Fish Sniffer Magazine Volume 44 Issue 01 | Page 26

26 January 10 , 2025 VOL . 44 • ISS . 1

BODEGA BAY

Offshore Yellowtail Were the Big Surprise of 2024 Season

BODEGA BAY – Rough weather conditions prevented Bodega boats from getting out on the end of the rockfish season , but what a year it was . On Dec . 3 , Captain Josh Stevens reported an “ unreal day chasing yellowtail and albacore ” in the offshore waters west of Bodega Bay . “ We ended the day with 23 yellowtail and 1 fat 30 lb . albacore ,” said Captain Josh Stevens of North Bay Fishing Charters . “ We headed west with yellowtail and albacore in mind and quickly found a log holding huge numbers of yellowtail . After a couple 6 way hookups on the troll , we decided to toss irons around the log and found a pretty steady jig bite .” “ We picked up another 11 fish on the jigs and lost several more , but had a blast hooking them on the spinning gear . On the way home , we picked up 50 jumbo crab to finish out the day . It ’ s one of the most epic days of the year fishing , and it will be pretty tough to beat this day for NorCal yellowtail ,” he stated . On his previous trip , Stevens reported an “ epic lingcod bite ” out of Bodega Bay . “ On Saturday , we finished out the inshore lingcod season strong with limits for clients and crew on rockfish and lingcod ,” he stated . “ Immediately upon arriving to the lingcod grounds in 30 feet water , it was wide open fishing with flat seas and clear water where we could see the lingcod swimming around the rocks from the surface .”

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“ We fished mostly swimbaits the entire day , and we released several dozen fish and had a blast the entire time . We moved deeper for rockfish and quickly gathered a colorful limits of canaries , blues and others before grabbing our crab on the way home . Overall , it was an epic day to finish the inshore season with a great group .” The New Sea Angler reported excellent fishing for rockfish and crabs on his last trip of 2024 . The 27 anglers aboard the boat on December 7 landed 230 rockfish , 5 lingcod up to 18 pounds and 230 Dungeness crab to 2.5 pounds , according to Captain Rick Powers . The 27 anglers out the next day on a crab trip checked in with 270 Dungeness crabs to 2 pounds .

- Dan Bacher

FISHERMAN ’ S WHARF / BERKELEY

Captains Target Leopard Sharks and Stripers In San Pablo Bay

SAN FRANCISCO – Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions tells me when the weather allows , he ’ s been navigating with his customers to the western side of San Pablo Bay near China Camp for a variety of species . Capt . Ron continued to say that he ’ s been fishing at anchor for leopard sharks , bat rays , and an occasional stiped bass or sturgeon .. Capt . Ron has been mainly running 1 / 2 day trips in San Pablo Bay and has stopped going out the Golden Gate for crab , putting his hoop nets away for the season . Meanwhile , Captain Craig Hanson of Argo Sportfishing told me much of the same . Capt . Craig has also been heading to the west side of

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San Pablo Bay with his clients on 1 / 2 day trips anchoring up for leopard sharks , bat rays and some striped bass . Like Capt . Ron , Capt . Craig has stopped going out the Golden Gate into the Pacific for crab . ” Happy New Year everyone from the Bass Tub ,,” reported Captain Erik Anfinson of the Bass Tub . “ In 2024 we had some amazing fishing , from wide open halibut to wide open bass , to a great showing of albacore , and to wrap it up we had a great crab season ! Hopefully , we will get that amazing salmon fishing hat everyone misses and loves in 2025 .” On Dec . 31 , the California Dawn ran their last rockfish / crab combo trips of the season . The California Dawn 1 returned to the dock with 210 rockfish ( limits ) and 210 Dungeness crab ( limits ), while the California Dawn 2 had 70 rockfish , 290 Dungeness crab ( limits ) and 1 lingcod . “ We will be shut down for January through February and will resume sometime in mid- March for spring halibut and striped bass ,” said Captain James Smith . I know it ’ s been mentioned before in my reports , but it ’ s worth mentioning again that on January 1 , 2025 boat operators of all ages will be required to possess a valid California Boaters Card . So , if you haven ’ t already done so I would recommend you do so soon . For more information go to the California Boater Card website ( http :// californiaboatercard . com ). If you would like more information about the California Striped Bass Association ( CSBA ), go to our website ( www . striper-csba . org ). You will be able to access all the information related to the 4 CSBA Chapters . New members only pay $ 25 , that includes a one-time $ 5 initiation fee . After the first year of membership the annual dues are only $ 20 . Your membership helps to strengthen our mission to protect striped bass and our fisheries . Some Chapters will give you a free gift just for joining . The Isleton-Delta Chapter gives all new members two free Isleton Chapter decals and a Chapter hat as a thank you for joining our Chapter . Membership forms are available for each Chapter on the website . Just click on your Chapter of choice and go to the membership page , fill out

the application , print it and send your application and payment to the address listed on the application . The Isleton Chapter accepts credit cards online on the website for new memberships , membership renewals as well as our chapter ’ s events . The website also has Chapters ’ newsletters , photos , interesting articles , and useful links that will help you plan your next fishing trip .

- Ken Baccetti

MONTEREY BAY

Sanddab and Petrale Sole Trips Begin , Santa Cruz Wharf Reopens

MONTEREY – Anglers finished 2024 with topnotch rockfish and lingcod fishing on Dec . 31 in the Monterey Bay Area . Chris ’ Fishing Trips will be running sanddab and sole fishing adventures from now through April 30 , 2025 . The 21 anglers aboard the Checkmate caught 105 rockfish and 25 lingcod while fishing shrimp flies , bars and other offerings off the Monterey County Coast , according to Chris Arcoleo of Chris ’ Fishing Trips . On Jan . 3 , the Checkmate checked in with “ lots of sanddabs ” and 6 petrale sole during their Monterey Bay angling adventure . Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz also reported solid rockfish action on the final day of the season . “ The rockfish fishing was good at the deep reefs near Davenport ,” said Fraser . “ The water conditions calmed down and anglers were able to use the launch ramp .” Stagnaro ’ s Sport Fishing reported good rockfishing on their last trip of the season . “ The anglers aboard the 7-hour deep sea rockcod trip caught limits ,” said Captain Ken Stagnaro . They are now booking sanddab fishing adventures on Monterey Bay . Their first sanddab trip of the season yielded about 21 sanddabs per rod . On December 23 , 2024 , the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf , where the Dolphin Restaurant and Restroom # 3 were located , collapsed into the ocean along with three construction workers . Two workers were rescued by Santa Cruz Lifeguard Unit 3166 , and the third was self-rescued , according to the City of Santa Cruz . The wharf reopened to the public on Saturday , 1 / 4 / 25 at 7 AM . Please follow all posted signage and warnings to ensure public safety . The area of the wharf that was closed for construction will remain closed to the public . The affected wharf section has been closed since January 2024 due to damage from intense storms in late 2023 and early 2024 . Construction began in fall 2024 to reinforce the area , including the demolition of the Dolphin Restaurant , necessary to effect the repairs . For more information on the partial collapse , go here : https :// www . cityofsantacruz . com / community / city-newsroom / cityincident-reports

- Dan Bacher