Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Tackle

04/23/2026

Good evening everyone!

Just a few updates:
- I know not everyone is aware, but as of now we have a few boats out of Emeryville and Sausalito in the harbor – more to the HMB fleet!
- I'll be trying to daily report for the ones that go through HMB Sportfishing.

** Please, also, keep in mind Mother Nature has not been happy for more than half of the days since opening season of Salmon. No one ever likes to cancel out trips, but it's for the safety of everyone on board.

Now, let's get down to business.

- Fish reports:
> Queen of Hearts: Rockfish
Date: 4/22/26
120 Rockfish, 4 Lingcod - Limited out on the Rockfish!
12 Anglers

(3 belated ones, I do apologize for that)

> Salty Lady: Salmon
Date: 4/17/26
"Well I think we’re still waiting for “the day”… the NW blow yesterday brought down the water temp 3 full degrees, from 58 to 55, which is promising… but no significant change in the action. We managed to put 5 Salmon in the box & released a couple undersized. Not quite nothing but a lotta water between bites. I’ve been doing this for awhile. Trust me, stay tuned !!" - Capt. Jared

> Salty Lady: Salmon Fishing
Date: 4/15/26
"5 days into our 2026 Salmon season here - and here is my honest report. Springtime weather is well known to be hit & miss !! We opted to cancel day 1 & 2… pretty decent storm last weekend. ... consistently higher scores for us and the rest of the fleet every day so far… 12 for us today, and a high score of 17 was reported. There have been some Pacific Bonitos in the area as well… not the target species but it’s filled the gaps and provided some action. ... I can tell you what happened today & over the last couple days, but honestly no one can predict what tomorrow or next week will bring.
I can give you my honest best guess though… it’s gonna happen, and I think it could turn on big time in the next few days." - Capt. Jared

Happy fishing everyone!!!!

03/25/2026

03/21/2026

**UPDATE**
Want to go Salmon fishing? As of now, we are fully booked for April 11th/12th.
Have 14 spots left for the 14th.
13 Spots left for the 15th.
3 Spots for the 16th.
Sold Out for the 17th.
Sold Out for the 18th.

Hope to see all of you soon!!
https://hmb.fishingreservations.net/sales/

03/21/2026

Help us help you to protect your fisheries by joining us at the Golden Gate Fishermen's Association Crab Feed on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Marin Rod and Gun Club in San Rafael. Feast on crab caught right here
https://www.ggfa.net/events/crab-feed-2026

03/21/2026

March 13, 2026 Update
ROCKFISH - OPEN AS OF APRIL 1, 2026:
The 2026 rockfishing season opens on Wednesday, April 1. All depth rockfishing continues to be allowed this year off our coastline! That means our standard rockfishing trips may fish wherever the Captain and ocean weather conditions permit. We have posted trips on our reservation site for April, but be patient for future dates while we await the final word about the 2026 salmon season after the next fishery management meeting the beginning of April.

SALMON – OPEN AS OF APRIL 11 SOUTH OF PIGEON POINT:
We received confirmation at the conclusion of the March fishery management meetings that the salmon season SOUTH OF PIGEON POINT will open as of Saturday, April 11 with a two fish, 24-inch minimum size limit. The regulations are always confusing this time of year, as week-long fishery management meetings take place in March and April to finalize the salmon seasons. CDFW has not posted this information on their website yet, which makes this even more confusing, but Inseason Actions #24 and #25 on the federal NOAA website, shows the amendment allowing salmon fishing SOUTH OF PIGEON POINT effective April 11, 2026. Here's the link to that site:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/inseason-actions-23-25-ocean-salmon-fisheries-south-cape-falcon-recreational...and CDFW just posted their announcement of the opening below Pigeon Point:
https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2026/03/13/recreational-ocean-salmon-season-opens-april-11-south-of-pigeon-point/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The final decision on the complete 2026 salmon season should be announced by April 12.

QUEEN OF HEARTS TRIPS:
Trips for April have been posted on our “Book Online” reservation webpage. The Queen of Hearts will begin rockfishing in unrestricted depths beginning March 1, and we will be salmon fishing SOUTH OF PIGEON POINT beginning on April 11. Trips in May and beyond will be added as soon as an announcement is made at the April fishery management meetings. If you’re interested in a full boat charter, just give us a call to grab any date you'd like for this year.

AROUND THE HARBOR:
Perch along the coastline, and even though it's pretty early, sounds like a striper is being landed here and there along the coastline. Folks continue to enjoy catching rock crab and an occasional dungeness crab off the fishing pier inside the harbor as well as on the jetty. Crab POTS, hoop nets or snares are all permitted at this point; however, using crab POTS may change soon if too many whales show up off our coastline. If you're interested in monkeyface eel, there's loads of them available hidden in the jetty rocks for poke-pole anglers. Dungeness crab are still available for purchase most days from commercial boats in the harbor; last I heard the price is around $10 a pound.

SHOP SCHEDULE:
During March, we are open Wednesdays through Sundays from at least 8am to 4pm. Once we start running fishing trips, our schedule will vary but we’ll always be open at least an hour before departure.

Get those rods ready! Saturday, April 11, 2026 will mark the opening day for recreational Chinook salmon fishing in ocean waters south of Pigeon Point (37°11’ N. lat.), to the U.S./Mexico border.…

02/07/2026

Having issues with the local harbor seals stealing your crab bait? Guess what, we recommend, no chicken. It's like chocolate to them.
Crab doesn't care if you use squid, anchovies, or chicken. But the sea lions sure do haha

02/07/2026

Crab season is still underway! Boats are selling them fresh from the sea at the commercial docks. Be advised it is a little busy today in the harbor. Also, don't forget, parking is free. Just make sure not to park in registered parking spots. Happy Crabbing y'all!!

07/26/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/16t4XgkDmh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🌊 GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERY: NEW MANTA RAY SPECIES, Mobula yarae sp. nov., IDENTIFIED IN THE ATLANTIC! 🦈✨

After over 15 years of speculation, scientists have officially described a NEW species of manta ray found exclusively in Atlantic waters! This exciting taxonomic breakthrough adds to the Mobula genus and reshapes our understanding of manta ray diversity.

Key discoveries about this Atlantic giant:
🦈 Unique stellate-shaped dermal denticles distinguish it from other manta species
🦈 Distinctive V-shaped patches on the dorsal surface and characteristic ventral coloration
🦈 Found across Atlantic oceanic islands, archipelagos, and coastal regions
🦈 Molecular data confirms it as a distinct evolutionary lineage

This discovery highlights how much we still don't know about our ocean's giants! However, like all manta rays, this newly described species faces serious threats from bycatch, boat strikes, pollution, and habitat loss.

The formal description of this species underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect Atlantic manta populations before it's too late. 🌊💙

Read the paper now: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393945980_An_integrative_taxonomy_investigation_unravels_a_cryptic_species_of_Mobula_Rafinesque_1810_Mobulidae_Myliobatiformes_from_the_Atlantic_Ocean



Marine Megafauna Foundation: Americas

05/29/2021