Lets go Fishing with Jay Sorensen! courtesy of Cecile Giacoma and the River News Herald
DELTA
The Delta waterways
continue to run high and muddy along with heavy debris and logs in the system which makes boating hazardous. Due to the present conditions the sturgeon fishing should remain on the top of the list. As soon as waters begin to clear the striped bass fishing should bust wide open. Until that takes place stick to the aforementioned. Some of the best sturgeon fishing is taking place off the Mothball Fleet off the Glomar Explorer with eel/pile worm combinations. Another hot spot has been Buoy 31 outside Pittsburg, Chain Island, Montezuma Slough and Broad Slough where ghost shrimp and pile worms have been the big producer.
The largemouth bass fishing is taking center stage on the San Joaquin River. It has been observed in any areas of the south Delta and they are chasing the bass into the tules. Most of the largemouth bass fishing action is on swimsuits on slack water during the tide changes. Several caught recently up to 10 pounds. In Whiskey Slough the bluegill and crappie fishing has been outstanding. The best bait is red worms. Fresh threadfin shad should be coming into the local bait shops within the first few weeks of April.
CAMANCHE LAKE
Trout plants continue at Lake Camache. Last week 500 pounds of Lightning trout along with 400 pounds of rainbow trout were placed into the South Pond along with 900 pounds released at the North Shore boat launch. After the Lightning were placed into the South Pond a group of anglers wearing similar T-Shirts began to snag those that were visible resulting in at least 20 phone calls to either park personnel or Cal-Tip. A video of the snagging was posted on social media,
leading to outrage from
anglers throughout
northern California . If you witness any type of illegal activity when it comes to our fish and wildlife you are urged to call the Cal-Tip Hotline at (888) 332-2258. Lake Camanche has dropped from 77 to 74
percent of capacity.
PARDEE LAKE AND AMADOR LAKE
Trout plants continue to be made on weekly basis at both Pardee and Amador reservoirs. Since the opener at Pardee, the Rocky River Recreation Company has planted a total of 15,000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows since mid-February. Shoreline anglers fishing the Woodpile has been the hot spot for rainbows to 4 pounds. Bright colors of garlic-scented trout dough are working best in the slightly stained water. Trollers are starting to get into the action where trout to over 7 pounds have been caught recently. Just a reminder, if you fish Pardee for a two or three day period you have to purchase a fishing permit each day, and you may only keep one day possession of fish even though you fish consecutive days.
At nearby Lake Amador the resort continues to plant cut-bows off the Blue Docks. The water is spilling and it’s slightly stained. The best bait is garlic scented dough bait, Rat-L-Traps, Rapalas, and crank baits are working for trollers with Jackson Creek being an excellent option. Crappie to 2 pounds in the mix as well.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Halibut beginning to move into the bay with a few keepers showing for trollers and on the drift. The best is yet to come.
Take time to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. Until next tide stay safe to fish another day.
JAY’S BEST BETS
Sacramento – (sturgeon);
San Joaquin River – (sturgeon, striped bass) Broad Slough – (sturgeon)
South Delta – (largemouth bass)
Whiskey Slough – (perch, crappie)
Amador Lake – (trout);
American River – (steelhead);
Camanche Lake – (trout)
Suisun Cut – (sturgeon)
San Pablo Bay – (sturgeon);
Ocean – (sand dabs, petrel sole, Dungeness crab). San Luis Réservoir (striped bass)
Lake Pardee – (trout
San Francisco Bay – (halibut)
Montezuma Slough – (sturgeon)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The best way to cheer yourself up is To try to cheer somebody else up.
……Mark Twain
UPCOMING EVENTS
NTAC TROUT ANGLERS CHALLENGE AT COLLINS LAKE
Saturday, April 13, 2019 – The Norcal Trout Anglers Challenge Tournament Tour will visit Collins Lake and if you love to fish for trout you’ll want to participate in this low cost event. Boaters and bank anglers are welcome. The event will feature cash prizes, gear raffles and a lot of family fun. For more information or to sign up call (916) 768-0938.
FUTURE PRO CLEAR LAKE BASS
TOURNAMENT
April 20, 2019 – Be part of this west coast bass tournament by signing up for this Future Pro event. For more information, call Vince harris at (916) 768-0938.
KOKANEE POWER LAKE SHASTA TEAM CLASSIC
May 4-5, 2019 – You are invited to fish the Kokanee Power Lake Shasta Team Classic where you have the chance of hooking up with big trout and landlocked salmon. Participants can win some awesome prizes along with a free dinner. For more information, call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943.
FUTURE PRO
CLEAR LAKE BASS TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 20, 2019 – Plan on attending this event and be part of the west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for the Future Pro event. For more information, call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.
2019 SALMON FISHING SEASON OPENER
Saturday, April 6, 2019 – The ocean salmon fishing season opens in local waters as opposed to running 18 miles south below Pigeon Point.
2019 LING COD & ROCKFISH SEASON OPENER
Monday, April 1, 2019 – The opening date of the ocean rockfish and ling cod fishing season is in the same area as the salmon fishing opener.
UPCOMING HALIBUT FISHING SEASON
Halibut fishing fever is about ready to take off in San Francisco Bay with some charter boats already putting a few in the box. The Lovely Martha pushed the envelope by trolling in the south bay where they caught 6 keeper halibut along with 11 shakers on a 1/2 day trip on Saturday, March 9.
