CA. DELTA STRIPERS 101: Topwater Instruction, Tips and Technique.

A fun morning of chasing the ca delta tides casting for striped bass. Watch as I go through my typical topwater load-out using DWB 6" wood bait, Strike King Mega Dawg, Berkeley 120 JWalker and Zoom Magnum Fluke. Tips and technique include basic approaches that can be used for any predators that like topwater baits. along with my approach to a morning of topwater casting fun! The fishing was slow, but that gave me some time to wax philosophical and get into some of the finer points. Hope you enjoy and learn something useful. Post your questions and comments below:

[@HKSlays]

Post your questions and comments below.

[@mexicawarrior5547]

HKSlays Thank you for the information I appreciate that for taking the time to reply happy fishing

[@HKSlays]

@@mexicawarrior5547 My pleasure and best of luck out there!

[@joecano8797]

Great tutorial and content. Thank you

[@deltapromasterlauj4848]

Thanks for the video HKslay!!!!! Nothing beats top water stripers............with the exception of top water Tuna of course!!!!!!!

[@HKSlays]

DeltaProMaster Lauj ha totally agree thank you for you comment!

[@deltasturgeonsfishingclub264]

good job

[@HKSlays]

Thank you. It was my second to last edit before I left California for the greener pastures of Texas. I miss the delta, but love our new fishery (the Laguna Madre) good luck out there.

[@ReelLifeFisherman]

Thanks for making this awesome video very informative! I'm a striper troller and bait guy.. very little top water experience.. but want to get some top water action!

[@HKSlays]

Thank you, Reel Life Fisherman. I'll BOLO for your rig out there to slide in and say hello.

[@edlee2618]

Great video! Thanks for the topwater tips! Will practice, practice, practice until it becomes natural.

[@HKSlays]

Hi Ed!

[@NFiltr8Red]

Just did a 2 day Ca delta fishing fest, day 1 bent out hooks and mosquito bites. Day 2......replaced all my Megabass Jerk baits with stronger hooks....... forgot about my clips and let’s just say one fish damn near opened up my clip. Was fun!

[@HKSlays]

Right on man! It's the time of year you want to be out there as much as possible. And good on you for switching those hooks out - a lesson we often learn the hard way. Be mindful of the weight of the hooks if you're switching out hooks on suspending jerk baits...it can diminish the suspending properties of your bait.

[@NFiltr8Red]

@@HKSlays , switched them out to same size but slightly better material

[@LivingDTLV]

I wish I saw this before my delta trip this weekend. We had no idea what we were doing or how to read the tide/water, on a rented boat. Of course we got skunked but still had a good time. It was a beautiful day regardless. I’m excited to learn more. Thanks for the video.

[@HKSlays]

Thank you for you comments I appreciate it. I've more delta content on my channel including drift live bait with two of the delta's top guides -Jay Lopes and Mike Gravert.

[@jimbo4612]

1 trick that I found very useful is adding a football jig to a Pearl white Zoom swimmin fluke vs the magnum fluke. The Swimmin fluke has a tail that kick out more vibration. The Football jig will make the whole swimmin fluke rock back and forth vs just the tail wiggling and that makes a huge difference. Second deal is adding some PROCURE scent, For Stripers the Sardine Gel is powerful stuff that legally makes a oil slick off the bait and leaves a trail for the bass to follow. Foot ball jig wise a Yamamoto 4/0 with a gamakatsu hook works best. Yamamoto also makes a 5/0 with a owner hook and its important to make sure you use the Yamamoto Gamakatsu vs the Yamamoto Owner. The Yamamoto Gamakatsu has a 3x shank which is a 1/2 inch longer shank with the same gap on the hook. All you do is cast and let the Swimmin fluke rock back forth spreading the pro cure out and if there is any striped bass around you will know pretty quickly. The Yamamoto Football jigs with a Gamakatsu hook cost $3.99 for a pack of 5 and the Zoom Swimmin Flukes run about $ 4.80 for a pack and you can get them at Tackle warehouse. The Pro cure costs 8 bucks for a 2oz bottle

[@HKSlays]

Some good tips Jim bo thanks for sharing. Indeed , the fluke is a very versatile bait and can be fished a variety of ways. I use scent, especially during cold water fishing. Smelly Jelly craw flavored is my go to. See you out there!

