Winter Bass Fishing on the California Delta

Winter Bass fishing on the California Delta can be quite the challenge. Today we try our luck based on some confidence we gained last year with some specific baits and techniques during these cooler months.
Delta Winter Bait picks
Flat side Crank bait (cell mate) - bit.ly/301Utym
Cheat Jig 2.0 (1/2 oz Crawdaddy) - bit.ly/3soZ7Ti
…and trailer (3.5’’ HD Mean craw) - bit.ly/3ss8jpy
A rig - bit.ly/3BPn9v8
…and trailers (3.5’’ Light Hitch) - bit.ly/3sxJtpi
…Chartreuse Dip - bit.ly/383FSqv
Underspin - bit.ly/2Pix2yD
…and trailer (3.8’’ Gizzard shad)- bit.ly/30gBcJM
Swim Jig - bit.ly/3e32YkP
…and trailer (3.8’’ Gizzard shad)- bit.ly/30gBcJM
Drop shot worm- amzn.to/3EPJR8d
Ned Rig (cinnamon purple) - bit.ly/3EH6Xy5
Winter Apparel
Puffy Jacket - amzn.to/3IvSnvN
Bibs - amzn.to/3m9nKmr
Jacket - amzn.to/3uy5g19
Sweater/hoodie - amzn.to/3ncZj5v
Boots - amzn.to/2NxMxCy
Lifevest - amzn.to/37PfAIq
SUNGLASSES - amzn.to/2u75imF
New Merch! - bit.ly/GregBlan...
Become a Patron - bit.ly/GregBlan...
--------------------------------------------------GEAR---------------------------------------------------
THE KAYAK - bit.ly/GregBlan...
KAYAK MODS/ADD ONS
Roto grips (paddle holder and atop the pedal drive) - amzn.to/2UP3hn8
Custom Pedals - amzn.to/2Ye1kTp
Net - amzn.to/2MVkp6q
Seat lumbar support - amzn.to/30hZt3k
The Kayak wheels/cart - amzn.to/3kpr3U5
Upgraded Tires - amzn.to/2XJ8qAO
Paddle (230 cm) - amzn.to/2ksMqDy
Motor (Torqeedo 1103AC) - bit.ly/3bKzfLP
ELECTRONICS
Fish Finder (7’’ model) - amzn.to/2F8iWZg
Fish Finder Battery (40ah) - amzn.to/2XMIxQW
USB Station for Kayaks - amzn.to/2NDE9RU
CAMERAS
GoPro 7 Blacks - amzn.to/2TprBLq
DRONE/aerial footage - amzn.to/39IQA7m
Memory Cards - amzn.to/2XxIGEc
External Power pack for Chesty - amzn.to/36cI3GT
Chest mount - amzn.to/38nbVlB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music Credit:
Sleepy Day by Another Kid / another-kid
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/2YTm487
Music promoted by Audio Library • Sleepy Day - Another K...
*above are associate links

[@clutch3shot]

Hot thermos of soup is my preference on a winter fishing day.

[@mikeryan925]

You make me want to fish every time I see a video of yours. Most of the time I watch in the parking lot at work. You are the man Greg ! I always enjoy watching.

[@plong1194]

As I’m watching this from the parking lot of work lol

[@danno8m7]

Lmao same

[@lumpiestofcoles3724]

As I’m taking a shit on the toilet lmao that’s when I fit my fishing vids in 😂

[@mikeryan925]

@@lumpiestofcoles3724 🤣🤣🤣

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Thanks for tuning in Mike. The good, the bad and everything in between - the goal is to share the experience the best I can!

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Whats up ya'll. Lot of comments/questions on the bobber stop rationale. So for fluorocarbon applications, I'm strictly tying a "Jimmy Houston knot" which is the best I've found. That'll give you 3 tag ends so adding that bobber stop will decrease the amount of hangs up on small weeds or what knot from the tag ends and you can fish your bait much more effectively through cover.

[@jasongundros1422]

That knots also referred to as the double san Diego jam knot . Excellent knot !

[@timrobinson3124]

Awesome. Thanks, Greg!

