Presently, there is a variety of fish to be caught in some of California’s inland waterways, lakes, bays, and outside the Gate. Locally, off the West Bank on the Sacramento River near Collinsville anglers are finding success trolling for striped bass where anglers have been catch- ing and releasing up to 20 fish or more daily. Most of the stripers are in the 5 to 7 pound bracket, up to an occasional larger fish in the mix. Most of the action is on the move trolling with deep and shallow running Yo-Zuri lure tipped with white and chartreuse plastic worms. The salmon fishing remains tough on the Old Sacramento River. The good news is that two salmon that were registered at Vieira’s Resort, the first of the season weighing 15 to 17 pounds. Also, the first salmon came off the shoreline at Benicia, but it was a “jack” weighing only 3 pounds. A few salmon are taken off the Freeport Bridge by shoreline anglers tossing Mepp’s Flying ‘C’ spinners while those on the troll are dragging Brad’s Cut Plugs. The salmon fishing should get better as we move into the chiller fall weather patterns.

 

Another good bet for some salmon action is to wait until late in the afternoons and drop shot spoons in green color pattern where reports of at least 20 boats have taken fish recently. Those into bait fishing for striped bass will find some action above Rio Vista with blood worms or sardines coated with garlic spray, especially in the shallows off liberty Island. Also, in the North Delta, smallmouth bass can be found off the rock piles with plastics on the drop shot, deep diving crankbaits, or dunking live minnows. For bass fish early and late in the day for better acton on the smallies.

 

The salmon action at the mouth of the Feather River near Verona picked up with reports of some good action for anglers at anchor with Silvertron spinners.

 

Spooning is also effective with 2 ounce spoons in the green and chartreuse color pattern.

 

New Melons Lake remains the top kokanee lake in the state for size. Large schools of kokanee have been showing in water depths ranging from 70 to 100 feet with best bite taking place in water depths from 73 to 75 feet. Larger lures with a wobble, such as the Apex is producing best. Most are returning with limits by 1 pm. As a bonus a few rainbow trout to 3 pounds in the mix. Several other popular lures that are effective is the MAG Tackle and Paulina Peak dodgers with Apex lures and Paulina Peak Flutter Bugs.

 

Largemouth bass fishing has been best tossing plastics such as dark colored Senko’s, Robo Worms or jigs at depths of 20 feet above the rockpiles. Catfish remain the top species with chicken livers, or nightcrawler with the best along the shorelines in the evenings. The water levels remain high which is a good sign for the upcoming trout plants starting in October

 

The halibut fishing is not quite a prolific as it was in the past, but there are still some ‘butts’ to be caught. Quality halibut to 30 pounds taken while drifting live anchovies on the Berkeley Flats, and Angel Island while the striped bass fishing has been off the charts off the rock piles. Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait & Tackle reports that the water off the San Rafeal Harbor is- loaded with striped bass. Several to 5 pounds taken off the dock at the bait shop he reported. They

have plenty of anchovies, grass shrimp and pile arms in the shop so things are looking pretty good. Last week the California Dawn had 20 anglers and they hooked and landed 40 striped bass and 30 halibut to 30 pounds.

 

Although the rock fishing and ling cod fishing is rated good, most are targeting the excellent salmon fishing outside the gate. Most of the action is taking place off the Duxbury Bouy drift- ing herring or anchovies with most returning with their two fish limits to as high as 25 pounds.

 

The salmon fishing continues to be amazing reports Rick Powers of the New Sea Anglers who took out 38 anglers and they returned with 76 salmon, that is 38 limits to 23 pounds with a 12 to 14 pound average along with 28 limits of quality rockfish.

 

The good news is the albacore fishing has picked up with reports of the tuna moving off the California coastline around 25 miles off shore. This is due to the warm waters which have now moved closer which in turn is drawing the albacore. Captain Justin Wilder of Hooked on Men- do is taking albacore trips aboard his big boat, the Viking.

 

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - The California Fish and Game Commission will be conduct- ing a hearing related to the controversial revision of regulations governing the taking of striped bass and largemouth bass throughout Delta waterways. At this meeting it will be decided to differ their vote to reduce size regulations on both aforementioned species and to increase the numbers that can be taken daily. It is important that all interested fishermen in preserving this fishery from these regulation changes to attend this meeting which will be held at the State Re- sources Building located at 1416 Ninth St. in the main auditorium in Sacramento, Ca. Time is 8:30 am.

The fishing opportunities are wide open, so go out and spend the day in the great outdoors along with

a good fishing experience. Until next tide, stay safe to fish another day. Tight

lines!

 

West Delta - (striped bass, sturgeon)

Lake Don Pedro - (landlocked salmon, largemouth bass) American River - (salmon)

New Melones Reservoir - (kokanee, trout, largemouth bass); Feather River - (striped bass, salmon)

Fort Bragg - (albacore)

Pardee Reservoir - (kokanee, trout, largemouth bass) Camanche Lake - (trout, largemouth bass)

San Francisco Bay (halibut, striped bass)

Golden Gate - (salmon, rockfish, ling cod)

Bodega Bay - (salmon, rockfish, ling cod)

Half Moon Bay - (ling cod, rockfish, salmon)

Monterey Bay - (salmon, rockfish, ling cod)