California Delta and Reports

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 5, 2025
  The bite remains consistent across much of the system, driven by shifting tides and cooler fall conditions that have fish relating heavily to grass and current seams.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits
  Reaction baits and flipping presentations dominated the weekend. Anglers found steady success with vibrating jigs, swimbaits, and soft plastics around grass lines and current-driven edges. The fall weather pattern — a mix of overcast skies and warming periods — pushed fish into a variety of shallow to mid-depth vegetation where both moving baits and bottom contact approaches proved effective.
  
  As tides fluctuated, heavier weights and precise flipping around thick mats played a key role in finding quality bites. When the bite slowed, downsizing or changing color tones helped trigger additional strikes.
  
  Weather & Conditions
  Wind and mild cloud cover created ideal reaction-bait conditions early, while improving water clarity in select areas helped the punch and flipping bite. Most anglers reported strong numbers of catches throughout the weekend, with water temperatures beginning to slide toward classic fall transition ranges.
  
  The most productive depth zones held fish between five and eight feet, particularly around submerged grass lines with active current flow. As the season shifts further into October, expect more fish to pull toward these zones as bait concentrations increase.
  
  Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
  1st – Bryant Smith — 27.26 lbs
  2nd – Ken Mah — 22.88 lbs
  3rd – Randy McAbee — 19.70 lbs
  
  Smith took top honors after adjusting from a reaction approach to a power-flipping presentation late in the event, while Mah stayed consistent by targeting grass along currented banks with craw-imitating plastics. McAbee locked down third with an efficient punching pattern through dense vegetation, cycling through several grass lines for near-constant action.

  Tips: Flipping heavy cover continues to be the most reliable way to target bigger fish, but anglers should not overlook reaction baits early in the day. The transition from topwater to subsurface vibration baits remains strong in the Delta’s fall pattern. Covering water, reading the tide, and committing to productive grass stretches are key for both numbers and size.

Saturday, October 4th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 4, 2025
  
  Bass action on the California Delta has stayed hot through early October, producing heavy weights and steady numbers as the fall transition continues to take hold. Fish are feeding aggressively in classic Delta grass and riprap zones, with reaction baits leading the way for both quality and quantity. The key has been adjusting to daily weather swings and keeping baits moving through productive stretches.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits
  Chatterbait: A dominant player, especially in stained or moving water. Anglers reported strong bites mimicking bluegill patterns in wind-affected areas and along outer grass lines.
  Soft Plastics: Versatile and effective when fish slow down. Subtle color shifts, such as PB&J or green pumpkin, have been key for pressured fish or when the sun breaks through.
  Jerkbait: A proven choice for generating numbers of bites, particularly under mixed clouds and light wind. Keeping a shad-colored jerkbait in hand has produced consistent limits.
  Flippin’ & Punching: As water temperatures cool, more fish are tucking under mats in the 5–7 ft range. Heavy weights and compact plastics continue to pull reaction strikes from tight cover.
  
  Weather & Conditions
  Changing skies and shifting tides have played a major role, with overcast periods fueling reaction bites and clearer conditions favoring slower presentations. Cooling temperatures are grouping bait and bass more closely, creating “feeding lanes” along weed edges and troughs. The Delta is showing strong health this season, with impressive catch rates across multiple areas from Frank’s Tract to the West Delta.
  
  Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
  1st – Bryant Smith — 27.26 lbs
  2nd – Ken Mah — 22.88 lbs
  3rd – Randy McAbee — 19.70 lbs

  Tips: Cover water and stay adaptive. Early in the day, reaction baits like chatterbaits or jerkbaits can quickly fill a limit, but as the sun rises, switching to soft plastics or flipping heavy cover can trigger key upgrades. Focus on areas with grass in 6–8 feet of water and keep an eye on tide movement to anticipate feeding windows.

