Was out there with Joe in Benicia as well, we chatted on the water briefly before the bite happened.  I picked up two keepers 22" and 19".... but just kept the 22" as it was a really nice fish. 

I didn't have the action Joe did, but just stayed around the State Park.  I only fished for just over two hours.

Used a white swimbait with a bigger hook than usual to discourage the smaller fish.

Sad to say I saw a salmon jump and the sea lion get into one as well out in the channel.

Quote from: HazardousCliff on August 15, 2023, 02:04:01 PM

cool fix, I'll have to try this next time. How do you make adjustments to the cable to make it tighter or looser...un-crimp and re-crimp?

I thought about this.. sure it's great to have the bolt/nut adjustment.. but also I wouldn't expect that to last forever also.. probably gets frozen up over time. 

I don't see this ever slipping, or loosing up with this much thicker cable that isn't going to stretch out like the Hobie thinner stock cable.

If I need to tighten it.. I will just slide in an open washer or two (in the gap).. then just squeeze that down so the washer can't get loose.  That would do the trick for sure.

I see this as a significant upgrade for my Mirage Drive, as I am not impressed with the stock Hobie cable failing short of two years of moderate use.  Again, I always rinse my drive after every outing..

A word of caution on that cable.  I've never had any luck with vinyl coated galvanized surviving very long on salt water.  The salt seems to wick right up and get trapped by the vinyl and starts to rust from the inside out leading to failure.

Well, nothing lasts forever.. certainly not impressed by "Hobie's" cable that didn't even make it two years.  Again, I always rinse with fresh water after use...

This cable is much stronger, and I don't see it coming apart, and I don't see it failing at the crimps.. I crimped it down pretty hard.

With the clear cable, I will be able to see any oxidation/ rust coming.  With the Hobie black cable.. what is going on? .... on the inside was/is a mystery.  I predict this will long outlast the Hobie.  If I need to replace, it's now a free cable for the next 25 cables...and a 5 minute fix.

The cable I bought for $12 gave me 50'... so I can make 25 of these and the brass crimps shouldn't rust out any time soon.  There is not a lot of linear force on the Idler cable.. so I don't see the crimps pulling out.... ever being an issue... just from my viewpoint.

I really think Hobie should have used thicker and more durable cables.  I am more concerned with the cables fastened to the chain at this point... as there is a lot more pressure and torque on those.  They are the same cable as this one that failed. 

But back to original point.. I simply couldn't order a replacement anywhere.. all I got EVERYWHERE was "out of stock".  I also think charging $100 for an 18" cable feels a bit insulting.

I've caught some nice lings casting off the left side of the pier... using squid.  Some snags there on the reef, but there are fish there as well....

Hard to catch the salmon there.... as they are few and far between.  Most get pushed into the jetty from the currents... so the shore guys seem to do better.

On a good year, they are all over the place, but this year... it's very, very bad.

Stripers are around here and there.. The State Park is best in the shallows.

Might see you guys out there as well!

I had a conversation with a fellow (former) kayaker who almost died in cold water.  He made a few mistakes that nearly cost him his life. 

1. Fished alone in the ocean. 
2. Went out on a fairly windy day with some significant swells.
3. Wore a dry suit that eventually filled with water after he went over and was in the water for 5 hours.
4. Never did a test to make sure he could get back on his yak... (he couldn't)

I'll always remember that conversation with him...

Quote from: astralography on May 04, 2022, 11:55:40 PM

Quote from: simplycook on May 04, 2022, 10:28:09 PM

Nice fish. 
I was out there as well today.

Are you using separate game clips for each fish?  Seems like a great idea...

Last year, I had two fish over 30” on one clip.  Both thrashed and managed to unclip the loop.  Luckily didn’t lose the fish.  Helps having an empty spare clip after the 1st or 2nd fish. 

Kevin

Yeah,

I am going to get another clip tomorrow...
Thanks for the inspiration!