OT - Petaluma River Stripers

Bob and I took his 13’ aluminum out on the Petaluma River Saturday morning looking for the linesides. We brought some frozen ‘chovies and live bullheads for bait. We fished from about 10:00AM ‘til 1:00PM – a big incoming and the beginning of a moderate outgoing. Bob was first to hook up, scoring two 16” range stripers on the ‘chovies. I sat there biteless, contemplating givin’ up my bullhead when all of a sudden I get slammed. Start reelin’ in and there’s a little resistance but nothing else. I thought I lost the fish, but surprisingly up comes a ~22” striper. Hardly put up any battle at all. So Bob switches to a bullhead and misses two good bites then I got slammed again. This time the fish is rippin’ line off of my Corvalus. Turned out to be a nice ~31”er. After that I missed an OK bite, and Bob landed a ~24”er. The bite slowed big time shortly after the turn of the tide.

Pictured are one of Bob’s little guy and my big mamma-jamma. All fish released.

  Nice fish - I'm still looking for one of those 30"'s this fall.  A real beauty with that one!  

Glad to hear it still swims - - -  as those fish are our future...

Were you fishing right there in the river out of Black Point or did you go out into the flats?  

Looking forward to exploring that area some more this winter in the kayak.

That's gotta be the 101 bridge in the background.
You can launch right there...next to the hotel.

I was wondering if there were fish up there now-- since they were in corte madera creek

more new territory! let,s fish it!

Yeah its the 101 bridge behind the hotel. There is a launch there thats free for kayaks. Its a pretty spot to paddle and you can head up river and look at the waterfront buildings.
Scoolies are caught there on anchovies all day.
Thats a nice fish Dustin! Gotta change you name to StriperHopper!

Dustin is on a roll..... dude...slow down and leave some stripers for the rest of us  

I'd like to hit this spot in the yaks, too.

If anyone wants to head up here and give it a shot let me know. I can pick up a few live bullheads on the way out.

I've never guaranteed fish before, but I can ALMOST guarantee wide open schoolies on anchovies, if nothing else.  

You'll probably need an anchor since the current rips through there.

Im up for it. Woudlnt be a hard paddle unless the wind killed us. I did it a few months ago and just tied off on the piers that line each side.

And there is a restaurant right at that hotel isnt there?

I'd like to hit this spot in the yaks, too.

If anyone wants to head up here and give it a shot let me know. I can pick up a few live bullheads on the way out.

I've never guaranteed fish before, but I can ALMOST guarantee wide open schoolies on anchovies, if nothing else.  

You'll probably need an anchor since the current rips through there.

I'm expecting my kayak to come in any day now. I'd be up to hitting this with you guys when I get it.

Where do you get the bullheads?

James,

Realizing these suggestions are not ideal for where you live - - - However, if you business or travel plans have you anywhere near Richmond,  Discount Marts Bay Tackle 510 235 2032 has them. It is off of cutting so stay low.  Also, there is a good bait shop in Vallejo (Again, if you should ever be in that area).

There has to be some shops closer to you.  My last search, I just pulled out the phone book.

As the water gets colder, Stripers will really key in on Bullhead.  Using them now should improve your large fish success though.   We should have a few more weeks before that is really required, where bait out-numbers artificials.

I have never fished that area - do you know if it fishes all winter, or if it is more of just a fall thing.

Jim

James - I'll shoot you a PM.

I just started fishing this river two months ago, so I'm not sure how long the stripers hang around. I do know that they catch stripers year round down by Black Point, which is only a few miles south of where we've been fishing.

Hey Rockhopper

I have always been curious to hear if any of the Stripers "Winter" in the rivers and waterways more locally (Ie - - closer to the Bay Area, anyway).  

I was thinking Petaluma River/Belle Marin Keyes (sp?)/Napa River, as a few examples.  

These are closer to me than having to drive to the Delta in December, and months beyond

Jim

Hey Rockhopper

I have always been curious to hear if any of the Stripers "Winter" in the rivers and waterways more locally (Ie - - closer to the Bay Area, anyway).  

I was thinking Petaluma River/Belle Marin Keyes (sp?)/Napa River, as a few examples.  

Jim

Short answer: YES

longer answer: The hard part is finding clean enough water to fish.
Bel Marin keys has fish, they get a bit lethargic in winter, but they are there. It also has the cleanest water. the southern 'key' seems to produce best
Petaluma river- ditto, Corte Madera Creek-ditto.  
There are a couple of other "dittos" on this side of the bay (including one identical to Bel marin keys), but i"ll let you figure them out-- gotta have some sense of adventure!

Steve

Gonna give it the college try this year.

Finding clean water anywhere can be tough, but can be done during those extended "settled breaks" between storms. Would be nice to have a shorter drive subside the cabin fever that always hits me in January.

Jim