THE WEEKLY SHORELINER'S REPORT
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 Summary:  Much of the attention is devoted to sturgeon these days : various boater derbies, and the fact that the bite is pretty crummy for anything else from the Bay System to the Delta.  But it is indeed the season to dress warmly, carry rain gear, and make a serious try for a monster diamondback.  The fishing is slower and requires more patience than usual, yet the reward is excellent for those willing to brave the elements.  Soon enough the perch will spawn, and then the striped bass will return, so for now it's time to wait-and-bait.
 

STRIPED BASS: They are pretty far upriver now.  North of Highway 37 on the Napa River is a fair choice, but most of the stripers will be beyond Antioch in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River System.  They are pretty scattered.
 

STURGEON:  Best bets are Bay Farm Island, China Camp, Vallejo, Port Costa, or Sherman Island.  Nothing worth the effort around Martinez.  Shrimp, pile worms, herring, anchovies.  The challenge is supreme for shoreliners, but now is a better time than it has been all season.
 

PERCH: Slow this week.  Try the beaches.
 

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES: No changes.  Kingfish from San Pablo Bay through Martinez.  Jacksmelt in the East Bay.  Flounder still caught infrequently from San Pablo Bay through Suisun Bay.  Some sand dabs have come into the Golden gate.  Herring are also in.
 

FRESHWATER: Trout plants in the following lakes: Chabot, Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs, and Lagunitas.  Use powerbaits, nightcrawlers, marshmallows, or cheese.  No point in lures so long as the water remains cloudy.  Shadow Cliffs has been the best place recently.  No word on catfish this week.
 

DELTA RUMORS: Cold, rainy weather has pushed the striped bass deeper into the Delta, and they are getting caught in fair numbers and sizes.  The darkened water has put the stripers back on the bite. Most of the action is in South Delta from Bacon Island to downtown Stockton on jumbo minnows, shad, sardines, and anchovies.  Same baits apply in North Delta from Bethel Island to the Mokelumne River.  Sturgeon are still getting landed at Cache Slough, Sherman Island, and Montezuma Slough, all on mostly shrimp baits.  Catfishing remains steady on the usual baits.  Black bass fishing is pretty weak.