Delta Noob: Smallmouths? Float Tubing?

[KingKenny04]

Hey everyone! Just moved back to Modesto from San Diego after leaving the Marine Corps, anxious to get out on the Delta in my float tube. I've only fished it once since I was very young (a keystone kops-worthy trip in a rented bass boat last July), so I'm basically completely new to the water. Curious about how float tubing works on the Delta. Are there any special permits that I need? Can I just pull up anywhere and put my float tube out, or will I come back to find my car towed? If I launch from a Marina (I've read about people putting in at B&W, for example), would I need to pay any launch fees?

I'd also love to target Smallmouth, as I've never fished for them before and I've read that the Smallmouth bite can be really good this time of year. Seems like there's a pretty big lack of information out there for something that I would think would be more popular. Most fishing reports I've read just say that the Largemouth/Smallmouth bite is "Good" without going into any kind of detail as to where or on what techniques. I'm not necessarily asking for specific spots, but rather I'd like to get a general idea of what kind of water delta Smallmouths are normally found in. I have read that they prefer the "upper" delta, where the direction of flow doesn't change based on tides. About how far up does one go to find this water? Also, what sort of forage do Delta Smallmouth normally target?

Thank you!

[Captain Morgan]

Hey Kenny,

You don't need any special permit to jump in the water with a float tube. Just be sure to have your CA fishing license. I would go up to Hogback Island near Isleton and fish the Steamboat Slough area. You'll get a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth and you won't have to deal with much boat traffic as there are a lot of 5mph zones in the area. Try small buzzbaits, poppers, cranks, and spinnerbaits.

[CG]

Kenny,

Standard fair for smallies in the "upper delta" would be a red craw crank bait. I like a Bomber 6A - a medium diver that works well around the rock and grass yer gonna come across up there (fire tiger, and other black/chartreuse type colors work too). Senkos and spinnerbaits are good bets too.

The float tub could be a bit of a challenge in some of these areas due to the heavy current. Despite the water not changing direction, the tidal influence is still there, and the current can be really strong - definitely understand what the tides are doing when you go out (was ripping fast on Sunday during the outgoing tide). I've recently done well on the main Sac near Courtland, Steamboat, Elk (good float tube spot - no boat traffic), and Minor sloughs - spots, smallies, & largemouth. Any of the water near Isleton and Walnut Grove will produce as well. Salmon are starting to move through the system, so there are more & more boaters showing up - a certain percentage of which don't know what the heck they are doing, so pay attention out there!! Be safe and good luck.

[KingKenny04]

Thanks for the tips! Gonna try to hit Steamboat Slough this afternoon on the incoming tide. According to the charts it'll stop coming in just before sunset, which is when I'll leave. I'm assuming an incoming tide will slow down the current to something tube-able? Also how has the water clarity been? Would like to throw a spinner for a bit but it's a bit flashy for very clear water.

[delta4life]

You might add dropshot to your arsenal too. 4" or 6" roboworms with 8 lb fluoro leader. Miner slough is a good bet for smallmouth and the main sac river around isleton and above. Georgiana slough has a mix as does moke above b&w. If you're fishing the eve. bite try a buzzbait. There's so many places to fish, don't limit yourself to one area. I like dead end sloughs or places like Taylor slough for the tube because the current is more manageable.

[KingKenny04]

Thanks again for all the tips! I hit Steamboat Slough earlier today, put in at the Hogback island rec area and rode the tide upriver about a mile and back. Current was manageable enough for me, though around 10 when the boat traffic picked up riding the wakes got annoying. I screwed up and forgot to bring my crank box, so the only crank I had was a TINY craw colored square bill Rick Clunn RC2. Still managed to get a nice 2 lb largemouth and a few slightly smaller smallmouths. Other than that, LOTS of baby fish pounding my crank, lots of short strikes, and lots of spit hooks losing me fish. I'm certain that it's only because of the size of crank I was throwing. If I'd remembered my crank box and had that bomber 6a on (thanks for the tip, CG), I'm sure I would have got into more keeper sized fish. Also threw a senki and drop shot for a bit in between the incoming and outgoing tide. One nice bite on the senki but no fish, diddly squat on the drop shot , though that's probably user error.

All in all a fun first day tubing the Delta, will definitely be back on the water soon!