Bodega Bay 10/16

Hello All!

I've had my Wilderness Tarpon for about a month and am loving it. I live in Petaluma and have taken it out to Paradise, Tomales, and the Petaluma River a number of times. I'm looking to target Rock Fish and Lingcod at Bodega Bay on Friday. Also, looking at zones for dungensss for the 7th, but will be dropping traps for Rock Crab.

As of now it's a buddy and I plan on being at the west end launch around 7, 7:22 sunrise. We are both pretty green but egar to learn. Would be great if someone the knows the sea bed wants to play tour guide and catch some fish with us, but anyone can join our crew.

Cheers! 

If you have the Navionics App, it will give you a pretty good idea of where the reefs and different sea floor substrates are in that area. There's alot of sand in that general area so having some intel about where the rocks are is helpful. Just make sure you know exactly where the MPA is around Bodega Head when your looking for rockfish/lings.

As for rock crab, keep your traps close to the jetties and they should be in the vicinity. There are rock crabs elsewhere, but everything to the southeast of there is mostly sand so you'll run into more dungies.

Wind forecast looks great for Friday. Good luck !

If you have the Navionics App, it will give you a pretty good idea of where the reefs and different sea floor substrates are in that area. There's alot of sand in that general area so having some intel about where the rocks are is helpful. Just make sure you know exactly where the MPA is around Bodega Head when your looking for rockfish/lings.

Thanks mate! Appreacate the info! I'm well aware of the MPA around Bodega and Point Reyes but it can't be mentioned on this forum enough.

I've downloaded the Navionics App last week and am riding out the trial, will buy when done. I'm thinking of getting out the Jetty and fishing between the shore just west of the Jetty, the jetty, and Bodega Rock.

Any tips for landing Rockfish and more so Lingcog? (biat, lures, ect...)  I've trout fished most of my life and sailed the bay a bunch. Excited to learn more salt water fishing.

Stoked on the weather report for Friday, could be one of the last summerish days

Cheers 

good luck

good luck

Thanks mate!

I've recived some good info via PM.

This site is a great resourse, looking forward to meeting more of the community.

 

I've got Friday off and I'm interested. I'll send you a PM

I've been there once and was able to pick up a gopher rockfish and a small cab off the West jetty using a white swimbait. Tried for halibut over the sand but got nothing. I didn't go out far since it was super foggy. Launching is super calm on the beach next to the jetty. Beautiful area.

Bodega Bay is a poor place to rockfish and deceptively dangerous, I don’t mean to dissuade you because of safety but it’s not safer than places further north that will fish much better.

Bodega Bay is a poor place to rockfish and deceptively dangerous, I don’t mean to dissuade you because of safety but it’s not safer than places further north that will fish much better.

+1.  Mostly sand, lots of current during tide changes, not many rockfish but still overfished anyway.

I caught a barely legal cab near the end of the jetty one time, and it tasted like the smelly bird shit that's all over the rocks.   

Bodega Bay is a poor place to rockfish and deceptively dangerous, I don’t mean to dissuade you because of safety but it’s not safer than places further north that will fish much better.

I appreciate anyone with experience chiming in, it's what i'm here for. There is a lot to learn 

So, I went out to Bodega today along with some buddies. It was a good time, but wish the two above posts chimed in yesterday . I feel like my day could have been much more successful up the coast bit. Salt Point perhaps...

It was exciting fishing west of the Jetty and the sea lion activity made me worried. Was using a drop shot rig, buddy got one bite. Later on, I Trolled with a bounce-ball rig on the inside and east side of the jetty for a while. No luck. 

I got skunked for fish and rock crab. Pulled up Dungeness, big girl went back into the sea. Nov 7th is close. Either way, it's always nice to get out on the water.

I may be out near Paradise or Tiburon later this week. I'm itching to catch some fish after all this effort. All ears for good spots for a beginner to catch fish.   

Cheers!

The sunrise was gorgeous

I've never had much luck out there either, there does seem to be a ton of people fishing in the area.

My stubbornness got my out early again today, a different spot though.

I can sleep fat and happy, finally.

Cheers guys

Are you able to fish for rock crabs now???

Are you able to fish for rock crabs now???

All year round I believe...