I'm being lured.....

Gonna attempt Hog Island on Monday the 13th.  Any takers....?  Never dun Tomales yet but that lawsons landing blog always tweeks me with hope

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

That said, the paddle out of Nicks cove to Hog Island is an easy one, the islands themselves are covered in birds and seals, it is not legal to set foot on the islands, but it's worth the paddle to them to check out the sea life. In between the islands where it's shallow you can see star fish, smaller fish, crabs, and occasionally you'll see a leopard shark swimming there, it's a pretty neat view.

The west side of Tomales is where the deep water channel is, you can get leopards, rays and halibut there. The leopards love to cruise the weed lines! Check the Noaa charts for depth etc. In the southern part of the bay around marshall in the flats is really your best bet for rays, leopards, 6 gill and other shark species. The weather doesn't affect that area as much, but it's not anywhere near as pretty as the Northern section.

I'll be headed there Saturday or Sunday, if the weather plays nice, trying for my first kayak halibut, and if that doesn't pan out I'll head south for some fun with the rays!

I'm done next time? It's in my area.

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

That said, the paddle out of Nicks cove to Hog Island is an easy one, the islands themselves are covered in birds and seals, it is not legal to set foot on the islands, but it's worth the paddle to them to check out the sea life. In between the islands where it's shallow you can see star fish, smaller fish, crabs, and occasionally you'll see a leopard shark swimming there, it's a pretty neat view.

The west side of Tomales is where the deep water channel is, you can get leopards, rays and halibut there. The leopards love to cruise the weed lines! Check the Noaa charts for depth etc. In the southern part of the bay around marshall in the flats is really your best bet for rays, leopards, 6 gill and other shark species. The weather doesn't affect that area as much, but it's not anywhere near as pretty as the Northern section.

I'll be headed there Saturday or Sunday, if the weather plays nice, trying for my first kayak halibut, and if that doesn't pan out I'll head south for some fun with the rays!

Thanks for the heads up.  Will target halibut.  Where can I throw my cast net for live bait or should I sabiki, or just buy it?

sabiki would be your best bet, lots of bait, but it moves a lot, so when you come across a ball drop on it. been some perfect size macks and shiners from what I've been hearing, cameron

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

That said, the paddle out of Nicks cove to Hog Island is an easy one, the islands themselves are covered in birds and seals, it is not legal to set foot on the islands, but it's worth the paddle to them to check out the sea life. In between the islands where it's shallow you can see star fish, smaller fish, crabs, and occasionally you'll see a leopard shark swimming there, it's a pretty neat view.

The west side of Tomales is where the deep water channel is, you can get leopards, rays and halibut there. The leopards love to cruise the weed lines! Check the Noaa charts for depth etc. In the southern part of the bay around marshall in the flats is really your best bet for rays, leopards, 6 gill and other shark species. The weather doesn't affect that area as much, but it's not anywhere near as pretty as the Northern section.

I'll be headed there Saturday or Sunday, if the weather plays nice, trying for my first kayak halibut, and if that doesn't pan out I'll head south for some fun with the rays!

Thanks for the heads up.  Will target halibut.  Where can I throw my cast net for live bait or should I sabiki, or just buy it?

You can catch live bait with sabiki rig at the green buoy where the channel splits at the lawsons side of hog island.i like to tip little hooks with raw shrimp works nice. It's best just working a not so fast incoming tide .

Sounds like a plan. I'm in. What time? Have you checked the tides and weather yet? I've had luck catching bait just dragging a sabiki behind me while I head to my spot. You can also throw a cast net, which I've used a little, but usually the sabiki is easier.

Look for small tides. Top of the out going has always produced best for me! 20 ftw is my magic depth but shallower produces some big butts as well. I will be there Mon 20th first light unless it is windy as hell!!! Its Hali Time

I might join this flotilla as a representative of the fly fishers gang.

I flyfish alot! I dont recommend throwing a flyline in T Bay for halibut. Drift fishing live bait is the preferred method or jigging plastics can be deadly but no one flyfishes for them. maybe down around the Millerton point area/south end of the bay. It is alot shallower on average down there but the wind and eel grass in the water is the problem. it can get real windy fast. but ya never know.

On second thought, You might have a blast catching Jack/Top Smelt on the fly rod!

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

Excuse my ignorance but how is Tomales Bay a dangerous spot? Is it just a Wind Factor?

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

Excuse my ignorance but how is Tomales Bay a dangerous spot? Is it just a Wind Factor?

Wind, thick fog, strong tides, shallow areas. All can be a factor here.

Look for small tides. Top of the out going has always produced best for me! 20 ftw is my magic depth but shallower produces some big butts as well. I will be there Mon 20th first light unless it is windy as hell!!! Its Hali Time

What time is first light to you? Like 5am, 6am? High tide is 745 ish at 3.2 ft with a low at 215 ish at .9 ft.

Anyone bringing crab traps? I'll probably bring one for a soak.

You'll read mixed reviews on Tomales, both fishing and safety wise. It is a dangerous spot, and I can see why, so keep your head on a swivel and if the wind picks up you're smart to leave.

Excuse my ignorance but how is Tomales Bay a dangerous spot? Is it just a Wind Factor?

Wind, thick fog, strong tides, shallow areas. All can be a factor here.

Kind of a minor thought but, don't forget that it's also a nursery for the Landlord during certain times of the year.