Crabbing continues to slow down as the Dungeness start to think about the only other thing that occupies their mind. That's right, love is in the water, or will be soon. There are still some being caught from the beach with snares and the Outer Bay isn't done yet, but Dungies making babies and growing new shells won't make the traps fill faster.
    The surfperch fishing has been great with this mostly nice weather we've been having. Unfortunately the catching has been pretty bad. The ospreys are getting a few but hook-and-line fishermen are finding it far more difficult.
    No halibut from Tomales Bay yet but the water is starting to warm up (56º as I write this) so it seems likely it won't be too long. The basic rule is that once they start really catching them in San Francisco Bay we are about a month behind. The water temp would indicate that it may be even sooner. When it happens it will start way in the back on the flats in 6 to 8 feet of water and then work North. Some larger ones should show on this end of the bay in early to mid-May.
    It sounds like we may get a salmon season this year but the lack of rain now is going to put a big hurt on the salmon in a couple of years. Hatchery fish will get bussed downriver but the wild ones (that set the season) will need to climb over rocks in hot water. Not good.
    The ridge of high pressure that's keeping the rain away is also making another warm water "Blob" it seems, so we may see some exotics this year. They're already catching bluefin in Southern California. If you're a dreamer like me, check out the NorCal Deep Drop Swordfish group on Facebook. There's a lot of fellow dreamers there, but also quite of bit of information. There will be a sword landed in Northern California this year. Maybe.
     Lastly, the Fish and Game Commission will be coming up with new regulations regarding the use of water pumps for clamming. These regulations are being considered now, so if you have any concerns you should probably voice them to fgc@fgc.ca.gov with "Petition #2019-012" in the subject line.