DELTA
The striped bass season continued to filter in to the Sacramento River from Broad Slough up into the Cache Slough off Liberty Island. Most are dinks under the 18“ minimum size requirement, but a few are going in the 24” to 26” range weighing 5 to 6 pounds. Some are reporting 40 fish days trolling with about 17 of those being legal fish. Some off the best action is Broad Slough and the Decker Island area. On the San Joaquin trollers working the flats off Sherman Island near Eddo’s Marina have been scoring several limits of striped bass to about 6 pounds this past week. The striped bass fishing will no doubt improve as we move into the cooler fall months. fresh threadfin shad is now available daily at several bait shops in Stockton, including H&R Bait located on charter Way (highway 4) in Stockton.
Salmon continue to move through the Delta at various locations from Benicia up into the Walnut Grove area. Trollers dragging spinners single and double bladed spinners taking a few bright chromers to 26 pounds. Near the Freeport Bridge shoreline anglers tossing Mepp’s Flying “C”s for salmon going to 22 pounds. The big salmon of the week came out of the Courtland area with a weight of 27 pounds. The surface water temperatures are dropping to 68º at night to about 72º during the day. As the water temperatures drop the salmon fishing will only get better as we move into late September into October. Note: A few sturgeon showing off Decker Island to 46” lately.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Inside the bay, Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Live Bait in San Rafael reported some decent halibut fishing at Paradise Cay with several boats returning with three legal fish. Also in the Paradise area a 16 pound salmon was landed at high tide. Trollers are finding a hit-or-miss off California City with about 2 or 3 salmon taken on the top of the high tides.
The leopard shark fishing in the South Bay is still off the charts, field scouts report. several taken to 40 pounds along with 3 fish limits the rule. The best bait continues to be midshipmen (hound fish) in about 30’ of water. Fraser also reports good numbers of small striped bass in San Pablo Bay around the Marin Islans and near Buoys 5 and 7 breaking the surface, chasing bait, but most are barely keepers to 20”.

OCEAN
Outside the Golden Gate the salmon bite is good on one day and the next, nary a thing. Three boats out of Emeryville took 27 anglers on Sunday for 23 to 19 pounds while 3 Sausalito boats returned with 35 salmon to 22 pounds for 55 anglers. Rock fishing remains solid with 2 Emeryville boats scoring a combined 60 limits along with 19 lingcod to 12 pounds.

TAKE TIME TO GO OUT AND ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. UNTIL NEXT TIDE STAY SAFE TO FISH ANOTHER DAY. CHECK WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE VENTURING OUT INTO THE BIG WATERS.

JAY'S BEST BETS
Delta - striped bass, salmon, largemouth bass.
San Francisco Bay - halibut, leopard shark, striped bass
New Hogan Reservoir - striped bass
Ocean - salmon, rockfish, lingcod

UPCOMING EVENTS

DELTA WATERWAYS CLEANUP
Saturday, September 17, 2016 - Calling all volunteers to help in cleaning up the Delta waterways and shorelines to get rid of the trash and garbage where it pollutes our water, endangers our fish and wildlife. A perfect family activity.
Where to meet:
Solano County in Rio Vista at Sandy Beach Park at 9:00 a.m.
Sacramento County Meet at Korth's Pirates Lair Resort on the Delta loop at 9:00 a.m.
Stockton Meet at Buckley Cove Marina and park at 9:00 a.m.

HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES
The Stockton Sportsman’s Club has announced they will be conducting 4 hunter safety courses on October 1 and 8. Instructor Paul Sarstead stated that the courses will take place at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club, 4343 N. Ashley Lane in Stockton. Sessions are free to boys and girls, 16 years and younger with a small fee charged for adults. Information: (209) 204-0358.

RIO VISTA BASS DERBY & FESTIVAL
October 7 - 9, 2016 - The Rio Vista Bass Derby is one of the oldest fishing tournament in the U.S. This event offers big prizes to the lucky Angler's who qualify in 3 categories . if you love fishing the fabulous Delta waterways this is a must attend. For more information, call the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce at (707) 374-2700.

QUAIL HUNTING SEASON OPENER
October 15, 2016 the quail hunting season opens throughout much of the state. For more information checkout the California DFW website at dfg.ca.gov

SHASTA LAKE FALL TROUT DERBY
October 15 & 16, 2016 this is the last big trout derby of the year. This event participants to win the $2,500 top prize and other awesome prizes. For more information, call (800) 953-4432 or (530) 238-2716.

FUTURE PRO DON PEDRO BASS TOURNAMENT
October 15, 2016 the Don Pedro Bass Tournament sponsored by Future Pro takes place at Don Pedro Lake. For more information contact Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

FUTURE PRO LAKE BERRYESSA BASS TOURNAMENT
October 22, 2016 signup and fish the west coast's hottest fishing circuit on California's beautiful Lake Berryessa. For more information contact Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASON - DUCK HUNTING SEASON OPENER
The California waterfowl hunting season will take place in most areas including the Central Valley and private properties in the Delta region from October 22 to January 29, 2017. The daily limit remains at 7, with no more than 2 mallard hens, 2 pintail, 2 canvasback and 3 scaup. The Central Valley can expect to see at least 7 million wintering ducks this season. For more information checkout the California DFW website at: dfg.ca.gov

STRIPED BASS FISHERMEN'S CHALLENGE ON THE DELTA
October 29, 2016 Angler's Press will be featuring a massive striped bass derby headquartered in Oakley, Ca. The event promises big prizes and lots of fun. For more information contact Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

NORCAL TROUT ANGLER'S CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP
November 5 & 6, 2016 the NorCal Trout Angler's 2016 Challenge event will take place at Collins Lake. For more information contact Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

FALL TURKEY HUNTING SEASON OPENER
November 12, 2016 the fall turkey hunting season opens throughout much of the state. For more information checkout the California DFW website at: dfg.ca.gov

PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON OPENER
November 12, 2016 the general pheasant hunting season opens throughout much of the state. For more information checkout the California DFW website at: dfg.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMAN'S EXPOSITION
January 19 - 22, 2016 - The Sacramento ISE show boasts hundreds of vendors and offers dozens of hard hitting hunting and fishing seminars. The event takes place at Sacramento's CalExpo. For more information visit sports expos.com