Striped bass continue to draw anglers into the Delta waterways! The secret is to locate them on your electronics. The hot spot recently has even the San Joaquin River east of the Antioch bridge off the drop off of flats near Eddo’s Harbor where trollers have been hooking and landing some larger fish lately. I had the pleasure of talking with Bob Simms who moderates the KFBK Outdoor Show out of Sacramento and during our conversation he informed me that some striped bass were being caught. For example, the large stripers caught and released by Lodi angler Gene Nies who was trolling the hot spot at the drop off where he landed a 24 pounder and 42 pounder dragging a Yo-Suri Crystal Minnow with a white worm trailer. Simms also reported to me that two master trollers by the name of Clyde Wands and Mark Wilson have also been trolling the same area where they have been hooking and releasing fish to 8 pounds. Mark Wilson has experienced some serious medical problems and it was great to see that he now is able to go out and enjoy his favorite outdoor activity once again.

I also informed Simms of the death G.Ray Arnett the former Director of the California Fish & Game Department who passed away under the care of Hospice in Stockton on June 20 at the age of 95. I had the pleasure of playing cribbage and spending the last day of his life with him. Our friendship had lasted since the early 1970’s. He will be missed by those who knew this fine gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Now getting back to the current fishing conditions. The sturgeon fishing is still off the charts over in Suisun Bay and Suisun Cut. Current reports state that the diamondbacks are still stacked up in the area. The best baits continue to be eel strips and salmon roe. Both incoming and outgoing tides have been productive.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY
The halibut and striped bass fishing has been the best in years according to reports coming in from the area. Private as well as charter boats have been returning to the docks with limits as the rule on a daily basis. As a bonus there has been some soup fin shark activity in the mix as well. Keith Fraser owner/operator of the Loch Lomond Live Bait Shop in San Rafael stated that this is the best fishing he has seen since he went into the bait business 44 years ago.

OCEAN
The hot spot for salmon has been in Bodega Bay and outside the Golden Gate Bridge where two fish limits have been the rule. Larger fish are beginning to show with several close to the 30 pound range being caught either drifting or trolling with live anchovies. Some of the better areas have been off the Duxbury Buoy and Mussel Rock and along the Marin coastline. Note: The inland salmon fishing opens on Tuesday, July 16 and the prospects look real good for what could be a great season. The rockfish and lingcod fishing remains stable for those targeting that resource. Also as a bonus those who still operate crab pot pulling are returning with limits of commercial grade Dungeness crab.

Many outdoor activities are still available for you to participate in this year. Whatever you decide to do please stay safe. Until next tide my friend.