Bay Point Regional Shoreline

Anyone launch there yet?  Recently built/opened waterfront park in Pittsburg/Bay Point area, right next to McAvoy's. 

I scoped it out on foot a few days ago, short walk on granite path from parking to the launch dock, which is in a slough, maybe a couple hundred yards off the bay.  Launch dock has a U shaped section that looks specific for loading/launching kayaks, and has a bike rack to lock your wheel cart to.   

Not sure how the fishing is right there in the delta, but I know lots of boats launch from McAvoy's and don't venture very far from there, so I would imagine a few fish might hang within a reasonable paddle from there. 

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/bay_point/default.htm

Also a plus, there is a decent little bait shop right there at McAvoy's too. 

Well, someone's gotta give it a whirl - the launch looks nice and the area around the inlet looks promising. I'm gonna head there tomorrow around 10:30, fish the incoming tide. Targeting striper, using rattle trap, swim baits, and maybe bluegill if I can catch one or two.

Company is always welcome!

Please report back! Looks like a good fishing spot.

Last time I scoped out that park there was no dock. I used to launch at McAvoys and the biggest sturgeon I ever hooked was a couple hundred yds west of the outlet of that slough.  I'm gonna have to check out the park again.

Some notes, that launch gives you access to some great waters for sturgeon and stripers, however the "big" waters are subject to allot of wind and the currents are stronger than one might expect, (ask me how I know). And your vehicle will be safer in the McAvoys lot.

One year there were reports of sturgeon being caught from shore at the park and some ways west so I gave the spot a try. Hooked my biggest yak sturgeon, I got to see it and feel it as it almost knocked me outta the yak, but ultimately broke it off in the monkey screwing the football process of trying to control it at yakside. Not huge maybe 60+/- inches.  But I've been back to that spot a few times for nada.

Since it's such a wide open and well know area, I'll attach a map.

I was looking at the satellite images on my phone and don’t see the dock. Must be old satellite images. Looking forward to a report. Hopefully you take some pictures of the area for us!

Hey all, thanks for the replies.  Launched, paddled, fished, and recovered without incident today.  The dock was nice and low, made for easy in/out of the kayak. The U shaped section was too narrow for my boat, but I have a big wide tandem.  Other boats would fit well. I was parked for about 4 hours, no trouble there, and I didn't get any weird vibes about parking there.

I didn't catch anything today, but saw a handful of boats and shore anglers.  I only used rattle traps and swim baits, and stuck fairly close to shore.  Next time out I will use bait and soak it closer to the channel. 

Low tide was supposed to be at 11 - I launched at about 10:30 and rode the last bit of the outgoing, and with a little paddling I made it to the yellow buoy that marks the edge of the naval weapons station security zone by about 11:30.  Then I slowly drifted back on the incoming, just working the shoreline on the way back to the slough. As far as effort and distance travelled goes, I timed it about perfectly. Didn't take much paddling to travel about 5 miles round-trip, and the drift rate on the way back was perfect for working the tule patches along the shore. I also had a slight breeze on the way back.  I can see how this trip could turn into a slog if the wind shifted or the tides didn't line up with the schedule.  Definitely worth planning the trip around these variables.

All in all, had a great day on the water, and will definitely come back to this spot. 

Great report even though the fish weren’t biting. Thank you for all the info!

I live up the street and fish that area and my main mission is always soaking bait for sturgeon. Mainly throw grass shrimp and accasionally some roe.
 
I always launch from the boat ramp.

Nice to hear that there are more kayakers coming out to these parts

I live up the street and fish that area and my main mission is always soaking bait for sturgeon. Mainly throw grass shrimp and accasionally some roe.
 
I always launch from the boat ramp.

Nice to hear that there are more kayakers coming out to these parts

I also live pretty close to this spot, just up the hill in Pittsburg.  Glad to find a launch point just 5 minutes from home! Will be great in the summer to take the kids for a paddle.

 I will try grass shrimp for sturgeon next time I launch there.  What's the general strategy for that?  I've never fished sturgeon before, but want to try since I'm so close to this spot.  I'm thinking of launching an hour or so before low tide, paddling to just outside the channel, drifting downriver soaking grass shrimp, then drifting back up when the tide shifts.  Should I be looking at a spot to anchor instead? Thanks for any advice!

For sturgeon you will need a report card to be legal.

Anchor up and keep the bait stationary.

I thought it might be a good idea to post up a little reminder about using a quick release anchor system (QRAS). I don't recall seeing the  thread bumped up yet this year, but a quick search shows lots of great ideas on this essential piece of safety equipment & the reasons why its so important.
The delta can be very dangerous & yet seem deceivingly calm.
Good luck on the dino hunt!

I do anchor up and have a release system in place so I can let go of the anchor in a-flash.
My strategy is to use my fish finder and navionics app to find the fish and deep spots. I mainly stay along the shoreline to the west and never go past the yellow can.

I'll tell you that there are some big fish in those waters. And my buddie Jeffo and I have landed some oversize fish there as well as our fair share of shakers and keepers..

Gook luck out there

I live up the street and fish that area and my main mission is always soaking bait for sturgeon. Mainly throw grass shrimp and accasionally some roe.
 
I always launch from the boat ramp.

Nice to hear that there are more kayakers coming out to these parts

I also live pretty close to this spot, just up the hill in Pittsburg.  Glad to find a launch point just 5 minutes from home! Will be great in the summer to take the kids for a paddle.

 I will try grass shrimp for sturgeon next time I launch there.  What's the general strategy for that?  I've never fished sturgeon before, but want to try since I'm so close to this spot.  I'm thinking of launching an hour or so before low tide, paddling to just outside the channel, drifting downriver soaking grass shrimp, then drifting back up when the tide shifts.  Should I be looking at a spot to anchor instead? Thanks for any advice!

The QRAS pretty much has 2 uses, an anchor release to chase a fish, or to avoid being run over by floating debris. While I've never had to do it there are a few stories here about that second part, and while anchored up right out in that area I've had full size trees go floating by, definitely not something you'd want running into you if you were anchored up.  Which also points out that you should turn around and look upstream often while anchored up in current.

There used to be a really good article on sturgeon fishing from the yak here on NCKA. I can't find it anymore and I have some idea stuck in my head that it was purposefully removed.

Gonna give it another shot tomorrow. Gonna launch around 11 to ride the last bit of the incoming tide, plan to drift upriver til slack tide, anchor and fish for a bit and then drift back to the launch.

Will stick with targeting striper since my sturgeon card still hasn't arrived - ordered online about 10 a week ago.  Definitely gonna try bait this time tho - will see what the bait shop has in the morning, but will bring anchovies and chicken livers as standbys. 

Company is welcome, will be on ch69.

Well, didn't get the start I was hoping, and ended up launching at Pittsburg marina instead.  Big goose egg for the day, but a good learning experience.  Fished around Point Emmet for a bit, targeting transition areas on incoming tide, not even a bite.  Tried both white and grey/black swimbaits, craw and silver rattle traps, and soaked chicken livers and shad.  Chummed with shad and anchovies. 

Finally got my sturgeon tag, so will re-kit and re-focus for my next outing.  Will probably launch Bay Point again, paddle a little ways to the west, anchor on the edge of the channel, and soak shrimp or pile worms for a bit there.  I will post here again before going - would love to see how other folks are doing this!  Looking at probably Friday or Saturday.