The Fish Sniffer

In the late summer and early fall salmon fishing generates a lot of excitement for bank anglers in the Benicia area. Salmon are being caught at this time and if you don’t mind a long shot tossing spinners is a great option. 

If you want more of a sure thing, get a box of bait and try your hand at striper fishing. There are good numbers of schoolies around that are in a feeding mood.

According to Tony at Benicia Bait, there have been as many as 6 salmon landed per morning by anglers tossing spinners from the banks of the state park. Other popular salmon fishing spots are kicking out fish too.

For limits and near limits of stripers, anglers are utilizing bloodworms, pile worms and bullheads. Bloodworms are the best bait, but they can also be the hardest to get. For the biggest bass concentrate on using live bullheads. Most of the bass are running 16 to 23 inches, but fish up to 30 inches have been caught. 

Wind, wind and more wind continues to be the stumbling block for sturgeon anglers attempting to fish Suisun Bay. The fish are there and they are eating, but the conditions have to cooperate to get a baited hook in front of them. 

The best sturgeon spot has been Big Cut and eel has been the best bait, but shrimp and roe will produce bites too. If the wind is blowing don’t overlook Suisun and Montezuma Sloughs. There are less fish in these areas, but it only takes one good fish for a great trip.