Summary: The only way you can tell it's November is by the shrinking daylight.  It's too warm and too weird.  Where's the rain?  Note: San Pablo Reservoir closes on the 18th and won't reopen until 2/15/2002.  Point Pinole Pier will be closed from November 12-16 for construction work.  The rest of the park will remain open.

STRIPED BASS:  Pretty worthless in recent days around the Bay.  There has been a line of anglers frequenting China Camp lately, so maybe that means something.  One or two fish caught anywhere is just the law of averages.  If you want a striper from the shore, you need to hit the Delta for your best bet.

STURGEON: Some fish have been taken from Montezuma Slough, either at the bridge or the old Red Barn public area.  Locally it's been quiet.  Party boats are working the Sturgeon Triangle already but with so-so results.  It's time to go exploring and make the rounds.  China Camp,  the Napa River, Port Costa...these are fair opportunities this time of the year.  Rain is coming but it won't be much.  We need a really nice, wet storm to get this diamondback express rolling.

PERCH:  Slow tides didn't hurt the pogie fishing in the East Bay.  The trick is to hit the water at the bottom of the tide.  With low tides reading at 3 feet that's not too low, but all this changes as we resume spring tide vigor this coming week.   And maybe the surf will improve.
 

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES: Halibut are almost gone.  There is a school of salmon pulling out of California City and meandering upriver.  Rays and sharks are best found outside the bay.  Jacksmelt are scattered.
 
 

FRESHWATER:   Trout plants at Bon Tempe, Phoenix, Lafayette, Shadow Cliffs, Chabot, Los Vaqueros, Contra Loma, and Del Valle.  Continually dropping water levels are not helpful at all for shoreliners.  The trout remain in deep water because temperatures haven't fallen to normal seasonal conditions.  It's mostly bait, the usual assortment of PowerBait (orange is good) , cheeses, marshmallows, and nightcrawlers.  If you can find a decent depth near the shore, throw small Kastmasters.  For bass, crankbaits in red and black, spinners, or plastic worms--but it isn't anything special.  Catfish will come up for some shrimp or chicken livers.
 

DELTA RUMORS: Mudsuckers and shad,  and lures like rebels are taking stripers in the north. But bring a long a variety of artificials and baits.  These stripers are fairly new arrivals and will still feed or hit ocean fare.  All the best activity from the shore has been scattered between Sherman Island and Isleton, with a little success in the smaller sloughs.  South Delta has stripers collected around Mildred Island and the limited access above and below.  Jumbo minnows and shad are best.   Sturgeon are making an appearance in the same waters in the north, with Sherman Island and Cache Slough being the top prospects.  Grass shrimp for those big boys.  Panfish are good near tules and structure in Whiskey Slough.  Catfish are biting clams and sundry baits all over.   Salmon fishing has slowed but more are coming, though no one can say when.