[@zakkrick]

I like fishing in that spot for bass and big stripers all the time but its a long boat ride to get there

[@PickersWarehouseTV]

I think we've all at one point taken a chartreuse/hot sauce bath out on the water ;)

[@keepinitreel1288]

You can noodle for stripers now with them chartreuse fingies 😂

[@davethompson9776]

Wow! That looked like a nice Steelhead. Appears the adipose fin is clipped, marking a hatchery fish.

[@_MTFA]

Maybe a second channel for teaching us how and why "givin weather" you use specific baits? I'm fairly new to fishing and to be honest I don't know all the techniques of how to fish certain lures or what time of year you let go of old faithful lures and move to new set ups. Absolutely love the content and live fairly close to the delta and would love to fish more confidently year around

[@mattfuller4250]

I’ve been thinking the same thing. I would love a video of how he preps for tournaments. Researching the water, picking lures and rods. What he does to his yak. Just the whole process.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

Check out Tactical Bassin for super informative vids

[@apolloandcreedbulldogges2229]

I used to fish the delta in the 90s since then I moved to AZ, but I don’t ever remember catching a Trout in there. Really miss Cali fishing

[@MrGogogordo]

Two things on the Delta you don’t normally see, trout and tuna.😂😂😂 Good one Greg!

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

😂

[@cecapfishing9882]

How come your videos always have subtitles? I'm hearing impaired and many videos I want to watch I end up leaving them for later bc of the absence of captions, yours are always there, it's awesome!

[@fryeguy9939]

Hey Greg... Trout don't survive a fight, the way a bass does... Usually after a hard fight and any length of time out of water, they'll die ...

[@kumaboyy.7443]

That was a nice trout! I would took that home for dinner!Thanks, Greg!

[@fryeguy9939]

Trout aren't as tough as bass and usually die after a hard fight. Especially when they lay on the floor of the kayak for any length of time..

[@jamescanady3442]

@@fryeguy9939 I hear you, man. In Greg's defense, he's not a trout angler and if I recall correctly, he's even said himself on a previous video that his knowledge with trout is limited. It also helps a lot that he doesn't intentionally target the species, knowing that he has a limited knowledge of how to properly handle them. I've seen some channels in the past that drove me nuts over how they handled/mistreated the rainbows they caught. This brings up a good topic though because I have to say, I would absolutely love to see Greg do a trout video or two. In his yak, at a stream, whatever.

[@fryeguy9939]

@@jamescanady3442 I wasn't criticizing Greg .. I myself admire the guy.. I was just trying to inform him with what little I know about trout.. Greg's the man.. The Frye Guy

[@jamescanady3442]

@@fryeguy9939 You're the man too, Frye Guy!

[@Usuario-23]

Good morning gents and let’s fish 🎣

[@michaeldobyns4159]

That was a Steelhead I think. Thanks for sharing another great video, Greg!

[@deltabassinlegend]

Damn I didn't even know there were trout on the delta! That's pretty cool to know.

[@mainmanlu]

Let's gooo. Perfect way to start the day to watch Greg catching fish.

[@018132]

Best to keep the jj magic bottle standing up. The lid doesn't really work lol

[@markphilippsjr]

Always entertaining and so relaxing. Makes me want to put on some warm clothes and fish. Instead, I'm just going to sit down with my coffee in front of my fire and watch this video 😉. Thanks for doing all the leg work Greg.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

not a bad alternative!

[@terp53]

Thumbs up on the Franks hot sauce. 👍🏼

[@joshuadixon9644]

You were right the first time. That was a steelhead and they run up that river and the second river you fished. I used to catch 20-30 a day up there! Great video and good luck next time!

[@cstar8116]

Hey Greg, tip on the JJ's magic, that plastic piece inside the top is to equalize/burp some pressure as the jar heats or cools compared to air. Try not tightening it so tightly so it can equalize when it sits, and when you open it make sure to unscrew it slowly(like a soda that got shaken up and you want to open without exploding) to let some pressure out a little at a time before you completely open that way it wont get on your hands.

[@largemouth_mass3169]

" nice and quick so you can get back to what you're here for, which is fishing....not eating" that had me laughing.

[@NorCalFishermen]

that was a beautiful steelhead bro! funny how its your by catch but takes me 2 + years to catch one! lol keep slayin dude!

