The Meandering Angler: Get thee to Sacramento

There’s still time to drive to Sacramento to take in the annual International Sportsmen’s Expo, which runs through Sunday.|

There’s still time for you to drive to Sacramento to take in the annual International Sportsmen’s Expo, which runs through Sunday.

This event is huge, with something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. There are more than 600 exhibitors in five large buildings presenting their wares, their resorts, their guidance, advice, etc. They include representatives from lodges and resorts (fishing and hunting), travel and destination groups, state and federal agencies, outfitters and guides, hunting and fishing tackle retailers, boats, trailers and accessories, watercraft, including kayaks and pontoon boats, UTVs and ATVs, SUVS, trucks, RVs, campers, camping gear, camp, optics, calls, mountain living furnishings and much more.

There are seminars, hunting dog exhibitions, fishing lessons, tackle demonstrations, videos of wildlife adventures, hunting and fishing and much more.

Tickets are $16 for adults, while active military and youths 15 and under get in free. Parking is $10, hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 to 8 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday.

Current weather makes actual fishing a hit-or-miss kind of thing right now.

The hardiest among us might actually find sturgeon fishing in the San Francisco Bay pretty good right now, although I wouldn’t recommend going out in a boat.

There are, however, some shore fishing opportunities. The closest is near the mouth of Sonoma Creek where it empties into the bay off the Highway 37 Bridge. Local anglers have been known to hook some monster fish casting from the bank just downstream from the bridge.

The other spots are on the Marin County shoreline at China Camp and McNear Beach Park. Lots of guys fish off the pier at McNear and depending on the time of year, catch sturgeon, striped bass and halibut.

Usually lots of fresh water runoff from the rain stirs up the sturgeon and anglers cast live shrimp from the pier to attract them. The challenge then is to land the fish!

Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael is the best guy to check with about where to fish. He also has live bait. Call him at (415) 456-0321.

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