Anyone still venturing into the Delta?

[Darth-Baiter]

Group of kayakers.  I put in my vote of Lake Comanche or New Melones, but I got vetoed.  The delta it is!   We are all meeting for the first time.  Looking for new friends. 
 

I’ll hit up a mother Lode lake the following week.  Prob solo. 
 

man, the Delta is gonna be a grind. Any super secret tricks?  Launching t sugar barge.  I’m gonna hit the docks I think. 

[schplurg]

I wanna try the Delta with my yak but I haven't wanted to go there alone. Is this a club or a group of friends? I'm in San Jose, my Dad lives on Lake Tulloch  

[Darth-Baiter]

I would go with you.  I’m new as well. It’s tough fishing now, but should get better. Soon

[camman]

I’ve been out but really hitting the stripers the last few times out.  Been out of Russo’s as well as Orwood and both have had a decent striper bite...not sure what you are targeting 

[WRB]

You are launching from the west side of Bethel Island at Franks Tract, one of the largest open water area in the Delta.

Caution lots of big boat traffic. 

Make sure you have GPS mapping with tides. It would be safer imo to fish Potato or Little Potato slough area in lieu of Franks Tract from a kayak.

1/2 oz TNT Wadda Jigs...brown/purple with sapphire blue trailer or black/red with black -red trailer.

Be safe.

Tom

[schplurg]

Ya I want to stick to smaller areas for sure. We used to boat out there when I was a kid, even did some poker runs. My Dad had a boat mfg. business in San Jose. I have a "Best Flush" trophy from 1972 that I hugged all the way home as a 4 year old (in back of my Dad's GTO). I still remember that day. And that trophy ain't no plastic junk like they have now!

 

Anyways, I wouldn't feel safe in any main arms. I know of some small water near Tracy Oasis. It's closer to me too, but I dunno if stripers are there. Also thinking of another place near Manteca that I'd even feel safe going alone, though I'd still rather not. Cold water if I fall in.

 

I'll go for stripes. Not sure if they're this far up right now? I had bad luck after November in 2018.

 

I'm gonna hit the Lathrop area from shore in a week or so just to get a line wet. I'm going nuts.

[Darth-Baiter]

Bethel island /franks tract can be as big or small as you want.  It will be my spot when it gets warmer.  

[camman]

If you are out of a kayak, another place to look at is Discovery Bay.  If I recall it’s $5 to launch a kayak and if the winds blowing hard you can find a lot protected areas.

 

I launched once from Mossdale in Manteca and it sucked...so I haven’t been back.

[Guitarfish]

By coincidence,  I launched at Mossdale for the first and only time this year (or ever).

 

I caught four pretty nice bass which was nice as it was my birthday.

[TnRiver46]

12 hours ago, Guitarfish said:

By coincidence,  I launched at Mossdale for the first and only time this year (or ever).

 

I caught four pretty nice bass which was nice as it was my birthday.

Can’t beat birthday bassin’!

[J._Bricker]

@They call me “Gaiter Salad” I went out on the Tract for a short trip yesterday. Just wanted to use my 2020 license one last time. Water was 49 degrees, clear to stained depending on the location. Only boats out were duck hunters or guys fishing. Really large rafts of mud hens as well making running on pad rather sporty at times. Launching a yak at Sugar Barge is a good option as you can cut through the opening across from the ramp to access the tract.

 
And as @camman recommended, Disco is a pretty good option 

Water was like glass over a Quimby Island but here it is also January and the hills are still brown....

[Darth-Baiter]

Any fish?

[Caliyak]

On 12/17/2020 at 4:00 PM, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

Group of kayakers.  I put in my vote of Lake Comanche or New Melones, but I got vetoed.  The delta it is!   We are all meeting for the first time.  Looking for new friends. 
 

I’ll hit up a mother Lode lake the following week.  Prob solo. 
 

man, the Delta is gonna be a grind. Any super secret tricks?  Launching t sugar barge.  I’m gonna hit the docks I think. 

Try launching out of Holland Tract Marina. If not, Rivers End, Tiki or Tracy Oasis. A-rig or jig. add in a jerk bait. and of course, senko. 

[Darth-Baiter]

What the hell.  I’m gonna check out a potential “secret spot” tomorrow.  I’ll prob get skunked, but the trip is as much about recon (for spring) as it is fishing.   On the delta, anything can happen.   I hope it happens at least once. 

[Darth-Baiter]

Total skunk.  I visited a Greg Blanchard spot and it was ThunderDome!  Homeless encampment was having a rock throwing contest into the water. They brawled over the last few cigarettes.  My money was on the woman!  I left before the grand finale. 
 

no bass.  I must have been casting to carp on my FF. The current was whipping in both directions. I got a good kayak workout. 
 

I think I’m gonna surf fish until late February.   no more Delta for the time being.  It’s a far drive for skunkage.