THE WEEKLY SHORELINER'S REPORT
Summary:
Rough patch continues in terms of midday minus tides and funky winds by
Noon. This is a week for piers or deep pockets.
STRIPED BASS:
Best shots at getting stripers are at Benicia and Martinez, then over to
Point Pinole and China Camp. Pile worms, cut fish baits, live
bullheads. In SF Bay it's pretty steady from Marina Bay to
Emeryville, especially Berkeley Pier, where some nice fish are coming in
on live smelt, shiners, or anchovies. The top of the tide into the
first two hours of the outgoing is the best time.
STURGEON:
No change. Martinez Pier has some good fishing on shrimp baits now.
Pick the incoming tide. Also check out Montezuma Slough, Port Costa,
Emeryville behind the restaurant, and even Bay farm Island.
PERCH:
April 1 marks the closure for perch fishing (save for shiners) inside the
bays until August 1. Fairly slow all
over the surf when the wind cooperates. Grubs or bait are equally
effective now.
MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES: Rockfish are off the table until...August, according to sadly reliable rumors. Apparently lingcod is still opening in May, limited to one per day at a minimum size of 30 inches. It's a snafu, to put it politely. Good news is there is quite a bit of bait in the bays now, from sardines, anchovies, small smelt, and even shiner perch. They seem to be coming in sound late afternoon. Halibut are good at Berkeley Pier around the tidal turnarounds on live baits.