Best Bites: Oct. 22 through Oct. 28

Best Bites: Oct. 22 through Oct. 28

October 21, 2015


A welcome late season surprise has emerged with halibut biting in San Francisco Bay. There are other fine options available, including plenty of small bass in San Pablo Bay, stripers and some salmon in Rio Vista, stripers in Antioch and the Napa River and big trout in Convict Lake. Plus, Collins Lake and Lake Amador are getting their first fall plants of trout. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 

SAN FRANCISCO BAY halibut: Halibut are biting at Crissy Field, Red Rock, Paradise, Angel Island and Raccoon Straits. Fishing is very good. Biggest in the last week is a 24 pounder. A good number of 15 to 20 pounders. Hi’s Tackle Box (650) 588-1200; Loch Lomond Marina (415) 456-0321

 

RIO VISTA salmon, stripers: Salmon numbers are picking up. Trollers are pulling silvertrons or casting Blue Fox spinners from the shore. Stripers take fresh shad, pile worms or sardines. Trollers are using P-Line Predators. Sizes vary. A lot in the 18 to 24 inch range but a few as large as 33 inches are being hooked. Best bait fishing areas are Decker and Sherman islands. Trolling for salmon and stripers take place near the Rio Vista Bridge. Hap’s Bait (707) 374-2372

 

ANTIOCH stripers: Salmon bite has been good at Humphrey’s for those throwing Flying C’s. Some throw spoons. Striper catches have been steady from the Antioch Pier. Most are in the 18 to 20 inch ranges. Some stripers have been as large as 30 inches. Incoming tide has been best but fish are being caught throughout the day and evening. Gotcha Bait & Tackle (925) 706-7400

 

NAPA RIVER stripers: Napa River striped bass bite is in full swing. Trolling with Rat-l-Traps or LV500s below town get bass from 19 to 23 inches. Large bass also are caught. A 35 pounder and 17 pounder were weighed in last week. Bait also is productive but not as good as trolling. Sweeney’s Sports (707) 255-5544

 

CONVICT LAKE trout: Big trout continue to be commonplace here. Bait, mini-jigs and Thomas Bouyants are tricking big rainbows. Lake was planted last week and a plant of 400 pounds of trophy trout is slated for Oct. 29. (760) 934-3800