Friday, October 3rd, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – October 3 2025
  
  Bass activity on the California Delta has been steady with anglers reporting consistent numbers of fish throughout the system. The fall transition is underway, and fish are beginning to group more tightly as water temperatures gradually cool. While some quality bites have come early in the day, anglers are also finding sheer volume by covering water and adjusting techniques as conditions shift.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits
  Buzzbait: Productive in the early morning, generating key quality bites in the first light hours.
  Jerkbait: A top producer throughout the day, especially once the early bite slows. Anglers have reported catching large numbers of fish by keeping a jerkbait in hand.
  Swimbait & Crankbait: Effective along grass lines and troughs where bait is present, drawing strikes from both roaming and staged fish.
  
  Weather & Conditions
  Wind and cloud cover have influenced feeding activity but not in a way that significantly disrupted the bite. As daytime highs shift and cooler periods move in, bait is beginning to “bottle up,” creating better opportunities for multiple bites in single stretches. The seasonal transition continues to push fish into more predictable fall patterns.
  
  Tournament Spotlight – BAM Super 60 Pro Tour
  1st – Marty Lawrence — 26.39 lbs
  2nd – Zack Thompson — 23.94 lbs
  3rd – Aaron Britt — 18.31 lbs

  Tips: Staying mobile remains the key. Early morning topwater bites can deliver quality, but the most consistent action has been found with jerkbaits and reaction presentations later in the day. Covering water and making small adjustments in bait choice have been crucial to success.

Friday, September 26th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – September 27, 2025
  
  
  Striped bass activity is starting to build across the system. The most consistent catches are still coming from the west Delta (Rio Vista to Pittsburg), with more fish moving into central areas such as Liberty and Pearson’s Slough. Schools are mixed size, but quality fish are beginning to show.
  
  Water clarity is slightly stained in several main channels, creating tougher conditions and forcing anglers to adjust presentations. For largemouth bass, the “junk bite” remains in full swing. Heavy cover — tules, mats, and reeds — continues to hold fish, while shallow rock and shaded pockets provide bonus opportunities.
  
  Topwater action has been strongest in the first 15–30 minutes after sunrise. Once the sun climbs, fish pull deeper and require slower, more precise techniques. Local updates confirm striper activity is “still good” on both live bait and artificial presentations, and trolling remains a steady producer for anglers covering water.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits
  Stripers: Live bluegill, big glide baits, and walking topwater lures are producing in western zones and near slough mouths. Trolling deep divers remains reliable.
  Largemouth: Punching thick mats, frogging shaded areas, and pitching plastics to heavy cover are producing steady bites.
  Topwater: Walking-style baits and prop baits shine at first light, delivering quick strikes during short surface windows.
  Finesse / Suspended Rigs: As fish slide deeper, drop-shot plastics, slow jerkbaits, and subtle suspended presentations are proving effective.
  Electronics: Forward-facing sonar has been critical in identifying roaming schools and targeting depth transitions.

  Tips: Hit the water early to maximize the short topwater bite.
  Cover water aggressively — success is coming to anglers who rotate spots and stay mobile.
  Keep multiple tools on deck: a glide bait for searching, a punch rig for mats, and a finesse option for pressured fish.
  Electronics provide a major edge in stained conditions and shifting currents.
  For stripers, focus on main river channels, slough mouths, and current seams. For largemouth, target shaded cover and vegetation edges.

Tuesday, August 26th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report — San Joaquin & Central Delta August 26
  
  Current Bite & Conditions:
  Rising water temps (55–58°F) and improved visibility have pushed striped bass into the western San Joaquin from the Antioch Bridge upstream to Prisoners Point. Largemouth action is improving as the water clears, but it’s still a move-to-find-’em deal—fish are active and catchable, yet there’s no single foolproof pattern.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits:
  Striped Bass (trolling): Atlas Rigs, deep-diving Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, P-Line Predator Minnows (limits to ~10 lb; most 3–5 lb).
  Striped Bass (casting): Swimbaits and glide baits produce when you locate roaming schools.
  Largemouth: Chatterbaits, squarebilled crankbaits, and plastics, with the best action on the high tide.
  Live bait (stripers): Effective in the central Delta when drifting deeper channels and current seams. Anglers are also picking off linesides on reaction baits while bass fishing.
  
