Napa River

Cut and live bait are the way to go here. Colder weather and some rainfall has put a crimp in trolling and casting for stripers. Get some live bait if possible — or use cut bait (sardines or anchovies) off the bank. the south river is reporting some sturgeon action on shrimp baits. Look for this action to pick up when some muddy water comes down.

Lake Berryessa

With surface temperatures near 50 degrees, you can still target crappie with minnows around docks or brush early morning. Cat fishing is very slow but bass will hit cranks or plastics at the 20 foot mark Chad Hole boated and released over a dozen bass Monday on drop shots and jigs.

Best bet is to troll shallow for trout and salmon with Needlefish or silver/blue Kastmasters behind a flasher.

Conn Dam/Lake Hennessey

Don’t pass up this nice little fishin’ hole. We're getting another drop of catchable-size rainbow trout this week. These hatchery fish eat little pellets in captivity. So, try to duplicate that with something that mimics those food items. Maybe some little bites from Powerbait, for example.

Clear Lake

Good news — and bad news. First the good: Pro Guide Bob Myskey (349-4460) put two clients onto 32 largemouth bass to 5 pounds on jumbo minnows. And, the bad: my partner and I got skunked last week. The wind was so bad that we couldn't get to our favorite spots — and couldn’t hold the boat if we did get to a hot spot. Best to call early before heading out for a weather report. Bob Higgins at Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (998-1006) is open at the crack of dawn and glad to give you the up-to-date-scoop.

Sacramento River

With only nine days left to fish for kings on the Sac, the big fish bite is still strong. Kirk Portocarrero (800-670-4448) sent in some awesome photos — topped by a 50 pound beauty boated on Dec. 21. All were caught on Flatfish.

Smith River

Time to plan to switch over to the Smith for some steelhead action right through March. Reports from every North Coast steelhead river have been enthusiastic — big fish and plenty of them. River Guide Kevin Brock (800-995-5543) drilled them recently — topping out with a 20 pounder. Fooling and boating a steelie this big is a lifetime thrill. It's the same magnitude as a hole-in-one. Don’t miss it.

California Delta

Now is the time to plan a sturgeon trip on the Delta with Captain Barry Canevaro or Captain Diane Canevaro (916- 777-6498). You can’t imagine the thrill of hooking a 60  to 100 pound prehistoric monster — and having it jump right out of the water a couple of times. Look for some tides with real movement combined with some muddy water in the Sac and be ready.

Happy ’07

Thanks for letting me into your living room 52 times a year. It has been fun sharing angling stories with you. Your support and ideas are very important to me. Tight lines and see ya in ’07.