Schools are out this week and it’s time to turn it loose and hit the water. Fish are waiting, especially at Lake Chabot (trout and bass) and in the Sacramento River (shad). Saltwater is a great option for stripers off the beaches, salmon off the Marin County Coast and halibut and stripers in the Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

LAKE CHABOT trout, bass: Trout bite caught on fire this week. The dam area has been productive for those using Power Bait and/or worms. Bass fishing also has picked up. Look for grass and throw crank baits or Senkos. A lot of five-pound plus bass are being caught . (510) 247-2526

CENTRAL VALLEY shad: American River run is peaking and shad are being caught from the Nimbus Basin to Sunrise. On the Yuba, start at Hallwood Boulevard and work upstream. There are plenty of choices on the Sacramento. Colusa has shad and there are shad biting from Los Molinos to Princeton.

MONTEREY, SANTA CRUZ, PACIFICA striped bass: Beach anglers are enjoying some of the best striper action in years. Pile worms, blood worms, sand crabs get action for bait anglers. Pencil Poppers, metal or hairraisers also work. Action has been very good from Monterey all the way north to Pacifica and beaches in between. Bass are moving so they are not in the same spot every day.

GOLDEN GATE salmon: Quantity and quality both have improved for anglers heading outside the Golden Gate. Bait is holding along Muir Beach and salmon are feasting. Makes for a short boat ride and plenty of action on kings averaging 10 to 12 pounds.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY halibut, stripers: Striper party boats get close to limits, sometime limits. Size varies. Some days there are a lot of 20 inches, some days 10 pounders. Good halibut tides yield big fish to 30 pounds plus. Berkeley Flats, Southhampton and Angel Island are productive. Hi’s Tackle Box (650) 588-1200; Loch Lomond Marina (415) 456-0321 Sole Man Sportfishing (510) 703-4148