LETS GO FISHING
*Hard copy of Jay’s columns can be found in the River News Herald & Isleton Journal
MAY 20, 2015
DELTA
There is an abundance of striped bass still in the system, but most are schoolers in the 19 to 20 inch range. Field scouts report about every 10 fish hooked, one might be a keeper. Some of the better spots for bait dunkers, primarily thread fin shad, have located some good numbers of fish off the mouth of the Mokelumne River and into Georgiana Slough, the Old River Flats, mouth of Big Potato Slough and further west on the Lower Santa Clara Shoals up to the mouth of Three Mile Slough with outgoing tides best. At times striped bass can be found on the Sacramento River at the Old Dairy and the West Bank for bait Dunkers as well as trollers. For over 50 years I used to fish False River between Bradford Island and Jersey Islands, but that's a thing of the past since they have completed a massive rock barrier in a vain attempt to halt saltwater intrusion. For sturgeon try Suisun Cut and Montezuma Slough.
SACRAMENTO RIVER
American shad are moving in good numbers where they are holding below the Freeport Bridge before moving north to Miller and Discovery Park. striped bass fishing has slowed down in the Grimes to Colusa area. American shad fishing on the Feather River is in full swing in the Boyd's Pump and Shanghai Riffles sections of the river. Most taken on Shad Darts and grubs in chartreuse color patterns.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Some of the best striped bass fishing taking place in the central bay around Berkeley, Alameda and Candlestick Point. Most of the bass are weighing from 5 to 8 pounds, with a jackpot fish going to 10 pounds. As a bonus, leopard shark in the 40-pound class. Live bait drifting also producing one to four halibut per outing. Stripes also taken at the Brothers off the rock piles on the drift with live shiners.
OCEAN
Rough seas along with huge swells make it difficult conditions for boaters trying to fish for salmon and rockfish. However, the King salmon fishing is rated good at the mouth of Humboldt Bay near Eureka, where many six-passenger charter boats posting 2-fish limits for their clients. Last week the charter boat, New Sea Angler, posted an impressive score of 280 rock fish, 30 lingcod and 7 salmon for 28 anglers. Rough water conditions keeping boats in safe harbor in Half Moon Bay, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
LAKES
Trout, Kokanee and bass fishing available to anglers in Callifornia's lakes and streams. Due to low water conditions boaters will find some difficulty in launching. In some cases 4-wheel drive vehicles are needed. Check out facilities first before venturing out to your favorite fishing area. Take time to go out and enjoying the great outdoors. Check weather conditions before venturing out into the big waters.
JAYS BEST BETS
DELTA (striped bass, sturgeon, largemouth bass);
LAKES (trout, Kokanee, largemouth bass);
SAN FRANCISCO BAY (striped bass, halibut, leopard shark);
OCEAN (rock fish, lingcod, salmon).
"MR. WHISKERS" ULTIMATE CATFISH CHALLENGE COMES TO CLEAR LAKE.
Friday, June 19-20-21, 2015 - Outdoor Promotions is proud to bring to Clear Lake an exciting event dubbed "Mr. Whiskers" Ultimate Catfish Challenge presented by RAM Trucks. This event will be the test of the best and provide tons of fun for every participant that loves to fish for monster cats from either a boat or off the shoreline. The entry fee that covers both days is $25 for adults and $5 for kids. The first prize for the event will be the "Mr. Whiskers ultimate catfish rig consisting of a boat, motor and trailer packed with premium equipment and tackle, valued at over $5,000 cash and other prizes awarded to a percentage of the field, and first prize for the kids division will be a Baja Doodlebug mini bike. On Friday, June 19th Robinson Rancheria Casino - the official host of the event offers you the chance to win during their free raffle on some quality prizes including kids bikes, electronics and a new HD TV. If you need additional information on this family oriented event call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938 or go to www.anglerspress.com and get signed up for the first ever "Mr. Whiskers" Ultimate Catfish Challenge ....coming to Clear Lake.
JUSTIN LUCAS WINS BASSMASTER ELITE TOURNAMENT
Justin Lucas, a former Sacramento native took top honors in the recently held Bassmaster Elite Classic Bass Tournament headquarters out of Sacramento's Discovery Park. During the four-day event Justin posted a total of 20 fish that weighed 82.14 pounds for his biggest payday of his career as a professional fisherman, a cool $100,000. At the ceremony, literally rocking with friends and family, Justin had to out fish some of the bass fishing's top professionals such as Aaron Martens, Dean Rojas, Ish Monroe along with the world's most celebrated anglers Kevin Van Dam and Mike Iaconelli. Only recently Justin moved from the Sacramento area to Guntersville, Alabama to pursue his dream of being a professional fisherman. On May 1st Justin celebrated his 29th birthday. The big fish of the event was logged by first day leader Chris Zaldain who caught a gigantic 30.7 pound five fish limit that included the event's biggest bass - a 12 pounder.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WEST WALKER RIVER TROUT FISHING DERBY
MAY 22 - 25, 2015 - Sign up to fish the annual “Size doesn’t matter” fishing derby on the West Walker River. There will be lots of prizes and plenty of smiles. Information: (530) 208-6078
KOKANEE POWER DON PEDRO TOURNAMENT
May 30, 2015 Big trout, king and kokanee along with some awesome prizes. For more information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943
FUTURE PRO CALIFORNIA DELTA BASS TOURNAMENT
June 13, 2015 - Fish the California Delta for largemouth bass. For more information call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938
KOKANEE POWER NEW MELONES TEAM DERBY
June 13-14, 2015 - Kokanee Power presents it’s New Melones two-day team derby where you will have the opportunity to catch some big kokanee, rainbows along with some awesome prizes. For more information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943
MR WHISKERS ULTIMATE CATFISH CHALLENGE AT CLEAR LAKE
June 19-21, 2015 - Angler's press promotions is sponsoring this exciting event presented by RAM trucks. Robinson Rancheria Casino will host the challenge. For more information call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR KOKANEE POWER TEAM FISHING DERBY
July 18, 2015 - Kokanee Power presents it's Stampede Reservoir Team Derby where it offers Angler's an opportunity to compete for cash and some awesome prizes. For more information call Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943