San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Fishing Guide

San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Fishing Guide
Written by The Lost Anchovy 2/2/2019

I've attached the full article for NCKA archiving. The article on my blog has the correct formatting with photos. I'm no SPB sturgeon killer like Eddie but this is what I know form all the years fishing there, and learning from him.

Here is the full article on my blog:
http://thelostanchovy.com/san-pablo-bay-sturgeon-fishing-guide/

Introduction

San Pablo Bay is basically a large mud flat the deep boating channels that run through the center.  The bay gets a lot of attention during the winter months when large white sturgeon roam the area looking for food.  This area is a favorite location for northern bay fisherman to target these large fish.

San Pablo Bay Fishing Locations
When Kayak Fishing San Pablo there are a few location Kayak Fisherman like to target. I’ve marked them here for you.
(See Blog)

Eddie the Sturgeon Whisper
I would be shot, and it would be completely justified, if I wrote this article without talking about Eddie. If you spend enough time fishing San Pablo Bay there is not doubt you will run into Eddie the Sturgeon whisper. Eddie is a famed Sturgeon Slayer in the North Bay — and rightly so. If you ever get a chance to fish with Eddie: Stay quite, take note’s and follow his words like the holy bible. He’s the real deal folks.

San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Triangle
So where is this famed Sturgeon Triangle that everyone is talking about?

The "Triangle" is bordered by the "Pumphouse" to the north (it looks like an outhouse on stilts, located three miles east of Hamilton Field), China Camp to the southwest, and Buoy 5 to the southeast. The Pumphouse and China Camp areas attract feeding sturgeon during outgoing tides, while Buoy 5 is a good spot at incoming tides.

Kayak anglers like myself tend to fish on the China Camp side of the Bay. Although it is tempting, especially on a flat sunny day, to fish near the famed pump house,  San Pablo Bay weather is notorious for changing quickly, and the strong currents can make SPB down right dangerous. Take care to stay safe and alert in San Pablo Bay.

Best times

From late November through May, winter storms are the main catalyst that trigger the migration of the white sturgeon into San Pablo Bay.  The rush of fresh water from the Delta mixed in with the Saltwater of the bay creates the perfect brackish water conditions that Sturgeon thrive in.

Fisherman like to target the Sturgeon around this time of the year for two main reasons. One, the fish are the bay and they are  feeding. Two, the bait stealing critters such as sharks, rays, and crabs are pushed out by the fresh water.

Sturgeon Bait
Top baits for San Pablo Bay include grass, ghost, and mud shrimp with the latter being the most preferred by anglers. Other baits such as herring, salmon roe, worms, and lamprey eel can also be productive baits. Sturgeon are selective feeders and they will key in on the predominate food source. Match what they are feeding on for the best chance at a dinosaur.

Sturgeon Tides and Locations
Targeting the right tides is absolutely critical to landing this prehistoric animal.  Like any fish they have tendencies that trigger their most primal feeding instincts, understanding these triggers will put fish on the deck!

Look for large marks on the fish finder. Sturgeon marks are large dark and yellow marks that hug the bottom.

**Incoming tides produce****,****** but by far the strong outgoing tides bring more action on the shallow flats of the San Pablo. Study the tide tables, and when you find a period that predicts incoming tides of 5.0 or better, followed by strong outgoing tides for the late afternoon, it’s time to go. If it coincides with a break after a storm has passed, so much the better.

One of my favorite spots is located off China Camp, on the west side of the bay. The shell bank here covers a lot of property, and depths can vary from 6 to 11 feet during the high tide” Reference
https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/species/california-sturgeon-shallow-water-dinosaurs#page-3

Target the shell banks
There are many shell banks spread through out San Pablo Bay, and targeting these area will often be productive. The shell banks will often be near ledges, and natural drop offs.  When dropping anchor, if the ground is hard and the anchor takes a second before setting in, there is a good chance you have set on a shell bank — Mark the AREA! and check the anchor when pulling up for muscles and tiny clams.

