Marin Rod and Gun Launch

Dumb question. When y’all launch from here, do you go under the Richmond Bridge? Is it freaky?

Isn't this open to club members only? There's also a nearby beach launch at Jean & John Starkweather shoreline park.

Isn't this open to club members only? There's also a nearby beach launch at Jean & John Starkweather shoreline park.

The launch at Jean and John Starkweather is actually what I’m referring to, but most of the posts here refer to it as the Marin Rod and Gun Club launch. Have you done this launch and if so, do you head under the bridge when you do? Wondering what it’s like under there and if it’s safe.

Scoped that launch out many times and is totally doable.  Not sure the low tide launch or landing limit.  Not sure about the sketch factor.  Could put you on fishy grounds for sure if you're a fishy guy...

Bridge is fine. Avoid low tide.

Asking about under the bridge on the kayak, I’ve been under it and fished within it and depending on the tide, just watch the current and the concrete.  Sometimes bait balls under the bridge are hopeful. Good practice for understanding the way water moves around structure but not a game for sure...

Many, many times from that launch.
If you have rods vertical you'll either need a low tide, or move out till the bridge rises enough.
There's a good hole under it, and a nice shelf on either side.

In a big outgoing it can be hard to get back

Many, many times from that launch.
If you have rods vertical you'll either need a low tide, or move out till the bridge rises enough.
There's a good hole under it, and a nice shelf on either side.

In a big outgoing it can be hard to get back

Going out tomorrow in the AM. Looks like it’ll be a lake for most of the AM.

Many, many times from that launch.
If you have rods vertical you'll either need a low tide, or move out till the bridge rises enough.
There's a good hole under it, and a nice shelf on either side.

In a big outgoing it can be hard to get back

Going out tomorrow in the AM. Looks like it’ll be a lake for most of the AM.

Hope you slay!   

Hit the water by 8:00 AM. Had to make a run to Bodega Bait and Tackle and that made me later than I would have liked . Launching was easy. Went under the bridge in about 10 fow at a span that must have been 40’ up. The water gets deep under the bridge and then comes right back up.

Got bit right before the bridge. Lost it - no stinger. Won’t do that again because it happened a second time as I was pulling into paradise.

Trolled up to paradise beach/the pier then started a slow drift back to Tiburon yacht club. The wind went from 9-10 mph to well above 15, at least the gusts. Wind chop was too much to handle and had to head straight in. Hugged the shore line and crossed just east if Corte Madera.

The ride back across was a little wiggly. Well, a lot wiggly. But no where near as wiggly as it would have been had I retraced my outgoing route by the 40’(ish) span.

Pulled up about a quarter mile from shore at San Quentin, kept close to shore and went under the Richmond Bridge at the first span. I def had to put my rod and net down. The distance from the water to the underside of the bridge was less than six feet. Thanks for the heads up SteveS. Disaster averted.

I’d do this again on a less windy day. But, I wouldn’t do an eight mile plus out and back.  And, I would probably turn towards China Camp not head to Paradise. If Paradise is your target, just go to the pier and suffer the hill.

The launch is awesome. I’d suspect it’s a no go on a negative tide. I suspect it’s a mud walk on tides lower than 1 ft, actually. But anything above you’ll be ok. Might have to paddle a bit through two fow, but doable.

Thanks for the report. I just took a look at the bridge from water level and it definitely looks like you would bump your head at high tide.