AM Charter Trip – 5:00 AM Start | $300 Per Angler
Private Trip
River Fishing
Early 5:00 AM departure targets peak morning fish activityProfessional guide provides premium gear and local expertiseSmall group fishing for Striper, Salmon, Shad, and Trout
Ready to hit Sacramento's waters when the fish are waking up hungry? My AM Charter Trip gets you on the river right at first light – that magical window when stripers are chasing bait schools and salmon are moving through their runs. I'm Richard Lovitt, and I've been guiding these waters for years, watching countless anglers hook into fish they'll talk about for months. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience Sacramento's fishery at its absolute peak, with a guide who knows exactly where to put you when it counts most.
We launch at 5:00 AM sharp – yeah, it's early, but trust me on this timing. The river comes alive at dawn, and we want to be positioned on the best spots when that first light hits the water. You'll be fishing solo with me, which means personal attention from start to finish. No sharing techniques with other anglers or waiting your turn with gear – it's all about maximizing your time with a rod in hand. I provide all the premium tackle you'll need, from fresh bait to properly tuned reels that can handle whatever Sacramento throws at us. We'll move between proven honey holes based on conditions, tides, and what's been producing. Some mornings we're drift fishing for stripers in the deeper channels, other days we're working structure for trout or positioning for salmon runs. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if the bite is hot in one spot, we stay put. If we need to cover water to find active fish, we're mobile and ready to adapt.
My approach depends entirely on what's running and where the baitfish are holding. For stripers, we'll often drift with live or fresh-cut bait through the main channel, letting the current do the work while we stay ready for those crushing takes. When salmon are moving, it's about reading the water and positioning in their travel lanes – sometimes that means anchoring in strategic spots, other times we're trolling to cover more ground. The Sacramento system offers diverse structure from rocky points to sandy flats, and I know which areas produce best for each target species. My boat is rigged with quality electronics to mark fish and structure, but nothing beats local knowledge when it comes to seasonal patterns and daily movements. I carry everything from light spinning gear for trout to heavy tackle for big stripers – we match the setup to the conditions and your comfort level. Don't worry if you're not familiar with certain techniques; part of what makes these trips special is learning new approaches that you can use long after our day together.
Shad might not get the respect of other gamefish, but they're absolute dynamite on light tackle and show up in massive schools during their spawning runs. These silver bullets typically range from 1-3 pounds and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Peak shad season runs late winter through early summer, and they're fantastic for anglers who want consistent action and great table fare. The key is finding their staging areas and matching their feeding mood – some days they want flashy lures, other days simple jigs do the trick.
Striped Bass are the kings of Sacramento waters, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked. They're most active during dawn and dusk feeding periods, which makes our early start perfect timing. Stripers are structure-oriented and follow baitfish, so we're constantly reading the water for signs of feeding activity. What makes them special is their unpredictability – one minute you're battling a schoolie, the next you're locked up with a trophy that tests every knot and technique you know.
Lake Trout in the Sacramento system offer a different kind of challenge, often holding in deeper, cooler water and requiring precise presentation. These fish can range from pan-sized to hefty 5-10 pounders, and they're incredibly sensitive to water temperature and oxygen levels. They're most cooperative during cooler months and early morning periods when they move into shallower feeding zones. What trout anglers love is the technical aspect – reading subtle takes, adjusting depth, and the rewarding fight of a fish that knows how to use current to its advantage.
Chum Salmon bring serious power to the table when they're running through Sacramento waters. These fish are built for long ocean journeys, so when you hook one, expect a battle that tests your stamina and drag system. Peak chum runs typically happen in fall, and they can weigh anywhere from 8-15 pounds of pure muscle. What makes targeting chums exciting is their aggressive nature during spawning runs – they'll hit lures and baits with authority, and once hooked, they make powerful runs that get your heart pumping. The key is being ready when they move through, because these opportunities don't last long.
Sacramento's morning bite is legendary among serious anglers, and there's a reason guides like me stay booked solid during prime seasons. This AM charter puts you on fish when they're most active, with personal instruction and access to spots that produce year after year. At $300 for a private trip, you're getting premium guiding at a fair price – no splitting time, no compromising on techniques, just focused fishing with someone who lives and breathes these waters. The early start might seem tough, but I guarantee you'll forget all about the alarm clock once that first fish bends your rod. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target a specific species, or just want to fish with someone who knows where they're biting, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing windows fill up fast, and I'd hate for you to miss out on what could be your best day on Sacramento waters this season.
Richard Lovitt's motorboat gets you right where the fish are biting during those prime early morning hours on Sacramento waters. This nimble fishing machine cuts through the river smoothly while keeping noise down - perfect for sneaking up on feeding Stripers and Salmon without spooking them. The boat handles Sacramento's varying water conditions like a champ, from deeper channels where big fish cruise to shallower spots where Shad school up. Built for serious angling, it's equipped with everything you need to make the most of that golden 5 AM launch time when the water's calm and fish are actively feeding. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies.
Oncorhynchus KetaChum salmon are underrated fighters that average 24 inches and 10-20 pounds, transforming from silver ocean fish to olive-green spawners with distinctive vertical bars during their river run. These anadromous fish make epic migrations up to 2,000 miles, hitting our waters during fall spawning runs. They prefer depths of 15-40 feet in the ocean but move into river systems when conditions are right. What makes chums exciting is their aggressive nature once hooked - they'll give you a serious battle on appropriate tackle. The meat is excellent when fresh from saltwater. Fall is your best bet when they're staging before spawning. The secret is sight fishing to schools with chartreuse or pink flies, but don't cast right into the group or you'll spook them. Cast a few feet off the edge and let your offering drift naturally into the strike zone.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the heavyweights of the char family, typically running 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds in our deeper, colder waters. These grey-green giants with cream-colored spots prefer the deepest, coldest sections of lakes with high oxygen levels. They suspend in mid-water or hug the bottom in 50+ feet during summer months. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallower, but overcast days and low-light conditions are always better regardless of season. Anglers love them for the deep-water battle and excellent eating quality. These fish grow slow and live long, making each one special. The trick is vertical jigging with paddle-tail swimbaits or jigging spoons right off the bottom in the deepest holes. Keep your bait moving with a lift-and-drop action to mimic wounded baitfish - that's what triggers their predatory instincts.
Alosa SapidissimaAmerican shad are silver schooling fish that run up the Sacramento River system during spring spawning season. These fish typically measure 20-24 inches and weigh 3-5 pounds, with females running larger than males. They're anadromous, spending most of their lives in the ocean before heading upstream to spawn. April and May are prime time when they push into our rivers, hugging shorelines to avoid strong currents. Guests love targeting shad because they're scrappy fighters on light tackle and make excellent table fare - both the meat and roe are prized. The key is fishing near structure along the banks where current breaks, using small bright jigs or flies. White or yellow with red heads work best. Use a lightweight spinning rod and cast within 30 feet of shore where the current isn't too heavy.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are structure-loving predators that cruise Sacramento's waters year-round, averaging 20-40 pounds with those distinctive dark stripes along their silver sides. You'll find them around drop-offs, rock piles, and current breaks, often suspended mid-water or working shallow flats during dawn and dusk feeding periods. They're most active in cooler months but can be caught any season if you know where to look. What makes stripers special is their powerful fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Plus, they're top-notch eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The early morning bite is phenomenal, especially around moving water. My go-to tip: watch for birds working the surface - that usually means baitfish getting pushed up by feeding stripers below. Live bait like sardines or anchovies near structure is hard to beat.
undefined, undefined