Fishing report for week of Dec. 4-10: Stripers all around, Hensley bass and more

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake and who now guides in the greater Fresno area. Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted.

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Best bets

Delta striper and sturgeon bites good, Alan Fong said. San Luis stripers working the top, Alex Tran reported. Hensley Lake bass hitting, Steve Newman said. Aqueduct stripers on tap, Pete Cormier reported. McClure bass and trout on good bites, Ryan Cook said.

Key

1-Try dynamite

2-Have to work hard

3-Limits possible

4-Fish jumpin’ in boat

In the northern section of the aqueduct, Steve Newman of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “The aqueduct is getting really good with jerkbaits such as Duo Realis 120s and Lucky Craft 128s in white or shad patterns along with topwater lures. We are selling a number of hard baits for the aqueduct, and anglers are searching for boils as the water is clearing up, and the bait is moving through and holding near the headgates.”

In the southern section of the aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “The aqueduct has been on fire for striped bass, and we have been selling plenty of blood worms and jumbo minnows along with flukes with a chartreuse tail, tube baits, and jerkbaits. I showed one fisherman how to rig anchovies, and he reportedly caught seven striped bass, keeping his limit. Catfish are taken on anchovies, sardines, mackerel, minnows and chicken livers.”

Call: Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis 292-3474; Bob’s Bait Bucket 661-833-8657

Newman said, “The water releases have slowed, and largemouth bass are found on bluegill or bluegill pattern profile swimbaits, but the action for the larger bass has been hit or miss. A few largemouths to 8 pounds have been taken, but the majority are in the 1- to 1.5-pound range. The bass are holding along the ledges or the transition areas with plastics on the drop-shot along with dragging jigs over island tops or in the saddles between islands. The deep-diving crankbait bite is taking off with lipless crankbaits such as Rat-L-Traps along the dam at depths from 15 to 30 feet, and a Senko on a slow fall is also a possibility for the bass holding in the rocks along the dam. Crappie should start showing up around 30 feet near structure as the water cools.”

The lake held at 46%.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Newman said, “The lake continues to be very good for largemouth bass with Senkos or reaction baits such as spinnerbaits or underspins. The water has been warm with the low water levels, but as the water temperatures cool, the bluegill and crappie will start accumulating along the rockpiles and tree lines at depths to 30 feet.”

The lake rose slightly to 24%.

Call: Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

The bass bite is still tough, but Ryan Cook of Ryan Cook’s Fishing reported a better quality of largemouth to 4 pounds has been found on glide baits recently, and the jig bite is picking up. The best action has been found from 20 to 40 feet, and once again, finding bait is the key. The American Bass Association is holding a tournament at the lake Saturday, and although the number of participants is expected to be small, there will be some of the top Northern California bass fishermen in competition. Few trout and king salmon reports, but the remaining rainbows in the lake should be moving closer and closer to the surface. The lake held at 78%.

Call: Monte Smith – Gold Country Sport Fishing 209-581-4734; Kyle Wise – Head Hunter Guide Service 209-531-3966; Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Fishing 691-7008

Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield said, “The local lakes of Hart Park, Ming, River Walk, and Truxton are still kicking out a few planted rainbows, and there have been some crappie coming out of Ming. Bass fishermen are also targeting Truxton, Hart Park, and the River Walk with plastics from the shorelines. Isabella is still kicking out crappie, and we have been selling small to medium minnows as well as crappie jigs. The slabs are found as deep as 30 feet around structure. Bass fishing is best with jigs or deep-diving crankbaits while catfishing is best with Sonny’s Triple S Dip Bait in Blood Formula, frozen shad, or clams. Isabella rose slightly to 30%.In the lower Kern River below the dam, trout fishing has been decent for quality planters with trout dough bait, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers. Buena Vista has been planted, and there was an 8-pound rainbow taken out after the Taft Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby. We haven’t heard much about the upper Kern River due to the inclement weather.

