Tiki Lagun 9/23 and Paradise Point 9/24

I had heard that the bass were biting in the delta a couple weeks ago. With dreams of a large striper in my head- I hit the road from Fresno,well before sun up on Saturday.
I managed to get OTW at Tiki around 7:30 with a half dozen Jumbo minnows.  This was my first time out there, and I had read online that the fishing was good around Mildred Island. I slowly made the paddle out to Mildred and managed 3 fish.  One each Smallmouth, Largemouth and Striper.  The largest being 14".  I trolled live minnows and drop-shot shad 6" worms.  It was a long paddle for not many fish.  I will say this- the trip out and back along the Empire Cut was exciting.  Plenty of 200 HP monsters (and one bigger) flying by me at way to fast- in my opinion.

I broke camp on Sunday early and made my way over to Paradise point.  Launched around 7AM and headed west up Disappointment Slough.  Again using the drop shot with shad pattern.  6 small bass.  Nothing over 14", but a fun day OTW.  Off the water at 11:00. 

Both days, I marked many larger fish on the finder.  They are in the deeper spots in 15 to 20 FOW. Most fish I caught were on the down current side of a bend, corner or island.

My first experience in the delta was good, except for the PB's.   I did manage to learn my way around a bit, and will be better prepared next trip.


No pics- forgot the camera.

sounds like you didnt do too bad.yeah you gotta be careful the pbs's in the delta,they are wreckless.if you get a chance try bigbreak

No pics, smallmouth didn't happen. Thanks for the report, keep working the current and you will start figuring out what really works, and what kinda works and what doesn't work. Put in time and it will pay off. Trust me on that one.

Keep a Hopkins spoon handy when you see those deep schools. Vertical jig em and hold on.

Keep a Hopkins spoon handy when you see those deep schools. Vertical jig em and hold on.

Thanks.  Being new to the delta, any advice is appreciated.  Also, I have a Hopkins- so next time I will be testing your advice. 

Sounds like a flag on one of your rods might be a good idea too.... And be careful on the inside bends.

Those small Stripers sometimes fight better than the bigger ones especially on light tackle.  Thanks for the report SeaChumm.

Key to those Mildred stripers is to be right at the break when the sun is setting.

Always caught my biggest stripers there at that time. My all time favorite spot.

Key to those Mildred stripers is to be right at the break when the sun is setting.

Always caught my biggest stripers there at that time. My all time favorite spot.

Thanks.  I have to make the trip out there again soon.  I didn't know where you meant when you said break.  After speaking to someone else yesterday, I now know.