Recent content by SunnyvaleMatthew

The number of dead fish being found is staggering. A large number of sturgeon, perhaps more green than white. Sturgeon are just the easiest thing most folks notice and can identify, and they wash up on shore at least partially intact, so they are getting counted. Plenty of stripers and...

That's a good suggestion. I'm already using #6 bronze baitholders (either Eagle Claw or Mustad Beak, I forget). Near the end I retied with a #4 Gamakatsu split shot hook (on the right), which maybe does have a large gap, at least compared to a surfperch mouth. Maybe it's worth digging out...

On short notice I'm spending a couple days in Fort Bragg. Not a fishing trip per se, but I may have a spare hour or two. The site is unclear regarding the pier in Noyo Harbor. Is it still open? What's the best bet with limited time if it isn't? Jetty fishing? The beach? Thanks!

This won't be the world's greatest report, but I have been meaning to write it... First, clams. Bodega Harbor is a reliable place to get 'em, and as a still-fresh Sonoma County transplant, I went for it. This was actually my first time clamming, and I went two days in a row on the most recent...

Unclear if there will be any change to the current state of affairs for shore anglers, for whom groundfish are open year round. https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/big-changes-to-sport-groundfish-regulations-coming-in-2023

In 2020, I relocated to Sonoma County, which has been awesome. I'm still trying to get the lay of the land. I've been hunting the surf for perch (seems like a tough bite between Pt. Reyes and Pt. Arena) and scouring Hwy. 1 for the perfect poke-poling spot. But right now, all the tidal sloughs...

Thanks for compiling these Carquinez/Suisun/Delta reports. Since I'm in Sonoma County now, Rio Vista is within striking distance, and once a week I'm usually in south Sonoma Valley with time on my hands.

I headed out to my favorite beach south of Capitola. I don't think I'd been to the coast since Christmas, when I headed down to Jade Cove. A series of family and work obligations had kept me away, so I was glad to get out today. The weather was great. Clear blue skies, light wind, tolerable...

I'm interested! I could make either Paradise or Santa Cruz.

I camped at Plaskett Creek Campground (right across the street) on Christmas Eve. I spent all my time collecting mussels, snails, and limpets from Jade Cove during the ultra low tide. I met a family of four (Mom, Dad, Son, and Daughter—all in waders and rain jackets!) who hadn't caught a thing...

Monkeyface Gumbo I caught a 3.5 lb eel last week. We made a double batch of this (and still there's eel in the freezer). I can't reccomend this enough. Having leftovers for the third or fourth time right now while the 49ers work on the Seahawks. Source is Kirk Lombard (or more likely his...

It won't help with the flavor, but I like to indirect grill surfperch on a Weber charcoal grill, skin on. The grill draws a lot of hot, dry air over the fish and helps firm it up.

From https://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/carrying-a-gun-while-fishing/

Zero perch today at Thornton, just north of Mussel Rock.

Is Capitola too far? I don't have any recent news about the action, but it seems almost impossible to skunk there.