how many line(s) I can troll in TB on a kayak?

Can someone tell me how many line(s) I can troll in Tomales Bay on a kayak? I got conflict information and want to confirm. Thanks!

Can someone tell me how many line(s) I can troll in Tomales Bay on a kayak? I got conflict information and want to confirm. Thanks!

TB has no unique rules about rod #. traditional rules apply. as many as controllable unless a restricted species is being targeted, or on board. It would be listed along with the SF Bay Restrictions in the general Gear Restrictions section if there were special rules...

yea tomales is considered the ocean so whatever rules apply to the ocean apply there.

Thank you both. Plan to do Halibut trolling this Saturday between Marshall and Lawson's. Since this is my first try I don't expect too much, but who knows? I might get lucky. I plan to troll one rod with hoochie/anchovy, another with sliding weight and LC lure.

Christianbrat, I envy your picture, any suggestion to increase my chances?

One line is so much easier to manage than two

I used to take people out on my boat fishing salmon and all but one ended up so seasick I had to do all the landing

On a charter the three boys we took were down for the count and the other dad with us tended to the barfers while I landed salmon on five rods. One of the boys barfed in my shoe while I was landing his fish

It’s fun in its way but I’m perfectly happy with one line

One line is so much easier to manage than two

I agree, and I almost always troll one rod, with barbless hooks, just in case I get a nice rockfish or even a salmon. But, maybe that's not an issue in TB. On the other hand, I believe that Sin Coast (who probably has caught more big halibut than any kayaker in the history of the universe) likes to fish 4 or 5 rods simultaneously. So, it might be worth experimenting to see what works best for you...

One line is so much easier to manage than two

I agree, and I almost always troll one rod, with barbless hooks, just in case I get a nice rockfish or even a salmon. But, maybe that's not an issue in TB. On the other hand, I believe that Sin Coast (who probably has caught more big halibut than any kayaker in the history of the universe) likes to fish 4 or 5 rods simultaneously. So, it might be worth experimenting to see what works best for you...

WE sometimes call him porcupine.

~B

Holy shit that’s crazy

I have to say managing five salmon rods was fun, but that was on the back deck of a sixpack

Kayak I can’t imagine

Live bait drifting you can stagger weights and run a few rods out easier than if you're trolling. you can still stagger, but you have to be very mindful of your speed, changing depth, and any turns.  Heaver up front and lighter out the back. I prefer trolling as you can find the fish a bit better and they will chill out with each other. herring is my bait of choice but if there's fresh chovies or smelts to be sabiki's those work great.

you could probably troll two rods pretty easily with a pedal yak and no big changes in your process. just put a rod on one side with like + 3 to 8 oz net relative to the other side, and you will be able to keep your gear spaced well.  its probably more effective on a boat where you have more beam and length to spread your gear out.

i like running heavy leads like 20 to 30 oz for fishing in 15 to 60 fow, so that and a 12 or something would probably be great.

WE sometimes call him porcupine.

~B

That's very funny nickname.
Even he can troll 5 rods against wind and wave, how about when a fish is on?
I like the X5 successful rate only if I have that skill.

Live bait drifting you can stagger weights and run a few rods out easier than if you're trolling. you can still stagger, but you have to be very mindful of your speed, changing depth, and any turns.  Heaver up front and lighter out the back. I prefer trolling as you can find the fish a bit better and they will chill out with each other. herring is my bait of choice but if there's fresh chovies or smelts to be sabiki's those work great.

you could probably troll two rods pretty easily with a pedal yak and no big changes in your process. just put a rod on one side with like + 3 to 8 oz net relative to the other side, and you will be able to keep your gear spaced well.  its probably more effective on a boat where you have more beam and length to spread your gear out.

i like running heavy leads like 20 to 30 oz for fishing in 15 to 60 fow, so that and a 12 or something would probably be great.

That is my plan, keeping two rods 6oz different in weight. To sabiki live bait is easier on a boat, too much work for me on a kayak to deal with tiny hooks, have to settle for frozen chovy.
Thanks for sharing your experience!