PACIFICA: Rob Chaney of the Rusty Hook in Pacifica said, “The pier has been so crowded that I have been afraid that it was going to collapse into the ocean from so much weight.” There are a number of first-time crabbers that are coming into the shop for supplies and advice, but the inclement weather over the past week left only the hardcore fishermen out there. They have solid 780 crab snares since Nov. 1, and there are four suppliers that are working hard to keep up with the demand. One local supplier brought in 200 custom snares that were gone within two days. Anglers are averaging two to three crab per rod. Striped bass are also still in the area, and one fisherman caught and released a limit at 21 and 19 pounds along the beach south of the pier with a red/white Bomber jig that is similar to a hair raiser. This color combination has produced the most fish this fall.
HALF MOON BAY: Crabbing is holding up for private boaters out of Half Moon Bay, and there has been no problem putting together limits of Dungeness crab despite the big commercial hauls. Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat has been reporting limits of each on all his recent trips. He is the only large boat running crab-only or combination trips through the end of the rockfish season.
GOLDEN GATE: The crab sport numbers are holding up despite the onslaught of commercial pressure. With the numbers dropping off many of the larger northern port boats are stacking out and heading for home. On Saturday, Nov. 29, all party boats reported limits of both crabs, rockfish and a ling to limits per rod. Most boats were fishing out at the Farallon Islands where they found limits of big yellows, bioachcio and vermilions. Jim on the Happy Hooker reported 31 limits of both rockfish and crabs adding 2 lings to 17 pounds. Emeryville also reported full limits of crabs and rockfish plus a half to one ling per rod. On Sunday, Nov.30 most boats canceled their trips due to the wet and breezy weather conditions. The New Huck Finn from Emeryville was the lone boat out and reported 26 limits of crabs and rockfish fishing along the Marin coast.
