Questions about Berkeley Marina launch

I figure someone will know the answer and be able to save me 10 minutes getting the lay of the land this Sunday...

Where is the best spot to park and launch a kayak at the Berkeley Marina?  The boat ramp, or somewhere else?

Thanks!  Backcounty

Also,

Can anyone familiar with the Berkeley area give me any input on how they would expect the water conditions to be around there on this Friday?

Launch at the boat-ramp which is on the north wing of the marina, near the number "6" on your map.

If you don't mind launching & returning to an elevated (about 1.3 feet) walkway/dock, then the south wing of the marina, in front of Cal Adventures, is equally good.

I have caught very little out along the Berkeley pier.   Multiple trips.
Not on either side, and fished out to the end and some beyond.

Don Anglin told me that a way-more productive launch is the one just beyond the west end of the Richmond tunnel out to Point Richmond.    He said when people catch fish in "the berkeley flats"......they pretty much mean the area from in front of the Golden Gate Fields racetrack.....north.

So if you launch out of the Berkeley marina, I suggest you turn north.

My wife has been ill, the last months, and I've not had any opportunity to follow Don's advice.

No idea what the wind/waves will be Friday.

Judd

All have been posted before so when you get to the pier get ready for a great time or not. Use live bait which most of those I fish with have to catch for themselves.Backcountry if no live bait use popciles in and out of the old pier.  Good luck Frank

.FRI NIGHT...SW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING W 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS.  .SAT...N WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING NW 5 TO 15 KT.  .SUN...NW WINDS 10 KT.  .MON...SW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. It best to get there early and use the wind to bring you in.Stay safe Doug. Any questions call your cell ph. always shows up as a private # Frank

Thanks jwsmith & Frank!  Planning to fish there for a few hours on Sunday morning... I'll havemy better half with me in her SIC, so a marathon fishing session will not be tollerated...

Backcountry

I've always launched at the place marked 18, it's actually made for man-portable craft like kayaks, very small sailboats and windsurfers.  It's also away from boat traffic, but not near the bait receiver.  Do they have bait there now?

I've launched at both 18 and 6 many times.  I prefer the ramp at 6.  It's easier and closer to prime fishing grounds.  The ramp may be a bit more crowded on the weekends though.

I'll be out there sunday, though on a co-workers P-boat.  I'll be monitoring 69.

Guys on the pier actually do better with artificials because they cover more ground than bait.  Drifting bait covers more ground, but fan-casting hair-raisers while you drift is probably the best you can do, maybe trolling an anchovy in a harness would be comparable.  We're planning to drift two baits and cast a hair-raiser.  Too bad we're not allowed 2 rods or you could do both off a kayak.

Drifting the berkeley pier bobber rig works well too, it allows you to spread the rigs out a bit since the bobber can be 20 yards behind you.  Also is more forgiving for beginners because it ensures the halibut eats the bait.  You can also (with a bobber stop) cast a slip bobber rig up into the structure of the old pier.  Let it sit a minute, then move up to between the next pair of pilings.  It's snaggy in there so not so good for hair-rasiers.  With the bobber rig you only risk a hook.

They should have live anchovies now, can anyone confirm that?  Thanks.