  Key Zones:
  Western San Joaquin: Antioch Bridge → Prisoners Point (roaming striper schools).
  Central Delta: Deeper channels and current seams (live-bait drift).
  
  Tide: High tide favors the largemouth reaction bite.
  
  Expect a classic late-winter/early-spring mix: roaming stripers that require searching daily and largemouth that respond when you time the tide and keep moving. Cover water with reaction baits, then adjust to where current and visibility give you the best window.

  Tips: Start on the high tide with a chatterbait or squarebill along current edges for largemouth. When targeting stripers, troll proven minnows/Atlas Rigs to find them fast, then switch to swimbaits/glides for targeted shots. In the central Delta, keep a live-bait drift ready for deeper channel seams.

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025

• By TIDALBass

  Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

  Report: Had a bunch of recent August guide trips so wanted to post some updates. I have been focusing on Franks and spots out west lately with clients. If the wind isn't blowing too hard and the tide is up or coming in we are catching fish in Franks Tract on chatter baits, drop shots and topwater. Focus on current movement areas to catch a bunch of fish. Quality (4+lb fish) have been stingy, but 1.5-2.5lb fish in big numbers is possible. Super fun with clients new to fishing since I've been taking a bunch of kids lately.
  
  The bite out west is a low-tide deal. You have to get comfortable fishing thick grass flats and current based weed edges to be successful. The quality is definitely better on this bite, but we catch less numbers. Also you have to get used to fishing in the wind since it always seems to blow this time of year out west. Frog, punch and drop shot.
  
  Good luck.

Monday, August 11th, 2025

• By deepvbasser

  Water Temp: 74-76

  Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

  Report: Launched early at Paradise; ran to an old spot haven't fished in 2 seasons so it was like a new spot. Started on tule points and cuts. Hooked up several 1 & 2 lbers with bluegill squarebill, bronco bug, and t-rigged stick worm. Also a few on dropshot. Ran to one of our usual flats hoping for topwater but only managed a single blowup; threw bronco bug and t-rig senko and picked up a few more 1 lbers. Ran back to starting spot and worked down a rock wall throwing squarebill and plastics. I changed to a red craw squarebill and was fortunate to hook up a nice one...7 lbs even; he had the whole squarebill (1.5) in his mouth. Ran back up Disappointment but managed only a couple more bites; decided to quit early at 10:30.

  Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked for us:
  - SB-57 crank in bluegill and red glitter craw
  - Bronco Bug in chili craw, grn pmpkn/blue pearl, and California colors
  - T-rigged senko - junebug
  - dropshot MMIII

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

• By deepvbasser

  Water Temp: 74

  Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

  Report: Early launch from Paradise as always, high outgo, light breeze. Ran to last week's flats but no topwater takers like it was before. Nixed the morning topwater and went to plastics. Started working a rock wall and trough with Bronco Bug in chili craw, just slowl pulling from the rocks through the trough and into/through the weedline. They like this bug; sometimes got bit on the fall, sometimes almost immediately in the first foot of fall. Brother was using a 5" t-rigged stick worm/senko type with same action. Lost two big ones, 1st one just came unpinned, 2nd one broke the leader at the hook so maybe should have retied, who knows. Decided to cut off the leader and go straight braid...no more lost. Buddy also picked up a few on 90 size jerkbait and Livetarget pumpkinseed crankbait, just a couple/few.
  Worked about a half mile of the rock wall and picked up a bunch, but largest only went 2lbs 14oz. Decided to just reverse direction and position a little further from the rock wall as we could see the weeds/weedline more so I brought out the black choppo 90 and started slow twitches and pops. Picked up maybe 7-8 more but only 1lbers. Really like the Drift mode on my new Terrova Riptide... kept us in a nice drift line without a lot of panic from me!

  Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips, but here's what worked for us: note: my buddy and I had Bronco Bugs from about a year ago and I forgot I had them. Then I watched Steve Cooper on In Deep on the Delta highlight them so I brought em out of storage...glad for Steve's vid!!
  - Bronco Bug - Chili Craw, California 4/0 and 5/0 -
  - Senko type stick worms - Junebug T-rigged
  - Jerkbait in 90 size (about 4") - Wakasagi
  - Livetarget Pumpkinseed crank

Wednesday, July 30th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta — July 2025 Fishing Report
  
  Current Bite & Conditions:
  Warm summer pattern (around 75°F), with wind often the swing factor. Best power-fishing windows are early/late; when it gets hot and calm, expect to downsize/slow down. Boat traffic is higher than usual. Overall bite is good but variable—you’ll need to move to stay on active fish.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits:
  Topwater/Frog: Consistently producing, especially on the San Joaquin side and along open-water weed zones.
  Reaction: Squarebills/crankbaits along grass and current seams.
  Finesse (midday/calm): Dropshot and wacky/Senko-style plastics.
  
  Key Depths & Zones:
  East/central weedlines, tules, and open-water grass.
  Current seams and defined edges once the sun gets high.
  Focus on the San Joaquin side for the improving topwater/frog bite.
  
  Capitalize on the low-light topwater/frog window, then transition to reaction on grass/current edges as water moves. When wind dies and temps rise, switch to finesse and pick apart edges and holes. Stay mobile—no single pattern dominates all day.
  
  Hit first light with a frog/topwater over open-water grass/weed edges. As wind fades, rotate to squarebills/cranks on moving water, then slow down with a dropshot or wacky/Senko. Plan your route with tide movement in mind and allow extra time for boat traffic between zones.

Monday, July 28th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report — July 28
  
  Current Bite & Conditions:
  A thousand miles of fishable waterway and hundreds of ramps spread anglers across the Delta. The tide was outgoing most of the day with a few hours of incoming. For some, the incoming produced best; low tide exposed healthy grass that held bigger bass. One report noted slack tide all day, which made fishing tougher due to limited water movement.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits:
  Punching grass with a Rage Craw on a 2-oz weight; bites came on the first drop through the mat.
  ChatterBait: Jack Hammer (black/blue) cast into open lanes of grass, especially when incoming water covered the beds.
  Punching with beaver-style bait and Flappin Hog during low to incoming stages.
  Punching a Sweet Beaver-style bait (Bloody Mary) when topwater wasn’t producing.
  Line/terminal (reported): 1.5-oz weight, 3/0 hook, 65-lb braided line; pedal drive used to reach deeper into grass.
  
  Key Depths:
  4–6 ft punching during the incoming window.
  ~2 ft in shallow mats (most bites on the fall).
  Open grass lanes when beds are covered by incoming water.
  Exposed grass at low tide.
  
  
  Covering water mattered, but picking apart the right grass patches won the day. The most consistent bites came from punching mats/grass lines and working open lanes with a chatter bait as the tide shifted. First-drop reactions were critical; shaking on bottom or under the mat did not produce.
  
  Tournament Spotlight:
  1st: Casey Remy — 87.00”. Covered water; returned to a small grass bed and punched a Rage Craw on 2-oz; best on incoming; 4–6 ft; bites on first drop only.
  2nd: Pua Yang — 85.75”. Jack Hammer (black/blue) in grass lanes; punched beaver-style bait and Flappin Hog at low; switched back to chatter bait once grass was covered; noted much less grass than prior years.
  3rd: Isiah West — 85.50”. Abandoned topwater; punched Sweet Beaver-style (Bloody Mary) in ~2 ft; 1.5-oz weight, 3/0 hook, 65-lb braid; pedal drive was key; reported slack tide all day.

  Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
  When the Delta’s tide covers the grass, run a Jack Hammer through the open lanes; as it drops out, punch mats/grass lines and expect bites on the first drop. If they don’t hit immediately, reel in and re-pitch rather than shaking under the mat. Keep a Bloody Mary Sweet Beaver-style or Flappin Hog ready for the low-to-incoming window.

