The striped bass and largemouth bass fishing has been solid on the San Joaquin River with two fish limits the rule for anglers on the troll. The best action is in 7 to 9 feet of water trolling with shallow running Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and P-Line Predator Angry Eyes with a white worm trailer. Most to the fish are running from 5 to 8 pounds, up to an occasional fish hitting the 12 pound mark. Some of the schools located are big and cover a wide area. In some cases it has been observed that a few sea lions have appeared and they are spooking the fish. Striped bass fishing should remain pretty good throughout the month of May into June.

The striped bass fishing has been slow on the Sacramento River. This is due to the water still being somewhat stained. Water clarity is much better on the San Joaquin River presently. Sturgeon still chomping on your bait in Suisun Bay and Big and Little Cuts. Salmon roe and grass shrimp seem to be drawing an aggressive bite. Most of the recent catches have been target length with a few oversized in the mix.

 

How would you like to board your vessel for a day of fishing and find that some lousy thief stole all of your fishing tackle. Well, that is what happen to James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service whose operation is out of Korth’s Pirates Lair at the south of the Mokelumne River. James made a shocking discovery when he found 12 fishing rods, 13 reels and fishing tackle worth $5,800 missing from his boat. Note: Those who bait fish at anchor can purchase fresh thread fin shad at H&R Bait in Stockton where they are receiving up to 70 pounds on the weekends. The size of the shad range form medium to large.

 

Boaters and shoreline anglers are finding the American shad action on the upswing at the Freeport Bridge. Also, in the mix a few striped bass and sturgeon have been caught in the same area. Anglers are taking shad casting small jigs and darts in the pink, champagne and chartreuse color patterns at Freeport and further up the Sacramento River at Miller Discovery parks The fish have been averaging from 1 to 3 pounds, up to an occasional 5 pounder.

 

The striped bass and American shad fishing is now in full swing on the Feather River clear up into there Yuba River system. The striper fishing has been very good on the drift with live jumbo minnows. Most of the fish weigh between 5 to 8 pounds, up to an occasional 12 pounder or better. Two fish limits have been the rule. Bait dinners casting cut sardines and anchovies getting into the action at Boyd’s Pump and Shanghai Bend sections of the Feather River.

 

The halibut fishing has shifted into high gear out on the bay with reports coming in. This is due to live bait becoming available. Last week Chris Smith aboard the Happy Hooker took 17 anglers where they caught 34 halibut and 11 striped bass. Likewise, the Bass Tup out of San Francisco landed 45 halibut and 11 striped bass for 22 anglers. All of the fish were caught on the drift with live anchovies off the Berkeley Flats, Angel island, Alameda Rockwall and off Paradise Cay.

 

The rock fishing off the coast of California has been outstanding where party boats continue to put their clients into quality limits of bottom fish and ling cod form Shelter Cove down to Half Moon Bay. At Shelter Cove a kayak fisherman caught a 45 pound Pacific halibut in 65 feet of water in from off the harbor. The salmon fishing haas even put on hold until Saturday May 18when it reopens. The new salmon fishing regulations have been adopted, and a copy of NOAA Fisheries regulations is available through this link.

Https:/www.westcoast.fisheries.noa.gov/fisheries/salmon steehead /salmon and steelhead fisheries.html.

 

Party boats providing limits for rockfish and ling cod for their clients. Last week the vessel Anteney Street took out 25 anglers for 25 ling cod and 240 rockfish along with 3 cabezon

 

To the surprise of some anglers they have found the presence of bluefin tuna and yellowtail along the western edge of Monterey Canyon where they have been taking a few on cedar plugs or poppers. The bluefin have been averaging 20 pounds and yellowtail from 6 to 8 pounds. The rock fishing and ling cod fishing has been outstanding. The party boat Check Mate headed south to Point Sur for 20 limits of ling cod and 23 limits of rockfish.

 

The cold water from the upper Mokelumne River flowing into the impoundment continues to draw trout plants at Pardee Lake. This past week over 1,000 pounds of rainbows were released into the lake. As the water temperatures begin to warm up the kokanee action will improve during the months off June and July. Most of the kokanee are running 15 to 16 inches in length and there is the possibility that 18 inches or better will be available this summer.

 

The reservoir continues to release water and the schools of striped bass have scattered out into small pods. Finding them is the secret to success. The water temperatures are holding at 70 degrees on the surface. Shoreline anglers are finding an early morning and evening bite tossing jerk baits or topwater lures as well as trolling. Out in the lake the stripers are holding at 50 to 75 foot depths with most in the 21 to 25 inch range. Trollers are pulling Lucky Craft in minnow colors with the big fish weighing 8.5 pounds, up to an occasional 11.5 pounder. San Luis Reservoir has dropped to 83 percent of capacity.

 

The weather conditions are perfect during this time period which offers you the opportunity to go out and spend a day out on the fabulous Delta waterways or out on one of the lakes and reservoirs in our area. Take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Until next tide stay safe to fish another day. When fishing in the boat be sure to wear your PFD or have it near by at the ready in case it is needed. Good fishing.

 

Freeport - (striped bass, American shad)

San Joaquin River - (striped bass, crappie, largemouth bass)

San Luis Reservoir - (striped bass)

Suisun Cut - (sturgeon);

Feather River - (striped bass, American shad)

Sacramento River - (striped bass, sturgeon, American shad)

Mothball Fleet - (Sturgeon);

Camanche Reservoir - (trout, largemouth bass)

San Pablo Bay - (striped bass, sturgeon, halibut)

San Francisco Bay (halibut, striped bass, white sea bass) Ocean - (rockfish, ling cod, Dungeness crab)

American River - (striped bass, American shad)