Sturgeon/Striper Trip - Pittsburg, California
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques & Tackle
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.
Target Species
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.
Time to Book Your Spot
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.