2020 Herring Spawn Report
Written by The Lost Anchovy
THIS THREAD IS CLOSED: PLEASE REFERE TO THE 2021 herring spawn thread for update spawn information.
It is December and that means the annual pacific herring season is quickly approaching. The first rains have finally arrived in the bay area the spawn is not far off. I look forward to another great year!! GET YOUR SEX HERRING ON!
Make sure to get a Castnet for the herring spawn. Beginners should get a 4-5 ft net while more experienced hunters can get larger sizes. Help support this blog by purchasing items via our affiliate links. These funds go towards providing you the most update information, tutorials and reports.
Update: December 6, 2019
It is still early in the month. There have not been any reports so far of the herring staging outside the bay. However, stay tuned. This thread will pick up once the spawn gets going.
Update: December 24, 2019
You guys wanted it, and it’s here. There has been chatter that the first schools of fish have started to move into the bay. These tend to be the scouters and a good sign the larger schools will be just behind them. I’m going to check out a few places in the south bay to look for signs of life over the holiday break. Keep your eyes and ears open. Comment to below to share the intel to the community, and get your spawn on!!
Update: January 1, 2020
I went around and check the normal places. Seems there there is some herring outside the rock wall and ballena bay. I spotted the birds working the school, but the rocks have not shown any egg deposits. Still waiting on an actual spawn.
Update: January 8, 2020
Sturgytees – So the second spawn has started. Currently it is located about 100 yards off seminary drive between the sea plane tours area and the shore in Richardson bay close to the 101 bridge between Mill valley and Sausalito. Appears only fishable by boat/ yak but possibly off the rocks which is more likely snag city.
Historically, this is the time of the year when the smaller spawn happens until the big one blows wide open. For some reason it always happens around the AFC/NFC championship weekend!! I think they know when we are preoccupied to get their spawn on!
NOTE: If anyone got pics or confirmation please send an email to [email protected], so i can update this post, and put a map on the location. Thanks –TLA
Update: January 16, 2020 (11:13 am)
Eddie ‘The Sturgeon” just called me up and said there is a school in sausalito. The birds and fish are hanging about 1/4 miles south of Bridgeway and Johnson st. They seem to be staging for a spawn but no guarantee. This goes with a recent reports of eggs deposited in the area. High tide today is at 4 p.m.
Herring Hunter Apparel
Who wants to get a herring hunter shirt/ hoodie? It’s available on my online store and will ship to your house. Click on the photo to go to shop to order. Get a t-shirt or hoodie and get your spawn on!!
Update 2/1/2020: This is it!! Superbowl Sunday and the Herring knew it!! The spawn is on!! Confirmed and many many many herring hunters are going to task on our silvery friend.
Today the fish were spawning off spinnaker dr, in Saulalito. There was also another spawn happening at Coyote Point today as well – (False alarm). This is it. The herring have finally arrived and getting their sex on. It’s time utilize your cast netting skills and get your spawn on!! –TLA
February 20, 2020
I recently got a report of a large school of herring roaming the south bay. The school looks to be about 3 miles wide. I’m not sure if they will be spawning but they are in the area, and some of the commercial fleet have been successful getting them. Let’s hope for one more spawn. –TLA
March 2, 2o20
There was a confirmed report of a herring spawn yesterday March 1, 2020 at paradise park. From what i heard, and on this post, it was a small spawn and was over by 2:30 p.m.
Ferry point has yet to go off. There was talk of something possibly happening that way. Let’s keep this thread open for another two weeks and see where it goes. –TLA
Ok...It's time to close down this thread!! At this point i'm not sure if they are still around. Maybe the weekend rain may produce one more round, but i'm calling it. Thanks everyone for participating.
The 2020 Herring Hunter Winner
Is MOON.
Moon, reach out to me at [email protected] and we will figure out a way to get you the Herring Hunter sweater. Thanks –TLA
Anything from anywhere? I’m not commuting past Point Richmond or Paradise anymore.
Looks like baleina bay by rock wall. I’m gonna go check it out today. I’ll keep you all updated.
Someone posted a net full of herring on fishbrain today. Didn’t indicate the location
It’s that time of the year again. Looking forward to casting the net out again. Moon, are you ready? I hope you are all healed up.
Looking forward to it, but I need to use what I got from last season. Have not gotten out crabbing yet because of my shoulder. I can’t load and unload my kayak, can do everything else. Soon I’ll be out and bait heavily.
Saw a crazy amount of birds at India basin shoreline. Any chance herring are back?
I guess the season is over? Even the fishes come, can we still go fishing?
maybe the ‘rona scared the herring in quarantine too.
4:45 nothing at Ferry Point in Richmond. No eggs either.
Ferry Point at noon. No fish or egg.
5:00pm ferry point Richmond, asked around about the herring spawn, checked the sea lettuce for eggs, nada. Thought the last minute rain would excite them.
Wait. Has the herring season ended or is it still going on?. I know there was some fake news earlier in the season but i thought reliable sources said season was over end of febuary?
The herring spawns have been shifting since last year. In normal years it ends by Feb., but it seems the spawns are being pushed back and starting later; so they maybe ending later as well.
Hopefully I will be able to have another shot before come to an end.
7:15AM @Ferry Point, no action, water is flat, and it’s another beautiful day!
11 am ferry point. no activity, or birds, flat water, probably 70 to 75 air temp
5pm. Nothing at Ferry Point in Richmond. Tossed the net and checked for eggs.
Thanks for the update Moon.
Darn it! Earlier TLA posts lead me to beleive the runs were officially over at the end of febuary so i stopped checking so dilligently. What a huge letdown. Hopefully ill get in on atleast one of them.
I still think Ferry Point will happen at some point. I’ve never traveled south of the Golden Gate Bridge to hunt down the herrings, so I have not really kept track of those places. Seems like the runs have been running late and lasting for a short period of time.
Just read the new 2020-2021 Fishing Regs.
Here is the new limit on Herring:
Pacific Herring Effective March 1, 2020 a ten-gallon recreational Pacific Herring daily bag limit goes into effect (approximately 100 pounds, or 520 fish). CCR T-14 sections 27.60, 28.60, and 28.62 are amended to set the new limit. This ten-gallon limit does not require specialized measuring devices, and is intended to provide a sustainable sport fishing experience.
NOTHING at paradise!!! In parking lot now. Guys got here at 7am. Nada
Stopped by Ferry Point in Richmond on my way to work and it looked quiet. Did not throw a net or check for eggs. I do not think it has happened yet at the pier.
I got to meet HearseGuy who was checking. Hope he reports something either way.
I’d like to add that HearseGuy gave the suggestion of the moon phase and the neap tides that were spot on.
The hunt still continues for me until Ferry Point goes off at Richmond.
Gah! I walked (hobbled) right passed you two doing the same. hearseguy, the name makes sense now.
