The Mitten Crab epidemic is still with us in the Delta but they appear to be moving towards the bay to spawn at which time they die and things should get back to normal. In the meantime fishermen are adapting techniques in an attempt to keep the crabs off their bait.

Barry Canevaro of Fish Hookers Sportfishing reported that he is just giving up on the delta for the time being. "You can't catch fish if your line isn't in the water. We were spending so much time changing bait that our catch rates dropped way down. We are fishing San Pablo Bay until this blows over."

If you are going to fish the Delta right now you have two choices, suspend you bait far enough off the bottom so the crabs can't get it, or troll. Neither method is as productive as live bait on the bottom.

The scores from San Pablo Bay have been spotty with limits of striper one day and a few fish the next. Last nights rain should help drop the water temperature in the bay which was 63 f yesterday. "With lower temperatures the stripers should start moving into the bay." Said Canevaro.