DELTA
Inclement weather conditions have put a damper on the fishing lately. Those venturing out are finding slow fishing conditions for striped bass as well as sturgeon. It is a known fact that the fish are here, but the drop in the water temperatures which now range between 47 and 49 degrees has put the bite on the light side. During this period of the year the sturgeon season is now on full swing, and the upcoming sturgeon derbies are a clear indicator of the presence of this prehistoric fish that is now in the system. The 13th Annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby takes place out of Martinez on Saturday, January 26 and the following weekend the 35th Annual Foundation Sportsman’s Club called the Original Sturgeon Derby will held on Saturday, February 2 until 1:00 pm and will run through Sunday, February 3 until 1:00 pm. The entry fee is $30 with a deadline of 7:00 am on February 2. The target length will be the same for both days, and it will be announced on Saturday morning at 7: 00 am. All persons in the boat must be entered in the derby as shoreline fishing is not allowed. The rules also state that no one entered in the derby is allowed to fish on Friday, February 1 until Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 am. All fish in the target length must be alive and must be measured at the Sportsman’s Club at McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point, Ca In preparation for the upcoming sturgeon derbies, anglers participating are advised to make any bait reservations at their local bait shops to ensure that bait is available for the event. Most of the bait shops will need to order sufficient amounts of baits and reserving bait is the best method for helping both the bait shop and fishermen.
Sturgeon are on the move in the Sacramento River as the water has turned off colored along with some debris floating on the surface. The striped bass fishing has really slowed down overall, but better days are ahead. Sturgeon have been found in the north Delta sloughs where eel/nightcrawler or eel/pile worm combinations are working best. Also, in addition grass or ghost strip. Striped bass fishing is best with cut baits coated with scent along with pile worms or blood worms as the muddy water is limiting the action on live mudsuckers, blue gills and minnows. Sardines with a garlic scent is working best. Threadfin shad will not be available at the local bait shops until this spring, buy there is some frozen still available if you check around.
AMERICAN RIVER
The steelhead action on the American River has picked up above the Watt Ave.Bridge with row and nightcrawlers drawing the best bite.
CAMANCHE LAKE
Trout fishing on this valley impoundment remains very good with five fish limits the rule. Most of the recent catches have been weighing over 2 pounds with some weighing as much as 5 to 6 pounds. This past week over 2,700 pounds of trout have been planted between the South Shore launch ramp and the South Shore Pond. Another 2,700 pounds are scheduled to be released before the weekend. The best action is taking place at the Narrows with 3 inch Power Grubs on a four foot leader with 1/8 ounce of weight on a long setback. The trolling speed should be between 1.4 and 1.6 mph with side planers. The lake is now at 74 percent of capacity.
LAKE AMADOR
Trout plants continue with 500 pounds of Donaldson and Lightning trout released this week with half of the plant taking place at the Blue Dock and the other half in the Carson Arm Cove via the net pens. Most of the trout weigh between 4 and 8 pounds. The lake has risen slightly, and the water is beginning to get off colored from the recent rains. Scent flavored Power Bait fishing from the shoreline has been fair. Heavy trout plants are expected for the next few months.
SAN LUIS RESERVOIR
San Luis Reservoir continues to be a solid location for striped bass with a variety of techniques working. Most of the fishermen are focusing on the main lake or the California Aqueduct as the O’Neill Forebay has been limited to a small grade of fish. Most of the recent catches have been in the 22 inch range up to 9 pounds. Most of the striped bass have been showing in the shallow coves using Lucky Craft Pointer 128’s in the shad pattern in the top 20 feet in 40 to 60 feet water. The current water temperature is holding at 58 degrees along with excellent clarity. Shoreline anglers have been ripping with Duo Realis Ivory Halo jerkbaits in the white with flash with most of trollers working plugs in deep waters. There has been a topwater bite in the early mornings with jerkbaits while shoreline anglers are using pile worms, blood worms, anchovies, jumbo minnows, or chicken livers in the moving waters near check 12. The lake has risen to 77 percent of capacity due to increased pumping in the South Delta.
OCEAN WATERS
Most of the charter boat fleet are putting their clients into large numbers of sand dabs, sole and limits of Dungeness crab. They will continue to run the popular combination trips if the interest and weather permit.
JAY’S BEST BETS
Delta – (striped bass, sturgeon);
Mokelumne River – (striped bass, steelhead, largemouth bass); American River – (steelhead);
Feather River – (steelhead);
Suisun Bay/Cut – (sturgeon);
Ballards Bar- (kokanee salmon);
San Pablo Bay – (sturgeon, striped bass);
San Francisco Bay – (leopard shark, seven gill shark);
Ocean – (sand dabs, Dungeness crab).
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Be kind to your mother-in-law
And if necessary pay for her board at some good hotel.
…..Josh Billings
UPCOMING EVENTS
35TH ANNUAL FOUNDATION SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: ORIGINAL STURGEON DERBY
The 35th Annual Foundation Sportsman’s Club called the Original Sturgeon Derby will held on Saturday, February 2 until 1:00 pm and will run through Sunday, February 3 until 1:00 pm. The entry fee is $30 with a deadline of 7:00 am on February 2. The target length will be the same for both days, and it will be announced on Saturday morning at 7: 00 am. All persons in the boat must be entered in the derby as shoreline fishing is not allowed. The rules also state that no one entered in the derby is allowed to fish on Friday, February 1 until Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 am. All fish in the target length must be alive and must be measured at the Sportsman’s Club at McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point, CaTERRY RAAHAUGE MEMORIAL BIRD SHOOTSaturday, February 9, 2019 – The Terry Raahauge Memorial Bird Shoot takes place at the Raahuges Hunting Club in Dunnigan, Ca. At this event there is great food , great fun, great prizes along with some great shooting. This is all going to take place during Terry’s annual memorial shoot. If you enjoy bird hunting this is a must attend event. For more information or to sign up, call (916) 768-0938.CSBA 9th ANNUAL CRAB FEEDSaturday, February 23, 2019 – The 9th Annual Crab Feed sponsored by the West Delta Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association will take place at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building located ay 757 1st Street, Brentwood, Ca. Time: 6:00 pm Tickets: $50.The proceeds will be going to the Free Kids Fishing Derby which will be held in October at the Uril “Compy” Compomizzo Public Fishing Pier in Antioch, Ca. The evenings will even include raffles, silent auction and several 50% playback card games. This event allows kids to get involved in the great outdoors and hopefully they will stay away from drugs or joining gangs. For further information or tickets call Mike Hall at (925) 634-6356. This is a worthwhile cause to get involved with.SANTA ROSA FISHING TACKLE & DUCK DECOY SHOWMarch 8 – 9, 2019. At this annual event there will be an array of antiques, collectibles, new and used fishing tackle and much more. This event will take place at 1351 Maple Ave. in Santa Rosa. For moreinformation call (707) 888-7935.SACRAMENTO BOAT SHOWMarch 7 – 10, 2019 at Cal Expo. Opens on Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, contact sacramentoboatshow.com or call (916) 372-4239.RENO RV, BOAT &RECREATION SHOWMarch 14 – 17, 2019.If you enjoy outdoor sports and recreation you will want to attend the Reno Boat & Recreation Show. This event boasts the latest outdoor gear and accessories, adventure and travel, boats, RV’s, camp trailers
