Nor Cal Bait Prices 6/27

[tbae]

I'm from So Cal visiting East Bay and noticed some big differences in bait prices. For example, 1 lb frozen anchovies are ~$10 and a dozen pile worms are around $18 up here. Not sure if anyone has found any cheaper prices if so please feel free to share info.

Also - I've learned from my short experience up here that fishing w/market shrimp (frozen raw and salted) doesn't work as well in the summer as frozen anchovies (fished from a bobber with 2 hooks around 4 feet below water surface) - not even jacksmelt seem to take a liking to the shrimp compared to frozen anchovies. I also found that mussel, which is cheaper here (1 lb "live" is $6 at supermarket) than other fishing baits do about as well as the anchovies although they take a bit longer to tie on the hook (or 2).

Just some random data points I thought I'd share with everyone for the tips I've received on this forum along the way.

Thanks all.

 

[pinchepesca]

yes bait is cheaper $5 a bag in san diego. I'd assume anchovies are more abundant in so-cal. Also In nor-cal you can use a cast net to also catch baitfish which you cant do in so-cal. I always chum the water when targeting topsmelt and baitfish.

 

[Ken Jones]

Unfortunately, prices are high just about anywhere you go. A larger problem long term is the number of bait and tackle shops (especially the old, smaller bait shops), that are going out of business. I used to have a large group of bait shops that gave monthly reports, today it's a small number. And, in talking to the owners of those bait shops, many have to rely on selling artificial lures today to make a profit. Often those lures are for boat fishermen, both private boats and Sportfishing boats but even those numbers are down. With Sportfishing trips costing, generally, $80 and up depending upon the hours in the water, anglers are a little more hesitant to take trips unless fish are being caught. I talked to a CenCal landing the other day where the lady said they are averaging 2-3 fish per person on their bottom fishing trips (an unheard of number years ago) and in response fewer people are heading out. Personally, being retired, I will not pay upwards of $300 to go on a halibut trip in SF Bay or even out to the Farallones. Prices, whatever the reasons, are just too high for many and it's affecting both the anglers and the bait shop owners. The same with gear which has seen a tremendous rise in price.