Delta Update for Diroblo (and everyone else too)

Hit the Delta with XSquid again (after a two week layoff for the Hollidays).  It was cold and slightly overcast, but no fog.  The bite was slow, but the stripers were still feeding.  I got one on topwater early, a good fighter, but only 17 inches.  Mr. Fishbreath the sealion was having a feast today out there...here are a few pics of his leftovers (pics 1, 2, and 3).  There were probably a dozen or more of these floating around.  Later in the morning, I got another striper about 19 to 20 inches on a deep diving jerkbait (pic 4).  Xsquid followed that up with his first topwater fish of the day. 

We parted ways for a couple hours and I got nothing, but Kevin got a few more on the spook.  Later, after we hooked up again, I got a better fish--25 inches and chunky--on the jerkbait who put up a good fight despite the cold water (pic 5).  I picked off another on the jerkbait while Kevin got a few bumps on the swimbait.  A few minutes later, he nailed it on top with the spook again, a solid 25+ inch fish.

So there you have it, the latest news from the Delta Striper Chasers.

Have a safe New Year everyone.

HobieBlue

Like Bryan said, it was slow but there were still a few willing victims.  There were periods of overcast that helped the spook bite, with long doledrums in between.  I have a bad habit of losing my edge when it gets really slow (think Jeff Garcia under pressure!).  But I have to give it up to Bryan, he kept me in it today.  This trip sums up a good year on the delta, I'm looking forward to more madness next year. 

thanks for bringing the delta experience and the best topwater action for 08.
strong work

and the best topwater action for 08.
strong work

No doubt.

Z

Congrats on a great year guys.  Enjoyed all of your reports.

Couldnt quite make it out, what kind of fish were those half eaten ones?? Nice report BTW!

Hats off to you both Bryan and Kevin. You guys really have that place dialed in.
Congrats on the willing stripers. BTW, I just bought a new seat for the yak. Hope
this helps a little trying to hang with the big boys.

Jed

.

Couldnt quite make it out, what kind of fish were those half eaten ones?? Nice report BTW!

They were catfish heads...looked to be about 3 to 6 pounders, er, a...well, only half that now.  It reminded me of the Rolly Polly Fish Heads song from the MTV days: "...eat them up, YUM!"

He was working that spot all day...

Really nice stripers...makes me miss the pre-drought good old days @ Mendo 

Great report and catfish carnage shots!  Fantastic sunrise/sunset shot, Kevin.  You guys are local pros out there.  Thanks for sharing.   

Sounds like the stripers are still supplying the hearty souls with some fun, nice looking fish,,

I've got a friend who spend most weekends at his place in the delta, says he watches the sealions bring up some really nice catfish and eat the back half and throw the rest away as evidenced by your pics, he thinks they've learned about the spines on top and below the gills and have adapted accordingly, not good news, I like to catfish and have noticed a steep decline in numbers in the last 3 years, might be just my spots, or the delta in general, or be unrelated at all.....

you guys need to have a clinic on topwater....i've got a tackle box with a couple of brand new ones(along with lots of other *new,bright&shiney things) that have never touched the water......so I'd be ready when it happened, but it just didn't happen.
However YOU guys DO KNOW HOW TO make it HAPPEN!

Thanks for all the '08-DeltaSlayin Pics&Ports!  it really proved that there are good quality fish in there, that can be hook'd from the yak on a consistant basis.
IFyouKNOWwhatYOU'REdoing!

Thanks HB!

I am going to see if I can stay on them. I am about to head out to the Port of Sac today and then back to the slough this weekend.

Diroblo