Monday, July 21st, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report — July 21
  
  Current Bite & Conditions:
  The Delta spread kayak teams across 1000+ miles of waterway with multiple launch options. Outgoing and incoming tides dictated the bite, and low tide exposed healthy grass that held bigger bass for some anglers. Success came from launching where bait, cover, and tide movement lined up—and adapting as the tide changed.
  
  Best Techniques & Baits:
  Frog fishing on small cheese mats/duck weed pockets (low tide window).
  Punching along berms with small cheese mats tight to the bank (produced smaller fish).
  Hand-tied jig (living rubber + silicone in brown/red/black) with a Sweet Beaver trailer, fished along a retaining wall (early).
  Z-man chatter bait (green pumpkin) in open lanes/outer weed edge, best as the tide dropped out.
  Punching cane islands at low tide when the cane laid on the water.
  Magnum speed worm after chatter bait lull; then 6” Senko (Texas-rig) for multiple keepers and late culls.
  
  Key Depths / Zones:
  Low-tide frog water over small cheese mats.
  Berms with small cheese mats tight to bank.
  Retaining walls (early window).
  Outer edge of cane and outer weed line as tide dropped.
  Small cheese mats & duck weed pockets when grass was scarce.
  
  Low tide was the frog difference-maker on small mats, while punching produced numbers but smaller fish. As water dropped, a chatter bait on the outer edges played, and cane-island punching shined at true low. When reaction stalled, anglers shifted to speed worm and 6” Senko to finish limits and cull late.
  
  Tournament Spotlight:
  1st: Propane Accessories (Alden Walden) — 95.50”
  2nd: Lone Rangers (Jesse Hoover & Joey Silva) — 92.75”
  3rd: Haynie/Patino — 88.00” (won tie on a 21.00” big fish)
  Big Fish: Jesse Hoover — 23.00”

  Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
  On low tide, work a frog over small cheese mats and duck weed pockets—make a big splash, watch for a wake, then recast to that spot and work it slow (walk it or let it sit) to make them commit. As the tide drops out, run a green pumpkin Z-man chatter bait on the outer weed/cane edges; at true low, punch cane islands that lay on the water. If reaction dies, switch to a magnum speed worm and a Texas-rigged 6” Senko to keep bites coming and cull late.

• By deepvbasser

  Water Temp: 71

  Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

  Report: Launched early as always at Paradise; ran down to fav flats and worked topwater popper but no takers; switched to a black Choppo 90 and immediately picked up 3 keepers, largest one approx 2.5lbs; Here's where bad luck hit me. I tried to cross over through the flats at high speed on my trolling motor and then about a minute into it, it just died. I thought maybe it was just full of weeds so brought it up, cleared the weeds, but it wouldn't power on once deployed. Wireless remote acted like it wasn't connecting. Tried battery test button, nothing and system light showed nothing. My belief is I either fried the motherboard or it was already dying a slow death. I had my tester with me and both 12v deep cycles in series showed 12.89 volts.
  So I guess it's a blessing in disguise because it's a Minn Kota Riptide Gen1 with a spotlock that has a variance of 10 meter radius; hated it!
  So anyways, we continued fishing with the main motor on and repositioned as necessary. Continued to catch along rock wall trough on my black plopper and brother was using a weightless weedless horny toad on a 4/0 wide gap hook. Picked up probably another 6-7 keepers and several little guys and called it an early morning ... couldn't wait to get home and research a new trolling motor. For my boat, likely a MinnKota Riptide Terrova. I don't use FFS anyway. It was humbling not to have a trolling motor.

  Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked this morning:
  - Choppo 90, black - worked it like a popper, just twitching slow cadence, 1- plop, 3-plop plop plop, 1-plop, 2- plop plop etc. Hits came on the pause/rest.... never retrieved it like it was designed.
  - Horny toad in Watermelon red pearl on 4/0 wide gap, weightless and texposed weedless. Brother just used subtle twitches and they hit on the pause.