[@bradleyhouston9037]

Only 1-2 weeks left of open water here, gunna be living vicariously through you lol

[@tons_of_fishing408]

Up at 4am just to watch the new vid bro. Keep doing what you do brother FishOn 🎣🤙

[@FisForFishing777]

Such a pleasant disposition well I guess this stuff works hands are chartreuse 🤣🤣🤣

[@Cichlid_Visuals]

that trout crankbait bite was sick

[@fishingwcp]

Man a fishery where u can catch bass, Striper and trout is amazing!

[@godson9808]

This is what fishing is all about. Enjoying the time, figuring out what works and what doesn’t. So cool! Thanks for awesome videos.

[@bretthumphries7911]

Nice lunch, and a nice day. Canned mackerel is a welcome change, imho. Tight lines.

[@60watergr]

such a relaxing video and the delta is beautiful! wish i could fish these places one day! greetings from Greece far far away!

[@kumaboyy.7443]

There is only a handful of deltas in the world! Unique fishery! We are fortunate to live here!

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

cheers!

[@poststalone1496]

Was planning on fishing today and didn't bother to check the weather since our state has been so dry and ofc it's raining lmao. At least I get to watch you

[@johnkent9019]

Lunch suggestion: Chicken of the Sea Sardines "In Louisian Hot Sauce".

[@ricardoantonio5085]

First time watching your channel. Very entertaining watching you work with your gear. That was a nice trout.

[@azevedoplumbing]

In my backyard . Love that spot

[@aggressiveanglerz2859]

Me too!!! Great striper spot in January.

[@Michaelpruis]

Greg, I'm about to drive to California with some soap and clean your yak! Great video as always haha

[@Spaceshuttlegunner]

One of the best “Wow” ever when you caught that tiny bass.

[@kentucky_x_stream9441]

Winter time is tough in my area too, thanks for the banger🔨🔨🔨

[@FishingWithDamon]

Awesome video I can’t tell you put a lot of work great job and quite a bit of useful information and your video quality lately has been much better as well!!!

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

Was that a steelhead? F&G told me, any rainbow trout over 16" caught in water that leads to the ocean, is considered a steelhead. 🤔🎣👍

[@KokoB1883]

It was a steelhead.

[@FTW1374]

Great you grind for these videos and I want you to know we all appreciate it!

[@danielcortez5562]

steelhead

[@michaelduncan4781]

That was a nice adult wild Steelhead. Greater than 14" with an Adipose=Steelhead. Nice catch

[@deweylee2449]

Hey Greg. Don't even worry about the color of that just magic juice. It's not going to wash off and the garlic smell stays around a pretty long time to. Always drag alot of grubs and tunes in the rivers of North Carolina and man the catfish really hone in on that just juce.

[@vancekeiser3691]

i’m strictly a saltwater angler and only been lake fishing twice but recently ran into your videos and you make me wanna hit up my local lake the first chance i get lol. dope vids bro

[@lizsmith9948]

No net? Oh hai ya! LOL Well, you braved the cold and weren't technically skunked. Thanks for taking us on your adventure 😊 Best holiday wishes 🌲

[@bradrtorgersen_videos]

Great big rainbow! Love it!

[@SunnySideDown916]

Nice! Lots of planted up the river on the major lake from there :) Cheers!

[@travisbruno1988]

Thanks Greg appreciate another cool vid to learn from.. I also bring sardines in hotsauce or mustard with Ritz crackers and beef jerky or slimjims..lol. And i drink ☕coffee all day so a thermos of that.

[@KJVBeliever78]

JJ’s is by far the best dipping dye. But it will build a little pressure and leak when shook too much or in the heat. Keep it secure and standing up. I keep mine in small Tupperware type of container to contain the drips and the spills.

[@TheJacobb46]

Loved it as always even the grind is worth the time and JJs magic is the best I’ve used em all its no.1 chartreuse dye and it ain’t no joke when you spill it on you or on your vessel

[@cjsmith6689]

I've always hoped I'd run into you out there or somewhere else on the delta just to say thanks for the things you've taught me with your videos. Unfortunately I guess it's never going to happen. We are relocating to the Oregon coast here in a few weeks. So I guess I'll just say on here , thank you! Your vids helped me tremendously. The town I'm moving to has an amazing bass lake [ten mile] , hopefully some of the tips and ticks I've picked up from you work up there as well. 🤷‍♂️we shall see.

