10/25 Fishermans Warehouse Seminar - Randy Pringle - Delta Stripers

Been fighting the 6:30pm darkness doldrums so figured I would do something fishy outside of just sitting on my yak at Watt.  Took a ride down to the Sac State footbridge to see if anybody was out or if there was any Salmon still around.  Neither for both. 

When I got back I remembered it was Thursday which meant there was some sort of seminar going on at FW.  I didn't know what the topic was going to be about, but it was something different and hanging out with other fisherman sometimes get the fishing juices flowing.  I arrived a half an hour late so can't tell you what the info was about but I did get the meat and potatoes of the seminar.

The speaker was Randy Pringle tournament fisherman and guide.  The topic was Delta Striper fishing.

Basic info.

1)  The delta is primarily silty bottom with the really only structure along the banks, weed, grass, etc.  There is very little times that live bait feeding predators will be out roaming the center of the river (with the exception if there is a drop off or submerged structure.)  Virtually all bait is located along the shore line weeds/structure therefore that is where the Stripers will be (exception those that are going from A to B - commuting).  Large Stripers need large fish to maintain their metabolism so big bait - big fish.

2) Shore fishing in a bend in the river the best spot is the out side bend of the current directly where the straight part of the river flows into the bank.  On a boat you would want to be on the inside of the bend just below the apex of the bend as there will be a reduction of the current almost a eddy where fish will hold and ambush bait pushed down the river. 

3) Baits

- Rat-l-trap style baits 3/4oz or larger.  Prefers Strike King as they are the second generation Rat-l-traps (Rat-l-traps are susceptible to the trebles hooking themselves or the front hook wrapping around the nose and when really ripping they tend to flip on their side). Prefers mono for the stretch that will prevent the line snapping when casting as well as the slight give when Stripers inhale the bait versus the no give of braid. 14-20lb line. Vary the retrieve and add erratic movement.

- Large Road-runners with the chin spinner blade.  Adds the spring on clip to the eye of the head which allows you to screw on a curly tail grub/worm and then rig it weedless.  Works good in structure, drop offs, along weed lines, jigging.  Quick lift and let slowly wiggle and drop on the retrieve.  Bite is on the drop.  Use multiple color combinations.  Yellow, chartreuse, white are favorite colors.  Yellow for murky water.  White/Shad/Bluegill colors for clear water.

- Spoons for vertical jigging.  Uses 3/4 oz Hopkins spoons.  Switch out treble to siwash for easier fish removal.  Important on when you get into a school. No casting strictly vertical.  Drop to the bottom slightly thumbing spool so you can feel the bite.  Once it touches bottom crank the rod tip down to water level and then half crank up. Raise tip up but not higher than being able to set the hook should you get a bite at the top of the lift.  The drop is the most important as that is where the action of the lure comes as well as the bite.  You want enough slack to allow the jig to wobble but not enough slack that you can't feel the bite.  Stripers will bite and drop the lure quickly so need to be able to hook set quickly.

Swimbaits- A-rigs have their place and time but not the guaranteed fish getter.  Prefers a single as it can be just effective but easier to manage fish release.  Create a pilot hole in the swimbait for easier hook penetration.  Speed is the most important part of swimbaits in order to keep realistic movement.

-Top water.  From mid-December to February primary fishing technique.  Big, loud, active.  Prefers his own designed top water plug, of course (Ima Big Stick - $19.99). Find flats and ends of sloughs.  Braided line to cut through weeds when fighting fish.  Don't stop cranking.  Unlike a Bass, Stripers will keep aggressively charging a bait taking swipes.  Sometimes varying the retrieve will turn on the actual bite. 

Wrapped up the seminar around 8pm and was sort of amped about doing some Striper fishing.  Unfortunately had no bait and doubted I would be able to catch any bluegills so I figured I would take a quick jaunt down to the port to try some Salmon night jigging at the gates.  Got there around 9pm, jigged through the incoming tide all for not.  Nothing rolling or jumping.  Pretty quiet.  Still fun out there.   

wow good information there...thanks for the report!

Thanks Steve!

yeah sure....where was this LAST week before Tiki!

Kiddin' thx for passing this on.

Thanks for the info Steve. Will be sure to share.

That's what a fishing club is all about!  Having someone to take notes for you when you skip class!  Thanks Steve!