Early season delta striper

Went out for a few hours this morning at low tide.  I was set up for largemouth and wasn't really expecting alot of action as the topwater bite has been a little off (for me at least) this year.  After the sun rose, I noticed bait busting and some bird activity, usually a good sign that stripers are around.  I traded the buzzbait for a sammy and worked around the activity.  As I walked back a cast from the shallows it got smacked, then line started coming off in bursts, nice!  This fish was spunky and put up a nice fight, a good 5-7 minute battle.  I had a couple oh sh*t moments, it took me into a big weed bed then out the other side.  Luckily my line followed and I was able to remove the clump of weeds from the rod tip.  I almost lost it while trying to lip it as well.  Time to carry the lip grippers again.  Sorry for the crappy pics, I need to build a camera mount instead of holding it with adrenalized hands.  After a quick measurement to a reference spot on the yak, she was CPR'ed (let the bigguns go / keep a 5 pounder for the Q   ).  The spot measurement came to approx 35".  Got a few dinks to the boat as well.  Pretty soon good numbers should start showing up.  

 

Nice fish! Good job winning the battle and the release.

Al
 

Allright Kevin. Its almost time, huh?

Beautiful!!!!

 

Its almost time, huh?

Yep, we're getting close.  I think it should start getting consistant pretty soon, hopefully a month or so.  Once the sea lions are all over the place you know it's on!

Nice pig!

WTG on the release.

Nice looking striper Kevin, WTG.  Looks like we'll get an early striper run this year.

HB

  Nice catch and even better release!  Was that the only striper caught?  congrats on the beautiful fish!

Thanks.  C&Ring large stripers is the way to go.  Much better quality meat in the smaller guys (without the scary level of toxins to boot).  There is no need to turn the large breeders into fish tacos!

I got a couple others that were the same size as the bait I was working.  I hope they have that same attitude when they grow up!

Nice one Kevin. Thanks for the report and pictures.

Jedmo

Good job Kevin. With all the stripers showing up in the Delta the fall bite should be great.
Congratulations. 

Nice fish for the Delta in August--way to go! Long range forecast says big El Nino this year--a wet one--so it may cool down soon. StriperFest will be here before we know it.

Sweet Kev! I am jealous! Hope to hook up with you and Bryan this fall!
Jeff

great job X! I want one of those! maybe 2

Congrat on the beautiful Striper!  Thanks for the report and pictures Kevin.