Right there with you, Moon!
8:00 am. Windy at Paradise. Make a few throws ……. Nothing
At Ferry Point aka Brickyard Cove and we throwing in the cast net to no avail
yup, nothing. i stopped by on the way home at richmond ferry point pier around 11:15 PM last night and there was no evidence of herring scales anywhere and my 5 casts yielded nothing.
I’ll try to confirm Point Richmond on my way to work if I have time, if not I will in the afternoon on my way home unless someone else does.
It was nice to meet you Moon. Thanks for the info. I will be there tomorrow morning..
Good luck. Hope it’s better then it was in the afternoon. I wonder how it was after we left at 4pm.
My nephew, @deck_rat, and I arrived at Paradise at 4:05p. No one was catching anything. We stuck around until 4:45p but didn’t pull up anything in our nets. I wanted to thank you, Moon & TLA, for your scouting efforts. We met you and your daughter at Elephant Rock in late January. We were lucky to catch the spawn at Sausalito thanks to a post on this blog and we learned a lot this season. Best to you and everyone else who helped to pass along helpful information & encouragement!
Sorry for the late reply Moon ,there was nothing after you left yesterday. I was here this morning again from 7:30 am till 11:00 am the weather turn out to be a beautiful afternoon even though there is no herring around.
Is it really spawning big, and accessible to net at ferry point, or just a little?
…It’s pretty far for me, but…if its really spawning I might make the trip. Thx so much
6:30pm. The spawns also started at ferry point. Pier is pretty empty but i suspect not for long. Gonna be a good year afterall.
i got about 30 fish from 1230 to 130. ranger said its the FIRST he has seen or heard of the pier catching appreciable numbers. ill try again tomorrow morning
FYI, the ranger mentioned that he would be trying to open the gate at least 30 minutes early tomorrow 03/02/20 if that helps you out. If you come up on anything let us know!
Hey keep could you keep us updated about paradise in the morning would really appreciate that thanks
Actin at Paradise has slowed down. Nothing but Jack Smelt lately. Going to wait for another 30min before calling it a day.
How’d you end up doing, Moon? I was there during the jacksmelt bonanza – we only netted two fingerling jacksmelt – no herring.
I did OK, thanks. I was there about 10:45am and a few folks were there and it was much better. I filled one bucket and left to pick up my daughter. When we came back it was much slower. She got a few, but ended up catching more Jack Smelt then Herring.
Confirmed but seems over mostly Jack’s being caught now
Guess I should have complained earlier. Yes the spawn is on!
Is this accessible from the shore line.?
Is this the place ?
https://www.marincountyparks.org/parkspreserves/parks/paradise-beach
Thanks
Yes that’s the place and there is a parking lot and a short walk down to the pier. I think it’s $5 unless you have a Marin Parks pass.
Heard some activity at Paradise Beach County Park. Anyone close can take a look and confirm the news?
Thanks
Happening right now at Paradise. Finally..
Are we sure this is really moon? Eh give me 15 minute’s I’ll find out.
Hopefully, they will be there in 2 hours. I’m stuck at church but heading up north right after. Moon, thanks for the report.
Hope this site gets better at weeding out the fake news. Otherwise it seems pretty unreliable and just a waste of time driving to each spot for nothing. I gave up even checking the posts cause of that.
I can’t validate every report, but if someone sends out a fake post and it’s confirmed, I will ban their ip. The best way is to always triangulate reports and check for my confirmed reports.
Unfortunately #fakenews is all too common in this world. I’m not Facebook and don’t have the resources to constantly monitor so take the reports as you like.
There are trusted herring hunters on these threads such as moon and others. So pick your sources and not just run after every post. Some people get a kick out of that. They need mental help. Personally, I feel bad for people like them
Well from my first and only post on 12-7-19 due inlarge to a small biomass and lack of rain to get the fish excited what fish did show up probably spawned in deeper water on the eelgrass and rock. Seagulls wouldn’t know what was going on since they are surface eaters,I don’t think they are late just absent in numbers. I made so many loops starting from coyote point and ending at alameda looking for activity but never did see anything exciting,no bridge tolls paid that way. Hope for a better season next year. Singed, Last Years herring hunter of the year 2019 Thanks TLA. Good luck to all the TLA squad.
Most likely a wrap for this season….see you herrings next year…..
Friday pm not a thing at ferry point doesn’t look like anything across the bay along at paradise and nothing in between. Hopefully you all find something I’ll be out of town and packing my casting net away tonight when I get home – I’m done scouting this season.
Hello all I am no scientist I only listen to what they say. Elephant rock had a Spawn this year and I do believe that the hearing do not return to the same place.
So I’ve been racking my brain just as much as all of you have and I went ahead and made a phone call to a fishing charter in Crescent city . According to the captain they had two nice runs. One on the last full moon and then another about four days later which was larger. Unfortunately I think you will all understand what has occurred and I’m not saying to not keep an eye out but when they run at Crescent city that normally tells the story.
The Herring run in Crescent City Harbor in Northern California started on February 6 and just ended on February 26th. This did not include a slow start of smaller schools entering and moving around the Harbor starting about January 31st. It tapered off quickly after the 26th.
The 21 days of the run involved steady Sabiki catching and cast net catching during the whole time period. The run did get better over time. The best cast net catching involved night time fishing. They were drawn to the dock lights and were just under and off the docks.
We got all the Herring we wanted to catch and most stopped fishing after the first 2 weeks.
Most of us made sure we got Herring early in the run since we never know when the run will end.
Last years run was the longest in the last 13 years. It lasted 27 days. The shortest runs lasted about 4 days. There was one year when the run was split with 6 days of no catching in between in 2017. That is not normal for us.
I do have an opinion that after the eggs are deposited on the eel grass, kelp and rocks they get fertilized and they develop. If you take a sample of the eggs and look at them under a microscope, you should be able to tell if the eggs have been fertilized. They will have embryo’s in the egg ‘s that should be visible under a microscope. If the eggs are in the embryo stage then the run is probably over.
I hope you guys have a better run next year. I sure do miss those wide open huge Herring runs on Richardson Bay. They were so much fun.
I can confirm tons if birds are starting come in at elephant rock. Didnt see any eggs in the water but they could be somewhere offshore. Not that thats any use to us without boats…
Here we are in the last Hope window – all quiet this morning at ferry point and San Quentin. From the bridge and ferry point no obvious action just across at paradise. Fingers crossed for this afternoon or leap day before we put a pin in this season.
I was at elephant rock at 11 today and there was no activity (2 fishermen around rod/reel and no birds) Tossed the net a handful of times for fun and nothing.
Whats going on up there? Should a guy risk a 2 hour+ drive to the city for a chance?
I would not drive up here right now. What and watch the post carefully for a confirmed spawn, may or may not happen.
