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Okay, shameless self-promotion time! For those of you within driving distance of the Sacramento River, it’s time to start thinking about that spring striper trip! Here’s a little video from last year to get you juices flowing.
Fishing will be heating up in March and will last into May (at least)…don’t miss out! I just so happen to know a good fishing guide if you’re looking to go the guided route…
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JD with a big topwater striper from the Sacramento River
We’re currently booking guided striper trips in the Valley and specialize in using light spinning and fly tackle to throw streamers, topwater poppers and swimbaits.
Depending on the river we fish, we’ll either work out of our super-shallow running jet sled or ultra stealthy drift boat. We can handle up to 4 anglers on the sled and a max of 2 on the drifter.
Of course, all your gear is provided…just show up with a fishing license and a lunch and be ready for some fun!
Over the next several weeks is typically when the fishery peaks. Last year, we had some amazing days — from 50 to 100 fish — and we’re hoping to see more of that kind of action in 2010!
For more information or to schedule a date, please call or click onto JD RICHEY SPORTFISHING (916) 388-1956.
Now, here’s some more inspiration…
A nice C&R American River striper from 2009
That's a 6-inch plug!!
Fish Tacos tonight!!
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Hi JD, I am new your site and wanted to ask you about the surf fishing for striped bass in or around Santa Cruz/ New Brighton Beach. I noticed on your site you said to uses poppers in the morning and swim baits later in the day. If you think the surf fishing is still good at these locations, can you expand on what the poppers are and how to use them for this area.
–Jim T.
Jim,
I’ll do a complete post on popper fishing later this fall on the site, but for now I’ll run the Cliff’s Notes by ya….
You’ll need a 9+ foot rod (spinning or casting) with 30-pound braided line on it. Grab some poppers like Cordell Pencil Poppers and head for the surf. Cast to holes between the breaks.
With your rod tip held high (to keep the line off the water) twitch the tip with your rod hand and reel with your other. You want the popper to pop and spit. When a fish blows up on it, let him take it down…wait until you feel the whole weight of the fish before you set the hook.
Good luck!
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Well, we had a good day on the ol’ Rio Americano Wednesday…I have a couple of shad/striper trips — a half day morning run and then a full day mission until dark after that…and the fishing was about as good as you can get!
We started off throwing swimbaits for stripers and caught a couple dandies…the 20ish pounder above taken by Bryce Roberts of Auburn, CA and then another nice one, caught by Jay Lopes, who was taking the day off from running halibut charters in the Bay…
Even the salty skipper needs to get bit once in a while!
But that only tells half of the story…
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A little early morning dance with a popper-eating striper on the California Delta…
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Okay, so the first thing you’ll notice about the GLoomis GWR 901C
is the color. The bright aqua color (GLoomis calls it “Seafoam Green”) is hard to miss — and rest assured you’ll always be able to spot which rod is yours in the boat in an instant. Color aside, does the rod live up to the manufacturer’s claims of being extremely light and sensitive and an excellent stick for large topwater plugs and soft plastics?
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Hey JD,
I love the videos. They’re informative and fun to watch. Anyway, what do you primarily use when fishing swimbaits for stripers? Your tackle setup (reel, rod, line, swimbait)?
Thanks,
Robert
Robert,
For fishing swimbaits I use a GLoomis 7.6-foot GWR 901, which is rated for 10-20 lb. test. Lately, I’ve been running my old Shimano Curado Super Free 201 spooled up with 20-pound braided line and 20-lb. flouro leader. Swimbaits are from Mad River Outfitters: (707) 826-7201.
I’ll also be doing seminars on stripers at the Sacramento International Sportsmen’s Expo this winter, so stop by for more info!
Take care,
JD
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While throwing swimbaits for stripers on the Delta yesterday, we were paid a visit from something a little unusual…watch as trusty sidekick Reilly hooks and fights a mystery fish! Read the rest of the story to watch the video…
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