wide open from the flats off Eddo’s Harbor upstream into old Sounding Board near Prisoners Point. Even with the heavy run off from the snow melt off along with having huge tidal flows they are still catching fish in the 5 to 15 lb bracket most on the troll using any color deep diving plug with a white worm trailer in 12 to 14 feet of water. Casting swimsuits and drifting live minnows are working as well. The striped bass fishing should remain solid throughout the month of May into June. Now that fresh thread fin shad is becoming available at some of the local bait shops and this will enhance the fishing, especially for bait dunkers at anchor. This is by far the best bait when it comers to striped bass fishing. Th big fish of the week was a bass weighing 58 pounds taken on a split tail off the Firing Line near Light 24. Sturgeon still on a hot bite.

FEATHER RIVER

Striped bass are surging into the Feather River on their annual spawning run. Heavy river flows are attracting the fish into the system this year where trollers and shoreline anglers are catching fish. The most successful method is drifting live jumbo minnows. The best method of hooking up the minnow is to hook it through the nose and let the line out so the minnow and sinker can gently tap the bottom. Most of the recent catches are averaging from 5 to 9 pounds, and most are males. Two fish limits have been the rule. Shoreline anglers are tossing cut bait, including sardines, anchovies, and pile worms.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

On less windy days the fishing has been solid out on San Francisco Bay
where charter boats are putting their clients into good numbers of striped bass and halibut on the drift using frozen anchovies. Out of Emeryville, the C Gull and New Huck Finn came in with less than a fish per rod on one day and the next day they posted 24 limits of striped bass to 10 pounds along with 12 legal halibut. The bay is off colored and the fishing should improve as the waters begin to have better clarity.

OCEAN

The salmon fishing is beginning to break loose on all seaports along the coast of California. With the rough weather conditions behind us salmon are being caught in good numbers in Monterey Bay off the Deep Hole on the South Side of Soquel Hole. Most of the fish are being caught mooching with anchovies. The average fish is weighing between 8 to 12 pounds. Two fish limits have been the rule. With calmer winds the salmon action will break out in Bodega Bay and Half Moon Bay. On Bodega Bay the salmon fishing will take off in epic actin. The annual Bodega Bay Fishermen’s Festival and BBQ will take place on the first weekend in May. In Half Moon bay the salmon action was solid with the Salty Lady posting 13 limits to 13 pounds off the Deep Reef. The Huli Cat went over to the Deep Reef where they posted 18 ten- fish limits of rockfish and 20 ling cod for 20 anglers along with 18 limits of Dungeness crab as a bonus. All of the valley lakes and reservoirs are producing good numbers of trout and largemouth bass on the troll or casting that favorite lure of yours. Now is time to head out to your favorite location and spend the day in the great outdoors. Until next tide stay safe to fish another day.

JAY’S BEST BETS

Delta - (striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass) San Pablo Bay - (sturgeon, striped bass); Feather River - (striped bass) Sacramento River - (striped bass, sturgeon) Amador Lake - (trout, catfish, largemouth bass); Suisun Bay - (striped bass, sturgeon); Camanche Lake - (trout, largemouth bass) San Luis Reservoir - (striped bass) San Francisco Bay (halibut, striped bass) Ocean - (rockfish, ling cod, salmon)