Finally gonna do it!

After many weeks of trying to do it then not, I think this weekend we are gonna take our yaks out to stillwater! Just wondering if there are any dos and don'ts? Or any tips, depths, anything will help us out. So excited to try it for the first time... Hoping for my first ling!

Or if anyone wants to join us!

Hey Bruddahs,
Looks like the winds are gonna pick up this weekend. Make sure when the breeze starts to pick up, maybe late morning that you are not way down south, as the winds usually blow Northwest. it can be a real bummer and difficult to paddle back as you can get blown into the big kelp beds, even on a Hobie.
I got caught in that situation once and had to be towed out of the kelp beds by a NCKA Bruddah.
Make sure that you have your VHF radio with you guys and don't wait for the wind to pick up and head in fast!!!
Aloha,
da Bruddah

Hey Bruddahs,
I was looking at the WindFinder readings for HMB and it is showing 20+ knots Saturday and Sunday.
Carmel and Pebble Beach are not showing that much wind and I may have jumped the gun about strong Northwest winds for SWS.
Sorry for the wrong intel, but my experience of getting caught in the Northwest wind south of SWS is no joke!!
da Bruddah

Yea I have been watching it pretty closely and it seems fishable, but we are gonna check it out.. Might end up going to otters for a shore dive.

You should be fine for in and around the cove...

I usually try and paddle North to begin with and then let wind blow me back if/when it comes up...

Couple things to think of for your first time there...

1. Follow the parking rules...please...details here:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=68085.msg767397#msg767397

2. Like in PG, you can't take any invertebrates like scallops, GPO, crabs etc inside the cove...once you get past the north point you are out of the SMCA though so inverts are fair game.

3. The North Point (pescadero point) is a well known big wave surf break (ghost trees) and when the swell picks up it is wise to give it a wide berth when paddling past it...

4. The section to the North of the island (right side when looking out from shore) is shallow and can break depending on the swell direction and tide...if in doubt, paddle around the island to the south side...and at the very least keep stuff clipped on when going past there...I know several buddies that have wiped out there and lost gear and fish...

5. The area under the wall on the North side of the cove (under the big beige pink house) is commonly known as the kiddy pool and is almost always calm enough to dive....it gets a LOT of pressure but is still fun to dive and is a great spot to work on your hole hunting skills and techniques...shallower closer to wall, deeper the further away....there are also two little sandy beaches over there that you can land on to rest or chill...the one closest to point is prettier IMO. 

6. The area outside of the islands is fun to explore and has some good varied depths...

7. Bring both a kelp clip and anchor...if no solid/healthy kelp use anchor...

Have fun, be safe and good luck!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...attached some random sws pics for fun. 

Thanks for that BigJim! Very helpful!