February 19th, 2008 — Alioto's, Angel Island, Berkley Marina, Coyote Point, Day Cruise, Delta, Fishing, Sam's, San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Sturgeon, Tiburon
Last Sunday (ok the day before President’s Day) a few friends and I arranged a day cruise/fishing trip on the bay. We didn’t have a planned itinerary, but I think you will see the day turned out pretty nice.
It started for me at 8:30am leaving my house, picking up the boat from storage, gassing the boat, and launching at Coyote Point. The morning was incredible. Completely glass on the water with a thin fog… it was in the upper 40’s at the time. I was on the water by 9:45am.
Next stop, the Berkley Marnia. My friend was unable to find the boat launch and decided he could walk down the rocks beside the fishing pier. Needless to say I did not think it was a good idea, but relented. He proceeded to slip (thankfully not hurting himself), but eventually made it into the boat… Later you will see his haste will come back to haunt him. He had stopped by the bait shop and picked up a 1/4 pound of grass shrimp so we decided to head to San Pablo Bay and try our hand at sturgeon fishing. Neither of us has an experience.
On the way to San Pablo Bay the wind picked up a little (maybe 5-7 mph). The thing about the grass shrimp that we had is that they are tiny and the hooks on the sturgeon rigs are huge. Not entirely sure we hooked the shrimp up correctly, but here is a photo of our handy work…
We positioned ourselves into a lineup of boats near China Camp in about 10 ft of water (we figured they all looked like they knew what they were doing), but we didn’t get any bites (from what we could tell of the boats around us neither did they). It was however an incredible day out on the water and we were enjoying ourselves.
At 1:30pm we decided we had had enough fishing and decided to pick a few other friends that were having lunch at Sam’s in Tiburon. We picked them up and did a quick tour around Alcatraz Island. At this point it was a little rough as the wind had picked up to about 10-12mph. On the way back to Tiburon we noticed a beach on Angle Island that look inviting and decided to beach the boat for a couple of minutes. Where we got some nice photos.
As incredible as the views on and around Angel Island were I was astounded at the amount of trash. Here is just one example…
After almost getting stuck by the outgoing tide we headed back to Tiburon to drop of my friends. While there we docked at Sam’s and were contemplating eating there. However it was a 2 hour wait. So we went next door to Alioto’s and had a very nice meal. Outstanding bruschetta and pizza.
Heading back to drop of my other friend at the Berkley marina rocks the weather was still a little rough. But it was an incredible day.
Unfortunately for my friend when he departed the boat onto the rocks he slipped and fell into the water. Cell phone ruined, but pride intact we parted ways. I headed back to Coyote Point and while I don’t have any pictures the sunset over and then into the fog it was spectacular in oranges and pinks.
The nice thing about Coyote point is the boat wash… I was able to flush my engine of the salt water and clean my boat of the salt spray. I returned the boat to storage and tired, but content I headed for home.
President’s Day on The Bay (Part 2)
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November 16th, 2007 — Coyote Point, Day Cruise, Oyster Point, San Francisco Bay
I took the boat out for an evening cruise last night with a friend. We launched at Coyote Point cruised to Oyster Point and then came back.
It was a little windy as the fog was rolling in, so on the way to Oyster Point we had to take it slow. The way back was nicer.
No sign of the oil spill in that part of the Bay.
The security guards at Coyote Point gave me a hard time about being in the park after 5pm. She said the entire park closes. I was under the impression that Marina was 24hr operation. I have never had any trouble in the past… In fact, the regular morning fishing crew encourage me to show up before 8pm as that is when that start charging the gate entrance fee.
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October 17th, 2007 — Coyote Point, Fishing, Oyster Point, San Francisco Bay
I went fishing on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. In both cases I was fishing between Oyster Point and the San Mateo Bridge.
On Saturday I used freeze dried bait from Big 5 without success.
On Sunday I used frozen and live bait and caught several soupfin sharks.
