Miwok to Arched Rock Beach sometime soon to de-virginate rockfishing

Hello all, thanks for poking into this post. I'm seeking to simply open discussion at this time, and hopefully distill a real plan to post in Hook-ups.

Sunday June 13th... just recovering from a tough work week, and feeling too tired to attend the Yakhopper event at the ARW, I opt to get a little fishing spirit on by practicing making bait in the Oakland/Alameda estuary from shore. I succeed in catching 7 sardines, and realize I had perfect bait for those hali's, but wife and kid want to take a road trip in our newly acquired Isuzu Trooper so I decide to build the WAF but still slip in a scouting.

We packed up the family and the two dogs and drove to Bodega, an area I've wanted to get more familiar with after loving Tomales so much. We went straight for Doran park and had a lovely time hang'n on the beach and enjoying the perfect weather. Flew a kite, etc.

Then we drove up the 1 a little farther where I wanted to check viability of launching somewhere that would allow access to the Arched Rock Beach area. It appears that launching at Miwok beach would be possible, and one could paddle over to the rocks.

Frankly yesterday's conditions would have worked well, as there wasn't a lot of wind and the swell was disappointing surfers. This was surprising to me as I've frequently heard this place called Blowdega Bay.

So I want to do this, and I guess I'm posting to see if anybody out there wants to talk me out of it or encourage the madness. I have to admit I'm a little sketched out by all the rocks. Ever since taking an OSHA safety course I'm checking myself on fear, because apparently I don't have enough of it.

I've never gone after any rock fish and I've been obsessing over lings. Anyone out there who have fished these waters???

I'd like to get back up there sometime in the next 30 days on a weekend. I like the idea of driving out early morning to launch, fishing all day, and crashing out at a near-by campground, as it appeared there are enough camping spots around there for this.

To be upfront, if I could find some people to join me who wouldn't mind a little interdependence, the trip would become a possibility for me, as it stands a mere fantasy at present. In other words I haven't been able to afford wheeleez yet and would be looking to exchange hands halling gear. And of course I'm seeking the buddy system OTW as I think it would be a stupid go alone.

Any interest out there??? Thanks in advance to anyone to encourage or discourage me.

I've fished from Duncan's Landing down to Schoolhouse a few times but have never fished down that far. There's alot of sandy bottom and not alot of kelp beds so the fishing isn't as good as further north. You can catch fish in that neighborhood though.

Keep in mind that none of those beaches can really be counted on for a safe entry/exit.

Sure, there are some days where it is calm enough, but nasty rip-currents and ugly shore break are the norm for the majority of the beaches in Bodega.

Like the others are saying, do yourself a favor and head north a little ways.

Alright thanks guys. Now I wish I would have scouted a little more.

Go elsewhere for your rockfishing de-virginization.  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,8672.0.html

I nearly got KO'd at Wright's Beach.  Beautiful place, looks fishy, but just not worth the risk.  Duncan's cove is about your best shot, and even still, there's safer fishier spots.

Go a little further and try Ft. Ross easy launch and not bad fishing ...

Yakuza, that topic was an exhilarating report. Nice photos!

Thanks again everyone for a little insight. I'm beginning to realize I had a bad idea. Boy, that's what's so great about this big little online community we have. We can hash out ridiculous ideas BEFORE we attempt them, which really is the first step toward safety - prevention!

I would guess however that a redeeming idea for these beaches would be perchin' from the sand (no yak). I like surf fishing almost as much as I like yak fishing.

I think I just need to suck up and accept the drive to fort ross for a salty rock fish yak adventure.