Ken Baccetti Fishing report for August 23, 2021
My name is Ken Baccetti. I’m the President of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton-Delta Chapter. As a lifelong fisherman, fishing the California Delta, San Francisco Bay and Ocean waters, I will be your fishing reporter. Now on to the fish report for August 23, 2021.
The striper bite in the Delta can’t get any better if you plan your trip properly according to Delta fishing legend Mark Wilson and Captain Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo Sportfishing. They both have been having excellent days fishing on both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. First, Mark Wilson had an epic day recently fishing with his friends. Mark and company boated 80, yes 80 keeper stripers to 17 pounds (see the attached photo) trolling both the San Joaquin River near Eddo’s Harbor and the West Bank of the Sacramento River. They were using Yozuri shallow runner lures on the San Joaquin and Yozuri deep diving lures on the West Bank. The key for Mark has been fishing the turns of the tides. Captain Jeff Soo Hoo, on the other hand, has been mainly drifting live bait on the San Joaquin River with his customers. Captain Jeff also reports an excellent bite (see the attached photos) during the entire tide drifting live bait. Captain Jeff has also been trolling the West Bank of the Sacramento River as well. Wind and grass issues have been problems, but if you put in the time, you’ll definitely be rewarded.
Sturgeon fishing continues to be productive off Pittsburg and in Montezuma and Suisun Sloughs for those few anglers braving the windy conditions. Salmon roe and lamprey eel continue to be the most productive baits.
Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River began on July 16th, but there have been few reports of salmon being caught. The salmon that have been boated lately have come from those anglers trolling for stripers (see the attached photo sent by Mark Wilson).
If it’s black bass you want, then Don Paganelli, of Paganelli’s Bass Fishing Experience, will get you to where they’re biting. Don tells me he’s been guiding his clients in the Delta to two locations. The first location he’s been fishing is the areas of Minor, Steamboat and Sutter Sloughs. Don tells me that on a recent trip his clients boated 30 small and largemouth bass (see the attached photos) tossing topwater lures and plastics. The second area he’s been targeting has been the central Delta near Connection Slough and Mildred Island. Don’s bait of choice there has been topwater baits only early in the AM and artificial frogs the remainder of the day. Both these areas have been very productive.
Have you ever felt the excitement of a striped bass as it takes your bait or lure? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? Well, if you’re new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, a great opportunity awaits you. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers two FREE Fishing Days each year, and the second of these days is Saturday, September 4, 2021. On these days, you can fish without a sport fishing license. Free Fishing Days provide a great low-cost way to give fishing a try. While all fishing regulations, such as bag limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect, there are two days each year when anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license. So, if you can, get out on the water on September 4th and give fishing a try.
The 73rd Annual Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival is taking place this year on October 8, 9 and 10. The derby runs for 3 days starting on October 8th at 6:00am to October 10th at 3:00pm. Derby entrants can fish for striped bass, sturgeon, and salmon. The California Striped Bass Association, Isleton-Delta Chapter will once again be the official “weigh masters” of the derby and will staff the weigh station each day. The weigh station will once again be located at 1 Main Street, next to Rio Vista City Hall and the city dock. The weigh station is also located next to the newly renovated City of Rio Vista boat ramp. The great prize money is also back! For derby tickets or additional information visit www.bassfestival.com, or call the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce at 707-374-2700. Derby tickets will also be available at most local bait and tackle shops soon.
Now for a bay and ocean report. Live bait fishing in San Francisco Bay continues to be sporadic according to Captain Don Franklin of Sole-Man Sportfishing. On recent trips Captain Don tells me he’s found some stripers and halibut drifting live bait in the bay (see the attached photos). The keeper halibut have been coming from the backside of Alcatraz Island, and the stripers have been caught in the area of Red Rock Island near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Capt. Don continued to tell me that the leopard shark fishing has been off the hook in the South Bay. If you’ve never tried targeting leopard sharks, you should give it a try.
Salmon fishing out the Golden Gate has slowed somewhat, but the size of most of the fish has been in the teens to over 30 pounds. You may not get limits, but the size of the catches has been very impressive of late. Captain Trent Slate, of Bite Me Charters, has been having excellent days fishing from Duxbury Buoy to Double Point (see the attached photo). Trolling bait has been the most productive, with a watermelon Apex being the top lure.
If you would like more information about the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), go to our website (www.striper-csba.org). You will be able to access all the information related to the 5 CSBA Chapters. New members only pay $25, that includes a one time $5 initiation fee. After the first year of membership the annual dues are only $20. Your membership helps to strengthen our mission to protect striped bass and our fisheries. Some Chapters will give you a free gift just for joining. The Isleton-Delta Chapter gives all new members a free Chapter decal and hat as a thank you for joining our Chapter. Membership forms are available for each Chapter on the website. Just click on your Chapter of choice and go to the membership page, fill out the application, print it and send your application and payment to the address listed on the application. The website also has Chapters’ newsletters, interesting articles and useful links that will help you plan your next fishing trip.
Until next month, tight lines, good fishing, and have a great Labor Day weekend….
