Crappie

Crappie fishing near Martinez centers around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These panfish thrive in the Delta's calm sloughs and backwaters, particularly around submerged structure. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target crappie, as they move into shallow areas to spawn. Look for them near submerged trees, docks, and weed beds. Small jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are extremely effective. A local tip: try fishing under docks with a slip bobber rig to target crappie suspended near the surface. The Delta can be challenging to navigate, so a boat is essential for accessing the best crappie spots. Pay attention to water clarity; crappie prefer slightly stained water. Delta crappie are known to school tightly, so once you find one, you're likely to find more. Be prepared for some surprisingly large crappie; the Delta can produce some real slabs!