THE WEEKLY SHORELINER'S REPORT

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

 Summary:  Rain is the key to winter fishing right now.  With the tides improving this week, a good soaking will clean out the system, scatter the crabs, and get the fish biting.

STRIPED BASS:  There is some decent fishing at the Montezuma Slough Bridge on grass shrimp.  Elsewhere it's pretty mild, except the Delta.

STURGEON: Slow tides and lack of rain have nearly put sturgeon angling into the "why bother?" column for shoreliners.  But rain is coming--allegedly--and the tides will be moving all next week.  South Bay continues to see a lot of jumping sturgeon but few of them are getting caught.  So keep trying river mouths or head up to the Delta and cast at Cache Slough or Sherman Island. Remember, the Sturgeon Closure is in effect from now until March 15.  This means it is unlawful to keep sturgeon caught in the following area: South Boundary--the Bay Bridge; North Boundary--a line drawn from Point Chauncey (about the middle of Tiburon's north side) to Point Richmond; and West Boundary, beginning just outside the Golden Gate Bridge from Point Lobos to Point Bonita.  When in doubt, think "Three Bridges" and go from there.

PERCH: No change, except that weaker tides have decreased the action.    Bring some pile worms or grass shrimp and find the schools around the rocky areas.   Emeryville and Berkeley are okay; Sausalito and Fort Baker are better.  The seaside has been too nasty for the effort.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES:  Some nice sizes in flounder where the fresh water pours into the Bay.  Try pile worms, blood worms, or grass shrimp.  Sharks are all around, mostly on the San Francisco side.  Kingfish are everywhere.  You can still find salmon in the Delta and can keep them legally until the 15th.

FRESHWATER: Trout planted at Contra Loma, Chabot, Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs, Bon Tempe, and Lagunitas.   PowerBait in rainbow, chartreuse or orange are the colors of the week. Nightcrawlers are also effective.  So are Gold spoons and Rapalas.  Del Valle has been the most consistent lake lately.  Not much going on with catfish.  Black bass are okay most lakes with Brush Hogs, spinners, and plastic worms--and very good at Berryessa, and better at Clear Lake, where minnows continue to be an excellent bait (if you can find them).

DELTA RUMORS:  The big news lately is the surprising amount of good looking salmon being caught between Sherman Island and Isleton.  Spoons and tattling lures are the way to go from shore, though some salmon have actually munched sardine baits.  Striped bass fishing is good throughout North Delta on shad and grass shrimp.  In South Delta, minnows and shad are the key baits, with Old River and Discovery Bay among the better spots. Sturgeon can be found all along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers in the north.  Try shrimp baits.   Black bass are hitting crankbaits and spinners close to shore in the sloughs all over, and crappie are going after minnows.  Catfish are taking shad in the south and most other baits elsewhere.  Still a good many flounder in the Sherman Island area.  Try grass shrimp or blood worms.  When the fog clears up the fishing is worth the drive these days.  Almost no wind around.