Tomales halibut still around?

Anybody know if halibut and mackerel are still around in Tomales?   

I was wondering the same thing, I'd like to head out there on Sunday if they are.

Sardines, big time. Mackerel, a few. Halibut, I think so.

I was just there today. Caught 20 or so sardines and three mackerel. Had one fish on, felt like a "fishy" fish, not a shark or ray, came unbuttoned, never saw it. Another scratched bait, and one more BIG take down that could have been anything.

Tomales is still kicking.

Cool!   Im thinking of heading over there in the morning and see if I cant jig up some bait and then who knows.    Only time Ive actually tried to catch mackerel was on a trip to maine several years back.  Relatives there have a house on the water in cape porpoise, near kennebunk and they said that was what was biting at the time so we took out their dingy.   Got fogged in but we did c&r a few mackerel.    Anyway, I keep hearing how good they are  grilled so might see if I can scare up  a few on the sabiki.   

Hey,

What is the best place to launch there? First time there with my yak and wondering where I should launch and fish at. Thanks for any info

What kind of bait would you use? Term tackle?

Thanks,

J

I'm planning on fishing Tomales on Sunday. Iwindsurf is calling for very minimal winds all day.

I plan on jigging up some bait and fishing for halis with one pole and other "ghostly" critters on my other. 

Will be launching out of Miller Park, probably not too early. Maybe 8:30 or 9:00AM.

Just found out I have to do some work  tomorrow so Im gonna shoot for sunday as well.   

Man, those halibut strikes got under my skin - I'm feeling the urge to go back. I'll be there EARLY, like 6:30. In my experience, the bait bit has been turning off mid to late morning, FYI.

I'll be tying up some stinger rigs with big trebles.

Sun. for me as well, where 2 launch?

Launching at Miller park, which is by Nicks cove.   I tried to embed a google map link to it but for what ever reason It didnt work..  Search googlemaps for nicks cove though.. its easy to find once you get to the bay.   Everyone gonna be on vhf ch. 69?   

Was also going to ask.. I dont have a livewell atm so was thinking I would just fish up bait and get them going on my halibut rig when I found some, that usually work ok?.    I have also seen some batt powered aerators to put in buckets but not sure if that works very well..

I might skip tomorrow - not looking forward to weekend traffic.

As for a bucket, i would recommend a lid if possible, and cut or drill some holes in it to allow water to pass through. Put the holes about 8 inches up so the bucket will still hold water for when you pull up and move.

Bait buckets are a rip off.

M2 - would recommend using small trebles for stingers - #6 Gamakatsu treble work well, or can go with #4. The bait swim better with the smaller stingers and they hold well for big halibut.  Good luck!

Ended up being a great day even with no hali's..   I got out to miller park and out on the water at about 8.  Was foggy so I checked my compass and headed out to look for bait.   Got a few in my bait tank (made one per malibu2 above and it worked great, all my baits and macks were still kicking at the end of the day)   and then called out on 69 to see if any NCKA were out there.   Met up a bit after that with Malibu_two and we did a few long drifts.   Huge tide so the current was moving us very fast(maybe too fast)  but it was at least a good workout paddling back up to hog island a few times.    I think he had a few good strikes earlier and one leopard to the boat.   

Anyway.. wind came up about 1, which was high tide and the fog was about to roll back in so I called it a day.   Met Rockhopper at the ramp when he was just coming in as well..   great to meet some of the NCKA'ers!

I did end up with a nice little bucket of mackerel and decided to try grilling them per recipe here on the forum and I was surprised at how good they were!   My wife and daughter also loved it.    All in all a great day on the water and its got me wanting to go back!