How to Catch Bait?

hey I'm new to the area and new to kayak fishing.  I've been out a few times with no luck.  I live in Alameda and want catch halibut off the Alameda rock wall, live bait seems the way to go but isn't always available i was wondering if i could get some advise on catching bait (or fish) in the Alameda area or just in general.

Thanks,
Jake

You can catch bait pretty easy in the lagoon right across Otis from South Shore Shopping Center, just use some small long carlise hooks and a small piece of pile or earth worms. Smelt,Mudsuckers and sometimes shiners. or underneath any of the bridges,pilings or dock in the estuary. Minnow traps work well also.

Welcome.

mickfish said it well.

Mudsuckers (the bigger the better) are great for striper.
Shiners for halibut.

Insaneduane has some good recent posts on locations for halibuts.

cool thanks alot guys hopefully ill catch a fish...its just a matter of time, i hope

i would just use a sabiki i bought a few for 99 cents from bass pro shops

I agree use the sabiki's.  They work great, you can even put a pinch of pile worm, or any frozen fish on for scent.  For live bait crimp the barbs on the sabiki, it'll do less harm to the fish, and make them last longer.

I think shiner perch are some of the best baits for hali's but have never used them on a kayak, mostly from berkeley pier.

Does anyone know a good place to catch bait in the North Bay? I am in Marin County most of the time. I've tried throwing a cast net in Lake Merritt, Oakland, where there is TONS of bait, but it's kinda wierd with all the people running by.

Gus' in SF has best prices on the casting nets.  I've seen the 4' (8' diameter) used without much trouble. I got the 6' to increase my chances of catching more.  I go to Kincaids and/or the bridge by the boat/restaurant nearby (forget the name at the moment).  Get smelt, shiners and mudsuckers and use for fishing off the shore in that area.  I suppose a sibiki off the yak would be more convenient and save the extra trip.

thanks again for all the info

Bright and shiny stuff--jigged. When I was a kid we used to jig for Menhaden (for bait for King Mackerel) in NC off the pier near Nagshead with gold Salmon Egg hooks strung on a line. They'd bite that stuff--amazing to me. Sabikis are the way to go--simple and no messy bait-- but they are also magnets that catch anything loose on your deck so some care is required to stow them safely--they tend to get caught on things just when you don't need the extra challenge of freeing them..

Does anyone know a good place to catch bait in the North Bay? I am in Marin County most of the time.

+1
anyone have a good spot and or technique in Marin?

anyone have a good spot and or technique in Marin?

The mouths of the Sloughs at the Bay should be good I'd think. They are certainly in Bodega Bay and Tomales Bay. Usually best to make bait where you are fishing if you have the time and rig--because that's what your target is most likely eating.

Thanks guys a lot of good info here can you use a small throw net from the yak?

Check the regs--I believe you can use throw nets in the salt but not fresh water.

try mikes bait n tackle in oakland for mudsuckers , sometimes they come in with the bulheads and they work great for halis