30 April 27 - May 11 , 2018 VOL . 37 • ISS . 10 SALTWATER
SALTWATER REPORTS
BERKELEY
Halibut , Stripers And Bonus White Sea Bass Grab Baits
BERKELEY - An outstanding live bait potluck season is shaping up for Bay Area anglers . Quality live bait is available and several species of gamefish including halibut , striped bass and white sea bass are on tap .
Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sportfishing has been in the middle of the action putting up some of the best scores so far .
For example , on Saturday April 14 , Smith ’ s 24 anglers boated 24 halibut to 27 pounds , 14 keeper stripers and added an impressive 35 pound white sea bass to the tally while fishing the central bay .
The previous day the 28 anglers aboard the California Dawn boated 28 halibut to 18 pounds and 15 keeper stripers .
Captains Chris and Jonathan Smith of Happy Hooker Sportfishing have also been enjoying very good action while fishing both the south bay and central bay .
“ This is going to be a great season ,” exclaimed Chris Smith . “ We are off to an early start . There are lots of bass and halibut in the bay already and some white sea bass too . We ’ ve had live bait for a couple weeks . Typically , we don ’ t get live bait until late April or even May . As good as things are right now , I think the fishing is going to get even better in the coming weeks . I ’ m pretty excited .”
BODEGA BAY
Rockfish Season Now Open , Salmon Season Will Open June 17
BODEGA BAY - The rockfish opener began on Sunday , April 15th , but this was also the weekend for the 45th Annual Fishermen ’ s Festival at Westside Landing . As a result , for the first time in 35 years , Captain Rick Powers of the New Sea Angler and Bodega Bay Sport Fishing didn ’ t fish the opener .
Powers said , “ The New Sea Angler was the lead boat for the annual Blessing of the Fleet with a number of commercial boats participating in the parade out of the harbor , and this was the first time since I have established the business in Bodega Bay that we didn ’ t go out on the opener . A rabbi , a priest , and a pastor blessed the fleet , but we are all ready to go out for rockfish until the salmon season opens on June 17th .”
The Bodega Bay Fishermen ’ s Festival has its origin as a celebration of the start of the salmon fishing season , and all proceeds from the Festival benefit Bodega Bay Area community services . In 2017 the Fisherman ’ s Festival distributed $ 66,000 to local non-profit organizations .
The start of the salmon season has been delayed from its traditional April opener , but it will open on June 17th and close October 31st from Point Arena to Pigeon Point with a 20-inch minimum size limit .
Captain Eric Holthouse of North Bay Charters also did not go out on the opener for rockfish , but he has his vessel , the ‘ Take Five ’ ready to go with plenty of upgrades for the current season .
Out of Lawson ’ s Landing , a few halibut have been taken inside the bay and at the mouth of the opening , and surf perch action remains solid from the beaches .
– David Hurley
FISHERMAN ’ S WHARF
Halibut , Stripers & White Seabass All Biting In South Bay
SAN FRANCISCO – Live bait trips on San Francisco Bay are producing an exciting array of halibut , striped bass and even white seabass for anglers venturing out of Fisherman ’ s Wharf .
The Bass Tub made a half-day trip on Sunday , April 15 that yielded 12 halibut to 11 pounds , five striped bass to 6 pounds and six white seabass to 12 pounds for 25 anglers .
“ We drifted live anchovies in 25 feet of water in the Candlestick area of the south bay ,” said Captain Aaron Anfinson . “ It was a tough morning ; we hooked most of the fish on two drifts during the incoming tide just before we left at 12:30 p . m .”
The fishermen also released lots of undersized halibut and three undersized white seabass , according to Anfinson .
On the previous day , a full day adventure , the six anglers aboard the Bass Tub caught 10 halibut to 12 pounds and four striped bass to 5 pounds , also while drifting live bait on the south bay , said Anfinson .
- Dan Bacher
HALF MOON BAY
Local Rockfish Opener Produces Limits
EL GRANADA - Sherry Ingles of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing said , “ There was a big swell and a fast-moving current , but those who were able to keep contact with the bottom were rewarded with limits of quality bottom dwellers . The Riptide produced limits for 10 anglers with a number of vermilions and coppers and the Queen of Hearts was able to put together limits of what we call the ‘ Half Moon Bay
Julie Hilton tempted this jumbo halibut with a live anchovy while fishing San Francisco Bay with Captain James Smith . Photo courtesy of CALIFORNIA DAWN SPORTFISHING , Berkeley .
New Easy Rider Sportfishing
Departures from Berkeley Marina
3425
There have been good numbers of white sea bass showing up for anglers drifting live bait in San Francisco Bay . This keeper was caught aboard the Happy Hooker on April 7 .
Photo courtesy of HAPPY HOOKER SPORTFISHING , Berkeley .
Fish ALASKA
3102
The Raiders didn ’ t win the Super Bowl , but this happy lady angler scored a touchdown when she landed this big San Francisco Bay halibut aboard the California Dawn on April 10 .
Photo courtesy of CALIFORNIA DAWN SPORTFISHING , Berkeley .
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