Avoid the Mud walk of Shame

One of the reasons i dislike fishing San Pablo Bay is the dreaded mud walk of shame. Here is the rub with San Pablo. Sturgeon tend to feed at the beginning of an outgoing tide. A strong minus tide, freshwater from the delta, and plentiful bait will put the fish on the bite; HOWEVER, (pay attention here), staying out too long during an outgoing minus tide, and you will be pushing your Kayak through the mud!! I have done this twice. It is the worst! Just take my word on it.

A safe bet is to allow no less then 2ft of water to avoid the Mud Walk of Shame.  Do what you must, but get back before the tide becomes too low.

Conclusion

Honestly, if you were to tell me that I would be writing  “How to Fish Sturgeon Article” five years ago, you would likely see yourself in the water. There is much to love and hate about San Pablo Bay, however, you can not deny there is always a chance to catch a big fish there. Good luck and tight lines – The Lost Anchovy

Excellent read and write up Kieth. Well done. Now if I could just catch a sturgeon from yak already 😄

Boom, now I need to catch one!  Thanks brah, we will fish soon.  I hear Alameda has a spare Hali or two...

Awesome article. That picture of the mud walk though. Looks miserable  Glad you, old timers, discover the mud walk so we, noobs, don't have to experience that. 

Nice! Can’t wait to try fishing for those big beasts.

Awesome article. That picture of the mud walk though. Looks miserable  Glad you, old timers, discover the mud walk so we, noobs, don't have to experience that. 

WELL SAID SIR lol


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Great info!!! Thank you for posting that! Ive only fished for them from Monazuma to Rio Vista with little luck and have been wanting to get out into the bay. Cant wait for these storms to clear out and the wind to settle down for a day or 2 so I can get out there with you guys!

Thanks for the nice read Keith.  A flashback for me about Sturgeon fishing at China Camp.

Excellent read, very informative and amusing!

Thanks for the recent instructional articles on the blog.

Excellent read, very informative and amusing!

Thanks for the recent instructional articles on the blog.

You wanna dino hunt Michael?🤔
LoL. It's a thrill...."if" you hook up!😂

I am curious....but never had a QRAS and not sure I could sit that long in the confines of the Stealth. Might need to set up the Tarpon or Prowler......I dino🤔🤔, just not sure.😀

One topic I see wasn't addressed in this article was clothing, I have a wet suit but suspect a dry suit would be best?

I am curious....but never had a QRAS and not sure I could sit that long in the confines of the Stealth. Might need to set up the Tarpon or Prowler......I dino🤔🤔, just not sure.😀

One topic I see wasn't addressed in this article was clothing, I have a wet suit but suspect a dry suit would be best?

Yes, I would recommend a dry suit since it can potentially get cold out there. Here is a secret. Get water proof socks!!
Cold hands and feet will be make life miserable. Keep them dry and warm. Waterproof socks, thermals and a dry suit will make life a lot more manageable.--keith

I am curious....but never had a QRAS and not sure I could sit that long in the confines of the Stealth. Might need to set up the Tarpon or Prowler......I dino🤔🤔, just not sure.😀

One topic I see wasn't addressed in this article was clothing, I have a wet suit but suspect a dry suit would be best?

I’m sure dry suits have advantages. I use a wet suit with two pairs of socks and water boots. Then dress for the weather over the wet suit and I’m fine. The temp has to get down around freezing before my feet start getting cold.

I am curious....but never had a QRAS and not sure I could sit that long in the confines of the Stealth. Might need to set up the Tarpon or Prowler......I dino🤔🤔, just not sure.😀

One topic I see wasn't addressed in this article was clothing, I have a wet suit but suspect a dry suit would be best?

I’m sure dry suits have advantages. I use a wet suit with two pairs of socks and water boots. Then dress for the weather over the wet suit and I’m fine. The temp has to get down around freezing before my feet start getting cold.

Thanks Traildad,

Makes sense warm clothes on the outside and something to keep you warm if you end up getting dragged into the drink....

Thanks for sharing information. Great information about San Pablo Sturgeon. I have a landed a couple of nice ones but it's been like 20 years since then. Gonna have to gear up and try from the yak. Glad I know about the mud walk.