Jerry Back


Opening Day Crabs Up for Grabs
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, NOVEMBER 12, 2018



For California recreational crab fishermen and fisherwomen, the first Saturday in November is the day we’ve long been waiting for.  For weeks, we have been replacing worn out snare loops, changing out fishing line, buying or making our own crab snares all in an effort to be ready for opening day of the recreational Dungeness crab season (which officially began...
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Bucktails and Striper Tales
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, JULY 3, 2018

San Mateo Coastline

I had fished the same stretch of beach twice already over the past six days and yet I return a third time.  I’m not at Ocean Beach, my usual haunt, but 5-10 miles south, somewhere along the San Mateo County coastline. Dozens of boats are being regularly seen offshore around here--most, if not all, are trying to catch salmon (zoom...
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The Wind Cries Striper
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, MAY 11, 2018

Ocean Beach

Looking out at the expanse of shoreline, white caps were visible up and down the beach and out toward the horizon as far as the eye could see.  These were 15-20 knot winds blowing steadily onshore this past Sunday afternoon at Ocean Beach. I’ve felt the sand blowing into my eyes and pelting my face far worse, but these were...
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A Tale of Two Beaches
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, APRIL 8, 2018

Montara State Beach

It was the best of beaches; it was the worst of beaches--uh, this isn’t going to work as both beaches were awesome in their own way.  I fortunately was able to fish twice this week and had decided to branch out from my usual Ocean Beach. There are a ton of beaches in the Bay area that I’ve yet to...
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Surf Perching with Crusteaz
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, MARCH 13, 2018

Ocean Beach

I live pretty close to Ocean Beach, San Francisco.  It’s actually only a short, 10 minute walk from my house, so it’s often going to be the place you’ll find me fishing on a regular basis.  Striped bass can be found here during the late-Spring and Summer months, but most of the time the fish to be relied upon to...
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Big Waves Nets a Man’s First Fish
Jerry Back
by Jerry Back, JANUARY 24, 2018

San Francisco Bay

Six months since my last article here.  I had planned on writing several stories with the advent of crab season back in November.  I had gone out early on opening day to my favorite spot and promptly snared eight Dungeness Crab.   The only problem?  All nine were about a quarter inch too short!  I went back out again to my...
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