San Pablo Bay 1.13.2020
Pacific Herring
It’s here. It’s here!! The annual migration of the pacific herring has started in the San Francisco bay area. If you plan on going out to fish the herring run, please take time to read this article I wrote – why becoming a responsible herring hunter is important.
Visit the 2020 herring spawn report for the latest update on the herring spawn. There are many great herring hunters sharing information and keeping us all appraised of the run in real time.
Sturgeon and Dino Fishing
Winter is here and that means the Sturgeon Fisherman are out looking for this extremely elusive fish. Sturgeon fishing is for the patient and dedicated. The fringed waters of the San Pablo bay area offer a chance to target this fish, however, the delta can also be productive.
Over the past few weeks, Moo and I have been going out to various parts of the delta and bay. Moo has been on a tear landing many undersize fish, which bodes well for the future of the fishery. He also got a legal fish. He’s been targeting the Montezuma slough area with decent success.
Crab and Ghost Shrimp
The commercial season for the Dungeness crab has open and the fleet is in full force. You can often find the fleet of commercial crabbers working the coast from HMB to Bodega bay. The impact of the commercial fishery does make slow things down for recreational fisherman like us, but hey… we can’t have all the fun.
The crabs are also beginning to spawn, so crabbing maybe a little slower until they are done sexing up. There have been lots of female crabs in the traps along with a few males. The females are starting to egg up so make sure to release the preggos.
Read the full TLA 2020 January fishing report here
Oyster Point/Alameda Rock Wall 3.24.2020
pacific herring
Thanks for all those who contributed to the 2020 herring spawn. It was good year if you were able to get on the fish by following the herring thread, however, at this point, i think it is safe to say the herring spawn is done for the year. I am a concern with the small spawns, but that is topic to be covered another time
Dungness Crab
Anglers are still able to get on the crabs in the pacific ocean. The poaching seems to have slowed down, as it historically does after the holidays. The crabbing has been a slower with more females and undersized males in the mixed. Even over night soaks have produce less crab than in the past. However, limits of crabs can still be found when conditions align and your pot in the right spot. At this point in the season working for limits is more the norm than pulling easy limits.
California Halibut!
Yes folks, here it is — My spirit fish! The halibut are in the bay, but anglers are getting mix results. There are mixed pockets of fish from the south bay to Saulsalito, and the Berkley Flats. Moo and I worked the TI area recently and ended up with no fish. There has been a contingency of Kayak Anglers working the Alameda Rock Wall with decent results (Not great, but decent). My friend, ensei was able to pull limits (3 legal fish) from the wall recently, and another friend pulled a 34′ halibut too. The fish are there, and ARW is probably the best bet right now for early season halibut.
Alameda Rock Wall/ Monterey 4.20.2020
Since the shelter in place order is still in acted, i have not fished. These are second hand reports that i have been following and provided by me by fellow kayak anglers. This Chovy is getting restless but the end is coming soon.
Squid!!
There has been squid located in the Monterey Bay area, and Half Moon Bay. The large schools of squid are stirring up quiet talk about WSB roaming our waters again. There have been a few WSB caught among the schools but nothing to get excited about or make a dedicated trip for. These WSB are more incidental fish then an emergence of a larger trend. The squid situation should be monitored over the summer months to see if any WSB schools emerge. If you are in the Monterey bay area try dropping a squid jig, or a sabiki lure to try your hand at jigging up some squid!
California Halibut
The Halibut season has started off well with many large halibut being caught in the bay. Since the Oyster Point side of the bay is closed the only game in town is the Alameda Rock Wall. Many anglers have been working the area and getting good results. Anglers are able to pull at least one fish, but multiple fish and even limits are not uncommon.
The halibut have also started showing up in the ocean. Monterey bay in front of MBK(Monterey Bay Kayaks), are producing some early season halibut action. If the halibut can’t be found the local reefs can also produce some coastal rock fish for a tasty meal.
Marin/Pacifica – June 12, 2020
The summer is here and the fishing is picking up for many of our favorite species. From Marin to Monterey the fishing is picking up and kayak anglers are making their way into the ocean, lakes and bay.
Summer is here and if you are looking into getting into kayak fishing drop by our California Canoe and Kayak stores to Demo and test out a kayak today. The friendly staff will get you situated and set up to go. Tell them TLA sent you!
King Salmon:
Let’s start with the Kings of the Coast. The grade of King Salmon this year is the best we have seen for some time. There is a mix of fish but we are seeing large king salmon in June. Pacifica (Linda Mar/Rockaway) and Bolinas (Dux) are producing some large King Salmon. These are both advance fishing grounds because of the surf launches. Kayak anglers are mainly trolling for salmon but mooching is a great technique when fishing around big bait balls.
Read Full JUNE REPORT HERE