Halibut Fishing w/ Live Jumbo Smelt @ Tomales Bay, California

In this video I launched in Bodega Bay and drove across the bay to Tomales Bay in search of big California Halibut. I caught live smelt that I used for bait. I had a very exciting day with lots of action. It was nice not fishing in San Francisco Bay for a change. On the way to Tomales Bay I dropped a crab pot for dungeness crab. I put the underwater GoFish Cam in pot and recorded some crab on the ocean floor. I hope you enjoy this video! Please Subscribe, like and comment!
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[@geofab3281]

Nice fish stories. Boy, the water swell is flat and nice to go out for fishing like that. Your video is so entertaining to watch. Thanks for sharing it.

[@robertdean8102]

I love it when you have both poles linkd excellent fishing liking the crab to !

[@vuelee5313]

Thank q for the nor California tips... Always needed..... So thank q...

[@benhilderbrand599]

Your best video to date. Fantastic! See ya on the water.

[@paulspeidell7386]

Great video, Chris. Another good lesson showing how to bring in a fish....reel down, slowly lift-keeping tension, reel down, slowly lift. I’d love to see people learning from you!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Hi Paul. Happy you liked the video! I appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching.

[@mince07]

Great work Chris!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thank you!

[@TileCoach]

Going in a few weeks. Thanks 🙏🏼 great vid.

[@jgregg7100]

Started watching last weekend when i fished for first time in years in Sacramento, caught a very small bass but that was all. Your videos are very relaxing to watch, good content. Thank you

[@Escapetosea]

Love your vids bro. I’m hooked . Watching from my sailboat at Benicia marina. Stoked about halibut,!

[@ChrisPfish2]

nice, happy you like the videos! Thanks for watching!

[@xxkasperxx]

Right on Chris ...enjoying the channel 👍🏾

[@bretmoua6983]

Man, that's awesome Chris.

[@mikemack7846]

Best day in tomales for hali 32 in south bay. Largest 33lb on the bar. Love tomales bay.

[@aidanclay4154]

huge fan, hoping to go out on my first halibut trip myself !

[@reelin_it_with_jake]

Live smelt is definitely halibut candy!!!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Oh yeah. I was a little concerned my trout sized smelt might be too big but it fits easy in a 25" mouth. Thanks for watching!

[@Kikinbac]

Awesome day fishing, thanks

[@ChrisPfish2]

yeah it was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching!

[@reempire888]

Stay safe and have fun sir! Thanks for sharing!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for watching! I try my best to stay safe and have fun!

[@reneornelas4506]

Great video and info thankyou!🐙

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for watching, happy you enjoyed it!

[@danielramos7394]

Hey look like you had a Great Day!!! Too bad that your PB got away!!! We list a nice one out on the bay at the boat, the only issue is I seized my motor and had to get towed in which suck!! However I was a great day out in the water after all the SIP. Well I like you suggested of taking someone out, that’s a great!! Tight lines 🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@ChrisPfish2]

That sucks your motor died on you. Good luck getting it back up and running asap. Thanks for watching!

[@christran419]

Hey, love your fishing video. Keep em coming.

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thank you for watching, I am happy you are enjoying them!

[@marcuszamora1787]

Hey bro I just started watching your videos and I love the content, keep up the good work bro!!

[@Clueless_Angler]

Another good video Chris. Keep em coming. Thank you for the halibut tips you gave me the other day. I’m going out tomorrow (Tue) to the Berkeley triangle with niece and nephews

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for watching, happy you enjoyed it. I am going out Tuesday as well. Going to try angel again. Good luck

[@Clueless_Angler]

ChrisPfish how did you do today? We got skunked ☹️- just a few bites and lost a few also. The kids had fun though; only fished from 8-noon; got too windy.

[@ChrisPfish2]

@@Clueless_Angler i had one friend with me. lines in from 7-12. We caught 4. 2 keepers. One 34.5.

[@Clueless_Angler]

ChrisPfish nice! All from Angel Island using live bait? We used frozen anchovies.

