San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Fishing Guide

Written by The Lost Anchovy 2/2/2019

Introduction

San Pablo Bay is basically a large mud flat with a deep boating channel that run through the center.  The bay gets a lot of attention during the winter months when large white sturgeon roam the area foraging for food.  This area is a favorite location for northern bay fisherman that target these large fish.

San Pablo Bay Fishing Locations

When Kayak Fishing San Pablo there are a few location Kayak Fisherman like to launch. I’ve marked them here for you. 

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Eddie the Sturgeon Whisperer

I would be shot, and it would be completely justified, if I wrote this article without talking about Eddie. If you spend enough time fishing San Pablo Bay there is not doubt you will run into Eddie the Sturgeon whisper. Sometimes i poke fun and call him Eddie the Ghost Shrimp — He draws in big dinosaurs. Either way, Eddie is a famed Sturgeon Slayer in the North Bay — and rightly so. If you ever get a chance to fish with Eddie: Stay quite, take note’s and follow his words like the holy bible. He’s the real deal folks.

San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Triangle

So where is this famed Sturgeon Triangle that everyone is talking about?

The “Triangle” is bordered by the “Pumphouse” to the north (it looks like an outhouse on stilts, located three miles east of Hamilton Field), China Camp to the southwest, and Buoy 5 to the southeast. The Pumphouse and China Camp areas attract feeding sturgeon during outgoing tides, while Buoy 5 is a good spot at incoming tides. – SFgate article reference

Reference: https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Good-Timing-Can-Help-Hook-Mystery-Fish-3302208.php

Kayak anglers, like myself, tend to fish on the China Camp side of the Bay. Although it is tempting, especially on a flat sunny day, to fish near the famed pump house, San Pablo Bay weather is notorious for changing quickly, and the strong currents can make SPB down right dangerous. Take care to stay safe and alert in San Pablo Bay.

Best Times

From late November through May, winter storms are the main catalyst that trigger the migration of the white sturgeon into San Pablo Bay.  The rush of fresh water from the Delta mixed in with the Saltwater of the bay creates the perfect brackish water conditions that Sturgeon thrive in.

Fisherman like to target the Sturgeon around this time for two main reasons. 1) the fish are in the bay and they are feeding. 2) the bait stealing critters such as sharks, rays, and crabs are pushed out by the fresh water. 

The Lost Anchovy – Sturgeon Essential Equipment List

• Fisherman’s Game Clip
• Gamakatsu Big River Hooks  (Make sure to crimp down the barb)
• Spro 130lb swivel
• Galvanized Anchor Chain
•  Danielson Galvanized Folding Anchor
• Bait Buttons
• Shimano Trevala 66MH rod (Universal Rod)
• Dexter Russel Fillet Knife (Best fillet knife IMHO, cheap and works!)
• 50-100lbs mono filament leader

Sturgeon Bait

Top baits for San Pablo Bay include grass, ghost, and mud shrimp with the latter being the most preferred by anglers. Other baits such as herring, salmon roe, worms, and lamprey eel can also be productive baits. Sturgeon are selective feeders and they will key in on the predominate food source. Match what they are feeding on for the best chance at a dinosaur.

Learn to catch your Ghost Shrimp Tutorial

For example, during the winter herring spawns, targeting Sturgeon with herring fillets and roe can be very productive.

Sturgeon Tides and Locations

Targeting the right tides is absolutely critical to landing this prehistoric animal.  Like any fish they have tendencies that trigger their most primal feeding instincts, understanding these triggers will put fish on the deck! 

Look for large marks on the fish finder. Sturgeon are large red and yellow marks that hug the bottom. 

**Incoming tides produce********** but by far the strong outgoing tides bring more action on the shallow flats of the San Pablo. Study the tide tables, and when you find a period that predicts incoming tides of 5.0 or better, followed by strong outgoing tides for the late afternoon, it’s time to go. If it coincides with a break after a storm has passed, so much the better.

One of my favorite spots is located off China Camp, on the west side of the bay. The shell bank here covers a lot of property, and depths can vary from 6 to 11 feet during the high tide

Reference – saltwatersportsman

Target the shell banks

There are many shell banks spread through out San Pablo Bay, and targeting these area will often be productive. The shell banks will often be near ledges, and natural drop offs.  When dropping anchor, if the ground is hard and the anchor takes a second before setting in, there is a good chance you have set on a shell bank — Mark the AREA! and check the anchor when pulling up for muscles and tiny clams. 

Avoid the mud walk of Shame

One of the reasons i dislike fishing San Pablo Bay is the dreaded mud walk of shame. Here is the rub with San Pablo. Sturgeon tend to feed at the beginning of an outgoing tide. A strong minus tide, freshwater from the delta, and plentiful bait will put the fish on the bite; HOWEVER, (pay attention here), staying out too long during an outgoing minus tide, and you will be pushing your Kayak through the mud!! I have done this twice. It is the worst! Just take my word on it.

A safe bet is to allow no less then 2ft of water to avoid the Mud Walk of Shame.  Do what you must, but get back before the tide becomes too low.

Conclusion

Honestly, if you were to tell me that I would be writing  “How to Fish Sturgeon Article” five years ago, you would likely see yourself in the water. There is much to love and hate about San Pablo Bay, however, you can not deny there is always a chance to catch a big fish there. Good luck and tight lines – The Lost Anchovy

Edited 2/4/2019