Sturgeon on sat 1-22?

Does bucks have enough parking for all of us?  I parked by the burnt out boats last tine, but I didn't seen an extensive lot.  Oh yeah, it was underwater...  

I guess there's a foot less water at high tide this time compared to the 8th, so we should be able to drive everywhere.  When I paddled through the parking lot I only had about 10 inches...

DAVE when your ready to scout Alviso let me know.  I haven't heard of a whole lot of action coming from the south bay but it should pick up soon.

If anyone needs to borrow an anchor I have a spare.

Art

I think we can all fit.  The guys with 4x4 can park in the water more than guys without.  or park along the road up the hill.

Art, bring your anchor.  Someone may need it. I am adding one more salmon wieght (that makes 5) and I also have a small block of rock on it too.  Also, send out a 100 ft of anchor rope.

Ken

I am up for an Alviso scouting trip as well.

Art, seems that there's been some action in the south bay, at least in December....
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/30/SPGCNAIUG21.DTL&type=printable

Next opportunity to get out for me is 2/5.  Maybe Alviso then.

OK, I've tried 3 different hardware stores and have come up empty for a line tightener.  I'll double the price if anyone can bring one for me Saturday, and can tell me tomorrow the diameter of the hole to drill in the end cap.

-- Dave

Dave,

Don't bust your ball looking for a tightner, someone will have a snare to lend you a hand. Just have enough weight and line on your anchor.

I just read the sfgate report and they mentioned that COLD WATER could shut off the sturgeon bite. Does anyone have a temp gauge?

Might be wise to add a striper hook further up on your line for that wayward striper or maybe even fish a hi/lo if the water is too cold - just an idea.

Elric,

What I have seen and also have gotten one striper on the ghost shrimp.  Using the sturgeon rig.

Also, do not think it is wise to have another loop on your mono leader if you get a mr. sturgeon to bite.  Just another weak point to break off.  If you used braid, guess it would be OK, maybe.

Ken

I didn't find the snare to be too effective.  It took alot of horsing around and in the end didn't do the job.  If you know it's legal, just bonk it a few times, pull it aboard by it's gill and keep bonking it.  Alternately you could stab it in the belly with a fillet knife, but either way, it's probably best to subdue it in the water.  Use a heavy enough leader that you can safely do this.  I can net anything under 50" with my net, since it's a 40" net.  

I considered a 3rd hook for stripers, but I rejected that idea, for one thing it'd make snaring much more difficult if you do that, and no matter what it'll be dangerous to handle a large fish with a hook flying around.   Getting hooked by it and the sturgeon taking a run could be a potentially deadly disaster.  A striper of respectable size will be able to inhale a sturgeon bait anyway.  I've caught several 12" croakers, so I wouldn't worry, just be quick on the hookset.

just an FYI: I was able to get some ghost shrimp at Oyster Point today at Lunch. If you San Jose guys  plan to drop by tomorrow morning to get some before heading out to San Pablo - make sure you call them and have the bait READY  - BEFORE you head over to pick it up. Old timer takes forever picking them up down the ramp and then counting each one.

I wanted to pick up a bunch more to share but this guy was taking forever and I needed to back at work asap.

Call him TODAY (before 5PM) if plan to pick some up tomorrow morning.

 Number to call: 650.589.3474

I'd agree on not using an extra hook for stripers.  This time of the year nearly all active stripers are feeding on the bottom and will take a bait rig meant for sturgeon without any hesitation.  Last weekends bay reports included a few limits of stripers so I wouldn't be surprised if someone brings one home.

Dave I stand corrected.  I heard of a couple fish caught south of the dumbarton and a couple out of Redwood City.  I'll have to check my schedule to see when I can make it out.

Art

Updated weather forecast:

Sat
E to NE winds 5 to 15 kt. Areas of dense fog.

The wind will be blowing us to bucks instead of richmond!  Fog shmog, the report will be entitled 'sturgeons in the mist'  

If the fog does roll in, those without GPS will be (in the words of the great bender) well and thoroughly boned.  We'll have to figure out a buddy system or something since the currents make navigation with a compas difficult.  Make sure to mark bucks on the way out!

According to www.iwindsurf.com... wind in San Pablo Bay should be E or NE and up to 6 knots.  

Sounds pretty dang nice... though it would be better to have winds out of the SW.

Good luck Y'all...

Erik-with those winds do you think it would be mellow enough out there to bring junior?  I have no context as to what six knots will do out there...flat, ripples, chop, white-caps?

Oops... they just updated their forecast model...

Here's the latest.... looks like it might be a bit lumpy now...  

(wind speed in knots)
8A / 12  / ENE
10A / 12  /ENE
12P/14  /E
2P/12  /E
4P/10  /E
6P/7 /E

If it holds true... you're looking at very lumpy conditions... especially if it stays out of the east where the wind will blow across the entire bay before reaching your fishing grounds.  Hopefully it will change by morning... sometimes it does.

Probably not what you want to take Junior out in.

Thanks. I will take him else where.