Central California fishing report: Delta sturgeon hitting
Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Best bets
Best bets Delta sturgeon hitting and New Melones bass and trout action solid, Kyle Wise reported. McClure bass eating, Randy Pringle reported. McSwain planters ignite limit trout fishing, Dave Hurley said. Don Pedro still kicking out multi-species action, Monte Smith reported.
Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother
Unless noted, area code is 559
Valley/Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported slow action in the northern section of the aqueduct except for a few catfish per rod. A few keeper stripers have been taken on cut baits or frozen shad in the section of the aqueduct near Patterson Pass Road. Striperz Gone Wild Annual Memorial Aqueduct Tournament is tentatively scheduled for April 5 at Volta Road near Los Banos. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported slow action overall with a few stripers taken on cut sardines. The flows have slowed down over the past week. Largemouth are found with plastics in green pumpkin on the drop-shot or split shot rigs near bridge pylons and near control gates.. Catfishing was decent for anglers using cut baits and chicken liver.
Aqueduct anglers are always advised to use caution as well as wearing a PFD as the water is swift, cold, and dangerous.
A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
“There are still big largemouth taken on rainbow trout-patterned swimbaits, but the bite is hit or miss,” Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said. “It’s a slow methodical bite with some days much better than others. The most consistent action has been on the bottom with a slow presentation with large plastics from 7 to 10 inches or large profile jigs.” Trout fishermen are showing up at Hensley after the recent plant. Catfish and carp are other possibilities. Eastman held at 535.37 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity with Hensley rising nearly a foot to 478.07 elevation and 21% of capacity. The only tournaments scheduled at Eastman and Hensley are single tournaments in March at both lakes by the Kerman Bass Club.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing was out on Monday with two clients.
“We had a solid day, and after picking them up at their houseboat, it was fish one,” he said. “We brought 11 fish to the boat, keeping seven, using custom shad-patterned spoons on lead core line from 3 to 4½ colors.” Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service put his clients onto 4 king salmon running Speedy Shiners in chartreuse/red head at depths to 65 feet along with a pair of rainbow trout.
“We didn’t see a lot of bait on this trip, but I was in a new area of the lake,” he added. Numbers of bass in the 1.75- to 2.25-pound range are coming on small Keitech swimbaits from 2.8 to 3.3 inches on a 1/4-ounce jig head at depths to 30 feet along with plastics on the drop-shot or brown/purple Brush Hogs on a Carolina-rig. Josh Bend of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto confirmed the solid bass bite with Keitech swimbaits along with jigs in brown/purple or Peanut Butter N’Jelly at depths from 30 to 60 feet. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake rose ½ foot to 774.31 feet in elevation and 69% of capacity. As the ongoing status of New Melones is uncertain, Pedro will be very busy in the coming months with ten tournaments scheduled in February and five more in March.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3
The lake rose to 2,558.03 feet in elevation and 27% of capacity with water releases at First Point at 288 cfs. Cope’s reported hit or miss bass action as anglers are having to put in work to find quality bites. Sonars or blade baits are finding a few keeper size bass along with 3/8- or ½-ounce football black/blue jigs with Rapala’s black/blue Clean Up craws or brown/purple jigs with Berkley Chigger Craws. Bass are also coming on big swimbaits. The best action is around Rocky Point, Engineer’s Point, or Piney Point. Catfish anglers have had a few bites with Triple S Dip Bait, cut baits, or nightcrawlers, but the overall bite has been tough. The crappie bite has tapered down a bit, but the slabs can be found at depths from 15 to 20 feet with minijigs or live minnows in 30 to 40 feet of water. In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported multiple plants are keeping plenty of fish in the river, and limits of planters are taken along the easily accessed point through the 20-Mile stretch. Salmon eggs, crickets, minijigs or nightcrawlers are all working. worms. The Upper Kern River was stocked this week in Section 4, River side Park in Kernville to Powerhouse #3 and Section 5, Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge. In the Lower Kern, there’s scattered trout bite above Democrat to Keysville with salmon eggs, trout jigs, or Panther Martins although there have been no trout plants in the lower Kern this year, but it’s still holding good numbers of trout. The lower Kern River bass bite is fair on crankbaits, jigs and spinners. Catfish can be found on Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or cut baits. The lower Kern River was flowing at 487 cfs at Kernville. Cope’s Rod and Tackle is hosting the inaugural Bakersfield Kid’s Outdoor Fishing Derby at the River Walk this coming 6 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 8. There will be 25 tagged fish with the top prize at $1000. Entry is $20. Trout plants are scheduled for Ming and River Walk this week. At River Walk, the lake was stocked last week with both Lightning and rainbow trout. The bite has been excellent with garlic-scented Power Bait, trout jigs, Berkley Mice Tails, or Pinched Crawlers.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.
