1st timer going to Tomales Bay (Lawsons)

I will be heading out for the first time in the ocean in Tomales Bay this Thursday-Sunday I have a new Sportsman 120 pdl and very limited info on the current fish to target. I don't plan on venturing very far from the camp ground as I will probably be alone.

I will be wearing my pfd with whistle attached. Any other required gear I need?

Any helpful information would be appreciated.

I will be heading out for the first time in the ocean in Tomales Bay this Thursday-Sunday I have a new Sportsman 120 pdl and very limited info on the current fish to target. I don't plan on venturing very far from the camp ground as I will probably be alone.

I will be wearing my pfd with whistle attached. Any other required gear I need?

Any helpful information would be appreciated.

With Tomales if you are a beginner I wouldn't venture out alone in the dark. The last guy drowned after capsizing in the dark and his buddy didn't even know it until it was too late.
I was there the next morning they were looking for his body. Make sure you can self rescue if you do plan going out by yourself. Have fun and be safe 

Watch out for the wind as it can be brutal there.

VHF radio, current is strong. If you tip a radio will save you.

Water temp around 58deg, wetsuit dry suit is highly recommended.

Kayak partner, always a good idea to have buddy on the water with you.

Mark down and remember the tides. They can rip! Use it to your advantage.

Be safe tight lines.

Hopefully you like wind...

Also a +1 on watch the tides as they are strong there.
Doran is an easier paddle for you.

You're gonna get all kinda intel with two threads.  Maybe I'll post a lil' here and post a lil' there...

I'm back... .  Campground?  You mean Dillon is gonna be you're home base?  Look at some charts.  Ride the incoming in as far as you like and ride the outgoing back to your launch.  Maybe the wind will be you friend.  Tomales goes North to South.  Compare the wind direction with your plan.  The Halis hang out all over but know the high areas that are exposed at a low tide.  If I was new to Tomales I would pack up my yak and go to Miller to get a feel.  The whole bay is like a river in some areas.   Pick the wimpiest tide, stay in the channels and maybe let us know that you have practiced re-entry?

Hola!  Drift live bait and keep it on the bottom.  Bring a sabiki and don't hook yourself.  Cut it down to 3 hooks for control of leader.  Even yesterday 4 hooks was a little zoo...don't hesitate to ask other yakkers on site that have experience how to navigate your area and what their plan is.  If they're in a muscle shirt with jeans and launching, stay far away from them...

You're gonna get all kinda intel with two threads.  Maybe I'll post a lil' here and post a lil' there...

I was getting errors when posting and then it did it twice.  It won't allow me to delete one of them.

You're gonna get all kinda intel with two threads.  Maybe I'll post a lil' here and post a lil' there...

I was getting errors when posting and then it did it twice.  It won't allow me to delete one of them.

Let there be only one!  Fixed.

If they're in a muscle shirt with jeans and launching, stay far away from them...

Best advice of all...

If you are staying at Dillon Beach ask around the store there for info. Easy launch off the sand. 15-25 feet of water is good. Look for other boats and line yourself up without getting close. Swimbaits work just fine also if getting live bait is hard.

I’ll be at hog island area tomorrow if you’re in the neighborhood.  Ch 69

Just got back from our trip. Only got out onto the water on Friday at about 10am. Launched from Lawsons  and ventured out to about Jack's Beach on the opposite side.

I cruised the west side of the bay back towards the opening of the bay. Was a bit more tiring than I thought I would be. Total time out was only about 3.5 hours and total distance was about 4 miles.

I was only using swimbaits as I didn't have a live well for baitfish. Only thing caught was a good time.

Didn't go out yesterday due to the wind and rough waters. Only one trip on the water but enough to get hooked to go back soon.