THE WEEKLY SHORELINER'S REPORT
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 Summary:  Not a great week, to say the least.  Winds and rain have gummed up the works for everything except sturgeon, and the bite there is still yet to develop.  Might be a good idea to hit freshwater and seek trout until things clear up.  But be aware that the rainy season has begun and adjust your fishing strategies accordingly.

STRIPED BASS:  Crummy weather has scattered the fish and squandered the bite.  Best bets locally are Point Pinole and Vallejo with bullheads.  The Delta is seeing more action despite the weather and it's worth a trip up there once you get frustrated here.

STURGEON:  Getting better all the time, and this rain is helping.  Good activity continues in the South Bay, and very good fishing already in Suisun Bay from Grizzly Island to the Mothball Fleet.  Now is the time to work Emeryville, Crockett,  and Port Costa.

PERCH:   Higher tides improving chances only slightly Murky water remains a problem in the Bay.  It's best to use pile worms for their scent and work an area until you get a bite.  Otherwise, move on.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES:  Right now you are just as likely top catch a jacksmelt, kingfish, or sand shark in these muddied waters.  Still some halibut around but they are rare.  Rockfishing has not improved in the past few weeks from the shore.  And get used to not catching lings: by next month it will be unlawful to keep any through the end of the year, thanks to the nervous nellies at the DFG.

FRESHWATER: Trout planted at Lafayette Contra Loma, Shadow Cliffs, Del Valle, and Chabot.  The seasonal "turning over" of the lakes has begun.  Temperatures have dropped and the trout fishing has improved proportionately.  Still want to keep the bait floating whenever possible, but now is the time to start working the lakes for rainbows on PowerBaits, marshmallows, cheese, and nightcrawlers.  Pretty muddy due to recent rainy weather, so lures will not be as effective.  Catfishing has slowed down with cooler degrees but is still a fair possibility.  Not much going on with panfish.  Black bass are hitting spinners and plastic worms.

DELTA RUMORS:  Winds and lousy weather have cleared the shoreline off for all but the most dedicated fishermen in recent days.  But they are catching fish.  Best bets are along the Sacramento River from Sherman Island through the sloughs in the Rio Vista area (including Three Mile, Georgiana, White, and Cache).  Shad, mudsuckers, blood worms, and anchovies are the top baits.  Lures like Rat-L-Trap and Broken-Back Rebels are working too.  In South Delta action is consistent at Middle River, Bacon Island, and Discovery Bay.  Top baits there  include shad and mudsuckers, followed by jumbo minnows and cut sardines. Rat-L-Traps,  frog-like crankbaits and spinners are still producing largemouth.  Catfishing is holding steady on typical baits.   Salmon fishing has slowed down a bit.  Bluegill fishing is very good in the Bethel Island area.
 
 

Special Note: Daylight Savings Time is over at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Set your clocks back an hour.