It was a bright, sunny blue sky day, and with no wind, the bay was flat and glassy calm. "Perfect," Fraser said. The crew boarded at 2:40 p.m., Fraser fired up the engine, and they cruised up San Pablo Bay to the northern apex of the Sturgeon Triangle, just east of the pumphouse. With the depth finder, Fraser found 11 feet of water, his magic spot, and dropped the anchor.

From the recent rains, the water was chocolate brown, and with the outgoing tide sweeping past the boat, conditions appeared perfect. "These are the kind of conditions that a sturgeon addict would dream about," Fraser said.

[...]

Suddenly, the sturgeon emerged on the surface: It was 7 feet long and weighed an estimated 150 to 160 pounds. Its belly was swollen, full of sturgeon eggs.

"Oh my God," Wollan said. She was otherwise speechless, in shock.

Many anglers fish a lifetime in hopes of hooking a 100-pound sturgeon, and here she had landed one on her first bite.

Fraser smiled, knowing he had just inducted a new member into the 100-Pound Club. He reached overboard, grabbed the hook with a pair of pliers, and dislodged it from the round, vacuum-cleaner-like mouth of the sturgeon. In the next second, the big fish swam away and disappeared into the darkness.

Originally posted 2008-01-20 12:08:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• San Francisco Bay Fishing Charters There is a wide assortment of different fishing boats that are making daily trips to the San Francisco Bay fishing grounds. Many of them even provide gear rentals for those that need it. There are also a number of different private charters that are made available, especially during this season.......
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Phone: 925.684.2166

Boat launch? Yes, the facility does have a boat launch

Berth Fees:

Please call for more information.

Average water depth? Not listed. Please contact the marina for information about current depths before you arrive.

Marine standby channel? At this time the marina is not accessible by radio.

Are there any guest facilities?

Yes, the marina supplies guests with rental docks complete with electric. However, slips are not available at this time.

Is there a pump out station?

Yes, the marina does have a pump out station on site.

Is there a fuel dock?

Yes, the marina offers its customers use of their fuel dock with both diesel and regular fuel.

Is there as store on site or a restaurant?

No, the marina does not have either option at this time. However, there are several within easy walking distance.

What other kind of services are available?

The marina supplies its customers with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. They also supply ice, which is pretty uncommon among marinas in the area.

Can you camp there?

The marina actually offers cabin rentals for those who will be staying over night. We've included information on these rentals below. It's a step above camping outside and the facilities are actually quite nice.

What you need to know:

The staff at this marina is incredibly friendly and accommodating. Whether you are just passing through or you plan to rent long term, you'll find them a pleasure to work with. Their location is just about perfect and this marina is a favorite among locals.

Is fishing allowed?

Yes, the marina is currently working on increasing their fishing options. Please contact them for more information. This location on the Delta is particularly rich in fish and you should be able to catch salmon, sturgeon, trout and bass without any trouble. If you are fishing on your boat or off the pier, please remember that you will need a California fishing license. Limits per species of fish may also apply. Please check with the marina for more information.

Full List of Services available:

141 Covered Berths ~ monthly rates:

30 AMP Shore Power / Dual 30 AMP Power on Larger Berths

Excellent parking with close access to your boat

Free pumpout

Laundry Facilities

Clean Restrooms and Showers

Security Gates

Hydrolift for jet skis with secure storage at $45/month

Hydrolift for boats up to 25'

Propane

Camping Facilities?

Yes, the marina has extensive facilities for guests, including the following cabins that include:

TV and DVD Player

Dish Network

1 Full Size Bed

3 Bunk Beds

Hot and Cold Water Shower

Toilet

Stove Top Range

Small Refrigerator

Microwave

Coffee Maker & Toaster

Barbeque

Please contact the number above for rates on their cabin packages.

How to Get There:

View Larger Map

Mariner Cove Marina is located at the end of Taylor Road on Bethel Island.

When you arrive on Bethel Island, cross over the bridge and take the first left turn onto Taylor Road. Follow the road to the end until you reach Mariner Cove Marina.

Originally posted 2008-05-28 05:31:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Lake County Marinas Anchorage Inn 950 Main Street Lakeport, California 95453 Phone: 707.263.5417 Average water depth: Varies - please call ahead for exact information. Is there a marine stand by channel contact? No, at this time the marina can only be reached by phone. What facilities are provided? The marina has docks, but......
• Sonoma County Marinas Gilardis Lakeville Marina View Larger Map 5684 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, California 94954 Phone: 707.763.1557 Average water depth? The average depth here is 12 feet, however this is subject to change. Please call ahead for more information. Is there a marine stand by channel? Yes, you can reach the marina on......
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Phone: (760) 765-0515

Is boating allowed?

Yes, this is a very boat friendly lake.

Is there a boat ramp?

Yes, they do have a launch on site. Please note that there is a day fee for use.

What you need to know about the lake:

Lake Cuyamaca is easily one of the most enjoyable places to visit in this area. We had a great time during our trip here and found everything to be just what you would expect from a top of the line resort, but with that family friendly atmosphere. The marina was well stocked, the bait shop was perfect and considering that you can catch some very rare fish while you're here, it was well worth trip. We found their rental rates to be reasonable and they are also very friendly to those that wish to bring their own boats. Please note however, that there are some special rules for boaters, which we've mentioned below.

