Well, now listen up, folks! If you’re thinkin’ about headin’ out to Bodega Bay for some fishin’, I reckon I got a few things to tell ya. Now, Bodega Bay’s a good spot, sure as can be. It’s got all kinds of fish out there, dependin’ on the time of year and what you’re fishin’ for. You got your salmon, trout, even some of them landlocked salmon floatin’ around in the warmer months, from about May till September. Oh, and don’t forget about the halibut, rays, and them sharks, you can catch them from April right on through to September, mostly when the weather’s a bit warmer in the summer and fall months.
Now, I tell ya, the best time to catch them big ol’ sharks and rays is in the evenin’—that’s when they start to come up. As for what bait you should use, well, let me tell you, squid works real good. You just can’t go wrong with it. You can get it right at the pier, or even bring your own if you know where to get it, but make sure you got plenty. Them fish sure do like it.
If you’re crabbing, there’s plenty of good spots too, ‘specially up on the jetty at the north end of Bodega Bay. I’ve heard tell that’s one of the best spots for crabs. You can catch ‘em from piers or on them rocky shorelines, or even take your boat out, if you got one. You might need a net or a snare, dependin’ on the day. The crabs don’t mind either way, so long as you know what you’re doin’. You can’t go wrong with a little patience too, sometimes they take their sweet time comin’ up.
Now, for them fish that like the surf, like them redtail perch or rubberlip perch, springtime’s your best bet. And don’t forget about them striped bass—oh boy, they’re a real treat. You can catch ’em year-round, but if you want to really fill up your bucket, mid-June through August is when they’re most abundant. Same goes for them halibut, they’re pretty plentiful in them summer months, and you’ll be able to fill up a cooler easy if you time it right.
Now, just the other day, there was a report comin’ in from the sportfishing center. Captain Josh and another fella went out on a trip, tryin’ to find a good spot, and after a bit of searchin’, they hit a nice patch of rockfish. They both had their limit in no time. That’s always a good sign when folks are pullin’ in fish like that, I tell ya. Sometimes it takes a little bit of movin’ around, but once you find ‘em, they’re there in plenty.
But don’t forget to check on the weather before you head out. Winds can be pretty strong right off the coast, especially in the early mornings, so you’ll want to make sure the waves ain’t too high for your boat. And I ain’t just talkin’ about the wind, no, sir. You also gotta pay attention to the water temperature. Fish can be a bit picky when it comes to that, so make sure you got that figured out before you leave the dock. You don’t want to go out there and find out it’s not the right time for what you’re after.
If you’re in the area, it’s always a good idea to swing by the Bodega Bay Sportfishing Center. They got the latest info on what’s bitin’ and where to go. They’re always ready to help you out with a bit of advice on where to fish and what’s workin’ best that day. If you don’t know where to go, they’re your best bet to get on the right track. They even got info on all the latest fish counts and catches, so you can see what others are pullin’ in, and plan your trip accordingly.
So, all in all, Bodega Bay’s a good place to wet a line, and with the right info, you can have yourself a pretty good time. Just make sure you bring along some good bait, keep an eye on the weather, and most importantly, be patient. Fishin’ ain’t always about the big catch, but when it happens, it sure is sweet!
Tags:[Bodega Bay fishing, fishing report, Bodega Bay crabbing, halibut, sharks, rockfish, sportfishing]