Sturgeon/Striper Trip - Pittsburg, California
Private Trip
Full day sturgeon fishing in Suisun Bay and Sacramento RiverPrivate charter accommodates up to 6 guests for exclusive experienceTarget prehistoric monster sturgeon with professional Josie Mac Sportfishing
When you're looking for some serious action on the water, there's nothing quite like targeting the prehistoric giants that cruise the Suisun Bay and Sacramento River. This full-day private charter takes you straight into prime sturgeon and striped bass territory around Pittsburg, California, where these fish have been thriving for decades. You'll get the boat to yourself, which means personalized attention, flexible timing, and the freedom to stay on the fish when they're biting hot. Captain Josie Mac knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's been putting anglers on trophy sturgeon and hard-fighting stripers year after year.
Your day starts early at the Pittsburg Marina, where you'll meet Captain Josie Mac and get the rundown on conditions and game plan. The boat is rigged and ready with heavy tackle designed specifically for these monster fish - we're talking about sturgeon that can push 8 feet and weigh over 200 pounds. The Delta's brackish waters create the perfect environment where these ancient fish feed heavily, especially during incoming tides when baitfish get pushed around. You'll be fishing private waters with up to 6 people, so there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets their fair share of rod time. The captain provides all the specialized gear, from the heavy circle hooks to the pyramid sinkers that keep your bait planted on the bottom where these fish cruise and feed.
Sturgeon fishing is all about patience and the right presentation. You'll be bottom fishing with heavy sinkers - usually 6 to 12 ounces depending on current - and fresh bait like salmon roe, ghost shrimp, or cut sardines. The key is keeping your bait right on the deck where sturgeon nose around looking for an easy meal. When a big sturgeon picks up your bait, you'll know it - the rod tip starts bouncing, then loads up as the fish moves off. Setting the hook is crucial with circle hooks, and Captain Josie Mac will walk you through the technique if you're new to targeting these giants. For stripers, we'll switch up tactics depending on what's working - live bait like anchovies or sardines when they're schooled up, or trolling with swimbaits when they're scattered and chasing baitfish.
White Sturgeon are the main attraction here, and for good reason. These prehistoric monsters can live over 100 years and grow massive in the nutrient-rich Delta waters. Spring and fall are prime time when they move into the shallows to feed heavily before and after spawning season. A typical keeper sturgeon runs 40-60 inches, but the real trophies can push 6-8 feet and fight like freight trains. What makes sturgeon fishing so addictive is the anticipation - you might sit for an hour without a bite, then suddenly have multiple rods bent over with fish that'll test your tackle and your patience. The fight is unlike anything else in freshwater - long, powerful runs that can peel line off your reel for minutes at a time.
Striped Bass bring a completely different energy to the trip. These silver rockets are pure aggression when they're feeding, often hitting baits with explosive strikes that'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands. The Delta's stripers typically run 18-30 inches, with the occasional cow pushing 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They're most active during moving tides when they ambush baitfish along drop-offs and channel edges. Unlike the methodical fight of a sturgeon, stripers are all about speed and aerial acrobatics - expect multiple jumps and blistering runs that'll get your heart pumping. Fall months are peak season when schools of stripers gorge themselves on migrating salmon smolts and anchovies.
This top-rated private charter fills up fast, especially during prime sturgeon season from March through June and again in the fall. Having the boat to yourself means you can focus on learning techniques, spend extra time on productive spots, and really dial in on what these fish want. Captain Josie Mac's local knowledge and years of experience fishing the Suisun Bay and Sacramento River system give you the best shot at hooking into these legendary California fish. Whether you're after your first keeper sturgeon or chasing a personal best striper, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep anglers coming back season after season.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the perfect complement to our sturgeon trips. These silver bullets with dark horizontal stripes typically run 5-15 pounds in our area, though bigger ones cruise through. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around drop-offs, rocky points, and current breaks in the bay. Spring and fall fishing is prime when they're actively feeding, but summer evenings can be fantastic too. What makes them fun is their aggressive strike and strong fight - they'll make multiple runs and aren't giving up easy. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Local tip: watch for birds working the surface. When you see diving action, cast to the edges of the feeding frenzy, not right into the middle.
Acipenser TransmontanusThese prehistoric giants are what make our trips special. White sturgeon can live over 100 years and grow massive - we've seen fish pushing 8-10 feet in our waters. They're bottom feeders with no teeth, using their barbels to feel around for clams, shrimp, and small fish in the muddy channels. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, especially when they move into the Sacramento River system to feed. What guests love is the fight - these fish are pure power once hooked. The meat is firm and tasty too. Here's the key: sturgeon bite incredibly light for their size. When you feel that gentle tap, resist the urge to set the hook hard. Let them take it and run first, then lean into them.
Berkeley, CA