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

• By deepvbasser

  Water Temp: 73

  Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

  Report: Launched early from Paradise, pretty breezy but tolerable. Ran down to main channel and just hit inlets and oxbows off main. First stop yielded 3 stripers 16" & 17" slow crankin' a bluegill squarebill. Continued catching on crank for the next hour, mostly 10-12"ers to 1lbers. Also picked up some fat redear sunfish and a couple of good sized crappies on the crank. Kept em for a needy family I know. When that slowed, switched to 3/8 oz Green Pumpkin/Blue/Chartreuse Jackhammer; first 3 casts hooked at least a 3lber (judging by the size of the mouth when it jumped) and then lost it at the boat ($#!+!!) No more hits after that loss and wanted to get back to crankin anyways so didn't spend any more time with it. Went to whopper plopper 90 in bone. Many hits just twitching it like a popper as well as straight retrieve parallel on top of weedlines. Also got three big blowups as soon as it hit the water, like immediately. One was 2lbs, the other two were about a pound. Nothing on senko, dropshot, or jerkbait though I didn't give those a lot of time, always went back to the bluegill pattern crank and whopper plopper. Big brother was also throwing a white horny toad on 4/0 weightless and was getting lots of action. He'd throw to open holes and they'd hit as soon as he was about to drag it onto the slop. Fun watching it.
  Fun day, nothing over 2lbs but hey, always fun gettin fish on the hook!

  Tips: As always, not qualified to give tips but here's what worked for us:
  - SB-57 crank in bluegill
  - Whopper Plopper 90 in bone
  - 3/8 oz Jackhammer chatterbait in green pumpkin/blue/chartreuse (used spike it colors)
  - Horny toad weightless on 4/0 wide gap; white

Saturday, June 21st, 2025

• By sugarwhite

  Water Temp: 75

  Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

  Report: Hi all, I also launched from Paradise last week, and headed north from there. Throwing top water everywhere, I landed a few dinks around whites. Headed farther north to find muddy water in the river. So decided to get to clearer water in the backs of sloughs. Did much better, landing three 3lbers in a row. And a few smaller ones on the exit of Sycamore. I fished spinnerbait on tulies heading back south in that muddy water and only managed a couple dinks. It got super windy. I had to shut it down because it wasn't fun anymore...lol
  "I'll be back"

  Tips: Stay positive. Have lots of fun..!!

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

• By deepvbasser

  Water Temp: 76.6° - 76.9°

  Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

  Report: Launched early at Paradise, low outgo maybe an hour from bottom low tide. Since it was low tide, followed Steve Cooper's low tide guidance and stayed out in deeper water and casting in and retrieving over outer weedline and ledges. Picked up a few 12"ers and 1lbers on hula popper initially and changed to a poppin' frog when we got to surface veg. Also managed a few on wacky stick baits (6" strike king ocho and 5" senko, green pumpkin/blue flk and junebug) Brother picked up a few on t-rigged baby brush hog with 1/8oz pegged bullet sinker.
  Alternated between rock wall and tule islands and continued to pick up mostly juveniles and a few 1lbers, nothing over 2lbs. Worked the plastics slow casting to rock wall and working over weedline and letting drop at the ledge...most bites came at the ledge.
  Decent day but wished they were interested in cranks and chatterbaits...zip, zero, nada on those two. Managed a couple schoolie stripers on the jerkbait. Still a fun low tide morning. Thanx to Steve for his latest low tide overview vids Parts I and II.

  Tips: Not qualified to give tips but here's what worked for us:
  - hula popper, very subtle twitches
  - poppin' frog (snag proof) (white)
  - baby brush hog / 1/8 oz bullet pegged, t-rig
  - dropshot , junebug
  - t-rigged and wacky stick baits, crawled them from the wall, through the trough, and over weedlines, then drop at the ledge... bit at the ledge.
  
  hope this helps...most of the pros and experts have their proven methods and locations, so this likely doesn't matter to them. But for anyone scratchin' their heads or just lookin' for options, the above worked for us on a tough low tide bite.

