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Stripers show steady increase in a murky Napa River
Friday, August 11, 2006
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* Correction on salmon count

As about 2 million of you told me after last week's goof, the king salmon limit on the Sacramento River is TWO per day -- not one.
Aug. 1 marked the opening of the king salmon season above Red Bluff. Reports are that the fish are big and that there will be plenty of them in 2006.

The wild rainbow bite in the Redding/Anderson section continues to be good for 1- to 4-pounders with enough 5- to 6-pounders to keep you alert. However, this action will continue to convert to salmon fishing in the weeks ahead.
* Napa River

Well, Napa River regulars report that there seems to be a steady increase in the numbers of stripers in the river.
Because it is still somewhat murky, they don't seem to be in a biting mood just yet. Use bright colors when you are trolling and casting your Rattletraps, Broken-back Rebels and swim baits.

Firetiger, chrome, chrome/chartreuse are working -- fooling fish in the 18- to 20-inch range. Bankies can score with cut baits, as well.

Sturgeon reports persist. Hunt them in the south river with shrimps and herring.

* Lake Berryessa

Dino Righetti at the Spanish Flat Resort Marina (966-7708) says that the catfish bite continues to be wide open on most every bank. Fish early and late with hot dog chunks, livers and live bait for a chance to land one in the 7- to 10-pound range.

Crappie are biting, too, early and late. Use live bait, mini-jigs, or just worms on the bottom.

You'll still have to troll down to close to 100 feet for trout and salmon but they are still biting. Pull a Needlefish or Apex lure.

* Conn Dam/Lake Hennessey

Trout anglers may want to switch over to bass for a while. They stop stocking trout here in the hot weather months. Bass anglers report a pretty good bite on plastics.

* Clear Lake

Clear Lake bass in the summer are always willing to bite. In my last three trips, we have boated and released 50, 15 and 40 in about a half day of fishing each time.

Last week, Stan Press fooled a 5.5-pound beauty on a red crawler plastic worm. I'm told that the bigger bass are falling for a bigger bait such as a 1-ounce jig with a fat trailer, like a Sweet Beaver (although I couldn't get one to bite).

The best spots are underwater rocks or structure near deep water. Bass will hang around the structure to pick off a baitfish lunch -- but they like the safety of nearby deep water where they can go hide in a hurry.

* Bodega Bay

It's yo-yo time for salmon on the coast -- here today, gone tomorrow.

Monday, they were gone. The fleet at Wil's Bait & Tackle (875-2323) went out and brought back full sacks of rock cod instead.

* San Pablo Dam Reservoir

The postings on the "Whopper Board" verify the latest report that "catfishing is the best bet to catch fish right now."

They continue to re-stock weekly. Saturday saw a drop of 1,150 pounds of whiskerfish.

* Whopper Board

A 21-pound cat on a hot dog and one of 19 pounds on a chicken liver.
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