During a good portion of the year, the Rio Vista area is rocked by wind and waves making boating a difficult task, especially for inexperienced mariners. Fishing is even harder when it is windy. When you can get proper boat position in the current, bite detection becomes a very daunting task. However, the weather over the Halloween weekend was terrific, and many anglers took advantage to try for fall stripers and sturgeon.
The fishing was spotty, however quite a few stripers were landed by anglers fishing from Chain Island up to Decker Island. Bait fisherman were more successful than trollers, as trolling was a bit difficult with the fast full-moon tides. Shad and mudsuckers are top baits to use. My dad took a solo trip on Sunday, fishing the Sherman Island area for one very nice 10lb striper and about a dozen sub-legals and legals from 16-18 inches. He took the big boy home for my mom, who enjoyed some striper to eat later that evening. I had no chance of going out with him that morning due to Halloween activities the night before – but man did I wish that I could have went!
Sturgeon fishing remains a very good bet for anglers fishing from Simmons Point to Decker Island. Bank fisherman have a good chance off Sherman Island road.
Captain Kevin Yost of Lucky Strike Fishing has done well in the Pittsburg area, and noted that the outgoing tide has been better than the incoming. I happened to fish with the Captain two weeks ago on a night trip, also in the Pittsburg area. For 4 anglers including Kevin, we had 9 sturgeon to boat with one keeper at 47 inches. I lost what seemed to be 2 very nice sturgeon after the hookset and missed many others. I guess I was a bit rusty as the last time I fished for sturgeon before that night was almost a year ago. We used ghost/grass shrimp, pile worms and eel for our fish.
I saw that Mr. Dale “FishWisher” Gillespie also had some good that same week, bringing in sturgeon at 50, 66, and 49 inches over a three day period. He used his trusty eel for bait. Good work Dale!
Fishing in the Metro Sac area is still fairly quiet for both sturgeon and stripers, however both species are sporadically being caught from Courtland to Freeport. Sardines for the stripers, and ghost shrimp for the sturgeon. The fishing for sturgeon usually heats up around Thanksgiving, but if you’re wanting a quick trip locally, I’d definitely suggest fishing the above mentioned areas.
Fishing for myself has been very few and far between lately due to my hectic schedule, but what else is new? I plan on taking some vacation in and around Thanksgiving, so maybe I might be able to sneak out and try some fall fishing in the Delta.
For those seeking to get out this weekend, I highly suggest the Rio Vista area for stripers and sturgeon. There is a slight chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday, however nothing too major. Sunday would probably be the better choice, and Monday the best choice for those of you that have it off.
To all, have a fun time on the banks and as always – make sure you pick up after yourself so the next person can enjoy the spot you just fished!
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