NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) => Topic started by: Bushy on August 26, 2007, 07:43:16 PM
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Wow...what a fun day!
54 anglers competed in the 1st Annual MBK/OK Derby this morning. The turnout was fantastic, 6 pre-registered anglers did not make the derby, but 2 of them showed up later for the BBQ, Eric/GTO and Brian G.
The morning was smooth with everyone signing a waiver and around 12 people registering before 6:45.
When the weigh-in was through at noon, the winner emerged.
Dave Yeargin from Prunedale brought in a beautiful 13-pound halibut he caught using squid on a trap rig, fishing just outside the moorage area in front of MBK.
"My strategy was to not paddle very far," Dave deadpanned.
The runners up were all lings.
Our own Chuck Espiritu took second place with a 7-pound lingcad, and James Story captured 3d with a 6.5 pound ling.
Pat Grant caught an almost identical 6.5-pound lingcod, but lost in the tape-measure-off to break the tie. James' fish was 27 7/8 and Pat's only 27 1/2...
(I always wanted to nickname her "1/2 inch Pat," due to a Salmon story from years ago, mayhaps we can call her 1/8 inch Pat now?)
It's been a long day, so this post will be short. I will post pictures of the winning fishies tomorrow, when I receive them. For now, here's a few shots of the day's activities.
#1 Getting Ready
#2 Morning Lineup
#3 Launched and on their way
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:smt010, I'm so sorry Pat!!!! Just out of the $$$$ Getting close though :smt002
Sounds like a good time, Awesome water conditions you all had ...
Congrats to all participants and winners and Scallen for a Great Event :smt006 ...... Danglin
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So, here I am changing my alarm from 4:10am to 5:30am, thinking fishing sure make a work day seem like a sleep in day!
What a great day on the water: easy paddling all morning, so many fishing yaks, plenty of fun fish (just not any big ones for me), friendly people, and another day well spent with my son. Noon came too quickly.
Thanks to Allen, MBK, and everyone else that had a part!!!
A great day to be me,
Rocketman
I was there when Allen measured Pat's fish and told her see lost by 1/8" and response was pure class... big smile, and something like "that's ok" I would have at least said "oh darn."
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Congrats to the winners. That would have to include SCAllen for making this thing happen. Aaron was a constant source of good chear and so was Tara. Thanks to MBK for bringing this opportunity together.
I was sooooooooooooo excited when I hooked that ling. I knew the fishing had been slow. I myself had a 1/2 inch underling just minutes before my "coulda been a contenda" ling. I got them both slow trolling live mackeral (could have been shad based on a previous post). The live bait was the best I've ever encountered. When the bigger fish hit I yelled to Randy that I had a REAL fish. He dove twice but, despite shaking with excitement, I was ready for the gentle topside scoop to not spook him. IT WORKED. He was in the net before he knew he was at the surface. By the way, the net was the one Mooch gave me a year ago when I got that nice halibut off of Otter's and was prolonging the rodeo ridiculously trying to grab him with my little net. It was cool to be on the winner's board if only for a few minutes........ :smt003
But, perhaps the best part of the day was seeing my first game fish while freediving. BrianG and I hauled our gear on after the measure off and headed back to the water. Following the intel from the morning's fishing, we paralleled the beach and there it was. A nice, maybe legal halibut. Looked super. I also saw a ray with very round wings and swam with a school of baitfish. A full and happy day with the nicest bunch of folks we know.
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Thanks to Allen and everyone who came out and made the derby such a fun and successful event.The weather couldn't have been any better and the vibe was great!I was genuinely surprised at the quality of the stringers I saw come in, although I still think there are bigger 'buts out there that may have broken off or thrown the hook :smt002 Congrats to the winners and to Pat for her nice ling.Pat you are a true sportswoman and a class act.See you on the water!I'm off to Limekiln for a four day fish slaying!
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Congratulations to all, especially Pat! Wish I could have been there to take pix of you and your ling--I'm hoping someone did. And, scallen, kudos for all your hard work with MBK to make this event happen. Same time next year? In the meantime, I'm eager to read more posts about NCKA camping, antics, fishing/catching, eating, etc. Keep 'em coming!
Janice aka "Big J"
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Thanks to Allen and the OK crew and to Aaron and MBK for putting on an excellent derby at the sweetest location. It was like a lake out there. I'm glad I went. This was my first time out there, so I counting on a little bit of beginner's luck.
