HMB in April

I am staying at Half Moon Bay SB campground the second week in April (all week). I have never camped in HMB before and do not know very much about it. I am brand new to kayaking, so new I have not bought my own kayak yet. If I wanted to do some crabbing would I be able to beach launch from the camping area?

I normally fish / crab around Bodega in my bigger boat or my Valco aluminum.

Thanks,
Rodney

Beach launching from HMB SB can be some what of a challenge, you don't get the protection you would if you launched from Pillar Point Harbor area/ HMB Kayak; which is only a few miles north towards El Granada. While you're there, stop by "Flavor" restaraunt right across the street. If you want to dine on the local seafood restaruants, try 'Princeton By the Sea' or 'Ketch Joanne's'; everything else is over-rated.

Not much open to fishing from a boat except dabs & butts; crabbing has slowed WAY down. If you don't mind a rocky hike, you can traverse the breaker wall protecting the harbor for some decent rockfish; but be prepared to visit Snag City. Use the little sand bags as weights, and fill a bunch of them up before you head down the wall all the way to the end....

Perch fishing from the beach is hitt and miss; there's a little run-off between the campround and the day-use, cast around there and you should get something....


Oh... and don't forget to go to Pescadero first! There this little sandwich shop the sells KILLER loaves of bread!! Buy the partially cooked loaves, wrap them in foil and put them next to the campfire (or oven if you have one); Foken, foken, foken screamin bread!!!!! And with some fresh crab caught (or boat a from the Commercial Boats), you have one hell of a dinner!! Now I'm starting to miss HMB...

Lastly, if you have a vhf, call for Mooch; he will give you the guided tour of HMB!

Glen

Thanks for the info! Do you think I would still be able to get some dungeness in Apri, at HMB? I do pretty good in Bodega normally during Easter vacation. Here are some pics from last year in April on  the USS VALCO . Do you think I would have problems with the aluminum boat in April?

Talk to the guys from Half Moon Bay Kayak Company (Chris and Doug). They rent out kayaks and are very good about knowing what the ocean conditions are like. I always check in with them before I launch my kayak outside the Harbor.

If you want to save some $$ on food, try :

El Granada Hardwear and Cafe (right across the Post Office)
85 Avenue Portola
El Granada, CA 94018

(650) 726.5009

*try their pastrami sandwhich