[@ChrisPfish2]

@@Clueless_Angler 1 @ angel, 1 @ berkeley, 2 @ southampton shoels. live bait

[@christiancurby]

Great videos, new to Bay Area from Seattle area and just bought a Wellcraft 162CCF so ready to get out there! I appreciate the local knowledge. I am a new subscriber!

[@ChrisPfish2]

thanks for checking out the channel and subscribing. Welcome to the bay area and tight lines!

[@jonathanrego3137]

Action filled day man nice job. I was out in tomales bay last Sunday and lost 2, used frozen herring; haven’t mastered catching live bait yet

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for watching! You drift with the frozen herring? just keep it off bottom a couple feet so you dont get weeds?

[@jjp95136]

Just discovered and subscribed to your channel. I lived and fished in California for many years. I have two suggestions you may want to consider. 1. You can get sabiki rig rods which enable you to reel the rig through the tip inside the rod. They make fishing and transporting sabiki rigged rods SO much easier. 2. I have found that if you nose hook live baits through the nostrils, as opposed to through the lips like you do (and I used to do) the bait stays livelier much longer. I have heard that if the bait cannot open and close their mouths at will they drown eventually. Keep up the great videos. I'll be watching for them.

[@ChrisPfish2]

Hi John, thanks for clicking on my video, i am happy you liked it enough to sub, I appreciate it much! Great tip on the sabiki, i need to get some that reel up more. Great advice on hooking the live bait, i will do that from now on! Thanks again, Chris

[@jwbnscacpt]

Cool video, cheers from Vallejo

[@koston777]

Man, that looks really fun! Subed!

[@tblazy3463]

Man that brings back memories! I used to fish in Tomales all the time nice Hali! Later in the summer take one of those smelt and let it run on the top for sea bass you wont regret it!👍😄

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for checking out the video, happy you enjoyed it, I really want to catch a wsb. Aww, I see so dont put a weight on? Just let the smelt swim on the surface?

[@tblazy3463]

@@ChrisPfish2 Yep I caught a few like that if you wait for good warm water and a calm day with lots of bait its game on!

[@CATCHFISHORDIETRYIN]

Cool video 👍

[@ChrisPfish2]

happy you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@matthewwheat3820]

Keep posting! I fish the same spots! We are bound to cross paths out there eventually.

[@ChrisPfish2]

And when we do make sure and say hi. Thanks for watching, happy you like the videos!

[@shanehoward9756]

Loving all your videos Chris, do you have a video or tutorial on how to tie that leader? I just wanna to to see best way to tie that stinger hook

[@mac5520]

Great vid with a lot of useful information! Not to sound like an internet know-it-all; but I recommend hooking your smelt horizontally through the nose, kind of like a nose ring. Just don’t put it too close to the eyes and the bait will stay alive a lot longer! This method allows the bait to breath still, it cannot open its gills enough to breath efficiently if you put the hook through the nose/nose vertically. Thanks!

[@ChrisPfish2]

That does makes sense. Okay will start doing that. Thanks for the tip! I appreciate you watching the videos. Thanks Chris

[@MrMosswood]

@@ChrisPfish2 I am right across the channel marker, wannabe halibut and SB catcher, so far just bat ray and leopard sharks, any tips on where in Tomales bay to catch some smelt for bait, where you just south of hog island? and how did that horizontal hook worked out, would you recommend that ?

[@jimmascaro2456]

Congratulations on your viewership.

[@andrewingram2108]

I have family that live there. Fished there a lot growing up. Leo sharks are delicious by the way.

[@ChrisPfish2]

Yeah I heard those sharks taste good. Imitation scallops if cut into circles? I think I heard that one before. I wouldnt eat one from sf bay but from tomales I would. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@halibuthooliganinc1058]

Smelt are the best Bait!!! I live and die by those in the Sf bay and Ocean. 4 1/2-6 inches!!!! 🍬 size

[@Fishing247]

Nice fishing trip. Nice Hali. I could not believe you caught the shark by the tail. We should buddy up sometimes brother. Great video. Stay safe and tight line.

