Summary: Where's that rain?  More is needed in a  big way.  The temperatures and the tides are right.
 
 

STRIPED BASS:  Pretty slow in the bays with the majority of bass already heading up past the Carquinez.   So try for the big rogue stragglers on fishy baits or pile worms.  Or keep chucking lures at San Quentin and points along the way to Benicia.  One last autumn hurrah exists at the Maritime Academy in Vallejo.

STURGEON:  No change save for better tides this week.  Some fish are getting caught in South Bay by the bridges, or along the Carquinez corridor for those with patience and heavy sinkers.   This time of the year it would not be out of line to check out Emeryville or Alameda either, the latter of which is reporting a few diamondbacks by the Ferry.  Rain will help.

PERCH:  Same old same old. Fairly good on Berkeley Pier and along the rocky walls for black perch on pile worms.  The Gate towers are so-so.  The surf is still hairy but productive for grubbers and bait tossers alike.
 

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES:  Sharks and rays are slow to take the hook.  Kingfish are available in large quantities just about anywhere.  (Last week I said the following: Note: this is your last week of 2003 for rockfish.  The season is shutting down at Midnight 11/21 due to recommendations by the PFMC which the DFG has adopted.   Some controversy brewing over claims that all groundfish are included in this closure except sand dabs.  So, this would mean leopard sharks, dogfish, and even the starry flounder ar off the okay list.  For details: here.  But now it appears that there is a temporary reprieve.  Fish accordingly but please exercise restraint and commonsense ethics.)