DELTA

Striped bass are being located they begin to school up for their annual spawning ritual. your best bet is to move around and find clearer water conditions for better results. In most areas the water is milky and badly discolored. The Sacramento River is running high and murky, so your best bet is to venture over into the San Joaquin River where the water clarity is much better. Some of the better and productive locations have been Light 17 area just east of the Antioch Bridge, False River between Bradford and Jersey Islands, flooded Mildred Island, Middle River, Old River, into the Discovery Bay area. Most of the recent catches are averaging about 21 to 23 inches in length, up to an occasional 6 to 9 pounder in the mix. In some cases the bite is quick and it can turn off just as quickly. So, being at the right place at the right time is important. striped bass are being caught by fly fishermen tossing Clouser flies, especially inside Mildred Island, drifting live golden shiners or bluegill and at anchor tossing your bait of choice such as threadfin shad, anchovies or cut sardines. The striper fishing will only get better as we move into the months of April and May. Stay tuned for further updates in my column.

The sturgeon fishing is still rated fair to good off the Mothball Fleet, Garnet Point, Suisun Cut, Montezuma Slough and Broad Slough with eel strips tipped with nightcrawlers. the best action is taking place on the last two hours of either the incoming or outgoing tides when the water movement begins to ebb.

CLEAR LAKE KICKS OUT HUGE BASS

Some of the largest largemouth bass taken in over a decade have been caught in Clearlake on swimbaits. The largest bucket mouth hit the scales at 16.28 pounds plus a number weighing 15 pounds or more. A major event is about to take place at this impoundment and that is the 29th Annual Bass Derby sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

PARDEE LAKE

Anglers taking kokanee averaging 9 to 13 inches. The landlocked sockeye salmon are holding up within the top 12 feet. Several 5 fish limits reported by field scouts. Trout plants continued at the boat ramp where shoreline anglers tossing PowerBait get into the action.

SALMON FISHING SEASON OPENER

The Golden Gate Salmon Association announced that the recreational salmon fishing season will start on Saturday, April 2 from Point Arena south to the Mexican border. Be advised that this season could be shorter along with more restrictions once final 2016 regulations are set in early April by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. Stay tuned for periodic updates on this matter.

Take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Until next tide stay safe.

JAY’S BEST BETS

Montezuma Slough - (sturgeon)

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

Pardee Lake - (trout and kokanee)

Camanche Lake - (trout)

DID YOU KNOW?

The recent purchase of 4 Delta Islands by the Metropolitan Water district also gives them water rights which would amount to about 360,000 acre feet if the islands are flooded. The water then will be released when needed where it will be conveyed through the federal pumping facilities near Byron, California. Southern California water interests were bound and determined to get more water and this was one way to accomplish this.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FUTURE PRO FOLSOM LAKE BASS TOURNAMENT

April 16, 2016 - Fish the West Coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for this Future Pro Event. Information: Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES

The Stockton Sportsman’s Club has announced they will be providing hunter safety coursesApril 2 and 9, August 13 and 20, and 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.

FUTURE PRO FOLSOM LAKE BASS TOURNAMENT

April 16, 2016 - Fish the west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for this Future Pro event. information: Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.

SIERRA TROUT FISHING SEASON

Saturday, April 30, 2016 - The general trout fishing season opens in California’s streams. Your best bet on the opening weekend is salmon eggs, worms and spinners.Most streams should be running at full capacity from the snow melt-off.

KOKANNEE POWER LAKE SHASTA TEAM CLASSIC
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April 30, 2016 - Fish for big trout and salmon, awesome prizes and a free dinner. for more information, call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943. CDFW Awards $16.7 Million to Fisheries Habitat Restoration, Forest Legacy and Drought Projects.

FUTURE PRO CLEAR LAKE BASS TOURNAMENT

May 7, 2016 - join the west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for this Future Pro event. For more information call Vince Harris at (916) 985-4943.

KOKANEE POWER WHISKEYTOWN TEAM DERBY

June 4, 2016 - Big Kokanee and awesome prizes will be up for grabs. For more information, call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943.