dismal tbay today

Last couple of Tbay trips have been busts. Got to Millars at 6 and maybe one car parked in the lot. Several PB's were waiting for tide to come in to launch. Not a good sign. I headed to yellow can with the incoming then moved to the west side but grew  tired of fighting the current so drifted past Pelican Point and worked that area. After a stretch out on the sand I pedaled toward White Gulch and fished the west side for nada. Time went by and I'm midway between Hog and west bank when I get a mediocre kind of bite, sort of like the fish says,"I really don't want it but I'll take a pass and not get hooked. More time goes by and I'm tired of it. Tide has changed but west wind neutralizes the drift. Get another desultory bite and that's it. Head back. Only catching I saw was the raccoon munching on edibles at low tide.

Thanks for the report. A few of us will be camping out there next weekend.

Bummer but at least you were on the water and look like it was a gorgeous day at tbayland 

Good effort as always, Charles!

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

thanks for the report, haven't made it out to Tomales yet

Good effort as always, Charles!

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

The slower than normal fishing in Tomales Bay, especially around Hog Island this year, should not be considered strong evidence of a damaged fishery.  Lots of pressure, unusually clear water in the spring allowing higher than normal moss growth out to 25 feet, changes in bait volume, etc., all contribute.  Also, this area gets a ton of pressure, compared to decades past, but that's not an indication that the whole fishery in the area is in trouble.  Anecdotally, lots of fish to be found if you start looking where everyone else isn't already fishing. 

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

What does such a petition consist of? Personally, I'd be concerned if the DFW accepted a petition to modify the regulations without having strong evidence to back it up.

Good effort as always, Charles!

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

The slower than normal fishing in Tomales Bay, especially around Hog Island this year, should not be considered strong evidence of a damaged fishery.  Lots of pressure, unusually clear water in the spring allowing higher than normal moss growth out to 25 feet, changes in bait volume, etc., all contribute.  Also, this area gets a ton of pressure, compared to decades past, but that's not an indication that the whole fishery in the area is in trouble.  Anecdotally, lots of fish to be found if you start looking where everyone else isn't already fishing.

Agreed. Been fishing Tomales pretty hard for a few years now and haven't seen much change in the numbers. If anything, I'm seeing more fish this year than previous seasons. The shaker:keeper ratio is also encouraging.

There's a lot of people fishing a small part of the bay with the same, not always effective technique. I think it would be eye opening for people to start fishing different locations and techniques.

And actually, this fishery has less pressure than historical averages. There used to be a much higher population in the area and way more commercial fishing activity than currently exists.

I’m glad you guys piped up, seems a little punishing on the recreational fisherman…

Good effort as always, Charles!

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

I'm sorry but this proposal made no sense and I'm glad they rejected it.

The fishery there is alive and well.

Just because it's difficult to fish doesn't mean there aren't fish there.

Well, I disagree with the claim that halibut in Tomales Bay are thriving, and in my proposal I presented my anecdotal evidence that the opposite is true. Anyway, it was rejected so go slay 'em. 

Thanks for the report and pictures Charles.

Good effort as always, Charles!

Out of concern for this fishery, I submitted a petition last fall to reduce the daily bag limit on California halibut between Pt Reyes and Bodega Head to one fish per day. But the CA Fish and Game Commission, in all their distant wisdom, rejected the proposal.

The slower than normal fishing in Tomales Bay, especially around Hog Island this year, should not be considered strong evidence of a damaged fishery.  Lots of pressure, unusually clear water in the spring allowing higher than normal moss growth out to 25 feet, changes in bait volume, etc., all contribute.  Also, this area gets a ton of pressure, compared to decades past, but that's not an indication that the whole fishery in the area is in trouble.  Anecdotally, lots of fish to be found if you start looking where everyone else isn't already fishing.

Agreed. Been fishing Tomales pretty hard for a few years now and haven't seen much change in the numbers. If anything, I'm seeing more fish this year than previous seasons. The shaker:keeper ratio is also encouraging.

There's a lot of people fishing a small part of the bay with the same, not always effective technique. I think it would be eye opening for people to start fishing different locations and techniques.

And actually, this fishery has less pressure than historical averages. There used to be a much higher population in the area and way more commercial fishing activity than currently exists.

Couldn't agree more guys.  In fact, what I'm seeing is Tomales Bay "returning to normal."  What I mean by that is it seems everyone got used to making easy bait with those large anchovy schools that came in for 6 years straight from approximately 2014-2020. And with halibut being a schooling species, were easy to find around the massive schools of anchovies along with stripers and the occasional WSB and coho salmon (late in the season).  Before around 2014 when those large anchovy schools came in, it was "find bait" time, then fish, and that is if you are fishing bait.  This year seems like fewer fish, but bigger fish.  I for one have loved the fact that there are becoming to be less fisherman, although Tomales is always better during the week, than the cluster*&^% it is on the weekends. The jacksmelt have been super-plentiful if you want bait, just need to rig differently than anchovies.