New Delta Fisherman...Couple of Questions

[birdi23nls]

Well I have been out fishing the delta on 3 different occasions now that I got that boat that I needed so badly. It's been a mixed bag, and really I’m still pretty much clueless. I launched from Ladds twice fishing potato slough and franks and fished disappointment and white slough with Jeff (a fellow westernbass contributor) with patchy results.

I was hoping that you all might be able to answer a couple of questions for me. I'm going out on Monday.

The tide on Monday drops close to 5ft and rises closer to 4ft. Is this a good tide? Is it considered big, small, or average?

When your looking at the tide chart...what are you looking for?

Is the delta notorious for having great days followed by horrible days...as I have been told?

This time of year, is it better to fish one area of the delta? South? North? Etc.

I'm not looking for anyone’s fishing hole, but any general information you guys could help out with, would be most appreciated.

[Glenn]

I generally prefer big tide changes, but I have had some phenomenal days when the tide swings were light. Almost any day can be a good day if you figure out what they're doing and what they want.

My favorite tide is a big (4+) high tide about two hours after sun up. That way you have the morning bite followed by the change to outgoing which is usually easy fishing.

Measured at Prisoner's Point or Ward Island, any tide change of more than 4 feet is a big tide change in my book.

[Ricky-S]

The key to the delta is mastering grass. There is always fish in the grass. You need to find banks that have undercuts, meannig they are just a little deeper on low tide than most other banks. Rock banks with tulies and grass.

Go early and stay late. Learn an area and don't spend your time running around. Learn how the fish position on a given tide and what baits they eat. For me its topwater on high tide and flipping and low.

Remeber, the fish are used to the tide going up and down.

[duckhuntr07]

High tide = inside the weed lines between tules (or rocks) and the weeds in water with access to deeper water (10ft+)

Low Tides = outside weed lines with access to deeper water.

I find the bigger swings to benefit the high tide bite

[birdi23nls]

ended up not going to the delta. I was vetoed by 2 friends who wanted to go to McClure because they new they can catch a few spots there. I may go fish the delta later this week...maybe wed. or thur.

Again any tips between now and then would be appreciated and if I catch a toad I will think of some form of payment. Free Fishing Trip, 15 Hot wings from Juras, the name of my magic worm that slays spots with reckless abandonment, a couple of free baits from my buddies up and coming bait company--Mayhem Lures, found at the Bait Barn, I don't know something though...this delta fishing is fun but can be frustrating I’m finding out.

[duckhuntr07]

Delta fishing is fun because at any given time or any given cast you could hook a fish of a lifetime. I say hook because hookin one and landin one are two totally different things.

You might catch 20 spots in a day but you'd spit on them for a 10+ LMB

especially if she blows up that top water bait

Not to mention 1,000 square miles of water to fish.

Heck, if you hit a good low tide in the AM chuck a pencil popper out in the middle of the slough and fight a 20lb striper for a while.

Can't beat the Delta

[DeltaDan]

I am still throwing a Frog on #50 braid.

Either a popper or a floating Shell-Cracker on #65 braid.

Cranking a perch colored Speed Trap or Rapala DT10 in reverse up the bank in a Craw/Perch pattern.

Flipping a Jig

Punching when/where I think it may work ....... only to keep coming up empty...

Flippin a Senko.

Flipping a Weighted 6" Senko or a 8/10" cut tail....

And STILL playing with pitching the BBZ-1 around docks where there are heavy shad consentrations already. I may move to YoYo'in an LV500 on that rod here soon, Carolina rig it for a Brush Hog .... Spinner bait ........ Or just throw that rod away ~~ and use the rod I stole from TunaMan out of his boat yesterday -- His patented Doubble Fluke system.


BrothA Tuna -- "Odd or Even" ........bet on that rod your rod is still in your possession ~~ w/o you having to look in futility for it !!


PS- I also came home yesterday with a G. Loomis 7/10" Walley Series WTR 941 C - with a Shimano Chronarch spooled with some braid on it ........ RJ will be bringing Huntin'Foo' out this Wed to reclaim it for a day spent on the water at/around Union Point.

[JustinD]

20# striper.......? When.....your new name given to you "Big Show".....call me I have party plans for you and rodent.

[tunaman]

BrothA Tuna -- "Odd or Even" ........bet on that rod your rod is still in your possession ~~ w/o you having to look in futility for it !!

Odd as always my Brotha from anotha mutha, when you and I are involved! Watch yer back - paybacks are a sumnabeech!!! Luv ya man!

Roger