FISHING CONDITIONS: Weather has kept me home with clients wisely waiting for better days. Fishing reports by those that did get out indicate it is off track with few or no fish being caught.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Upper Bay 37.8, Lower 41.9, Ocean 39.9 
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker and something of much smaller size that isn’t yet identified.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
- Large, heavy Clouser deep minnow pattern, Chartreuse and white
- Large bunker patterns and half and half’s
RECOMMENDED LEADER: I use short (7 1/2 foot) tapered leaders in 16 to 20 pound strength. For spinning I use straight non tapered sections of fluorocarbon leader material in 25 to 30 pound test.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 foot 9 weight Tip Flex Rod, paired with a light weight large arbor reel.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: This time of year I prefer full sinking lines. I like the deeper profile “belly” that forms with these lines. Whether I use full sink or a sinking head, use fastest sink rate line in either. Get it down!!
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: I have selected shorter, six foot to seven foot, medium fast action rods with 2500 F1 series Shimano Stradic reel. Jigging works well with at least 3 to 4 ounces and a stinger behind. Lures like Bass Assassins on ¾ oz heads are working well.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Find fish with your sonar and work the pod. Expect several fish per area and usually move to new area in a few minutes as the pod breaks up.
COMMENTS: Although the larger fish aren’t common there seems to be plentiful supply of 22 to 26 inch fish. The jumbos may not show back up until bait in this area renews.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: I recommend “wait and see” for another week. Last year the entire month of January and February were productive. WATER TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY 1 DEGREE DIFFERENT THAN A YEAR AGO. THIS IS NOT THE END, JUST A PHASE.
