What Are the Best Soft Plastics for the South Delta?

What anglers mean by the South Delta

The South Delta is the San Joaquin side of the system: the water south and east toward Stockton and Tracy. Bass anglers there key on Old River, Middle River, Victoria Slough, Italian Slough and Rock Slough. Anglers lump in the central Delta too, around Frank's Tract, Big Break, Mandeville Island and Holland Tract, plus sloughs like White, Disappointment and Hog Slough, and the Stockton Deep Water Channel.

What sets it apart is grass. State planning documents describe the south Delta as "less turbid and heavily colonized by" underwater plants. USGS research shows thick Brazilian waterweed slows the current and lets sediment drop out, which clears the water.

That doesn't mean it's always clear. Storms, wind and tide stir it up. But on a normal day, you'll often find cleaner water in the grassy south and central Delta than on the Sacramento side.

Where the bass are

• Outside grass edges. The line where submerged grass meets deeper water, usually 5–10 feet. This is the main highway.
• Holes and lanes in the grass. Bass sit in openings and ambush what swims by.
• Matted grass and hyacinth. Thick canopy mats hold big fish, especially at low tide and on hot, sunny days.
• Tules and tule points with current running past them.
• Riprap along levees, especially in cooler months.

The best soft plastics and rigs

Drop shot on grass edges. Local guide Ken Mah says many Delta tournaments are won on a drop shot. The Delta version is heavier than a lake setup: a 2/0 hook, 1/4–1/2 oz weight and 16 lb fluorocarbon to handle grass and current. Fish steep tule and riprap banks in 5–8 feet at high tide, and outside grass edges as the tide falls.

Wacky Stick Bait over grass. A weightless 5" Stick Bait falls slowly over submerged grass and draws bites on the drop. Best on calm days.

Neko on submerged grass. A pre-spawn Delta report called the Neko the "best setup" on submerged vegetation. Drag it slow along the grass tops.

Punching mats. A compact creature bait on a pegged tungsten weight, 3/4 to 2 oz depending on how thick the mat is, on 50–65 lb braid.

Colors for South Delta water

Because the grass often clears the water, you can lean natural:

• Clear-ish grass water: Light Green Pumpkin - Black Flake, Green Pumpkin, Melon Punch. Translucent with flake in the sun.
• After wind or storms: go darker with Midnight Blue or Bloodline.
• In mats: dark colors. Midnight Blue and Bloodline make a strong silhouette under the canopy.

A white bait test helps. Drop it over the side. If it disappears before 2 feet, go dark. If you can see it past 6 feet, go natural.

Timing

Moving water is the key. The switch from slack to moving tide is the main feeding window. This fall, the first hour of the outgoing tide has been best. Slack tide is slow. The sloughs fish best in the warmer months, when bass are most active.