Wanna chase the stripers but need advice
California Fishing
Dec 1, 2022 23:04:31 #
I was up near where the other 'Gonna chase the stripers' Stagers were fishing on the Sacramento River near Rio Vista.
Unfortunately, my partner bailed at the last minute and by the time I got my kayak launched I missed the tidal pocket for my planned drift.
Not one to give up, I tried a little trolling (live minnows 40" behind a dodger at approx 12' below the surface) but struck out.
I know how to successfully drift for stripers and troll for trout, salmon, tuna and halibut but will be the first to admit I know very little about trolling for stripers.
My assumption is that stripers tend to stay at the same depth in the water column independent of the bottom depth (ie, like salmon or trout).
The question I have is whether or not my assumption is correct.
Should I troll the same depth in the water column (eg, 12' below the surface) or troll 3' off the bottom (like you would for halibut)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated (especially from the 'Gonna chase the stripers' crew)
PapaD
Unfortunately, my partner bailed at the last minute and by the time I got my kayak launched I missed the tidal pocket for my planned drift.
Not one to give up, I tried a little trolling (live minnows 40" behind a dodger at approx 12' below the surface) but struck out.
I know how to successfully drift for stripers and troll for trout, salmon, tuna and halibut but will be the first to admit I know very little about trolling for stripers.
My assumption is that stripers tend to stay at the same depth in the water column independent of the bottom depth (ie, like salmon or trout).
The question I have is whether or not my assumption is correct.
Should I troll the same depth in the water column (eg, 12' below the surface) or troll 3' off the bottom (like you would for halibut)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated (especially from the 'Gonna chase the stripers' crew)
PapaD
Dec 2, 2022 00:46:41 #
Hey papa, when it comes to trolling for stripers SAW1 is the master. I do troll a lot for trout and salmon but not much in the delta for stripers. I just prefer bait fishing along with plugging and spooning. The little trolling that we have done in the delta was in the spring time. Trolling rattle traps and jig heads. We would mark fish on the locator and adjust our lure depth to that zone by trolling speed and/or lure setback. I do know that the winter months can be tough for trolling in that area.The stripers tend to get sluggish in the colder water and lay more to the bottom, that’s why I believe bait fishing is so good at this time of the year. Only saw one boat trolling these past four days. That’s about all I got. Hope it helps. God luck!!!! P.S. I just noticed the mantweeka… it get it. 😂😂😂😂
Dec 2, 2022 02:18:05 #
Dec 2, 2022 13:30:25 #
Still above water wrote:
Hey papa, when it comes to trolling for stripers S... (show quote)
Thanks for the info!
Dec 2, 2022 14:20:20 #
Dec 2, 2022 15:52:03 #
Proline 22
Loc: Sacramento ca
Papa D wrote:
I was up near where the other 'Gonna chase the str... (show quote)
Hey papa I will share my experience gained in about 50 years of trolling the delta for stripers. I have always had best luck by staying near bottom when trolling deep water, usually about 15 to 40 feet deep, trying to bump bottom occasionally and using inline trolling sinkers and varying line out to stay deep. Not to say we never catch suspended fish up in the water column, just not as reliable. I fished Rio vista last Friday and caught a few suspended with live minnows, did better on bottom with mudsuckers. Lately, in last 5 years I,ve been fishing shallows at times with shallow runners trolling faster as well as casting and those fish are more likely to be chasing bait, so I guess it kinda depends on where you find them. Also have had luck verticle jigging Gibbs or similar type on suspended fish as long as not slack tide.Good luck out there, I usually fish out of white harber craft if you see me say howdy, tight lines
Dec 2, 2022 16:09:13 #
Dec 2, 2022 16:12:52 #
Proline 22 wrote:
... I fished Rio vista last Friday and caught a few suspended with live minnows, did better on bottom with mudsuckers. ...
Were you trolling with the live bait?
Dec 2, 2022 16:26:22 #
Still above water wrote:
Hey papa, when it comes to trolling for stripers S... (show quote)
Here’s a pic of the pedestal mounts that we made.
Dec 2, 2022 16:34:27 #
Still above water wrote:
Here’s a pic of the pedestal mounts that we made.
You can get the base mounts, screws tubing and cutting board that we cut down for the the top base from West Marine.
Dec 2, 2022 16:38:16 #
Still above water wrote:
Here’s a pic of the pedestal mounts that we made.
Another pic with the rod set in the holder
Dec 2, 2022 16:42:41 #
Still above water wrote:
Another pic with the rod set in the holder
Bottom mount has set screws to attach the tubing to it. Makes for easy removal when not using them.
Dec 2, 2022 20:40:51 #
Sport1
Loc: Sacramento Ca
Papa D wrote:
I was up near where the other 'Gonna chase the str... (show quote)
Try 3' off the bottom for stripers. My partner, guide fished the bank. I'm on the outside in the current. He's got me four to one 'til I put a 1/2 oz sliding egg above my 2' twenty lb steel leader. 12'/16' depth, decent current. We trolled up and downstream if we were on fish. Stay with them. They weren't picky. Steamboat and Miner Sloughs. Kayak launch would be Hogback on Steamboat, Arrowhead on Miner. Both West of Courtland. If you choose Hogback, turn right. Ticket booth to the ferry was always good. Right bank. Reel in to pass the ferry, you'll hook that sunken cable for sure.
Dec 2, 2022 23:09:53 #
Sport1
Loc: Sacramento Ca
Sport1 wrote:
Try 3' off the bottom for stripers. My partner, gu... (show quote)
If you can manage the riprap bank, launch right by the ticket booth. Cut a quarter mile off your paddle. Maybe a mile, ticket booth to ferry. Back and forth, East bank (RH) should work. J-5 rebel, your favorite trailer on the back hook. Luck.
Dec 3, 2022 01:01:14 #
All this jargon reminds me of 'Bat 21'.
I'll have to check out Steamboat and Miner. Looks like I should be able to get some good tide/current predictions for both.
Thanks guys!
I'll have to check out Steamboat and Miner. Looks like I should be able to get some good tide/current predictions for both.
Thanks guys!
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