Call: Bob’s Bait Bucket 661-833-8657; North Fork Marina 760-376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station 542-2816

Not much change in the past week with the lake holding at near-minimum pool at 9%, and it is difficult to launch a large boat. A trout plant occurred last week, and this was the first plant in the past several years so swimbaits should be working for the larger grade of largemouth bass. Huddleston swimbaits in rainbow trout are a good option. Spoons and jigs in deep water over structure are the best option for numbers while the swimbaits will offer you the opportunity for a trophy bass. Central Valley Kayak Fishing will hold their first tournament of 2020 on March 1, a team event.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of the Sequoia Fishing Company said, “After heavy rain and snow this past week, the bass fishing could be tricky this week. The lake is rising, and most bass fishermen are throwing big swimbaits, spoons, or jigs. The lake was planted with rainbows last week so hopefully, the bass are chasing are chasing the stocked trout. This will turn on the swimbait bite. The lake dropped slightly to 7% before the latest inflow. In the Tule River, Stokke said, “The river is stained due to runoff from snow and rain so it’s mainly unfishable.”

Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com

With the slower action at New Melones and Don Pedro for largemouth and smallmouth bass, Lake McClure, primarily a spotted bass lake, remains the best bets for bass fishermen in the Mother Lode. In addition, trout fishing remains solid for trollers pulling a variety of lures at depths to 45 feet along the south end.

Cook said, “This storm has thrown a wrench into the bite over the weekend, but is is going to jump-start everything. Most of the bass remain suspended, but there are more and more fish moving into the shallows. The bass are still scattered at depths from 10 to 60 feet, but they will get settled as the shad schools get tighter in the cooling water temperatures. The jig bite is starting to pick up, and I am using G-Money jigs in a brown/purple color known as Margaritaville with a Dead Stick Hula Daddy trailer on a half-ounce jig head from the bank to 30 feet and on a three-quarter-ounce jig head when working deeper than 30 feet. I always have a jig at the ready at this time of year. Some bass are making it to the banks, and even though the numbers of bass moving up is not huge, more and more are arriving every week. Drop-shotting a 2- to 4-inch plastic in shad pattern is another option on a half-ounce drop-shot weight on light 8-pound monofilament. Find the bait, and the bass will be close behind.”

The American Bass Association Mother Lode division held an event on the lake last week, and the team of Jeremy Potts and Scott Laird took first at 11.84 pounds, and there were three limits over 11 pounds with another two over 10 pounds out of the 12 boats participating. The 11-pound range has been the average weight of tournament winners over the past few months.

For trout, Steve Marquette of the Lake McClure/McSwain Recreation Company said, “We limited out on rainbows in the 1- to 1.5-pound range off of the South Ramp at depths to 45 feet with Kastmasters in silver/blue or white. There are still plenty of trout in the lake from the massive plant months ago, and they will be moving closer to the surface in the coming weeks.”

McClure held at 60%.

Call: Ryan Cook – Ryan Cook’s Fishing 691-7008

Marquette said, “A trout plant is expected soon, and the holdover rainbows are providing some action for trollers with blade/’crawler combinations as well as from the banks with salmon eggs or pink trout dough bait from the Handicapped Docks and the cabins. The lake hasn’t had a plant since the 3,000 pounds of rainbow trout by the Department of Fish and Wildlife a few weeks back. Lake levels remain high.”

Call: McSwain Marina 209-378-2534

Newman said, “Bass fishing requires running and gunning as the bass are moving up, but they remain scattered out. There is a spinnerbait bite in the main lake when the wind is blowing along with underspins, and Winchell’s Cove, the Madera side, and the Courthouse in the Fresno side have been producing spotted bass on reaction baits in the coves. The bass are holding along rocky structure, submerged island tops, and on deep and steep points with plastics on the drop-shot, dart head, or Ned-rig. The bass are orienting to boulders, but they should be transitioning to the dirt and pebble rock areas at depths to 20feet once the crawdads move out. The crappie are showing up in the shallows, but they will drop down to around 30 feet when the water cools enough to hold the shad into tight groupings. Finding bait on the electronics is essential as the shad remained scattered in the unseasonably warm water, and your electronics can also display bass on the bottom below the bluegill or crappie schools.”

