Early Salmon Fishing

Hi,
I can't wait for the salmon opener. This will be my second year fishing for them from a kayak. I started mid season last year.  I know the SF party boats usually go south to Deep Reef which is out of my kayak range, and out to the 25 fathom line off Bodega.  Is there anywhere where salmon are typically in closer early in the season?
How about farther north ,or off Eureka? 

Salmon doesn't open north of horse mountain (just north of shelter cove) until some time in May.

I'd give shelter cove a look. I plan on hitting it when schedule and seas allow, as often as I can. I need my salt fix bad.

Most of us have salmon fever.  There should be a number of  NCKAers heading up to shelter once Eric gives us the thumbs up.

Shelter Cove is one of the best ports in California for getting on the salmon within 1 to 2 miles.  My biggest actually came within a mile of the ramp, but most are caught around 1.5 miles out and around the corner, north of the Whistle.

Right now the long range (Stormsurf) doesn't look great for the opener, but we'll know much more in a few days.  Ab opener also looks rough, but there may be a flat spot later next week, so hopefully that lasts through Saturday.  If it's 10 feet or less and 15 knots or less I'll likely go down.  Last year the call was around 10 feet and 15 knots - sounded too rough.  Powerboats did well right out front on the opener.

Believe me, I'll be focusing on getting on the Shelter Cove bite as soon as possible, and I'll report back here.

 

Green apex for early salmon season in Sbelter Cove.  I will be there by boat or kayak depending on where the bite is and conditions.

Here are shots of Saturday morning and later afternoon from Stormsurf.  Looks sporty but probably doable.

I don't have a shelter cove kayak salmon yet. I aim to fix that real soon.

Stormsurf switching things up for the better - hopefully it continues to improve.

http://www.stormsurf.com/locals/mendo.shtml

They're are already a few fish close to HMB harbor. A couple were caught on sand dab rigs at the pp buoy. We think these are the fish raised in the pens and released 3 years ago.

Opening day forecast from NWS for Cape Mendo to Pt Arena:

.SAT...NW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES NW 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS.

If this holds, it's on.