The annual herring spawn is early

I got lucky to catch about a bucket of herring during this most recent alameda spawn a few days ago and I did it from a SUP. You can get some decent throws on your knees as well. I use a 7 footer but I do this often so I manage. I have a 3 ft castnet and it is too small and I only use it during full spawn when I don’t want to pull up 10+lbs a throw because where the fun in a limiting within a minute and two throws??!! I’d suggest a good starting point with a castnet is to get one as tall as you are, 5-6ft.

Working a small gill net from a kayak sounds like a party? 🎉

I don’t think it’s legal tho.

Netting herring from a paddle board sounds like a happy day 

Last year at Anza Fisherman's Point by Coyote point there was a guy on a kayak armed with the extendo-paint roller thing that was helping folks with their snagged nets.  Dude was a superhero.
I bet the smaller nets are better if casting from the kayak.

That roller saved me a few times it's super snaggy there!

Anybody eating the roe? It’s what the Japanese are paying for when they buy our herring

I fry the roe and eat it. It's really good. Nice crunchy texture.

I threw them in with my pickled herring and it wasn't bad. Very crunchy.

$27.99/lb at Nijiya supermarket

12/26 1pm- Checked aqua vista park in SF.  Some eggs on the rocks and seaweed there. no birds, no furbags, nothing in the half dozen practice casts I threw.

There was a light spawn around the chase center. Last year this was the large spawn in January. It’s a grind to net half a bucket and most people were pulling empty nets with a few fish here and there. By no means is this a full on spawn but the fish are there; either 1) staging for a bigger spawn or 2) scouter school. That’s all I know. Good luck to all the herring hunters.

I'll try to post what i can here; when i have the chance, but i mostly post on my instagram and on my blog for all herring hunting information.  Good luck. --TLA

there right now- it be dead. fish are in the deep water and able to be jigged from boat

there right now- it be dead. fish are in the deep water and able to be jigged from boat

It seems like it has been an evening spawn. I think people have been netting around 5-10 pm. It is very spotty for the fish right now. haha you never know with herring hunting tho. If you don't grind it out you won't get on that big run. With that being said, it is still really early in the season. I'm looking at a wide open January if the fish cooperate.

BTW: lots of small anchovies in the mix too. Let them grow. One day they could become a lost anchovy and start a blog to help you.  

Commercial used to be a regular season and early season in December

Got my net out and just need to figure out how to put it to use, not into throwing from shore

Anybody eating the roe? It’s what the Japanese are paying for when they buy our herring

Was able go get in on some fish this week and snacked on like 1 or two freshly fried roes before eating an instant cup o noodles. 30 minutes later.. my midsection was rumbling. Yo... Hit the can and the bowels quickly flushed out with a smoothness. It was kinda cathartic. As I recall, this happened as well prior year when I cooked some thrown in while cooking some ramen w/ egg and veggies. My gut isn't usually all that sensitive to most foods but I might have to watch out with them roes. Maybe too much info, but be prepared just in case...   

Was able go get in on some fish this week and snacked on like 1 or two freshly fried roes before eating an instant cup o noodles. 30 minutes later.. my midsection was rumbling. Yo... Hit the can and the bowels quickly flushed out with a smoothness. It was kinda cathartic. As I recall, this happened as well prior year when I cooked some thrown in while cooking some ramen w/ egg and veggies. My gut isn't usually all that sensitive to most foods but I might have to watch out with them roes. Maybe too much info, but be prepared just in case...   

This is the kind of hard-hitting reality that I expect from NCKA... it's never TMI; just fair warning.  Thanks for sharing.