NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) => Topic started by: Bill on July 30, 2005, 06:06:47 PM
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It was a great day on the water today with about 17 people fishing the tourney today. Great turnout!! We launched around 5:30 or 6 Joel, John, Sean and Chris headed out to try for some Salmon. We trolled south from the green buoy down to the red bouy. Joel hooked up with one shaker but other than that not much was going on. We decided to stop and fish some of the southern reefs and kelp beds. I landed and released a few small rockies, John had some rocks as well but again it did not seem like a lot of action. The good thing was that the radio traffic didn't indicate anyone else was catching much. We decided to troll back and try Mavericks. We ran into a lot of jellys between the south buoy and the green can bouy that made trolling difficult. About this time I heard one of the Socal boys (Ed) had a nice ling on board. Great! Socal guys come up and beat us at our own game :smt003
I drifted around Mavericks for a bit and landed a few more small rockfish but nothing worth keeping. It was about 9:45 and now I was getting really worried. I decided to head back and fish my way home. I would paddle for a few feet, drop down and pump twice. If I did not get hit I moved a bit further. That didn't help much so I decided to pack it in for the day. I started paddling in and passed a spot that I just had to stop by. I dropped down and WAM fish on! I could tell it was a decent fish as I pulled it up. It takes a couple of long runs before I get it near the surface. I could se it was the biggest ling I have ever caught. I let him float around a bit and scooped him into the net. YEEHAW!!!
Now I had to turn on the gas to make it back by 10:30, I started huffing and puffing and I hear on the radio Joel has a nice ling as well. Hmmm...
I huff and puff my way back to the jaws certain that I have a 1st place fish, worst case #2. Then I run into Ric from Cobra and Brian. I tell them I have a pretty big ling and Ric is like "Really, well Brian has the biggest one I have ever seen." I am thinking this guy isn't used to seeing bug lings so I might still have a chance. Then Brian lifts up his head. Holly Crap! It's head is about as wide as Brian's body, wow!
We make it back and weigh in, the final tally:
1st place Brian - 28 lb ling!!!!! - $340
2nd place Ed - 13 lb ling - Cobra power paddle (given to 3rd place)
3rd place Me! - 10 lb ling - Cobra power paddle from Ed
4th place Joel - 9 lb ling - Cobra highback kayak seat
I forgot my camera but I know a lot of pics where taken.
I want to thank Ric with Cobra Kayaks and Doug at Half Moon Bay Kayak Company for all there help putting on this very fun event. It was a blast and without them it would not have been half as fun!
I also want to thank all the participants for turning out and making this event a blast. There was a lot of information sharing going on and I know I picked up a lot of great fishing tips from everyone involved.
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Ditto! Even though our gamble of shooting for chinook did not pay off, we sure had a GREAT time. The water was greasy, real fish got weighed, and the crew was awesome.
Thanks a ton to Mooch for guiding us, and sharing his secret lunch spot. Really enjoyed the event.
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(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/HMB-Derby-Pics/brian.sized.jpg)
Brian and his derby winning 28# LINASAURUS
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/HMB-Derby-Pics/ed.sized.jpg)
Ed with the runner up
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/HMB-Derby-Pics/3guys.sized.jpg)
Chuck, Mooch, and Bill with their score for the day
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/HMB-Derby-Pics/onogroup.sized.jpg)
The hungry post-derby clan at Ono Hawaiin Grill
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Great pics Chuck!
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Hi Bill,I'm having trouble trying to download the pictures from todays trip out of Half Moon Bay.Please give me a little advise on how to proceed with the post,Thanks and see you very soon again on the water.Had a great day with all on the water today also.
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Hey... good work out there today guys... very impressive showing. Heck of a ling there...
Erik
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Well guys looks like you had a great day, nice lings. i just wish i could of been there welcome to life of a chef steve
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This is the only pic I took...the lineup. Great turn-out.
(http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/album03/2005_07_31_003.sized.jpg)
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we sure had a GREAT time. The water was greasy, real fish got weighed, and the crew was awesome.
Yup... I AGREE totally. Excellent conditions, great company, and an awesome lunch at Ono's. My "blalah" plate of delicious kalua pork was so big, my wife and I had the leftover for dinner. Yummy!
