Waking up early has never been more rewarding. Anglers out of Berkeley are pulling easy limits of crab, with rockfish and lingcod rounding out the day’s haul. Whether you’re dropping pots or jigging deep, the fishing has been a dream lately—worth every chilly morning and pre-dawn drive.

This year’s rockfish and lingcod trips have been exceptional around San Francisco. Most rockfish are hanging deep, so gear up with plenty of line and a solid reel. Shrimp flies tipped with squid or sardine are landing solid catches, while lings prefer bigger jigs and hex bars. For striper fans, it’s been another standout season for the big boats!

Fishing out of Half Moon Bay has been solid this week. Boaters are pulling in steady catches of ling cod and rockfish, with some nice doubles mixed in. The weather’s been cooperative, with calm waters making for smooth trips offshore. A few anglers even hooked into some bonus cabezon, adding variety to their coolers. The bite has been best mid-morning, so if you’re planning a trip, aim to get lines in the water by 9 AM.

Don’t wait—this kind of consistency doesn’t last forever.

9/10: Berkeley is delivering easy crab limits and solid rockfish action for those on charter trips. Bigger boats are making the most of the day, with rockfish and lingcod added to the haul. The early wake-up is well worth it for the payoff.

9/10: Bodega Bay has been on fire for crabbing and rockfish. Anglers on party boats are limiting out, with heavy scent and glow baits doing the trick for rockfish. The crabbing action remains excellent, with full pots being the norm.

The weather was mild with calm seas, making it easy to enjoy a productive day. If you’re looking for consistent action, now’s the time to hit the bay.

6/10: It was a challenging but rewarding morning across San Diego and Mission Bays. Harbor Island gave up two lizardfish, one carrying a parasite, while a single spotted bay bass came from Mission Bay’s South Jetty. Santa Clara offered a mix of missed bites and one more lizardfish, with Texas rigs struggling against heavy grass.

The weather was clear with mild wind, making for a relaxing day despite slow action. While the numbers weren’t impressive, the time on the water brought great practice and some interesting catches. Patience and adjustments will be key for next time.

7/10: A windy day on San Diego Bay turned into a fun and productive outing. In just three hours, we caught nine fish across five species, including Spotted Bay Bass, Sand Bass, halibut, barracuda, and mackerel. Jigpara jigs and spins did most of the work, and the outgoing tide brought the best bites.

The weather was chilly with gusty winds, but good company and a productive spot made it all worthwhile. The highlight? A surprise halibut and a close call with a feisty barracuda. Sometimes, it’s the unplanned trips that leave the best memories.

9/10: San Pablo Bay was buzzing with life this week. Striped bass, sharks, and rays came in steady numbers, with anchovies and herring proving to be the best baits. The bites were consistent throughout the tide changes, keeping us engaged and ready for the next tug.

The weather was cool and overcast, adding a calm backdrop to an action-packed day. It was the kind of trip that reminds you why this spot is so special—lots of action and plenty of memories made.

Rockfishing off Bodega Bay is always a good time, and today didn’t disappoint. The weather was overcast but steady, with a light wind that kept the water relatively calm. We launched early, hoping to catch the morning bite and get into some solid action.

We headed out to a spot known for its rock structure, a perfect habitat for rockfish. I set up with a medium-action rod rigged with a simple two-hook setup, weighted enough to reach down around 100 feet. Right from the first drop, there was that familiar tug—an eager nibble on the line that told me we were in the right place. The first pull brought up a black rockfish, nothing huge but a good start to the day.

The action kept steady, with a mix of black and blue rockfish making their way up. Most of these were in the 1- to 2-pound range, solid fighters even if they weren’t giants. I switched over to a heavier jig to see if that might attract something larger, letting it sink close to the bottom before giving it a few slow jigs up. Sure enough, I felt a stronger pull, and up came a nice copper rockfish, a bit over 2 pounds, and a great addition to the day’s haul.

Around mid-morning, the wind picked up a bit, making it trickier to feel the smaller bites. But that’s where rockfishing keeps it interesting—you never know what you’re going to pull up. I tried another spot nearby, hoping the change in depth and structure might bring in some different fish. On the next drop, I hooked into a good-sized vermilion rockfish. This one put up a fight, making me work a bit to get it up. At close to 3 pounds, it was one of the better catches of the day, and its bright red color made it a highlight.

The steady action continued, and I was happy with the mix we were bringing in. Some anglers around us were landing similar catches, with a few lingcod sightings here and there, though we didn’t manage one this time. Toward the end of the trip, the water calmed down, and I made a final drop. This time, I felt a much heavier pull—a good sign. After some careful reeling, up came a hefty 4-pound vermilion rockfish. A nice surprise and a great way to end the day.

