China Beach, Baker Beach fishing

On a very old thread I read about people launching from China Beach.  With the salmon herding through the gate I thought this may be a relatively safe launch compared to Baker. 

I just saw an old thread about launching from rodeo beach.  That is a direct path to the potato patch four fathom shoal for monster Hali's

I just saw an old thread about launching from rodeo beach.  That is a direct path to the potato patch four fathom shoal for monster Hali's

Is it called Rodeo because the surf is like a bucking bronco? 😁

China beach is safer to launch than Baker because it's a somewhat protected cove.  However, the hill from the parking going down to the beach absolutely sucks after a long day.  Baker is doable towards the southern end, but be careful of the sandbar.  Baker is not a steep beach, so the waves break further out, which makes timing your launch and return sometimes tricky.  I used to launch from China beach weekly when I was working in the area during crab season.  That hill gave me monster fit legs from haul my gear so often.

If the swell is down, I would personally launch at south side of Baker because it's much closer to the parking lot.  I've launched out of Baker quite a bit and many times it's like a lake.  One thing to watch out for is Baker has lots of close outs.

If there is a lot of swell then China would be easier to launch from.

Simply, I've just viewed the beach from the parking lot and that beach is quite a elevation drop from the parking lot.  I bet it would be a pia towing the kayak up that hill.

Bdon, I've surf fished Baker numerous times and at low tide it does seem manageable.  Although, I do notice when the flood begins a 4 oz triangle weight gets easily pushed by the current towards the gate.

I would be interested in trying either site - but not alone.  Let me know if either of you hit these sites. 

I've seen some dudes drive down the hill at China beach to unload and drive back up. Pretty sure you're not suppose to do this BUT....if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound?

Me and George(dr fektavius)had us a day at Baker beach... let's just say that I know what it feels like to get shot out of a cannon

I've seen some dudes drive down the hill at China beach to unload and drive back up. Pretty sure you're not suppose to do this BUT....if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound?

Maybe it was a Prius?  S'all good in California. 

I'm happy to hear there is so much knowledge of this area from NCKA'rs.

Me and George(dr fektavius)had us a day at Baker beach... let's just say that I know what it feels like to get shot out of a cannon

Great graphic.  I take it there wasn't a huge, shock-absorbing net on the other side.   

Me and George(dr fektavius)had us a day at Baker beach... let's just say that I know what it feels like to get shot out of a cannon

Hahahhaha I can’t stop picturing it. Good times.

I've seen some dudes drive down the hill at China beach to unload and drive back up. Pretty sure you're not suppose to do this BUT....if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound?

I started my kayaking journey at a China Beach about 5 years ago.  I was working as an electrician on a big house remodel in one of the nearby mansions.  I use to arrive early, set my crab traps, go to work, then collect the traps after work.  That winter season, I got to know one of the park ranger who would stop by every so often to check in the building there.  He told me, technically you're not suppose to drive down there at all.  The worse they can really do is hassle you and boot you out.  Maybe if you're a repeat offender, they could call a PO to give you a ticket.  But I got to know him a bit and if he was around, he was always happy to give me a ride back up the hill, kayak and gear in the back of his pickup.

I've seen some dudes drive down the hill at China beach to unload and drive back up. Pretty sure you're not suppose to do this BUT....if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound?

I started my kayaking journey at a China Beach about 5 years ago.  I was working as an electrician on a big house remodel in one of the nearby mansions.  I use to arrive early, set my crab traps, go to work, then collect the traps after work.  That winter season, I got to know one of the park ranger who would stop by every so often to check in the building there.  He told me, technically you're not suppose to drive down there at all.  The worse they can really do is hassle you and boot you out.  Maybe if you're a repeat offender, they could call a PO to give you a ticket.  But I got to know him a bit and if he was around, he was always happy to give me a ride back up the hill, kayak and gear in the back of his pickup.

Hope ya bribed that ranger with some nice dungies 

When I was snaring from shore there before, I knew this fireman who'd drive his pickup down and drop pots off his bodyboard. Wasn't sure if he had some clearance or just had one of those fireman perks.