06-26-2003, 05:10 AM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]Just thought I'd share a few of the pictures of some of the fish we caught on my recent vacation to the San Francisco Bay Area. We fished primarily for halibut; California Halibut which is a smaller cousin of the barndoors in Alska but just as good table fare. We also caught a lot of stripers with a few shiners and sand sharks thrown into the mix. We had a great time and enjoy our family fishing trips.[/size][/font] [center]![[Image: sfb_0.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_0.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Here's me and my boat, "The Boomerang" checking out the bay. You can see, to the left, the Richmond - San Rafeal Bridge in the background. We launched out of the Berkeley Marina every morning at about 5:50am so we could be to the bait barge at 6:00am to get bait. If we were lucky, we'd get ahead of the charters before they made bait. If you were tardy you may wait 1/2 an hour or more.[/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_1.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_1.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]A typical salt water striper. Compared to inland water stripers, these boys are on steroids! We used live anchovies for bait on a drop shot rig during a free drift, bouncing the bottom. If the wind kicked up and the drift was too fast, which was normal in the afternoons, we throw out a drift sock or sea anchor to slow things down. If you look closely where the white boat is in the background you can see the skyline of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge.[/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_2.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_2.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]This is a pic of my father with one of the 'buts he caught. Even though it's the middle of June and inland temps were in the high 90's and 100's you still needed to dress warm out on the bay.[/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_3.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_3.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]This is my brother, Dave with a halibut he landed. Note the rain gear. The wind would rip in the afternoons causing good size waves. It was not uncommon to head for home in the afternoon with 25 knot winds and 4 foot waves. The spray was enough to drench you so rain gear was a must. [/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_4.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_4.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Another typical striper in the 4-5 pound range.[/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_5.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_5.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]The largest striper of the trip. This fish was a tad over 13 pounds. He was caught in 17 feet of water near San Quentin Prison[/size][/font].[/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_7.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_7.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Another fine halibut in the 11 pound range. This fish was caught in 6 - 8 feet of water during slack tide.[/size][/font][/center] [center]![[Image: sfb_6.jpg]](http://home.attbi.com/~bearlakemack/sfb_6.jpg)
[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]A crisp, beautiful morning on the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Alcatraz is a 1/2 mile to the south. [/size][/font][/center] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]On the last day we were out, I was heading for the Gate to fish Seal Rock on the Pacific side. My motor unexpected died right out in the middle of the bay and wouldn't start. Not to worry, I called Lee at Lee's Marina in Hyrum, UT and Lee spent a 1/2 hour on the cell with me trouble shooting til we got the motor running again. Thanks Lee for all your help![/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]As you can see, we had a great time being together with family chasing fish on the bay. If you ever get the chance to hit SF Bay, do it. You'll love it.[/size][/font][/left]
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[/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Here's me and my boat, "The Boomerang" checking out the bay. You can see, to the left, the Richmond - San Rafeal Bridge in the background. We launched out of the Berkeley Marina every morning at about 5:50am so we could be to the bait barge at 6:00am to get bait. If we were lucky, we'd get ahead of the charters before they made bait. If you were tardy you may wait 1/2 an hour or more.[/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]A typical salt water striper. Compared to inland water stripers, these boys are on steroids! We used live anchovies for bait on a drop shot rig during a free drift, bouncing the bottom. If the wind kicked up and the drift was too fast, which was normal in the afternoons, we throw out a drift sock or sea anchor to slow things down. If you look closely where the white boat is in the background you can see the skyline of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge.[/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]This is a pic of my father with one of the 'buts he caught. Even though it's the middle of June and inland temps were in the high 90's and 100's you still needed to dress warm out on the bay.[/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]This is my brother, Dave with a halibut he landed. Note the rain gear. The wind would rip in the afternoons causing good size waves. It was not uncommon to head for home in the afternoon with 25 knot winds and 4 foot waves. The spray was enough to drench you so rain gear was a must. [/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Another typical striper in the 4-5 pound range.[/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]The largest striper of the trip. This fish was a tad over 13 pounds. He was caught in 17 feet of water near San Quentin Prison[/size][/font].[/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]Another fine halibut in the 11 pound range. This fish was caught in 6 - 8 feet of water during slack tide.[/size][/font][/center] [center][/center] [center][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]A crisp, beautiful morning on the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Alcatraz is a 1/2 mile to the south. [/size][/font][/center] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]On the last day we were out, I was heading for the Gate to fish Seal Rock on the Pacific side. My motor unexpected died right out in the middle of the bay and wouldn't start. Not to worry, I called Lee at Lee's Marina in Hyrum, UT and Lee spent a 1/2 hour on the cell with me trouble shooting til we got the motor running again. Thanks Lee for all your help![/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]As you can see, we had a great time being together with family chasing fish on the bay. If you ever get the chance to hit SF Bay, do it. You'll love it.[/size][/font][/left][signature]