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Ten Mile often has a troll fishery for adult (and in some years unclipped) adult coho salmon. Never seen anyone fish that in a Yak though. Usually best in November. Also check out the Elk and Sixes rivers for December Chinook. It's wild!

[@cjsmith6689]

@@christophervandenberg4830 hell yea , I've actually been watching some vids on all that . I'm really excited for a change of scenery, but also a bit sad to leave the delta behind. Definitely new adventures to come.. Are you from up there ?

[@christophervandenberg4830]

@@cjsmith6689 I was a seasonal fishery tech for ODFW for about 8 years so I lived and worked on a lot of Oregon Rivers. My wife and I moved to Montana this summer and the high today was 32 F. It's a new adventure but warm water fishing is pretty seasonal here. Are you in Florence or Coos Bay? Take the time to fish the Roque River at Gold Beach in mid August for half pounders and adult summer run steelhead. Also they have VRBO rental houses on the beach that has astounding surf perch fishing at that time too. We're talking 15 inch perch from the beach. One of the things I will miss.

[@cjsmith6689]

@@christophervandenberg4830 damn that's freezing, literally lol.. that's awesome, but dang , hope I can find someone like you up there that can show me some spots and what not. Sounds like I have alot to learn. We bought a place in Charleston pretty much right by the docks. We have a sxs also, so on top of the fishing , can't wait to hit the dunes.

[@NuLor88]

Go get it Greg!!!!

[@stjester]

you grinded that spot like a champ... Thank you for the content.

[@reidbosco1062]

you give us these gifts year round, santa greg!

[@JD-pw6ie]

I’ve found a consistent bite this week in the delta on the KVD squarebill in a craw pattern. Super slow retrieve.

[@hoesluvzae4711]

There shouldn’t even be a dislike button for a Greg Video 😂💯 automatic like only always tuned in with the notifications appreciate the videos bro !

[@jaecubed592]

Of all the things I've learned from your videos todays was the most shocking/informative. I put Franks on my breakfast sandwich every day so why I never thought to do it in a can of tuna is beyond me. Didn't learn much about fishing today but sure learned what I will be doing with my next can of tuna... genius! 😂

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

gamer changer 🤯

[@RyanTriesFishing]

Crazy mixed bad today! Great job Greg! 👍🏻

[@northeastgiants775]

I’ve got a couple reels with that crap on it even dyed a part of a couple rods. That stuff is incredibly Potent. And 💯 works lmao

[@missionfishing91]

thank you Greg

[@williambutler4965]

Good ol’ JJs Magic

[@BillaBong1]

Yup that scent die will do that to your skin. Oh and it always tend to leak. I just switch to a better sealed glass jar. But i can say for sure it helps me catch some fish.

[@randallkirk8370]

For when the bottle of “Spike It” leaks, I carry a bar soap travel container with a bar of Lava soap in it for just those type of incidents. Just a helpful hint from Missouri.

[@norcalxbeast]

Nice content, thanks for the watch.

[@Jhonlegochannel]

Nice kayak fishing friend 👌👍

[@mitchelrhodes5074]

Man I wish I was fishing but gotta work 😭 thanks for sharing brother

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

I knew you had ur fav way of fishing rigged up. The good ole drop shot. Lol.. I tried a drop shot once n haven't thought about it again. Maybe I need to as I've been struggling in swfl. 🎣🇺🇸🎣

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Damn. That stuff leaked...... leading to Greg transitioning to a career of directing airliners where to park during the day and an even more successful gig performing Jazz hands in the clubs of old Sacramento at night.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

😂😂😂

[@fresnocascabel7571]

That JJ's Magic always ends up leaking out and getting on everything.

[@seancase586]

Nice hatchery steelhead

[@FishingWithFred]

Homer Simpson fingers. I've had a bottle of spike it blow up in my back back. Stuff definitely works lol

[@blueheronfishing]

The winter months are the longest of the year. Great fish!

