Tomales tides?

i was planning my first trip to Tomales tomorrow to try to find a halibut and meet up with some friends later for oysters at Hog Island. Looking at the tide charts, it's a pretty big tide.  Having not fished there, can someone with experience let me know your thoughts on this? Looks like it will be pushing out to sea all morning and then coming in hot. I was going to launch at Miller's.

https://tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/8281.html

Was going to launch by 630. Looks like 4 feet of water heading out. Thanks for any guidance!

If I were to fish that tide I’d probably muscle south to the yellow buoy and do a long drift to as far N as I felt comfortable, then switch to trolling gear and muscle 1/2 way back and drift N again until the tide slowed and started taking me back.  It is not that brutal of a tide but it is work,  the other option is to just drift north until the tide takes you back.  There are Hali’s everywhere if you find them...

If it's your first time out there, then I'd recommend going with a partner or not straying too far from others.  Every year, dozens of people underestimate how quick conditions change at Tomales and get into serious trouble. 

As for tomorrow's tide.  You have a somewhat large tidal change (5ft).  If you're on a paddle kayak and inexperienced with Tomales, then I'd say skip the fishing and go hang out with friends.  Eat and drink and enjoy this beautiful weather.   Reason being, this tide is a lot of work.  Just getting to the fishy grounds will be work.  You'll likely be pretty beat tired by the time to meet up with your friends.

If you're in a peddle yak, then I'd try it out but don't go out of your comfort zone.  Know when you call it and head back in.  Otherwise, talk to others on the water, especially the ones catching fish, and do what they're doing. 

Have fun.

Kevin

Yeah...forgot it was your first visit.  Tomales is no respecter of 1st visits regarding tides...a lot of us have gotten into regretful choices testing our limits...should be lots of boats and kayakers to help intuit your decision.  Not that I’m strong,  but I know I persevered to get back on several occasions, you kinda got no choice if you want to make it back.  Full safety mode is the order of the day.  If you are confident in your paddling or peddling you’ll find out real quick if you should turn around or not...like Kevin said...buddy up and get a50lb White Sea bass while you’re at it.

Thanks. It's a pedal drive Hobie. How far is that yellow can?

If conditions are too sketchy, I can tag along in a PB my friends are using to go clamming. I just have little interest in digging in the mud for clams and would rather be trying for something fishy.

Thanks. It's a pedal drive Hobie. How far is that yellow can?

If conditions are too sketchy, I can tag along in a PB my friends are using to go clamming. I just have little interest in digging in the mud for clams and would rather be trying for something fishy.

15 peddle/paddle from launch WSW...

15? Minutes? That's not bad. That would put it just S of Hog Island?

15? Minutes? That's not bad. That would put it just S of Hog Island?

Likkety split, you’ll be on a flattie...

Ughhhhh check for wind too...  one time I seen this Hawaiian dude lift up a big striper ‘‘twas a monster” . He laughed so hard he almost fell out of his kayak... awesome time...

If you do as Eddie suggested, you won't be alone. My buddy and I have the same plan & with the good weather forecast I expect there will be others as well.
Be mindful of how far & fast you are drifting & use caution and you will be fine.
We'll be in a dune outback & yellow revo
Ch.69
See you otw   

I’ve attached a portion of my approx route today when I decided to troll north about 7am (outgoing tide). Got to the turn around point pretty quick but averaged only about 1.5 mph on the return. So got back to the start w maybe an hour or so of continuous peddling (1.84 miles but didn’t come all the way back). I trolled further south in the afternoon.  The peddle home was sporty as well, with the incoming tide and northerly winds blowing. I wasn’t worried (the revo gives me a lot of confidence) but it was a “pull up the gear and batten down the hatches” kind of effort on the way back in.

... talk to others on the water, especially the ones catching fish, and do what they're doing.

Always sound advice!