Berkeley Pier/SF Bay hookup this Sunday and Monday (May 26-27)

I am planning on fishing the SF bay this coming Sunday and Monday.  I am driving in from Reno and I have a hotel for Sunday night in Richmond.  Initially I was going to fish for halibut with a kayak off the Berkeley pier both days, but since Sunday morning forecast looks a little windy now, I was wondering if it'd make more sense to go somewhere else in the Bay that day to shelter myself from the west wind a little bit.  Oyster point comes to mind.  Does anyone else have any ideas?

Also wondering about water clarity after the recent rainstorm.  I'm hoping enough time will have passed.

PM me if you want to meet up.  Also willing to hear about any ideas and thoughts.  Thanks in advance

Oyster would not be a good choice with wind. Alameda would be a better choice.

or Paradise County Park   or Paradise Cay. It is on the marin side of the bay, if there is a NW, W or SW wind, it is somewhat protected. Good luck!

Thanks for the responses guys.  Where do kayaks launch in Alameda?  I assume this is a good choice cause of the breakwall?

I would've thought Oyster Point would be sheltered from a west wind (just because the land is to the west), but I'll trust your call so thanks for that heads up.

Thanks for the responses guys.  Where do kayaks launch in Alameda?  I assume this is a good choice cause of the breakwall?

I would've thought Oyster Point would be sheltered from a west wind (just because the land is to the west), but I'll trust your call so thanks for that heads up.

Alameda's launch is called Encinal Boat Ramp. If you search "ARW" or "Alameda Rock Wall," you'll gain some good Intel from past postings.

Oyster Point wouldn't be good because the West wind is blowing you away from shore, into the Bay.  There's no shelter from the west wind. The East Bay tends to be better because the wind will blow you toward shore.  But, winds aren't the only factor... there's also tidal swings and current to keep in mind during your drift.  It should be good and you likely wont be alone out there.

According to windy.com, there's no place to hide on Sunday

Thanks again guys.

Yes unfortunately it looks like Sunday forecasts are deteriorating.  For you local guys (I'm assuming you guys are local in the area), I don't see a reason for you to go out Sunday.  For me though I will make my way down to SF Bay on Sunday and play it by ear.  Worst case scenario is I end up drinking beers in my hotel room Sunday and prep for a daybreak launch on Monday when conditions are better.  I've fished "bay" areas in Texas in 15-20 mph winds and although I didn't feel compromised with safety, it was a pain in the ass to fish even in a Hobie.  Maybe I'll fish afternoon/evening on Sunday depending on how well the wind subsides through the day.

In ARW are there halibut within the rockwalls?  That area could provide cleaner water in those conditions.  Paradise looks to be the best choice if west wind is a concern.  Does anyone know where to fish if I launched in Paradise?  Also, I can't seem to find a kayak launch or public boat ramp in that area?  Does anyone have experience launching there?

There is a lot more information in the closed area of the site...squeak out two more posts and you will be able to access.

I might be able to meet you at ARW on Sunday or Monday depending on the weather.

Paradise Park = Pier and launch ramp next to it = check web for details + Parking fee
Paradise Cay (north of above location)  =  park at end of jetty and launch in marina area (over rocky rip rap, but doable) and free.

Straight out from the pier. north and south running shelves drop 10  to 20  to 30'. Usually sheltered from winds.

squeaking out two more posts

Thanks for the info on Paradise Cay and Paradise park.  Most likely I will be in one of those two places on Sunday.  I will PM you guys my number in case you want to meet up.

Tight lines everyone!

Too bad you're not going out on Saturday! I'll be launching from Berkeley marina, hope to be in the water by 6:30am ish. I've had success with very similar tidal conditions on my last trip out. Depending on my luck I'll be launching at the same place, same time on Monday.

What's the best place to launch to fish the Berkeley pier? I've left from the dock in front of the Cal Sailing Club.

I launch off the small craft dock next to it.