Friday, May 30th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: Fishing Report Trends for May Evening Bites on The Delta
  Bite tough, needed a big bite to separate. Most teams reporting limits under 16 lbs.
  Mid-month was a “funky bite” for most. Drop-shot produced the WWN biggest fish (8.16). Many teams only weighed 4 fish.
  By end of month, conditions improved, bites came from grass flats, punch rigs, frogs, and shad imitators (buzzbait).
  
  Across May as a whole, slower finesse tactics (drop-shot, flipping, dragging plastics) consistently produced keepers, while reaction bites (frog, buzzbait, glide) delivered the kickers. Tough but improving bite, big fish every week, and 20+ lbs required to win WWN

Sunday, May 25th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – May
  By Bearded Bassin’ – from Windy Wednesday Nighter Episode Three 2025 @BeardedBassin (Watch on YouTube)
  
  Good weather. Fishing described as “funky” — needed to slow way down
  
  Techniques
  Early success came when Pops connected with a five-pounder while they were literally on the phone arranging a tow.
  Punch rig and frog accounted for several keeper bites.
  Fish were caught on shallow grass flats and around grass patches, including a solid upgrade late.
  One key bite came on a drop-shot for another team, producing the tournament’s big fish (8.22 lbs).
  
  Tournament Spotlight
  Phil & Aaron — 21.38 (all solid 4–5 lb fish, no single big fish)
  Wyatt & Maddie — 17.53 (Big Fish 8.22, drop-shot)
  Robert & Dylan — 17.10 (Second Big Fish 6.45)
  
  Weights are trending upward: more limits in the 16–17 lb range, and one bag breaking 20 lbs.
  The difference-maker continues to be landing a big bite over 5 lbs to separate from the pack.

Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

• By TIDALBass

  Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

  Report: First day out after being out of the area for a couple weeks on vacation. Took a little time to figure out what the fish were doing but as the tide got higher the top water bite was consistent above the weeds on the flats. Fish were relating to current cuts and were subtly taking the bait vs blowing up and hitting it hard. Overall good day with about 16 pounds for the best 5. Always fun to catch them on top. TIDAL CA Delta Fishing

Saturday, May 17th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: Report by Lucca Rossetti
  27.34 with a 7.80 big ol' bass!!!
  Here's what Lucca said....
  We caught 'em on spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, and Senkos in the trough by the tules and rocks.

Friday, May 16th, 2025

• By WB Staff

  Report: California Delta Fishing Report – Windy Wednesday Nighter Week 2
  By Bearded Bassin’ – from Windy Wednesday Nighter Episode Two 2025 @BeardedBassin (Watch on YouTube)
  
  Weather stabilized with a light breeze. Started on low tide; incoming tide expected a couple hours later.
  Water temp low 60s. Water clarity “about the same” as prior outing.
  Early bite was slow. By 5:15 PM there was one keeper in the box and two bites in two hours. Fish were tight to the bank and often short-striking.
  
  Techniques
  Started with flipping baits and drag baits; Pops began with a drop-shot.
  Missed several good bites (fish wrapping in trees / not getting hooks).
  Topwater interest noted; later switched to a buzzbait (shad imitator) after seeing fish busting shad on a grass line and caught a solid keeper.
  A frog also produced a keeper (“another two-pounder frog”).
  Best bites came on shallow grass flats; a quick flurry put together a limit (“four fish in 30 minutes,” then culling).
  
  Top 3
  Mike & Fuge — 22.88
  Rodney & Tom — 16.98
  Phil & Aaron — 16.90
  
  Big Fish Awards
  1st Big Fish: AJ & Landon — 8.16 (weighed 4 fish; reported dumping another big one)
  2nd Big Fish: Jake & Dennis — 6.95 (weighed 4 fish)
  
  Bite described as tough across the field; many missed fish and short strikes.
  Pops & Bearded Bassin' finished with a decent limit but no >5-lb kicker; heading back to figure out adjustments for next week.