Lake Kaweah
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake is at 621.12 feet in elevation and 20% of capacity after water releases directed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers via a presidential executive order. Cope’s reported fishing has been fair. Rainbow trout were reported by anglers using garlic scented Powerbait, Berkley Mice Tails, or Pinched Crawlers. Bass anglers worked in 10 to 30 feet of water with finesse baits for 1-to-2-pound bass. Spotted bass also took vertical spoons in deeper water. Catfish anglers ate Carolina-rigged cut sardines, anchovies, or Triple S Dip Bait near the marina. Only one tournament is scheduled through the end of March. The Kaweah River is running at 175 cfs at Three Rivers.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake is at 604.61 feet in elevation and 19% of capacity after water releases directed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers via a presidential executive order.
Cope’s reported fair fishing. Despite a trout plant on Jan. 19, there have been few reports from trout anglers. Largemouth bass anglers used plastics on the drop-shot, spoons, or deep diving crankbaits. Bass were also reported up shallow, falling for weightless Senkos in green pumpkin/black flake while Krockodiles, War Eagles, or tail spins are best over deep structure. Catfish anglers used cut baits, chicken liver, or Triple S Dip Bait. There are no bass tournaments scheduled in February, but three are scheduled in March.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
“We had 44 boats during Saturday’s Central Region event, and there was a very impressive five-fish limit of 20.14 pounds by the team of Kevin Moore and Jamie Lima with a big fish at 5.28” Randy Pringle, the fishing instructor, said. “Because we have another event this coming Saturday on McClure, it was hard for the winning anglers to give up information, but all signs lead to a solid jig bite along with slow-rolled trout patterned swimbaits.”
Josh Bend of Central Valley Bait and Tackle added, “plastic worms such as Roboworm’s Margarita Mutilator on a drop-shot at depths from 50 to 60 feet along with jigs in brown/purple or PB n’J with a cinnamon/purple Yamamoto twin-tailed grub trailer aare working. A few anglers are yo-yoing LV500’s off the bottom.”
About 1,000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm trout were released on Jan. 26, and trout trolling is fair with shad-patterned spoons near the surface on side planers near the dam. Crappie are showing up around submerged structure in the coves with jigs or live minnows. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina will only be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays during the winter months. The lake dropped slightly to 803.61 feet in elevation and 63% of capacity.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 3
About 2,000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm trout were planted on Jan. 26, and the action was outstanding from the shorelines within a few days of the plant. Limits were the rule at the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, or the peninsula near the marina with rainbow glitter Power Bait, garlic Power Bait, Kastmasters, or inflated nightcrawlers. After a few days, the remaining trout started migrating toward the river arm, and bank anglers found their best action near the mouth of the river. Trolling is also effective with red Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or blade/’crawler combinations in the river arm above the First Fence Line. The lake is at 91% of capacity. Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 2 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod and Gun reported the spotted bass remain deep, and the action from the banks has slowed as the lake has risen several feet over the past few weeks. The California Bass Federation event on Sunday was taken with a 9.45-pound five-fish limit, less than a 2-pound average, and this seems to be typical for Millerton during the winter months. The bite is a grind with plastics on the drop-shot or dart head at depths from 20 to 30 feet near points and rockpiles. The lake rose 1½ feet to 510.65 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity.
