With the start of the new year, another cycle begins anew that is eagerly awaited by sport anglers. Forming a vital food base like our anchovies, herring migrate into the bay. First they come in small unpredictable spurts, but once the buildup gets too big for the dam to hold back, huge schools of these shiny fish flood the shallows to spawn.
Herring spawn throughout much of the bay system during the winter season, and this act of procreation itself feeds numerous marine predators. As the male and female herring crowd the shallows, and then release their milt and their sticky eggs, these oily protein rich fish are vulnerable to seal lions, harbor seals, sharks and marine birds.
The spawning cycle is a unique event when you realize it still takes place at our urban doorstep, and if you’re lucky enough to be on the scene, the water will be discolored a murky white from spawning activity, and the scent can be strong enough to be picked up by the human nose. At the same time you can see the flashing silver glints of amorous fish.
If you can smell the scent of spawn yourself, imagine what it does to the taste buds of a hungry white sturgeon. Once the aftermath of spawn and its distinctive scent is wafted out into the bay currents, depending on the location, within a matter of hours to a few days, the white sturgeon via its keen sense of smell is directed to the food site.
Shallow Water Bonanza
What makes the spawns so exciting to fish is that they attract relatively large numbers of the ancient diamond backs and the quality encountered can often be trophy size. And anytime you contest the outcome in the shallows, the white sturgeon does not throw in the towel easily. If anything, you can expect a knock down drag out brawl, and that means burning off some calories.
Study The Tide Book
I can’t think of a more enjoyable way of shedding extra calories and fat, but to get into a meaningful workout with a cagey bay sturgeon, you need to study the tide book closely, and then do some extensive scouting for the right sign.
The Game Book
Like a coach analyzing his game book for the best play, the sport angler should study the tide book closely for the best tides likely to induce herring spawns. In most cases, herring prefer to spawn during big high tides of 5.0 and better. Study the book, and once you see when a series of big high tides are occurring, that’s the period to begin scouting respective areas.
What To Look For
Prior to actual spawning, herring will begin staging in shallow water in large numbers. Classic physical sign that would indicate this can include: sea lions in the immediate area along with diving cormorants, pelicans and sea gulls. You can even smell a strong fragrant scent over the water.
Also your depth finder will show suspended clouds or if the herring schools are especially heavy, the screen picture nearly blacks out. Obviously when you’re getting these type of readings, it’s a spot that has excellent potential. These schools will travel up and down the shoreline in the effected zone. If the high tides should be occurring early in the morning, or late afternoon, the spawning if it does take place seems to coincide more readily during these time frames.
Obtaining Bait
Should you be lucky enough to be on the spawning site, and whether you’re working from shore or boat, now is the time to load up on fresh bait. If you know how to cast a Hawaiian throw net, by all means use it. There is no limit on the amount of herring you can take. Don’t fret though if you can’t obtain the local stuff. I’ve done very well using frozen tray herring.
Traditional Spawning Zones
In recent years, the south bay below the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge has been more consistent in hosting the herring spawns, and as a consequence, the sturgeon action has been fairly consistent. If you live on the east bay side, the Alameda Rock Wall, Bay Farm Island, the Oakland Airport and outside San Leandro feature a floor plan of hard shell banks and eel grass, the type of bedding spawning herring seek. To the west side Hunters Point, Candlestick Point and south to Oyster Point will also host spawns. Continuing south, the spawns can take place on the flats from Burlingame to Coyote Point. South of Coyote Point, herring spawns rarely take place.
Tackle
Spawn fed sturgeon can get fussy on the pickup, and for that reason I favor an outfit that can feel every little tick, but at the same time is trigger quick on the strike. My favorite outfit is a one-piece seven-foot trigger stick matched with Penn’s 975 reel. The effectiveness of this outfit is further enhanced with 50 lb Western Filament Spectra or Izorline Braid. I can never over emphasize the superior properties of braid, and why they are a perfect match for sturgeon fishing. The braids feature minimal stretch, and thin diameter, giving an angler a sensitive feel for the bite regardless of the depth, and when you set the hook the response is immediate.