Is camping allowed?

Absolutely. There are numerous places to camp here, including primitive camp sites, RV hookups and other spots. We found everything to be very well maintained and suitable for even kids.

What kind of fish will I find here?

This is considered to be the spot for anglers. You'll be able to find plenty of trout, a few bass, the usual selection of crappie and bluegill and you may even spot a catfish or two while you're here. This biggest story however is their decision to stock sturgeon in the lake a few years ago - and this is by far one of the best places to catch a sturgeon in the area.

Are there any regulations I need to know about:

Yes. This area does have a problem with the Quagga Mussels. This means that all boats must be decontaminated once they leave the water. If you are bringing your own boat, you must pay the $10 fee to have the process completed before you will be allowed to leave. Please note that this fee is in addition to their launch fee.

If you will be operating a boat, you must have a valid California license. For those bringing their own boats, they must be registered in the state of California and must be operated according to state laws.

View Larger Map

Fees:

Lake Management States:

Fishing permits are $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for kids.

One day licenses for $12.10 and annual licenses for $37.30. Fishing Rod and Reel rental $10.00 entire day with $30.00 CASH deposit.

Boat rentals are available. Motorboat rentals are $45.00 for the entire day or $35.00 after 1:00 PM. Rowboats are $15.00 all day or $12.00 after 1:00 PM. Pontoon Boat is $150.00 entire day.

Paddle Boats: $15 an hour in summer only

RV Campsites with hookups are $25.00. RV Campsites without hookups are $18.00. Group RV site (8 spaces) $200.00. Tent Campsites are $18.00. Non-angler access is $6.00 per car, payable only if there are no anglers in party.

Originally posted 2008-10-25 05:14:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• Fishing Report for August 8, 2009 This week in the lakes there is a slowing in bass fishing, but still plenty of catfish and Kokanee to be had, as well as crappie. Bass and catfish are more plentiful in the delta areas. As far as saltwater fishing goes, you're likely to find plenty of stripers, Halibut,......

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Anderson: Even though crappie bite is slow right now, you can expect some good bass catches close to the rocks. Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the morning and drop-shotted plastics as the day progresses.

Berryessa: Stick to underwater fishing when looking for bass. You will be able to find great bites on smallies up to 3 pounds and largemouth up to 4 ½ pounds. You can expect to get great bites when setting depth at 25 feet and hanging out all day.

Calero: Look near the launch ramps for what remains of the crappie bite. Those looking for bass can try their luck using buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and frogs as topwater lures in the morning and near the grass or deep in the water as it warms up.

Chabot: While you can catch some decent trout through trolling and there are 5 pound bass being pulled out of the lake, bites have been hard to come by recently.

Chesbro: If you look near the old bar, you will be able to find some decent bluegill bites with a few crappie bites as well.

Coyote: Carp and bluegill are to be found in abundance right now. You can also get out early to take advantage of the good bass fishing. It can get difficult to get a bite as the day progresses, so get out early using topwater lures when the water is calm and spinnerbaits when the wind picks up.

Loch Lomond: If you are not in the mood to hunt down the bass hiding in structure, you can enjoy the abundance of bluegill. If you are looking to catch larger catches, look near the mouth of Newell Creek. Smaller ones have been found in the first two coves near the parking area. They are sticking to sunny areas which are fairly shallow.

Mcalpine: Expect to find some great bites of catfish and sturgeon with good chances of picking up some trout in the morning thanks to cooler morning and evening temperatures. At 6pm on Saturday there will be a Full Moon Catfish Derby.

Quarry Lakes: Trout are in large numbers right now due to the 300 pound plant which went in on Tuesday, but do not expect any heavy weights. Catfish is available with more coming soon due to a plant next week.

San Luis Reservoir: Get out early to get some topwater bites. With trolling being slow, many have turned to using bait in the main lake as well as Lucky Craft Pointers to get some good striper catches. Average sizes have been between 18 and 25 inches.

Uvas: If you are willing to invest the time and effort, you can pull in one or two catfish by getting out at night.

Delta

Benicia: Look to get the best bites during the bottom of the tide and with the incoming tide. When waters are warmer, expect to find catches throughout the entire tide cycle. Expect good catches of salmon when using spinners. The most effect spinners have been those with green skirts and either a yellow or a silver body.

Frank's Tract: Stay away from Big Break due to the weeds making it hard to navigate. You can find up to 15 pound stripers in Broad Slough. Bass fishing has also been good which is evidenced by the couple of 8 pound largemouth which was pulled in at the Snag Proof Open.

Rio Vista: Live bait is the best bet whether you are fishing or trolling. Biggest numbers for bass catches were from Firing Lane with a 25 pound catch and Montezuma with a 30 pound catch. You can also expect to find stripers in Old Sacramento River, Firing Lane and Montezuma Slough.

