VOL . 40 • ISS . 6

EAST BAY SALT WATER

El Cerrito – George , owner of Bay Tackle , reports the halibut and striper bite is really good right now . Fish are being caught in Pinole and Paradise area . Oyster Point is producing shaker sized halibut but some quality ones are in the mix as well . Stripers are also being caught while throwing lures from the shore . A variety of lures can be used but a 3.5 ” white swimbait seems to be most productive . Perch fishing is coming to a close soon but fishing is good right now from Berkeley to the Pinole shores . Berkley Gulp seems to be the best bait . If you are in search of Jack smelt use a small sized pile worms with a small hook . Crab snares for shore anglers are that are in search of crab are still producing George also reported that sturgeon anglers catching fish near the crockett area .

FISHERMAN ’ S WHARF

Charter Boats Target Halibut and Stripers on the Bay

SAN FRANCISCO – Charter boat anglers are getting into some topnotch striper and halibut fishing in San Francisco . Bay . Live anchovies are not available yet , but fishermen are hooking both species while trolling and drifting anchovies and herring . Erik Anfinson , Captain of the Bass Tub , reported great fishing for both stripers and halibut on San Francisco Bay on Sunday , March 14 . The 6 anglers landed limits of striped bass and 11 halibut to 12 pounds while trolling and drifting anchovies and herring , according to

Anfinson . Fishing slowed down the following Saturday , March 20 , though . “ You can ’ t get them every day ,” said Anfinson . “ It was a tough one on the water for us today - we only ended up with two halibut and a bass . We released numerous undersized fish .”

HALF MOON BAY

Anglers Gear Up for Rockfish and Salmon Seasons

EL GRANADA - Charter boat skippers out of Pillar Point Harbor are currently getting ready for the rockfish and salmon seasons . The boat-based rockfish and lingcod season will open on April 1 . California ’ s recreational salmon fishery will open in ocean waters on Saturday , April 3 in the Monterey management area , from Pigeon Point ( 37 ° 11 ’ 00 ” N . latitude ) south to the U . S ./ Mexico border , with a minimum size limit of 24 inches , according to a press release from the CDFW . “ All other areas of the California coast will remain closed until further notice . The remaining 2021 season dates and associated regulations will be finalized next month ,” the CDFW said . Meanwhile , the Hulicat has been embarking on sanddab / crab trips off the San Mateo County coast . The most recent trip by Captain Tom Mattusch of the Hulicat yielded produced good numbers of crabs and sanddabs in 300 feet of water . “ While fishing for sanddabs and crab , we also brought in a few nice petrale sol up to 2 pounds ,” said Mattusch . “ The best pot of the day had 22 crab . The six anglers landed 68 sanddabs , 2 petrale , and 6 limits of crab .”

MONTEREY BAY

Anglers Target Sanddabs , Petrale Sole and Halibut Until Rockfish Season Starts

MOSS LANDING - The Kahuna and other sportfishing boats are currently gearing up for the rockfish and salmon seasons . Meanwhile , anglers are catching sanddabs , Petrale sole , Dungeness crabs , and a few halibut while fishing on Monterey Bay . The rockfish season will run from April through December 31 while the salmon season is slated to open on April 3 . The Pacific Fishery Management Council ( PFMC ) was developing season alternatives for California salmon fisheries at the March 2-5 and 8-11 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting . Final season regulations will be adopted at the April 6-9 and 12-15 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting . Charter boats out of Chris ’ Fishing Trips in Monterey are venturing out on crab / sanddab combos until the

March 26 , 2021

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rockfish and salmon seasons begin . The 19 anglers aboard the Checkmate landed 27 sanddabs and 26 crabs during a trip on Monterey Bay on March 6 . The 4 anglers aboard the Caroline the same day caught 45 sanddabs , 1 petrale sole and 1 rock sole . On the previous trip , the 14 anglers aboard the Checkmate caught 300 sandabs , 10 petrale sole and 1 rock wole . “ The surf anglers are catching some nice perch and a few striped bass near Manresa ,” reported Todd Fraser of Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz . “ The rockfishing is going to start on April 1 . We will see what the P . F . M . C . decides on the salmon season , but I would expect a opener on April 3 .” For halibut , anglers should target the Mile Buoy , Capitola , and Pajaro areas . The majority of halibut are being caught in 65-80 feet of water .

- Dan Bacher

Spring has arrived in Los Barriles and the fishing has been spectacular ! It is a great sign to see so much bait in the water and so far the anglers that have gone out have had great success . Spring Fishing in the East Cape usually consists of yellowtail , dorado , pargo , cabrilla , jacks and sierra to name a few . This year has seen all that and more . We have been lucky enough this year to have yellowfin tuna , wahoo and striped marlin join the party , along with an incredible yellowtail bite . Yellowtail is one of those species that we only get in March and April and we started to see nice yellowtail as early as February this year . The weather has been in the mid to upper 70 ’ s with water temps in the mid to upper 60 ’ s . – Van Wormer Resorts

VM1 – These anglers nailed this hefty yellowtail while fishing with Van Wormer Resorts . The East Cape is currently producing wahoo , striped marlin and yellowfin tuna .

Photo Courtesy of Van Wormer Resorts

This lucky angler caught this hard fighting yellowtail while fishing in the East Cape with Van Wormer Resorts .

Photo Courtesy of Van Wormer Resorts