I (hope to) Smell Cucumbers.....Goat Rock Night Surf Smelt'n 7-3 at sunset

Checking to see if there is any group interest to go night surf fishing at Goat Rock Tuesday 7-3. Friends are going tonight and if they score then I am probably going tomorrow night. If my buddies get into them I will go get a pass and gate code at the Ranger Headquarters Tuesday. With the pass we can get at least one truck to the lower parking lot and be able to shuttle people/gear between the upper and lower lots when fishing is done.

I have three A-frame nets to share. Matter of fact I have a bum wing (arm) and would really enjoy seeing others experience this type of fishing.... if you know what I mean. Basically you need a  bucket, fishing license, headlamp,  and farmer johns/drysuit/etc/anything but waders as you will be in the surf. Doesn't hurt to carry your vhf radio to keep in contact with the others. Generally we bring firewood and watermelons....and hang until the fish run. Fish or no fish it's good clean fun

I would be interested in doing this with you. I have the kids this week, and have never taken them out like that, would be fun. Let me know.

OH Man!!!!  I really want to go!!!!  Not sure if I can yet though... depends on plans for the 4th I guess.  Will let ya know!!!

Keep the Maybes coming. I need to check to see what night (if any) Bodega has it's fireworks as the traffic is usually a nightmare but it really shouldn't concern us as we usually get to the beach before the gates close to unload gear and stay until almost midnight sometimes....depending of the fishing

I would be interested in doing this with you. I have the kids this week, and have never taken them out like that, would be fun. Let me know.

Rich, I started going with the "grown ups"  as far back as I can remember....it is a great family outing but can get late and damp out.  It's just simple fun.

This brings back memories. My dad and I used to go surf fishing in the 70s.
I've got two nets but with my bad back I'm not to good at bending over. I might be more of a spectator.

I've attached a pdf on the grunion runs for this year from the dfg.
It claims the run will be from Wednesday to Saturday. I'd be interested to see how your friends do.

Is there a limit? I remember filling five gallon buckets.

Don

I'm interested. Would like to bring my son as well if I could peel him off the computer. It sounds fun even just to observe how it's done. I have a 6' cast net that I can bring. Is it legal to use?

I see the schedule I posted is for Los Angeles. My bad.

dfg:
"Grunion spawn only on 3 or 4 nights after the highest tide associated with each full or new moon and then only for a 1 to 3 hour period each night following high tide.

Spawning runs typically begin with single fish (usually males) swimming in with a wave and occasionally stranding themselves on the beach. Gradually, more and more fish come in with the waves and by swimming against the outflowing wave strand themselves until the beach is covered by a blanket of grunion. Spawning normally starts about 20 minutes after the first fish appear on the beach. Typically a run lasts 1 to 3 hours, but the number of fish on the beach at any given moment can vary from none, to thousands. Peak activity is reached about an hour after the start of the run and lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. Finally, when the tide has dropped a foot or more, the run slackens and then stops as suddenly as it started. No more fish will be seen that night, and they will not appear again until the next night or the next series of runs."

I need to check to see what night (if any) Bodega has it's fireworks as the traffic is usually a nightmare .....

Fireworks were Sunday evening, you're good to go midweek.

Haven't done that since I was 12, Alder Creek beach, brandi in the coffee (for the old folks only of course), I remember it well. Didn't take long to fill a 5 gallon bucket, us kids were just wearing jeans and T's, then back to the bonfire.

dfg:
28.80. DIP NETS AND HAWAIIAN TYPE THROW NETS. Dip nets of any size and baited
hoop nets not greater than 36 inches in diameter may be used to take herring, Pacific staghorn
sculpin, shiner surfperch, surf smelt, topsmelt, anchovies, shrimp and squid. Hawaiian type throw
nets may be used north of Point Conception to take such species.

I guess "surf smelt" is the correct name, not "grunion". We always used to call them grunion.

im down!! i was just up at fort bragg 3 weeks ago and got into a big run of day fish

Any report? Is it on like Donkey Kong?

It's ON. Just got word ....the guys who went last night plucked half a bucket each....plenty. I am waiting to hear back from the State Park Ranger to get permission to use the lower lot tonight. If I don't get permission I do have the gate code that will allow at least drop off and pick up our gear/people...but not allow us to park down there the whole time.  Hopefully we will score some "fish fries". Updates will follow

dam i wish i didn't have to work tomorrow or i would be all over this , i ate those things at OC and they were killer

awesome im gonna prep the smoker