Delta water holds steady as fall bite settles in

What's biting

What's next

Stable water temperatures in the low 60s suggest the next few days should look much like today. If the trend holds, the best action should come in low light, at dawn and the last hour before dark, when baitfish move shallow and predators follow.

With the waxing gibbous moon, expect brighter nights and good visibility early in the evening. Moving water around the 2,530 cfs reading is worth targeting: fish current breaks, points and seams where bait gets pushed.

Plan for a swimbait and jerkbait rotation. Per Tactical Bassin, adding a blade to a paddle tail brings flash and vibration when bass are chasing baitfish, while a jerkbait works when fish are less committed. Fish Striped Bass with larger swimbaits or glide baits where bait is stacked up, and keep moving until you find active schools.

Context

Late October in the Delta typically sits in the fall transition. Water has cooled from summer highs but remains well above winter lows, so bass and Striped Bass are generally still feeding aggressively ahead of colder weather. This is often a productive stretch, with fewer boats on the water than in summer. Fish tend to follow baitfish into creeks, channels and backwaters, so mobile search tactics usually pay off. Check current state regulations before harvesting.