American River Stripers

Oh boy, I have been busy. Forgot I had this blog. Been slamming the American River hard for the stripers. Not fast and furious action, but pulling out keepers here and there. Largest so far landed was 24 inches. Bigger ones lost and bigger ones seen. Big I mean like 10 plus pounders. As of late, the flows are above 5000 CFS for the most part. Fluctuating between 4100-5500 CFS. This has definitely but a strain on the bite. I don't care what people say, yes you can still catch them. But not as good as when the flows are lower and more stable. These stripers have so much more water to hide in and pockets are everywhere they might hide. Best section of the river right now is definitely the section below Ancil Hoffman. Goodluck and enjoy. I sure do.

American River Shad Update

Well, the flows on the American has been high and fast at 5,000 CFS. The weather was warm to hot, now we're having a slight cooling trend to the mid 80's. It looks like the shad fishing is starting to die off. There is no use going before 19:30. Yeah, you might catch some, but the bite has been consistent between 20:00- right til dusk. You'll most likely end up with 10 hard fighters on your line. You'll miss and lose about just as many. It's still fun fishing for them, but don't expect no hardcore non-stop action. I think it's about over, but who really knows. It's all up to the shad. Enjoy them while you can. Oh! Almost all females looked like they have spawned out. The stripers aren't even slamming them at dusk like they used to. Time to gear up for some topwater striper action and maybe a few steelies here and there.

Hopefully, I'll be slamming some high sierra trout soon. Good fishing and be safe.

American River

Shad and more shad. Ever since they have raised the flows and with the heat, shad fishing has been awesome to good. Have gone out 3 times in the week and hooked at least over 10. With the best evening being over 20. Heck! Just catching over 5 is awesome to me. These little boogers can fight! Heard a rumor that someone hooked into a 7 pounder that almost spooled him. That's big compared to the usual 2-3 pounds on average. If you have never done shad fishing, try it at least once or until you hook one. You just might become a shad addict.

First off, start small with trout gear. 4 pound test is plenty big and use a medium light to light rod. Get some 1/16 ounce jigheads. Buy some 1 inch pink or champagne grubs. Cast out and let her drift in the current. The bites are usually very subtle. Watch your line, if it stops, twitches, set the hook! Fish on! Now just enjoy the ride.