Live Bait Tomales Bay

I've been to Tomales three times since July. The first time I saw bait fish but couldn't catch any - for a lot of reasons - but mostly because I didn't have a clue about what I was doing. The second time at Tomales (after getting additional advice) I caught some jack smelt as live bait - and then caught a WSB. I was back at Tomales yesterday and caught some more jack smelt but got skunked. Unfortunately my fishing time with live bait was reduced because I really do not have a good way to keep my bait alive.  I need a live well and I've posted about this on the safety forum because I think it's better suited there.

My question here is regarding the jack smelt as Halibut bait: Does it work?  I know you can do everything right fishing and still get skunked but I am wondering about the best bait for Halibut? In SF Bay I caught Halibut (from a boat not a kayak) on live Shiners.  It looks like the internet scuttlebutt points at live anchovies as the best choice. I have a friend that caught a Halibut from a Kayak in Tomales with a white jig. The WSB was a big fish I'm sure a foot long jacksmelt looked like a great snack. What about Halibut? Are ten to twelve inch jack smelt to big?  I have no idea!

The bait pictured will work fine.

However, the Nor-Cal halibut bite traditionally dies down right about now.

Although it's probably not ideal, I have heard of guys using bigger jacksmelt. I've found 8-inch kingfish in the bellies of ~28" halibut. A big doormat could easily chomp down a 10" jacksmelt I'm guessing. Little baits like small sardines and anchovies tend to die pretty fast and get dragged through the mud and eaten by crabs. A jacksmelt is pretty spunky and could dodge crabs but not a big halibut or WSB.

I prefer using 6"-8" bait, bigger if that is the only option.  I don't think the species matters much as butts are aggressive predators.  Anchovies are tough to keep alive unless you have a live well.  The bait buckets keep shiners alive all day.  For smelt, sardines and macks use a bait tube, it will keep them alive a long time. 

Tomales hali bite peaks in the summer. I always stop chasing them about mid September but the rockfish and lingcod are a great option and the coast isn't that much farther. Plus bottomfishing can provide you with some of the best table fare.

Tomales hali bite peaks in the summer. I always stop chasing them about mid September but the rockfish and lingcod are a great option and the coast isn't that much farther. Plus bottomfishing can provide you with some of the best table fare.

Had a guided trip set up to Shelter cove but had to cancel.  I need to hookup with some experienced people before I jump into the abyss. I guess I need to find out who's going and when and try to go along. I would like to do it.

Had a guided trip set up to Shelter cove but had to cancel.  I need to hookup with some experienced people before I jump into the abyss.

A guide should be one of the most experienced persons you could hook up with.  And since you are paying for the trip you should learn a lot and have it tailored to your experience level. 

I use whatever bait I catch in TB. I have a drag type bait bucket that keeps a few alive. This one bit on a large smelt.

I use whatever bait I catch in TB. I have a drag type bait bucket that keeps a few alive. This one bit on a large smelt.

Dang, I like big bait, and that Hali is unforgettable!

Never fished in Tomales Bay, but I've had the best luck with sardines.

I use whatever bait I catch in TB. I have a drag type bait bucket that keeps a few alive. This one bit on a large smelt.

Looks like Smelt works... Wow:  I'll be dreaming of a fish like that until I'm back in Tomales bay next summer


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Live jack smelt will work but sardines, larger anchovies, and smallish mackerel work better. Halibut seems to favor sardines.

Shiner perch work great. If you use barred or other perch I believe they count against your finfish limit.

Can't wait for this season... I'm itching to get out there

All Halibut I've hooked in TB came on Jack smelt between 8''-10''. Bigger bait bigger fish! I don't worry about keeping live bait as I generally fish in close proximity to the grass beds the smelt hang in or near. if i lose a bait, i just take a 5 minute time out to sabiki up another lively one