With the earlier false posts of spawns it’s up to you to just come up or get a second person to verify. If there is other things you can do up here come up, but two hours is a long drive for nothing. Hope that helped.
4:30 pm eggs confirmed at elephant rock. Hope this neap tide is gonna be a big one. See you guys there.
Maurice,
I hope you don’t mind me asking: where is elephant rock?
It’s a place where the herring spawned on February 2nd.
They don’t spawn in the same place twice.
Bullshit?
Elephant Rock is a small fishing pier in Tiburon near the ferry.
I saw a lot of birds near Costco earlier and just now offshore near chevron i have a picture of all the birds but I can’t post it here. It looks like they are just out of reach. I went to ferry point too check and it was dead quiet. Hopefully they will be at ferry point in the next few days.
Did a drive by of San Quentin and saw not signs of a spawn, but did not stop to throw a net of check for eggs.
Nothing to report at Ferry Point in Richmond. No eggs either. Still chasing them, but not finding them.
No spawn yesterday seen from Coyote point to dumbarton bridge. Sturgeon fishing sucked as well.
There’s a lot of birds near candlestick. Can anyone confirm a spawn there?
@7:30AM Ferry Point, nothing/nada/zip/zero
Still keep my eye on it
Stopped by Ferry Point in Richmond about 5:30pm after work and saw no action. Note that I did not walk out to the water nor did I throw a net, just did a drive by. Same with San Quentin. Starting to loose hope. Can’t keep chasing them forever. When is the latest they’ve spawned in the past? Anyone know. I just have to have a date when I can quit.
I am personally on stand by until the next neap tides looks like favorable tides end of Feb very beginning of March – I do check Ferry Point, daily usually morning, when I am working – I am off this week.
I would wait till the end of the month to call it a season. There might be one more run at ferry point. That tends to be the big one. –TLA
March 15th is when the partial sturgeon closure ends. That seems like when the biologists have deemed it over.
The 23rd is the new moon, January’s new moon saw a spawn in Belvedere.
The 24th is the last minus tide, and the 28th is the neap tide.
An excerpt about Pacific herring from a book written by a human:
https://books.google.com/books/about/Chasing_Clayoquot.html?id=W-pQBAAAQBAJ
Thank you for the book reference.
I ordered the book and look forward to reading it.
The excerpts I did read were a very good easy read.
no activity at ferry pt, pt richmond at 1pm today. did not see many birds today either.
Lots of birds between Long Wharf and Keller Beach in Pt Richmond around sunset yesterday. Many were floating, some circling. They did not appear to be feeding, just many gathered there. Probably 200-400 if I had to guess. I am new to the herring hunt, is this a place where herring are know to spawn? I checked Ferry Point as well around sunset and saw no activity.
4:30 nothing at Richmond, Ferry Point. No eggs well.
4:22 at San Quentin. No fish or eggs.
@4:20PM Ferry Point, no fish, no eggs, no birds. Super nice day.
4:22 at san Quentin. No fish or eggs.
At Paradise now, 3:33. Nothing. No herring, no eggs, no birds.
anybody check on this? Is there a webcam out there?
I’m planning on checking it out in about an hour. Will let folks know if no one else checks first.
Seems like paradise is starting up. Tons of birtds hanging in the water. Not feeding yet but we will see. Possibly later today.
We have minus tides right now. They weren’t spawning with the strong currents of the minus tides a few weeks ago, right?
Neap tides.
i checked this evening around 4:45PM and there was nothing i could see but i did see about 50 gulls tracking around and doing some splashing near richmond costco just south of the dog park around 5:30PM.
Disclaimer: I apologize in advance. I could not resist this one.
Could this be Russian interference in the SF Bay Herring Spawn ?
Thousands of birds off the shore of ferry point. Could the spawn be coming??
“BIGMARK” imposter! I’m the original BigMark
TLA folks, I’ll check Ferry Point in the morning.
So much #fakenews!!?? Lol. How am I supposed to moderate it all. If there is some serious #fakereports, I will ban your ip. And email. FYI. Let’s keep these report clean guys.
No spawn from coyote point to dumbarton bridge seen today, super slow sturgeon fishing as well.
@9AM Ferry Point, cold and beautiful morning, no bird, fish or eggs. There were some buzzards eating something dead on the beach by the entrance.
7:30am Candlestick point. Nothing
7:45 am Warmwater cove same
8:04 am. Aquavista Park few pigeons
Heading to pier 14
Checked Agua Vista no activity. No seals, no birds, no boats, no scales on the dock. Check your resources before posting. You could be posting false information.
Checked Agua Vista no activity. No seals, no birds, no boats, no scales on the dock. Check your resources before posting.
to follow up on my comment yesterday…
a friend sent photos of herring in mission bay area, including the commercial boats pulling in their tons of them. there was a large spawn with easy access there that nobody reported here at this comments board. just thought people should know.
anyway… i always have bad luck getting onto the herring but they are still out there. i wanted to pass on the message here because maybe we need better herring scouts to report here?
Just checked Paradise at 4:30 and got nothing. No eggs, but I was only able to pull up two small pieces of seaweed and no eel grass.
Starting to worry that over.
No activity at all for the past couple of days. Birds are just waiting
Anybody check ferry point today?
Yes 730 @ ferry pt – no eggs, fish nor birds/seals/sea lions
Wednesday 021220 4p – near Red Rock Is. extending south for 1-1.5 miles a flock of bird estimating 1-2000 total birds, ACTIVELY FEEDING off shore. No activity at Ferry Point proper nor San Quentin – Did anyone get eyes on Paradise this afternoon?? Stay sharp folks, it may be about to pop off.
ive seen that in the past followed by a spawn at either the oil terminal there nearby or at point molate.
slack, high tide right now…it would be a good time!
Commercial hits did land herring this afternoon according to a fish purveyor. Location unknown. So there may be some aftermath to find somewhere
i heard about some herring mission bay this morning. anyone else know anything about it? gone now but maybe they might come back?
I need to learn more and get ready for next year.
Thats what i told myself last year. Still no fish haha.
Richmond point 1pm.No activity
Anyone got eyes on elephant rock?
at elephant rock now. no herring. i do see some sea lions and birds but nothing serious.
I believe it has already happened there. I did check last week and pulled up eggs on vegetation.
What has happen with birds on the Ocean Beach?
Today my wife and me where on the Ocean Beach. My wife has payed attention that ABSOLUTELY disappear birds. No ONE seagull or craw! Before it were clouds of them! At now – NO ONE! What has happen? Are they poisoned?
May be they are hunting somewhere for herring?
4:45 at Paradise, No herring or egg. Like Saturday there were a large number of birds off shore, about 150 to 200 yards off the pier.If it happens, it’s going to happen soon.
@6PM, Oyster Point no signs of fish or eggs. A lot juvenile birds, but they’re just sitting together in patches..
