If you feel like I feel about the spring striped bass run on the Sacramento River, then you ought to be getting pretty wound up for the upcoming season. For me this month signifies the start of the spring striped bass season in Northern California. The March full moon always brings the first waves of striped bass into the California Delta. From the delta the stripers can make their way up the Sacramento River to Colusa, Ca in a matter of days. Likely to be the scenario this season as all Northern California reservoirs are currently as full as they are allowed to be. Expectations of higher then usual river flows have me personally excited for a third strait striper season spent in the Colusa, Ca area, and catching stripers however you want on what ever you want. As it should be! My best guess for when in-river striper fishing will get underway? I would have to say as early as March 20, 2025. Maybe even a day or two before then depending on river conditions. The Feather River typically starts seeing striped bass a week or so before the Sacramento River, and when the Feather River has more river flow then the Sacramento River. Well we all know what happens then. Either way my expectations remain high for another wide open striper season for Northern California anglers.

Currently the Sacramento River levels have dropped tremendously over the past week and a half, and the winter striped bass started to chew. These chunky linesides are running 8-15 pounds and strong as can be. Fishing guide and avid striper fisherman Danny Hamilton. Also the owner of Hamilton Roofing, known here locally as the go to roofing company for Northern California homeowners. Ended up being the first person to venture out and look around as floodwaters finally receded back to a manageable level. Didn’t take him long fishing out of Red Bluff, Ca to turn in his first two person limit of the winter season. He and his girlfriend Kate reported putting a pretty good beating on a school 50-60 stripers they found stuffed in some backwater. Both anglers throwing different artificial presentations with repeated success. Danny threw a Sneaky Pete and Kate ripped a jerk bait. The pair ended up tangling with nine stripers all in double digits with no giants. A similar lashing ensued father down stream near Los Molinos, Ca this past weekend as Red Bluff tattoo artist and life long NorCal angler Juan Nava took to the Sacramento River like it owed him money. Pillaging his way down river plucking off winter stripers along the way. Juan and crew ended up with a box full of stripers to take home to the dinner table. Winter striper fishing should continue to stay productive for those willing to go fish in less then ideal river conditions. Look for the Hamilton City and Ord Bend, Ca areas to pop off closer to this coming weekend or early next week. Water clarity still needs a little time to clean up down river. All in all it’s certainly worth going out and giving it a shot if you’re having a hard time waiting for the spring run to start.

This is an excellent time to make preparations for the upcoming coming season. Securing your tackle needs prior to the start of the season is never a bad idea. Some productive artificial baits that really took center stage last season for myself include jerk baits by the striped bass powerhouse bait company Gratt Baits. Their GB 100 jerk baits can’t be rivaled in the reaction bait category. A must have for my clients fishing the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. When talking soft plastic baits there is a new sheriff in town. I was introduced to the world of tube baits last season by fishing guide Tanner Carrick. A serious artificial soft bait to add to the arsenal. Red Rum Bait Co. in Southern California is ready to package and send out to customers their striper candy. I recommend the 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes as the stripers could not leave them alone. These baits must be ordered on line and are a must have as far as I’m concerned. Twitching, jigging, or retrieving all seamed to have the same result. Irresistible to striped bass. With the exception of the tube baits all your tackle needs including the entire Gratt Bait striper collection can be found at Kittles Outdoor & Sport in Colusa, Ca. As well as Johnson Bait & Tackle in Yuba City, Ca who serves anglers on both the Feather and Sacramento River. Side note, if you want to chop it up with bait manufacturers and local fishing guides, as well as sitting in on seminars, and even taking your chances winning tons of fishing prizes available through a raffle. Johnson Bait &Tackle is hosting “Striper Fest” on March 8, 2025 at their store location in Yuba City, Ca. For more information you can contact Johnson’s Bait & Tackle for the particulars of this annual event. Tight lines to all!

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.