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Had a blast - as usual :kick Never a dull moment hooking up with fellow NCKA'ers :smt002
Want to congratulate the winners and those who made the effort to support "the cause" :smt023 (Trout and Salmon Restoration Project). Many thanks to Allen Bushnell, Mike Mowrey and Adam of Ocean Kayaks! Good job on the BBQ Adam :smt023
It was a pleasure meeting more NCKA'ers - Kim, Patrick,Kiel....I tend to forget names, i'm sorry if I did not mention yours :smt011
Slow day for me as I concentrated my efforts towards catching a legal halibut. I slow trolled the shoreline of MBK (with hardwear) towards the Hotel and picked up one undersize halibut. I tried a little deeper and hooked a few smaller RF (released). I paddled towards the tip of the pier and witnessed a gentleman hook up a big Hali...unfortunately, it broke him off :smt011
here are some pics....
pic1: This guy had a big halibut on and it towed him as he was side saddling his yak :smt118 Unfortunately, the Halibut won the battle....
pic2: The winner of the day!!! :metal
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pic1: Alex / aliens with his stringer of the day
pic2: "Huli Ka!!!"
pic3: My little Butt :redmoon
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We don't babysit people Sky. Especially since they are adults...
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thanks to scallen and MBK for puttin it on!
it was fun and GLASSEY conditiond made it easy.
I got a gopher, afew taps that i pulled away from (damn pests). I went straight to the "forbiden zone" in front of the aquarium. I was on a fricken Cabbie hunt in the kelp/rocks(never to be found) and was droppin down a octopus tipped, "Bill's custom-Cabbie-tickler" curlytail swimmer at the ends of the kelpbeds when it got slammed HARD and took it right back into the kelp from which it came!..and then a SNAG!...AARRGGHHHHH! tried to hunt the thing down in that area for another couple of hrs. then paddled back to MBK knowing i coulda, woulda and shoulda had the drag tightened down(more).
SWEET conditions and fishin with people that want to fish is what I'm in this "mad sport" for.
See ya at the next hunt.....
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I knew you have to have a PDF on your kayak.
PDF's are for computers.. :smt044
Z
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I had a great time guys!
Big Thanks to Allen and MBK and Ocean Kayaks!!! It was a great event.
I spent the first two hours trying for a halibut. I trolled down the beach to the hotel but only had a couple small bites. Really thought my special rig would work. I removed the treble from a 4oz megabait and used it like an inline sinker. Then had a 2 foot leader connected to it with a double-hook setup. I strung up a big fat sardine on the hooks. And even slid a 4 inch tsunami squid up the line, above my hooks for added attraction. Maybe it was too much.
After breaking my line a few times while trolling for halibut, I decided to cut across the bay towards the reef I fished last wknd. Unfortunately, my GPS was low on batteries. So I just fished in the general area. At one point I thought I had a monster fish on…turned out to be a double hookup of twin 23 inch lings! D'OH!!!
Ended the day catching about 15 rockfish. Mostly small blues, olives, and coppers. Kept a fat blue and a 19 inch red. The 3.25oz krocadile was the hot lure again. Tipped with squid of course.
Like I said, I had an awesome time! Thanks everybody. Looking forward to the next event!
PK
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Sorry I could not join you guys out there in my home water but I had prior plans. It looks like a great time was had by all. Congratulations to the winners and to Pat. Man that was close. I hope to be able to make it next year. Drop me a PM is you come down here for fishing again and want company.
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I was there with my family and have a chance to meet Joel ( Mooch ), Adam ( Fish Hunter ) and Sandman I forgot his name also Insiene...It's my pleasure meeting you guys out there....maybe next time I will join this tourney....My Big Congratulation to the winner..
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I was there with my family and have a chance to meet Joel ( Mooch ), Adam ( Fish Hunter ) and Sandman I forgot his name also Insiene...It's my pleasure meeting you guys out there....
The pleasure was all mine RK....and i'll see you at BAMIII! right?