[@ChrisPfish2]

Yeah makes sense after the fact the way the fish was fighting but in the moment it didnt cross my mind I snagged something. It was a fun day. Send me an email with what your thinking. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmascaro2456]

The channel btw white gulch & hog island - that stretch between the 2 & the buoy thats inland great drift w squid or anchovies live if you got em.

[@jonathanshingle82]

Great video, bummer about losing the second hookup. I am headed up that way in 2 weeks. Might see you put there!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Hi Joanthan, yeah its too bad some got away. Always just curious whats on the other end you know!? Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanshingle82]

@@ChrisPfish2 that is true! Hey are you a county resident? Just wondering what they are saying at the boat ramps in bodaga.

[@KayakFishingwithMatt]

Solid work man! Was this from Thursday? That was exciting with the double hookup✌️

[@ChrisPfish2]

Hey Matt, how did you know that was Thursday, it was. Double hook up was nuts. Thanks for watching

[@KayakFishingwithMatt]

ChrisPfish I was out there too, kayak fishing south of hog! I thought I saw you haha!

[@ia6980]

Second crab seems to be ok

[@KevinSF4I5]

Loving your videos Chris! Thanks for documenting how the day went. Id love to go out on a trip with you some day, maybe after this virus thing goes away 🤞

[@KevinSF4I5]

Also I didn’t realize halibut eat smelts that big!

[@ChrisPfish2]

Happy your enjoying the videos! yeah I wasnt to sure about the size of smelt, if it was too big, I knew a 30"+ would have no problem. Lots of big fish looking for a good meal! Thanks for watching!

[@mike.sea.nympho.fishing106]

Great video I did not know that I can use that many rods best info ever what is the best boat launch out there I’m coming from sac thanks

[@uluacom]

🔥

[@rrmerlin3402]

Way to go, getting to Tomales bay from Bodega. Nothing like having the bay all to yourself since the boat ramps in are still closed there. How was navigating the mouth ?

[@ChrisPfish2]

The mouth is easy to navigate when the swell is low. If swell and wind are both bad dont try. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@marcragone2089]

Can u still catch the halibut now in there and do you know if bolinas lagoon still gettin some halibut thanks

[@deepseadreamer2875]

Thanks for all your great videos. My 14 year old son and I have been doing a lot of fishing in San Pablo Bay and the flats off Berkeley and appreciate your tips. You got us fired up to go North to Bodega bay next week so we just bought some crab traps we've been studying Bodega and Tomales Bays. Could you confirm that the Westside Regional Park launch is where you were able to launch from. I've been getting mixed info. Thanks again for all your videos!

[@shouathao5060]

Right on. Is bodega bay still open to Crab snare on the bank the other side of Doran beach?

[@ChrisPfish2]

I do not think so. Only westside only for launching boats. Thanks for watching!

[@shouathao5060]

@@ChrisPfish2 thanks. Keep up with the videos 👍

[@jimbo4612]

Actually the leopard shark whacked the jig to try and kill what it thought was food vs just random snagging, This is how they feed using their tail to stun prey. then eat it.

[@AhmedMahmoud-bp2km]

Hey chirs awesome video 👌🏼 as always. I had a question tho. What kind of drift sock is that ?

[@ChrisPfish2]

Not sure the drift sock came with the boat when I bought it used. Thanks for watching!

[@oregonlife]

Awesome video. I've been meaning to hit this bay for halibut. What's the average size in that bay?

[@ChrisPfish2]

Thanks for watching, happy you liked it! I would say avg size is 22-26 early in season. Later in the summer high 20's is common.

[@yippikiyay197]

enjoying the videos man! Are you sure you can use more than 2 rods?

[@ChrisPfish2]

yeah I checked! I confirmed with locals as well. You can not if you have a fish on board you can only use one rod for. So if you have a salmon or rockfish with you, your limited to one rod rest of day. Thanks for watching!

[@fishingaddict5638]

Another great video. I’ve been wanting to go to but cannot find good weather. Hey, is west side launch open to everyone?

[@ChrisPfish2]

happy you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching! I am not sure who its open for. I imagine if you were with one person your fine.

