Lets go Fishing with Jay Sorensen, Courtesy of Cecile Giacoma and the River News Herald!
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 bss, 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)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“ Santa Claus has the right idea, visit people once a year.”
. ……Victor Borge
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
COLLINS LAKE FAMILY FUN TROUT FISHING DERBY
Saturday, May 4, 2019 – This is a fun derby with some great prizes up for grabs. Entry fee for adults are $25 and kids fish for $5. For more information about Collins Lake or to sign up call at (800) 286-0576 or go to www.collinslake.com.
FUTURE PRO
LAKE CAMANCHE BASS TOURNAMENT
Saturday, May 18, 2019 – The west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit invites you to fish this Future Pro event at Lake Camanche. For more information, call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.
KOKANEE POWER WHISKEYTOWN LAKE TEAM CLASSIC
June 8-9, 2019 – At this event you have a chance of hooking big trout and kokanee along with winning some awesome prizes. For more information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4043.
KOKANEE POWER MELONES RESERVOIR TEAM DERBY
Saturday, July 13, 2019 – Catch some big kokanee and win some awesome prizes. For more information, call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943.
ULTIMATE FROG
CHALLENGE ON THE CALIFORNIA DELTA
July 27-28 2019 – This only frog lure fishing tournament for largemouth bass has always been fun to fish. For more information, call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.
HALFWAY HOME-DELTA COMMUNITIES STRONGER TOGETHER
Join us for a night to remember. A Benefit for Restore the Delta
HONOREES:
The Delta Working Team
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Eleni Kounalakis –
Lieutenant Governor of California
Michael Tubbs – Mayor of Stockton
DATE:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
TIME:
5:30 pm to 8 pm
PLACE;
Wine & Roses
2505 West Turner Road, Lodi, Ca. 95242
This special evening will be dedicated to honoring the Delta Working Team for their hard work and dedication to the Delta.
Tickets are $80 for individuals and $150 for couples. Sponsorships are available for a contribution of $1,000
For more information, call Restore the Delta at (209) 425-9550
