New member from Benicia

Hey there, I'm fairly new to kayak fishing and just moved to Benicia.  I'm looking forward to finding my way around the bay on my Outback, though I haven't been out yet.  I have a couple months of experience fishing for lingcod and rockfish in San Luis Obispo County last year and got hooked on it!  Since then I sold the boat I had and bought a pair of Outbacks.

A few questions for those familiar with the area:
Are there decent ling and rockfish to be found anywhere in the Bay?  If not, where are the hotspots where I can put in from shore?  I can always throw them on a roof rack and cart them down to a beach instead of putting in at Benicia. I don't mind traveling a bit to get onto some good fish.

What do you typically catch in Benicia and how do you fish for them?  I've heard there is a decent sturgeon population near the mothball fleet and a few stripers around but not sure of how to fish for either or what else may be around. 

I've never tried going for crabs but might look into it if you guys think it's worth the investment and effort.

I'm used to drifting 6" 2oz swim baits in the waves in 30-55ft of water for ling and rockfish but have zero experience with anything else in the salt. 

Thanks in advance for any advice.  I look forward to getting out there!

I'm used to drifting 6" 2oz swim baits in the waves in 30-55ft of water for ling and rockfish but have zero experience with anything else in the salt. 

WTTM, darickk.

There are a lot of good areas for that kind of fishing around Santa Cruz and Capitola. The Santa Cruz harbor is an easy place to launch from, with several not-so-secret spots within easy reach.

Welcome Brother, im gettin ready to go out with Darius Burong, he's gonna show me some spots. Lotta helpful info here and great guys here in NCKA Forum.  Pretty much on your non-fishin time, read, read, read.  Look forward to seein you out there.

Welcome aboard darickk.  Post a hookup or PM me if you're up for a local outing.  I'm in Hercules and know a little bit about the area.  Also on an Outback (with a sissy Torqeedo motor).


You've come to the right board for the intel.  Read up til you go blind. 


Rocks and lings?  I usually hit the reef at HMB.  (http://goo.gl/cIETFq)  ...near the first green buoy south of the mouth.

Keep an eye out for ocean hookups in 2 weeks.
welcome to the board.  See you around town.

Fishing around Benicia is mostly for stripers, salmon, and sturgeon.  You can infrequently get small flounder and sharks also.
My brother has a house on the water there so I may see in the water sometime.

Welcome to NCKA Darickk