Top-Rated Striped Bass Fishing on Sacramento River

Reel in Monster Stripers on the Sacramento River

Ready for some of the best striper action California has to offer? Fryesfishing in Colusa is your ticket to epic battles with hard-fighting striped bass on the mighty Sacramento River. Our seasoned guides know exactly where the big ones are hiding, and we've got all the gear you need to land a trophy. Whether you're a seasoned striper fanatic or looking to tangle with these silver-sided bruisers for the first time, our trips are guaranteed to get your heart pounding and your drag screaming.

Trip Overview

Join us on the Sacramento River from March 15th through May 24th for prime striper season. We'll cruise the productive waters near Colusa, hitting proven hotspots where stripers stack up. Our comfortable boats are fully rigged with top-notch equipment, so all you need to bring is your fishing license, some grub, and a cooler for your catch. With room for two anglers per trip, you'll get plenty of personalized attention from your guide. We'll show you the ropes if you're new to striper fishing, or help experienced anglers dial in their technique for maximum success. Expect a full day on the water, typically launching at first light to capitalize on the early bite.

What to Expect on the Water

Striper fishing on the Sacramento is an adrenaline-pumping mix of finesse and brute force. We'll employ a variety of techniques depending on conditions, from slow-trolling live bait to casting big swimbaits or working current seams with cut bait. Your guide will read the river, looking for telltale signs like boiling bait or subtle changes in depth that hold fish. When a striper hits, hang on tight! These powerful fish are known for blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. We provide all the gear you'll need, including sturdy rods, quality reels spooled with heavy line, and an assortment of proven lures and bait. Our boats are set up for comfort and efficiency, with ample deck space and reliable electronics to put you on the fish.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

The Sacramento River striper fishery is world-class, drawing anglers from across the country. Our stretch near Colusa offers the perfect mix of scenery and productivity. You'll be surrounded by lush riparian habitat, with a good chance of spotting wildlife like ospreys, otters, and even the occasional bald eagle. But it's the fish that keep folks coming back year after year. The average keeper striper here runs 5-15 pounds, with bigger fish in the 20-30 pound range not uncommon. Land one of these bruisers, and you'll be hooked for life. The camaraderie on our trips is second to none – swap fish stories, learn new techniques, and share in the excitement when someone hooks up. Many of our clients become regulars, booking multiple trips each season to scratch that striper itch.

Species You'll Want to Hook

While we're laser-focused on striped bass during these trips, it's worth knowing a bit more about these awesome gamefish. Stripers in the Sacramento River are anadromous, meaning they split time between freshwater and the ocean. They typically spawn in the river from April to June, which coincides with our prime fishing season. These fish are voracious predators, often found in schools chasing bait like shad and small pikeminnow. A hooked striper will test your gear and your skills with powerful runs, head shakes, and even acrobatic leaps.

Striped bass can grow to impressive sizes in the Sacramento system. While most keepers range from 18-30 inches, trophy fish pushing 40 inches and 30+ pounds are caught each year. The current California state record stands at a whopping 67 pounds, 8 ounces – so there's always the chance of hooking into a true monster. Stripers have a distinctive appearance with dark horizontal lines running along their silver sides. They have a voracious appetite and will hit a variety of baits and lures, making them a blast to target with different techniques.

One of the coolest things about stripers is their ability to hunt in packs. When you find a school of actively feeding fish, the action can be non-stop. There's nothing quite like seeing the water erupt with boiling stripers as they chase bait to the surface. It's the kind of heart-pounding fishing that keeps you coming back for more.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to tangle with some hard-fighting Sacramento River stripers, now's the time to lock in your trip. Our calendar fills up fast during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your preferred dates. Remember, we've got all the gear and know-how – all you need to bring is your fishing license and a good attitude. Whether you're a striper fishing veteran or looking to check this awesome species off your bucket list, our trips offer the perfect mix of action, scenery, and expert guidance. Give us a call or shoot us an email to start planning your Sacramento River striper adventure. Trust us, once you feel that first big hit and the screaming run that follows, you'll be planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock!