Introduction
Herring hunting is a great opportunity to learn about this fishery for families, kids and local herring hunters.This annual community tradition has become a fun ritual for the passionate herring hunting regulars and families alike.
It is the first rains of December and that means it is time to start looking out for the Pacific herring to make their way back into the bay.Any direct intel and photos can be email to me directly at [emailprotected]
This is a community driven thread. I work hard to filter through the abundance of information to provide the best and most reliable intel. I recommend using this tread and also following me on Instagram and youtube for the best trio of information.
2024 Regulations
It is the responsibility of each angler to understand the local laws and regulations that governs the specific fishery. Find current regulations for the pacific herring fishery here
Herring Hunting Essentials
Here are some essential herring hunting equipment that you will need to have a successful hunt. I recommend at least the following: Cast net, Sabiki, Waders, and a five gallon bucket (Required per regulations). I recommend a minimum 5 ft net and 3/8 inch mesh cast net as it helps with sinking. Rain gear is also a good item to keep around.
TLA Proprop tip: To keep you herring fresh with ice immediately after the catch by having a cooler filled with ice on hand. If you are using it for bait or food.
2024 Herring Spawn Report
December 7th, 2023
I’m going to start the thread here and we will continue to update it as new reports come in. There has been some small reports of fish staging outside the gate. Around this time the south bay (ARW) is a good place to scout for them. These schools tend to be small so don’t expect full nets. The majority of the larger spawn still happen in Sausalito and the North bay. If you guys have information remember to send me an email and photos at [emailprotected]
December 19, 2023
I know many of you are anxious about where the fish are — I AM TOO! It is still early in the season but the first rains have come. I’ve been getting some scattered reports from Sausalito about the potential for fish in that direction. Remember, we just need to find the general area where they possibly could be moving into. If any of the locals can provide that information it goes a long way. Next we wait for them to stage before the run. Once they run we go! Let’s continue to keep our eyes and ears peeled. Happy holidays everyone!
December 21, 2023
First, I want to thank all those who continue to contribute to this fishery. The integrity of these reports are what makes this event possible every year for the hundreds of people who want experience this event — Thanks!!
So I’ve been getting a lot of scattered reports about Sausalito. As usual this is the typical cycle. The fish can or can not spawn there. They can be there one day and disappear the next. We are looking for them too “Stage” before pushing along the shore line. This is easier said than done. We just need to be patient.
I’m glad to say WE GOT THE FIRST CONFIRMATION! Of fish for the year. There has been schools of herring in Sausalito now. I’ll go scouting when I have the time but for those who are going. Please continue to send me info at [emailprotected] so
best of luck herring hunters!
THREAD IS CLOSED FOR 2024
Update March 3, 2024
I think that is it for the 2024 herring hunting season. It does seem like the fish have moved outside the bay and are migrating up north. Thanks again for another fun season. I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2025 for another fun season! — TLA
Update February 23, 2024
I want to thank all the herring hunters for all the hard work and keeping this community alive and working together this season. The crescent city herring run looks to be starting and heating up slowly. I wish all the herring hunters over there the best of luck! Last year we did have a small one day run around McCovy cove in March so there is still hope for a late small run but I’m keeping expectations tempered. I”ll be closing down his thread in early March.
I was a tough run this year for the herring. I hope this doesn’t continue to be the case in the future, but only time will tell. Until then – good luck herring hunters –TLA
Feb 4, 2024
The season is going on and I know some you maybe losing heart that the herring have been going underground – This is their normal behavior. We are still in February so there is still time for at least another run. The fish have been popping up in Sausalito, and to the dedicated herring hunters they have been able to get on some fish.
yesterday, feb 3, 2024 there was a run at spinnaker in the morning. I did hear of a boat and some guys on the pier that were able get on them. By the time the spawn go out the fish had moved on.
They have not moved on to crescent city yet and are still in the bay. Storm is coming in
So let’s be patient. They are starting to get active again. Hopefully soon.
Update January 24, 2024
If you haven’t heard from me on the Herring side, it is because the fish have went underground. There are plenty of people still scouting around but the fish have not shown up anywhere in significant numbers.
There has be trickles of information around that the fish have moved towards the San Francisco side of the bay. Pier 50 and 49. Basically around the chase center to Auga-vista park. The fish historically have shown up around here after the Saulsaito spawns. For now, we continue to sit tight until the fish pop up again. Good luck herring hunters.
Side Note: If you have entered a comment and it is your first time, and you don’t see it come up right away, I have to approve your first post; so just sit tight. I moderate this thread for fake news, bots and generally bad actors to keep up the integrity of this thread. I don’t like my time wasted and I definitely don’t want to waste yours. –TLA
January 18, 2024
There are a few key dates that I like to keep an eye on when herring hunting. Many of you who follow me know. 1) Thuy’s Anniversary on the 15, the second 2) is the AFC and NFC Divisional and/or NFC/AFC Championship round.
Do herring like football? Are they a Green Bay Packers Fan like Chovy!? Are they excited and Horny that the packers make it the divisional round and they ready to get it on?
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!! GO PACK GO!!
Ok, as many on this thread have commented below. The herring have are back in Sausalito; and the birds are chasing them around. There maybe two split schools 1) one in Sausalito and one around Ferry point (Brooks Island). I still think the Sausalito school has much more potential for the a run this upcoming play off weekend!
Thuy has a prediction for the January 21, 2024. Check out my instagram reelsto see; but there is no denying they get excited around this time. Let’s hope GO PACK GO = GO HERRING GO. Good luck herring hunters. Images below of herring recently caught in Sausalito along the docks. (Not much but they are around)
January 15, 2024
There are certain dates in the Herring Hunting world that are important to note!
January 15! Is a day all herring hunters should consider holy because it marks the death and rise of of Thuy (Fishing247). On this day, Thuy left his wife on their Anniversary to go herring hunting. He was later crucified and paid the ultimate price for all herring hunters. A few days later he rose again and we all celebrate his revival!!
For his sacrifice. The Herring Gods declared “ALL SHALL HAVE HERRING” after January 15! On his Holy day of herring hunting we celebrate Thuy(Fishing247)sacrifice. ALL SHALL HAVE HERRING! haha -TLA
January 15, 2024
Please note: I am moving updates to the top so you guys don’t need to scroll all the way down.
Over the last few days I have been chasing the spawn at Ferry Point like many of you. Unfortunately with work I was unable to get to the spawn until Saturday January 13, 2024 by the afternoon. The fish have moved off the pier by then and went to the outside. I managed to net about 5 herring and meet many cool people. I’m sure many of those who follow this thread. I appreciate all those who follow this crazy Chovy and the fun you bring to me.
The next day, Sunday January 14, 2024 I went on the boat with Thuy(Fishing 247) and we scouted ferry point. By then the fish moved off and it was pretty much done. We scouted Ferry, Sausalito, Chase and McCoy Cove for no signs. I was able to mark them (I think) in the sausalito channel by belvedere point. They sure hide well when not spawning.
Good luck herring hunters. Today is Thuy’s anniversary so let’s wish him well and may the Herring gods bless us all for his sacrifice! –TLA
January 11, 2024
Over the last two days here has been reports of herring around Ferry Point in Richmond California. Without the herring hunters network it would be very difficult to track down the bay migration of these fish. I want to also give a shot out to Becky for being one of the first to share this information and for others to confirm the migration.
I went today to check out the scene to confirm the rumors. I can confirm the shoals are at Ferry Point now (January 11, 2023). The fish are hanging outside brickyard cove outside the breaker walls. There were about 5 boats and handful of kayakers out today hunting on the herring with success.
I spoke to the guys on the pier and they said in the morning the herring moved around the pier but never made a move to spawn there. Fingers crossed over the next few days or by Thuy’s Anniversary they will rush the shorelines to spawn.
Side Note: It seems the fish have been active at the start of the outgoing tide. The start of the outgoing today was at 11:30 am and the fish started to get netted around 12:30-1 pm. or so. Also make sure to bring a min 5ft net as you need the weight to descend fast enough to net the herring.
Good luck herring hunters –TLA
January 9, 2023
Recently there hasn’t been much going on. For seasoned herring hunters this a normal pattern for herring in the bay. They turn on and they turn off or disappear for while, before popping up again. For those who are new to the scene this maybe discouraging. I say have patience.
We are closely getting into the thick of herring hunting season. If you follow the different threads that I have posted over many years you will see the patterns.
Up until this point, for me, this has been the pre-season of herring hunting – A warm up. Many seasoned herring hunters know that I “officially” start my season after my friend Thuy (Fishing24/7) anniversary date on January 15, 2023. This man left his wife on their anniversary to go herring hunting with me; this is notable and deserves at least a footnote in Herring hunting history.
Let’s continue to be a patient. Wish Thuy a happy anniversary on January 15, 2023 and let’s get herring hunting soon! Stay tuned. Chovy got some dates in my mind when they go off. Of course I could be NUTS too! Haha — TLA
December 29, 2023
Yesterday, December 28. 2023 my friend, Thuy(Fishing247) and Arnold took his boat out to Sausalito to chase down the reports coming from there. The fish were around but not schooled up like they would during a spawn. If anything, it’s like a pre-spawn so I’m hopeful the shore anglers will have a shot pretty soon. The fish could also possibly be rushing the banks in the evening when there is less pressure from the fisherman, sea-lions and birds. I have heard of fisherman being able to pull limits from the the shore at night, but i’m not there to confirm. Here is a youtube short that I quickly together from the trip yesterday.
As you guys can see the birds, and sea life are going crazy at the turn on of the outgoing. The fish are in front of Dunphy park near the mooring boats. We were pulling 2-4 fish a cast and 7-10 on a good cast. It was a grind but we got 2.5 buckets. Once again the fish are not schooled up like during a spawn. That’s it Good luck herring hunters. –TLA
December 26, 2023
Happy Holidays herring hunters! I’m still following up with the reports from Sausalito. Holidays are always a hard time to herring hunt as family come in for the holidays… Do the herring know this and get frisky?? That is the big question!
We do know that there have been a steady stream of reports from Richardson’s bay and it does seem there is some action in that direction. These are coming from my dependable sources, but I have not been there to check myself – so take it as you may.
The herring tend to spawn from Salitos to the spinnaker restaurant. There is also good action in front of Dunphy park if you have a boat or kayak. My best advice is to follow the diving birds and seals that are working the schools. They are the best indication of where the large schools are.
Here are some photos that I have been receiving — Thanks herring hunters! Some of the herring hunters have been getting them at night and some in the morning. Good luck herring hunters — TLA