The Fish Sniffer

(Pittsburg) With Delta waters running high, muddy and cold, things have definitely gotten tougher, but for anglers willing to invest some time and do some searching for fish, both sturgeon and stripers are on the menu.

“The fishing is definitely more difficult then it was a few weeks ago, but this is all part of the game. The fishing in the West Delta typically tightens up January, but there are sturgeon and stripers around and they can be caught,” related Captain Mark Delnero of Fin Addict Sportfishing. 

“On my last trip we got three smallish stripers. I marked a couple dandy sturgeon up near Chain Island, but they didn’t want to play. I think once the weather breaks the best action will be down in Suisun Bay. That’s been the pattern in years past,” added Delnero.

“The Delta fishery has made the winter transition. High, cold water and debris have made us adjust our approach from the Pittsburg and Chain Island area to the shallower, clearer, and warmer waters of Suisun Bay and the Mothball Fleet,” disclosed Captain David Hammond of Delta Pro Fishing. 

“Our last two trips resulted in 8 sturgeon all either too big or too small. The baits of choice were grass shrimp, ghost shrimp, and eel. sturgeon fishing goes from boredom to complete chaos in seconds when fishing the shallows. On the last trip we ended up fishing in 4 feet of water when we hooked a monster oversize. On the first pass the sturgeon went completely airborne 10 feet from the boat...that was cool!  With all the freshwater, January and February look to be shaping up for great winter sturgeon and striper action,” exclaimed Hammond.