Saltwater

Berkeley: Salmon catches have been improving with the best catches coming from between Duxbury and Muir Beach. While there were some catches better than 20 pounds, the majority were closer to 6 and 10 pounds. The Happy Hooker has been able to enjoy limits of stripers from Central Bay on a constant basis. Good numbers have also been reported for halibut and rock cod.

Capitola: Look at the pier to enjoy better perch fishing. You can also expect the occasional bite from sea bass when looking off Rio Del Mar and New Brighton. There have also been the occasional salmon caught at mile reef, but rock cod and halibut are more common catches here.

Emeryville: Look off Marin Coast to enjoy the better than average salmon catches. Expect to find catches between 6 and 10 pounds with the occasional 20 pounder. Party boats have been pulling in salmon as well as stripers and halibut. Average catches for striper have been 12 pounds while the halibut have been coming in at 19 pounds. Those on rock cod trips can expect to find limits near islands and lings when on coastal trips.

Monterey: The majority of catches have been salmon with fish being caught every day. Those looking to catch the biggest catches might want to look near Fort Ord. Expect to find your catches at 40 to 60 feet and weighing in at up to 9 pounds. Limits are possible when on trips, but you can at least expect to catch a fish a line.

Pacifica: Those looking for bass can find bites at Mussel Rock. Those looking for striper can find them on the pier and off the beach. The biggest news has been about the salmon catches with more coming in every way and a better catch than has been seen in years. Use anchovies and sardines to get the best catches from the pier in the morning time.

Pillar Point: Salmon has been better than average with most boats pulling in decent numbers. New Capt. Pete was able to pull in six salmon weighing in between 10 and 25 pounds each when fishing at Mussel Rock. Connie O also pulled in three good sized salmon. Rockfish was caught with 16 limits by the Tigerfish. The Queen of Hearts had a mixed bag with 18 salmon a huge 28 pound striper and even a thresher shark.

Santa Cruz: Stick to catching rock cod on local reefs with an expectation of being able to find blacks, reds and vermillion. This is because of the havoc sea lions have been causing salmon anglers.

San Francisco: While halibut has been nonexistent and striper catches being infrequent at South Bay, more have looked off Crissy Field and Alcatraz in Central Bay to catch stripers , perch and sharks.

Photo Credits: pk2004

• Fishing Report: June 24, 2011 Lake fishing was dominated by trout and catfish this week. Anderson: Bass fishing is the best bite right now on the lake. The best spots to get the biggest fish are in the shallows. Last week a 9 pound bass was caught, but the majority of catches ranged from 1......
• Fishing Report: July 22, 2011 Lake Fishing Anderson: Bass is the main catch here with 1 – 2 pounds being the average. While all manner of fishing will work, you can get the best catches in the morning with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Later day fishing will get better results with Senkos. You can also expect......
• Fishing Report: May 27, 2011 Lake fishing has continued to see good results even with less than desirable weather persisting. Some spots in lakes produced more than others. All seemed to be productive. Plants have helped a few areas to get even better than normal pulls. A trout tournament can lead to a great victory......
• Fishing Report: June 10, 2011 Lake fishing has seen a lot of improvement this week with a few plants. Trout is the best catch in most locations. Berryessa: Best spots for this week are in between Big Island, the Narrows and Ranch House. Fishing for bass is best done at above 15 feet. Best bait......
• Fishing Report: May 21, 2010 Sturgeon, Salmon and Halibut At Berkeley/Emeryville, 12 anglers got 7 salmon over the weekend, and 26 got 44 halibut. They also got a few striped bass. The biggest halibut from the trip topped out at 15 pounds and the biggest salmon was 16 pounds. Capitola is a good place to......

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River or Lake Fishing

Sturgeon can be found in most rivers on the West Coast, but they won't be floating along the sides. They are definitely bottom feeders, so you'll either need to get out there on a boat, or really be able to cast well. We recommend using a bell sinker and pretty much any type of bait you can get your hands on. They're not very picky when they are hungry and you can do well with simple bait like bugs, or you can get fancy and use crayfish. It's up to you, but if you go at the right time of the day, you can really increase your chances of getting the big one.

You'll also be able to find some sturgeon in lakes, especially if they are fed by local rivers. Once again, you're going to have to go deep to find sturgeon. We recommend dropping anchor in the deepest part of the lake you can find and setting up shop there for a few hours. For lake fishing, we recommend putting some salmon eggs in a small, netted bag. Make sure that it is tightly tied off and attach it to your line. Use a good sinker and sit back to wait for the chomps. The key is to make the bait look like a spawn bag, and the netting really helps with that.

Finding the Right Time of Day

We mentioned that the key is finding the right time of the day. If you're going fishing in the afternoon, the sturgeon will definitely be found at the bottom of the lake or river and you'll need a good deal of patience to get one. By evening, they'll start to fan out a bit and they'll be a little bit hungrier.

If you don't have a boat or you just want to fish from shore, late evening or early morning will be your best time to land a sturgeon. They go more towards the shallows at these times and they will be hungry. Use the bait mentioned above for river fishing and you should be able to land at least one. During these times, you may actually be able to spot one if the waters are shallow enough, so keep your eyes peeled and keep trying.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-07-16 05:20:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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