I headed to Brannan Island State Park on the Sacramento River last week (Nov 11-13)
to spend three days of sturgeon fishing off Decker Island. I had an RV space with electricity for three nights, a berth at the docks for two nights plus boat launch. It was a real pleasure not to have to launch the boat every day.
Daytime currents were mostly strong incoming this week, so that's mostly what I fished. Too bad the outgoings were mostly after dark. The only bait I used was some old eel that has been in wifey's freezer for seven months! Even the leader and hooks - with old eel still attached - were in the container with the old eel. I simply took out the leader and attached it and tossed it into the river.
Within a half hour on the first day of fishing I had my first keeper sturgeon on! I gave the skinny 62" 35# critter to a friend who was only too happy to jump in his car and drive from Stockton to claim it.
On day two I caught and released another keeper at 48" - and released him. Two sturgeon in two days!
On day three my friend Doug joined me. Still using nuthin' but the nasty old lamprey, he reeled in a 47" keeper that he released. That was his first sturgeon. Also on day three, just to keep Doug humble, I reeled in a 49" keeper and a 69" that was too large to keep - both were released. Then an 11½ Lb striper took the nasty lamprey for some reason, and she went into the fish box. I ended my day with a little 18" or so sturgy baby who was released to grow up.
It was the most productive sturgeon trip I've ever experienced. Who says the sturgeon are in decline? Those DFG biologists ought to go fishing more often!
The weather was perfect, the water almost always flat with little or no wind the whole time.
Brannan for three days: $97. Gas to and from Brannan $35. Five sturgeon in three days: Priceless!
More info and lots of photos on my homepage
www.fishwisher.com
Dale
