Salmon Charter

While I am asking for help I guess I will just get greedy. I would like to go after my first ocean Salmon this year. Anyone have a charter company in the north bay/north coast they would recommend I book with. Not quite ready to try for it on the Kayak until I get my feet wet with the species.

Thanks,
Phil

Most of the party boats should put you on a salmon.  Their reputation counts on it I would think?

The Salty Lady out of Sausalito (415-674-3474) seems to be well liked, the Captian doesn't like to be skunked and cancels trips he thinks wont produce. Travelzoo has a deal for $49 on Randy's out of Monterey(others have posted it on these boards), if you want to try Monterey Bay. Either way you should be good.
   Good luck, Amos

Stagnaro Sport Fishing out of SC is one of the best. They pull out all of the stops, and even have the planes to report back on the bait ball whereabouts. Or you can go down to the launch ramp with a 6 pack, lunch, and a few bucks for gas, and someone will let you come along.

There's sport boats in Bodega Bay, Sausalito and the best fleet in the entire bay area operates out of Emerryville (huck finn or new salmon queen would be my one and two).  Early in the season most of the action will be out of santa cruz, moss and monterrey though (down there, I'd jump on the kahuna out of moss). 

You'd be better off on a 6 pack operation though.  The trolling techniques will be closer to what you'd use on a kayak and you'd get a ton more individual attention and time for questions with the skipper. Be sure to watch the post catch processing, very important for keeping the fish top quality.

I'd be wary of any private boat that let me jump on at the ramp for a sixer and gas funds. Most legit operators would see you as a liability (I would) and those that don't.....well, you're pretty much praying that they know what they're doing, maintain their boat and have safety equipment because your life will literally be in their hands. 

Thanks everyone. I am definitely more interested in going on a smaller boat not a party boat. I have done the party boat in the past (not for Salmon) fun with friends but I never found it to be much of a learning experience more about fighting for a place on the rail.

I was not aware that the salmon run picked up in the South Bay before the north bay/north coast. Sounds like I would be better off booking something out of the Monterey area the. When does it usually start to turn on around the north bay?

Thanks,
Phil

CAPTAIN JIMMY SPORTFISHING SANTA CRUZ

Thanks Y'all. Hopefully I will be able to post up a good report with some rookie success.