The lake held at 45%.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

The bass bite remains a challenge, and top guides are working hard for 8 to 20 spotted bass in the 1.5-pound range per day. The best action remains at 60 feet with plastics on the drop-shot or shakey head, but the reaction bite should be picking up. John Liechty of Xperience Bass Fishing said, “It is the toughest bite that I have ever seen in my years of guiding on the lake, but both the shad and bass should lock into a specific depth and comfort zone. The lake only dropped a total of 12 feet this past year, and normally there is a swing of 30 feet or more of recession. The larger swings really bring new resources into the lake when the water rises, and this may be a factor in the tougher bite this fall. I expect the swimbait bite on a slow rolling retrieve to pick up in the coming weeks.”

Trout trolling is starting to show signs of life with Speedy Shiners, Needlefish, or Countdown Rapalas in German Brown at depths from 50 to 60 feet in the main lake. The Kokanee Power Net Pens are loaded with rainbow trout, and they are being fattened up for a release in the spring.

The lake held at 83%.

Call: Glory Hole Sports 209-736-4333; Monte Smith 209-581-4734; John Liechty Xperience Fishing Guide Service 209-743-9932

Pine Flat has been on the verge of breaking out for a larger grade of spotted bass, and the continuation of trout plants is contributing to the emerging swimbait bite.

Newman said, “We are starting to see swimbait fish in the main lake area, but the majority of bait is up in the river arm. The ice jig bite is starting to take off along with spoons or plastics on the drop-shot at depths from 40 to 50 feet in depth on the main lake. There have been big schools of spots holding on the bottom, and you can stay on them for some time. Jigs in quarter- to three-eighths-ounce weights or small Kei Tech swimbaits with a boot tail on a similarly weighted jig are working along with plastics on a wacky-rig, drop-shot, or jigs. The larger bass are eating. Most of the bass are found in deep water, but there are bass shallower in the backs of coves hunting for bait around 20 feet. The stormy weather has also brought the bass closer to the surface. The trout plants have also improved bank fishing around Deer Creek or Island Park with trout dough bait or nightcrawlers, and there are a number of small rainbows from 6 to 10 inches with some in the 14- to 16-inch range. Trolling hasn’t taken off yet, but I expect it to in the coming weeks, and I wouldn’t troll deeper than 15 feet.”

In the lower Kings River, the flows have slowed down with the water releases on hold, and Newman said, “Tyler Gardner of our shop limited out near Alta Weir, and the water level is great right now with nice ripples and runs. This is the time to target rainbows on the lower Kings. Drifting salmon eggs or trout dough bait into the deeper pools are working best for spin casters, and fly fishermen are working the catch-and-release section with nymphs and stone flies. Dry flies in caddis patterns are also effective when there is a hatch.”

Pine Flat held at 41%.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626

San Luis Reservoir water releases have slowed down considerably after a rapid drawdown over the past several months, and the creeks are starting to bring new life into the lake as the striped bass are chasing bait fish into the coves.

Jesus Reyes Silva of Hollister was out on Thanksgiving Day with Ivan Ramos and Perry DiBenedetto for a topwater session, and they caught and released numbers of stripers to 15 pounds with Silva’s JKing’s topwater lures in various color patterns.

Newman said, “San Luis has been on fire, and we sold loads of jerkbaits and trolling lures during our Black Friday sales. Trollers are working P-Line’s Predator Minnows near the dam or the mouth of Portuguese Cove while topwater and jerkbaits are working in the coves for keepers to 20 inches being the norm. The bait is moving into the coves, and the fishermen are watching for boils from both the shoreline and on boats.”

Alex Tran of Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill said, “Lucky Craft Pointer 128s or 100s are flying out of the shop, and Ghost Minnow or American Shad have been the top colors. Trollers are working the 128s or U-rigs near the Trash Racks or in Portuguese Cove, and the fresh water in to the lake is bringing the shad into the coves with the stripers not far behind.”

