With these big tides I do not know why you are working such deep water. This was my sturgeon routine for over 15 years. Big tides go shallow. My perfect scenario is a minus tide on the out go. I would highly recommend you run about 10 miles west and try San Pablo bay. Look for the pumphouse off of Hamilton field. It is in about 16' of water. (looks like a shack on a bunch of pilings). It is easily visible from the Petaluma river channel. Head towards Hamilton field and drop anchor in about 10'. On a big minus tide the water should start getting muddy in the last 2 hours of the out go. That is when the bite will go on. Sturgeon feed in the shallow water of San Pablo bay. The big tide will turn over the bottom, and also provide enough current to keep the boat straight. Choice of bait is really not that critical. I have used primarily shrimp baits. Grass shrimp is my favorite, then ghost and mud shrimp. Eel will work well too. I have used scents but find the scents bring in more stripers. Keep this in mind. In nature there is no free lunch. Right time and place make much more difference then bait on the hook. This area of San Pablo bay is very muddy flat bottom with miles of the same depth. There is no structure on the bottom, so your exact spot is not as critical as the right depth. In short, 8-10' of water at the last 2 hours of a minus out go. Good luck. If you have any questions about San Pablo Bay send me a private message.

When the SF Giants finally won a world series several years back I bought a new SF hat. Just happened to wear it fishing shortly after I bought it and I caught fish after fish after fish. That hat became my fishing good luck hat. I was looking back at old fishing photos tonight. Every one I'm wesring that hat. If I forgot it on the way to the lake I'd turn around and get it. Here is my problem... 3 trips ago it blew off my head right into the lake. It's happened before but this time I didn't find it. It's gone and I haven't caught a fish since. Tried two new hats and they sucked. The hat in the picture is going to be next. Please reach into your fishing good luck magic dust and put just a tiny little pinch on this hat for me. I need this nonsense to end quickly as I have way to many plans this Spring.

Or if anyone has gone through this and will share the process you used to replace your fishing good luck charm, I'd love to hear it. These are dark and desperate times! Help!