Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 2724 Nov 9-23 | Page 15

Nov 9 - 23, 2018 FRESHWATER VOL.37 • ISS. 24 BASS FISHING SPOTLIGHT 15 By Dan Bacher Rio Vista Bass Derby Challenges Striper, Sturgeon and Salmon Anglers T he 71st Rio Vista Bass Derby held on October 12, 13 and 14 drew 300 participants vying to catch the fish closest to the selected striped bass length of 30.5 inches and the sturgeon length of 53 inches. Carleton King took first place in the striper division with a 30.21-inch fish weighing 11.2 pounds, winning $1500. He landed the fish while soaking a bullhead in Montezuma Slough below Hunter’s Cut, reported Barry Canevaro of Fish Hookers Sportfishing and the California Striped Bass Asssociation (CSBA), Isleton Chapter. Don Syengchanh came in second with his 29.90-inch striper weighing 12.4 pounds. He bagged his fish while using a jumbo minnow in False River. Michael Parker placed third with his 29.77-inch striper weighing 10.1 pounds. In the sturgeon division, John Woodring finished first with a diamond- back measuring 46.10 inches long and weighing 32.3 pounds. Jim Francis of Concord, a longtime friend and fishing partner of the late Fish Sniffer publisher and founder Hal Bonslett, finished second with a sturgeon measuring 43.28 inches and weighing 23.8 pounds. He caught the fish on grass shrimp in Montezuma Slough. The participants in the salmon division of the event competed for the largest fish weighed in. Brian Lazlo won first place in the salmon category with a 16.1-pound Chinook. James Fischer placed second with his 15.9 lb. king, while John Woods placed third with his 15.6-pound salmon. In the youth division, Emiliano Martinez caught the biggest catfish, a 7-1/2 pound channel catfish, while bait fishing in Liberty Cut. “Eighteen kids weighed in fish, including stripers, catfish and one salmon,” said Canevaro. “Every kid that weighed in a fish received a prize, topped by two bikes and $50 cash for the winning striped bass and catfish. The prizes also included gift certificates to Sportsman Warehouse, 10 rod and reel combos, 4 tackle boxes filled with tackle and two other Shakespeare rod and reel and tackle packs.” Members of the California Striped Bass Association, Isleton Chapter, measured and weighed the fish during the event. They also sponsored all of the kids’ prizes, except for two bicycles provided by Ace Hardware, Rio Vista, and a couple of rod and reel combos from Sportsman’s Warehouse. After months of great striper fishing on the Delta, the fishing was relatively slow, with only seven fish checked in during the three days. Likewise, sturgeon fishing was also tough with only two fish weighed and measured. The sturgeon has improved since the derby with better tides, with anglers hooking good numbers of sturgeon while using salmon roe and lamprey eel in the Pittsburg area. While the weather was beautiful on Friday and Saturday, a strong northwest wind made boating and fishing difficult Sunday. Anglers weighed in more salmon, 11, than stripers or sturgeon, according to Canevaro. The salmon fishing has really slowed down in the Isleton and Rio Vista areas since the derby. “We landed one 10 lb. salmon and lost a bigger one while trolling Silvertron spinners from Light 37 to the Rio Vista Bridge on a recent trip,” stated Canevaro. Derby sponsors included the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce, Abel’s Chevrolet, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Adventure Sports Kayak City, Ace Hardware, The Bent Rod, Phoenix Rods, Silverton Lures and Fisherman’s Friend in Lodi. The festival portion featured a number of events, including a carnival, live music, Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, parade, car show, farmers market, downhill races, fireworks and other festivities. The First Bass Derby held in Rio Vista GONE FISHING Carleton King won first place in the striper division of the Rio Vista Bass Derby with a 30.21-inch fish weighing 11.2 pounds. Photo courtesy of RIO VISTA BASS DERBY & FESTIVAL. was in 1933. Since that time, the derby and festival has become one of the Delta’s most iconic and enduring events. For more information, contact the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce, (707) 374-2700. continued from page 1 Mike Bogue of Mike Bogue’s Guide with Smith that produced limits in downtown TNG Motor Sports Guide Service, (530) 320-0994; Robert Weese of Northern Service (530) 246-8457; and Brad Fugica Sacramento. California Guide Service (530) 755-7196; of SalmonStriper.com, (775) 690-5357. ‘This trip was great,” said Smith. “We ended up two salmon and a third one for myself, along with two other hard grabs, all by 8:30 a.m. Two fish were smaller and one WE STOCK, COYOTE BAIT & TACKLE’S weighed 14 pounds.,” WE SHIP, AND YOU SAVE! HOLIDAY SEASON PROMO STARTS NOW! said Smith. Other guides reported top-notch fishing in the Sacramento area also. On October 25, James 300-400 Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service reported four limits of Chinook salmon ranging from NET THE BEST PRICES “CATCH OF THE MONTH”- 6 to 22 pounds,” while ON ALL REELS IN STOCK! Call Now And Save Big! trolling at Garcia Bend. The anglers trolled with Brad’s Cut FK Plugs behind Pro-Troll FI WIDE SELECTION • GREAT PRICES • CALL OR SHOP US ONLINE TODAY! Dan Bacher successfully battled this bright Chinook salmon while trolling on the Sacramento River below Garcia Bend on September 28. Photo courtesy of GOLD COUNTRY SPORTFISHING, Oakdale flashers. On October 24, Rob Reimers of Rustic Rob’s Guide Service reported early limits of salmon in the Sacramento area. “The Jack Pot cut plug was the hot one again today. We ended up with 3 fish for 3 hook ups,” said Reimers. “We also let a little jack salmon go.” Salmon are being hooked by bank anglers and boaters on the Sacramento from below Vieira’s Resort in Isleton all of the way upriver to Verona now. Information: (209) 581- 4734. Guides now fishing for salmon on the Sacramento River include: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sportfishing (209) 581-4734; James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service (888) 975-0990; Bret Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service (530) 272-7137 or (530) 263-4451; Rob Michael Abourezk had a great time reeling Reimers of Rustic Rob’s Guide Service, in this beautiful king during a trip with guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing (530) 632-0051; on the Sacramento River. Jerry Lampkin of Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff. REELS REELS ENTIRE STOCK PRICED AT UNHEARD OF PRICES! REELS REELS FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PURCHASES OVER $50 RODS • REELS • ACCESSORIES & MORE. SHOP US ONLINE TODAY! REELS REELS CALL NOW FOR SPECIAL IN-STORE PRICE SHOP US ONLINE NOW AND REEL IN THE INCREDIBLE SAVINGS BACKPACKS Save Big On All Backpacks REELS In Stock. Don’t Delay! They’re Going Fast!! D All Models Available Set The Hook On Big Savings By Shopping Us Online Today! Coyote Bait & Tackle 8215 Monterey Road, Coyote, CA 95013 5 miles south of San Jose South on 101, exit at Bernal Road West, South on Monterey Road (408) 463-0711 • WWW.COYOTEBAIT.COM Some shipping restrictions apply. See store for details. 3724