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Get Your Fish On: Delta Striper Fishing
By Dave Edgar
So, you want to catch a striper? The Sacramento Delta is the most productive Striped Bass fishing on the West Coast. Introduced from the East Coast in the late1800’s, the Striped Bass is one of the most popular sport fish in the Delta. Due to their huge and voracious appetites, Striped Bass can be caught easily from bank or boat. The secret to catching large fish depends on a variety of things.
When to go:
Striped bass live in the Delta year-round but will migrate to salt or brackish waters during the year. Spawning migrations occur during spring and fall. Many anglers will fish for Striped Bass without regard to tides, but incoming tides seem to be most productive. Check a local tide book and make sure you fish according to the tide table.
Where to fish:
Just about any bank access will be productive for Striped Bass. Depth of water doesn’t matter too much unless the water temperature is very cold. If the water is below 50F, deeper water is better. Generally, Striped Bass are caught in depths less than 12’ where they forage on Bullhead, Shad, Grass Shrimp and each other. Most of this food hides in the vast reed patches found throughout the Delta shore regions. When boat fishing, most anglers will anchor near the shore and cast their bait, waiting for a Striped Bass to bite. Because they’re schooling fish, one bite indicates many fish are nearby. Some boaters will troll lures such as Broken Back Rebels or Rapalas. Trolling in the Delta requires the lure to be on the bottom so a good knowledge of bottom structure is required. Rattletraps are also very productive.
What gear to use:
Since Striped Bass will range from small to over 40 pounds, good tackle is a must. A 7’ 6” to 9’ action rode will work. Most anglers will use their Salmon-mooching or Steelhead rod. The reel should be a level wind type with a clicker such as the Ambassador 4500. Typically, 12 – 15 lbs. test main line will be sufficient. Terminal tackle consists of a line-sliding weight, swivel, leader and hook (or two). The sliding weight will be on your main line above the swivel. The swivel stops the sliding sinker above the leader. The leader material can be heavy line as Striped Bass are not line-shy.
Leaders typically will range from 15 to 30 lbs. test. Hook size will vary depending on the type of bait but generally you want to use a large hook. Hooks ranging in size from 1/0 to 4/0 will catch fish. Selection of weights should depend on what the tide is doing. Have a variety of weights from ½ to 8 ounces.
How to rig your line:
Striped Bass forage for food on the bottom so your bait must lurk deep. Select a weight that can keep the bait on the bottom and in one place. Be prepared to lose a few rigs to snags. If you snag your rig, you are fishing on the bottom!
Striped Bass are sensitive feeders—that’s why a sliding sinker is used. They don’t want to feel any resistance to the bait. Also, using a level-wind reel in free-spool with the clicker on will prevent any resistance from the reel.
Putting bait on the hook varies depending on the bait. Thread Grass Shrimp just enough to cover the hook. Shad should be butter-flied. The filleted Shad will produce results with Striped Bass on scent trails from the moving tide. The best way to hook a Bullhead or a Mud-sucker is with a threader—a long, stainless steel needle with a small hook on the end. The point of the hook should be pulled by the leader so it protrudes near the head of the bait. Tie off the leader to the swivel.
Striped Bass will play with the bait so be patient. Bait like Shad, Bullhead and Mud-sucker have to be positioned head down in the Striped Bass throat before they can be eaten. Once a Striped Bass picks up the bait, pick up your rod and take off the clicker. Let the Striped Bass take line out in free-spool until it’s really moving off the reel. When you can’t stand it anymore, put the reel in gear and set the hook! Hopefully you hook the fish and the fight is on!
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