Wednesday, April 4, 2018

  It sounds like the halibut are biting well in San Francisco Bay but here in Tomales Bay the big bite hasn't kicked off yet. A few have been caught but in the last couple of weeks I haven't spoke to anybody that caught one. There's not many people fishing for them, though, so that could be part of it. The water temperature near Hog Island is borderline, bouncing back and forth from 56º to 58º in the last few days. If I were going to go (and I probably will be, next week) I'd try further back in the flats near Inverness. The water warms from the top down, and in 6 to 8 feet of water the bottom is closer to the top. Assuming not too much fresh water input from the creeks (which may be going to happen this weekend) and water that's not gin clear, those 20" to 24" halibut that were back there last year should bite in 60º-ish water. If you go, be aware that there is a submerged fenceline that will ruin your boat and day if you hit it. Here's a map:
    Salmon season opens below Pigeon Point on Saturday but we will have to wait until at least June 9 or later for our chance. A decision on the season will be made during the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting of April 5-11. Stay tuned...
     The surfperch bite has been spotty and the only ones consistently getting them are the ospreys. The Dungeness crabbing has been slow as usual but they're still getting caught. Here's a report from the weekend by Bodega Jack:"Just a quick note that there are still a few crabs around.  We (Ted Rebello) and I picked up two limits of "barely legal" to medium size Dungeness crabs on an overnight soak in the outer bay to supplement our Easter dinners."

3 comments:

  1. Appreciate the report Willy. Nice crabbing Jack!

    Time to hitch up the goo gone wagons....our fearless leader Harvest Time will lead the pack.

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  2. Yep, I'm a legend in my own mind.

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  3. got one way in the back yesterday 4/3
    , fished all day just pulling one rod in rapping it up when the other rod went off 22"

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