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Thanks Allen and the MBK crew for setting up a great event. Great vibes from everyone I met. This was actually the first time I took the scupper in the ocean to catch fish. I caught a bunch of rockfish by the kelp beds in 30 ft and released them all except for a black one that's over 14 in. hoping to get a bigger one. Just being out there on the water was awesome :metal. Lots of wildlife swimming around...harbor seals lounging on the kelp beds, sea otters, huge jellyfish, constant beeping on my ff because of "fish alert" ( I turned it off after a few seconds ). Oh by the way, thanks ChuckE for borrowing my water bottle to put water in your transducer or I would've never figured out why my ff is not working :smt102.
Willie
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Thanks again to Allen, MBK and Ocean Kayaks. Also, congratulations to the winners! This definitely turned out to be a great event and for a great cause :thumbsup: Had a great time and enjoyed meeting more of our NCKA group: Ben/guitarzan, Jonesy and his wife, ChuckE, Pat/seabreze, Kim/prowlinorcal, and many others.
I too spent the first couple of hours trying for halibut. Trolled in shallow water about 25' from MBK to the beach hotel with no luck. Paddled out towards the yellow buoy and caught several rock fish. Mostly blues, and coppers. kept half dozen for dinner and headed back to MBK. Weather and water conditions were perfect. Lots of baitfish and activity on the water. Didn't catch the big one but really enjoyed this day. Great turn out, friendly people, SCAllen grinning from ear to ear :smt003. Looking forward to the next event.
Thanks again,
Ben
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Congrats to the winners. I guessed that a hali would win but couldn't make the party. As far as the PFD, I always wear one on the ocean, what others do is up to them. I wear a helmet in the surf zone also which most do not. People have to make their own decisions. As far as the litigation concerns, probably not very likely with this group but I could be wrong. :smt003
Scott
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As far as the litigation concerns, probably not very likely with this group but I could be wrong.
....some of you may not know this, but once you have an NCKA sticker attached to your car, truck, kayak, paddle, trailer or even on your tackle box...you loose your right to sue NCKA FOR ANYTHING. And if you are the "suing type".....I would personally like to meet you..... maybe the two of us can paddle around Ano Nuevo around November / December......and don't worry, I'll bring a special PFD that you can use.....it's a little on the heavy side, but trust me, the lanyard on your PFD with a brick attached to the end of it.... will help you in the end :smt077
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SO Mooch,
When I fell out of my yak at Loch Lomand could I blame that on you?!!!1 :smt001 It was my own fault and I know it. It was good practice reentering though. Did it twice!!! Not just to make sure, but I was dumb enough to fall outr a second time :smt001 :smt001 :smt001. Hey I always where my PFD cuz I sink like a rock! I'll go out with you to Ano Nuevo and show ya!!! :smt003
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When I fell out of my yak at Loch Lomand could I blame that on you?!!
Brother, SOT Kayaks are not meant to flip....99% of the time, a kayak get's flipped because of user error :smt003 Unless you happen to fall on the 1% category....Dan, being a good example...getting hit by a GW :smt009...then you earn a hall pass :smt002
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congrats to the winners as well as all the participants. Doctors orders kept me away this year but next time Im in!
if by some chance I manage to kill myself during a NCKA event, please tell my grieving wife and children that I will haunt them for the rest of their mortal lives if they sue!
... if you are the "suing type".....I would personally like to meet you..... maybe the two of us can paddle around Ano Nuevo around November / December......
dont forget the seal skin suit and chum bucket :smt077
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Let's move the waiver talk to this thread - http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,9711.msg86485/boardseen.html#new
I moved all the post from this thread there.
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Thanks to Alan and MBK for a great event. Congratulations to the winners! I spent some time in the kelp beds near the aquarium, caught and released a few blacks and blues but nothing for the weigh in. Fishunter, I was the one next to you when you got hit hard and it took you into the kelp. Then I spent some time later in the morning near MBK drifting for halibut for nada.
I forgot to ask on Sunday but was anyone giving out NCKA stickers?
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Nice work on the Derby... looks like it was a nice day on the water and another great event. Congrats to the winners and almost winners. Reading the report really got me looking forward to BAMIII.
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I forgot to ask on Sunday but was anyone giving out NCKA stickers?
I had some on me. Next time you see a handsome dude on a yellow kayak wearing a green hat...paddle by and he'll hook you up :smt002
Apparently, there were several people I met at the MBK parkling lot that did not know about the Derby...or even about NCKA...I gave 'em stickers....hopefully they chime in...nice folks.
Speaking of which.....Bill, I need more stickers to give out.