Checked the eel grass along the Golden Gate Bridge to the warming hut area yesterday and no eggs either.
Hope it’s still coming. I was out for a paddle from Alameda/Encinal yesterday and checked the eel grass over there. Didn’t see any eggs either, no activity, just a few harbor seals looking bored. Strong currents.
10:30Just checked Paradise again. Nothing. Check the eel grass, and got no eggs.
Super windy and huge wind waves.
No spawn seen from Oyster point to sausalito through raccoon straight all the way to the pump house in san pablo bay yesterday. Slow sturgeon fishing too. Many many seals though near sausalito where the last spawn was.
Ok, I’m keeping my calendar clear from Thursday February 20th to Sunday March 1st.
As long as the winds are chill and don’t stir up too much silt in the water making things cloudy, we will see more spawning action in some of our favorite shoreline locations.
Also: what are the thoughts on the legalities of fishing from the new pedestrian path on the west side of the Richmond bridge?
It’s not illegal to fish from bridges unless it’s posted or something, right?
I am not opposed to that exact situation, I have thought about it already and have figured if I am on the steel edge out of the the bike lane, I should be good to go until brass tells me otherwise…
Point Richmond today and nothing.
Nothing at Paradise, and nothing on the sonar up tp Raccoon Straits. Lot’s of birds feeding on Belvedere Pt., but no fish on sonar or jigs. Sausalito quiet, but lots of birds off West Shore and Tiburon. Still feels like there’s more to come. Currents are epic on the ebb!
1pm at Paradise nothing. There are a great number of birds several 100s of yards off. Maybe later or tomorrow?
Was I chatting with you on the pier today, Moon? If so, we should coordinate our efforts keeping an eye out for a spawn.
I believe so. I was the one with the daughter who could throw the net better then me.
Currently 7:15 am at coyote point. No signs/activity at all.
There’s a big herring spawn happening in the waters between treasure island and angel island. It’s visible from the bay bridge. It’s unreachable from shore though. I walked all the way out to confirm.
I wasn’t sure but it looked like it was about to start. There were tons of birds at Crissy Field headed towards Alcatraz look like one of the larger Spawns
With all the fog I wasn’t sure
4:45pm point Richmond, nothing. No egg still. Will happen soon.
A fair amount of bird action off Crissy Field this afternoon.
Friday 0207 am and pm nothing at ferry pt no eggs found during negative/ low tide. I’ll check all of next week but only post if there’s news to keep my chatter from becoming clutter
I don’t think we’re done the Spawns were three weeks late this year. We normally see 3 to 4 in Richardson Bay one that’s very large along the rocks. We did see three this year. All three were documented by us. In Marin County on Paradise there is not a year where I have not seen activity there and it hasn’t hit yet. When the Spawn hits the Marin County area it’s either in Paradise Cay or at Paradise Park in along the shoreline there. This is one of the highest concentrations of eel grass that we have. That has not hit this year. Herring will not Spawn in the same areas during a given year. It’s still on eyes wide open…
Checked out Candlestick Park this morning. No activity 9 am
I haven’t seen any signs of a major spawn happening in the south bay, however in a previous year (within the last decade) there was a spawn so big it lasted every day for a month at candlestick park. That was also in February, subsequent years produced smaller mini-spawns all along the south bay, and now…where are they now? I keep wondering and waiting when will this repeat 🤷♂️
“Th-th-th-th-th that’s all folks!”
-Porky Pig
The herring have done their thing, they spawned on the neap tide.
There won’t be any more spawns this year.
We were expecting more, but we live in different times.
Where did the rest of the fish go?
Hopefully in to the food chain for other animals.
Remember that the crab season was delayed due to whales staying in the area longer.
Whales are staying longer because there’s less food.
Sea lion pups are dying because there’s less food.
Industrial over-fishing maybe?
I blame plastic trash that breaks down in UV sunlight into tiny pieces of plastic that look like plankton. All the creatures that eat plankton eat plastic now.
Google “garbage patch”
I blame neonicotonoid pesticides that do not break down in UV sunlight and go on in to waterways and then kill plankton:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/11/neonicotinoid-insecticides-cause-fish-declines-japan/
Recent articles show the Pacific herring statistics in a crashing decline; this is just what it looks like in real life.
One year there’s herring, next year there’s not.
We’re all reading these comments because we care about a canary in a coal mine.
The canary is wheezing and coughing, what do you do?
For those of you with children, take them whale watching at least so they can describe to their children what whales looked like.
(I hope I’m wrong and they show up eventually)
I got a report yesterday of a large school of herring followed by a mass of birds just 200 yards off of Sierra Point heading towards candlestick park . Battery was dead and i didn’t see the message till now . Don’t know what happened at the stick yesterday but if i have time today ill go check it out .
today while waiting for herring, i went for jack smelt at the berkeley marina. at 4:15PM today during low tide, i found herring roe on the exposed rocks. i also had some nibbles on my sabiki rig but maybe the hooks were too big for whatever was biting. i saw birds floating on the water and a seal cruising by. it was obviously not a big spawn but i just thought id note that there are more than just large spawns going on i guess.
can anyone clarify with more info?
@7PM Ferry Point, quiet.
4:10 at Elephant rock in Tiburon, nothing still. Eggs still there. Think this place is finished.
Surprised that no one reported the spawn.
3:45 low tide at Paradise still nothing. Not egg either. Still have not arrived .
Nothing at ferry pt 3:30pm
Ferry pt 330p nothing low tide no eggs on rocks or weeds
830AM @Pt. Richmond, quite as a chicken, 安静如鸡。
San Quentin @640 quiet. Ferry point 7 nothing yet, 3 seals/sea lions cruising around on the surface making a few shallow dives within the rockwall
2:17AM richmond ferry point
just two campers, security lights spinning, nice moon in the night sky, but…
no birds, no seals, no herring, no nothing.
@5PM, Oyster Point all quiet
@6PM, Oyster Point all quiet
No fish, no bird, no fish eggs, 2PM at Pt Richmond
230p quiet at ferry point
@8AM Oyster Point, no action.
Has their ever been herring spawn in oysterpoint before
@Nick, I don’t know about recent years, but for sure it’s happened in the past. I remember night fishing there and it happened. My cousin and I had a crab net, and happened to have an empty rice sack in the trunk, we rigged them up together, lining the crab net with the rice sack. Total fail! Didn’t work at all. We tried snagging them with some lures we had, we maybe caught a handful…two teenagers went home in shame that evening, but we had a cool story 🙂
645a nothing at San Quentin 7a no action at ferry point but a lot of bird movement along the shore no birds activity fishing though
@7AM Ferry Point, beautiful Bay Area morning, still no spawn.
Checked Agua Vista Park at 6:15am, no activities.
Thank Sean. Daily eyes will help a lot. Was going to check Point Richmond or Paradise, but others checked it out already and saved me the trip.
