 Antioch-Oakley
Area
by Chris Lauritzen -- Lauritzen Yacht
Harbor
What a week it has been. First
there were the north winds in the West
Delta, then we had fog last Saturday
morning then we saw a real nice striper
come into the harbor.
The north wind blew for a couple of
days last week. That looked like it
might be the start of an early winter.
We see most of the best north winds
in January and February when they come
down from Canada and really cool things
down. That was not the case at least
for now. By last Friday, things had
warmed up so that we had a pretty decent
weekend, however it started with a
surprise what I will call (fall fog).
As I was opening up the gates early
Saturday morning I could see the fog
start to move in at a pretty fast pace.
By about 9:30 am the fog was gone and
everything was clear for the rest of
the day. I believe the fog came in
because the north winds had cooled
the San Joaquin River down from a constant
of 63 degrees at the Antioch
Marina a week ago to a new high of
58 degrees last Friday at the
Antioch Marina.
Dee Thomas was pre fishing in the
West Delta on Saturday and reported
that the water temperature in Sherman
Lake was in the 61 degree range, still
very fishable.
Last weekend the fish cops were in
the Antioch Bridge area. They
had enough business that I’m
sure they will be back again. The violations
included short stripers, sturgeon that
were not tagged, the usual notes and
bolts things that keep them in business.
The catch of the week goes to our
very own Alex Soto of Antioch who caught
a whopping 20 lb, 38 inch
fresh run striper. Alex was fishing
near Eddo’s with anchovies for
bait on the outgoing current. The
kicker is that Alex landed the fish
all by himself. Not too bad for 76
years young.
I know there were other stripers caught
last week because I saw folks over
at the fish cleaning station prepping
their catch.
According to the fish cops, sturgeon
have started moving into the area as
they are seeing more sturgeon tied
up to boats and they make their boats
stops.
It seem like the water temperature
is now holding probably in the 60
degree range or better thanks to the
warmer than expected weather for this
time of year. We have had good showing
of fisherman all week. Our launch ramp
parking area has been at least half
full most of the week. I would go out
on a boat just to be out becaise the
weather has been that good. I’m
also surprised that we have had that
many fishermen out with the full moon
that we had on Monday night. Nothing
prettier then a harvest moon.
If you are planning to fish the West
Delta this weekend make yourself an
imaginary box and in that box you put
in Broad Slough to the West and False
River/Three Mile Slough to the East
and fish both the Sacramento River
and the San Joaquin River this weekend.
I’m sure you would have a little
luck in the striper category.
There were some striper right out
in front of the harbor this morning.
We had both boats anchored and bass
boating plugging right on the sand
bar in front of our harbor. I don’t
know that I would pass that opportunity
up this weekend.
Last week during the north wind cycle,
a duck hunter drowned while trying
to retrieve a duck he had shot. I don’t
care who you are, we all need to wear
a PFD if we are out on the water.
They make the devices so comfortable
now that it is not that big a deal.
This weekend is the start of the crab
season for the north coast. Some of
my buddies at Bodega Bay have been
doing a little testing to see where
the hot spots might be. The commercial
season will begin the following Saturday
November 14th. If you are planning
on heading out for some crab this weekend
make sure that you check the marine
weather channel before you venture
out be safe and good luck to you.
See you on the water.
Chris Lauritzen
Lauritzen's
Yacht Harbor
Website |
Isleton Area