The weather has been less then desirable for the start to this 2019 Spring Striped Bass season. Keeping river conditions on the Sacramento River and Feather River here in Northern California, far from ideal. Never the less the striped bass season is underway and plenty of fish have taken up residence in both rivers. The trick has become how to locate groups of staging striped bass in these much higher then usual conditions. Then getting them to bite!

This hydrography https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiRk_6A_L_hAhWJvZ4KHfQrDSEQFjAAegQICRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwater.weather.gov%2Fahps2%2Fhydrograph.php%3Fwfo%… — This hydrography https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiRk_6A_L_hAhWJvZ4KHfQrDSEQFjAAegQICRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwater.weather.gov%2Fahps2%2Fhydrograph.php%3Fwfo%3Dsto%26gage%3Dcluc1&usg=AOvVaw2svdB0pq_a4Cuu3lmxJd6C from the National Weather Service, shows the Sacramento River level at Colusa, Ca.

For striped bass anglers spending their time fishing the Sacramento River fishing for these scrappy, hard fighting fish. It has been a bit of a let down for the most part. The Sacramento River remains high and muddy currently and has been this way for the past couple week. Giving only a glimmer of hope to anglers on maybe a once a week average. As river conditions barely sneak into favorable enough conditions for die hard anglers and Sacramento River fishing guides to get a day or two of fishing in. Before the river is again lost to rainfall runoff and controlled flow releases from Keswick Dam in Redding, Ca. Running even the most determined striper anglers off the river. As they wait for rain runoff to recede and better weather to set in. Bringing suitable river water conditions to the Sacramento River and allowing anglers back out on the river.

Ryan Tripp from Oroville, Ca shows off a keeper striped bass he caught during a brief window of opportunity on the Sacramento River over a week ago. Ryan was fishing along side striped bass fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com when he … — Ryan Tripp from Oroville, Ca shows off a keeper striped bass he caught during a brief window of opportunity on the Sacramento River over a week ago. Ryan was fishing along side striped bass fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com when he rounded up this keeper striped bass. Using cut bait did the trick in the dirty Sacramento River water.

For the most part, the majority of striped bass action has been taking place on the Feather River in the Yuba City area. Also sustaining higher then usual river flows, the Feather River was a bit of a bummer as well for the first two weeks of the 2019 striped bass season. As striped bass fishermen met the same high and muddy conditions on the Feather River as were being experienced on the Sacramento River. Although the weekend showed some signs of improvement for anglers targeting the “linesides” (stripers) on the Feather River. Feather River striped bass fishing guides along with recreational striped bass anglers found much better success then in the weeks prior. The release of excess Lake Oroville water storage seemed to be the trick. Although the releases from Oroville Dam indeed raised the Feather River. It also brought down river much needed clean water. Targeting striped bass in the dirty, silty, muddy waters, that usually accompany big water releases of rain runoff events, can be challenging at best. Cut baits such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel can work in the pour conditions. But more success is shared by anglers when the water is more clear and the striped bass can be targeted by live bait. Such as large or jumbo minnows. Carried by most of the local tackle stores. As well as the great success that can be had by trolling and casting artificial baits, such as swim baits, black plastic worms and spoons ( jigs ). With the Feather River coming into much better shape this past weekend, it appears that the better striper fishing will be had on the Feather River side of the Sacramento Valley, for at least the remainder of this week.

Pile worms are often a great bait to use while fishing in low visibility river water conditions. Kittle’s Outdoor & Sport https://www.kittlesoutdoor.com has plenty of pile worms in stock and waiting for anglers heading out on the river.

Most striped bass fishing guides targeting stripers in Northern California will set their eyes on the Feather River until the Sacramento River drops back into shape. Hopefully by the end of this work week. If you are wanting to get out and catch some striped bass. But are unsure of how to fish the much higher and faster river conditions. As well as how and where to navigate the swollen rivers, to safely get to your fishing destination. Hiring a local fishing guide may help you to learn different high water fishing techniques used in times like these. Also showing how to safely navigate the much more turbulent and debris stricken river conditions brought on by this years heavy rains and localized flooding.

William from Chico, Ca made it out with his father Dan to fish with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com last week. Where he found his limit of keeper striped bass while trolling yo-zuri broken back deep divers near Butte City, Ca. As … — William from Chico, Ca made it out with his father Dan to fish with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com last week. Where he found his limit of keeper striped bass while trolling yo-zuri broken back deep divers near Butte City, Ca. As well as a 56 inch keeper white sturgeon he caught later during the guided fishing trip on the Sacramento River.

Mike's Fishing Guide & Charter Service For Sacramento River Fishing targeting King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Striped Bass, Sturgeon, Shad And Trout the best Sacramento River Fishing guide and Sacramento River Charter on Sac River