Roger George of Roger’s Guide Service said, “Wild weather patterns and a sporadic bite has anglers trying to figure out the best feeding windows between rain, fog and wind events at the big lake. I went out scouting on Saturday, and the good topwater and rip bait bite that anglers reported Friday totally shut off. There was heavy fog early, and by 10 a.m., I was surprised when it began raining in the soup, right before the southeast wind kicked in. I saw fish suspended real deep that wouldn’t bite, and others reported they couldn’t find the previous day’s boils. They can move deep fast, especially when a big storm and a low-pressure front is coming in. I ended up releasing stripers to 24 inches, but I had to pull out all the best trolling tricks I know to get them to go. The active fish were found from 75 to 90 feet, and I got them on Lucky Crafts in minnow colors like American shad. The lake is rising about 9 inches a day now which is great news for increased stability and the water temp is down to around 62 degrees with good visibility. I think I just hit the wrong day between good bites.

“FYI! Concerned striper anglers need to consider going to the critical California Department of Fish and Wildlife meeting Wednesday, Dec.11 in Sacramento to show your support and stop the proposed striper regulation changes.” in June the DFW proposed changes to the April 5, 1996 original striped bass policy. The revisions have led to outcry from fishermen throughout California, and the subsequent meetings have featured numbers of anglers speaking up on behalf of the future of the striped bass.

George said he will announce a new date for his Downrigging 101 class soon.

The lake rose slightly to 43%.

In the O’Neill Forebay, striped bass are plentiful, and topwater lures, jerkbaits or soft baits such as flukes are working along the edges of the grass. The bait fish are holding in the grass, and the striped bass are chasing the shad through the grass. Numbers of stripers are the rule, and action is plentiful, but you will have to cull through a number of undersized stripers for a legal limit over 18 inches.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle 408-463-0711, Roger George, 905-2954, rogergeorgeguideservice.com

With the heavy snows, the road to Wishon and Courtright at McKinley Grove should be closed until April along with Kaiser Pass over to Edison and Florence Lakes. Upstream from Shaver Lake, Huntington access is also limited.

The swimbait bite should be taking off as trout plants are anticipated in the coming weeks, but overall, the bass fishing is fair at best with large profile plastics among the weeds. The bass are eating bluegill and Rat-L-Traps in bluegill patterns are another option. Trout trolling remains slow, but it will improve with upcoming plants by the end of the month.

The Sheriff’s Motor Fee is enforced on a year-round basis now.

A webcam of the lake is available at basslakeca.com/index.php. The lake dropped to 49%, and the courtesy dock is out of the water, but small boats can still get in by beaching the boat. The lake should start to rise in the coming weeks.

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748

Still few reports from the high-elevation lakes, and the Kaiser Pass lakes are dropping with Edison receding from 46% to 40%, Florence at 51% and Mammoth Pool from 75% to 67%.

For the latest Sierra National Forest road conditions: bit.ly/2rfH8BB

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters in Shaver Lake said, “A big snow and wind storm dumped a load of snow on Shaver Lake beginning Tuesday night into Friday as round one of the storms, and after a little break on Friday, the second storm came in Saturday through Monday, pretty much eliminating anyone from fishing this past week into the weekend. Prior to the arrival of the storms, a limit of mixed kokanee and rainbow trout was possible. Corky Burkdoll and Naomi Amador of Visalia were out just before the first storm, and they picked up three limits of mostly spawning kokanee to 18 inches along with a few rainbow trout to 16 inches. Burkdoll reported that he had to cull out a limit of red kokanee to keep nine edible fish. They were trolling from the ramp to Scout Cove with orange hoochies tipped with corn behind a dodger.

There is optimism for the trout bite in the springtime at Shaver as the Department of Fish and Wildlife is expected to double the 2019 allotments with 34,000 pounds including 2,000 over 2 pounds. The 12,000 brown trout planted last winter should reach catchable size by next summer. The 50,000 golden trout released last winter should remain below catchable size, and they should be released to allow to grow. 2021 should be the first year we are able to have some fun with California’s official freshwater fish – the golden trout.

The ramp has been snowed over since last Tuesday, current ramp conditions can always be viewed from the webcam at the Sierra Marina at sierramarina.com/camera.html.

Shaver dropped slightly to 62%.

At Huntington, the winter storm limited access to the lake, but the dock has been out of the water for several weeks. Brown trout fishermen should be dragging their aluminum boats to launch along the lake’s edge once the roads are reopened. The water came up to 57%.

