THE FISHING REPORT

Last week the Pacific Fisheries Management Council decided that
they would extend the salmon season until September 7. This is
great news for all the sport salmon fishermen. The council had
three separate options which went from no season after April to a
full season through November and then ended up with something all
together different than any of the options. As it reads now, sport
fishermen will be able to fish Thursday through Sunday for 24 inch
minimum size chinook salmon only, beginning May 1st through Labor
Day. You can still fish 7 days a week for 20 inch salmon through
the end of April. Commercial fishermen will get a two part, total 8
day season, in July.
Some of the best fishing along the coast is happening out of
Bodega Bay. It is still spotty but private boat limits are
happening for some. Most boats are getting a fish or two. The best
six pack boat action is happening on the Miss Anita, skippered by
Vince Orsini. He seems to be on a hot streak lately with limits on
salmon for his customers both Saturday and Sunday. He also is
getting limits of good quality crab to go along with the salmon. I
didn’t realize this until a reader mentioned it the other day but
not all six pack boats out of Bodega Bay are fishing crab, yet they
are charging the same price. When you book your reservations make
sure to ask if they are going to pull pots. 
The 60 foot New Sea Angler was fully loaded with customers both
weekend days and managed less than a fish per rod. However on
Monday the boat had better than a fish per rod, up to 20 pounds.
Rick Powers, skipper, was saying that these fish are so hot and
pull so hard because they are feeding on krill that less than 20%
are getting landed. The seas have been flat and they are even
seeing orcas along with the occasional gray whale. The wind machine
is set to ramp up this week and everything will change after a
week-long blow. Hopefully, the wind will bring about the upwelling
which is so vital to the entire food chain along our coast.
Other Bay area ports are not posting the same kind of scores.
San Francisco boats have been virtually blanked.  Some are
venturing as far south as Half Moon Bay and others are coming up
and around Point Reyes but have little to show for their efforts.
Meanwhile the Monterey boats are probably experiencing the best
success, with limits on sport and party boats alike. This is a
fairly common occurrence  early in the season, and then as the
season progresses, the fish move up the line to within range of the
SF boats.
The Bay is just starting to wake up halibut and striped bass
wise. Folks are trolling the south bay around Oyster Point and
Candlestick Point for a few nice halibut. The striped bass are also
showing in fishable numbers at all the usual rock piles and reefs
around the bay. Live bait is still not commercially available so
trolling hair raiser jigs or catching  your own shiner perch is the
way to go.
The Sacramento River which this time of year can host one the
best striped bass fishing anywhere has been shut out recently
because of a large mudslide that has muddied the waters all the way
to the Carquinez Bridge. The area around Colusa can sport 20 to 30
fish in a day caught on live minnows. 
This time of year is traditionally one of the best times to fish
for fresh water largemouth bass. The fish start to stage in the
shallow water and can be fairly easy to catch. Good weather is
certainly helpful as these storm fronts moving through tend to put
the fish down. Also, if you have access to the various farm pounds,
a nice quiet sunny morning can be just the ticket to some great
bass fishing. A split shot rubber worm is all you need.
For more fishing information and or reports please contact
Hunt Conrad at Prospect mortgage, 431-9715.