Hi all,
We have an opportunity to increase public access in a new DWR project. The tract of land known as "Little Egbert" which is North East of Rio Vista, right along the sloughs over there (just below Liberty Island), is currently under a public comment period where they are asking for feedback. They are evaluating different options to turn the area into fish and waterfowl habitat and, if we can get what we want, it could open up a few kayaking opportunities.
This has already worked once in this area: The Lookout Slough Project originally had no addition for recreation, but enough of us stood up and made our voices heard that they are now adding a small craft boat launch and parking area to the project! Big win!
We want to continue the momentum in the area. Let DWR know that there is a lot of interest in kayaking recreation. Here are the specifics I think would fit well (See picture attached for map). I would love to see a small craft boat launch added to the north end of Little Egbert (most ideal) and the south end (would be nice). The north boat launch would be a gateway into Liberty island, Lindsey slough, and the new flooded Little Egbert. A South end boat launch would allow float trips through the Little Egbert track.
But really it doesn't matter what you ask for, just make sure it is clear that you are interested in kayak recreation in the area! To get your voice heard please email:

littleegbertmbp@water.ca.gov with subject “RE: Little Egbert Multi-Benefit Project NOP”

We have till 7/28/23 to make comments. For more details please see:
https://lejpa.org/news_detail_T5_R14.php

For a LOT more background on the area please see:
https://www.libertyislandaccess.org/

Thank you!

From CDFW Email:

Due to the increased use of hoop nets during the Dungeness crab season and recent interest in modified hoop net designs, the California Fish and Game Commission will consider taking emergency action at its upcoming meeting on October 13, 2022. The proposed regulation changes, which would amend subsection 29.80(b), Title 14, California Code of Regulations, are intended to clarify hoop net requirements, add consistency, and to minimize the risk of marine life entanglement with hoop nets. If approved, the regulations would take effect in time for the recreational Dungeness crab season start date of November 5, 2022 and are not expected to impact the ongoing use of hoop nets in the recreational lobster fishery.
Proposed Hoop Net Regulation Change Webinar on October 6, 2022
The following hoop net regulation changes are addressed by this emergency action:
Clarify that the hoop net service interval requirement of two hours applies statewide
Add that non-metallic soft mesh must be used in hoop net types A and B
Amend requirements of type B hoop nets to restrict the number of rings from three to two (not including the bait ring), adding that the rigid support arms must be "straight", and prohibit any additional openings
Add that the use of a surface buoy and buoy marking requirements apply statewide to include hoop nets used north of Point Arguello and that only one operator's GO ID # is required to be legibly marked on the surface buoy (would not include hoop nets used from shore)
If you are interested or have questions, please join us on October 6, 2022 from 4:30pm to 6:00pm to discuss the background and purpose of these proposed hoop net regulation changes.

Planning on hitting Bodega Bay on the holiday, conditions look like they will be really good. Taking the family so we will probably get there pretty late (around 10) and probably leave a little early (maybe 3). We got a big green Crescent Crew that I use, it will be on a tiny orange Honda Fit. Stop by and say "Hi" if you see me, I would love to meet some of you. Mostly planning on trying for crab and maybe some bait fish.

I'm sorry if this is a silly question, but as a new kayaker I am not clear about this information. How do I know if a river is going to be easy to kayak? I can find the CFS for many rivers, but how does that translate to how strong the current is going to be? My very basic understanding is that current is going to be CFS/area of the river, so depending on how big the river is a large CFS may or may not be a strong current. Is there any measurement that takes this information into account? Plus I know a lot of rivers here are tidal influenced. I'm hoping for somewhere I could look at a number and be able to say "today is a good day to kayak the Sacrament up and down river, I will go today". Could anyone help walk me through this process? For ocean fishing I am looking at wind, swell and tides. What information should I be looking at for rivers? Please point me to this information if it is on the website already, I do try to research before asking questions.

Here is a silly question, but I have been unable to find an answer:
Some SMCAs (Bodega head SMCA, Russian River SMCA, etc.) allow dungeness crab traps. I know CDFW regulates crab traps and crab hoop nets differently. Are crab hoop nets allowed in these areas?
I would assume "yes", but I know for fishing regulations you can't really assume anything.

I will say upfront that this is my first kayak I have owned, so I have very little to compare the kayak to. That being said, I love this kayak!
The Crescent Crew is a tandem kayak built by Crescent kayaks. They are available at a few places in Northern California. I am aware of them being sold at Lodi Paddlesports (formally Headwaters), Headwaters Kayaks in Redding, and Napa Valley Paddle. Napa Valley Paddle also does rentals, so you cant give it a test paddle if you are interested in purchasing.
This is a large sit on top kayak capable of taking the whole family, but also performs well solo. I have taken my wife and 2 children (ages 4 and 6) on trips on the Cosumnes River, Tomales Bay, and a few other locations. I have also taken the kayak out duck hunting with my hunting partner and there was plenty of room for decoys, shotguns, and blind material.
As with many tandem kayaks, the chairs are removable and you can place one chair in the center of the kayak for solo paddle trips. I have taken the kayak solo into Bodega bay. I have not tried the kayak on fast moving water, I would expect it not to perform very well.
Out of the box this is a very feature slim kayak. This is probably a turn off for many people, but I felt like all my money was going towards a solid foundation and not potentially cheap features that I may or may not use. There are upgrade kits available for things like Yakattack rails and seat risers. This is also a fully enclosed hull kayak (expect for a small drain hole). I have seen some people modify the kayak by cutting a hole in the top and adding a hatch, but that is not something I expect to be doing. So this may also disappoint some kayakers. I appreciate the reduced risk of a hull leak, but something to keep in mind when looking at kayaks. This is also a paddle only kayak, with no holes in the bottom for pedals or a fish finder. The company claims this is to keep the paddle performance at peak, which I guess is true? One of my favorite things about this kayak is that it is designed and manufactured in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Now that we are past the design of the boat, lets talk about performance. Since I can't compare this to any other kayak, take this with a grain of salt. The kayak is stable enough to stand in, but still agile enough to lean into turns. I feel like they hit a sweet spot between stability and agility. My kids probably wish it was more stable, because it does move, but I have never felt like we were going to tip, even with the kids leaning into the water. I hope to be able to stand and flyfish or use a thrownet, I have not tried these activities yet, but I expect they would be possible. The Crew does well in the surf, the front of the kayak has a bit of a "bulbous nose" that does seem to cut well into oncoming waves. Two adults can take it crabbing or bay fishing easily, even through the surf. The small sloughs and lazy rivers around here are also fun and easy to navigate, although there has been a few times where we couldn't turn around after going up a small channel. Wind hits this kayak pretty bad, and it can be difficult to handle if the wind picks up too high, but I imagine that is true for most kayaks. If going solo there is room enough in the front to lay down (and strap down) poles and other fishing equipment. With two people it is a bit harder to find the room, but it is still possible. In solo the rear of the kayak is so big that I find it difficult to reach the farthest cargo areas, but there is lots of room to lay and strapdown equipment in that direction as well. I run with a softshell cooler and it fits nicely in the cargo area in the back. The kayak weighs in at 79 lbs when empty. So this is a heavy kayak, but I am able to load it myself and transport it to most locations with a cart (or dragging in the sand).
Hope this helps anyone looking to purchase a tandem kayak, I have really enjoyed my Crescent Crew!

I just started looking into kayak fishing this year! I don't have a kayak yet, but I am on the waiting list for a Crescent Crew. I am really excited to take it out in the bays and lakes around here. Honestly, I am most excited to go out and do some crab and dabbing. I am also really excited to take it out duck hunting. Any duck hunters on here?