[@DirkDigler209]

I’ll tell you what you had a better day than I have the last four days on the Delta put together I’ve caught three fish in four days it has been so hard I can see the fish I found the fish they are just so tightlipped working a wacky worm so painstakingly slow is the only way I can even get a bite A friend of mine said the Megabass blade bait workin it in 10 foot of water was working pretty well I’ll give that a try anyway congrats on the stellar day for a winter day on the Delta!!

[@OptimizedOutdoors]

That jig is beautiful! Awesome video as always man!!! A trout?!?!?!

[@GreaseMonkeyBassFishing]

Everytime i watch your videos with my daughter and ask her who's that? She always replies "daddy" 🤣 keep your vids coming!

[@lumpiestofcoles3724]

Multi species kinda vid lol I like that and definitely wasn’t expecting you to catch a trout???? Or salmon???? Couldn’t tell I’ve never seen trout with pointy snouts like salmon

[@PythonDad]

Those yellowfin tuna cans that have olive oil in them are pretty good right out of the can. Highly recommend.

[@warrenfarmer4787]

That spike it always leaks all over everything but it works good.

[@thedarkmittetoast7967]

1'13 I think you should change your underspin hook .... 😁

[@bassman4201000]

vision 110 near the main channel. points with grass. looooonnng pauses. like 10 to 30 seconds. I like the discovery bay and orwood marina area. used to have a house on an island near there.

[@upstatefishindad5259]

Greg man, you are an inspiration and I love watching your videos and learning from you. I just got into kayak fishing and you are a huge help. I know you hail from the finger lakes area, myself I'm in Elmira. I would LOVE to link up with you on a trip here to fish. You could do a sweet video of fishing with a follower. Send me a pm, I would love to fish with you man when you come back here. Keep up the good work in Cali and hopefully we can work something out for next summer man

[@jamesh7469]

You should try a Uoze swimmer or other bladed swim jig in the grass, you can even add a frontrunner blade on the line for more flash. Also, a jerkbait on heavier line to keep it shallow just over the grass could be good since you were trying to go slow with the flatside. Would let you go even slower over the tops

[@alexvincent9414]

I also would love to see some big swimbait videos soon maybe??? Would be killer!!!

[@CALIBEAR]

Multiple species fish tacos would have completed this trip! Nice fishing as always Greg! We should make a river run down the Stanislaus when it opens and cfm permits.

[@FishingWithDamon]

Awesome video my videos are starting to get better and I know how much work it takes too make a good quality fishing video like this it ain’t easy and you deserve a pat a n the back!

[@Kurtle001]

YOU ARE THE GOAT

[@NSKINGS420]

Winter Bass Fishing will make you a better fisherman 💯. Really testing, but its so worth it. Good video Greg!

[@tomwalker669]

Abu Garcia stepped up there game eah

[@THEKACK123]

Winter delta the striper bite is on, November to February

[@michaelswickline451]

Keep up the awesome content I use something from you every week

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

Nice bicatch ha stripers and steelhead.

[@brendancart5706]

You ever try a wacky rig sencho on a wacky weedless hook. On the rivers in Louisiana always a awesome go too

[@envyfishing5676]

Love your videos

[@JustLewisNoClark]

One time for some reason I pour some chartreuse dye into a styrofoam cup…… you can imagine the mess

[@dpgw81]

They say it's a 7% chance catching a steelhead in the Ca delta. You got good fortune on your side.

[@williemickbillie]

All fall I’ve been sticking to drop shot mini fluke and rattle trap shad here in SD

[@Justin.Hawkins]

Greg you ever just go out and target smallies during the winter? Live in Washington state and I’ve been having an absolute phenomenal winter just targeting the brown fish. Much more active in the colder water than largies.

[@DoubleBogeyBass]

Every time I use JJ's Magic I get it on my hands and then forget about it when I go to eat a sandwich, I'm not sure what the fish see in it, it definitely doesn't taste good 🤣😂

[@lumpiestofcoles3724]

Last time I went to the aqueduct for some stripers I realized they wanted the tails of my swim bait chartreuse so I went to the car got the bottle and got it all over my hands like you lmao but worse took two days to get the color to go away and the garlic smell lmao