Obsessed with fishing

[stangmx13]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

So I went fishing out on the delta a couple weeks ago. First time ever really fishing and learned a ton and had a lot of fun.

I now have 5 rods (2 baitcasters, 3 spinners) a few lures and I’m building out the rest of what I need. Sticking with freshwater for now, lakes and reservoirs, but my brother in law fishes from the beach fairly often so I’ll probably hit Poplar soon in HMB to try that.

damn, u jumped headfirst into the addiction

ive been fishing for years and only have 4 poles I care to use.

[MikeyRocks]

New to this hobby as well, hoping to test my luck with the upcoming salmon run. Anyone got any good spots for lingcod? Tried my luck at HMB jetty but was unsuccessful, would love to hook some lingcod.

Got my 6yo hooked too, he's addicted. Spent two hours practicing his cast on my driveway .


youtu.be/qR1ZOauVAM4

[Sharxfan]

Finally got a chance to fish in the pond again this weekend. Used a hula popper to try and get some topwater action but only got one hit and he unhooked himself ( I debarb the hooks because I catch and release). I then changed over to a spinner but think the one I threw on there was too heavy and it sunk too far on the retrieve.

[flipstyledsm22]

Wife and I are looking to take a charter fishing trip, any suggestions? It's on our Cali check list, of things to-do!

[dravnx]

Originally Posted by flipstyledsm22

Wife and I are looking to take a charter fishing trip, any suggestions? It's on our Cali check list, of things to-do!

It depends on your budget and what kind of experience you're looking for. A 6 pack (max 6 pax) are the best but the costliest. There are a some good boats out of Sausalito and Emeryville if you want the party boat experience. I've gone on the New Sea Angler out of Bodega a bunch of times. It's not the best but it's convenient. You'll come home with a sack of fish but spend a good part of the day untangling your lines. If you don't have any party boat experience, tell the deck hands you'll need help and hand him $20-40. You'll be treated well.
Right now, the boats are targeting Rock fish, Halibut and Lingcod and hammering them. My favorites are the Huck Finn out of Emeryville and the New Rayanne out of Sausalito.
If you've never been out on the ocean, Scopolamine patches work the best. Put one on the night before you go. It's no fun wishing you were dead for 8 hours at $150 per day.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by stangmx13

damn, u jumped headfirst into the addiction

ive been fishing for years and only have 4 poles I care to use.

Well, a couple were gifts from my uncle

Tried surf casting at Poplar in HMB with just a lure, cast + swim it back through the surf. Didn't catch anything, also learned how much wind can snarl a reel.

I think next time I'll tie a weight on the end to drag along the bottom + a suspended lure, see if I can keep it out longer in between wave sets.

Any recommendations on hooks / worms for surf perch and stuff instead of lures? I know shrimp is favorably looked on for surf casting but I'd prefer something that I can 1, reuse, and 2, store long term without worrying about if I don't get out for a few weeks.

[SVJ]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Well, a couple were gifts from my uncle

Tried surf casting at Poplar in HMB with just a lure, cast + swim it back through the surf. Didn't catch anything, also learned how much wind can snarl a reel.

I think next time I'll tie a weight on the end to drag along the bottom + a suspended lure, see if I can keep it out longer in between wave sets.

Any recommendations on hooks / worms for surf perch and stuff instead of lures? I know shrimp is favorably looked on for surf casting but I'd prefer something that I can 1, reuse, and 2, store long term without worrying about if I don't get out for a few weeks.

I'm a rookie to surfcasting, but I've had good luck with the GULP worms and catching sandcrabs and using them as bait.

[doc4216]

I grew up fishing in PA, mainly lake shore fishing.

I used to do a LOT of fishing in FL. Shore, pier, and off our boat. Sold all my poles when I came out here in '14 but I kept my tackle box .

I would not call myself a "fisherman," honestly because I don't know enough about it. I know enough to set up my poles, lines, hooks, and I know how read the tides. I just know that I love to fish and that I have missed it.

