Monster sturgeon at China Camp

[Ariel Sea]

Hey anyone know the deal with the yakker calling the coastguard for help.
I stopped by the China Camp Launch after packing up to see if yall were still there. You guys were gone by that time but their were a van full of yakkers in hippie colored touring yaks loading up. I wonder if they were the ones calling for help.

[Sin Coast]

WOW! Sonny, that is a true seamonster! Congrats on the fish--that must be a bittersweet feeling to catch an oversize sturgeon.

[bwodun]

congrats on catching the monster, sailfish. what a reward after that long drift you were on. glad you didnt end up in richmond. lol. was a great day out there. cameron

[Sailfish]

Hey anyone know the deal with the yakker calling the coastguard for help.
I stopped by the China Camp Launch after packing up to see if yall were still there. You guys were gone by that time but their were a van full of yakkers in hippie colored touring yaks loading up. I wonder if they were the ones calling for help.

I remembered someone asking me on the radio if I was calling the coast guard while I was drifting toward the San Rafel bridge and decided to paddle over to McNears Beach Park.  I don't think it came from our group though.

[FisHunter]

  Sailfish's  sturgeon  woke up the whole bay with even the power boaters whooping and hollering as the fish went airborne.

Did I miss a picture somewhere?......WTSlayRide Sonny!!  I was cleaning house and could not stop....sorry.

[otobepelagic]

Hey anyone know the deal with the yakker calling the coastguard for help.
I stopped by the China Camp Launch after packing up to see if yall were still there. You guys were gone by that time but their were a van full of yakkers in hippie colored touring yaks loading up. I wonder if they were the ones calling for help.

I remembered someone asking me on the radio if I was calling the coast guard while I was drifting toward the San Rafel bridge and decided to paddle over to McNears Beach Park.  I don't think it came from our group though.

Ariel called out to our group to see if it was any of us... which prompted a quick head count and a call out to Sailfish who had been drug way south by the current. Everyone was accounted for so I started monitoring (dual) 16 as well. Seems as though we were hearing the Coasties side of the transmission to a group in trouble at Tomales bay. Figuring the wind was on it's way it was our cue to go in shallow, closer to the launch.

About a month ago we listened to a similar broadcast regarding the canoe incident in Tomales as well.

[Sailfish]

  Sailfish's  sturgeon  woke up the whole bay with even the power boaters whooping and hollering as the fish went airborne.

Did I miss a picture somewhere?......WTSlayRide Sonny!!  I was cleaning house and could not stop....sorry.

Sorry, I did miss a couple of pictures.  Here they are:

A close-up one hand shot of the fish


Nice McNears Beach Park


I believe it's Kingfisher


And finally, how big was that fish huh Craig  

[Squidder K]

Wow, was that a fish or a chunk of telephone pole with fins?  That must of had your blood pumping big time, nice fish!

[Bird]

WooHoo! Congrats Sonny, awesome fish!

[stormscrambler]

jezz craig would you clean my boat already  nice fish

[ravensblack]

jezz craig would you clean my boat already  nice fish

 Ever since I bought that boat from you I have had a ball. That t-15 rides so sweet in a strong tidal move. I am sorry to hear your back is still acting up. Obviously you know you have a pinched nerve when  your leg falls asleep.I am going to PM you

[Abking]

Great fish, Sonny!  Congrats, Man!  We want more pics - no fish-in-the-lap shot?     What was the estimated length?

[Sailfish]

Great fish, Sonny!  Congrats, Man!  We want more pics - no fish-in-the-lap shot?     What was the estimated length?

Between the strong fish and the ripping tide, Craig and I struggled trying to get the fish line-up against his kayak for better measurement.  After several attemps, he was able to estimate its lenght around 7ft (way longer than the 66" markers on his kayak).  Atone point, he got the snare passed ond side of the gill but the fish rolled and got away with the snare attached to the fish.  Later he's able to retrieve the snare but we now know for sure the fish was an oversized and should let it goes.  It was an awsome fish both in size and power!

[YakontheFly]

Nice fish Sonny...

People go a lifetime trying to catch one that size, let alone from a kayak...   

Your new monicker, "Sonny Dinoslayer!"   

This definately will help you when you get back to Alaska and them Big Hali...

YotF

[ravensblack]

Abking, in review of that awesome fish Sonny caught. I have begun to think more clearly. When I lined up next to the fish to do a quick in the water measurment, this fishes head was right at the 66 inch mark when I looked back the tail was way past the0 mark on my kayak. This fish was big and its tail was hanging down in the water. So I am thinking it was at least a foot maybe two feet past the 0 mark if the fish was laid out straight. I got the snare around the head and this fish with one massive sideways movement ripped the snare right from my hands. This was after 3 runs. I retrieved the snare by siding up to the fish and using the paddle to go underneath the fish and move the snare towards me. Sonny kept pressure on the fish. Twice more I treid to snare and this fish wasn't having any of that. The thrid attempt resulted in the parting of the line. Leaving both of us shocked. Sonny was a great guy in this situation. He was so positive and happy that he fought the monster to the end. We both felt bad about not being able to retrieve the hooks. I blame myself for not doing something just right. But this school was in session and I learned a lot. I looked at the FFer while the battle was going on in 6.5 ft of water. Sonny was on anchor the whole time. If he would have released the anchor he might have tired the fish to the point of just being exhausted but by then he would have been to the bridge I'm afraid.