Anglers who enjoy the Delta should take a virtual trip to our story about the region and check out our interactive map: sacbee.com/delta
TOP PICKS
• AMERICAN RIVER – The American River salmon run is all but over, and there's been no last-minute flurry of fish to make up for the most dismal return on record. The one bright spot continued to be steelhead, entering the hatchery at a pace about double that of a year ago. Fishing for them was best in Nimbus Basin, although the word was getting out, and fishing pressure was picking up. Anglers should check often for when the fish screens will be pulled (any time). That typically triggers exceptionally good steelhead fishing for several days as steelhead rush upstream.
• SMITH RIVER – Sunday morning saw the first time this year that the Smith went over 20 feet, and the 10 or 11 guide boats on the river all had limits of bright, fresh steelies caught.
• CROCKETT – Capt. Gordon Hough reported for Capt. Mike Shimel on the Morning Star and their first sturgeon success in San Pablo Bay. Among various sharks and rays, one angler caught a 65.5-incher between the Pumphouse and Sonoma Creek. On Sunday's trip, 9 anglers caught 2 keepers, 60 inches and 63 inches, at the Mare Island Rockwall. All the fish ate grass/ghost combo baits.
• SUISUN BAY – The upper end was best for sturgeon, the top reports coming from Pittsburg, Honker Bay and Suisun Cut. Ghost shrimp was top bait but may be harder to find because of weather conditions off the Oregon coast – source of our supply.
• SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa – Some new schools of salmon moved through the section of river open for fishing. Knight's Landing, Grimes and Hamilton City saw some pretty good action, for most of the week, and some large fish as well, with some weighing over 40 pounds. Kwikfish seemed to be accounting for most of the salmon being caught. The open portion of the river closes Dec. 31.
• DELTA/SACRAMENTO RIVER side – Both the stripers and the sturgeon will need time to adjust to the cooler waters, but scent or sound will help them find you.
• DELTA/SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side – Outdoor Sportsman's Chris Chaing said rain affected the water, which was slightly stained now. Franks Tract will be a good area to target stripers by soaking shad.
– Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
TOP PICKS
• AMERICAN RIVER – The American River salmon run is all but over, and there's been no last-minute flurry of fish to make up for the most dismal return on record. The one bright spot continued to be steelhead, entering the hatchery at a pace about double that of a year ago. Fishing for them was best in Nimbus Basin, although the word was getting out, and fishing pressure was picking up. Anglers should check often for when the fish screens will be pulled (any time). That typically triggers exceptionally good steelhead fishing for several days as steelhead rush upstream.
• SMITH RIVER – Sunday morning saw the first time this year that the Smith went over 20 feet, and the 10 or 11 guide boats on the river all had limits of bright, fresh steelies caught.
• CROCKETT – Capt. Gordon Hough reported for Capt. Mike Shimel on the Morning Star and their first sturgeon success in San Pablo Bay. Among various sharks and rays, one angler caught a 65.5-incher between the Pumphouse and Sonoma Creek. On Sunday's trip, 9 anglers caught 2 keepers, 60 inches and 63 inches, at the Mare Island Rockwall. All the fish ate grass/ghost combo baits.
• SUISUN BAY – The upper end was best for sturgeon, the top reports coming from Pittsburg, Honker Bay and Suisun Cut. Ghost shrimp was top bait but may be harder to find because of weather conditions off the Oregon coast – source of our supply.
• SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa – Some new schools of salmon moved through the section of river open for fishing. Knight's Landing, Grimes and Hamilton City saw some pretty good action, for most of the week, and some large fish as well, with some weighing over 40 pounds. Kwikfish seemed to be accounting for most of the salmon being caught. The open portion of the river closes Dec. 31.
• DELTA/SACRAMENTO RIVER side – Both the stripers and the sturgeon will need time to adjust to the cooler waters, but scent or sound will help them find you.
• DELTA/SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side – Outdoor Sportsman's Chris Chaing said rain affected the water, which was slightly stained now. Franks Tract will be a good area to target stripers by soaking shad.
– Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
