Moss Landing Marathon 2/3

Alien,Marmite,Dolphin and I fished off of Moss for a marathon six and one half hour session for slim pickins.Although Alien and Marmite landed one small dab a piece we never found the massses we were looking for.The water was super clear and although we had some offshore winds around 9:30, it was flat calm after 11:00.Perhaps the highlight of an otherwise slow day was a wide open jacksmelt bite in 30ft of water near the jaws boilers.Alex and I finished the day (and our last remaining energy) pokepoling for four decent monkeyface eels.



Although we didn't turn out the numbers of dabs we hoped for, it was a fun day on the water and a good workout.After not paddling since mid-December I'm sure my muscles will thank me in the morning.

you guys are hardcore!

btw, everytime I was @ bean hollow last summer, I'd try the shallows north of the cove for cabezon.

successful a few times, but what I found everytime was a big school of smelt. I never bothered to pull out
a sabiki with small enough hooks for them, but I could have loaded up on them if I had.

Where Have All the Dabs Gone!  I was really itching to get back on the ocean as the Del Valle was becoming a bit routine.  But since just about everything is off limits, I at least thought we could have a lively time picking up a mass of Dabs at Moss Landing.  When we fished the Grandfather's Derby last year that's all anyone got were dabs--Alex brought home two large bags of them.  They seemed like a nuisence. 

But we went 2(small) for 4!  Pretty bad when you can't even get some dabs.  In fact we didn't even get tapped for most of the day--except for smelt. But it was a good workout and it was nice to meet Aaron.  The offshore wind was pretty much constant for most of the moring, so there was no real "rest" time, you almost always needed to be paddling if you didn't want to see the stacks get smaller and smaller.  But the transits through the jaws were pretty tame.  I was too tired to stay for the lessons on pokepoling.  But I'm glad to hear Aaron and Alex got a few.

It was nice meeting you too Marmite.Those offshore winds had me worried there for a bit, if they were any stronger than they got when we paddled toward Pajaro it could have gotten ugly.Luckily the paddle through the jaws wasn't too bad.We'll have to hook up again for another mission some time.Monterey dabs or perch maybe? 

Nice report and pics.  Way to get some yak-time on the ocean - I'm jealous!   

You guys are hardcore! 6-plus hours out of Moss is rough.
I was anxiously waiting for the report and hoped you guys would score big dabs...because I really want to get out on the kayak soon but almost everything is closed season. Maybe we could go after some of those elusive calico bass near the Row. They're open year-round.
Thanks for the report guys, and better luck next time!
PK

Hay Guys,

Sorry I'm late posting again! Anyhow I had a great time paddling out there looking for those moss-dabs I was sure we would of found them especially after bouncing every dept from 45 feet to 100ft of water. The only one i got was when i dropped down into the canyon well over 200ft, if not deeper all i know is i let all my line out from the abu 6500.Never felt a hit but had one on just about the size of my hand when i reel up.

after the long paddle, Aaron and I did a little poking around for some Monkey face eel. Got a total of 4 for diner. Here is a few pics of the eels before and after.

Looks good Alex.I like the presentation...very much like unagi.It sure didn't take us very long to poke those eels up.
I'm thinking the clear water pushed the dabs deeper, where they have more cover.I remember fishing the exact areas we covered for halibut before and I couldn't keep the dabs from eating my bait.

Boo-yah Ka-shaw on that eel cleaning and cooking progression of photos!  Nice~   

Boo-yah Ka-shaw on that eel cleaning and cooking progression of photos!  Nice~   

many of you don't know this...but Alex used to own and run a restaurant bizzz 

Wow, beautiful plate

Thanks Man........What do you guys think of having  our own Iron chef cook off...Maybe at the Half moon bay money between friend tourney!!!! We could use  what is caught and make a simple dish of it...


I be one of the Judges

Good idea Alex.I'll bring my Camp Chef. How does beer-battered, deep fried ling nuggets sound?

Mmmm...Mmmm Good!!!

I don't know if you Met ChuckE, but he's famouse for his deep fried fish. It was a hit at the Elk and every time he hooks it up it's all good 

I was wondering why alien's pre-dinner photos look so good, now we know he is a ringer, a pro!

thanks for the intel mooch on our friend alien, 

so he's another chef!

 

wait, a second is that a chef's hat? 

cook safe!

J