How does the saying go? “It just don’t get any better then this!” The 2022 striper season summed up in a quote. It’s been lights out striper fishing folks. In case you didn’t get the memo, or just got back to planet earth. The striped bass fishing has been fantastic to say the least. The entire month of April has been lights out. All you can ask for in the short spring striper season.

Fishing guides have been flat tearing it up. No complaints from the private boaters either. Easy limits are coming fast for most striped bass fishing guides working the river south of Colusa, Ca. Popular boat launch parking lots like “Steelhead Lodge” and “Tisdale” have been loaded with trucks and empty boat trailers everyday of the week. As the widespread red hot fishing action keeps the hype on social media at a loud roar. Keeping eager anglers wanting more.

If you are basic, or maybe old school, drifting live minnows can’t be beat right now. You’re going to end up with your limit of stripers if you keep drowning minnows on your fishing trip. Here’s a solid suggestion for anyone new to pointing the bow of their boat downstream and trolling live minnows. If you’re snagging the bottom, troll faster. Or drop weight. If you catch a keeper striper on your troll, turn around and go through the same spot again. Repeat! This isn’t rocket science by any means. You’re basically dragging a crack pebble through a bunch of crackheads. After all, live minnows are the stripers favorite bait. 90% of all the striped bass fishing guides spend their entire season doing this. It works!

Then there are the other 10% percent of fishing guides. The ones you seldom see at the boat ramp, even at daylight. Never waiting in the parade of boats launching as daylight breaks. These guys are not the guides you see around when you fish your way down river with your minnows. These fishing guides like to fish their own water. Out of sight from other fishing guides, and recreational anglers. Staying far away from the parade of boats moving down river together as the day progresses. They live on quiet water. Long dark boat rides, taking their clients miles away from the boat launches that start backing up before daylight. These guides are the first to launch their guide sleds every morning. A hour before anyone shows up. Giving themselves a shot at quiet, still, undisturbed water. Why? Because they WRECK the stripers prior to the fleet showing up. No live bait needed by these captains. Their work is done on plastics. Black plastic worms ( the “Black Death”), or swimbaits. Their clients casting for their limits of keeper stripers. Boat limits are often acquired as daylight first cracks. While most other striper guides, and recreational anglers are lining up at local boat ramps around 7:00am. These guides are getting our the filet knives.

The weather here in the Sacramento Valley has decided to favor the fishermen for a change. Cloudy, rainy, cooler weather conditions have been rolling through the North State for several weeks now. Leaving Sacramento River water temperatures in the high fifties. Keeping the majority of spring run bass from spawning early. As was the cases last season in 2021. The NorCal weather is forecasted to stay mild this coming week. With overcast, and partially cloudy skies throughout the week. Air temperatures hovering from the mid 70’s to low 80’s. Perfect weather conditions for striped bass fishing.

If hiring a fishing guide to cater to your group of anglers. With all tackle and bait ready for your group to step in the boat and start catching stripers. Or rather it be your first time experiencing this fishery, and you’re booking a fishing guide for the purpose of gaining knowledge. You have many striped bass fishing guides to choose from. New fishing charters are popping up every. So reading customer reviews is a good way to ensure a successful fishing trip. Personal recommendations are also a fail proof method when selecting a fishing charter service.

Striper fishing will continue through the upcoming month of may. If the striper fishing so far this season is any indication of the health of our striper run. I’d say the fishing is very likely to continue as it has been. Outstanding!

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.