I've heard of two halibut that were caught by Hog Island last Saturday and another one landed today, so maybe it's finally starting to be halibut time here. The wind was still blowing yesterday even though the forecast didn't call for it. Today it's just choppy outside. Too bad you can't salmon fish today or tomorrow. The crabbing on the pier slowed down over the weekend but should pick back up mid-week with the lighter pressure. In the bay it has been pretty good for most of the crabbers.

Al Matson of Auburn caught this 30 pound salmon this morning. It bit a Brad's Super Bait Cut Plug out by the number 2 buoy. Why was he fishing by the buoy? Because out deeper the ocean was trying to throw him out of the boat. 

Stacy Barton managed to stay in the boat out in 180 feet of water and put this 20 pounder aboard. Another fish was lost before it got too rough to continue. Several boats went for halibut in the bay and at least one flatty was taken on a live shiner by Hog Island. 

Quick update: For those that fish for salmon, maybe Sunday if the forecast holds. Right out in front of Tomales Point the New Sea Angler clobbered the salmon in 180 feet of water before illness chased them in on Wednesday. For pier anglers, quite a few Dungeness are coming in lately. There have been some limits taken from the pier in the last couple of weeks. Also, the shiners are still biting when the water slows down.

Since much of the recent successful salmon fishing has been near the Head, it seemed like a good time to remind people that there is a closed area. On this map, the red area is closed to all fishing, period. The blue area is open only to "pelagic finfish" (effectively salmon) and Dungeness crab fishing by trap only (no ring nets or red crab). I've heard some secondhand reports of people fishing in the red zone. It probably is good fishing, but it is definitely a bad idea. There has already been a commercial fisherman that got to spend a little time in county jail for crabbing in an MPA further north. Probably you don't want to be his bunkmate. Check your GPS. If you are between 38 18 and 38 20.1 and in less than 250 feet of water you should probably stack your gear and get out of there. This is a good reason to learn how to read the numbers.

Pete Sequeira and his buddy Jeff caught these on Saturday at 16 and 4, basically 4 miles due west of the number 2 buoy off of Tomales Point. They bit herring at 30 pulls down with a 2 pound ball.

The final photo from the van Loben Sels family vacation. Mark and sons finished up their stay with some clams to go with their salmon and lingcod. There's even a few Washington clams on the lower left. Mark's toes are at the bottom of the photo.

Last year, Sue (on the left) had the biggest salmon on the big fish board for most of salmon season. While these fish aren't quite board-worthy, everyone should consider themselves on notice for this season. 

Here's a photo and report just in from Mark van Loben Sels:

Saturday June 8th.  Straight out front and slight north. 38.16 and 123.05 to 38.18 and 123.07.  190 to 240 deep. 60 Feet down. No flashers rsk and crippled herring