I check the Alameda rock wall pretty much every day with binoculars for birds and seals on my commute back and forth on the ferry boat, I’m also looking at pier 14, the ferry building, etc. If there is any action, I’ll post immediately.
@my 8:45AM post, I meant Oyster not Coyote.
Anyway, 5:30PM nothing at Oyster
330 no sign at ferry point
Drove the shoreline south from Red’s Java to the 3rd St. Bridge near Cargo St. At 11 am. No action at all.
Checked out Sausalito, Fort Baker, Paradise pier, and Ferry Point this morning. NADA
What a great resource! Thank you for setting this up. It’s huge to us that have to travel greater distances. I really appreciate all of the reports. Thank you.
Ferry point….no action @7:20AM
Checked in at San Quentin @7 – nothing yet. Also nothing at Ferry Pt @720 nothing yet – BigMark you must have been one of the few folks in the lot this AM :).
@MJH, I just did a quick drive and check at Pt. Richmond.
Also, before work @8:45AM, I headed out to Coyote Point, nothing but wind and squirrels.
Anybody check coyote today?
I am not an expert by any stretch of anyone’s imagination but I do have some comments and observations to pass on.
As I stated earlier, I used to work over the Water South of Sausalito and I would see the Herring net boats most years around mid January. They were chasing the large mass of Herring schooling off shore in Richardson Bay. They would fish for 4 to 6 days straight; Day and night.
I would notice that as pointed out by others that the female Herring would start to come in shallower and start to lay their eggs. They would start and systematically cover just about every square inch of open space on rocks, grass. garbage, kelp and just about anything there was out in the water over the course of about a week. I guess mostly in shallower water near shore. After the eggs were deposited in high concentrations then the males would milt out their sperm and the water would get a cloudy milky look to it. You could smell the Herring when they were concentrated for the spawn. You got an even stronger smell of Herring when they males milted the water. A day or two after the milting started the spawn was over. You could still catch a few straggler Herring but not many from shore. If you had a boat you could still find the schools out on Richardson Bay as the schools started to spread out and move on a day or two later.
As a side note. There used to be a Herring egg nursery at the Sausalito Docks. They would have Eel Grass beds laid out for the Herring to lay their eggs on. After the spawn they would harvest the Eel Grass with the eggs on them and package them up for export to Asia. If anyone knows the Herring egg guys in Sausalito they might have an idea of what is happening with the Herring run this year.
Just checked Paradise at 4:30 and nothing. The good news is that there were no eggs on the eel grass so the spawn there has yet to happen.
Elephant Rock had nothing but I can confirm that they were hear already. Pulled up eggs on the bottom vegetation. Sounds like it was yesterday.
i dont remember who posted but it was a actual misleading posting. no herring have come to point richmond yet.
– there were no birds.
– no evidence of any wet areas on the pier.
– no fish scales around.
– everyone there confirmed the same information.
– one seal just roaming around the way a seal might do in and about a pier.
if the herring will come to point richmond this season, they are still out there staging and getting ready, so we still have hope.
even though many of us were mislead, i had a good noon time practice session with the cast net and other positive friendly fishers gave me tips and pointers. one guy even gave me a tutorial on how to improve my casting with the net greatly. thank you guys!
#fakenews is going to be banned from the site. — TLA
Couple people out at point richmond with nets but dont see no signs. No birds nor seals. This was 1pm
OTHER MARK, Thanks dick! #fake news. Nothing going on at Point Richmond.
For the record, I used to be othermark (until this morning it seems) I have no idea who that person was this morning – had me bummed all day to be stuck at work now bummed that poor intel had me amped all day.
OTHER MARK， very irresponsible to publish a fake news, Point Richmond no any activity today
Ferry point… nada, nothing, zip, zero. No signs of eggs on the seaweed either. Jus some guys mad about the post. False report?
Nice meeting you, can confirm nothing at ferry point 12 noon
For the record, I used to be othermark (until this morning it seems) I have no idea who that person was this morning – had me bummed all day to be stuck at work now bummed that poor intel had me amped all day.
I know it’s a long shot for anyone to say for sure… If the fish were at ferry point this morning at 7am, is it possible for them to be there still early this afternoon?
Paul, Thanks for the explanation, !! Looking forward to getting a few,
great vincent! if you find some, please let us know. i havent had any for a while and i love em. great bait and better eating!!!
AWR had nothing today
Hello Everyone, Whats the best tide to catch them ??
Hey Vincent, I’ve found the best tide seems to be a slow mover and incoming. Hope that helps.
hi vincent
im sure people have different ideas about this but i believe that they like the tides we are having right now. what this means is that besides incoming or outgoing tide the moon phase right not is creating what i call close tides so that the high tides and low tides are not far apart. this translates into less water movement which means less current forces in the bay. in theory this can give the herrings eggs a better chance to hang on to the eels grass without being disturbed until they mature. and i agree with greenweenee that incoming is better for them to start in.
but again im not an expert.
i meant to say above…
“the moon phase right now is creating what i call close tides” not…
“the moon phase right not is creating what i call close tides”
Hey Herring Fam,
This is my first year chasing the spawn and I have a few questions that I was curious about. Generally speaking, how long does a Spawn in a single location last? 2-3 days?
What about the Spawn for the season? Do the fish continue to lay their eggs at multiple different locations over the span of a month or two or does it all basically happen the same week?
I missed out yesterday and am really hoping I’ll have a second chance to be a part of this years Spawn! Really appreciate your insight and everyones reports. This site is awesome!
Hey Everyone, whats the best tide to catch them
hi matt
im not an expert but here is what i understand. maybe others can add or correct anything they think might clarify the situation better.
– herring come into the bay from usually november through february to spawn.
– when they spawn they go for the eel grass and such to lay eggs which brings them into shallow water where we can use sabiki rigs and cast nets to get them.
– the spawns last hours and sometimes a day or two and then they head away back to the pacific.
– different schools spawn in different locations in the bay. traditionally most are in richardson bay and areas but last few years many have also been in richmond, point molate etc. they fish choose where to spawn and when to spawn by methods we dont fully understand yet.
– this year had not seen many full sized spawns until yesterday.
i dont think its too late but one has to be ready and lucky to get on the herring. i hope this helps and i hope i also can get in on some of the fun this year!
Thanks Paul great info to know
Helpful info. Thanks.
Any luck today anywhere?
So yesterday only Sausalito and Mission Bay went off?
Nothing ar sausalito at 1:20
Elephant rock right now, a few cast nets going out but only capturing roe covered seaweed. Lots of birds hanging around.
Richmond point right now, no signs of life. Pier is empty, just major wind
Got there yesterday (2/1/2020) @2:30PM and managed to fill a 5 gallon bucket in 15 mins. Now comes the arduous task of cleaning them all. Gonna take my slow ass all day I’ll probably still be cleaning during Superbowl. How long does it take you all? I can’t imagine the people that collect multiple buckets full
Gregg C, are you talking about Coyote Point or Sausalito?
