Captain Ben and I were on the river this morning 0630-0645, still dark with running lights. We decided to start the morning trolling away from the launch ramp instead of jetting down the river to the usual fishing spots. It was dark out after all!
Less than 5 minutes after putting the lure in the water to troll (I had to use my phone to illuminate the reel's line counter) I pulled in the first 22 inch keeper of the day. Of course we don't leave fish to find fish, as Striper Master Steve is fond of saying. 3 passes in the same area, 3 keepers, but we let the barely legals loose to get bigger. After a couple unsuccessful passes we finally head down river. Bang, bang, bang. Ben caught the biggest of the day at just under 25 inches.
Totals, 14 fish landed, 5 dinks, and the rest of the 9 caught were legal size. We kept our limits of 2 each, with 20, 22, 23, and almost 25 inches in the live well. We were doing so well that Ben caught and released one of the biggest fish of the day so we could keep fishing.
Based on legal sized fish brought to the boat we could have been off the water in an hour. I love days like today, catch, release, repeat.
As it was we were off the water by 1130.
The river was flat, a gentle breeze ruffled what little hair I have left, and the sunrise and fishing were memorable.
The only negative in the whole experience is I had to deal with yellow jackets arguing over who's fish were who's. No fun filleting fish at the dock surrounded by stinging flying critters. Luckily I'm not allergic because one of those dudes claimed and defended the fish I was cleaning. I'll get over it, he won't.
Thanks Ben!

Don't know, lot's of people fish it differently and have pretty good success. Large seal is always a bad sign, go somewhere else. They eat and spook the fish, no schools where ever they are. I have seen them tearing up large 25 35 pound Salmon in the Napa River. Length of line varies based on how shallow you fish it, just keep them off the bottom and as reasonable close to shore without bouncing off the bottom. Speed always depends on tide strength, if you going with tide faster, against, slower. Your read on the action of lure is correct, if you get decent vibration, your good. Unusually too slow is poor action and too fast becomes no action. As for lures, others work but 1 oz rattle traps seem consistent. The guide boats look like they use 1/2 oz so again, it's what works for you. Some times the river doesn't give up an fish and that's happened too. Good Luck!

Don't know, lot's of people fish it differently and have pretty good success. Large seal is always a bad sign, go somewhere else. They eat and spook the fish, no schools where ever they are. I have seen them tearing up large 25 35 pound Salmon in the Napa River. Length of line varies based on how shallow you fish it, just keep them off the bottom and as reasonable close to shore without bouncing off the bottom. Speed always depends on tide strength, if you going with tide faster, against, slower. Your read on the action of lure is correct, if you get decent vibration, your good. Unusually too slow is poor action and too fast becomes no action. As for lures, others work but 1 oz rattle traps seem consistent. The guide boats look like they use 1/2 oz so again, it's what works for you. Some times the river doesn't give up an fish and that's happened too. Good Luck!