Rockadile Got A Dose of the Dojo

I love it when a plan comes together......this one did not but the results were far from bad.

The Mission-Meet Manny and the Diabla crew of Mel and Sal in Bodega Bay for jurassaic rockfish and Abs in the no public access waterfront playgrounds of the rich and famous. Then bomb up 101 to meet the NCKA crew at Sonoma Lake.

Results-Mission Aborted at phase 2.


I picked up Rockadile Pro at his pad around 4 am.  The ruckus caused by the rumbling of diesel and a 13 foot yak heaved into the bed of my truck made just enough racket to wake his neighbors but not enough to get them to chase us out of the parking area with a frying pan in hand like the last time I was there that early.  We bombed up 101 and catch up to Manny just past San Rafael, I point to his Chevy Kodiak 4500 towing a 27' catamaran and tell Rocka thats our ride....he doesn't believe me.  We pass them and stop for gas.

We make our way to Doran Park and neither of us has change for the Iron Ranger, we were already a few minutes late so I just shoved a twenty spot in the Iron Ranger and we dash to the ramp to fing the guys waiting.  Load our gear up, lock down the yaks and exit the harbor.
       

Then we turn the corner and Bodega Head was a washing machine. No problem on the Cat though, the muther plows smooth. We tucked closer to the coast and the weather flattened out.  On the way north we see the Payback and another Cat playing it safe inside for small fish. Not Manny's style....we bang up the coast for another hour hit the promised land in low swell and no wind. 

Sal struck first blood within seconds of hitting the reef. Then nada so we bumped around a few different rocks. 


Action was picking up and I had to work to get my jig past the schoolies, I'm about pigs first then filler later if I need it.  That is not how Rockadile rolls, he plays the numbers game.  He leaned over and said he's gonna school a bonafide crew of killers on the finer points of cod'n.  Be my guest my good man. 





What just happened?


He wasn't used to fishing standing up, I kept catching him like this.


The wind picked up so we motored into a cove, we anchored up nice and close. If anyone other than Manny woulda done this I woulda been nervous but he knows the entire coast like the back of his hand.

Swimmers



Braile diving, vis was about 2 feet, you could barely see the end of your arm.  The abs were feisty.


Angel was unable to sneak up on his last ab and it turned into a serious battle.  The ab woulda won if he hadn't shown it who's boss by breaking a large chunk of its shell off.  (still measured out over 7 with the chunk broken.)
No pics, I'm bummed I didn't get a snail wrangler shot.....next time.

The ride home was bumpy but the scenery was awesome.



We pulled into the harbor just after 6...loaded up and parted ways.  We rolled up 1 then over 116 through guernville then back to 101. Got to Sonoma Lake just after 9pm.  It was dark and no one was answering their phone.  We made a last ditch effort to call out on the radio and through much static the call is answered....its NCKA superheromaximus Mooch. 


He told us where to park and how to get to the launch ramp.  We proceed to the ramp.  Its pitch black out there and camp was 2 miles away, we called no joy and bugged out.

The ride home, 175 miles fueled by these babies.


Co-Pilot


Finally home, driving, fishing, diving, driving.....20 hour trip.

MADMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to roll.

Art, you've got a way with, words, and pics as well as fish and friends.



Enjoyed your report.


Dale L

Looks like a good time.  Thanks for the report.   ...

(I can't believe you guys didn't paddle to camp at midnight and roust the NCKA crew!     )

Why stop at twenty? Should have gone for brokes!!!.. Looks like A good time thanks for the report...Andy

Can you say road trip?   Busy day!

WONDERFUL account......loved reading it.

Judd

you KrAzyKidS!!    good on yous' for trying.

Great report.

When are you gonna get mel in a kayak!?

Nice report and pics AG. them's some piggy verms I say!

Z

Yes - I would love to go dino hunting with Mel in a yak!