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Next time you see a handsome dude on a yellow kayak wearing a green hat...paddle by and he'll hook you up :smt002
Hey Mooch,
Thanks for the compliment :smt007.....Bill, I need some stickers to give out. Thanks - Ben :smt044
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What a blast! Pre fished with Joel the first day to nada for me and a small but for Mooch, we saw a sea lion tormenting us with a 'but. Flipping it over his head and smiling. Jonesy came out for a bit. Back at raccoon camp, I got proof of Mooch's filleting skills. Ben, his wife, and his son Joel came by in a bad ass '43 Jeep, custom fitted for ranch hunting and running like a top. Man toys.
I got on the water after the start, landed 2 just-under lings, released a 14 inch calico so I could still use 3 rods... caught a small rock and went with 1 rod and him on the end till I lost it all to a snag, went back with 3... damn. Would defintely go again and thanks to all who put it on and great to meet new folks!
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Sin Coast, re-cropped.
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My GPS said I paddled 6.6 miles. That was only about 6.5 more than the winner.
I headed straight down to the spot off the "quarry" past the hotel near Sand City where I'd seen Chef catch two flatties one day. I drifted and slow trolled smallish live mackeral (both macs and jacksmelt were all over) for a couple of hours, and I got a huge hit and sleigh ride that felt just like a big hali - tug, tug, tug - but got it up and it was a 4' fat shark that I let circle and run while I got radio tips on how to tell whether it was a thresher ( I had voted against any sharks as being eligible!) , it finally cut itself off and then I bottom trolled my way back with my floating Walleye Runner that almost always gets me a ling in that area. Picked up some smallish rockfish that went back.
I've never seen wind/wave conditions as good there. It was good to see all the anglers out there - I was rooting for the guy in the inflatable kayak to win if I couldn't. And those were quality hot dogs! Thanks to everyone who put this event on.
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Allen, the MBK crew and Ocean Kayaks...great job for putting on an awesome event and turning off the wind and wave machines for FAC conditions. I unfortunately didn't fish but brought my wife down to see the "madness" in action.
Always a pleasure to meet the cast and characters of NCKA but special consideration should be extended to the "support" crew. Case in point, Michelle, Alex's (Alien) girlfriend who waited patiently on the beach from launch until the motley crew landed.
Landings were noneventful although Kim gave us a bit of fright as she got blind sided by a sleeper ankle slapper. That "little" wave was pushed her yak enough to take out her legs but she came up laughing, so harm no foul.
Good to meet Willie (Starlifter) and Kiel (Reelknots), we'll have to meet up for a fishing trip in the future. Pat (Seabreeze), my wife and I were pulling for you but she's glad that you were able to land a ling that competed for bragging rights. It was also good for my wife to meet some of the characters (Mooch, FisHunter, ChuckE, Bill...) that I hang with on weekend trips.
The MBK shop looked like it was well run and had all the bells and whistles to serve the yakking community. Good job by all derby contestants and it looked like everyone had a good time.
On the way home we stopped by the Gilroy Outlets to have her do what she does best. So I racked up some major WAF points on this trip...see you folks at the next adventure.
Gary
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The pleasure was all mine RK....and i'll see you at BAMIII! right?
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Yeah!!! I will see you there Bro...
Kiel
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Fishunter, I was the one next to you when you got hit hard and it took you into the kelp.
I forgot to ask on Sunday but was anyone giving out NCKA stickers?
Damn that thing! I thought i had the DRAG TIGHT ENOUGH to prevent that from happening.....lessons learned :smt012
....and you'll have to go to BAMIII for chance at them stickers! :smt002
Here are a few more pics from the day.....
pic1~ Bob lookin for structure and hopin for a FISH to be near it.
pic2&3~ if you even caught one around these things, it would be a battle, i imagine(d) :smt009
pic4~ is dat you Rob?
pic5~ the line of furbags
pic6~ this guy has the right idea....noontime "power-nap"
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Yeah thats me. I am trying to convince my wife and 7 month old son to spend the weekend up there so I can fish with you all at BAMIII. Need to build up some serious WAF points for that one.
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I wish I could make the BAMIII, just the wrong week for me with work peaking right around then....
meanwhile, I'm still waiting for the winner's circle pictures from our photographer. Looking forward to doing it again next year and am open to suggestions on how we can make the MBK Drby even bettter!
Thanks again!
