Tomales tomorrow (8/23)

I'm launching from Nick's Cove at 10 am and hunting halibut.  Company welcome.  Channel 69.

Later, Sean

Sean,

I may be interested in tagging along. I have never fished for halibut before, but there is always a first time. Let me see if I can figure out what I need to bring and I'll let you know.

Dan

I forgot to post a report, but I made it out to Tomales on Sunday afternoon from about 3:30 to 7:30.  I had a tough time making bait... only pinhead anchovies too small for anything. 

I trolled with my flasher, two hoochie and bait rig up and down and around the channel from the bouy below Hog Island to the Buoy directly north of Hog Island.  I had one takedown that grabbed my first hoochie (which doesn't have a hook) and pulled it down the line. 

Was beautiful out there with only a slight breeze.  HUGE herd of elk on the beach across from Hog Island. 

Talked to one fisherman who had one take-down all day on live bait.  Said his buddy slammed the butts on Saturday but couldn't buy a bite on Sunday.

I know they're there... just gotta hit em right.

Good luck... looking forward to the report.

Erik

Well, to start off, I wasn't sure wher i was going because I have never been to Tomales Bay before. After reading the post, I figured I'd just drive South on HWY 1 until I saw Nick's Cove. Well, I never saw it, so i just kept on driving until the bay dried up. I turned around and figurted I'ed find the first place the looked launchable and hit the water. I ended up at a nice little launch ramp at Mile Post Marker 36.5. It looked like a public launch, so I went ahead and put in.

I tried to make bait, but I had piss poor planning, so no bait except what I picked up on the way......frozen calamari. The bay was like a windy day on Lake Mendo. I paddled out into the wind for a while and drifted the calamari back with the wind. I repeated this for about 3 1/2 hours and decided to call it a day. I did get to see a bunch of pelicans diving into the water for fish and a seal keeping a close watch on me. Something made a big splash in the water, but was mostly back under before I could get a good look. It may have been the seal, but I think I saw the top of the tail to a thresher shark. Who knows.

Anyway, now I know where the bay is, and found (via Google Earth) where Nick's Cove is for next time. I think I'll build and then bring a sabiki rig.

Still enjoying vacation. Next week it's backpacking in Yosemite.

CHEERS!

Dude Mahi,

I think (and I hope) Nicks's Cove is the same launch as Miller's Landing.  I launched from Miller's Landing, which I think is Nick's Cove.  Super sorry we did not hook up.  I should have tried to call you on the radio.

Anyway, here is my report (I know it is in the wrong section).  I actually hope that because it is in the wrong section,  nobody will read this because my fishing endeavor was pretty pathetic.

Here goes: We launched at about 10:15.  My buddy screwed up and brought two halves of the same side of paddle, kind of like bringing two left shoes.  He cruised down to Marshall and bummed a paddle from Blue Water Kayaks.  I have never used store-bought bait in Tomales that I can remember ... I have always caught bait out by Hog Island.  So following my usual routine, I did not bring any bait.  Unfortunately, making bait was a bit more difficult than expected.  As a matter of fact, we did not catch one bait fish.  So to make a short story long, we did not really even fish for halibut 'cause we had no MF'n bait.  Pretty pathetic.  Anyway, next time I think I will not bring bait either, but be better prepared to catch bait.  Here is what I need and what will help: anchor to deal with the wind in the eel grass and a chum bag to chum the fish.

I talked to one group in a private boat who had three halibut.  The used live bait (caught while chumming near Hog Island).  Talked to another kayak fisherdude who was not involved in this forum as far as I can tell who was fishless at the time I spoke with him.

This weekend: Tahoe!

Later, Sean