They’re at it again! The water mongers down south are trying completely turn California into a fishless desert. This time around, the target is striped bass. Another Assembly bill (AB 2336) has been introduced into the California legislature that would de-list stripers as sportfish, opening them up to anarchy-style fishing in which there would be no bag or size limits.
It’s basically a striper eradication plan by the water users in Fresno…they’re claiming that striped bass are the reason the salmon collapse has occurred…which, of course, is just to divert attention from the fact that the massive water exports are really one of the main causes. And if this passes, guess what’s next? Other non-native species like largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, etc.
Here’s where you can help! There will be a hearing at the State Capitol Tuesday, April 13 in Room 437 at 9AM and we’re encouraging everybody who fishes for stripers to come out and show your support. [click to continue…]
Big fish photo scout, Clinton Bailey, sent in this photo of our ol’ pal, Tony Koregelos with a 21-pound striper he caught in early January on the California Delta with a white swimbait. T.K.’s no stranger to catching big fish…the only difference with this one was he actually was targeting stripers this time around. Long story…
Anyway, for his efforts, Tony is entered into our January Hawg of the Month Contest. To enter your hawg, click HERE
In a great show of solidarity, fisheries groups, biologists and conservation organizations from across California showed up in force at the State Capitol on Tuesday to help shoot down the dangerous anti-striper legislation, Assembly Bill 1253.
Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) introduced AB 1253 in the California legislature, declaring war on striped bass and proposing to remove all gamefish restrictions. If passed in its original state, AB 1253 would have removed all harvest restrictions, allowing unlimited take of striped bass (of any size) statewide, even by commercial methods such as netting. The bill would have even allowed sale of harvested fish. With a market already well established – as evidenced by the illegal poaching arrests that occur every few months – this lack of protection would have surely meant the demise of this prized (legally-introduced) game fish. [click to continue…]
Striper fishing in California’s Central Valley can be an emotional roller coaster at times. The highs can be so sweet, but then the lows can come outta nowehere and kick ya to the curb. Unlike other anadramous species like salmon that pretty much head one direction — upriver — stripers can disappear overnight and you’re never sure if they went up or down.
Here’s a glimpse of the beauty of striper fishing…the chaos, excitement and, in this case, family bonding, from a recent trip of mine…
If you value striper fishing in California, you’re going to have to act quickly because assemblywoman Jean Fuller, (R) Bakersfield, wants them dead!
Fuller introduced AB 1253 to take game fish status away from California’s striped bass.
AB 1253 will remove all protections that striped bass currently enjoy and will allow unlimited harvest in all waters, fresh or salt, throughout the entire state. Even commercial harvest of striped bass will be legal if this bill becomes law. And guess what, largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, brown trout, brook trout, mackinaw, kokanee are next on the list!
2) Comment on AB1253 at CA STATE ASSEMBLY (Just type “1253″ in the bill number box and “Fuller” in the “Author/Text” field.
30 Attend the rally. The Assembly Bill AB 1253 Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at 8:00 am at the California State Capital Building and we need a STRONG showing of anglers!
So, what’s the best color for a swimbait for striper fishing? Well, here’s our no-frills, super-easy to follow, at a glance guide!
Keep ‘er simple, that’s what I say! In general, go more subtle in clear water/sunny conditions and brighten everything up on dark days or in murky water.
Reilly and I snuck down to the Delta for one last fishin’ mission Dec. 30 to round out the year and we came away with a handful of stripers, including this nice one I got on a popper right at sunset.
Barring any unforeseen trips on the 31st, this striper has the honor of being my last fish of the 2008 campaign. The year definitely had its ups and downs with the salmon closure and all, but I still had a great 2008. Here’s a quick photo tour of my year on the water… [click to continue…]
Reformed salmon angler Tony Koregelos of Sacramento, CA shows off a chrome 20-pound Chinook salmon that ate a swimbait intended for striped bass in the California Delta. [click to continue…]
In a great show of solidarity, fisheries groups, biologists and conservation organizations from across California showed up in force at the State Capitol on Tuesday to help shoot down the dangerous anti-striper legislation, Assembly Bill 1253.
If you value striper fishing in California, you’re going to have to act quickly because assemblywoman Jean Fuller, (R) Bakersfield, wants them dead!
