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“On the opposite end,
what looks like an easy meal that’s not going to
when tide’s out, you can still
outrun them.
find shallow squarebill-type
“A finesse worm
water. That’s when you move
shines in the slack water,”
to your riprap banks, which
he said. “At the end of
will have 1-3
the tide, the water slows
feet of water on them, but you’re
PRESENTATION TIP
down; the fish get off that cover and start wandering
cranking rocks instead of grass.
Zaldain said that effective Delta cranking requires that he position
them
around. “It’s hard to find during the slack periods,
That squarebill
his boat right next to the grass
because they’re not restrained by current. So,
shines at ever tide or riprap so he can cast and wind
it’s a lot of fan casting across broad areas.”
level – high, low
parallel to the structure.
and everything in between.”
BONUS BAIT
In addition to his go-to tidal trio, Zaldain also
BAIT - SPINNERBAIT
knows that reaching fish under heavy vegetation can offer a critical piece of the daily puzzle. From rafts
This classic reaction bait is another solid choice
of floating weeds like pennywort and hyacinth, to
when the water’s moving. Zaldain credits the
stationary hydrilla beds, a tungsten weight of 1- to 1
spinnerbait’s twofold attraction.
½-ounces, a punch skirt and a compact creature style
“Let’s say the tide changes from low to high, or low bait often will deliver those kicker fish he needs.
to high, whenever the water starts moving, the flash
“On the California Delta, you do get a lot of
of that spinnerbait give you a nice presentation,” he
canopies under the vegetation and the bass will push
said. “When those fish have to reposition and get in
way up under there where punching is the only way
those little eddies and current breaks, they look out
to reach them,” Zaldain said. “That deal really shines
for anything shiny moving by them and anything with
in the summertime when the fish get up under the
vibration. A spinnerbait provides both of those things.” mats to escape the heat.”
Zaldain lauds the spinnerbait’s versatility: “You
Zaldain points out that he’ll punch matted hydrilla
can fish is shallow over the grass lines all the way
on low tide stages because the stalky vegetation will
down 4-5 feet where you’d slow roll it along the
actually lie over and form their own canopy. On the
bottom edge of the levee or the grass line.
other hand, those floating rafts of pennywort and
“Remember, when the current is moving and the
hyacinth might produce at any tide stage because
fish reposition behind cover, that spinnerbait really
their canopy remains intact at any water level.
shines when you put it in that moving water.”
Good advice from a guy’s who
knows well the Delta’s wily ways.
BAIT – FINESSE WORM
This place defies summation, but if there is one constant, it is change.
But change is good for those
Rigged wacky style, weightless
who embrace a simple principle:
Texas style or on a dropshot, a light
When the water takes away
worm excels on slack tide. Those
one thing, it pays you back with
fast moving baits may get the job
another. Learn the where/when/
done when current stimulates the
how of each tide stage, equip
bass, but during the short windows
yourself with a diverse arsenal
between the end of one cycle and
of baits and take advantage of
the beginning of another, Zaldain will
everything this phenomenal
temp the sluggish bass with easy
fishery offers.
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