Just a shore report...I went to Paradise pier today (May the 4th be with you-I must be a Sith because the force definately wasn't with me). I fished from 0830-1230. Rain and wind.  I threw a swim bait the entire time. Zero bites for me. Sucked. The party boat "Gold Rush" (never heard of it until today) was out in from of the pier around 9am. One net seen. Unknown fish caught by them. I did not get a bite. A couple smelt chased my swimbait to the pier and I left at 1230. Two guys using live bait (shiners caught at the pier) caught a limit of stripers (18-24") close to the shore during the time I was there. Only two others there at the north end of the pier. I only saw them catch one (looked short) striper. Pretty slow. The launch looked descent besides the hill to get there. Definitely would love some help on the bel Marin beach launch secret area. I drove over there but didn't find it. I would like something easier than walking back up that hill towing my kayak. Going to hit the bay tomorrow (New Huck Finn) on a party boat. I'm lazy. Cheers and tight lines.

Late report. Made an audible call thursday night and booked a halibut trip on the New Huck Finn for Saturday (8th). My favorite SF bay boat. It was their first trip for 2023.

Captain Jay drove us down towards SFO International and we trolled all day in front of the airport with a ton of other boats. I am not a fan of trolling so I threw a Mr. B's 5/8 ounce underspin with a 5.8 Keitech fat swing impact (rainbow shad) and 5.8 easy shiner (sight flash). I ended up getting six bites and luckily put them all in the boat. One small bat ray, two short halibut, and three keepers. My biggest fish was around 8lbs which took the jackpot (biggest fish didn't get in 🤷). I gave it all to Jack the deck hand for my fish cleaning and tip. He works super hard for everyone on the boat. 22 people on the boat and 22 keepers for the day. It was a great day with light winds in the afternoon. Fishing is only going to get better!

I saw at least 10 kayakers out on the water in the same area.

I got home and my amazing daughter made delicious halibut for dinner. Very blessed and grateful

Just caught

Second time out of Crescent City today. Last Thursday was the first. Launch next to the "B" Street pier located next to the west jetty inside the harbor. Easy harbor beach launch. Only carried the kayak about 150 feet. It's all sand so you can drag your ride too. Paddled out to the reef/wash rocks just south of the outer jetty elbow both days. It's about a 10-15 minute paddle. Most of it is inside the harbor.

Day one 6/13/13- got to reef about 9am. Used a 3oz 6" tube bait for about 30 minutes for zero bites. Switched to 1/2oz 6" swim bait and got 8 bites over the next 1-1 1/2hrs. Landed 4 of the bites. All lings. Two were short (18-20") and two little keepers (23"&24"). All but one bite was close to bigger wash rock in 15'-20'.

Day two 6/19/13-got on water 7:30ish and I paddled to the same reef. Conditions were really sloppy. Had a small grey whale (20'-25')pester me for the first 30-60 minutes. I'm a big wimp and really feel intimidated having that big of animal trying to get close to me. Every time i paddled out deeper it would come over towards me. One time getting about 10-15 feet away. I think it was lost as it seemed confused where it was going and it was by itself. It continued to swim around the area back and forth for a while. I paddled closer to shore until it left. I fished a 6" swim bait on a 1oz lead head. I had 6 bites for 2 short lings 1 black rockfish (14") and two keeper lings 24" and 34". I was off the water by 11am as the wind was really starting to pick up. I saw lots of salmon trollers about a mile south/west of me. The conditions weren't good enough for that paddle today.

I'll continue to post reports of the area as I learn it. I'm off to stop on the Smith, wash my gear in the river, and fish for some cutthroat. See ya on the water.

Patrick

Hello,

Been a long time lurker. I really appreciate all the information shared on this site. I will start trying to contribute the limited knowledge I have.

I started kayak fishing from a Sevylor wave and paddle board at Fort Ross back in 94. I still can't believe I went out in the ocean in that inflatable surfboard. I graduated to a Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT in 98 and got a Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 around 2005. I enjoy fishing and diving the north coast and look forward to meeting everyone on the water.

Patrick