Fish On! Don’t just sit around and wait for the 2022 salmon season to roll around. There is still a ton of great fishing to be had. Yes the stripers have spawned. Yes the live minnow bite is a thing of the past. Yes a fair majority of the spring spawners have turn and gone back to the salt. But….

Out with the old, in with the new! It’s trolling time folks. The majority of the stripers that stayed in river are big, and relatively easy to catch. Chances are if you’ve been following any striped bass fishing forums, or social media pages. Then you’ve seen pictures of some quality stripers being put up as of late. Almost all these large stripers are being caught trolling. So beak out your rebel’s and yo-zuri’s and get out there. You might just find your PB right now, at a unexpected time. For instance Captain J from Sacramento, Ca. Who fishes hard year round for Sacramento River King Salmon and trophy class striped bass. The captain landed his pb (personal best) striper on 5/17/22. Measuring 53” in length. Caught while trolling, this big female would have tipped the scales at well over 50 pounds if caught pre-spawn. Even weighing less as a post-spawn female, this is a striped bass of a lifetime. Not to mention “J” was on a solo mission. Caught, fought, netted, photographed, and released unharmed, all by himself. Hats off to Captain J for his accomplishment! Respect! Another private angler’s success who has certainly earned a mention, is striper guru Zack Berg. Zack spends a ton of time on the Sacramento River throughout the year, and is no stranger to large stripers. Zack’s fb page lit up this week with a above average grade of linesides. Check out Zack’s other recent posts this week by clicking the photograph below for a link to his page. Great work Zack! Respect!

Fishing guides like legendary striped bass fishing guide Raith Heryford of RH Guide Service, are still getting limits of exceptional striped bass on every outing. Continuing to do so through the month of May and into June. Fishing guide Ryan Tripp is also connecting with limits of quality stripers on his charters. The best report this week from the fishing guides came from fishing guide Danny Hamilton from Anderson, Ca who frequents the Grimes, Ca region this time of year. Searching for the trophy class stripers who are actively feeding on American Shad. Danny picked up two hefty stripers weighing around 25 pounds, as well as another tipping the scales at 34 pounds. The striper guide reported loosing as many big ones as he landed. Mentioning one in particular that just wouldn’t stop after the strike on a fast troll. Hamilton guessing it would have gone well over 40 pounds, possibly even 50 pounds. For those in the “know” striper fishing is still well worth getting after. The larger linesides beefing back up after the spring spawn. Gorging themselves on American Shad.

If you’re over the striped bass scene, and looking for the fast action of American Shad. Now is your time. The American Shad have taken up residence in the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. Waiting to complete their annual spawn in North State rivers. The hard fighting and plentiful “poor mans steelhead”, are here for the catching. From Grimes, Ca up the Sacramento River to Red Bluff, Ca. Settling into their usual spots.

Not much has changed when targeting American Shad in River. The go to chartreuse crappie jig, with a red sixteenth ounce jig head is the standard, and can be hard to beat. Other colors work as well, but you can’t go wrong with the green/red combo. It’s been around for decades and it works. Early mornings and evenings are of course the best for fishing. Evenings being favored by most anglers. Make no mistake about it, these American Shad will bite throughout the day. Evenings just tend to produce more fish for anglers.

Of course we are all waiting for the July 16, 2022 Sacramento River salmon opener. In the meantime there are still great opportunities to keep your rods bent, and keep you on the water. Fishing for American Shad and hold over striped bass will continue for another month to come. Giving NorCal anglers solid action as we close the gap toward the salmon opener. Sacramento River fishing charter service SalmonSacRiver.com is currently booking reservations for both American Shad and Trophy Striped Bass. These trips will last until July 1, 2022.

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.