Getting Ready for Northern California Saltwater Species
SALMON fishing simplifies if you realize that the biggest salmon come from the Marin Coast and north, and at least 70% of the total West Coast salmon catch is taken from the Golden Gate Bridge south through the Monterey trench that offers cold water upwelling and collects all sorts of sardines, anchovy and other bait fish. Party boats do peter out north of Fort Bragg due to limits and distance from population centers, but 17-foot "tin boats" and other reasonably seaworthy craft can be launched in spots all the way to Brookings, Oregon by those who keep an eye on wind and weather, and concentrate on bays, river mouths and other protected fresh and saltwater sports - see North Coast Freshwater.
HALIBUT at Seal Rocks and, not infrequently, off San Francisco Beaches during the surf fishing season in June, July an August are taken by specialists - at least those not driving up to Shelter Cove, the best halibut spot on the coast, and, more usually, by rock fishers. Circle or live bait hooks around 2/0, and live anchovy are the hot rigs for halibut and lings - some traditionalists like live sand dabs for deepwater bait. Those who insist on lures can do fairly well with white jigs and better if the jig has a sweetener of anchovy.
Shore fishers do better on the beach and other sand bottom at the top and start of the outgoing tide on a day with minimal tide change. You can even drag a spoon or plug just off bottom - a three way swivel with a "sacrifice sinker" on lighter line is a good bet offshore from beaches.
Boat fishers can mooch anchovy by bouncing a weight off bottom or go the wire line route with a cannonball and a few green hochies sweetened with squid. Hit's are immediate, and heavy. Otherwise, give a halibut time to fiddle with baits and soft lures, follow the line down with the rod tip and haul back. Halibut, it must be noted, do not always fight much. Flip one onto the deck or pier, and it's flip, flop and problems. This is the reason so many Alaska anglers shoot halibut - that disqualifies them from International Game Fishing Associations. The better approach is to whomp the halibut at the small of the tail or on the back with a priest.
Finally, halibut have nasty teeth that could take
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