Saturday Stripers and a Sunday Smorgasborg (9/6 and 9/7)

Hooked up with XSquid on Saturday to target schoolie stripers in the waters of the Western Delta.  XSquid was on the fish first with a nice LMB on the frog.  I was the first to score on the stripers with two practically back-to-back (one shortie and one just over).  I picked off a few small bass on the crank during the morning incoming tide.  On the way back, we ran into a small school of fresh from the sea stripers.  I hooked into a nice 5+ pounder that went 22 inches and put my bass tackle to the test for a few minutes (pic 1).  XSquid also scored with three or four stripers, a couple of which put up quite a fight (pic 2 and 3).  Thanks XSquid for showing me those secret striper spots...we'll do that again soon.

Sunday, I went out for half a day and worked the incoming tide in the morning through the afternoon. 
The bite was                     s                     l                       o                  w.

I got a few small bass on the crankbait.  Then, as I was trolling, I got a nice hit from a striper that put up a good fight.  It went nearly five pounds and was about 21 inches or so (pic 4).  I followed that up with a small one pound cat on the the troll on the next pass.  It wasn't until midday and high tide that I started getting some good hits on the crank.  I missed a few, but picked up this sweet 5 pound 9 ounce LMB on the crank (pic 5).  She really spun me around and put a nice bendo in my rod.  A few casts later, I thought I had another, but it was just this bluegill (pic 6) that slammed my crank with all its might halfway to the yak.

It's great to see the stripers moving into the delta so early this year, it should be a great fall run.  All-in-all a fun weekend of fishing.

Have fun out there, and be safe.

HobieBlue

Awesome pictures HobieBlue. Do you have an outback? And if so, did you
up grade you fins to the turbo type? I heard some good things and bad
that's why I ask.

Jed

Thanks jedmo.  I have a Hobie Sport with upgraded turbo fins.  The bigger fins definitely get the boat moving faster.  If you can, I would recommend the upgrade. 

Bryan

Thanks for the quick response Bryan. Did you also change the rudder?

Jed

Bryan,
    Great report and pictures.  I guess it's time for me to get out to the Delta and try again.  Maybe mid-week if anyone's interested in going out of Big Break.

Nice going on the Sunday action Blue.  That is the biggest largie I have seen in a while, maybe you are right!  Nice striper as well, sounds alot better than sitting around watching the niners screw the pooch again.....

Way to go!
My dad & his buddy nailed the stripers in Frank's Tract the week before Labor Day. He said they were boiling all over the place, and some decent sized ones, too. Problem is, he never takes photos and doesn't know how to work a computer even if he did, so your reports are much more enjoyable! 
I'm sure the stripers are dispersed by now but they've definitely started moving up early this year. Can't wait! 

jedmo--I plan on keeping the rudder (original/small) the way it is.

bennettdanville--troll a white crank or striper plug for the linesides.  Crawdad crankbaits along the riprap and hydrilla for LMB.  Work the bait slow and tick the weeds as much as possible.

XSquid--sorry to hear about the niners    The bass are still there, just gotta be patient.  I missed three good bites on the crank today as well.  Had'em on, but they popped off in the weeds.

Awesome, guys.  I would have been there if it wasn't for that pesky thing called wedding anniversary, that is, if I was invited.  Hopefully the striper fishing will only get better. 

I would love to do some hookup for linesides. I can't remember the last one I caught. I think it was San Luis res 5 years ago. Looks like an awesome day(s)

Great report and pics, Hobie!    Excellent news that the linesides are in already.    I have fished for stripers plenty before taking up the kayak, but cant wait to chase them by yak. 

Nice Fish!

Report:  Good, as usual.
Info:  Flowing, as always.
Vibe:  Positive, as is the NCKA way.   

SWEET ACTION SHOT!....love seeing a pole going bendo!
Thanks for the details....a 5lb-22" and you call it SLOW?! that would make my week!
....only you guys can get away with that &KEEPitUP!

SWEET ACTION SHOT!....love seeing a pole going bendo!
Thanks for the details....a 5lb-22" and you call it SLOW?! that would make my week!
....only you guys can get away with that &KEEPitUP!

Heck that is a throw back size during a good fall run. 

I was refering to the LargeMouth, silly man.