Allen
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Well this was my first time trying in the Monterey area. Always wanted to give that area a try. I scouted around the day before and found the bottom to be pretty devoide of any structure... :smt011 I usually like to find some kind of structure where fish can relate to and gather. There might be some out there, but I was unable to find it. Made it tough to find a spot to target. I made the decision to just focus on halibut, figured one decent one might do it. I fished along the coast and back and ended up with five undersized halibut. Biggest one went 20"es. There was quite a bit of bait in some areas, but still didn't mark many fish. :smt017 Timed my paddle perfect to return about ten minutes before the close of the weigh in, but came back empty handed... The weather was great, and it was great to meet more of the NCKA clan. Finally met Guitarzan, enjoyed your playin Ben, and Ben 2, we really appreciated your guiding us around the town. Allen, I appreciate the work that goes into putting something like this on. I don't want to sound like a kill joy, but after talking to several other local guys at the BBQ they said there are many other much more productive areas to fish in the area. Maybe next time, consider letting people travel to other areas of choice, or start it at one of the other areas. Give a little more time, maybe return by 2pm to make it more interesting. Listening to the radio during the tourney, folks were just trying to get something to show up with... After the tourney, I took another day to check out the coast on the way home. I checked out the imfamous Bean Hollow, but the winds were kicking too much for an afternoon launch. Also checked out another beach south of there (forget the name D-something?) and ended up trying it the next morning for a bit. It looked ok from the beach, but after getting out there, the drift was real fast and the wind was starting to kick up and the fog was clearing fast. It just felt uncomfortable, so I decided to come on in. After, we continued up the coast to S.F. I checked out Crissy field for some possible halibut drifting. The wind was already howling. We stayed the night in the city and I hit it first thing before the winds kicked up. After trying to make bait, and coming up blank, I trolled a couple lures up and down a few passes for a big Zero... Lots of fishing and not much catching, but still a fun trip. Fun to check out the south lands for a change. Think I'm going to hit the northern homegrounds of Sonoma next time out. :smt002
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I just want to say it was GREAT meeting everyone!
I finally got to see who it is I talk to on the board. Alien - your GF saved me as I came in and promptly rolled at the landing :smt044
Thank you to her!!!! Its okay, I'm kinda getting used to it!!
Someone suggested I change my name to FLIP - hahahhahhahahahhaha - very funny.
I look forward to going out there again with all of you. Bill, I want to "join everyone at your next "fishing lure decorating tupperware party" :smt044 Fishhunter showed off some of the lures he made at one of your parties - very nice!
Thank you Allen for showing me how to fish from my kayak (I'll keep practicing) and thanks for putting this event together. $30 - the price was right and an hour from home - it really worked for me.
I wish I could join everyone at camp Mendo - I will be "camping" at Seacliff that weekend with friends, so I can't make it but look forward to the next time.
Thanks again,
Kim aka "FLIP" :)
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I don't recall FishHunter having a party and making any lures, I do recall him begging for me to give him some though :smt044 What was he smoking?!?!?! Ohhh wait nevermind :smt005
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sorry for took so long to "thank you" post. I've been super busy...
& yes I would like to say thank you to Allen & MBK to pull off that yak tourney! I know it's alota work..., so again "thank you"! :smt006
That was 1st time I fished in Monterey. Fishing wasn't that hot, but the weather was awesome!!! I went out on savage style & that was fine. Can't do it here in Bodega too much...
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Anyways, here is some pics might be kinda late but might be good tease for SC tourney...
Here is departure from the MBK. We're passing right next to Allen's big boat!? :smt003
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Here is InSeine rigging some stuff, but kinda bad pic cuz he looked like playing w/ himself (we all do this & actually look like this)... :smt044
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OK. So I finally developed the film inside my disposable H2O proof camera. That thing was in my tackle box for months so I've got a bunch of random pics now. Here are some from the MBK Tourney.
There are a few shots of the double-ling hookup I had. It was exciting but I totally would've traded two 23.5 inch lings for one 30 incher!
MBK beach launch. Flat as a pond.
(http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3640/1018200720vs1.jpg)
Double lings in the net. The top ling was hitchhiking on that poor little blue.
(http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9784/1018200725td3.jpg)
(http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6251/1018200724nt2.jpg)
Ling 1
(http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4962/1018200723il4.jpg)
Ling 2
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5052/1018200722oy8.jpg)