Tomales Bay Crabbing

Taking my kids to tomales bay to crab out of a canoe since it seems calm. My question is where do i drop my pots? Near the mouth? Near hog island? Looking for some tips... Never actually been there.

Don't go anywhere near the mouth of the bay in a canoe. Much less one loaded with crab gear and children. Maybe others can chime in, but even inside the bay, crab gear plus kids in a canoe sounds like a risky idea.

The current at Tomales can rip fast, be careful.

I would agree.  My kids love dropping pots off the pier at Lawson's even though keepers are sometimes few and far between.  Tide moves fast through the bay.  I could see a tip- over while pulling a heavy pot if to much weight shifts to that side as all will want to see the pot coming up.  I have had success not far off the shore while he kids are busy on the pier.  Better success on the west side of the bay, but the tide really rips there.  The crabbing is better when the tide is moving , but you could wait until slack to pull pots or just go for a nice paddle.  Be careful.

The weather can get nasty quickly there. The wind and the current can get people by surprise. There are a few threads floating around about guided kayak tours getting stranded and needing to be rescued. Personally I would not take a canoe out there.

Taking my kids to tomales bay to crab out of a canoe since it seems calm. My question is where do i drop my pots? Near the mouth? Near hog island? Looking for some tips... Never actually been there.

Please don't do that.

Tomales Bay is a beautiful spot that can be treacherous, water temp is in the 50s, wind and wind waves can come up extremely  fast, currents are tricky, and breakers and currents at the mouth are extremely dangerous.

Taking my kids to tomales bay to crab out of a canoe since it seems calm. My question is where do i drop my pots? Near the mouth? Near hog island? Looking for some tips... Never actually been there.

Please don't do that.

Tomales Bay is a beautiful spot that can be treacherous, water temp is in the 50s, wind and wind waves can come up extremely  fast, currents are tricky, and breakers and currents at the mouth are extremely dangerous.

++++1000
the thought of someone bringing their kids in a canoe out there is totally stupid , I don't care how calm it looks.

Glad you asked and glad others voiced their concerns.  That's what makes this a great group of anglers. 

I have only been out there a couple times in a kayak and the current is crazy along with the sneaker waves that can and have flipped full sized boats. 

Taking my kids to tomales bay to crab out of a canoe since it seems calm. My question is where do i drop my pots? Near the mouth? Near hog island? Looking for some tips... Never actually been there.

Please don't do that.

Tomales Bay is a beautiful spot that can be treacherous, water temp is in the 50s, wind and wind waves can come up extremely  fast, currents are tricky, and breakers and currents at the mouth are extremely dangerous.

X 100

Beautiful area but getting on/in the water there is no joke...please be careful.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

from a few years ago
http://www.marinij.com/article/ZZ/20090217/NEWS/902179958

Every year I see people in canoes paddling aroung Hog Island they seldom have PDFs and I just think Oh Boy theres an accident waiting to happen.

Very dangerous place see the coastguard warning pamphlet that is for power boaters.

Everywhere I go in the bay for crabs there is a very strong current when the tide is moving.  Last year I met a local guy who said that you don't need to go near hog island or beyond to get crabs. He drops his pots way farther in.  There are really nice gentle beaches in Inverness right where the road leaves the bay to go towards the lighthouse. I have gone swimming there many times.  The water is really nice come July.  I don't know if there are crabs there, but the beach has a gentle slope, and it is nice and calm for paddling If the wind is not howling. I never noticed a current while swimming there.  It might be worth a try.  I would not go out to Hearts Desire beach, as it is much closer to the mouth and might get dicey.
PFD's for all of course.

Anyone ever notice a different taste in them crabs.  Many of the fish species found in Tomales were listed with high levels of mercury so wasn't sure if crabs had it also. 

Bolinas lagoon is a place where the currents are mild as long as you stay away from the mouth during the out going tide.