Call: Dick Nichols, Dick’s Fishing Charters 281-6948; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435

The recent snow storm closed access to these high-elevation lakes, and they may be inaccessible until April.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Similar story out of Half Moon Bay with limits of crab taken on the New Captain Pete on Thanksgiving Day and Friday morning before the weather moved in. The crab came fast and furious.”

Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat was also out on Thanksgiving morning, and he said, “We ran a crab-only on Thanksgiving Morning. 23 limits of crab were enjoyed by thankful crabbers!. And to note, imitation make be the best form of flattery? New Captain Pete and Queen of Hearts had nice loads of anglers as well.”

The Half Moon Bay Fish Market on the corner of Highway 92 and Main Street is boiling crab for $2 apiece.

Call: Captain Dennis Baxter, New Captain Pete 650-576-3844; Captain Tom Mattusch, Huli Cat 650-619-0459

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’s Fishing Trips in Monterey said, “We made it out on Saturday for 17 limits of rockfish and a pair of ling cod, but we didn’t pull the crab pots. On Friday, we did pull the pots for 70 Dungeness crab and 150 rockfish for 20 anglers. The weather has been the story here as well, and we haven’t been able to get out.”

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak and Surfcasting Guide Service said, “Surf perch season is well upon us now. Once conditions clear up from these latest and much appreciated rainstorms, we’ll be looking at brand new winter-style beach topography. These are the beach conditions that best provide distinct feeding opportunities and areas for hungry perch and striped bass. Another expert surfcaster, Alex Velasco from Marina has tutored dozens of anglers on the intricacies of surfcasting over the years. In his youth, Velasco used the classic 12-foot heavy surf rod with a pyramid weight below a couple dropper loop bait hooks. As he gathered knowledge, he transitioned to a lighter, more nuanced approach to fishing the surf. One that covers more territory as well as providing more excitement. Velasco says, “My gear is now a 10’6” to 11’6” ultra-light noodle rod with a Shimano 4000 spinning reel spooled with eight-pound Maxima Ultragreen line. I’ll use a sliding egg sinker, an orange bead to protect the knot, a large barrel swivel, an eight-pound leader and a #8 bronze Gamakatsu bait-holder hook. The leader is almost the length of my pole during incoming tide and shorter during low tide. Depending on the area and time of the year, bait options are sand-crabs, mussels, blood-worms, grass shrimp and clams.”

It’s very important to “read” the water, according to Velasco. “I always walk along the beach till I find a sandbar where the surge is breaking and the backwash is dropping into the edge of the sandbar. This is where the perch are usually feeding on all the crustaceans being washed out. Rip currents can be productive as well. Cast out close to the edge of the sand bar, keep a tight line and let the surge take your bait into the hole. If there’s fish feeding there you will hook into them.”

Call: Chris’ Landing 831-375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting 831-251-9732

Similar to the ports north and south, the Golden Gate Fleet was tied up over the weekend. Prior to the wind and rough ocean conditions, limits of Dungeness crab have been the rule along with rockfish limits once the boats are able to make it to the Farallon Islands. The coastal rocks have not been producing as in past years, and the party boats have been running to the islands when the weather is good enough.

The commercial crab season has been put on hold until December 15th, but once the thousands upon thousands of crab pots are unleashed into coastal waters, the crab counts will drop precipitously, but there still should be enough crab to last until the Christmas holiday for sport fishermen.

There are still striped bass in the bay, and the boats that did go out targeted the linesides in San Pablo Bay. The runoff should get the sturgeon going in the extreme South Bay as well as in San Pablo Bay when the water turns the colors of chocolate milk.

Call: Captain Trent Slate, Bite Me Charters 415-307-8582; Happy Hooker 510-223-5388; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady 415-760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing 707-655-6736

Out of San Luis Obispo County, the near-limits of rockfish were the rule prior to the weekend weather keeping most of the party boats off of the ocean. The Black Pearl and Fiesta were able to make it out on Saturday with a combined 29 anglers for 7 ling cod to 8 pounds along with 26 vermillion rockfish and 150 assorted rockfish. Brandon Johnson of Bakersfield won a jackpot with the big ling. Also out of Morro Bay, the Avenger, Endeavor, and Starfire out of Morro Bay Landing were last out on Friday with 54 fishermen for 85 vermilion, 35 copper, 2 Boccaccio, 408 assorted rockfish, a 12-pound sheephead landed by Gary Torres of Hanford at the Radar Domes, and a 5-pound ling cod by Ryan Avila of Tulare. Out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, the Flying Fish and Patriot last took out 39 anglers on Friday for 9 vermilion, 6 copper, 4 Bolina, 359 assorted rockfish, one ocean whitefish, and 15 ling cod to 7 pounds. All ports are running a variety of trips in the coming weeks for rockfish/ling cod including overnight trips until the bottom fish closure on Dec. 31.

