Sturgeon & Striper Fishing in Pittsburg
Private Trip
Full day private sturgeon fishing for up to six guestsTarget prehistoric monster sturgeon in Suisun Bay and Sacramento RiverProfessional charter service with Josie Mac Sportfishing in Pittsburg
Get ready to battle some of California's most legendary fish on this full-day private charter with Josie Mac Sportfishing. We're talking about targeting prehistoric white sturgeon and hard-fighting striped bass in the productive waters of Suisun Bay and the Sacramento River. This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – you'll be going after genuine monsters that can stretch over 6 feet and put up a fight you'll be talking about for years. With space for up to 6 anglers, you've got the perfect setup for a group of buddies or a family outing that'll create some serious bragging rights.
Your day starts early in Pittsburg, where we'll launch into some of the most productive sturgeon and striper waters on the West Coast. The Suisun Bay system and Sacramento River Delta create the perfect storm of conditions these fish love – deep channels, strong currents, and plenty of baitfish. You're looking at a solid 8-hour day on the water, giving us plenty of time to work different spots and adapt to what the fish are telling us. The beauty of this fishery is its consistency – while other spots might be hit or miss, the Sacramento River system has been producing quality catches for decades. We'll be moving around based on tides, current conditions, and where the fish are showing up on the electronics. Don't worry about bringing a crowd – this private charter means it's just your group, so you can fish at your own pace and celebrate those big hookups without strangers looking over your shoulder.
Sturgeon fishing is all about patience and the right presentation. We're primarily bottom fishing with heavy sinkers to get our baits down in the current, using everything from salmon roe to ghost shrimp depending on what's working that day. The tackle needs to be stout – we're talking heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test because when a big sturgeon decides to run, you don't want to be undergunned. For stripers, we'll mix it up between bait fishing and casting lures, especially when we find schools of fish busting on the surface. The key is reading the water and understanding how these fish move with the tides. In the deeper holes of Suisun Bay, sturgeon will stack up during slack tides, while the stripers often work the current breaks and channel edges. Circle hooks are mandatory for sturgeon to protect these amazing fish, and we'll make sure you know how to fight them properly – no yanking or pumping, just steady pressure and let the fish tire itself out.
White sturgeon are the real stars of this show, and for good reason. These prehistoric giants can live over 100 years and grow to massive sizes – we're talking fish that can hit 200+ pounds, though most of what we catch runs between 40-80 pounds. Still plenty big enough to test your tackle and your stamina. Spring and fall are prime times, when they're actively feeding and moving through the system. What makes sturgeon so special is their fight – they're not flashy jumpers, but they've got incredible power and endurance. Once hooked, they'll use the current to their advantage, making long, steady runs that can last 20-30 minutes. The regulations are strict here in California, with most sturgeon being catch-and-release, but getting that photo with a 6-foot dinosaur is worth more than any fish dinner.
Striped bass bring a completely different energy to this trip. These fish are aggressive predators that hit hard and fight dirty, using their powerful shoulders and the current to try and throw your hooks. The Sacramento River system is famous for its striper population, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to trophy class 40+ pounders. Summer and early fall are peak times when they're chasing baitfish in huge schools. What anglers love about stripers is their versatility – one minute you're soaking bait in deep water, the next you're casting topwater plugs to breaking fish. They're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a few within the limits, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill.
This sturgeon and striper combo represents some of the best inshore fishing California has to offer, and Pittsburg's location gives us access to world-class water without the long boat rides you'd face from San Francisco or other bay area ports. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your personal best sturgeon or someone who's never felt the power of these prehistoric fish, this trip delivers the goods. The private charter format means we can cater to your group's experience level and preferences – want to focus purely on sturgeon? We can do that. Prefer to mix it up with some striper action? No problem. With Josie Mac Sportfishing, you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of fishing these waters, plus the peace of mind that comes with a top-rated operation. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when both species are most active.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the perfect complement to our sturgeon trips - these silver rockets with dark horizontal stripes average 20-40 pounds and love structure like bridge pilings and rocky drop-offs. They're anadromous like sturgeon but way more aggressive, hitting bait hard and making blistering runs. We find them year-round in the Delta, but spring and fall are prime when they're feeding heavily near the surface during dawn and dusk. What guests love is the non-stop action and excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're structure-oriented fish, so we focus on areas with current breaks and underwater ledges. Pro tip: use live bait like anchovies or shad, and when they hit, set the hook immediately - no waiting like with sturgeon.
Acipenser TransmontanusThese prehistoric monsters are the biggest freshwater fish in North America, and we regularly see them 4-8 feet long weighing 50-200 pounds in our waters. White sturgeon are bottom feeders that cruise the muddy depths of Suisun Bay and the Sacramento River using their barbels to sense food like shrimp, clams, and small fish. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're most active. What makes them special is the fight - they're ancient, powerful, and can live over 100 years. Plus, they bite incredibly gently, so you'll feel just a soft tap before they commit. Here's the key: when you get that first nibble, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit first, then lean into them hard.
Berkeley, CA