Hi's Tackle Box | Fishing San Francisco Bay & Northern California Articles, Tips & Information

2008 Southern California Long Range Trip Schedule

mcpeak — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:22:40 +0000

For those customers interested in joining us on a long range saltwater
trip departing Southern California, we have just released our new 2008
schedule. If you have any questions about our trips or you require
additional information please call our San Francisco retail store
direct 415-221-3825.

Hi’s Tackle Box / Royal Polaris 2008 Schedule

Departure Date	Return Date	Days	Cost	Passengers	Sponsors
July 10 \| 10am	July 15 \| 7am	5	$1,560	35	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Open
July 15 \| 10am	July 20 \| 7am	5	$1,690	32	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Open
July 20 \| 10am	July 25 \| 7am	5	$1,790	30	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Open
Oct. 17 \| 10am	Oct. 27 \| 10am	10	$2,675	32	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Open

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Hi’s Tackle Box / Shogun 2008 Schedule

Departure Date	Return Date	Days	Cost	Passengers	Sponsors
July 30 \| 12pm	Aug. 3 \| 7am	4	$1,225	28	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Open
Oct. 27 \| 12pm	Nov. 6 \| 7am	10	$2,950	20	Hi’s Tackle/P-line Ope

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Hi’s Tackle Box / Intrepid 2008 Schedule

Departure Date	Return Date	Days	Cost	Passengers	Sponsors
Sept. 21 \| 11am	Sept. 28 \| 7am	7	$2,660	23	Hi’s Tackle/Phil’s Prop

Hi’s Tackle Box Video Tip With Hippo Lau | Improving Fishing Lure Performance With Balanced Treble Hooks

mcpeak — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:33:24 +0000

Patience When Fishing - By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:52:39 +0000

Not surprisingly in this hustle and bustle society we live in, a lot of anglers have adopted the run and gun method of fishing. Basically it entails motoring into a spot and then pounding it very quickly and if it doesn’t produce in a couple of casts, you move on and cover new territory.

While this angling offensive certainly has its time and place, especially when you have to cover large tracts of water to find fish, it can also leave you out of the winners circle, simply because you depart an area too quickly without giving it time to develop to your advantage. The other problem with run and gun as you may have deduced is that patience is thrown out with the wind.

Patience is such an important and integral element of fishing. If you don’t take the time to wait for the best time to fish, you’re going to miss the bite, and this is so true when one is dealing with tides. Waiting out for the best tide and playing it out correctly can make or break your day particularly if you’re a light tackle angler bent on ambushing a striped bass in a certain spot.

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Smallies At Lake Berryessa - By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:17:33 +0000

Working this irregular shoreline outside the mouth of Putah Creek, it definitely had that fishy look. The surrounding water was quiet and relatively clear and instead of a brushy edge or aquatic vegetation this stretch was composed of a hard floor plan with smooth rocks spread out here and there. From the shoreline out the bottom dropped to a deeper contour as indicated by a clear lighter zone touching a darker shade of water.

I suspected that if there were any predatory types hanging around they would be lurking on this hazy edge. It didn’t take long to find out. Using a Carolina Rig and a 4-1/2 inch water melon colored lizard, I cast out putting my bait right on that dark transition edge. Using a hop and pause technique I could feel my oval sinker distinctly ticking an occasional rock.

My bait probably covered about 10 feet of real estate and just as I was letting it pause I felt a sharp rap and then my line began moving. Tension immediately developed on my rod tip and as it happened I struck hard. My spinning rod doubled over and the pulsating rush of a good fish got my adrenaline going.

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Working Baitfish Schools - By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 05:14:05 +0000

The conditions were optimum A light prevailing wind from the northwest added a slight ruffle to the surface, and the overcast conditions gave the water that quiet serene look. We were roughly west of Pedro Point slightly beyond the 25 fathom depth line, and although everything had that right look, the first 20 minutes of wetting our lines proved so far to be uneventful, that is until I noticed a subtle color anomaly on the surface.

About 50 yards off our bow, I could make out a compact shaded spot that was basically a dark brown to slightly purplish hue.

Appearing more like a passing shadow it was in fact a classic meatball, or tight school of anchovies that had been forced to the surface.

When bait schools form into these defensive balls, they stand out readily against the blue green water, and it can mean only one thing…

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Trolling For South Bay Halibut - By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Sun, 20 May 2007 04:14:42 +0000

With the arrival of spring the bay waters begin to warm and its clarity improves dramatically. As the water clears bait schools swarm across the flats and into deeper water. And like people who have nothing better to do than hang around on city corners all day, many of these bait schools which can be a mix of anchovies and sardines will often form huge clouds as they suspend near channel edges.

As the bait schools continue to disperse and spread throughout the south bay system the stage is set for attracting a host of finned predators. Striped bass immediately comes to mind, but in more recent years another rising star has been gaining in immense popularity especially with the boating crowd.