Call: Virg’s Landing 800-762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing 805-595-4100

Starting this past June, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has proposed changes to the April 5, 1996 original striped bass policy. The revisions have led to an outcry from fishermen throughout California, and the subsequent meetings have featured numbers of anglers speaking up on behalf of the future of the striped bass. The Commission has proposed these changes previously; most recently in 2012, but an impressive showing of fishermen were able to lead to the president of the commission recognizing the striped bass as a native species during the 2012 meeting.

The meeting in which the commissioners will vote on the proposed changes will be Wednesday, December 11th at the Natural Resources Building on 1416 Ninth Street in Sacramento starting now at 9:30 a.m. The meeting time has been changed from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Those entering the building must possess a photo identification.

Major changes in the original policy are the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall monitor and manage striped bass in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, consistent with the Commission Policy that the Department shall emphasize programs that ensure, enhance, and prevent loss of sport fishing opportunities. Secondly, the Department shall ensure that actions to increase and sustain striped bass abundance are consistent with the Department’s mission and public trust responsibilities, including those related to threatened or endangered species and other species of greatest conversation need. Finally, the Department shall work towards these goals through any appropriate means. Such means may include actions to help maintain, restore, and improve habitat beneficial to striped bass, reduce impacts of invasive aquatic vegetation, improve water quality, reduce loss of striped bass from water projects and diversions, and assess that status of the striped bass in California. These recommendations are a major change of direction from the original policy that identified a long-term striped bass restoration goal of 3 million adults.

Because of their ability to grow to great size, their ability to spread and adapt to a number of environments, their willingness to be taken on a variety of gear, and their reputation for having ‘big shoulders’, the striped bass are the engine that powers the fishing economy from Colusa to Pacifica.

According to estimates regarding adaptive management of the striped bass through the proposed regulations, the overall size and number of bass would decrease, significantly reducing recreational opportunities for this fishery and resulting in the loss of “everyman’s trophy fish.”

Thanks for the efforts of organizations such as the Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association and the California Striped Bass Association, the previous meetings have been well represented by fishermen, but the December 11th meeting is where the decision will be made – a decision that will affect future generations of northern California fishermen.

The river salmon season ends in two weeks on December 16th, but there are still fresh fish coming up into the Sacramento-Delta on their way into the upper tributaries. The salmon bite has all but died along the Benicia shoreline, but trollers are still finding the occasional big chrome-bright salmon from Freeport on up towards Verona with Brad’s Cut Plugs behind a Pro-Troll E-Chip Dodger or K-15 Kwikfish. Sturgeon fishing remains solid in lower Suisun Bay, and the inflow from the upstream watershed should clear out some of the weeds and debris that have been clogging up the system for months.

Alan Fong, manager of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento, was in the north Delta this week, and he said, “I was in Snodgrass Slough, and there was no grass up there. I caught and released 8 striped bass to 10 pounds on topwater lure, and I lost a larger one. After working over the stripers, we went and loaded up with crappie at depths to 17 feet with 2-inch Kei Tech swimbaits or Strike King’s Mr. Crappie. We ended up with up to 100 crappie. I went back on Thanksgiving Day for only one striper on topwater, but we loaded up with crappie once again. The river is still clear despite the recent inflow. The Liberty Island area has been sprayed heavily, and there is more grass, but they must have not sprayed in Snodgrass.”

