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    • Dec 25, 2022
    • 4 min read

What I Did in McNear Beach Park: Best Fishing in the Bay Area

By Hayley Babbitt


Me, leaning against one of the big palm trees on the shore of McNears Beach Park, San Rafael, California, 2021 by Hayley Babbitt.


Until fishing the pier at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael, California, I was a complete stranger to saltwater fishing. Despite having fished the freshwater lakes and rivers of Michigan for the better part of my life, I had yet to cast a line into any saltwater. Luckily, I chose perhaps one of the best areas to start saltwater fishing: the Bay Area of California. Whether your an experienced fisherman or are new to saltwater fishing, I'm here to outline exactly how to fish one of the hidden gems of the bay area: McNears Beach pier.

California Fishing Laws


To start, it's important to note the fishing laws set in place by the state DNR (Department of Natural Resources) prior to fishing in any new waters. The most interesting part of my experience fishing at McNears Beach was learning that you do not need to possess a fishing license when fishing off of any pier in the state of California. With this being said, to fish here you only need yourself and your gear to fish off of the McNears Beach Park pier. Although this is convenient, most bodies of water in the United States require you to possess a fishing license in order to fish, so keep that in mind on future fishing trips.

Fishing Gear and Bait


Thanks to my friends at West Marine, I was able to get geared up in no time for my fishing trip at McNears Beach. The nearest West Marine store is only a 5 minute drive from the park, and has everything you need for a saltwater fishing trip. I personally fished for two days, and was ready to go with only one quick trip to the shop prior to my trip. The employees of the San Rafael West Marine are immensely helpful, and answered all of my questions when it comes to being a beginner saltwater fisherman. The gear I had bought for the trip are listed below.


Gear List:

- Barrel Swivels: Billfisher Barrel Swivels

- Bait: Harbor Herring anchovies, squid

Some of my fishing gear from the San Rafael West Marine in California, 2021 by Hayley Babbitt.


What I Caught

The first day of fishing was a complete bust, to be honest. I fished strictly with the anchovies as my bait, with no luck. However, on my second day of fishing, I had decided to switch to the squid - and then the fishing got real. After talking with a few local fisherman on the pier, I had learned about squid being the golden bait when fishing of the pier at McNears Beach. Shortly after switching bait, I finished the afternoon with two awesome catches: a shark and a stingray. Being from the midwest, getting to catch something other than a fish was exciting to say the least!


Me, holding a baby leopard shark I caught from the McNears Beach Park pier in San Rafael, California, 2021 by Hayley Babbitt.

Me, holding up a stingray I caught from McNears Beach Park pier in San Rafael, California, 2021 by Hayley Babbitt.


Finding Fishing Spots in the Bay Area


Considering the fact that I am not a West Coast native, I suppose you might be wondering how I found this spot to fish at in the first place. Although I know a lot of fishermen that do not like this method, I am a big fan of the Fish Brain app for your phone (no, this is not a sponsored post either). With the Fish Brain app, you can not only see which spots people have been fishing, but also the bait and gear used, photos of the location, and what is being caught.

Since I travel on my own frequently, it is convenient to use the Fish Brain app as I do not know all of the best fishing spots in a given area (outside of my state, Michigan). However, I also recommend finding local fishing and guide shops, as well as outdoor stores (ie: West Marine, Cabela's) to ask local, professional opinion on where to fish. Knowing how fishermen are, though, do not be surprised if guides do not want to share specific locations with you, as we tend to "gatekeep" our best holes and spots to fish.

Lastly, for those who have the financial ability, I do highly recommend going on guided fishing experiences when traveling to waters unfamiliar to you. Guided fishing trips generally cost anywhere between $300 to over $1,000+, but can be extremely worth the cost for the experience you get. Most guided trips are guaranteed to catch you fish, and include a boat rental, professional gear, and knowledgeable crew to ensure you success. If you can afford a guided fishing trip, I would choose to do this before heading out on your own.


Summary


When it comes to saltwater fishing for beginners, California's Bay Area can be a real treat for first-timers. In San Rafael, not only will you find kind and helpful locals, but a relatively affordable fishing trip destination that you can easily do on your own. If you head to the beautiful McNears Beach, with the right gear and bait, you are sure to have a fun time hooking some sharks or rays.

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