Friday, November 18, 2016

     So, the latest crab tests are in and the Bodega Dungeness crab passed. That's a good thing for eating crab but probably a bad one for catching them, as commercial season will likely get expanded to here as well. Fort Bragg had five of twelve crabs fail, so they'll probably only be opening up to Gualala or so. Numbers of crabs caught have remained good in the deeper spots and not so good in the outer bay. Inside Tomales Bay the Dungies have slowed a bit but are still coming in from both the pier and especially from boats. The deeper holes have been pretty consistent producers but usually only around the turn of the tide when the current slows down. Fast current in those holes means bye-bye gear when the buoys dive. The sand on the bottom can also shift over the top of the pot when the current is ripping. Please remember to weight your lines, as I drive on the bay and don't want to wreck your gear or my motor.
     Rockfishing has been good when you can get there here. Mostly you couldn't get out of Tomales because of the breaking bar but the sea dropped down for a couple days this week. Maybe Tuesday of next week it may be passable. If not, there's perch in the surf. There was a report of a "striped mackerel" about two feet long hooked and lost in the surf last weekend. They said it was not a striped bass. Water temps pushing 60 degrees, so bonito? Someone has to land one so we can find out. I sent my go-to guy but Gage could only catch perch. Which was okay.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

From what i heard Bodega needs two clean tests before commercial opens.

Unknown said...

Bodega needs another clean test by Dec 1st to open up is what i was just told. I'll be out there mid week to get my thanksgiving crab thats for sure.

Chuck Knutson said...

The "striped mackerel" could very well be bonito, but since they were not landed, how could one tell what they were? Having caught many bonito and striped bass, I will say that bonito fight harder, pound for pound. That is not to say I don't like stripers. I hope someone land one so we know what they actually are.