Leaders
The less hardware you use ensures a more natural presentation of the bait hence you’ll get more bites. My favorite leader system is comprised of 2-1/2 feet of 60 lb test Sevenstrand plastic coated wire. It’s strong enough to hold unruly customers, yet because of its supple feel, fussy fish will not reject the bait on the pickup. To rig the leader I’ll form a small open loop at one end and add two 7/0 Owner SSW hooks facing in opposite directions and separated by a 5 mm bead. These are secured into place with an A-5 sleeve and crimping tool. On the opposite end I crimp a 1/0 barrel swivel.
To complete the rigging a sliding sinker sleeve is slipped onto the braid line. The line is then connected to the swivel on the leader. Finally, your weight is connected to the snap on the sinker sleeve. The completed system is simple, it allows a feeding fish to take the bait in and feel no resistance as the line is allowed to move freely through the sleeve. Hence, the name sliding rig.
Weight
Conditions will vary throughout the bay, and for that reason bring sinkers from 3 to 10 ounces. On what style to use, I would recommend the cannon ball or pyramid style.
Bait
In the past I used herring roe exclusively, but it’s been a long time when I’ve seen a spawn thick enough to peel eggs off rocks or pilings. For that reason I now use herring. If you can get the fresh local stuff that’s great, but if not the tray herring will do in a pinch.
Some folks like to use whole herring, but my feeling about this is that if the fish are picky which happens often, they may not take the whole bait in, thus you may not get the chance to bury the hook. Myself I’ve done very well just putting on a couple of small chunks per hook, and then spicing it with Pro Cure concentrated herring scent.
Best Tides
Sturgeon entering a spawned laced shoreline will feed on both sides of the tide, but weaker tides tend to be better. I know everybody talks about strong tides as being the best, but that’s more so on stretches of flat minus any spawn. When you’re dealing with spawns the food is abundant and readily available, and so you don’t need strong tides to trigger a feeding response with arriving sturgeon.
However, I will say this. The early morning tides tend to be better, especially when light is just hitting the water. The sturgeon can be highly active at this period when grazing in the spawns, and fishing pressure is lighter.
Making The Checkmate
As arriving sturgeon enter the feeding zone, they tend to bunch up along developing current lines or eddies. They will also congregate along the down current seams that develop behind pilings, piers or some point, or a transition zone where the bottoms begins to drop gradually. Use your depth finder, and if you begin to meter steady marks of moving fish, quietly anchor on that lane. Be aware that a lot of these new arriving fish will be cruising well off the bottom. But don’t worry. There will be feeders below them that will eventually come by. The main thing to keep in perspective is that you’re on top of a busy travel lane that of course gives one more chances to hookup.
Watch For Jumpers
You can also setup on an active lane by watching for jumpers. If you see a stretch that is being bombarded by jumpers, which again can be taking place along a current seam, slowly ease the boat in and drop anchor. This jumping activity if you take note, may also be more prevalent in a quiet stretch that has minimal boating traffic or activity.
If you play your cards right, and you are one of the first boats on the scene, it doesn’t take long to get a hookup. Good luck!
Hi’s Tackle Box
If you’ve got the itch to do battle with a sturgeon, but don’t have a clue on how to set up properly drop by Hi’s Tackle Box in San Francisco. Their experienced staff can select the proper reels, rods and line, and they’ll be happy to show you how to make a first rate sturgeon leader. Call Hi’s at 415-221-3825.
—————————————————————-
Hi’s Tackle Box Retail Store Phone: 1-415-221-3825
Retail Store Address: 3141 Clement St; San Francisco 94121 | Google Map
Online Sales/Auction Sales Toll Free: 1-800-737-5181
eBay Auction ID: HisTackleBox
Retail Store Hours:
Monday/Friday: 9AM - 6PM PST - Saturday: 9AM - 5PM PST - Sunday: Closed
Shop Online Anytime!
Hi’s Tackle Box: Fishing Gear; Rods, Reels, Lures,Line, Accessories:
www.HisTackleBoxShop.com
—————————————————————-