I was at Spinnaker in Sausalito – thanks to the tip here!
Nothing at coyote piont so far super windy
Spinanaker nothing.
Just left Spinnaker Drive in Sausalito. Caught about 20 in the 2 hours we were there and didn’t catch any in the last 30 minutes. Checking Richmond Point tomorrow morning!
Yeah great time at Sausalito today! Tons of freind old and new. Gonna check it tomorrow as well.
Just checked Sausalito looks like it’s done. No eggs, talked to some people who hadn’t caught anything around 8:20pm today.
Im trying to get herring early morning tomorrow anyplace you guys suggestions where i should go , trying to pop my herring cherry lol
Nothing here at Pier 7 in SF.
Daughter and I were on the south side of the ferry in Sausalito and filled 3 and a half buckets before she lost her net on the rocks. We left about 5;30 when it slowed down. The dry spell is broken.
Also if anyone knows a Zhefeng Jiang, I found his or her credit card.
I know zhefeng jiang!He’s my friend!😂
Wow, that’s great. Let him know and let me know what I should do with it.
Thank you!I can’t contact him right now!I’ll give you his email!Thanks for the information😁
His email is [email protected],thanks again
Massive spawn mission bay should be fishable behind Reds hut
dont know “reds hut”. maybe “reds java house” near the bay bridge? can you give any help with this?
Just checked ferry point . Looks like people are expecting them to head that way a few people setting up but no herring. Very little bird activity , hopefully they head this way tonight .
You guys think tomorrow the herring will still be there
No idea nick. Just gotta follow the thread to see where they go.
It’s been said that they spawn from 2 to 4 days so it’s possible they’ll spawn Sunday in the same areas. Let us know if you get into them. We’ve got all the bait we need for this year.
Cjay and I got into a large spawn at Sausalito just north of the ferry terminal. We were finished by 12:30pm. We threw nets from a boat but all the fish were caught next to shore. There’s also a large spawn going off at Belvedere.
Confirm Herring spawn!! Spinnaker Dr Sausalito now.
Spawn is on right now in the rocks just north of the ferry terminal sausalito. Large spawn!! We are done with 6 buckets= 12 throws. 1230
7:15 am (Sat) no signs of activity at coyote
Checked out Ft baker fishing pier through sausalito, over richmond bridge to fairy point. No feeding activity or excitement. Saw lots of birds randomly scattered as if scouting and some congregations resting but not feeding everywhere i went. Last week there was pronounced hunting activity diving pelicans etc visible for over an hour from seafood peddler in Sausalito.
I wonder if the fish can learn most of their threats use daylight and decide to spawn in the dark at night?
Markv2.0 also at ferry point at 330 still no life on the water.
The poles weren’t catching anything but I saw some jacksmelt in buckets recently caught.
Just checked out Ferry Point right now, still no signs of life. No birds, threw the net out a couple times. Popular spot for regular fishing right now, maybe 12 fishing lines out.
Thinking of coming up this afternoon. Its a long drive but the neap has arrived.
People seeing anything yet?
No action at Paradise. Will check back in the evening
01/30/20 330p Ferry Point – no life on the water, didn’t go down to it investigate further.
Paradise pier now, all quiet
Reporting from Elephant rock. After a few practice casts confirmed nothing here yet. Not much bird activity today.
Nothing at Ferry Point at 3:20pm today. No birds, someone caught a small perch 🤷🏻♂️
Nothing at ferry point in point Richmond stopped by to check at 930 pm.
4:30 nothing at Paradise, but Elephant Rock has major bird action. Pelicans and gulls feeding on something out of reach. Wish I brought a rod.
Nothing at Paradise and Tiburon (Elephant Rock) at 2pm.
Make that two bow pickers in the same spot, now drifting east, and cormorants flying into the area. All visible on the YC webcam.
2PM Monday 27Jan. In the Sausalito YC webcam feed it looks like a bow picker boat is working west of the ferry dock, it’s right on the edge of the frame.
Since the commercial season is closed I assume they are the F&W guys surveying.
Lots of (40-75) pelicans sitting on the Spinnaker roof, so no run in process, but their presence suggests activity.
Anyone over there looking?
Herring Boats, birds, and seals full on off of scoma’s in Saus.
3am at Agua Vista, nothing.
4am at Sierra Point, nothing.
Sunset at the alameda rock wall. Nada. Thinking neap tide next weekend.
3:30pm nothing at Pt. Richmond
Are the commercial Herring boats out there ?
I used to work over the water South of Sausalito
and could see the commercial boats out there.
I could also smell the distinct smell of Herring.
I used the appearance of the commercial net boats
to know when to fish for Herring.
This was 10 years ago. Don’t know if they still allow
commercial fishing for Herring. Good hunting.
I now fish Herring on Humboldt Bay and Crescent City Harbor.
They are running now on Humboldt Bay.
Crescent City usually early February.
Best if you have a boat. Net and Sabiki.
Richmond. 1 pm
Nothing. no
Richmond. 12.30
Ñothing
Not a bird along tiburon, belevedere, or Sausalito. Strange
Point Richmond 11.50.
Nothing.
ton of birds on brooks island yesterday at 12. they seem to be wondering where the herring are! no activity observed here, or north around and past pt molate. warm weather forecast for late next week which will coincide with hearseguy prediction. i did read somewhere (probably here) that the warmer temps can help bring on the spawn.
I haven’t made it out to the water to check but THOUSANDS of shore birds heading west first thing this morning from Richmond towards Paradise – first time I’ve seen it this season, it might be a good day to check it out if you’re in the area – maybe today’s the big day!
I would have to agree with HEARSEGUY. I would like to add that in my observations over the last twenty years, I have noticed that the runs seemed to be the best during years with significant amounts of rainfall and heavy runoff. We have not seen that this year, so far. There are many pieces to the puzzle that must all come together, and some years are better than others. Herring usually spawn in any given location only once per season.
I was in south San Francisco today, so i dropped by Coyote and Fisherman’s point. Nothing happening in that direction. Looks like they are remodeling the parking lot at fisherman’s point so that area is blocked off. No herring hunting there if the fish comes in. The only two area’s where fish have been located, so far this year, is Sausalito (where Eddie went), and by ARW (Ballena bay), but no active spawn at the moment.
Just checked Richmond at 4:20pm and got nothing but disappointment..
No action at Richmond Ferry yesterday. There is a large tug boat at the end of the pier.
Tons of Birds and Sea Lions at Sausalito today. Eggs on the grass and rocks as well. Regretfully they didn’t get close enough while I was there. But its gotta be soon. Gonna try and hit the high morning tide tomorrow and see if the luck changes.
