We dodged a big bullet concerning the Sacramento River spring striped bass spawn this week. Warm daytime air temperatures in conjunction with dropping river levels. Almost caused a very early spawn for the striped bass. Whom are currently taking up a residency around the Colusa, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Two consecutive days of 85+ degree daytime air temperatures caused the river water temperatures to skyrocket. By Thursday April 11, 2024 river water temperatures in the evening hours before dark reached just over 60 degrees. For those who may not know 62 degrees is the magical temperature that striped bass need to induce their spawning. As river water temperatures on the Sacramento River in Colusa, Ca went from a chilly 51 degrees on Monday April 8, to nearly 60 degrees on Thursday April 11. The striped bass instinctively gathered, preparing for a spawn. On Thursday evening as river water temps reached their peak. The striped bass left all their bank side hiding spots. Moving out mid river, laying around the main current line of the rivers strongest currents. Indicative traits of spawning stripers. “Moch Spawing” was witness by a handful of anglers who had reported seeing this practice run type spawning ritual. Which the stripers do days prior to having a real time spawn. The striped bass at this point become focused on one thing, and one thing only. If you catch my drift. Making the evening fishing very difficult on Thursday April 8 and the following Friday morning of April 9.

As it would turned out the cold low pressure system that rolled in on Friday April 12, 2024 couldn’t have come at a better time for striper anglers. The drop in daytime air temperatures caused river water temperatures to plummet back into the mid 50 degree range. Putting a kabash to any spawning activities that were about ready to take place. In turn saving anglers from a early end to the striped bass main event (the spawning season). By the weekend things as far as fishing was concerned we’re right back to normal. Buying at the least another week to ten days of “limit out” style fishing here in the Colusa, Ca area. Fishing charter services operating in the area made quick work of easy limits for their clients on Saturday April 13, 2024. With most fishing guides being all wrapped up and back at the fillet stations well before noon. Fishing guides working double trips, or working the late shift reported much of the same fast pace striper action on Saturday April 8.

With the striped bass reaching a near full blown spawning episode late last week. The troll bite immediately kicked into gear. Sacramento River striped bass fishing guides like Ryan Tripp, Raith Herryford, Robert Petty, and Mike Rasmussen all put the live bait away. Except Raith Herryford of course, who has refused for as long as I can remember, to pay the outrageous, and inflated cost of a live minnow. Figuring out many successful methods for catching stripers on artificial baits only. And has been very successful doing so….The other fishing guides turned their live minnow rods in for their plug trolling rods and got after it. Plug trolling did not disappoint. Putting easy limits in their fish boxes. For the clients who were lucky enough to feel the fury of a striper attack on a properly trolled plug. Trolling plugs may still be a widely used fishing technique for striped bass in the California Delta. However in the upper regions of the Sacramento River the once mainstay of striper fishing in the area. Is now a mostly forgotten technique. Very deadly forgotten technique. Troll speed, lure selection and application, line scope and distance, water clarity, and water depth are all factors that play into trolling successfully. I would recommend joining a forum of anglers fishing the California Delta, watch related YouTube videos, or hire a professional guide service like the ones mentioned previously. Learn from a professional before venturing out on your own dime. This will save you much frustration while working through the learning curves. As far as rod selection for trolling plugs. I would personally recommend checking out the Douglas Rod Company’s LRS series of casting rods. Preference differences tend to occur frequently between fishing guides. So finding the LRS series rod that suits you best is best left up to you. It is mutually agreed upon that a trolling rod of eight foot in length or greater is desired while trolling.

Except excellent striped bass fishing on the Sacramento River striper grounds surrounding Colusa, Ca in the weeks to come. Another large push of newly arriving striped bass has made it’s way into the Verona, Ca again for the second time this season. If river forecasters are correct and the Sacramento River rises by two foot early this week. All the striped bass from Colusa, Ca to Verona, Ca would instinctively migrate up the Sacramento River in search of the big females. Stayed tuned for our next report due out on Wednesday April 17, 2024.