Wow, very cool ! What a sight. Thanks for posting that.

Wow ... geez ... good grief ...

So, I'll take responsibility for unknowingly opening this can of worms when I restarted this previously dead thread yesterday. I thought that I was helping by offering what I knew about the topic at the time, but apparently not.

Hopefully they don't flog the newbies around here.

+1

Nice work, crash. Thanks for doing the legwork there !

Sorry, I think I misread the direction of the initial question.

The Napa River is one rod only which I've heard directly from multiple wardens and local bait shops. I agree, the regs are definitely written in a vague manner and it seems to leave some apparent wiggle room. Per an explanation directly from a warden, the tidewater sections of all slough and tributaries attached to SF and San Pablo Bay fall under the same regs as the bays themselves. While these rules technically fall within the ocean sportfishing rule book, the rules actually differ from both ocean and freshwater regulations and are in a class all their own.

In the case of the Napa River, the regulations from Mare Island to the Trancas Bridge are the same as the regs for SF/San Pablo Bays so unlimited rods does not apply. Likewise, since we're west of the Carquinez Strait, the river  is not considered inland waters so the two rod stamp does not apply either.

The Napa River up to the Trancas Street bridge is considered tidewater and falls under the SF Bay and Ocean regs ... so one pole only. The river from Trancas to Oakville Cross Road IS legally fishable during certain times of the year and under certain flow conditions but there are hook and bait restrictions that vary seasonally so check the regs. The river above Oakville Crossroad is ALWAYS closed to fishing.

Hope that helps.

Hey everybody !

My name is Chris and I'm new to the site. I'm an avid kayaker(have an older OK Prowler Big Game) and am just starting to get it set up for fishing at the moment. I generally fish the North Bay and my home waters would definitely be the Napa River. Haven't had a ton of success trolling for stripers here yet but I'm definitely still learning and getting a feel for it. Would definitely like to get more experience and eventually take on lings and rockfish on the coast.

Can't wait to meet some other kayak anglers and attend some of the great NCKA events !

Best,
Chris.