Growing up, I never used to wear sunglasses. Looking back, I can’t believe that I fished as long as I did without sunglasses. It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s that I realized the benefits of a good pair of sunglasses. I was fishing with a friend one day when he started talking about how great his sunglasses were. When I asked him how much he paid for them, I laughed at him and told him that I would never pay more than $10.00 for a pair of sunglasses. A couple of months later, he purchased a new pair, and gave me his old pair. It didn’t take me long before I realized that I was completely wrong. The difference was like night and day. My eyes were more relaxed throughout the day and I was able to see so much more in the water. Simply put, polarized glasses reduce glare while making it easier on your eyes. I now have several pairs of polarized sunglasses and never leave home without them. I personally prefer Costa Del Mar sunglasses. Just about every major brand sells polarized lenses now though, you can even find some for less than $10.00, but you get what you pay for.
Delta Report:
Bass fishing has really turned on. The bass are biting on a variety of different baits right now. The always productive Senko is working just as good as ever right now as anglers are finding fish both inside and outside of the weeds and tulles. There are still plenty of fish to be caught on reaction baits but for the big ones, anglers are having the best luck flipping or pitching baits around vegetation. It’s important this time of year to focus on the grass. Obvious holes in the grass usually indicate a spawning bed. Just because you don’t see a fish, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Often, if you can see the fish, they can see you. As much as you want to be up close looking for them, you will get more bites by fishing off and pitching to the barely visible holes in the grass. Don’t dismiss the top water bite, there are plenty of fish already in post spawn, making them very protective towards anything passing over their fry. Snag proof frogs and Zara Spooks are great baits this time of year. Striped bass fishing is good right now for anglers trolling and using live bait just about anywhere in the Delta. I prefer the West Delta. The West Delta is where I seem to have the most consistent bites.
Lake Amador:
Lake Amador remains open and received another plant of 1,000 lbs. of trout this week. Anglers trolling for them are finding them at 15 feet deep. Those fishing off the bank are having luck with Power Bait or casting their favorite trout lures out. Bass fishing is great right now as a lot of bass have moved up shallow to spawn. Despite all the boat traffic anglers are finding fish moving up daily and catching them while bed fishing. Please practice catch and release on all bed fish since there isn’t a stocking program for bass.
Open Delta Launch Ramps:
B and W Resort on the Mokelumne River, the store is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hogback on Steamboat Slough, Suisun City, Benicia 9th Street, Arrowhead, Sugar Barge on Bethel Island, Pittsburg Marina, Holland Riverside Marina, Paradise Point, Turner Cut, Eddo’s Marina, Sherman Island, and Tracy Oasis.
Tip of the Week:
When looking for a good pair of sunglasses you want to find a pair that fit the contours of your face, making sure that there’s limited space between the frame of the glasses and the bones of your face. Any space of gaps can let the sun in as the sun’s rays will reflect off the surface of the water. Sunglasses that aren’t fitted right may look good on you, but their overall effectiveness will be minimal.
