Written by The Lost Anchovy – January 21, 2019
Kayak Fishing Sturgeon Tutorial
I have a love and hate relationship with fishing San Pablo Bay. Anyone who has put in dedicated time to fish this place can understand why. The mud flats of San Pablo bay can be teeming with fish when the rain push the fresh water from the delta down into the bay. The deposits of fresh water, bait and nutrients drive the fish into feeding mode. Combine it with a fast running negative tide and SPB can become down right epic for sturgeon fishing.
At other times, the bay is filled with bait stealing crabs, mud marlins, sharks and rays. Combine it with a negative tide, high winds and a cold front, and SPB can be down right miserable.
Having fished SPB on both good days and down right miserable ones, I was hesitant to commit to a full day out on the water. However, JamesM, persisted and got this hibernating chovie to take a stab at it, despite my most adamant objections. He knows my weakness, and relationship with this animal.
All the conditions aligned for some epic fishing: great tides, fresh water, and abundant bait. I couldn’t resist. It was on!
And like Ice Cube’s famous saying
I arrived at 7:15 a.m. at bullhead flat. James, Moo Moo, Jason and Ken were already loaded and about 5 minutes from launch. I’m a perpetual slacker when it comes to early morning fishing. Just getting me to arrive at 7:00 a.m. Must have been a moral victory for these guys.
By 8:00 a.m. I pushed my kayak from the shore bank and made my way to the fishing grounds. I was running about 20 minutes behind the crew and caught up shortly on the fishing grounds. The water was still and flat as a lake, and the morning incoming tide was just topping out.
I dropped my anchor and immediately starting marking fish swimming through the water column. Feeding fish? No… they were just swimming by, but there was no mistake—the arcs were big. Wait what is that mark??
Almost immediately the fish started to nibble my line. Swing!! Damn it. Damn it!! Missed! My patience was starting to wear thin and my internal dialogue started to turn on.
“Sturgeon are stupid fish!!, god why am I out here again. At least the water is calm this time. I hate James. Moo is cool tho. I gotta pee. No… would that attract sturgeon or put them off ?? Damn that’s just gross. I would be eating pee sturgeon if I caught one huh? Oh…god, I gotta go.”, I reach to unzip my relief zipper when …
Suddenly, I see my rod tip start to dip. Oh boy!! I grab my pole and feel the pressure build on the rod. I take a swing for the Fence. FISH ON!! My pole double over, and I feel the complete weight of the fish on my line.
“Please no Batray. Please no Batray!!”
Suddenly a sturgeon’s head pops from the muddy waters of the bay. “DINO!!!” I screamed like a little girl, as the fish darts into the chocolate brown water of the bay. It circles around and runs towards me. I unclipped my anchor line and see my fishing line tangled with it. OH NOoooo! The fish takes off and further tangles my line with the anchor.
I was in serious trouble. If I can’t get this tangle off my anchor line it’s over. I reached for my fishing line and release some tension to work out the tangle. The fish darts behind me and drags my buoy under. I took a breath…waited for the line to snap and break off—It didn’t…Phew.
Adrenaline was rushing through my veins and my heart was beating at a swift pace, (the kind you feel before going into cardiac arrest.) I worked out the knot and the tangle released itself. I see my anchor drift in the in distance and felt a huge sigh of relief. (By now I really needed to go pee)
I get back my line and Mr. Dino makes a few more valiant efforts before giving up the submission bubbles. I get him to the surface and into the net. He measures to 45 inches (give and take). I clipped him and took care business with a few photos and some group laughter.
We stayed for a few more hours and called it day shortly after the outgoing tide subsided. NO MUD WALK OF SHAME FOR US!
Side Note: Ken was able to land a monster of a fish earlier in the day, and Moo Moo did manage to hook a large fish but it broke off to a bad knot! Sorry dude. I stayed on suicide watch for precautionary measures. You just never know!! =*(
My relationship with San Pablo Bay still continues to be a mixed bag; However, one thing is for certain, the rains, tides and bait have got the fish feeding and it is worth a shot right now, even if conditions are not ideal.
Until next time…Tight Lines –TLA
Great article! Congrats!
Wooh! the legendary ChuckE. This man be a legend folks!!!