The first storm of the year brings transition. Lakes soon will turn over bringing baitfish and game fish close to the surface and bring excellent fishing to trout and bass anglers. Cooler weather is what striper anglers ordered and they are being rewarded with very good fishing at Antioch, Rio Vista and the San Rafael shoreline near China Camp. Things are looking up and getting better. Here are this week’s Best Bites:
LAKE BERRYESSA bass: There was a good topwater bite before the recent change in the weather. Some anglers were getting 30 pound sacks on one ounce blade runner buzzbaits. The spoon bite is very good and bass being caught are of very good quality. Bait is plentiful but will start to push down. That will create bait balls and make the bite even more concentrated. Surface temperature is in the high 60s. Guide Don Paganelli (916) 502-3474
COLLINS LAKE trout: The fall trout stocking program began this week with private plants of fish. The lake conditions and weather conditions are ideal with this week’s cooling trend. Half of the load was considered catchables and the other half was trophy-sized. Shore fishing is expected to pick up as a result of the cooler weather and the best bait to use is Power Bait, Power Eggs, or worms. Fall trout plants will end the week of Thanksgiving. 1-800-286-0576
QUARRY LAKES trout: Fall trout bite is underway at this small lake in Fremont. Limits are being caught all around the lake. Power Bait (pumpkin green), grubs and Kastmasters will work. Biggest this week was 6.25 by Peter Simpson of Fremont. (510) 544-3133
ANTIOCH striped bass: Striper fishing is excellent. Dozens of keeper stripers were caught Tuesday night from the Antioch Pier. Shad are everywhere so that’s been the best bait but sardines will work. A few 20 pounders are being caught. Most are 10 to 15 pounds. Gotcha Bait & Tackle (925) 706-7400
PITTSBURG sturgeon and striped bass: Sturgeon bite is good at Buoy 2, Buoy 3, PG&E plant and Little Cut. Use grass shrimp or ghost shrimp with eel. Last two hours and first two hours of each tide are good. Striper numbers are good and size is getting better. A 30 pounder and a 20 pounder were caught this week near the Firing Line. Larger stripers are in deeper water. Dockside Bait (925) 252-0151
MONTEREY Ling cod: Chris’ sportfishing is going after big lings on Saturday with a live bait trip. Anglers will first fish for sand dabs to use as bait and then target lunker lings. Chris’ Sportfishing (831) 375-5951
SAN PABLO BAY striped bass: Shore fishing for stripers is good. Use bullhead, mudsuckers or shiners along the China Camp shoreline. Bass to 30 inches are being caught. Most are four to six pounds. Live bait drifters get larger fish. (415) 456-0321
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