Sat, 8/31 - Ocean, Bay, or River?

Hello fellow anglers,
I finally have some free time on Saturday, 8/31 to add some meat to the freezer. Now the decision is where and what? I don’t get too many days on the water, so I’m trying to make it an enjoyable and successful trip. My first thought was to go after the salmon bite on the Marin Coast, but I’m a little unsure about wind forecast when I look offshore. Other option is to go after halibut in Tomales (7:55a low/2:04p high) or San Pablo Bay (8:48a low/2:55p high)…what part of the tide is good for halibut? Plan C is to head far upriver and drift the Sac or Feather River for salmon, which will probably be less productive, but it’s warm and relaxing. I wanted to get some thoughts from other ocean anglers on the coastal & bay conditions for Saturday. I’ve been pondering this for a few days and decided to ask the experts. I don’t want to drive 2-3 hours to the ocean (coming from Sac), only to be hit with wind and worrisome conditions. Thoughts on where I should launch (coast, bay, river)? Thanks for your input.

WHAT KIND OF YAK ARE YOU RUNNING?

Sorry for the caps.

I have a 10ft Perception sit inside kayak. It's less than ideal, but I've rigged it up so it works. I'm often in the ocean with it for crabbing, ab diving (when it was legal), and some rock fishing in coves. I'm usually a little more protected in coves, but I've taken it pretty far out a few times during some perfect ocean conditions. That said, I'm always a little cautious taking it out on the open waters since it is smaller and sit-inside (sometimes use a spray skirt for extra protection). Plus, it's never fun to battle wind. I'm on the fence with the wind forecast for Saturday...one option is to check out a Bolinas launch for salmon and head over to Tomalas for some halibut action if it's too much wind for my comfort on the ocean.

There will be no protection out by the can. It's not going to be ideal. T bay sounds like a better option.

Thanks for the advice. Definitely going to keep that in mind going into Saturday.

Go to tomales and fish that incoming tide! The rivers over here are still hit and miss. it should be wide open once the water temp drops down to 65°. Im going to start fishing for them in the Sac river next week and will keep everyone up to date on the bite and what my set up looks like. In tomales, concentrate around the yellow can and hog.  I picked up 5 yesterday up to 28" all within 200 yards of the can. Jig you up some live anchovies and send them down! they are still thick in the channels. Good luck!

Thanks for the input Dan. I think I'll be heading out to Tomales for some halibut action on Saturday. Sounds like a safer bet over the ocean. I haven't jigged for live bait before, so it sounds like I have some YouTube research for tonight. Appreciate everyone input.

I think I'll be heading out to Tomales for some halibut action on Saturday.

I might see you there!!  Look for Blue Hobie.


-Kiel

I'll keep my eye out for you Kiel. Hope you have a great day out there.

Don't forget the swimbaits!

Swim baits are packed, frozen anchovies are in the freezer, and I’m picking up a sabiki rig for catching anchovies. I think I’m pretty much ready for Tomales Bay tomorrow.

Sounds like I’ll probably see a few of you guys out there. I’ll be in an orange 10ft sit inside Perception. Launching at the crack of dawn (6:15-6:30a) around Millers. Good luck to anyone going out. I’ll follow-up on this post to let you all know how things go.

I am hoping to go out tomorrow too. Try to bring something to hold the live anchovies in because they are not always around. If I make it out I will be on a yellow eddyline. Also, read the recent post about sabiki rigs if you haven't already, they are little devils that can cause harm and frustration.

Hope to see you out there Mark. Do you have an alternative suggestion to the sabiki rig? I've never fished for anchovies before, so this process is a little new to me.

For the first time I would suggest cutting off most of the hooks and only use 2-3 and then they won't be so bad. I have heard people say they were going to try a dip net but so far I haven't seen any reports on their use for anchovies.