I had a great time on the water.
One of the regulars at Coyote Point said he caught 6 strippers 1 fairly large. I need to figure out what he is doing!!!
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October 1st, 2007 — Coyote Point, Fishing, Leopard Shark, Oyster Point, San Francisco Bay
Last Friday (the only day that wasn’t perfect weather for 6 days in either direction) I was interviewing a candidate for a job with my company. The candidate was from the east coast so I thought it would be fun to take them out for a cruise and some fishing on the Bay with one of my business partners…
The Bay was borderline white cap all day. It even rained a little. None the less we persevered.
We started out of Coyote Point. With our first destination being McCovey Cove on the way passing Candlestick… (The candidate liked sports). Here are some pictures in the cove (sorry for the blackout but this is an anonymous blog)…
We then headed to the Berkley Marina for some live anchovies. $30 a 1/2 scoop. They were all dead by our first stop at the end of the old fishing pier. Frozen anchovies from now on as my boat does not have a live well. Live shiners if available.
Anyway we spent a little time in Berkley, but the weather was not pleasant so we headed for Oyster Point.
We caught a nice size Leopard Shark. Here are some pictures.
All in all a fun morning.
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September 3rd, 2007 — Coyote Point, Day Cruise, My Boat, San Francisco Bay
This is going to sound very similar to yesterday, but today we went on a Day Cruise out of Coyote Point Marina at 9am.
Launching the boat at the Coyote Point Boat Ramp is very easy… Everything is in great shape. (Use the center lane is the advice of the regulars (less mud)).
Unlike yesterday, today the winds at Coyote Point were 15mph and there was a good chop on the water heading south.
We went north (much more gingerly than yesterday) past SFO and Candlestick and towards the San Francisco and the Bay Bridge.
When we got past Candlestick, the wind dies down and it is suddenly perfect.
Our first stop McCubby Cove (actually it is McCovey Cove) and AT&T Park…
We went from McCubby Cove (actually it is McCovey Cove) to Yerba Buena…
Snapped some great picures of San Francisco under the Bay Bridge…
And headed back to Coyote Point… I think I will check out Oyster Point Marina next time as it is further north and closer to the city.
We had lunch at the nearby Poplar Creek Golf course.
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September 3rd, 2007 — Coyote Point, Day Cruise, My Boat, San Francisco Bay
I got to Coyote Point Marina at 9am on Sunday.
Having not been out of Coyote Point (let alone the bay) I decided to stop in and say hello to the harbormaster (Peter). Peter was extremely friendly and helpful. He gave me a tide chart and some reading material. He also gave me a word of caution — don’t go right out of the marina until you get to the channel (very shallow).
As I launched the boat for the first time unassisted, I realized at the last minute that I forget the boat plug (keeps the water out). I caught it just in time.
Launching the boat at the Coyote Point Boat Ramp is very easy… Everything is in great shape. (Use the center lane is the advice of the regulars (less mud)).
It was an absolutely perfect day – very calm – glass even. On our initial run north I had the boat up to 55 mph.
We went north past SFO and Candlestick and towards the San Francisco and the Bay Bridge.
Our first stop McCubby Cove (actually it is McCovey Cove) and AT&T Park…
We then went under the bay bridge and headed for Alcatraz… We went around Alcatraz passing on the east side.
Normally, in a 22ft open bow single engine boat you would not go out the Golden Gate, but it was an exceptionally calm day so we made an attempt.
The closer to the Gate we got the larger the swell (it was in incoming tide). Just as I started to think we should turn around we were completely under the bridge… Been there, done that. Don’t need to repeat.
We headed along the San Francisco waterfront at fairly close range.
On the return trip south we ran into the tide line and a bunch of foraging birds (on bait fish breaking the surface). Not wanting to let an opportunity pass I quickly made a few cast with a rapala. No Luck.
We eventually made it back to Coyote Point and had lunch at the nearby Poplar Creek Golf course.
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