Pajaro Dunes / Monterey Bay 2/19 - 2/23. What fish to target and crabbing

I may do a last minute trip to Pajaro Dunes / Monterey Bay 2/19 - 2/23. Some questions
1. What fish do you target in that area this time of year? It's not a good season for California Halibut I believe and you can't target rockfish, so what do people target?
2. Given the fire at the Battery Plant and potential contamination, are people worried about catching and eating seafood from the Bay? I'm assuming not as I didn't see any health warnings on the internet.
3. I really want to try crab pots in that area. We will be staying at Pajaro Dunes. Ideally, the surf will be mellow and I can launch from the beach. But the waves can be much too big for me to launch from there if there is swell, so...any thoughts on places to launch in that general area?
4. We just got a Star Rival inflatable kayak and was thinking it could be fun to go with the wife (...and maybe the two kids) on elkhorn slough just for a paddle, assuming the water isn't contaminated. Has anyone done that and think its a good outing?
5. Any other suggestions?
6. It would be great to meet up with anyone if they are going out as well.

Best,
Stewart

Elkhorn is a really great family paddle. Watch the tides! Current at the Hwy 1 bridge can be significant.

I stayed there as a kid a couple of times. There is also a slough (that had a free paddle boat) that empties to the Pajaro River. I remember seeing flatfish - either Starry flounder or halibut in the estuary. Otherwise perch from the beach.
But conditions could be rough for both river and beach these days.

Stewart,

I've caught starry flounder and sole near Pajaro. 

You asked about the battery fire issues - Don't consume anything nearshore.  CNR only buddy. 

Crabbing isn't productive really as far as I know, no one does it really south of Half Moon Bay, unless your going really really deep and then I still don't recall a lot of crabbing in the area. If you targeted a reef for rock crab probably be able to get them at least.  What do people target in the winter? Mostly I stick to fishing for sand dabs, although there have been people reporting halibut early in the year I never even try until April most of the time. The Elkhorn Slough is not bad for a paddle if the current isn't working against you. But if the wind and current are against you, it wont be fun at all.  A good spot to launch in would be New Brighton if you want a fairly easy beach launch, but need some help getting down some steps. An alternative you might explore is the Salinas and Pajaro Rivers, which are free.

A good spot to launch in would be New Brighton if you want a fairly easy beach launch…

Is that still “shark park”?

A good spot to launch in would be New Brighton if you want a fairly easy beach launch…

Is that still “shark park”?

No, that's Seacliff

A good spot to launch in would be New Brighton if you want a fairly easy beach launch…

Is that still “shark park”?

No, that's Seacliff

This guy must be lost…

4-5ft?  Hum....

Thanks all! Super helpful. I hope work and the weather align so I can make the getaway