Delta fishing?

[JustJames]

My wife and friends gonna be going to Delta river and need some insight fishing spot. We are gonna be staying at Tower Park in Lodi. In the whole group only two have some experience, the less is not so much like my wife. Those will be bait and wait type I guess. I’m not sure if I should target crappie, bass or stripers. I’m not gonna bring a lot of setup just a few so need info and some good spot. 
We will only have a pontoon boat and ski boat, no fishing boat no fish finder. So I guess fishing from boat is out.

[camman]

If they are more the bait and wait, go for stripers.  A lot of people will fish cut anchovies for stripers or catfish.  If you want to explore you can take a short drive in the boat to Franks Tract, Mandeville, or Mildred Island area.  On the way stop at any good looking spots which will be a ton.  I don’t really use my fish finder that much unless I’m trying to find bait balls or stripers.  The one thing with the delta is current.  Pay attention to the tides as water movement is key for the bite.  The frog bite and punch bite are doing really well now.  I also always do well using a Crankbait or chatterbait on the rip-rap.

[Caliyak]

Camman said it best.

Chatterbait, frog, punch, flip and pitch in the tullies. Topwater with buzz, whopper plopper and frog again. and the money maker, wacky senko in the tullies, docks and any cover. Keep it simple to these 3-4 techniques. 

Tide is key at the Delta. 

[JustJames]

I think we are gonna stay and fish around Tower Park marina. This is a short trip only 3 days and I’m not hoping to get to fish much. It mostly my wife and her friend trip. I think I’m gonna pack only a few, one for crappie, one for bass and one for my wife catfish/striper.  I might be able to sneak out at night or early morning bites.

[Caliyak]

On 6/26/2020 at 1:31 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I think we are gonna stay and fish around Tower Park marina. This is a short trip only 3 days and I’m not hoping to get to fish much. It mostly my wife and her friend trip. I think I’m gonna pack only a few, one for crappie, one for bass and one for my wife catfish/striper.  I might be able to sneak out at night or early morning bites.

Full moon this 4th of July so night fishing or early morning fishing will probably be best. Just heard that the boat traffic will be insane on the delta. So, head up on the boaters. have fun and hope you hook into a dirty D big girl. 

[camman]

The Delta gets crazy on the holidays, I always avoid it.  If you get out and fish...go early

[WRB]

Hwy 12 crosses the delta from Lodi to the Sacramento River over Rio Vista bridge. The Mokelumne River is before the bridge and potato slough is close to the hwy 12 and 8 mile slough as I recall, both a good. Frank's tract is south of hwy 12 and a top bass fishing area.

I don't recall where Tower Park is located? The Delta is tidal water meaning the water level raises and falls about 3' and the bass relate to water movements, like the river system it is. The mouth of sloughs on incoming and outgoing tides are prime locations.

Look for transition areas where levee rocky areas meets tullie or tulie mats. You best bet is using jigs in dark colors.

Tom

 

PS, boating on the Delta can be dangerous! Make sure you have a GPS map on your phone, it's easy to get lost!