Our Grim, Stormy Sunday Fishing Forecast

This week isn’t looking pretty. Big swell, heavy rain, wind, and the works. So instead of getting beat up on the coast, I’m going to steer you towards deeper parts of the Bay where you’ll actually have a fighting chance.

We also just got reports that Baker Beach had a sewage outflow event during the rain so that area is unsafe to fish for now. I’d expect more of these over the next week or so as the sewage system takes on water.

First, our weekly fishing & stocking reports…

Some of the charters are out here to prove you can still catch fish in this rainy weather. Conditions have not been too bad apparently!

*Counts Via Fish Emeryville

San Francisco’s Lake Merced finally getting some love! Following up a strong stocking report from last week.

Like I said earlier, it’s not looking good. My recommendation this week based on the forecast is to ditch the coast and head into the Bay. Honestly, a lot of the Bay is going to be pretty rough too, but you’re going to have better luck there than on the Pacific.

I’m forecasting for spots deepest into the Bay that are going to be the least affected by the bad weather. Think the Carquinez Strait, Dumbarton, and places like that. Be sure to check those out below.

The forecasts can get a little spotty when there’s rain involved so I’d keep checking throughout the week. If it lets up at all I’ll announce it on the Hooked West Instagram story so tune in there for updates. For now, expect heavy rain, chop, big swells, wind, and storm runoff with possible contamination. Fun right?

I go a little stir crazy sitting at home when the weather is bad. Doesn’t feel right, but I know sometimes it’s better than going out there and coming back skunked and soaked. Trust me I’ve done it.

So if you’re going out there, you better have a plan, know what you’re targeting and what your strategy is. Lucky for you we’re here to help. Let’s take a look!

While the Bay Area’s fishing scene revolves around the Bay itself and the Pacific Ocean, there are plentiful freshwater opportunities for anglers. Lakes, reservoirs, and rivers can sometimes be fishable when the rest of the Ocean and Bay are blown out.

Although winter isn’t peak season, there are plenty of bass and trout to be caught. We’re deep into trout stocking season so there will be a lot of anglers at the local stocked lakes. Seasonal Striped bass have moved towards Sacramento and are still present in areas like the San Luis Reservoir.

With all the rain we are getting this week, the Trinity River up North is going to be pumping. Take it a step further and try your hand at steelhead fishing if you’ve never been!

I’m a big believer that crabbing and crab snaring is a lot easier than fishing during storms. Finding a spot is going to be half the battle though. You need somewhere that is protected enough so you can get your trap/snare out where the crabs can actually get to it.

Freshwater will push crabs further into the open ocean so I’d avoid areas where creeks or streams meet the Pacific. Bays will lose salinity too so I’d crab near the mouths or on the Pacific itself.

If you have access to the North Bay Area I’d hammer the sturgeon fishing right now. There’s no guarantee here, but with extra freshwater in the Bay and the water all churned up we should have some Sturgeon moving in from the Delta towards San Pablo Bay.

Otherwise I’d get some smelly, fishy bait and throw it on a fish finder rig for sharks and rays. Will probably be your best bet for an easier catch. Switch out your bait often.

If the weather wins and you get stuck at home, here are some things you can do:

Morning low tides and afternoon high tides. Medium water movement in the AM, heavy water movement late afternoon after the high tide.

*Always check conditions before going out there, this data may no longer be up to date so please be safe

Good luck out there 😎