Rockfish at Bodega

I've never fish Bodega Bay before and was wondering, how's the Rockfishing? I'll live in Sacramento so Bodega seems a little closer than Fort Ross.  How about Muir Beach, and rockfish near by? Thanks for any info.

Later, Scott

Bodega  Bay is about 35 min from Fort Ross.

Rockfishing options near Bodega Bay... (without giving away my secret spots)

Heading North from Bodega Harbor....

1.)  Seal Rock and Bodega Head.  Can be rough... lots of boat traffic coming out of the harbor and it's a bit sharky.  Launch from Doran Beach or Campbell's Cove.

2.)  Horseshoe Cove and Mussel Point... it would be great fishing except for the fact that it's a no-take marine protected area (MPA) out to 1000 m from shore.    If you have a fish finder anywhere deeper than about 60 ft is far enough away from the MPA.  Fishing is okay if you can find some structure with the fish finder.

3.)  Salmon Creek ... mostly sand but there is a nice reef about 1 mile  out.  I don't have the numbers but some of the charter boats stop there if they don't want to make the run up to Ft. Ross.   This is also a surf break so don't piss off the locals and be prepared for a less than calm surf launch and landing.  Also, it's a bit of a hike from the parking lot down to the beach.

4.)  Portugese Beach, Schoolhouse Beach and other Sonoma Coast State Beaches.    All of these have decent rockfish but there is a bit of a hike down to the beach.  The surf here can break right on the beach which can be a bit dangerous at times.  Best not to attempt launches or landings on a low tide.

5.) Duncans landing.. nice and protected behind Duncan's Point... but a bit of a steep hike down to the beach ... you'd want a light kayak and a buddy to get you down the trail.


Heading south from Bodega Harbor....

1.) Estero Americano... in front of the Estero about halfway between Doran Beach and Dillion Beach are some nice rocks.  I've never fished here but I've seen reports on Coastside of people rockfishing off here.

2.) Tomales Point and Bird Rock... a bit of a paddle from Bodega Harbor, but again lots of rockfishing reports on Coastside for these areas.


Frankly... if you're going to drive all that way from Sacramento.. go to Fort Ross or one of the other nearby coves in Northern Sonoma County... the launches are easier.. the water is more protected... it recieves a bit less pressure from motor boats... and the habitat is much better (there's no kelp near Bodega Bay).   I work in Bodega Bay and I'll be up to Fort Ross for the opener.  I only bother fishing Bodega for rockfish when I have to get some fishing in before or after work.   However, the area is probably the best place in Sonoma County to catch salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod on the same day (I have yet to accomplish this, but it is doable here).

Brian

Brian,
What are the specifics on launching at Fort Ross?  I went down to the cove once on a scouting mission and the road was really rough and rutted and I had my 4 X 4.  How much is the fee?  Where can you park, etc.?  I have property in Timber Cove (3 miles away), so I'm up there frequently and would love to fish there with you sometime.

Frank

Fort Ross....
$6 parking (self serve in the morning)
You can drive down to the cove via the road you saw.  It's really not that bad, I was there on father's day with my family checking out the site-seeing at the old Russian trading fort and the access road seemed to be in fine condition.  Anyway, drive down, unload your gear and then drive back up to the parking lot to park (the one you drive through to get to the access road).  Of coarse, then you have to walk a 1/4 mile back down the trail.  From the unloading zone to the water is probably 50-75 yds down a bit of trail and then over the beach.

The cove is fairly protected and anything less than 6-8ft NW swell and moderatly light winds is fishable there.

Brian

Brian,

Great info, I'll definitely give it a try in a couple of weeks or so.  Thanks a lot!!!

Frank

Just an FYI - the "road" down to the loading zone is A LOT better this year. Our park dollars hard at work.