Yes, I saw sea lions and birds in Sausalito today, they were in all the usual locations, and definitely not engaged in a feeding frenzy.
Looked like a normal day from Richardson and Bridgeway in the south, all the way north to Strawberry.
Sausalito herring festival in 4 days, spawn in 9.
I checked Alameda and Richmond today (Noon to 1:30 PM), nothing.
Had to keep checking. Nothing at Paradise beach park at 4:15.
No action at alameda rock wall. Climbed down onto the rocks to fish out some seaweed and there are eggs! Any day now!
No action at Richmond Ferry this morning.
Anyone has tried casting net from kayak?
Nothing at AWR 1pm
Just to wet your appetites here are two videos from last years run, one at Paradise and the other at Point Richmond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_QfMW8a5gg&t=10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w0pjGioJ9E&t=363s
“Dates of over 17 000 records of Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) spawns from 1951 to 1986 in British Columbia were examined by tidal or lunar phases. The frequency of spawns was significantly higher during neap tides following a new moon. The effect was greatest in spawning areas close to the open Pacific and least in the inside waters of the Strait of Georgia. The mechanism of tidal influence on spawning is uncertain but may involve inhibition of spawning during periods of strong spring tides corresponding to periods of full and new moons. An association between spawning time and tidal phases requires that the annual calendar dates of spawning times change between years. A tidal cycle (or a synodic month) is about 29.6 d, and 12 synodic mo equals 355.4 d, whereas a calendar year is about 365.2 d. Therefore, the dates of tidal phases, such as the springtide, are either about 10 d earlier or 5 d later relative to the previous year. Other possible consequences of tidal influence include the timing of spawning waves and differences in size composition and egg size between waves.”
Friday, the 24th, is the next new moon, the neap tide falls 7 days later, on the 31st of January.
The neap tide is when the currents associated with tides are the weakest, affording the eggs and milt of spawning fish more of a chance to mingle and fertilize.
So if you want a guaranteed date to catch herring (locations TBD) I’d clear out some time from Jan 30th to about Monday feb 3rd on the calendar.
In the meantime, I’ve seen the Richmond break wall (one of those red zones in the predicted spawning ground maps) lined shoulder to shoulder with cormorants a couple times this week past, so an acculamating biomass of something yummy appears to be on schedule.
That’s pretty interesting. I looked back at last years tide and Moon phase, the other Moon, and that pattern did match. Thanks for the info.
Still went out and checked Paradise at 8::15 and Tiburon at 8:40 and got nothing but practice throwing the net. Also chasing herring is something that I do with my kids so even when we don’t get anything it’s fun, but definitely not as fun as catching.
Hope the herring come soon
My money is on the neap tide.
Richmond nada 2:30 pm
Just checked Aqua vista /mccovey cove nothing.
I can vouch for the Antioch post, though I dont think they’re herring. Possibly shad, bass, tadpoles or schools of something else. I was picnicking at big break. No one cast netting though, just some bass fisherman.
Nothing at Richmond Pier 3:00p
Coyote pt 2:15 no activity.
Kinkaids 2:30 no activity.
Nothing at Tiburon at 11am.
Checked Sausalito at 10am. Nothing. No eggs either. 10:30 Paradise. The same, nothing. Almost lost a net on the rocks at Sausalito, but my daughter waded in and fished it out.
I’m new to this. Just ran across this website. I hope with practice I will get this net out there. Bought a 6 footer. Yesterday at the rock wall/ Ballena. Lots of birds. Nothing at Crown Beach. I’ll go back out there in a couple of hours and report back
Nothing at Rockwall Alameda.
was at coyote and kincaids 7:30 this morning, no signs at either places. Just a FYI there’s construction happening at shermans/showboat so shore access will be difficult.
Just checked Point Richmond, tossed the net 3 times, at 4:20 and got nothing.
Will be checking Marin area, where I think it will happen first, this weekend.
Count me in for a hoodie! Lots bbn of birds here still in Saualito, but still offshore. 2pm
I stayed at Saulalito most of the day yesterday. There was a lot of bird and Sea Lion activity about 100 yrds offshore, but they never came in. Gonna give it another shot today.
was there a spawn after all yesterday (Thursday) at Sausalito? The tides seem perfect and there hasn’t been much activity this season…hopefully this afternoon?
4:30 nothing at Tiburon.
4pm at Paradise. Nothing.
Cruised by Tiberon, nothing but Tons of birds in Sasalito just past the Barrel House. Gonna wait for the tide here.
Nothing at couote point yet. I check every night
Nothing at couote point yet. I check every night
Been sitting over here in Saualito watching the birds. They all just picked and split. Looks like they maybe heading for tiburon. Gonna go check it out. 1:37 pm
5:30 nothing at point Richmond.
3:30 pm. Nothing at Paradise or Fort Baker.
I hope the reason no comments today is because everyone is busy catching herring 🙂
haha all these guys holding out!! Where is the herring Moon?
I know that you “YOU” know, so let US know! hahah =P
I would not hold out on you. This is where I got my info on the herring fishery and where to go and what to do. Got to give back.
I’m still looking and waiting. My guess is that they will be in Marin, Paradise Beach Park, before Point Richmond (These are the two places where I had success). I don’t remember any report of them being at Fort Baker. I’ll only make a trip to the South Bay if there are confirmed spawns and I missed the Marin and Richmond spawns. I only have so much room for Herring in my freezer. I’m down to my last two bags. Need the bait.
I’m just pulling your leg Moon. I saw an Instagram post of some eggs around the Sausalito area.
I know. Just saying that I’ve learned a lot from this site and your videos.
Has anyone been out on the water looking via boat?
Richmond Point at 4:30 nothing.
3rd strike and im out. 🙂 3:30 pm nothing at Ft. Baker
2:00 pm nothing at Tiburon Pier
1:35 pm nothing at Paradise
Nothing at kincaida today been checking there pass could days no signs of fish sadly
Nothing at kincaida today been checking their lately no signs sadly
All the spawn site maps I have found from the likes of CDFW, USFWS and consultants. show Martinez as the eastward end of spawning territory. Antioch? I don’t think so.
Hit up Antioch today around 3pm and it was packed. Barely any room to even throw your net.
I didn’t even know the herring spawned in antioch? Is there a location and photo that you can share with the group? Send it to [email protected] — TLA
location,please
That is surprising. I think I just learned that herring may spawn in fresh water as well. More details about the Antioch spawn would be great!
Lol it’s illegal to throw a net in that water.
Haha I totally forgot. That is completely right. It is illegal to use a castnet In the delta. Good point!
Somehow I feel that last comment regarding Antioch is #fakenews unless I see some proof here.
nada at coyote pt.
Same for Fort Baker. 12:17 pm nadda
11:46 am on the 13th. Nothing at Paradise
Thanks, saves me a trip.
