THE WEEKLY SHORELINER'S REPORT
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 Summary:  The tides will mellow out for several days and this might be exactly what we need for halibut and striped bass angling.  Now if only the wind will behave.  Best strategy around is working the change of tides.

STRIPED BASS:  Everyone says, "They are not here but they must be somewhere else."  That's the key, finding the missing spot.  Suisun Bay is the most productive area, but shoreliners are mostly out of the running there.  No word on Carquinez Strait, yet this could be a good choice when the winds are down, especially between Crockett and Port Costa.  San Pablo Bay has schoolies from Point Pinole to Point Molate, as well as mitten crabs to steal your bait.  San Francisco Bay is sporadic.  Most of the stripers moved to the other side of the bay during all these negative tides.  Richardson Bay was a decent location in the last week.  Now is the time to start hitting the beaches from Ocean Beach down to Half Moon Bay.

STURGEON:  Minus tides are good for something.  There are sturgeon all around San Pablo Bay, but no one is really fishing for them this time of year.  Try the China Camp area and Rodeo when there's water, or Port Costa at the turn of the tide.  Gras shrimp and pile worms have worked for the few anglers trying for diamondbacks.  It's not sensational fishing but it is worth considering when the other fish aren't cooperating.

PERCH: Dismal.  Wasn't much of a spring and seems to be even less of a summer.  There is always a chance for black perch along the rocks just about anywhere in the Bay, and shiners for those seeking bait, but that's about it.  Otherwise it's a matter of hunting expeditions to Slide ranch and other cliff trails.  No word on action at the beaches yet.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES: Berkeley Pier seems to average up to a half dozen halibut each day.  Most of them are undersized.  Live shiners, when you can get them, work best, followed by live anchovies, and then frozen anchovies, whole or cut.  There will be a short break from minus tides, and maybe that will help as far as halibut and other species on this side of the bay.  Bat rays are still around, so are jacksmelt, but the bigger sharks have been hitting in Richardson Bay, including leopards and soupfins.  No word on seven gill.  Pacifica Pier is an outside chance for salmon (14-pounder came up this past week) but more likely for kingfish and some perch.

FRESHWATER: Trout plants in the following lakes: San Pablo, Temescal, Chabot, Shadow Cliffs,  and Del Valle.  Trout fishing is in summer mode and typically slow.  Best results have been early morning on PowerBait of all kinds.  Black bass have hit Brush Hogs and plastic worms.  Catfishing is the best bet, using all types of baits.  San Pablo Reservoir is one of the better spots, especially by the boat launch.  Striped bass fishing is good at Contra Loma.

DELTA RUMORS:  No change, except that striped bass fishing is worse than ever.  The run is over.  Most of the schools are still moving through the Suisun right now. However, there is still a lot of great fishing going on in the Delta and black bass is at the top of the list.  Dawn and dusk are terrific times for throwing plugs and plastic worms.   Panfish are getting pulled in all along the back sloughs of the San Joaquin system. Red worms, minnows, and jigs are all working.  And catfish are everywhere. Clams and chicken livers are the best baits. Try the  Antioch piers for black bass, catfish, and panfish. A few sturgeon have been caught at Sherman Island on pile worms.