FishSniffer Magazine Issue 4007 | Page 13

The second spot I stopped at was a running pump . I prefer an outgoing tide when I fish pumps and this is exactly what I had . As I stopped at this pump , I recalled a couple of different trips when fishing this spot . On one trip a few springs ago , a fishing buddy and I were throwing swimbaits and the stripers were stacked in this section . It seemed like every cast either we got a bite or caught a fish . It was an epic day . On another trip , my son caught two fish on Rat-L-Traps . One weighed in at 15 pounds and the other at 17 pounds . We took pictures of those and released them . As you can imagine , I had huge hopes and maybe even expectations for this spot . We fished this pump thoroughly , but unfortunately the stripers were not home and we didn ’ t even get a bite . We fished several productive areas all morning long and we could not find the fish . The electronics were not marking any fish and we were definitely not getting bites . It wasn ’ t until the tide had changed and it was early afternoon when we got our first bite of the day . The fish ate a glide bait near some tules that were located near a turn in the levy . This fish was only in the 5 pound class and released unharmed . I was hoping that we learned something by getting that bite . We fished this area pretty hard and several others that setup the same way and there were no other fish that wanted to play . It was starting to get late in the afternoon and we started making our way back to the ramp . There was one more spot that I wanted to fish . It is an area where the shallow water meets the deep water and there are a significant amount of rocks in the shallow area . During the incoming tide the current hits these rocks and there is great water movement on them . Another text book area in my opinion . I made the cast and I barely got a chance to turn the handle of my reel when a striper rocked the Spring Craw colored Livingston Lure . This fish was also in the 5-6 pound class but I love it when the fish crush my bait and try and rip my rod right out of my hands . The spot sets up so well I thought there would be several others with this fish . Unfortunately , this fish ended up being a solo and he wasn ’ t hanging out with any friends . That was the end of day one . There wasn ’ t much to learn from this day and I was concerned about what I was going to do on day two . On day two , I figured that I would fish hard . I wouldn ’ t just fish “ my spots ” but I would start thinking like a striper and target areas that I think they would be during this time of year . I fished hard all day

long on day two . I covered a ton of water . I fished new areas , areas I

I made the cast and I barely got a chance to turn the handle of my reel when a striper rocked the Spring Craw colored Livingston Lure .

haven ’ t fished in a long time , and I fished my high producing areas as well . The result was similar to the first day and it left me scratching my

© 2021 Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics , Inc . All Rights Reserved . head by the end of the day .

I have so many questions on this 2021 spring striper run . Have the fish just not arrived in the numbers yet ? Are they late ? Am I doing something wrong ? What am I missing ? I have been watching the fishing reports and have been keeping in contact with some of the best striper guides on the delta . I think the overall consensus is that the fish are running a little late but the big push will be here soon . I think when you look at the recent San Francisco

Bay reports of some good striper fishing happening out there right now you have to believe that those fish are on their way to the delta . Truthfully , it is times like these that make you a better fisherman . I believe when you struggle you tend to study things a little more , you work a little harder , and your skills are tested . Enjoy the struggle it makes you better . The fish are coming and you will be more prepared . I would guess that the reports are just going to get better and better ! See you on the water !

INTRODUCING AN ALL-NEW KIND OF SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR

It senses the bottom and delivers the perfect hold . It knows when wind and waves threaten to knock you off your spot , and re-anchors automatically . It ’ s built to last , built to fight and built to keep you in the game until you get what you came for . This is Raptor . And it ’ s only from Minn Kota ^® .

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