J.D. Richey of Richey’s Sport Fishing has transitioned from salmon fishing in the metropolitan Sacramento area to striper fishing in the Delta, and he specializes in topwater, swimbaits, and spoons for the linesides. Richey advises the following modifications to his topwater plugs to improve efficiency and safety. He said, “First, I add a second split-ring between the hook and the lure to give it nearly 360 degrees to travel, creating more difficulty for the striper to twist out the lure. Secondly, I change out the stock hooks on most plugs since they are usually too light and not sharp enough. However, you have to pay attention, as by going up in thickness, you can throw off the balance and buoyancy of the lure. Finally, I am also running barbless hooks on my client gear. This modification started off as a conversation measure to keep from wounding fish, increasing the possibility of mortality, but is has as also proven very useful when someone onboard gets a hook stuck into a part of their body which is always a possibility when throwing lures.”

Kyle Goldberg of Donkey Stick lures was out with Vince Borges of Vince Borges Outdoors on Friday, and he said, “The water was muddy in the north Delta, and it was blown out so we had to settle for a single 18-inch striped bass on a swim jig. We saw a lot of crappie being caught, and on our next trip, we are bringing out the crappie gear with us.”

Bill Clapp of Bill’s Sport Fishing reported excellent striper trolling prior to the storms for limits of school-sized stripers from 19 to 22 inches on broken backed Rebels or Fish Traps along with a number of undersized striped bass. He said, “They wanted to play today.”

Dave Houston of Livermore went out with Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert, and Marty Eck this week, and after launching out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley, they crossed the river to work the West Bank towards the mouth of Montezuma Slough for 8 keepers to 8 pounds. He said, “Surprising enough, after the heavy winds, the water color was good, and there was very little grass.”

Tony Lopez of Benicia Bait reported minimal interest in fishing over the wet and windy weekend, and they had 25 pounds of grass shrimp remaining in the shop where they have been selling out early in previous weekends. He said, “Shoreline striped bass fishing for schoolies has been good with anchovies, and there have been some larger stripers taken. Splittails have been scarce, and Ron Reisinger of Chico spent an entire day trying for splittail in Harris Harbor without success.” The live or dead splittail are used to target huge striped bass at the Firing Lines or at Garnet Point.

Oversized sturgeon have been commonplace as the effect of the 60-inch slot limit is proving its effectiveness. Private boater Scotty Marran of Yuba City was out in Montezuma Slough this week with friends, and they caught and released oversized sturgeon at 76 inches or larger on salmon roe.

Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg has been in the process of repowering his 26-foot vessel, the‘Top Gun’ with new outboard engines on a gill bracket, and he is offering a seminar on his sturgeon fishing techniques at the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento on Thursday, December 12th at 6:00 p.m. Mitchell will also be featured at the upcoming International Sportsmen’s Exposition at Cal Expo on Saturday, January 18th at the California Sportsmen’s Theater at 3:00 p.m.

Captain Zach Medinas of Gatecrasher Fishing Adventures continues to put on a sturgeon clinic out of Pittsburg Marina with his cured salmon roe on his catch-and-release trips. He put outdoor writer, Stacy Barawed of Folsom, onto her first-ever sturgeon along with one trip with 13 slot-limit sturgeon and two shakers with one triple- and two double-hook ups. He later took out retired members of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for a battle with a couple of huge oversized.

The San Joaquin-Delta is cooling down, and more and more striped bass are starting to move up and into the system. Previously most striper fishermen have been targeting Liberty Island on the Sacramento River system, but with the current rainy and windy conditions, the linesides are moving up from San Francisco Bay and into the San Joaquin.

