Any insight on fishing the Delta?

My Dearest NCKA folks,

You guys have been the MOST ultimate resource for all things kayak/fishing both on freshwater & saltwater since I've joined, and I am MOST grateful. I've had great success (fish caught or not!) on the local freshwater lakes & out on the ocean, and I wouldn't trade it for anything... big thanks to your insight & tips, etc.

I'm getting curious about the lower Delta and the river through Sac... I understand what I'm going to be fishing for & the bait/rigs/tools I'll need to do it. My biggest concern is the current... and where in the heck to launch from. Stripped Bass seem to be the biggest game-fish going on, and of course, Salmon later in the year.

ANY insight from my fellow NCKA folks would be most welcome... mostly regarding fishing on a very rigged Ocean Kayak Prowler (GPS, Fish finder, etc) in a current w/ tides. Launch locations are also welcome, as I'm located in the East Bay and usually fish out of Half-Moon Bay, Santa Cruz & Mendocino (salt-water). Anchors, times/tides, anything you've got that you'd like to throw in is encouraged... THANK YOU!!!

xoxo Aaron Shaul (aka Aroneus)

Russo's Marina is a cool spot to fish Franks Tract. It's a $10 launch fee. The currents in the delta get moving, but it's nothing to worry about. I fish the lower delta pretty regularly, if you have any specific questions just fire away and I'll answer them. Just remember, there are a bunch of correct answers to fishing questions.

Thanks so much, Jeffo, I'm mostly worried about getting my a** swept down/up river in a serious current. I've fished the very upper Amer/Sac river (charter) and was shocked at how quick & COLD the current was. I've seen some info about the Port of Sac, but was looking to hit the lower Delta & Sloughs since it's closer to where I live. I don't mind paying for a launch... would be nice to know where you see the most boat traffic (I've been dumped by an 'inconsiderate wake' a few times, and always like to avoid that as much as I can )

Also - has anyone fished the Napa Rivier on a Yak?

XOXO Aroneus

I am a relative newb to the Delta and my first time out for Striper was at Sherman Lake.   Easy launch, I think it opens at 6:30AM. Not to expensive.   If you stay inside Sherman Lake you wouldn't have to deal with current.  I felt the same way as you about the current before I went my first time.  I would check the tides for Antioch before going there and try to time it right.  I have rode the outgoing tide out and the incoming back in on the Sacramento River side.  I have also gotten on the tide treadmill and fought my way back up current.  The latter is significantly more difficult.

Aaron

Sherman lake and big break are great for the fall run of stripers . This time of year (April -may) the wind can get real bad .in Oct throw rattle trap type baits in and around the weed patches next to the open water and you will get bit . Search fish reports and weather before heading out .that part of the delta gets nasty with strong winds against the tides ! Red craw is a good color or a bone  . Any questions you can contact me ,would love to fish with someone there in a kayak!

I haven't fished the Napa River yet, but I plan to. I work close to the free Kayak launch ramp at the end of Green Island Rd in American Canyon. There is also a free ramp at the end of Streblow Dr down from the Napa College. I hope to get in some quickies after work when the tide is right. I have been watching the fishing reports here. Choose Napa River from the drop down menu.

http://www.fishhound.com/fishing-reports/us/ca

I've been out in the delta with strong tides and wind, while it is annoying its not all that hard to get around you just can't stop paddling or in my case peddling for very long, this last time out I wish I would have had a drift anchor though 3 mph was a little fast to be drifting minnows.

The thing about the Delta is that there is no one answer for all of the area it covers.  In Spring count on wind and the current can be a bit stronger, but I always paddle up current first if it is a factor.   I agree that Frank's Tract would be a good place to start.
When the salmon start you have the perfect trolling platform with your yak.  Try trolling the Old Sac above Vierra's all the way to Walnut Grove Marina.  If you are fishing on a summer weekend there will be idiots in boats, so don't anchor on points where it will be hard to see you, and get off the water early.

Keep in mind, wind is your rival much more than current when in the tidal zone...
I'm sure more than a few of us have been fishing only to find ourselves in over our head (time for a wet ride back to port...)

I speak of Striper fishing only...

Sherman lake in the Fall/Winter:
Jerk baits in white and shad
Swimbaits in white, chartreuse
Chrome Hopkins spoon (jigged over schools)
1/2 oz Rattletraps in white, and chrome/blue.

Rio Vista (at the ferry Xing)
Troll P-line Angry eyes/predators
White/red, chart
Jerk baits
Rattletraps

When trolling, watch your rod tip for the right action.

Look for any break in the current, They will use it for ambush.



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My Dearest NCKA Gentlemen...

Thank you so much for your insight!!! I truly appreciate it, and want to thank the NCKA hosts for this outstanding website...

I'm considering heading out a week from today on the Delta with another NCKA member from Mendo. Sounds like we'll be fishing for bass... LM, SM, and Stripers...

Launch points are (again) most appreciated, thankfully, the GPS will get us home. Having NEVER been up there before, your descriptions have been very helpful! I'm planning on bringing dead/live bait, and a mess of bass stuff, drift sock/bag, but no anchor. Hoping things will be work-able... we'll see what the wind turns out to be, and if that's the case, retreating into some of the bigger bodies of water should be fine.

I know we all love to throw in our '2 cents' when it comes to bass fishing... please, DON'T HOLD BACK. Thanks again!!!

XOXO Aaron Shaul

Here is what I usually start off with when bass fishing the delta.  I Drop shot a MM3 Roboworm, toss a Baby Bass colored Senko. From there I move into blue and chrome Rat-L-Traps and other craw pattern crankbaits. From there, we get deep into the insane world of bass fishing.

For stripers, it's tough to beat a chrome and blue Rat-L-Trap. Hair raisers, swimbaits, live bait, or frozen anchovies.

You're going to find that yes, the current is strong, but it's less of a problem than you think. I find where the current in the delta is the biggest pain in the ass is when I'm trying to stay in position hitting a certain spot. (But that's really not a problem in a Hobie)

Here is a tip, create a waypoint on your GPS at the launch ramp. If you're new to the area of the delta you're fishing getting lost could happen, so create that waypoint. Also, if you're fishing a negative tide, it's a great time to scout high-tide spots. Take lots of pictures and report back to us!

Jeff

red, red, red.  Rat-L-Traps, Spinnerbaits, Vibrating Jigs, Swim jigs.  The magical Senko and swim baits also.  I'm no expert, but I have loved that they love crawdad patterns.  Good Luck

I agree that Franks is a good place to start.  Never tried launching from Russo's.  Sugar Barge has a $5 launch fee as long as you don't drive on the ramp.

One of the thing to consider is also the TIDE, this can have an ultimate impact on your fishing, I agree on Russo's and check Piper Slough...

thanks

Napa river Also has ramps at cuttings wharf and Napa boat club near downtown. And by trancas st is a Kayak canoe put in.
Montezuma slough is a good bet with  bait near the road out to grizzly island.

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