The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant dropped from 438 to 419 cfs. Millerton will also be busy in the coming months with three tournaments in February and one in March. Sycamore Island reopened its gates a few weeks ago, and a trout plant occurred last week. The park will be open 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. Free admission Monday through Friday, and $9 per vehicle on Saturday and Sunday. Yearlong passes are available for $85. Two-person canoes and one-person kayaks are available for rent on the ponds for $10 per hour with lifejackets and paddles included. The gate is at 39664 Ave 7½ in Madera, or you can hike or bike in through the entrance across from the Valley Golf Center.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1
Boat traffic is extremely light as the only option to put a motorized boat on the lake requires a 30-day quarantine. The few boats on the water are finding tremendous action for rainbow trout. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service has been picking up multiple limits of rainbow trout running Wee Tad lures in various colors with in the top 15 feet of the surface. The rainbows are moving toward the shorelines and the coves.
Bass fishing has slowed a bit, but there is still a solid bite with shad-patterned plastics on the drop-shot at depths from 35 to 45 feet for numbers. Those willing to throw big 8- to 10-inch rainbow trout-patterned swimbait all day may be rewarded with a trophy largemouth or spotted bass.
Only the Glory Hole launch ramp is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to obtain a red tag to start a 30-day quarantine period. Boats must be off the water by 4 p.m. to receive a green tag to relaunch without quarantining or decontamination. Bank fishing is allowed.
Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, may also be subject to inspection. The lake rose six inches to 1,040.38 feet in elevation and 78% of capacity. There are two bass tournaments scheduled in February and another four in March, but these are subject to change. Many circuits have applied to move their events to nearby bodies of water due to the restrictions.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley reported the spotted bass have pushed down in the water column at depths from 40 to 60 feet, and plastics on the drop-shot or Neko-rig along with jigs are working along secondary points and bluff walls. There is a shallow bite for some, but it dies before 8:00 am. Landlocked king salmon are still a possibility with rolled shad, Brad’s Cut Plugs filled with tuna, or Speedy Shiners at depths to 65 feet. In the lower Kings River, interest in trout fishing remains high in the easily accessed locations such as Winton Park. Crowded banks are the norm. and limits of planted rainbows remain possible with Roostertails, Atomic Tubes, Joe’s Flies, small spinners, or nightcrawlers.
Former Fresno Bee editor, Mike Reddin caught and released an estimated 7-pound native rainbow trout while fly fishing with a guide. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. Citations remain a common occurrence for fishing with barbed hooks or in possession of trout. The flows rose from 392 to 531 cfs at Trimmer. The lake rose 2½ feet to 846.47 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity. There are five club bass tournaments scheduled in February with one more in March.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
“Anglers have been more reluctant to launch boats since they must be quarantined for other lakes so there have been few boats on the water. Bank anglers are picking up limits with jumbo minnows, Sea Wave’s blue bag anchovies, or 1-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Bleeding Shad or Diamond Dust,” Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that most of the fish are still suspending a lot- and not biting much. “ The clear water isn’t helping the bite - and the water temps are warm for now -in the 56 degree range. I fished with Sonny Johansen of Clovis on Thursday and we had to work hard to find any active biting fish. We finally found some feeding fish in the middle of a cove and we released over 20 nice stripers to 24” working silver baits through the school. I finally got a big bite- and the 38 ½-inch, 21½ pound fish we released on the Seaqualizer was built like a truck. We spent all our time looking for something that wasn’t suspended. Hit the right school at the right time with Shad colored baits and you might do okay. The 60-foot plus depth range has been the best zone for us. Portuguese Cove is a decent choice to work right now,“ George said.
Bank fishing is good in the O’Neil Forebay near Check 13 with pile worms or blood worms, but many of these striped bass are less than 18 inches. Water releases out of the forebay seem to have been restricted, and the bite has slowed.”
The main lake rose to 76% of capacity while the forebay held at 85% of capacity. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were recently detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
“There are few boats out trolling right now, but there’s fish to be had off the shore if you can find a spot,” Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing said. “The best place to fish from the banks is across from the Sheriff’s Tower with yellow or rainbow glitter Power Bait. Yellow or Rainbow glitter seems to be the color. The lake is really low and a little tricky launching.” A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Kaiser Pass Road is closed to vehicle traffic with only snowmobile access available. Edison is at 23% of capacity, Florence at 9%, and Mammoth Pool at 13%.
Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.
Road conditions 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Trout 2 Kokanee 2
Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “Cold and occasional gusty wind kept many boats off the lake this past week. The storm arrived on Friday night, and only four boats were on the lake on Saturday during freezing temperature. However, Shaver Lake continued to provide about two limits of trout to 17 inches with a few trophy-sized fish in the mix. Black Rock, the Fisherman’s Club, and the mouth of the Boy Scout Cove continue to be the most productive at depths from 15 to 20 feet deep with Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with crawler behind a Mountain Flasher in Stevenson and Texas Tea series on either downriggers or on side poles with a setback of 100 feet. A few kokanee were reportedly caught in the same areas while the anglers were focusing on trout. Most spinners or tubes tipped with a piece of crawler behind flashers or dodgers are good for a couple limits per trip. Smallmouth bass are also a possibility with small rubber minnows in crayfish colors around submerged rocks.”
Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions
At Huntington, fishing interest is left to the most dedicated brown trout trollers. Shaver is at 61% of capacity and Huntington at 47% of capacity.
Call: Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100;
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
McKinley Grove Road is closed, limiting access to both reservoirs. McKinley Grove Road will remain closed until the regularly scheduled reopening on Memorial Day 2025 Weekend, depending upon weather.
Road conditions – Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3 Crabs 2
The big question is, ‘Will there be a salmon season in 2025?’ and the first clues will come out of the annual California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon Information meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:00 am. Coastal ports such as Half Moon Bay are wholly dependent on an ocean salmon season which has been closed for two years. Details, instructions for attendance, and informational material will be published in advance of the event on the CDFW’s Ocean Salmon webpage. This is the first in a series of events to allow public involvement into the process, and it will provide some clues as to whether there will be a 2025 salmon season after two years of closure. According to the department’s press release, the Salmon Information Meeting will provide informational presentations on topics including last year’s spawning escapement, estimates of forecasted ocean abundance, and management objectives for 2025 ocean salmon seasons. It also marks the beginning of a two month long public process used to develop annual sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing regulations and informs the development of inland salmon fishing regulations later in the spring. The annual pre-season process involves collaborative negotiations between west coast states, federal agencies, tribal co-managers, sport and commercial salmon industry representatives, and other stakeholders interested in salmon fishery management and conservation.
Although crab-only trips for Dungeness crab or crab/sand dab trips are the only game in town, few boats have been operating. Surf perch action has been solid once the swell is down. The Pacifica Pier, one of the most popular locations for shoreline crabbing, has reopened.
Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
From the beaches, Mickey Clements reported a continued outstanding surf perch bite on the south county beaches from Watsonville, Pajaro, and the mouth of the Salinas River with Mekini Baitz new motor oil red grub along with Honey Badger’s or Lucky 13’s grubs. The key is to be out with the surf is down. The big event of the near future is the sold-out Sand Crab Surf Perch Classic on March 9. The event is so popular that it sells out for 300 participants within a few hours.
