Summary: Larger incoming tides this week have helped check some of the spring runoff and ocean fish are filtering into the Bay.
 

STRIPED BASS: Still not much going on insofar as the spring run up in the Delta, so don't expect too much down our way.  Stragglers or loners, there are some nice rogue stripers in both bays and they will hit pile worms, blood worms and especially live presentations like bullheads.  Incoming is the best time.  Best bet for San Pablo Bay  is the area from Crockett to Point Pinole, then over to China Camp through San Quentin.  For San Francisco Bay, there are some fish on the Richmond side of the bridge to Butler's Beach and always the wild card of Ashby/ Frontage Road.
 

STURGEON:  The Mothball Fleet and the mouths of  Montezuma Slough have fish on eels and shrimp baits, so shoreline possibilities are Martinez, Benicia, Port Costa or Grizzly Island Road in Fairfield.   Elsewhere it's still slow (and the closure is in effect for another 10 days) though rumors persist in Alameda for the big three: Rockwall, Balllena Bay, and Bayfarm Island.   Notes: lots of debris in the water especially in the narrow tributaries, and lately it's been tough to hold the bottom on the outgoing due to fast tides and runoff combined.
 

PERCH:  Pick a species.   In the East Bay it's all about black perch, pile perch, walleyed perch, and white perch.  For the first two, stick close to the rocks or pilings and use pile worms.  You can avoid the pain-in-the-neck walleyed that way, too.  White perch are about 10-15 out and also take pile worms.  Barred perch are at Butler's Beach and will hit grass shrimp, blood worms, and pile worms.  Some are along Ashby/Frontage Road on the same baits.   Rubberlip are scarce on this side but fairly abundant at both towers of the GG bridge.  Grass shrimp or even supermarket prawns will get you these and some striped perch.  Outside the Gate, the beaches have barred, redtail, and striped, with either pile worms or grubs (motor oil, pumpkinseed).  Sound like it's perch time?  Indeed.  It's the spawn around us. Bear that in mind as you quarry after perch.  Some are obviously gravid and easy to spot and release.  Others, not so certain.  Enjoy the action but try not to keep so much as release.
 

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES:  Jacksmelt and topsmelt are both at Berkeley Pier.  Smelt are also at Fort Baker.  So are some dabs, but this year just hasn't materialized for that species.  Halibut are getting caught at Crissy Field on greenish hues in swimbaits and hair raisers.  Supposedly a couple have come off Berkeley Pier but that rumor is yet to be confirmed.  The water there looks excellent, however. No shiners around.  Rockfish are off the table until May 1.  Then lingcod will be limited to one per day at a minimum size of 30 inches.