[@jimbo4612]

@@HKSlays Thank you for the instructions and tutorial . I'm a old school angler who worked for Sally and Bob Downs when they owned the Trap in Rio Vista. We also ran a commercial crayfish operation out of Snug harbor which is Ryer Island and Steamboat slough. Worked with Capt Rodger Thomas of the Golden gate Salmon association and the DFG doing juvenile index counts with salmon and stripers . Right now were fishing the junction of Cache and Minor slough or the old sugar beet dump hole for Sturgeon but chase stripers religiously and instruction on the newer style lures is highly welcome. I'm also thinking that Smelly Jelly XXX crayfish would work very well for the largemouths we fish off the rock wall near the inlet of three mile slough. Thanks again and many tight lines to you

[@HKSlays]

@@jimbo4612 I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and story. Its something that all of us can learn from. You'll likely agree with me that it does change out there over time, but sometimes the ol tried and trues shine. To me, thats what is awesome and frustrating about fishin the delta - constant change, sometimes at a snails pace.

[@jimbo4612]

@@HKSlays Water wars and AB measures against striped bass are of deep concern of course. The DFW changes in members gets frustrating as well. Also the S.F bay has a vast # more anglers that need to be reasonable about Catch and Release. I try to mention that the OEHHA, Occupational Environmental Heath hazard association sets recommended guidelines based on science and some of the new era kids want to take everything to promote business. Just the opposite we have anglers like GATE CRASHER FISHING, which won't let anglers take the Sturgeon, just photos and release and anglers get the thrill of fighting a big sturgeon. So a mix of both and DFW wants the license sales to go up for revenue so its a tricky balance to make anglers happy and balance the resources. Not sure where the Water rights will play out as time goes on but the fisheries will go on with enough advocating for this fishery we love.

[@asouksavath]

Nice tips! Keep practicing and they’ll bite for sure. Many PB’s have came off of topwater

[@HKSlays]

and many classic momemts chucking wood with you, my friend!

[@mmatalk3817]

Very well done!

[@HKSlays]

@MMA Talk we totally appreciate your comment. More instructional edits in the pipe. Up next: swimbaits. Will be shooting this weekend. I watched your upload for a few years back - talk about well done?! Would like to see more!

[@mmatalk3817]

@@HKSlays You are welcome, I'm excited to see the next videos.

[@visualkeirockstar]

I been catching some 16-18inches on the San Joaquin River. Just recently tried top water and worked better than I expected.

[@HKSlays]

Perhaps the most fun way to catch em!

[@jerryyang3516]

Where about the San Joaquin river?

[@visualkeirockstar]

@@jerryyang3516 Follow me on fishbrain sacfishing. I been catching a few withing the 20's lately.

[@HKSlays]

@@jerryyang3516 I do a lot of fishin on the SJ side as well. Perhaps more on the SJ side then the sac side...depends on where the bite is.

[@jacklieu28]

Awesome Vid

[@HKSlays]

Thanks, Jack!

[@jacksonvang3429]

Nice video can I get information to go buy the Trout lure.

[@HKSlays]

Hi Jackson unfortunately sourcing one of these baits (deltawoodbombers) is hard in any colorway. Inconsistent production means you just kinda have to get them when they are available. If you are in the sacramento area, you might have some luck with either fishermans warehouse or Romeo's Bait and tackle in Freeport. A real good alternative are Donkeysticks - I know he's going to have a lot to sell at the Lodi Steet Fair on Oct. 6th. Its a bummer but these are one man operations who have full time jobs and families.

