6/18 Berkley Pier Hailbut report

Upon arrival the bay was very inviting with very little wind and a beautiful dawn . Having a full moon the night before I was hoping to get into the melee of strike after strike but isn't that always the case for the hopeful fisherman. Was joined by Freddie and Pat at the Berkley Marina launch at around 0600 hrs then soon after by Duane and Dave.
For once I was the first on the water accompanied by Pat. We paddled over to the bait barge and secured our fill of live Anchovie's then head out of the break. I had a fish trap in tow with no hits then switched to live bait once we started our drift just west of the end of the old pier.
One of the most exciting things I always love about the paddle out is the scenery of our Bay. If nothing else we do "catch" sight of some of the most majestic seascape that the world has to offer. And people it was absolutly georgeous out there.

The above shot is Freddie and Pat out past the pier getting set up for our drift back. At this point still lite winds but that would change around 1100hrs.

Pat on the drift at about the place of his hookup that I will the telling to Pat.

My first hookup was with this fiesty lepoard shark.My next hookup was with Duane when we booth hooked our first keepers of the day mine being 23" and Duanes was identical to mine however I didn't take a picture but I believe Pat did.

My final hookup was this sand shark that really ran with weight and all which did take me by surprise as I thought it was my second Hali of the day. I love the way their skin reflects all the different colors when held up to the sun.
This last pic is probably not one of Dave's better poses since he reminds me of Uncle Fester from the Adams family.But Dave caught the largest Hali of the day at 25".

Around 1200hrs it started to pick up and it was around this time that it was decided to just drift to the start of the old pier and call it a day. I was home and all cleaned up by 1430hrs. Frank

Great report, Frank.  I wish I had access to that great halibut fishery that you guys have down there.  I haven't tried Humboldt Bay, but I hope to devote some time to it as my kids get older and hopefully want to go out with me.  Definite Good Times on the Bay today - thanks for sharing it.   

AK....you need to be in bed Brudah
11:54:29PM&you'reUPlooking@FISHPORN?!   

!!EastBaySlayersHookUp!!
Another beautiful breakdown of the day Frank. Nice shots and placement of them along the way. One day, the finicky Berk.PierWaters will lay down like they do for you&others...or maybe I should take some midweek days off. 
GREAT conditions, braduhs' from otha' muthas' and huntin down 'butts on the bay!
DaveTheRelentless~k.k.a. "UncleFester"  You are gettin you some 'BUTTs this season!!   I think I'm begining to feel a bit of jealousy now.

Pat?! WHEREyouAT?! 

Sorry for dogging it had company. Well it was my first time in a yak at Berkley and won't be my last. I finished up my bait tank the night before and it worked so go I will not be redesigning it, its good to go for the next trip. Frank pretty much summed it up, the bait guy only charged us 15.00 for the chovies probably had about 60 to 80 in the tank way to many but had a pile of then still kicking at the end of the day . I did have a couple of good sticks and while trolling back up to the tip of the pier for another drifted BAM got hit hard, I missed the first net scoop and on the second one right before my first Halibut was in the net my leader broke and he swam away happy at least someone was . The weather was great in the morning but got pretty nasty in the afternoon pic below will show that. At the launch a guy in a powerboat showed Dave and I his 42 pounder and his 16 pounder they where fishing Angel island, that 42 pounder was huge .

Pat R           

I must have read past the part that Frank&duane also got 'butts.
that turned out to be a hell of a day! 
Pat~ too bad...the next one will be NETTED for sure!..and bigger

I stopped by the Berkley marina to check out the launch ramp action and saw the guys (Duane, Dave and Frank).  I talked to Duane and introduced myself to Frank and Dave but I'm sure they were wondering who the heck I was since I wasn't in my kayak attire.  I've been out of action for a very long time due to a new job and seeing these guys was a realization that I need more balance in life. 

If you guys want to know what the weather is like during work hours, I can give you a full scoop just pm me with your number and I will give you mine in exchange.  I can also see where the boats are located because I have a set of binoculars to scope out the action.  My coworkers think I'm a peeping Tom but watching the fishing action is all I need to see to make my day.

I have noticed some of the party boats hanging around the Emeryville side of the flats near the launch ramp.  This is easily accessible from the Emeryville launch area.  If you didn't know there is a new launch ramp at the end of the road near the pier.  It's designed for wind surfers but there is no reason why kayaks can't use it.  It is steep so you may need some help launching and pulling your kayak up and down.

I have to get out this weekend for the first time this year.  I hear the stripers are also showing at Mels (don't know exact location).

I also got to see Franks new Prowler Trident and it is a nice kayak.  Something to think about in the future but I'm also in love with foot power Hobie's.

Thanks guys for reminding me what I have been missing.

Luis

Emeryville flats ehh...thanks for the insight.  Going to check that one out tomorrow on the lunch break.  Thanks.