On the San Joaquin River, Dan Mathisen of Dan Mathisen Outdoors said, “I have been finding striped bass in Mildred, Little Mandeville, and Woodward Islands, and this southern storm is bringing warmer water into the Delta. The warm moisture should move the stripers into the system, and things will finally settle down as the storm subsides. I have been using Optimum’s AA Bad Bubba shad swimbait, and we had one good roll on topwater. The stripers are getting fatter and fatter, and the bite should improve. I’m kind of excited with more fish moving in, and the bite should break out finally. The stripers on the Liberty side will be moving, and more and more linesides will be arriving into the Stockton Turning Basin, the main San Joaquin River, and Woodward Island. Before now it is all been Liberty Island, but if the wind doesn’t arrive in force, the San Joaquin will be in play. For largemouth bass, punching the weeds is still working, and there is a good ripbait bait. Fishermen are also starting to throw the A-rig as well. Our first Dan Mathisen Outdoor’s tournament of the year will be on January 4th out of Russo’s Marina.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, said, “We have been finding numbers of small largemouth bass on ripbaits such as the ima Flit in Olive Herring or Rock N’Vibe Suspend, but the bass aren’t jumping in the boat. With the coming winter, they will go on a feed for a week or so before their metabolism slows down. They want to eat as much as possible right now. I have been working the ripbaits adjacent to moving water of the weeds. A pause is necessary to entice a strike. For striped bass, during calm periods without wind, the ima Big Stick has been working on top, and the Optimum AA Bad Bubba Shad swimbait is my go-to for subsurface. If the weather pulls the bait into deeper water, spoons will be the best bet. The pattern of days of wind and rain between calm days have the bass unsettled.”

The Stockton-area bait shops continue to have a supply of fresh shad, and this will remain until the water turns too cold for the shadders to reach the bait.

Call: Randy Pringle 209-543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell 707-655-6736; Vince Borges Outdoors 209-918-0828; J.D. Richey, Richey’s Sport Fishing 916-952-1554

At Nacimiento, the spotted bass have moved deep, and there is a spoon bite at 35 feet with shad-patterned spoons as well as with plastics on the drop-shot or jigs on a ‘dead-stick’ presentation. The spots are holding around the shad schools, and the key is to locate the shad with your electronics. The fuel dock is now selling fuel again from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lake held at 45% this week. A webcam of the lake is available at lakenacimientolive.com.

At Lopez, smallmouth and largemouth bass are taken on crankbaits or spinnerbaits in the mornings and during periods of wind. Jigs or Brush Hogs are the other option during the mid-day hours as the bass are holding near rocky structure in deeper water. The bluegill and red ear perch have dropped in the water column, and they are taken on meal worms, wax worms, or red worms, and catfishing is solid with cut baits such as mackerel. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/lopez-lake-webcam.

At Santa Margarita, similar to Lopez, the bass bite has also slowed down, but there are a few quality largemouth taken on deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, or plastic worms on a ‘dead-stick’ presentation. Crappie are taken on minijigs or grubs in deep water around structure, and the slabs have been a larger grade recently. Catfish are taken on cut baits, and there is the possibility of a large whiskerfish. A webcam of the lake is available at 805webcams.com/santa-margarita-lake-webcam-california.

At San Antonio, few fishermen are attracted to the lake with the overall slow bass fishing. Small bass can be taken on plastics on the drop-shot, but catfish remain the top species with cut baits such as mackerel or anchovies coated with scent. The lake is now on the winter schedule, and the launch ramp is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The lake dropped slightly to 33%.

Call: Lake Nacimiento 805-238-1056, ext. 3; Lake San Antonio Marina 805-472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com 805-466-6557

McClure – American Bass Association Mother Lode Get Acquainted Event – Nov. 24: 1st – Jeremy Pitts/Scott Laird – 11.84 pounds; 2nd –– Brian Grier/Tom Nieto – 11.76; 3rd – Chris Gooselaar/Jared Brendell – 11.33 (Big Fish – 3.39).

Dec. 7

Delta/Russo’s Marina – American Bass Association

Delta/Big Break – Bass N’ Tubes

New Melones – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

Don Pedro – American Bass Association

McClure – Sonora Bass Anglers

Pine Flat – Kerman Bass Club

Nacimiento – American Bass Association

Dec. 8

McClure – Fresno Bass Club

Pine Flat – Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club

Dec. 14

Delta – California Striped Bass Association Isleton Chapter Sturgeon Derby

McClure – Merced Bass Club

Pine Flat – Sierra Bass Club

Dec. 15

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Hook, Line, and Sinker

Nacimiento – Good Ole Boys

Dec. 18

Pine Flat – Kings VIII Bass Club

Week of Dec. 15 by California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Inyo County: Diaz Lake, Owens River below Tinnemaha and Section 2, Pleasant Valley Reservoir

This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Fishing report for week of Dec. 4-10: Stripers all around, Hensley bass and more."