Updated February 22, 2021

Delta

DELTA, Sacramento Side — Striped bass finally made a showing on the Sacramento River from Rio Vista to Collinsville along the West Bank for trollers working both deep- and shallow-diving lures. Grass and debris have been a limiting factor, particularly on the outgoing tide. When the grass is too much, anglers are switching over to drifting minnows which have become as expensive as $25/dozen. Sturgeon remain around Pittsburg with the greatest concentration in the Little Cut, but there are more diamondbacks pushing upriver to the Courtland/Freeport area along with downstream towards the Benicia/Martinez Bridge. Salmon roe has been the top bait. Largemouth bass are making their move in the north Delta, and with the clear water, glide baits have taken bass pushing 9 pounds. Crappie are found in the sloughs near the Delta Loop and Four Corners near Walnut Grove with medium minnows.

DELTA, San Joaquin side — The main San Joaquin River near Stockton remains muddy in most areas but the sloughs east or west of the main channel are much clearer, and largemouth bass action is heating up. South-facing banks with rock along water breaks are best with swimjigs, swimbaits, chatterbaits, or ima Rock N’Vibe Suspend. Where the water is clearer, lighter line is advised. Plastics on the drop-shot or Zappu head are also effective, particularly the Fatty Bottom Hopper which has a slower rate of fall and stays towards the bottom. In the south Delta, Dan Mathisen’s Outdoors put on a tournament out of Holland Riverside Marina with the winning weight over 24 pounds on wake baits with numbers taken by flipping Senkos. Fresh shad is just now starting to show up, and it should be in bait shops within the month. Crappie are taken on medium minnows in the sloughs off of Eight Mile Road east of Stockton.