1/13/20
Checked the Embarcadero ferry building very briefly this morning. Nothing.
1/12/20
Went to the Alameda rock wall tonight at sunset, about a dozen seals and hundreds of diving birds. maybe about 100 yards from the wall. Talked with a few fisherman, they said there were eggs, I walked pretty far out there, but found none.
1/12/20
Checked Aqua Vista Park, McCovey cove and Sausalito today…still nothing.
Stopped by Tiburon Fishing Pier on my way home and got nothing as well. The day was a bust. Will try again on my way home in the evenings. I hope someone out there is getting them.
Nothing at Paradise beach park.
Point Richmond, nothing.
I’m at the rockwall now and there is nothing. Talked to a birder at he said the birds have been round for weeks and hint clams. I looked for eggs and could not see anything.
Will try point Richmond on our way back and maybe Paradise.
I can confirm. There are hundreds of birds off Robert Crown Memorial Beach a quarter mile out from the kite rental place. There are eggs available off the rock wall.
Start safe out there. Hope nothing to serious Dan
I went tonight and had one on a sabiki. They’re hard to get to, even when on the shoreline of ballena. I ended up injuring myself and had to hightail it over to the ER or I’m sure I would have had a few in the bucket. I’ll go back tomorrow at high tide.
Thanks for the update Dan. Hope you are OK.
Maybe something going on around the arw and bellena bay. I heard of a small spawn. If someone around there check it out and post please. thanks –TLA
Good amount of activity south of the ferry building sausalito.
Point Richmond. 12.30 pm.no Activity January 11
Just Checked Paradise again today around 10am and nothing. Then checked out the Tiburon fishing pier where it looked promising because of the birds, seals, and dolphins, but they were there feeding on anchovies. Got a few and gave them to some folks fishing there. May try again later in the day and or tomorrow (Sun). Will let folks know.
Point Richmond. 12.30 pm.no Activity
Stopped by Ft. Baker, Paradise, and McCovey Cove. Nothing
Stopped by Ft. Baker, Paradise, and McCovey Cove. Nothing
Please correct the report update date. 请更正更新日期。
Went to alameda rock wall and ballena bay nothing…
I stopped at Paradise again on my way home from work. Still not there yet. Last year Paradise got hit before Richmond so I didn’t stop by Richmond on my way home, but could be different this year. Don’t really know. Will check again this weekend. and keep my eyes out on reports as well, thanks to those others who are reporting.
Man, you are in the lead for herring Hunter of the year. Haha keep it up and I got a cool herring hoodie for you. Lol
That’s only because Richmond point is on my commute and I don’t live too far from Paradise Beach. I’d like to hear news from the Peninsula.
Thank you.Will be going to Richmond in Saturday.
Checked Paradise Beach, Tiburon, and Sausalito. Nothing.
Great to hear that it has started. I just checked Point Richmond and got nothing. Going to try and check Paradise tomorrow after work.
So the second spawn has started. Currently it is located about 100 yards off seminary drive between the sea plane tours area and the shore in Richardson bay close to the 101 bridge between Mill valley and Sausalito. Appears only fishable by boat/ yak but possibly off the rocks which is more likely snag city.
Thanks for the timely update sturgytees! –TLA
So it was a small Spawn in that area . It’s mud and not a lot of vegetation but definitely found roe on the rocks there’s no fur bags there so they must’ve got their sex on and got the hell out Time to Pay more close attention they’re definitely around now
Checked Paradise and Fort Baker Sat and still nothing.
Happy New Year my herring hunting friends. Keep the faith. Last year there were many smaller spawns all over the bay but the big one took place at Ferry Point around January 26, and it was AWESOME!!!
It was AWESOME! See you soon, Happy New Year
Checked Pt Richmond and San Quentin today 1/1/2020…..nothing
New regulation for 2020- 10 gallons limit per person( to be adopt by Mar 2020). Which is plenty for one person
Do you have a link for this? I can’t find it in the regs, but did find another article saying the same thing.
Just checked Paradise and Fort Baker in Marin and nothing.
I was at point Richmond yesterday morning (7am 12/30/19) and nothing.
Point Richmond 12 pm -no activity
Rockwall Alameda and Balenna about 2pm -no activity
No signs at coyote point this morning
There’s a lot of bird and seal action off Robert Crown Memorial beach in Alameda this morning. About 1/2 out from the kite boarding shop. I’m tempted to go out in a raft.
See alot birt at Candlestick park closed to 101 free way. Keep your eyes on this area. Thank you
Has anyone caught herring on an Treasure Island?Which tide is better:low or high?
Have been in Alameda rockwall-nothing.A lot of birds around Ballena.
Ballena bay near ARW has had a small group of birds and seals working for the past week. They are only 200 yards off the rocks so gonna keep checking to see if they come in. Heard from a sailboat tenant that he’s seen them near the shore as recently as Monday at 5pm, but I saw no evidence of spawn on the rocks (disclaimer: it is high high tide right now so spawn would be under water and lots of birds could have cleaned up any evidence, perhaps?).
Yeah I also heard of some action around ballena Bay. It can’t confirm a spawn but they are around that area.
I’ll be checking tonight and tomorrow morning, then off to camp in bodega for two nights. Will be back to checking ballena bay/ARW by Sunday. I’ll keep ya posted.
Hey also anyone out east bay Richmond Ish area keep your eyes open it normally opens up there first close to the rock wall or shoreline I’ll scout the low/flood at the gate in the am just hours away I think. Let’s goooooooo
So far haven’t seen anything up this way today San Pablo and upper Richardson bay
I think it’s days away and what a big high tide today. According some friends they can smell them while running outside gate seen birds hitting surface outside the Patch
Went by Kincaids on Sunday. No activity at all.
Do they go into Tomales Bay off Dillon Beach ?
I haven’t heard of a spawn in that area. Maybe I’m wrong but haven’t heard anything that way.
where are our fish?
The bigger spawns happen from January – February. Just need to be patient.
Checked out ARW this evening. No activity. Too dark for me to see any signs of recent activity. Hoping I haven’t missed them there. Last couple of years there was an early spawn (albeit small) at the wall to kick off the season and would love to catch it this year!
最近几乎每天都来看看。Recently I checked this page almost every day.
I know it’s a little early but I checked out Paradise last Sunday and Point Richmond Tuesday and as expected, nothing. I did get to practice tossing my net which was a good thing because I needed it. Will continue to check and report back.
Thanks Moon for starting the early scouting. I’m sure they are right around the corner. I have a few things available for those who contribute the most to this thread. Thanks –TLA
Maybe get two nets if the same lions are going to be around that were at Point Richmond in January they were brutal! Haven’t heard anything from party boats about fish,I think about Xmas time. Hope everyone is having a good time this holiday season and be careful out there see you on the pier,docks or rocks.
Welcome back for another fun season. Let’s get on them!!