Bodega Bay / Doran Beach info needed

I'll be camping out with the family next month at Doran Beach.  I've been there once a few years ago, seemed like a cool spot and right on the water which is nice.  Trying to decide if I should take the yak or not to fish the bay.  I won't have time for any real trips, just quick morning or evening chances to escape the family and have a brew on the water.  It looks like crab is done until November, any halibut or perch action? 
thanks amigos,
beenfishin

If the WX is good you can launch off the beach at Doran. You could fish off the head for rock fish but make sure you know where the Marine Lab Refuge is. It's not very big. A couple of days ago I launched from the first parking lot at Doran and paddled down by the Estero Americana. Got a nice ling. It was late in the day when I looked back the fog was really starting to come over the spit and the wind was coming up. I really had to give it all I had to get back and my arms got so tight I didn't sleep good for 3 days. So keep an eye on WX. I don't think the fishing is much good in the bay itself. 

The way Dustin/Rockhopper talks about Doran's jetty being filled with fish he hammers from the shore you might just want to take a rod out and give it a try.    I've only crabbed, so not a good source of info from me 

Good deal, I appreciate the info.  I'll have the family, 2 dogs, 4 bikes, camp gear, etc., so minimizing gear is a good thing....sounds like sticking to the shore/rocks might be my best bet.

The way Dustin/Rockhopper talks about Doran's jetty being filled with fish he hammers from the shore you might just want to take a rod out and give it a try.    I've only crabbed, so not a good source of info from me 

Hey! Shhhh!!! 

And to think, for the past 7 years Dustin's secret has been safe, except for this post on FS!  Amazing what a google search of bodega bay perch fishing will dig up:

Rock_Hopper 
Senior Member
Join Date
Apr 2003
Posts
224
Re: Bodega Bay Perch Fishing??
Thanks for the compliment Exocet!

All the info in this thread sounds right on.

If you're going to throw grubs try these:
1.5" Kalins Amber Hologram (my favorite)
1.5" Kalins Perch Power
1.5" Kalins Motor Oil Red Flake
1.5" Kalins Motor Oil Gold Flake
2" Kalins Brown Crawdad
2" Kalins Pumpkinseed

And try these beaches for grubs:
Bodega Dunes (day fee)
South Salmon Creek
North Salmon Creek
North Portuguese Beach

If you're using bait try:
Shrimp
cooked shrimp
pile worms
grass shrimp (if you can get any!)
Ghostshrimp
sandcrabs

Try any of the beaches above with bait also. Fish closer to the rocks for big striped perch and black perch. Most of the other perch are right in the surfline and include redtails, barred, silver, walleye, and calico perch. Redtail perch must be 10.5", no size limit on any others. Maximum 5 perch limit of any species combined.

There's also HUGE perch under the Spud Point Pier, but if you figure out how to catch 'em YOU let ME know...lol.

If you just want to put your son on some fish you can get lunch at tides wharf and throw a squid tipped sabiki off of their dock for some huge jacksmelt and possible mackeral. Same thing at Spud Point.

Also, if you and your son are up to it - fish the rock jetty at Doran Park with srimp or small squid chunks for a variety of rockfish, perch, and eels.

Good luck!

Doing a search on pierfishing.com's old message board will also yield a wealth of info.

But don't tell anyone.