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• DELTA — Mike Pipkins at Gotcha Bait in Antioch reported the best striper action of "the last 15 to 20 years" with quality stripers in the 20- to 22-pound range being caught. Most are from 4 to 8 pounds and are being caught off the Antioch Fishing Pier on fresh shad, mudsuckers or sardines. On the San Joaquin, guide Gary Vella put clients onto limits of linesides trolling deep-diving lures near Bruno's Harbor. For largemouth bass, guide Randy Pringle is emphasizing the importance of casting accuracy. He said the first cast is the most important. He touted the Persuader E-chip spinnerbait in chartreuse/white with gold/silver blades or the Persuader Imaged Blade tossed tight to the banks between the tules. Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Vella's Fishing Adventures (209) 521-0164; Mark Wilson Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630.
• OCEAN
• HALF MOON BAY — Rockfish are the best local bet but you might catch a salmon or two if you go north of the Golden Gate. Capt. Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete went north to Stinson Beach for 5 salmon for 18 anglers on Sunday. He said conditions are excellent along the San Mateo coast near Mussel Rock and Pedro Point with plenty of bait, but there are no salmon there. Capt. Guy Anthony on the New Gravy, also out of Bait and Switch Sport Fishing, switched to rockfishing at Colorado Reef near Montara for three-quarter limits of rockfish and a few ling cod for 13 passengers. Saturday, he put 18 anglers onto limits of black, yellow, china, gophers and blues on the local reefs. Baxter said halibut fishing on the beaches with fresh or frozen squid is also very good. Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat got some albacore running around 43 miles from Monterey. Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362, Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133 726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040.
• MONTEREY/SANTA CRUZ — Todd Arcoleo of Chris's Landing reported 38 limits of rockfish and 8 quality ling on the Star of Monterey on Sunday while the Caroline had to settle for three-quarter limits of rockfish. Saturday, they were only able to roust up a single salmon, so the salmon bite appears to be just about over. Chris's is planning albacore trips for $200 per angler Thursday and Friday, weather permitting. The Checkmate had banner albacore action on two trips last week with 45 tuna for 10 anglers followed by 69 for 12 anglers the next day. Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz also reported good albacore fishing for boats that braved Sunday's winds. An occasional quality salmon has been hooked at 60-100 feet near Aptos.
• SAN FRANCISCO BAY — Salmon fishing turned from pretty good to pretty bad over the weekend. But a new school has moved off the Marin coast, and the scores rebounded to full limits Monday. Rockfishing has been outstanding, and Capt. Chris Smith on put 21 anglers onto limits of rockfish and 28 ling cod while taking the Happy Hooker up the Marin coast Sunday. The Emeryville Sport Fishing boats went to either the Farallons or to the Marin coast for bottomfish, and four boats put in 639 rockfish and nearly a ling cod per rod for 75 anglers Sunday after 992 rockfish Saturday for 102 fishermen. Capt. Mike Andrews on the Predator went shark fishing in the south bay for 14 leopard and seven-gill sharks to 44 pounds Saturday.
The Bee encourages fishermen to send in photos of their catches. E-mail: sports@modbee.com or send to Big Fish, 1325 H Street, Modesto, Ca., 95352.
TROUT PLANTS
Reservoirs and lakes that will be planted with trout during the week of Aug. 26:
• Tuolumne — Clarks, North, Middle, South forks of Stanislaus River; Lyons Canal, Lyons Reservoir; Moccasin Creek; Pinecrest Lake; Powerhouse Stream;
• Calaveras — White Pines Lake; North Fork of Stanislaus River.
• Fresno — Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir; San Joaquin River below Friant Dam
