Inclement weather conditions have put a damper on the fishing lately. Those venturing out are finding slow fishing conditions for striped bass as well as sturgeon. It is a known fact that the fish are here, but the drop in the water temperatures which now range between 47 and 49 degrees has put the bite on the light side. During this period of the year the sturgeon season is now on full swing, and the upcoming sturgeon derbies are a clear indicator of the presence of this prehistoric fish that is now in the system. The 13th Annual Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby takes place out of Martinez on Saturday, January 26 and the following weekend the 35th Annual Foundation Sportsman’s Club called the Original Sturgeon Derby will held on Saturday, February 2 until 1:00 pm and will run through Sunday, February 3 until 1:00 pm. The entry fee is $30 with a deadline of 7:00 am on February 2. The target length will be the same for both days, and it will be announced on Saturday morning at 7: 00 am. All persons in the boat must be entered in the derby as shoreline fishing is not allowed. The rules also state that no one entered in the derby is allowed to fish on Friday, February 1 until Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 am. All fish in the target length must be alive and must be measured at the Sportsman’s Club at McAvoy’s Boat Harbor in Bay Point, Ca In preparation for the upcoming sturgeon derbies, anglers participating are advised to make any bait reservations at their local bait shops to ensure that bait is available for the event. Most of the bait shops will need to order sufficient amounts of baits and reserving bait is the best method for helping both the bait shop and fishermen.

Sturgeon are on the move in the Sacramento River as the water has turned off colored along with some debris floating on the surface. The striped bass fishing has really slowed down overall, but better days are ahead. Sturgeon have been found in the north Delta sloughs where eel/nightcrawler or eel/pile worm combinations are working best. Also, in addition grass or ghost strip. Striped bass fishing is best with cut baits coated with scent along with pile worms or blood worms as the muddy water is limiting the action on live mudsuckers, blue gills and minnows. Sardines with a garlic scent is working best. Threadfin shad will not be available at the local bait shops until this spring, buy there is some frozen still available if you check around.