NOW BOOKING
30 Oct . 13 - 27 , 2017
SALTWATER
VOL . 36 • ISS . 22
SALTWATER REPORTS
BERKELEY
Fishing Great , Crowds Light
BERKELEY - Fall is an odd time of the year for the East Bay charter boat fleet . On one hand the fishing beyond the Golden Gate is generally really good , but angler interest declines sharply after Labor Day weekend as anglers turn their attention to river salmon and Delta striper fishing .
This scenario is being played out right now . The fishing is very good . but charter boats are only half to three quarters full and some days they aren ’ t running at all due to a lack of anglers .
Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sportfishing has been hitting the Farallon Islands most days . His last trip produced full limits of rockfish and lingcod for his 16 anglers aboard .
The Happy Hooker with Captains Chris
This big S . F . Bay shark hit the deck of the California Dawn during a special shark fishing trip on September 19 . Photo courtesy of CALIFORNIA DAWN SPORTFISHING , Berkeley .
and Jonathan Smith in the wheel house has also been traveling to the Farallon Islands several times per week and the results have been very good with full limits of quality rockfish and lingcod to 20 pounds being the norm .
On the salmon fishing front the bite has slowed down for Golden Gate charter boats , but the quality of the fish is outstanding with fish to 35 pounds being landed .
The New Easy Rider out of Berkeley has been averaging about a half a salmon per rod on big beautiful fish that range up to 25 pounds .
The next big event for the East Bay charter boat fleet will be the opening of crab season , which is slated to kick off on November 4 . If you want to get out for a crab and rockfish combo adventure on the opening weekend , you should book your spot now .
BODEGA BAY
Rockfish Remain The Staple off Sonoma County Coast
BODEGA BAY - Rockfish remain the “ headliner ” while those chasing salmon are seeing ’ hit and miss ’ action . The winds ramped up over the last weekend of September , and the majority of party boats were tied up to the docks . Earlier in the week , Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler took a combination trip for salmon and rockfish / ling cod . He trolled along Ten Mile Beach with 20 clients , hooking 8 salmon and landing 5 to 16 pounds along with a bonus halibut
This angler was shooting for a striper or a halibut while drifting live anchovies in San Francisco Bay this September , but instead boated this great eating white sea bass .
Photo courtesy of BASS TUB SPORTFISHING , San Francisco . of 14 pounds .
After trolling , they loaded up the sacks with quality rockfish south of the harbor , and the majority of rockfish were bottom-grabbers of vermilion , copper , and browns . They finished off the day loading the sacks with all quality rockfish with mostly reds , coopers and browns to go with 37 lingcod .
There is work scheduled at the Westside Launch Ramp to occur between September 25th and October 27th to improve low tide access and comply with regulatory permit conditions . The facility will be reopened in time for the opening of recreational crab season on November 4th .
Speaking of crab season , out of Bodega Bay Sport Fishing , Powers will be offering the crab / rockfish combination trips along with Captain Eric Holthouse of North Bay Charters .
- Dave Hurley
FISHERMAN ’ S WHARF
Live Bait Drifters Nail Bay Stripers , Halibut
SAN FRANCISCO – After slowing down with the arrival of slower tides , the striped bass action in San Francisco Bay was picking up at press time .
“ The latest trip where we focused on stripers produced limits of bass and 6 halibut near the Bay Bridge ,” reported Aaron Anfinson , captain of the Bass Tub . “ The previous day ’ s trip produced 17 limits of striped bass . The stripers averaged 3 to 4 pounds , with the biggest one weighing 16 pounds . An angler also landed a 15 lb . white seabass .”
“ On September 30 , Patrick Harrington and I caught two halibut to 16 pounds at Alcatraz on two drifts while we were waiting for some swimmers during a swimming charter ,” said Anfinson .
The fishing slowed down on October 1 , a half day trip that produced 3 halibut and 1 bass for a half dozen anglers . “ The bass were biting , but we decided to focus on halibut ,” Anfinson noted .
HALF MOON BAY
Salmon Still Trickling In Outside & Inside Of Harbor
EL GRANADA - King salmon continue to make a spirited showing for commercial fishermen , skiffs , and even kayaks outside and inside of the harbor while rockfishing remains the staple species . With crab season on the near horizon , private and party boats are starting to gear up for the November 4th opener ,
Captain Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete said , “ Salmon are still found between the buoys outside of the harbor , and we picked up a couple of limits in the late afternoon this week after hearing on the radio that the bite was on .”
Sherry Ingles of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing confirmed the good bite for private boaters , saying , “ There is not enough
Tony hit the jackpot when he landed this incredible 32 pound king salmon while trolling beyond the Golden Gate aboard the New Easy Rider on September 23 .
Photo courtesy of NEW EASY RIDER SPORTFISHING , Berkeley .
going on for party boats , but private and commercial boats are scratching out quality fish . There were six kayaks out on one morning this week , and all kayaks limited out by 7:00 a . m . working just inside of the harbor .”
‘ The salmon are fin-clipped , so they are returning from the Coastside Fishing Club pen project . Salmon are also found inside the harbor for those throwing Corkies or spinners with barbless hooks , but fishermen who have snagged salmon have received citations as the Department of Fish and Wildlife is closely monitoring the area . Most shore fishermen are working from the restrooms to the private boat launch , but the salmon also enter a drainage ditch near the Fish Trap restaurant .”
‘ We were able to make it out for rockfish on Saturday , September 30th despite the weather , and the Queen of Hearts returned with limits of rockfish along with a few lings ,” she reported . The Dungeness crab season opens on November 4th . The Huli Cat is one of the only boats in the harbor running for crab / rockfish combination or crab-only trips . - Dave Hurley
New Easy Rider Sportfishing Departures from Berkeley Marina
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SALMON
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