{http://songslinger.virtualave.net/fishing.html}
 

 Summary:  It was fun getting some snow up in the East Bay Hills early in the week.  At least it gave people something to do because fishing wasn't in the picture at all.  More importantly the last storm added to the snow pack in the Sierras--and that means a better chance at a healthy spring runoff, something to bear in mind in the next month or so.   It will help move the striped bass back into our realm.   We're in between storms right now--there's a small one due after this weekend--and though the tides are somewhat meek, the water is clear and the fish are biting.

STRIPED BASS:  Little by little there are stripers filtering down river again.  Nothing going on in the bays as yet, but it's worth a shot to try the rivers, like Petaluma and especially Napa, where the striper bite is good north of Highway 37.  Do some back road exploration and find a place to throw out fish or worm baits.  Otherwise, it's North Delta and a lot of luck.

STURGEON:  It's something of a mystery why the fishing isn't better in South Bay.  Maybe there's too much herring, though that seems like an overstatement.  Better prospects are Paradise Pier, where a beauty was pulled out recently on eel bait, or anywhere from San Quentin Point through China Camp.  The fish are there and it's a matter of time and chance before they get caught.  Point Pinole is also worth a shot, though the mitten crabs are still a hassle.  The Mothball Fleet area remains at the the top for sturgeon fishing,  but there is hope for shoreliners as some of those diamondbacks are moving down into Carquinez Strait.  Benicia beneath the 680 Bridge is a possibility; so are Martinez and Port Costa.  Don't expect much--but don't expect anything if you don't get out and try.

PERCH:  Much better recently with the water clearing up.  Best fishing occurs at the very bottom of the tide or the last two hours of the incoming.  Berkeley Pier and surrounding area has a lot of pile perch taking pile worms and grass shrimp.  Fort Baker has black perch, white perch, pile perch, striped perch, and rubberlip perch on the same baits. Muni Pier has pile perch and striped perch closer to the beginning when the tide is up, and white perch elsewhere, about 30 yards out.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES:  Sharks are around SF Bay, mostly near the Gate.  Flounder are in Suisun Bay and Carquinez Strait.

FRESHWATER: Trout planted at San Pablo, Bon Tempe, and Phoenix.  San Pablo Reservoir opens today with lots of trout already planted.  Take all manner of baits and try everything.  Something is bound to work.  Get your $8 worth, anyway. Bon Tempe is faring well (and less crowded) on marshmallows lately.  All other  lakes are fair to good.  PowerBait (all colors) and nightcrawlers are the best bets, with lures like Yozuri, Wedding Bands, and Kastmasters also effective.

DELTA RUMORS:  It's the same old story: wind howling and fish hiding.  But there are moments, even hours, when things are at a bearable level.  Sturgeon are still mostly in Cache Slough, though some are getting caught between Isleton and Rio Vista.  Eel and shrimp baits are the most effective.  Stripers have been elusive, with the best possibility for them north on the Mokelumne River between Twitchell Island and Terminous, or south on Old River.  Black bass are few and far between in the Franks Tract area, biting on spinners and plastic worms. Catfishing is good everywhere on grass shrimp and clams.