The Fish Sniffer

(Pittsburg) These are red letter days for anglers who enjoy fishing the Sacramento River from Rio Vista downstream to Pittsburg. Both sturgeon and stripers are on a solid bite and things promise to get even better in the coming weeks.

“The sturgeon fishing has been really good in the deep water near the Pittsburg Power Plant,” related Captain Mark Delnero of Fin Addict Sportfishing. “Guys have been hooking up to a dozen sturgeon of assorted sizes during a single trip. Many of the fish are shakers, but keepers and oversize fish are making a good showing too. Roe and eel are the baits to use. I think the bite will get even better now that we’ve had some rain.”

“There are plenty of stripers around too. Bait guys are hooking them with shad and bullheads, while the trollers are pulling Yo-Zuris and other minnow plugs,” added Delnero.

“The striper action is really consistent for fish in the 4 to 15 pound range,” exclaimed Captain Barry Canvearo of Fish Hookers Sportfishing. “We’ve been using both bullheads and shad. Shad are producing more action right now. Today I’m fishing down at Seal Island. The Middle Grounds have been good and so has the shallow water near Collinsville.”