[@danielramos7394]

Hey question, did I hear you correctly you could use two pole in the bay , if you have a two pole lic? Or was it you could use two poles in the ocean? Once I get my boat fixed I might head out to Bodega or Tamales Bay, I will reach out when ready to get the best ramp to launch out of since I have never been. Tight lines🎣🎣🎣

[@ChrisPfish2]

Yeah as many poles as you want outside the golden gate with a standard license. You can not have any fish on board or keep any fish if they are limited to one rod. salmon and rockfish for example are always one rod. hali and stripers as many rods as you want. If you have a rockfish or salmon with you, your limited to one rod rest of day for hali or striper. If you have multiple rods in for hali and catch a lingcod, your suppose to throw it back.

[@kevinseamus4029]

What day was that the date wondering if the ramp at millerton or nicks cove was open. Great video thanks again

[@ChrisPfish2]

Those ramps were closed. This was 5/14. Thanks for watching happy you enjoy them!

[@FISH_IT]

Nice catch and video! I like that beat when you caught that shark, mind if I get the name of that music or beat?

[@ChrisPfish2]

thanks for checking it out! Yeah its called mike-leite-the-way. If you like the videos give me some thumbs up! Thanks

[@FISH_IT]

ChrisPfish awesome! Was out there this past weekend managed to land a 34” hali, and some crabs.

[@michaelrausch6950]

Which ramp did you launch at and was it open to all or just locals?

[@pdsCV]

Following.

[@damastagamer]

Spud point is open to the public now. Duran is still closed.

[@michaelrausch6950]

Thanks. I had heard only locals based on county of residence

[@ChrisPfish2]

I launched at westside. I think it may be only for sonoma residents. signs say social distancing and only house hold members in boats. Thanks for watching

[@michaelrausch6950]

Thanks Chris...Really enjoy the videos!

[@vrpinky22]

What pier you get live bait? At San Fran? Thank you

[@manuellopez1682]

Nice catch amigo,question how many poles are we aloud to have in the ocean.

[@sirmack3262]

Hey is there a place by tomales bay where I can buy live anchovies or smelt? Also will frozen anchovies work?

[@jimt5683]

Do some sea bass fishing. Only species I haven't caught yet

[@ChrisPfish2]

yeah same never caught one. Hoping one bites the line someday! When your drifting with live bait in tomales or SF bay you can get one. Thanks for watching!

[@tankchairadventures8339]

So is the boat ramp open at Miller Park do you know?

[@ChrisPfish2]

it is closed. Thanks for watching!

[@chasingtail2308]

Great video keep it up ... is that a corpus christi hooks hat?

[@ChrisPfish2]

happy you liked the video! Yes it is a hooks hat. Like the hat not the team. Thanks for watching!

[@bradynk8935]

Is the launch still open during the quarantine?

[@jeffmauimiller6600]

Don’t hook the smelt thru the lower and upper jaw. It can’t breathe then and will die in short order. Hook thru the upper nose area just short of the eyes. It’ll hold good and the bait will live for quite awhile

[@Geovar128]

I never fished for halibut in tomales, when you say drift live bait do you mean float down with current and no motor operation? And do you use a drift sock ? I want to take my sons but I have no idea how to do this?

[@ChrisPfish2]

yeah motor off. you only need a drift sock if there is some wind, then yes that is important. find a day with low wind. Current speed depends on the tide. you want slower speed so look for small tides. like low is 1ft and high is 4ft = 3ft of water moving vs low 0ft and high 6ft, now 6ft of water is moving, so you go faster. hope that helps

[@carygreenberg493]

Thanks a lot for revealing locations

[@robertd8224]

Love your videos - Why do you always cover up your trolling motor?

[@ChrisPfish2]

Its not the saltwater version. Try to keep the salt off. It has worked well, the black starts to turn white and that hasn't happened to mine. Happy you like the videos, thanks for watching them!

[@thomastrau012]

Where you launching in bodega tried calling spud. Doran west can’t get an answer

[@jimmascaro2456]

Thomas Trau very soon you ought to be able to launch right at ni ks cove but for now I believe you CAN launch at spud point chk 1st though.