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “Twenty years ago, I was fortunate enough to share hosting duties on a local fishing radio show here in Santa Cruz on AM 1080 KSCO. It was called The Let’s Go Fishing Radio Show, with founder and co-host Mike Baxter. We took a few months “Winter Break” every year between the end of rockfish season and the salmon opener in Spring. Wintertime felt long and grey. Grizzled harbor veterans became more irritable, and a downer mentality was prevalent during those long months of short, dark days. In a moment of inspiration Baxter came up with a question “What can we do when there’s nothing to do?” Always community minded and both of us deeply involved with The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, we decided to hold a fishing derby. For surf perch. A benefit for MBSTP that might raise a few hundred bucks for the project. We envisioned the biggest derby in town for the smallest game fish. Now, two decades later, it is the biggest perch derby in the state, if not the world! Ironic as the idea might have been, the hard-core locals took to it immediately. Serious commercial fishermen, rabid sport salmon chasers, and a coterie of accomplished surfcasters bought into the idea. They began to trade challenges and good-natured insults and charged into pre-fishing weeks prior to the contest. Thus, the Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby was born. Our first derby was quite the learning experience. We measured the biggest limit of barred surf perch (at the time five fish) and fried up all donated perch for a taco feast (Imagine slicing hundreds of surf perch for filets…No thank you). We cook chicken and try-tip these days. That initial celebration was further complicated by horrible rainy weather including gale force winds blowing up to 60 knots for the outdoor awards ceremony. We hosted about 90 anglers that year, brought a lot of smiles to the community and raised a few bucks for our precious steelhead hatchery. A few years later the Derby was held one day after a tsunami hit Santa Cruz, destroying dozens of boats and docks in the Harbor. We’ve learned a lot since then. Now it’s the biggest single fish that wins (why kill all those little perch?) We have multiple categories with over twenty trophies to bestow each year. By year 10, we settled into a new indoor venue and limited the entry list to “only” the first 300 entrants. The Sand Crab Classic had become insanely popular, with registrants traveling from as far as Arizona and Nevada for the annual benefit. The event is never perfect or seamless, but a dedicated cast of up to 30 volunteers help to hold the raffle and silent auction, operate the wood-fired BBQ and handle check-in and T-shirt handouts. In 2020, COVID hit. At the very last possible moment, we were forced to postpone the event. We held an online “Virtual Derby” last year but it’s just not the same. Since 2022, we’re stoked to be able to continue our in-person derby and fiesta each year. Sadly, we cannot take any new entrants. For those who jumped quickly and got an entry in within the first two hours of opening our on-line registration for 2025, a plethora of prizes and phalanx of golden trophies await. The event survives many due to the patient and loyal derby participants. This year’s derby occurs on March 9.”
Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 2 Crab 2
Party boat interest in Dungeness crabbing has been light, and the last trip from Emeryville Sport Fishing was on Monday, Jan. 26 with 3/4 limits of crab. The crab counts continue to drop, and commercial boats are stacking out their gear. The next season for boat-based fishing should be in April for rockfish. Inside the bay, kayakers are starting to focus on halibut in the south bay around Oyster Point, and there have been a few halibut landed already although the action is several weeks from starting with a flourish. A few party boats will start their trolling operations in late March for halibut, and it will be several months before live bait is available. Herring spawns are beginning to wrap up, but there are still intermittent spawns along the Marin and San Mateo County shorelines. The daily limit on herring is 10 gallons (approximately 10 pounds or 520 fish). Sturgeon fishing has been solid in the south bay, and Captain Steve Gutierrez of Deadliest Kast Guide Service continues to find multiple sturgeon working out of Oyster Point toward the south bay sloughs near Alviso. Leopard shark are the best option for action, and there are several locations throughout the bay where the sharks can be found. There is a seasonal sturgeon closure from Jan. 1 through March 15 within the following boundaries in San Francisco Bay: A direct line between Pt. Chauncy (National Marine Fisheries Laboratory) and Pt. Richmond, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and a direct line between Pt. Lobos and Pt. Bonita.
Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388
San Luis Obispo
Surf perch 3
Although boat-based rockfishing is over until April, the Black Pearl out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay targeted sand dabs, sole, and black cod on a recent trip, returning with 64 black cod, bucketloads of sand dabs, and several quality sole. Other than the occasional fishing trip, it’s boat maintenance, whale watching, nature cruises, and surf perch time on San Luis Obispo County coast. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
Wind and consistent rain greeted the 199 participants in the 18th Annual Diamon Classic ‘Catch and Release’ Sturgeon Derby out of Pittsburg, and despite the decreased numbers of anglers, a record 38 sturgeon from 40 to 60 inches were landed along with 7 oversized sturgeon. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service was responsible for six of the 38 sturgeon measured by the on-the-water weighmasters to go with five undersized sturgeon. He said, “We found 4 legal sturgeon near Mallard Island before moving upriver to be by ourselves. Cured roe was the ticket, and even if the water remains cold, there is a Mother Lode of sturgeon out there.” Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing had a similar report with an incredible number of sturgeon in the system.