The peacefulness, the excitement, and even the lessons learned through it are so appealing to me, so I bought a new poles and I am going to start fishing in Alameda. Pretty excited to get started again.

[stangmx13]

Gulp camo sandworms are crack for surf perch down here. You can buy the 2" ones or the 6" and cut them down to 2". I usually Carolina rig them with a #4 or #6 hook, a 18-24" flourocarbon leader, & 1/2oz sliding weight. If you dont get bit, keep walking down the beach until you find them.

I finally pulled the trigger on buying a boat, well a 1/3rd of a boat with the SO and a good friend.


2005 Wellcraft 212 Fisherman with a 150HP Evinrude 2-stroke. I got it for under blue book, which I was really surprised at because most boats these days are going for thousands over. I think thats because no one else wants to take the risk on a boat kept in a slip. It only needs a new top and a good cleaning. There's TONS of room for fishing.

[flipstyledsm22]

Does anyone have recommendations on a rental house with chartered fishing trip included? Wife and I are looking to do a mini vacation, but stay in the bay area. PM me! Thanks

[Sharxfan]

Originally Posted by stangmx13

Gulp camo sandworms are crack for surf perch down here. You can buy the 2" ones or the 6" and cut them down to 2". I usually Carolina rig them with a #4 or #6 hook, a 18-24" flourocarbon leader, & 1/2oz sliding weight. If you dont get bit, keep walking down the beach until you find them.

I finally pulled the trigger on buying a boat, well a 1/3rd of a boat with the SO and a good friend.


2005 Wellcraft 212 Fisherman with a 150HP Evinrude 2-stroke. I got it for under blue book, which I was really surprised at because most boats these days are going for thousands over. I think thats because no one else wants to take the risk on a boat kept in a slip. It only needs a new top and a good cleaning. There's TONS of room for fishing.

Very nice. My cousin has a similar style boat down here and he uses it offshore and we used it the other summer to go water skiing in the bayou.

[dravnx]

Originally Posted by flipstyledsm22

Does anyone have recommendations on a rental house with chartered fishing trip included? Wife and I are looking to do a mini vacation, but stay in the bay area. PM me! Thanks

Never heard of that kind of package.

[SVsick50]

Got this 27" halibut off the Capitola wharf (we live a couple blocks away) s couple of weeks ago. Using a squid lure, too

Finally got around to ordering a long surf casting rod (13 footer). There is perch to be had for tacos!

Since I live so close, I walk down and fish as much as I can. I just rigged up my old Bridgestone with a rod holder.



We're picking up a 2020 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18DLX in a week for freshwater and we are seriously considering purchasing a lake house. Put down the deposit on the boat and just got financing approved.

[stangmx13]

Nice hali!

[1footdown]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Well, a couple were gifts from my uncle

Tried surf casting at Poplar in HMB with just a lure, cast + swim it back through the surf. Didn't catch anything, also learned how much wind can snarl a reel.

I think next time I'll tie a weight on the end to drag along the bottom + a suspended lure, see if I can keep it out longer in between wave sets.

Any recommendations on hooks / worms for surf perch and stuff instead of lures? I know shrimp is favorably looked on for surf casting but I'd prefer something that I can 1, reuse, and 2, store long term without worrying about if I don't get out for a few weeks.

Have you been going out for surf perch? I have a little experience (not a huge amount).

1: 2" gulp sandworms is camo and new penny have worked for me. red is hot down south but i never get bit on red. if you buy 6", break em to 2"
2: Lazer Sharp #4 hooks. i've used regular Eagle Claw#4 but surfperch have tough mouths. i've read replace the hooks often, but i sometimes reuse mine.
3: use carolina rig with 1 or 1 1/2 oz egg sinker or hi-lo rig with 1/2 to 2 oz sinker.
4: i guess you could freeze small bags of shrimp (now i'm thinking of doing this myself)


that was a belly full of huge sandcrabs.