[@jonnylaaacs6642]

Hey bud, what radio channel are you on to hear other fishers talk?

[@ChrisPfish2]

69 most of the time

[@jonnylaaacs6642]

@@ChrisPfish2 thank you man, keep up the great fishing! Love your KZbin channel

[@reeceadams384]

Good video but where did you launch

[@ChrisPfish2]

in bodega bay lololol

[@reeceadams384]

Is Doran launch open

[@ChrisPfish2]

@@reeceadams384 no

[@ChrisPfish2]

@@reeceadams384 westside

[@reeceadams384]

ChrisPfish thanks

[@ayearea1471]

How many rods are you allowed to use at Tomales Bay? Looks like he got 3 plus in the water at the same time.

[@ChrisPfish2]

Outside the Golden Gate you can use as many as you want for halibut. Crazy I know... but fun as hell. Thanks for watching

[@ayearea1471]

@@ChrisPfish2 Thank you for the great insite! That is crazy and really good to know!

[@SquadZ302]

I wana fish with u 🐟

[@gohan94591]

You’re allowed to fish halibuts with more than 1 pole??

[@ChrisPfish2]

outside of sf bay yes. thanks for watching

[@jimbo4612]

After you have certain species in possession you must limit your rod to 1. I guy can take all the fish for a group and that's fine but as a single angler the rules change.

[@jimbo4612]

See Gear restrictions section 28.65 (A) regarding S.F waters

[@jimbo4612]

Just to clarify on one angler taking the limit for a group, each angler must have a license and take his individual limit for identification .

[@rayjohnson9781]

What’s next, 22 inch bait ????

[@kevinfithian3530]

Going to San Francisco on 8-7-20 in a 24 foot tri toon fishing barge sun chaser with 250 mercury and three bait tanks any chance we can hook up let me know would love to do video on our boat in ocean thanks kevin

[@ChrisPfish2]

I will see if I can take it off work, i will know later in the week. Thanks for the invite. Where do you launch out of? You going for salmon?

[@jamesbutler4996]

Where do you get bait for Tomales bay and Bodega Bay??

[@ChrisPfish2]

no place to buy it out there. You need to bring it which is tricky or catch it. I have a video on how to catch live smelt. It was posted last May.

[@jamesbutler4996]

Thanks...

[@codyphrakonekham9323]

awesome video!! what kind of rods n reels do you use for hali ?

[@ChrisPfish2]

I like seether rods. Reel, I like my daiwa lexa 400hd. Thanks for watching!

[@fig816]

You need to get yourself a gaff. That would have saved you time in getting that first fish on the deck and given you a much better chance of catching that second fish.

[@ChrisPfish2]

I have a brand new gaff. Used it yesterday on a 34.5 incher. So you read my mind lol. Thanks for watching!

[@fig816]

Excellent!

[@fig816]

Your channel showed up on my recommended viewing list. So, this was the first video of your’s I have seen. Very well done. You have a new subscriber. Looking forward to viewing your future videos.

[@ChrisPfish2]

@@fig816 I appreciate the sub! Thanks for watching my videos!

[@chann3r]

What’s the action on the x11 lamiglas

[@ChrisPfish2]

model LX79BCGH 15-30lb 1-6oz bounce/hover. Thanks for watching!

[@christpaulbasa9666]

Chris what kjnd of boat is that

[@ChrisPfish2]

2014 lund impact 1675. Thanks for watching!

[@ibezyv7710]

What kind of boat do you have

[@ChrisPfish2]

its a 2014 Lund Impact 1675. Thanks for watching!

[@ibezyv7710]

@@ChrisPfish2 that's a nice boat. How much do they go for

[@mikejackson2228]

I'm curious if you ever use bucktails w/Gulp for halibut, John Skinner style?

[@ChrisPfish2]

no I have not! Thanks for watching!

[@mikejackson2228]

You should check out his videos. I've always wondered if it would work on the west coast. Yeah, when you hit 1000 viewers they start pumping your channel. Your video had a nice flow. You should try talking while using your chest mount camera so we can see it from your view. FEEL what you're saying.