Full Day Guided Sea Trout and Bass Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eight-hour guided fishing targeting bass, trout, salmon, and striperProfessional instruction on Sacramento River and Lake Maryssa watersSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Ready to spend a full day chasing some of Northern California's best fish? This 8-hour guided trip with Nor Cal Fish Hounds puts you right in the heart of prime fishing country, whether we're working the Sacramento River or hitting Lake Maryssa. You'll be targeting striped bass and sea trout with a guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. We keep it intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you get plenty of one-on-one instruction and won't be fighting for prime spots on the boat. Pack your sense of adventure and leave the tackle worries to us – this is going to be a day you'll be talking about for years.
Your day starts early when we meet at the launch, and from there it's all about putting you on fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we'll either cruise the Sacramento River's legendary runs or explore the varied structure around Lake Maryssa. The Sacramento gives us access to some world-class striper water, especially during the fall and spring runs when these fish are absolutely fired up. Lake Maryssa offers a different kind of action with its drop-offs, points, and submerged timber that hold quality bass and trout year-round. You'll spend 8 solid hours learning the water, rotating through different techniques, and hopefully filling the cooler. Don't worry if you're new to this – I'll have you casting like a pro and reading water by lunch time. Experienced anglers love these trips because we can really dial in on advanced techniques and hit spots that only locals know about.
We'll be switching up our approach throughout the day based on what the fish are telling us. For stripers, we might start with live bait presentations using anchovies or sardines, then transition to trolling with deep-diving plugs if we need to cover water and locate schools. When the bite gets hot, we'll break out the casting gear and work topwater plugs or soft plastics around structure. Sea trout respond well to smaller presentations – think spoons, spinners, and drift fishing with salmon eggs or PowerBait in the right conditions. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, and I keep everything in top condition with quality gear that can handle these fish. You're welcome to bring your own setup if you have favorites, but my boat is fully rigged with downriggers, fish finders, and everything else we need to put you on fish. I'll teach you how to read the electronics, understand what the fish are doing at different depths, and adjust your presentation accordingly.
The striped bass action has been phenomenal this year, with fish ranging from scrappy 18-inchers that fight like they're twice the size up to legitimate 30+ pound bruisers that'll test your drag and your patience. These fish are incredibly strong and make blistering runs that'll have your heart pounding. Peak striper season runs from late fall through early spring when they're following bait schools, but we catch them consistently throughout most of the year. The sea trout fishing offers a completely different experience – these fish are absolute rockets when hooked and known for spectacular jumps. Most of our sea trout run between 2-5 pounds, but don't let the size fool you. Pound for pound, they might be the hardest fighting fish in these waters. They're most active during cooler months and early morning or evening hours when the water temperature is just right. What makes this fishery special is the variety – you never know if your next bite is going to be a hard-charging striper or an acrobatic sea trout, and that keeps things exciting all day long.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Northern California fishing, and for good reason. These fish are built for power with their streamlined bodies and massive shoulders. They're aggressive predators that school up and feed heavily on baitfish, which makes them incredibly fun to target. During peak feeding times, you'll see them crash bait on the surface in feeding frenzies that look like underwater explosions. The best action typically happens during the cooler months from October through March, but we catch them year-round. What anglers love most is their fighting ability – a good striper will make multiple runs, test your drag, and keep you wondering who's really in control until it's in the net.
Sea trout bring a completely different energy to the day with their spectacular aerial displays and lightning-fast runs. These fish are incredibly athletic and known for jumping repeatedly when hooked, often throwing the hook if you don't keep steady pressure. They prefer cooler water temperatures and are most active during the fall and winter months, though we catch them throughout the year in deeper water. Sea trout are also excellent table fare, which makes them a customer favorite for anglers who like to take a few home for dinner. They typically range from 2-6 pounds in our waters, but their fighting ability makes them feel much larger. The key to consistent success is matching your presentation to their mood – sometimes they want fast-moving lures, other times they prefer a subtle drift bait presentation.
This 8-hour guided trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Northern California fishing has to offer. You'll learn techniques that work in these specific waters, get the inside scoop on seasonal patterns, and hopefully land some fish that'll make for great photos and even better stories. The small group size means personalized instruction whether you're just getting started or looking to fine-tune your skills on these species. With access to both river and lake fishing depending on conditions, we can always find productive water no matter what Mother Nature throws at us. These full-day trips book up quickly, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting out there. Give us a call and let's get your Northern California fishing adventure on the calendar – the fish are waiting and so am I.
This 21-foot Jetcraft is built for serious fishing on Northern California's waters. With a powerful 280HP Windsor engine pushing you up to 40 mph, you'll cover more water and reach those prime fishing spots fast. The boat handles like a dream whether you're drifting the Sacramento River's channels for stripers or working Lake Maryssa's structure for bass. Its stable platform gives you solid footing when fighting fish, and there's plenty of room to move around without tangling lines. The shallow-draft design lets you access those back-water pockets where the big trout like to hide. Perfect for two anglers who want to fish hard without feeling cramped – you'll have space for all your gear and room to work different techniques throughout the day.
Salmo TruttaSea trout are real gems in Northern California waters, especially here on the Sacramento system. These sleek, spotted beauties usually run 14-24 inches and pack a solid fight for their size. They're anadromous, moving between salt and fresh water, which gives them that bright silver coloring and aggressive attitude. You'll find them in deeper pools and current seams, particularly where cooler water flows in. Fall and winter are best when they're feeding heavily before spawning. What anglers love is their willingness to hit lures and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to tip: use smaller presentations than you think. A 1/8 oz jig with a soft plastic tail worked slowly through the deeper holes often outproduces bigger baits.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are some of the most exciting fish you'll encounter on these waters. These silver rockets with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've landed some real monsters pushing 50+. They're structure-oriented fish, so we'll find them around drop-offs, rocky points, and current breaks along the Sacramento River. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special is that fierce fight - they'll make long runs and really test your drag. Plus, they're absolutely delicious eating with sweet, firm white meat. Here's a local trick: when you see birds working the surface, get your lines in fast. Stripers are probably pushing bait up from below, and that's when the action gets wild.
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