HMB Ling / Rockcod Tips

Hi all,

This website has been a wealth of knowledge so, first off, thanks for that. I recently picked up a basic kayak (no pedal, regular paddle) and have been out a few times. I've done a ton of searches on here but have a few specific questions on the best ling/RC setup as I'm an avid fisherman elsewhere just have never done it for lings/RC:

1) AREAS TO FISH - I first went out and drifted outside the harbor everywhere from the mouth to a few hundred yards before the first green buoy on a southern drift. I'm guessing this was mostly sand bottom and hence the little luck with the fish. Is it better to go farther north towards the reef? I know there's some reefs farther out as welll, but again don't have a pedal yak and tough to fight the current coming back in.

2) BAITS - I used shrimp flies with squid bouncing on the bottom. The one question I have is that when you cut the squid, do you do it in long strips or more "chunks" (I did the chunks, thinking it might be better in longer strips). I'm trying to locate some spots before going to artificials.

3) GENERAL TIPS - any other tips anyone has for fishing out of HMB?

Thanks a lot guys, really appreciate it and would love to connect with someone if anyone is going out in the coming weekends!

Are you familiar with the trap rig? If not, Its  basically a regular hook with a treble Hooke trailer and us sing whole squid  and dragging it a few feet off the bottom. Works well for halibut, rockfish, and lings. There's so many rigs you could use but this is my go to rig when i target these fish> Keep asking questions and some one will try to give you the answer! Just keep looking for the hookups and try to join in on them for first hand experience. :smut001

I recommend looking at a few different nautical charts.  The reefs are clearly noted. Fish the reefs but know where you are. There are MPAs toward Mavericks and know that the reefs can get really shallow between sets and sneaker waves can break where earlier there were none. HMB keeps you on your toes.

Keep asking questions, once you post more than 10 times, you will see members only post.  Use the search function, it's a wealth of knowledge.  HMB is one of the more popular launch place, just post a hookup notice, you should be able to get few takers on a group outing. 

My rock cod rig is exactly like yours, sometime I substitute the sinker with a swimbait+large jig head.  Other than that, it's the same.  You will get better success if you fish closer to the reef.  Just be careful, avoid the King's Rock.  You can go further out southward once you past the green can.  A popular spot is to fish between the green and red can, however, you need to keep an eye out for incoming/outgoing boats as that area is the 'toll gate' for boats going in/out.  A good Google search is "half moon bay depth chart"

Welcome!

This is HMB map I found here earlier: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&msa=0&z=13&ie=UTF8&om=1&mid=1GUn1TSmJCDJh_UFRuluIzAxuCLE

For starter, you need to go to place which has structure or kelp.

Swimbaits are good starters; tip with squid; keep 'a bit' above bottom to minimize snags (have several, like 5+, b/c you will snag. Take your time learning how to unsnag).

Go with somebody (there are hookups here all the time).

Here's the Navionics chart for the area.

Be very careful!!! There is a line of reefs that generally follows the   row of buoys, and during the right tide and swell, the reefs can form breaking waves. Watch your depth closely and keep your head on a swivel.



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Thanks everyone for the help! And yes, I'll be extremely careful - have studied the charts for some time.

So are the prime spots then directly west / northwest of the first green can? I'm guessing out past the second green can is also great but, again, only have a paddle yak and it's pretty far out from the harbor entrance.