Striper lures for Sacramento area.

I want to try fishing for stripers off the yak, maybe around Discovery Park.  I've caught them there in the past off my buddy's boat, but we were using sardines.  I've heard they're now hitting lures of some kind, but I have no idea what to use. 

My plan is to anchor up and cast.  Not sure if this is feasable, as I've never tried it.  Pretty comfortable in the yak, and use it for diving in Bragg and Monterey, but the river is a different critter.

Is my plan realistic?  Could anyone give me some ideas as to what lures to try?

Thanks,
Ron.

Try rattletrap , sebile stickshad, walk the dog with top water zara spooks, soft baits like zoom super flukes... Good luck

Thanks!
I just looked up a few videos of catching stripers on rattle traps.  Never used them, but they look interesting.
Ron.

spooks and swimbaits seem to work, never caught one on a rattle trap yet but all of those seem to work, you can try some procure on them too.

If you anchor around Discovery I would do this......

1. Catch a shad.
2. Put that same shad on a hook and wait for a Mogan striper to pick it up.

If you anchor around Discovery I would do this......

1. Catch a shad.
2. Put that same shad on a hook and wait for a Mogan striper to pick it up.

If I try that, I'll probably spend all day attempting to catch one shad...
Ron.

They are super easy to catch in the Sac....... And on a kayak makes it even easier.
You might end up having such a blast slaying shad that you forget about the stripers!

Good luck!

If you anchor around Discovery I would do this......

1. Catch a shad.
2. Put that same shad on a hook and wait for a Mogan striper to pick it up.

+1 This is simply the best method to catch a big striper this time of year, and it's a ton of fun. The striper frequently bring the bait to the top and thrash around before hookset.  Even if you don't get a hookset, or you lose the fish it is worth just watching them savage the shad feet from your kayak.

Here is the best setup that I have found for lining live shad, and releasing a striper.

8/0 circle hook
10ft 20lb leader


1. Nosehook the shad give it some line, set the clicker, and start looking for striper water.
2. Once a striper takes the shad, let it run for a long time (I count to 30).
3. Lift the rod while cranking down (don't hookset with circle hooks)
4. You will probably not get a hookset, but don't worry.
5. Take the shad in and hook it behind the dorsal fin
6. Repeat step (2&3)

tips:
set your drag before you hook on your shad. Too many people lose fish because they don't set their drag appropriately to target fish/gear.

Don't use anything but circle (or barbless octopus at the very least), otherwise you will guthook fish.

Don't use a trailing hook, they snag or fowl presentation more than they help

After the first failed hookset, the striper will likely follow the bait when you retrieve it.  Don't get buck fever 

Good luck!

I got the second one yesterday using the above method.  It was only 13lb, but even at that size they are fun to catch.

Using live shad sounds like fun, but that brings up a whole new issue.  I don't know anything about catching shad...
Ron.

I've caught more stripers on my Super Spooks than any other lure, including swimbaits.

I love the super spook because it is so easy to work, and when the fish hits it it HAMMERS it and sets the hook itself.

Try the trout color for the dusk/evening and mornings. Red or pink head between sunup and sundown.

Well those super spooks are different than anything I've ever used before, and this "walk the dog" technique is equally foreign.  I watched a couple videos on the subject and it looks like a real kick.  Gonna head to Cabelas and/or Sportsman's on my days off.  Probably pick up a few lures and maybe a new reel and give it a go.
Thanks guys!
Ron.

Well those super spooks are different than anything I've ever used before, and this "walk the dog" technique is equally foreign.  I watched a couple videos on the subject and it looks like a real kick.  Gonna head to Cabelas and/or Sportsman's on my days off.  Probably pick up a few lures and maybe a new reel and give it a go.
Thanks guys!
Ron.

Give it a few casts and you'll have it down well enough to catch a hungry striper!

They are super easy to catch in the Sac....... And on a kayak makes it even easier.
You might end up having such a blast slaying shad that you forget about the stripers!

Good luck!

Is the ar shad heating up yet? I need me some shad!

I like using shad too, it's fun. I also like using 10" black power worms.

For Sacramento River stripers:

Swimbaits: We talking standard RCG/lingcod swimbaits here? What size do you toss out?  Colors (white or chartreuse or something else)?

Put-in: Is the confluence/Discovery better fishing than putting in at Miller Park? Or other suggestions? Just thinking about a way to get out quickly on the water after work.

Yeah, what he said...

Ron.