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Northern CA Saltwater Fishing Report
Big stripers and even bigger sturgeon show for Martinez area anglers
BY CAPT. DAVID BACON/WON Staff WriterPublished: Apr 23, 2012
MARTINEZ — Fishing turned red hot this week for sturgeon and bass, as very large specimens of both species went on the chew. Working the right spots on the right tides and with the right baits were the keys to success.
“This has to be the best week of sturgeon fishing this season," reported Capt. Steve Talmadge of Flash Sportfishing in Martinez. "I watched the water temperature rise 4 to 5 degrees this week. The fish numbers are about the same, but they are just a lot more active and biting. Monday I had 4 fishermen and we had 6 sturgeon, some jumbo shakers, a 65 incher that went 71 pounds 73 incher that went 90 to 100 pounds, released of course. Tuesday with 5 fishermen we had 9 sturgeon, mostly shakers and a 58-inch keeper. Thursday with 4 fishermen we had 6 sturgeon, mostly shakers, and one was 77-inches, 90-plus pounds, released. Then on Friday I had 2 fishermen and we had 3 sturgeon; a 70 incher, released, and a 29-inch bass. The fish are hot, most of the oversize fish would go airborne during their battle,”
On Monday Olivia Ortega from Martinez battled and landed a 65-inch sturgeon that went 71 pounds. “This is the fattest fish I have processed this season, the fillets were just marvelous,” said Capt. Talmadge. The same day Craig Paulsen from Danville battled a 73-inch sturgeon that was estimated between 90 and 100 pounds. These fish were their personal bests. On Tuesday Rich from Oakley came aboard with a bad back, but he thought he would be able to handle the surgeon. He hooked into a hot fish and battled it for maybe 10 to 15 minutes, before his back couldn't take it anymore. Denis from San Leandro stepped in and gave him a hand and landed the 58-inch sturgeon. On Thursday Mike Albert from Milpitas battled a 77-inch sturgeon that was estimated 90 to 100 pounds. “Mike had a long battle and I wasn't sure if he was going to hold up, but he stuck it out and the 77-incher was his personal best,” commented Capt. Talmadge.
On Friday Bruce Smith from Hooversville, Pa. battled a 70-inch fish for a good 25 minutes. That fish went airborne 3 times. The best baits proved to be eel and grass shrimp combo and JPS (just plain shrimp). Capt. Talmadge explained the fishing situation, “I had my best fishing at the Benicia Bridge during outgoing tides and near seal Island during the incoming tides and 30 to 40 feet of water has been working for me. It is very good fishing right now.”
BENECIA BITER — Olivia Ortega fought this 65-inch, 71-pound sturgeon after it took eel and grass shrimp during the incoming tide near the Benicia Bridge aboard the Flash. Gina Dumpit, Amy Tompkins, Craig Paulsen and Olivia Ortega are shown with the fish.
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MARTINEZ — Fishing turned red hot this week for sturgeon and bass, as very large specimens of both species went on the chew. Working the right spots on the right tides and with the right baits were the keys to success. “This has to be the best week of sturgeon fishing this season," reported Capt. Steve Talmadge of Flash Sportfishing in Martinez. "I watched the water temperature rise 4 to 5 degrees this week. The fish numbers are about the same, but they are just a lot more active and biting. Monday I had 4 fishermen and we had 6 sturgeon, some jumbo shakers, a 65 incher that went 71 pounds 73 incher that went 90 to 100 pounds, released of course. Tuesday with 5 fishermen we had 9 sturgeon, mostly shakers and a 58-inch keeper. Thursday with 4 fishermen we had 6 sturgeon, mostly shakers, and one was 77-inches, 90-plus pounds, released. Then on Friday I had 2 fishermen and we had 3 sturgeon; a 70 incher, released, and a 29-inch bass. The fish are hot, most of the oversize fish would go airborne during their battle,” On Monday Olivia Ortega from Martinez battled and landed a 65-inch sturgeon that went 71 pounds. “This is the fattest fish I have processed this season, the fillets were just marvelous,” said Capt. Talmadge. The same day Craig Paulsen from Danville battled a 73-inch sturgeon that was estimated between 90 and 100 pounds. These fish were their personal bests. On Tuesday Rich from Oakley came aboard with a bad back, but he thought he would be able to handle the surgeon. He hooked into a hot fish and battled it for maybe 10 to 15 minutes, before his back couldn't take it anymore. Denis from San Leandro stepped in and gave him a hand and landed the 58-inch sturgeon. On Thursday Mike Albert from Milpitas battled a 77-inch sturgeon that was estimated 90 to 100 pounds. “Mike had a long battle and I wasn't sure if he was going to hold up, but he stuck it out and the 77-incher was his personal best,” commented Capt. Talmadge. On Friday Bruce Smith from Hooversville, Pa. battled a 70-inch fish for a good 25 minutes. That fish went airborne 3 times. The best baits proved to be eel and grass shrimp combo and JPS (just plain shrimp). Capt. Talmadge explained the fishing situation, “I had my best fishing at the Benicia Bridge during outgoing tides and near seal Island during the incoming tides and 30 to 40 feet of water has been working for me. It is very good fishing right now.” BENECIA BITER — Olivia Ortega fought this 65-inch, 71-pound sturgeon after it took eel and grass shrimp during the incoming tide near the Benicia Bridge aboard the Flash. Gina Dumpit, Amy Tompkins, Craig Paulsen and Olivia Ortega are shown with the fish. |
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