The California Halibut in some areas of the south bay has become the primary target, and it’s easy to understand why. Besides showing up with predictable regularity, flatties from 8 to well over 20 pounds can be taken and once in a great while a 30 pounder is boated. And although one may think these bottom fish are like couch potatoes, some of the bigger specimens upon feeling the bite of the hook can take off on remarkably hot runs. But also seeing what looks like a piece of the bottom looming up from the depths just before you net or gaff it in itself presents another exciting dimension, and it will test your nerves as well. Yes, going after south bay halibut can provide a unique experience, especially if you have not done it before, but best of all should you score, the rewards are simply mouth watering. Freshly grilled halibut along with your favorite salad is the perfect way to end the day with family and friends.

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San Pablo Trout Trolling -By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Fri, 04 May 2007 06:04:27 +0000

Located between Hwy 24 and Interstate 80 on San Pablo Dam Road, San Pablo Reservoir has much to offer. Besides offering aesthetic views of the scenery and local wildlife it is close and easy to get to for most bay area residents, and it has a little bit of everything for the sport angler to sample and enjoy.

While not a huge body of water by any means, it is stocked with white sturgeon, catfish, crappie, black bass, and rainbow trout. The latter by far is the most plentiful due to weekly and generous stocks, and the size of the planters will surprise you. Fish pushing the scales from a pound to well over ten pounds roam this urban body of water, and while they were borne in the confines of a concrete hatchery, nevertheless the gene to fight is clearly evident in these fish. Many of these bigger trout upon feeling the bite of the hook will jump and run with determined agility, and just when you think the towel is about to be thrown in, they’ll take off on another darting run. You definitely can’t let your guard down when dealing with San Pablo trout.

Basically, there are two common techniques employed on this body of water, bait fishing on the bottom and trolling. The former is by far the most common and popular method, and it’s the cheaper route to go. You pick a cozy spot and park your butt right there. Anglers will fish from both shore and boat, and the offensive simply involves still fishing on the bottom with any number of popular baits. Power Bait by far is the most commonly used.

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Spin Fishing For Spring San Pablo Bay Sturgeon -By Abe Cunang

mcpeak — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:26:51 +0000

Even though our fishing platform was a beamy 28 foot Black Fin the westerly breeze of about 18 knots had us sitting sideways in the trough, and as a consequence we were getting an aerobic workout as we tried to maintain our balance on the unsteady deck.

The wind and chop was testing our patience big time, but this seasoned crew knew better. We had about two hours left before we hit the bottom of the low, and not too far off our port, a mud line was slowly meandering out to our position.

Before that would happen, an assortment of sharks, bat rays, and pesky biting kingfish kept us honest, and busy re-baiting. If we could hang around just a bit longer till that mud line hit us, we knew something good would happen. Well, just as predicted once the mud reached us positive things began to happen. The striped bass began to trickle in making for some quick sharp bites and that meant setting the hook right now. Using sliding sinker rigs and leaders baited with combo’s of live mud and ghost shrimp and five ounces to hold bottom Four bass in the five to six pound class gobbled our baits and soon after hit the deck. Of unique interest, once that muddy line passed us and began to envelope our surrounding stretch of water the sharks cleared out.

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Salmon Opener - By Abe Cuanang

mcpeak — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 08:42:34 +0000

Like little kids anxiously awaiting for the afternoon school bell to ring, there will be an armada of eager boaters pouring out from their respective harbors from Bodega south to Monterey for this years salmon season opener. It is a ritual no dyed in the wool salmon angler would miss, and boating activity will be busy wherever the salmon schools are dominant.

But as many newcomers will find the ocean is a vast playing field, and thus it does not yield its secrets easily. If anything, salmon openers at times can be like a roll of dice, but if you pay attention to the signs the ocean will reveal, they can be like road maps bringing you to the best spots.

The following will give a brief profile on what to expect on the salmons movements and location, and what signs to read for that can lead you to the jackpot.
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Plug Trolling For Berryessa Trout - By Angelo Cuanang

mcpeak — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:44:39 +0000

Within easy reach for bay area residents Lake Berryessa has much to offer especially for the sports angler. Its black, spotted, and small mouth bass fishing is well renowned and is the source of many tournaments that take place here each year. This of course attracts more boating traffic, and as the weather warms jet skies and jet boats add to the commotion. The lake’s serene and aesthetic appeal eventually gives way to the noisy summer crowd, but that all changes as the holidays and early winter sets in.

The lake again becomes quiet and open coves may host large flocks of visiting Western Grebes. Occasionally you may see an Osprey seriously casing out a stretch of water, or it may be a flock of hovering terns, and indeed their appearance is an omen of good things to happen.

Berryessa’s face is not only changing to those picturesque postcard views that I love, but also the lake is turning over. As optimum conditions develop and the surface water cools, bait schools of thread fin shad congregate like passing clouds as they gravitate to shallower depths.
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