[@holdenm2k]

How many casts would you say per spot before you move on to the next?

[@HKSlays]

If I have myself and say 2 others, 10 or so casts. That means approximately 30 casts for the boat. Sometimes if it doesnt look/feel right may only make a few but more often than not we are drifting and usually work point A to point B making casts along the way.

[@PACOLOCO559]

What's the action on your rod? Fast?

[@HKSlays]

Hi Paco - I fish fast action rods. 10-20lb 10-25lb 7' to 8' are what I use most. The Phenix M1 MX78H is a good reference. From super spooks to the 5-6" wood baits...throws them all well. Likely you have something in your quiver already that will work. Start there and see how it works! Thank you for the question.

[@PACOLOCO559]

Yes a have a couple fast 8 foot phenix rods. Thanks for the advice

[@lukep1754]

Also what’s the name of it? Thank

[@lukep1754]

What size reel is that?

[@HKSlays]

There's several different reels I am using in this video - Shimano Tranx 200, Diawa Tatula 200 and Abu Revo Toro.

[@lukep1754]

Thanks man! I’ll look for those!

[@HKSlays]

@@lukep1754 they are a very good mid-line reels.

[@lukep1754]

HKSlays I think I’m going to get either the daiwa costal sv tw 150 or the Tranx 200

[@HKSlays]

@@lukep1754 I also have the diawa coastal 200 in this video - great reel. Its by in large a better sealed Tatula.

[@mexicawarrior5547]

Hi my name is Fernando I’m looking for a good fishing spot I’m new here in CaliforniaHow can I get to the fishing spot that you’re fishing at on this video I live in Stockton California appreciate if your reply thank you

[@HKSlays]

Hi Fernando. Your timing is good - it's this time of year that I would hit the Port of Stockton. December can be amazing in the port when all the shad gets pushed back in there. You also have access from the bank on the north side of the channel. All the spots I fished in this video are out in the West Delta...bank fishing is very limited out there, but if you have a boat, well the world is your oyster! those striper can be anywhere! Good luck and thanks for your question.

[@jerryyang3516]

You don't chase the boils?

[@HKSlays]

Of course its one of the most fun ways to catch striper. This past year, there was a little bird action but not like years past. Gotta have the bird schools to chase them!

[@zackm8399]

Something tells me he fishes for black bass as well..

[@HKSlays]

There was a time I used to fish black bass exclusively...in fact, I caught my first delta striper pitching a senko under a tree...that striper changed everything for me - I chased them 100% since 2005 'till last year. That said we did score some nice incidental black bass over the years, including this pig; kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ_Tg5ewp9Wlatk

[@dinhdynasty853]

what gear are you using

[@HKSlays]

Hi thanks for your question - I am using a variety of rod/reel combos in this edit and cover each specifically in the video. Phenix rods M-1/M1 inshore and Titan series rods; Waft Iron Feather. Reels - 200 sized Diawa Tutula and Shimano Tranx; Abu Revo Toro.

[@dinhdynasty853]

@@HKSlays Thank you very much

[@HKSlays]

@@dinhdynasty853 For sure DD let me know if you have any other questions I appreciate you asking.

[@johncruz582]

Cool video lots of info what size line

[@HKSlays]

Hi and thanks John. Main line is 50lb. braid and leaders range from 30 to 50lb mono depending on type (wood v. plastic) and size of the baits I'm throwing.

[@noah03300]

was that suisin bay?

[@HKSlays]

We shot on the Sacramento River, Cache Slough, Miner Slough and Liberty Island that day.

[@indeepship____3944]

If you ever want someone to split fuel and what not. Let me know BD name is Indeepship. Im in the area

[@HKSlays]

Find my facebook page and message me always willing to get a like minded person on the water.

[@4daoutdoorz429]

U gotta work the bait all the way back

[@mikegreathouse513]

I know that Spot.

[@MrFlipster]

Are you a guide??????????

[@HKSlays]

I am probably just like you - a guy who loves to fish.