Doran Beach Jetty and Bodega Bay Trailhead

Hello everyone,
Thank you all for the warm welcomes, this will be my first post asking for tips and help. I am planning on fishing the jetty at Doran beach this Thursday (12/13), and I was wondering if there are any special lures or baits to use. I am trying to target lingcod and rockfish, but if I skunk there, I will hit the coast on the other side at the Bodega Bay Trailhead. Let me know if you guys have been there or if there is any luck there.

Thanks in advance!
- David's Outdoor Adventures.

You can poke to get monkey face eel, there's surf perch on the south jetty... but that's kind of a hike to get to that spot if u do fish on the south jetty be aware of the tide or else you'll be hiking up the cliff there.

Are you planning to fish where the green pin drop is at? If so, thats a marine sanctuary. I was told by a warden that the whole Bodega Head is off limits to fishing except the south jetty. I rarely have much luck out there on the jetty   

Welcome !

Most of Bodega Head is part on the Bodega Head SMR and no fishing is allowed there. The green dot is definitely within the SMR. So you'll want to stay clear of that area. Check the map below.

The jetty however is a decent spot for small rockfish and the occasional ling. Swimbaits cast out towards the kelp patch off of Bodega head, cut baits (squid, mussels, or shrimp) on a high/low rig, or poke poling down into the rocks that make up the jetty are good plans. Just watch the tide though - really high tides will fully submerge some of the rocks of the south jetty as well as the trailhead back up the cliff. You'll be swimming back or spending a few hours perched on a rock out there if you miscalculate. Good luck !

Thank you guys! Phew, could have gotten a ticket.

Thank you guys! Phew, could have gotten a ticket.

Thank you guys! Phew, could have gotten a ticket.

This is a really HANDY MAP to check before you go fishing. It shows all the no fish zones in red.

That is a very cool and useful map Eric

I also believe the blue zone is trolling only. ie. salmon trolling. No drift ie. rock fishing or mooching, for any species.

The DFW also has this map that you can use on your phone: https://www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA/Map . The interface is clunky but it has all the details and is presumably kept up-to-date.

The DFW also has this map that you can use on your phone: https://www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA/Map . The interface is clunky but it has all the details and is presumably kept up-to-date.

Thanks! That's a great app. No more guessing if I'm in an MPA.