Halibut fishing spots near Fort Bragg?

Can anyone recommend any Fort-Bragg/Mendocino-area halibut spots? I was out at McKerricher State Park a couple of days ago (first time there -- jigging for lingcod) and my buddy surprisingly hooked into a ~36" halibut. Unfortunately it was too big for his net and we didn't have a gaff, so... not a happy ending. We had gone south a bit around the point on the left side of the launch bay by the parking lot and there were some sandy-bottomed areas. To the north, along Ten Mile Beach, would be all sand. Has anyone fished there?

Thanks!

James

Calibut ? Or pacific halibut?  Any sandy spot less than 150ft qualifies for a calibut area.

Ten mile beach is supposed to have big halibut there ^^

Ten mile beach is supposed to have big halibut there ^^

Seems logical cause of all the sand. It’s shallow close outs for some distance. Which access would you recommend?

Ten mile beach is supposed to have big halibut there ^^

Seems logical cause of all the sand. It’s shallow close outs for some distance. Which access would you recommend?

I can't say I know from experience myself but, I do know of kayakers that fish out of MacKerricher beach, just south of 10 mile like OP mentioned.

There's a parking lot on the south end, also looks like the most viable place to launch.

That overhead shot shows it exactly. The launch spot is indicated by that arrow, on the south end of the bay. It's an easy launch through the surf there on a VERY calm 3' day, but I've heard it's generally a tough launch, with a steep beach and only do-able when it's really calm. Also, a bit of a challenge to get your kayak down the short but rough path from the parking lot to the water if it's at all heavy -- not possible to use a cart from what I saw -- two-person job, ideally.

I've only been out there once, so I'm no expert.

Is there an easier kayak launch in that area?  Taking my son up there in October - planning to take a charter out one day, but would like to bring the yak also.  Thanks!

Side note - McKerricher is an awesome campground, been there a few times. 

Actually, I think there is an easier way to get your kayak to the beach, but it'd be a bit of a haul to the launch. There are two (main) parking lots at the beach. The one at the south end of the bay (close to the best launch) is a somewhat steep but short and rough path down, but there's a another parking lot more mid-bay (just above Lake Cleone in the photo that I think has a flat approach to the beach. BUT, it'd be a bit of a haul to then carry/pull your kayak all the way to launch site at the south end.

I'm thinking about just launching at the boat ramp in the harbor - its gonna be me and my 13YO on a big tandem.  Just set reservations for 21-24 Oct at MacKerricher.  Also booked us a half day on Kraken.  Should be a fun trip!

Ten mile beach is supposed to have big halibut there ^^

I've seen that beach once, from  Tyja's charter boat and I think it looks really good for flatties.  Also for surfcasting, I bet!

Bushy

Ten mile beach is supposed to have big halibut there ^^

I've seen that beach once, from  Tyja's charter boat and I think it looks really good for flatties.  Also for surfcasting, I bet!

Bushy

How shallow do they go? It looks shallow for a LONG way out. I have gone there with the fam for years, never attempted surfcasting it, nor seen anyone doing it.

I’ve thought about trying a PB trip up from Noyo to scout suitability and access for flatties.

How shallow do they go? It looks shallow for a LONG way out. I have gone there with the fam for years, never attempted surfcasting it, nor seen anyone doing it.

I used to regularly hike (45 mins) through the dunes down to Ten Mile Beach -- you're right on with "looks shallow for a LONG way out". There are typically 7-8 sets of rollers breaking out into the distance, starting several hundred yards offshore. And the beach hardly has a single rock bigger than a grain of sand -- all sand and sand-fleas/mole-crabs.

I tried surfcasting there for perch before I realized that I didn't like perch (I find it's like eating fish-flavored mashed potatoes, regardless of how it's cooked). With really zinging it out there with a surf-casting rod (before I learned that a lot of fish are actually closer to shore than you'd think), I felt like it wasn't more than 6' deep. So yeah, SHALLOW for a LONG ways.

Shallow beaches like that will always have rips holes and parallel troughs (multiple sandbars you can see them in the picture above).  that's where the perch are.  "fish flavored mashed potatoes!"  Perfect description.  I catch lots of perch and eat not a one.

I see five or 6 definite spots I would try surfcasting in.  Wonder how striper fishing is up there with bas from SF Bay?  Anyone?  Tyja?  Bueller?

Bushy