By the time we packed up, I had around seven rockfish, a mix of black, blue, copper, and vermilion. It wasn’t a limit-out day, but the quality and variety of the fish made it worthwhile. Rockfishing off Bodega Bay has a way of delivering just the right amount of challenge and reward, with plenty of fish and a chance at a real prize catch if you’re lucky.

For anyone heading out to Bodega Bay, a good selection of jigs and a bit of patience go a long way. The rockfish are out there, and with the right spot and timing, you’ll be reeling them in steadily. Today was proof that even when the weather is a bit cool, the fishing can be hot.

Pacifica Pier was buzzing with activity today, with crabbers filling every spot along the rail, all hoping for a good haul of Dungeness crabs. It’s that time of year when everyone flocks to the pier for crabbing, and the energy was contagious. The overcast sky and cool breeze off the water kept the crabs active, and judging by the crowd, I wasn’t the only one with high hopes for the day.

Finding a spot took a bit of patience, but I finally squeezed in and set up my traps. The water was calm, making it a good day to test a mix of bait types. I started with chicken drumsticks in one trap and fish scraps in another, hoping the variety would bring in a few hungry crabs. The trick here is patience—give the crabs time to find the bait and hope they don’t wander off before pulling up.

After about 20 minutes, I brought up my first trap. To my surprise, it was empty, but that’s part of the game. Nearby anglers were also pulling up traps, some empty, others with a few small crabs that didn’t meet the size limit. It’s all about timing and luck with crabbing, and the busy pier added a bit of friendly competition to the day.

Not giving up, I dropped the traps again and waited. This time, a light mist began to roll in, which seemed to stir things up in the water. On my second pull, I had a bit more luck—two Dungeness crabs, one just above the legal size. The other went back into the water, but I was off to a start. Around me, folks were seeing similar results: mostly small crabs with the occasional keeper.

As the day went on, the pier got even more crowded, with everyone sharing stories about past catches and tips on the best baits. I rebaited and waited a bit longer, hoping for another good pull. The next trap had three crabs, two of which were big enough to keep. The size was decent, not huge, but good enough for a solid haul. At this point, I had three keepers, and the vibe on the pier was lively, with most people managing a few decent catches.

Later in the afternoon, I got a heavier tug on my line, indicating something bigger might have wandered into the trap. With a bit of anticipation, I pulled up to find a larger Dungeness—definitely the biggest of the day. This one had some weight and was well above the legal size. It’s rare to land a large one like this, and it added an extra highlight to the trip.

As the sun began to set, the action slowed, and the crowd started to thin out. I ended up with four solid crabs, which isn’t a limit but made for a successful day. There’s something special about crabbing at Pacifica Pier, especially with the mix of locals and first-timers all trying their luck. Even with the packed pier, the camaraderie and steady catches kept things interesting.

Pacifica Pier delivered a good mix of excitement and reward, with enough action to make the wait worth it. With the Dungeness season in full swing, it’s clear that this spot has a lot to offer, even on crowded days. A steady hand, the right bait, and a bit of patience made for a memorable day of crabbing.

Rockfishing off the coast near Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor always promises a mix of adventure and surprise, and today’s trip was no exception. The weather was cooperative—a bit overcast with a light breeze, which kept the water reasonably calm. Perfect conditions to head out, drop some lines, and see what kind of rockfish we could bring up.

We started early, motoring out from the harbor as the fog was lifting. My setup for the day was pretty straightforward: a medium-action rod with a basic rig, just the kind that gives you control without losing sensitivity. Dropping down into 80-100 feet of water, it didn’t take long for that first bite. The first fish was a small black rockfish, not much over a pound, but a good start. After a quick release, I was ready for the next one.

Rockfishing can be hit or miss, especially near the bottom where the fish tend to hang out around rocky structures. Moving along a bit, I dropped again, feeling that familiar tap-tap as the weight settled. The next catch was a copper rockfish, putting up a decent fight as it came up from the depths. These fish don’t get huge, but they make up for it with their feisty pulls and striking colors. I’d say this one was just over a pound and a half, a solid keeper for the day.

As the morning went on, the action picked up a bit. Every few drops, I was pulling up rockfish, mostly in the smaller range—nothing too big, but plenty to keep things interesting. The variety kept me engaged, with some yellowtail rockfish joining the mix. Each one was unique in color, and while none of them were giants, they made for steady action.

