San Pablo Bay, Sunday 01/15/06 Report

We had several groups launch an assault on the honey hole from China Camp and Buck's Landing.  The first group to arrive from the parking area just north of China Camp was Mooch, Dave, Scwafish, and SteveS.  The 2nd wave included Freddie, Skyboy, and me.  The last group included Albert, JTF, and Red.  EyeatBay, Tim, and MKline launched from Buck's.

A total of 3 sturgeon were caught and released.  Freddie = a small greenie.  EyeatBay = 40" white sturgeon. Red = 44" white.

Dave caught a nice 25" striper as soon as he got to the honey hole.

Mklein saw some action too from what was likely a very big striper.  Here's his report:

I didn't catch anything this sunday...not a bite on sturgeon rig. Then again had steel leaders and I was told by tackle store guy on 3rd that steel leaders were a no-no. This might not be true though as nobody else was really catching any sturgeon.

Then I switched to a lure (2.5oz green fish head with gold spoon and hair) and started casting just north of the outermost duck blind...prob' my 3rd cast and boom....line coming off my spool faster than I could think...almost had my rod jerked out of my hand hit was so violent...this doesn't happen in freshwater!!

He took off on a long run and then I sit my drag tighter...this is when it spun my kayak around and I started getting pulled by the mystery fish. After a 20' ride or so with me reeling in furiously he started coming back at me and dove under my kayak where he took off on another long run...then lost. Damn! Next time I'll be less focused on notifying guys on my vhf and more on landing the fishes...

I'm curious as to what it might've been...bass? shark? I feel like it had to be at least 20lbs or more...it could've been much more but I can't gauge saltwater hits yet.

It was super slow for me, but what a nice group and nice weather.  The new launch is nice, but I kinda missed the funky-ness, and the post paddle beer.  It is however definitely shorter, less muddy and close to other options like Rat Rock.  I switched my sturgeon tackle to a Kunz rod with spectra.  The spectra (and weak current) let me fish a lighter weight, I was using 4 oz and could have gone lighter.  Ther lighter lead combined with the super light rod made it much more comfortable to hold the rod the entire time.  The super sensitivity had me swinging on every little tap...all for nada.  I'll get one eventually!

Very slow for me too -- a couple small stripers and a starry flounder. 

My day was satisfied, but I was exhausted. This pretty summarizes actions of the day for me.

We got late arrival and late start. By 9AM we launched from Buck's landing parking lot. It was a long paddle out to the honey hole. In the morning, we were against incoming tide, but the water was relatively calm, so it was long paddle, but not too bad. We start fishing around 10AM. Next 3 hours were slow.

Actions start picking up around 1AM. I got hit by a 15'' flounder ( see pics below) around 1:30. ~30 minutes later, I got a fish hooked. I did not know what it was until it did air acrobatic ( rainbow jump) - a white sturgeon ( see pics below). I could not tell how big it was due to distance. In beginning of 3 minutes, it fought pretty hard. I gained line and lost line. After that, I felt things got under control quickly. I pulled the fish closer to kayak. The sturgeon started swimming around my kayak. Chuck offered a timely tip. I quickly released the anchor - Tolling began. I did not know how long I was tolled, the fish gave up the fight, when its white belly on the surface, I landed the fish. It was measured 40'' long - a keeper. Just kidding (released).

Around 4pm, we called off the day and started paddling back. Wind picked up again. Water was very choppy. We were against outgoing tide. At one time, we lost the ground. I paddled 5 feet, I quickly lost 6 feet. We had no progress, but went backward. I had to keep continuously solid strikes, to gain the ground. Everything seemed against you. It was freak. I could not stop and must press on. My arms were sore. Sunset was coming, but I was ONLY half way.  Marine radios kept 3 of us in touch. Thanks Tim and Mike for helping. There were 1 hour gap after sun set and before moon rose. It was pretty dark, hardly saw a thing in 10 feet. Things got worse when I got stuck in the mud. It added additional 30 minutes on me to paddle back and out. Following the sticks along the channel, I got back on track. When I got the parking lot, it was completely dark and 6PM. Water was so low, our kayak were hulled from the deck. It took us more than 2 hours of paddling = no fun.

Lessons of the day:
1) Respect the tides. Plan launching and landing accordingly. China camp parking lot provides much better place than buck's landing yesterday.
2) Follow sticks along the channel, to avoid stuck in the mud during the low tide.
3) I would look into yak-motor. In the situation of yesterday, I hoped a motor propelling. It would provide better protection and safe trip back.

Pictures below: flounder, sturgeon and Dave's striper

40'' Sturgeon

Dave's Striper in distance ( zoom in to see the size  ).

Eric, nice pics.  Congrats on your first kayak sturgeon -- not bad for a 

Congrats Eric... you have now been through the San Pablo initiation.  Yes... tides are strong in that area and you don't want to be headed up Gallinas creek during the peak of the outgoing tide.  I too have learned that lesson the hard way.  You had quite an adventure... glad you made it back safely. 

China Camp is a good haul out as long as the tide is positive.  If the tide goes the least bit negative, it is about 50 yards of mud at the beach.

In general... if you can fish the entire outgoing tide and paddle back near low tide, Buck's is good.  If you have to head back before the outgoing tide lets out, then plan to ride the tide to China Camp.  Tide planning will make life a lot easier for you in that bay. 

Nice report and pics...

We had several groups launch an assault on the honey hole from China Camp and Buck's Landing.  The first group to arrive from the parking area just north of China Camp was Mooch, Dave, Scwafish, and SteveS.  The 2nd wave included Freddie, Skyboy, and me.  The last group included Albert, JTF, and Red.  EyeatBay, Tim, and MKline launched from Buck's.

A total of 3 sturgeon were caught and released.  Freddie = a small greenie.  EyeatBay = 40" white sturgeon. Red = 44" white.

Dave caught a nice 25" striper as soon as he got to the honey hole.

Mklein saw some action too from what was likely a very big striper.  Here's his report:

I didn't catch anything this sunday...not a bite on sturgeon rig. Then again had steel leaders and I was told by tackle store guy on 3rd that steel leaders were a no-no. This might not be true though as nobody else was really catching any sturgeon.

Then I switched to a lure (2.5oz green fish head with gold spoon and hair) and started casting just north of the outermost duck blind...prob' my 3rd cast and boom....line coming off my spool faster than I could think...almost had my rod jerked out of my hand hit was so violent...this doesn't happen in freshwater!!

He took off on a long run and then I sit my drag tighter...this is when it spun my kayak around and I started getting pulled by the mystery fish. After a 20' ride or so with me reeling in furiously he started coming back at me and dove under my kayak where he took off on another long run...then lost. Damn! Next time I'll be less focused on notifying guys on my vhf and more on landing the fishes...

I'm curious as to what it might've been...bass? shark? I feel like it had to be at least 20lbs or more...it could've been much more but I can't gauge saltwater hits yet.

Red, Congrats on your first kayak sturgeon too!
Who took the nice action shot?

Congrats to everybody!

Me and Red = no longer kayak sturgeon virgins!

Red, Congrats on your first kayak sturgeon too!
Who took the nice action shot?

Big props to JTF for the photos and to Mooch for the assist in netting. Huh, it's not an action shot, I was just lifting it for a picture after Mooch netted it. Apparently, I was feeling the weight on this shot. In the other photos taken of the fish in the net, I am actually smiling