Fish Sniffer Magazine Volume 44 Issue 01 | Page 20

20 January 10 , 2025 VOL . 44 • ISS . 1

Bottom Line Tackle offers Unique Kokanee Spinners , Trout & Salmon spoons and Tubular Downrigger Weights

Bottom Line Tackle is a web-based company that designs and sells some very unique and practical fresh and saltwater fishing accessories for Northern California . A very exciting new product coming to Bottom Line this spring is a very unique Voltage Controller for downriggers . It will be fully functional as any other controller on the market , but priced at a much lower cost . Look for it in the first Trout & Kokanee Journal in April of 2025 . One very unique item is Bottom Line ’ s No Snag tubular downrigger weights with or without a built-in thermometer ! I have been using tubular weights for some time , and I love how they bounce off the bottom without getting hung up like traditional weights . The side strip thermometer shows different temperatures as you drop the weight to different depths . A great idea for downrigger fishermen ! These weights are built of solid stainless

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steel with stainless eyebolts and locknuts . They are very high quality , available in weights from 6 to 15 pounds , and are priced from only $ 36 . They are available in polished stainless or Powder Coated stainless . Bottom Line Tackle has a great selection of some very unique trolling spoons . I have had great luck with the B-21 Large trout and salmon spoon that has proven itself many times at Pyramid Lake . These 3 ¼ inch spoons have 7 light reflecting surfaces that gives them great action and vibration . The hook is attached by a chain swivel that helps the lure create a very wide wobble that the Pyramid Lake cutthroats really love – we
have caught many nice trout on the “ bloody frog ” color . Bottom Line offers one of the best downrigger releases I have ever seen . It comes complete with a no slip stacker for the downrigger cable , a small release clip perfect for trout and kokanee , and all stainless steel hardware . It also has a Hi Vis float incorporated into the line to make your release clip float on the surface so it is easily reachable over the side of the boat . And this quality stacker release is priced at only $ 9.65 .
Bottom Line Tackle offers trolling and jigging spoons , dodgers , bottomfish jigs and much more . Check them out at www . bottomlinetackle . com
The author captured this stunning image of the Winter Moon on Sunday , December 15 . He was fortunate to enjoy this spectacular view of the Threemile Slough Bridge in pre-dawn darkness before an icy fog moved in later that morning . The full moon in December is also known as the Cold Moon , Frost Moon , or the Long Night Moon .
Photo by Jack Naves , Fish Sniffer Staff
Only two days later on November 25 , I fished in the exact same area near Chain Island with my son Adam and his friend Wyatt . This turned out to be the slowest day of the year , with almost no bites , and not even one undersized striper or Sacramento Pikeminnow to show for our efforts . It was a lousy day to take the kids ! I was back at it only four days later on Black Friday , November 29 , this time with Kirby and his son-in-law Max Wagner of Eugene , Oregon . We made significant moves , and finally found two keepers on the San Joaquin River just east of the Antioch Bridge . This trip was a grind , lasting until the afternoon , but alas we had fresh fillets in the cooler . Kicking off December on a high note , I again fished with Mick Berklich near Chain Island on the Sacramento River on December 6 . We had to relocate to the San Joaquin River to find our first fish during the incoming tide . When the tide went slack and switched to outgoing , I followed my instincts and ran to a spot near Sherman Island on the Sacramento River . After a half-hour of no bites , I was about to pull the anchor and try a new
spot when my left rod started pumping . I reeled to load up the circle hook , but there was no pressure . When I stopped , the rod was still pumping . “ It ’ s running at us ” I relayed to Mick . I reeled faster until finally the rod loaded up . “ Fish on !” I uttered in relief , and pulled the rod out of the holder . The fish took line , so I knew it was at least a keeper . When Mick netted the striped bass in the murky brown water , I saw about a six-pounder . The next take down was more classic , with my second rod getting slammed by what turned out to be a smaller keeper . It was Mick ’ s turn to fill his limit , and it didn ’ t take long before his rod started pumping . He waited about ten seconds , but the fish didn ’ t pull tight . “ Start reeling ,” I recommended , as the fish appeared to be running upstream at the boat like my first fish . After about five seconds , Mick paused , and the rod continued to pump . “ Reel fast and don ’ t stop ,” I uttered , and Mick reeled for about ten seconds until the rod finally loaded up and pegged to the water . It was a nice one , ripping line several times until we
The author shows off two quality striped bass on a foggy morning on the West Delta near Sherman Island on Sunday , December 15 . Jack waited patiently for two hours before his first take down , but was on the road with clean white fillets after a second fish came along only ten minutes later . If you are fishing alone , take Jack ’ s lead , and wear an inflatable PDF or other flotation device to stay safe on the chilly waters !
Photo by Jack Naves , Fish Sniffer Staff
had it securely in the net . Mick ’ s last keeper turned out the be the biggest fish of the day , weighing in at eight pounds . It capped of a picture-perfect calm winter ’ s day on the West Delta . A little over a week later , I fished solo on December 15 during the winter moon . The last full moon of the year greeted me as I cast off from Brannan Island , illuminating a stunning view of the Threemile Slough Bridge as I headed west to the fishing grounds . Whistling swans kept me company as I soaked chicken livers while anchored … patiently waiting . Two hours passed before the first takedown . It was a feisty six-pounder that I netted
After several hours of grinding on various locations around the West Delta , Kirby Desha struck gold with this keeper-sized striped bass on Black Friday , November 29 . This fish was caught east of the Antioch Bridge on the San Joaquin River in nineteen feet of water . On slow days , it always brings a smile to your face when you finally put that first keeper into the boat !
Photo by Jack Naves , Fish Sniffer Staff
as fog swept in from the distance . I only had to wait a few minutes before the second keeper of the day slammed my other rod , sending me home on a picturesque flat-calm day . If you are fishing the West Delta this year , bring your patience , but stay positive . It seems like a few schools will eventually come along if you put in enough time . The fishing should remain constant until the water warms up and the fish start to stage for spawning sometime in late February . If the Sacramento River gets blown-out by storms , the San Joaquin River is a good bet . For those of you who love calm winter days on the West Delta like me , we have a few more months to enjoy .