Then, just as I was thinking about switching spots, I felt a stronger pull. This one had some weight to it. After a good bit of back-and-forth, I brought up a decent-sized vermilion rockfish. At close to 3 pounds, this was the highlight of the day, putting my rod to the test and adding some excitement. Vermilions are a prized catch in these waters, and seeing that deep red flash come up from the depths was satisfying.

As the sun got higher, the fish started to slow down a bit. Rockfish tend to scatter when the light hits the water directly, so I decided to try a few final drops in slightly deeper waters, around 120 feet. Managed to get one more keeper, a smaller brown rockfish, before calling it a day. Other anglers in the area seemed to be packing up too, with everyone bringing in a mix of rockfish, each with their own catch to show.

In total, I ended up with around six rockfish, a nice range from smaller black rockfish to the larger vermilion. It wasn’t a limit-out day, but there was enough action to keep me engaged, and that vermilion made it memorable. Rockfishing off Half Moon Bay is always a reliable choice if you’re after a mix of fish with some beautiful coastal views. The steady bites and occasional surprises make it worth the trip, and today’s haul was proof of that.

Dungeness crab season is set to open on November 2, 2024, for recreational fishing across California, but there are some key details to keep in mind this year. While the season is open statewide, there’s a temporary trap restriction in place in Fishing Zones 3 and 4, which span from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line down to Lopez Point in Monterey County. This restriction is due to the ongoing presence of humpback whales in the area, and the potential risk of entanglement with trap gear. However, if you’re fishing in these zones, you can still target Dungeness crabs using hoop nets and crab snares, so there are other methods available to get your catch.

In Fishing Zones 1, 2, and 5, traps will be allowed, so if you’re planning to fish in those areas, you can continue using your traps as usual. It’s important to note, though, that crab traps are prohibited south of Point Arguello. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has also issued a Fleet Advisory for all fishing zones, so even if you’re in an area where traps are permitted, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates as conditions can change quickly.

For full resources, check out our Dungeness Crab reference page

On the commercial side, there’s been a delay. The commercial Dungeness crab season was set to begin on November 15, 2024, in Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6, but due to the high number of humpback whales in the area, the opener has been postponed. The next risk assessment by the CDFW is scheduled for November 15, which will provide further guidance on when the commercial season might begin. There’s a possibility the opener will move to December 1, depending on the results of the assessment and the whale activity at that time.

For recreational crabbers, it’s a good idea to review the regulations and keep up to date with the latest information, especially regarding trap restrictions. The CDFW website has resources, including a Best Practices Guide for using hoop nets and crab traps in zones where they are allowed. Staying informed will help ensure a smooth and successful start to the season while also protecting the local marine life.

While the season begins with some extra caution this year, there’s still plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy crabbing, especially with alternative methods available in certain areas.

The surf perch bite has really picked up along the San Luis Obispo beaches, and if you’re planning to head out, now is a great time. After spending a full day fishing the area, I’ve found that a medium-fast retrieve is the real secret to landing these feisty perch. With the weather cooperating and the surf relatively calm, it was an ideal day to test different techniques, and the results spoke for themselves.

I started the day using my usual Carolina rig, rigged with a 2-inch perch grub. I’ve often used a slow retrieve, thinking it would tempt the perch into biting, but I quickly noticed the same old problem—too many nibbles and not enough solid hooksets. So, I switched things up, deciding to speed up my retrieve. This turned out to be the right move. By keeping the bait moving at a medium-fast pace, I noticed fewer half-hearted bites and more committed strikes. The perch seemed to have less time to nibble and instead went straight for the full bait, leading to much better hookups.

The conditions were prime for surf perch fishing. The water clarity was decent, and the moderate surf helped create the right environment for the perch to feed actively. I found myself reeling in several healthy perch, each putting up a good fight. With the medium-fast retrieve, I could feel the perch strike hard, making it easier to set the hook and keep them on the line. What stood out most to me was how the fish reacted—there were fewer missed bites compared to the slow retrieve approach. It felt like every bite mattered, and I wasn’t wasting time on fish that weren’t fully committed.

For anyone heading to the beaches of San Luis Obispo, I strongly suggest giving this medium-fast retrieve technique a try. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s experienced in surf perch fishing, this adjustment can make all the difference. The perch are clearly responding to a faster bait presentation, so there’s no better time to switch things up and experiment with speed.

The San Luis Obispo surf has been delivering lately, and as long as the conditions stay favorable, I’m confident this pattern will hold. The perch are feeding, and they’re hitting hard if you present the bait right. Keep your retrieve quick, stay patient, and be ready for a steady stream of bites. With this technique, you should be able to turn those bites into landed fish more consistently.