Striped bass continue to move into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta waterways, and as the surface water temperatures continue to drop, the action will also improve.  Field scouts report there has been exceptionally larger striped bass being caught and released.  The big fish weighed 48 and 52 pounds respectively with the 48 pounder caught on salmon roe while the angler was targeting sturgeon and the larger of the two weighed in at 52 pounds which was caught on a live splittail.  Both fish were caught in the Suisun Bay area.  On the Sacramento River near Decker Island, Andre Fontenot who is a regular Western Outdoor News contributor, hooked and landed his personal best striped bass weighing 23 pounds while bait fishing with chicken livers.  He attempted to release the fish, but after a half hour effort, the striped bass succumbed.

Anglers in need of purchasing some fresh threadfin shad for their next fishing adventure need not worry!  Luther Thompson at H & R Bait and Tackle in Stockton said, “Fresh shad is coming in daily at the shop.”  The shad is good quality size.  Salmon fishing has been a hit or miss lately with reports of better fishing coming out of the Mokelumne River for trollers dragging double bladed Silvertron spinners in the silver and chartreuse color patterns.  

In Montezuma Slough field scouts report that the sturgeon fishing is picking up with some decent catches while at anchor dunking salmon roe and shrimp.  Most of the fish are legal size in the 42 to 57 inch category.  Striped bass in the same area as well using bullheads, mudsuckers and shad.  Striped bass are now in both the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers affording anglers a wide opportunity of hooking up either bait fishing or trolling. Now is the time to go out and wet a line.

On the first day of the Best Bass Tournament, Director Randy Pringle got a 23.3 limit including the big fish weighing 9.3 pounds leading the 160 team pack on Saturday, but Sunday’s windy conditions should bring the size limit back to earth.  Randy predicted a two day weight of 34 pounds would take top honors.  The event is being conducted at Russo’s Marina on Bethel island.