“It’s just a matter of getting them to bite,” he said.
Some 59 brave children ages 5 to 12 showed up to fish the shoreline at Riverview Park, but the conditions were miserable. Fortunately, all children left with some prizes to continue their fishing future. For striped bass, the water remains cold from 47 to 50 degrees throughout both sides of the Delta, and bait fishing with frozen shad, mudsuckers, or bluegill remains best for boats willing to sit on anchor in the cold. The water is expected to rise and turn muddy from the recent storms along with heavy water releases out of Oroville Dam in response to concern to keep capacity for more precipitation in the lake. Once the water clears within the next few months, the striped bass action should be outstanding for trollers and lure tossers. For largemouth bass, Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, will hold the first of four ‘Golden Mussel’ events on Feb. 15 in the Delta, and these are open tournaments for all levels of bass fishermen. He said, “Largemouth bass fishing is very slow as you must keep your bait in the strike zone as long as possible. The ima Flit 120 in shad patterns on a ‘dead stick’ retrieve or plastics such as the Berkley Pit Boss in natural colors on a Zappu head are producing a few bass, but it’s far from solid.” The best action for largemouth bass has been coming in the shallows from 6 inches to 4 feet on the high tide with umbrella rigs, jigs, or Senkos as the bass are holding in the weeds, eating crawdads or other life. The pre-frontal conditions from the recent storms can trigger an improved bite. Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported continued slow action in the south San Joaquin River, but crappie have been taken via bank or boat with live minnows in Whiskey Slough although the bite isn’t red hot. Fresh shad is unavailable with the cold water, but Stockton-area bait shops have plenty of frozen shad.
Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.
Events
Tournament results
Feb. 1
Delta/Pittsburg Marina – 18th Annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby
1st – Octavio Gonzalez; 2nd: - David Swetnam; 3rd- Frank Mendes; 4th – Travis Barton; 5th – David Lexer.
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments Central Division
1st- Kevin Moore/Jamie Lima – 20.14 (Big Fish – 5.28); 2nd – Mark Weiglein/Scott Burke – 15.25; 3rd – Tony Horner/Jorge Alvarez – 15.10.
Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
1st-David Coy/Kevin Flynt – 12.82; 2nd – Gary Wasson/Matt Frazier – 11.18 (Big Fish - 3.44); 3rd – Dean Miller/Darrel Masterson – 10.94.
Feb. 2
Millerton – California Bass Federation
1st- Mark Corrente – 9.45; 2nd – Tim Wells; 3rd – Timmy Wells.
Kaweah – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Youth Division
1st-Brysen Smith – 8.23 pounds (Big Fish – 2.89); 2nd –Kyler Rader; 3rd –Kaleb Green.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Feb. 8
Don Pedro – Sonora Bass Anglers
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments
Pine Flat – Bass 101
River Walk in Bakersfield – 1st Annual Cope’s Rod and Tackle Bakersfield Kids Outdoor Fishing Derby from 6 am to 12 noon.
Santa Margarita – American Bass Association
Feb. 9
McClure – Best Bass Tournaments/Kings River Bass Club
Millerton – Kings VIII Bass Club
Feb. 15
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Don Pedro – Bay Area Bassbusters
Eastman – Kerman Bass Club
Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club
Nacimiento – Best Bass Tournaments
Feb. 16
Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.
Don Pedro – California Bass Federation
Feb. 22
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Amador – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies
Tulloch – Outlaw Bass Club
Don Pedro – Christian Bass League
McClure – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
Millerton – Sierra Bass Club
Pine Flat – Kern County Bassmasters
Nacimiento – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
Feb. 23
Don Pedro – Riverbank Bass Anglers
Pine Flat – Fresno Bass Club
Feb. 28-March 2
Don Pedro – Bass Angler Inc.
March 1
Lake Pardee- Westside Bass
Eastman – Kerman Bass Club
March 9
Santa Cruz – Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Delta sturgeon hitting."