Jared Lintner guessed that about 50 percent of the bass have already spawned in The Delta, based on the number of fry-guarders and active spawning beds he saw in practice. But that's just it: There are a lot of bass on beds that can't be seen.
Although California is in a well-documented drought, the vast agricultural fields in The Delta are pumped full over the winter, both for erosion control and to benefit waterfowl. Lintner said many of those farmers began releasing that water in the past couple of weeks in preparation for planting season. It has added an element of turbidity to much of The Delta.
"There are only select areas where you can see them (on beds)," Lintner said. "But it's almost a good thing. You can't see them, but they can't see you either. If you're just fishing (not sight-fishing), you can catch some big ones."
While Lintner thinks 20 to 21 pounds a day might win here, Paul Elias believes it will take more like 92 to 95 pounds total.
"They're seeing too many big ones for it to be much less than that," Elias said. "Somebody's going to be pushing 30 pounds today."
The May full moon is on the way, becoming official at 8:42 p.m. Pacific Time Sunday.
"With that full moon coming, there will be a lot of fish coming up to spawn," Lintner said.