This is the only pic I took...the lineup.
Sean, didn't someone get a picture of your son Chis with his huge black rockfish?
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[/quote] Sean, didn't someone get a picture of your son Chis with his huge black rockfish?[/quote]
I know Rik Hawthorn took a photo of Chris and his nice fish. Check the cobrakayakfishing.com site after he gets back.
It was great fishing with you guys, great water conditions, great fishing, outstanding fishing companions. Thanks for the hospitality guys. I look forward to that 9 or 10 hour drive to come up and see you again. You guys ought to think about a road trip to our neck of the woods and try out La Jolla for some Yellowtail. Let us know if you are up for it.
Ed Whited
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You guys ought to think about a road trip to our neck of the woods and try out La Jolla for some Yellowtail. Let us know if you are up for it.
Ed, I've been wanting to do this. When is the best time for yellowtail?
Thanks again to you, Ric, and the rest of the Team Cobra for making it a fun day at HMB!
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I expect that withen the next week or two they start showing up in more numbers. Keep an eye on Bigwaters Edge, La Jolla Kayak fishing and the Plastic Navy web sites. You can get the links on the Cobra kayak fishing site. Eagleye (John Pawleck) and C-Level (Todd) are our best La Jolla guys.
Just let us know and we will feed you local info on how to get there, places to stay and eat, tackle etc. Just come and fish when you can, You always have a shot at White Sea Bass, Yellowtail, Bonita, Barracuda and Calico Bass, just sometimes are better than others. Oh and yea, you can catch Ling Cod, Hailbut and Rockfish if you insist, but probably no Salmon.
Ed Whited
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Corgratulations to Brian! Great job on the "mother of all lings".
And thanks to Bill and to all that showed up to "play". We gotta have more of these MBF tourneys!!!.....maybe even get Ono Hawaiian Grill involved...for some blahlah hook-ups!
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that was me....joel da mooch...who posted above.
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Saw the pic on one of the local socal boards, just wanted to say...amazing catch....congrats!!! Great job to you too Ed!
Grego
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Grego, thanks for the heads-up. I just discovered a bunch of excellent HMB derby pics at Cobra Kayak's Photo Gallery:
http://www.cobrakayaksfishing.com/phpBB2/album_cat.php?cat_id=1
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Man that ling gets bigger everytime I look at it!!! :smt103
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Man that ling gets bigger everytime I look at it!!!
You're not kidding!!! ... and I thought the Kevin's 22# ling is his avatar photo was big.
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Tremendous fish. Thanks for sharing the results of the day. When do we get the moment by moment description of finding and boating this awesome animal?
Also, the picture of all the boats lined up brings a smile.
Pat
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I saw the fight and finish and it was awesome. Could only wish to have a drag screaming bend poling fish like that some day.
I'll wait til Brian posts his report so as not to steal his THUNDER - Congrats again Brian, and thanks for the cigs - we all lit up after that battle - it was like sex, it was that good.
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Great write up Bill. I want to thank all of the NorCal kayakfishermen who came to the derby. It’s so much easier to show new & potential kayakfishermen than to try to explain to them what the yak nation is all about. I could just see the looks of amazement in their eyes as we all paddled in for the weigh-in.
I hate to name names because I always leave out a few but Mr. Lotilla was so kind and generous with the on the water info that I have to say thanks to him. Lingcodlon also gave me some great advice as well. And Doug, Chris and Linda of Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. were all so kind and made us feel like one of the family.
Half Moon Bay is an awesome fishing destination. While I like all types of kayakfishermen, I feel a special kinship to the coastal kayakfisherman. You guys are hard core and this weekend I was in the company of some of the very best fishermen on the coast – hell! in the world.
Below is a picture of my very first Cabezon - caught out at Maverics.
(http://www.plasticnavy.com/albums/liars2/Half_Moon_Bay_9_2_pound_Cazone.jpg)
I’ve posted (21) reduced size pictures on the Cobra Kayak Fishing web site. They are in the album under fishing. See the link below.
http://www.cobrakayaksfishing.com/phpBB2/album.php?sid=1f2fc97b1caa6a1e2b1cbbf88e58b70e
If anyone wants high resolution copies of any of the pictures just Email me @ eagleeye@cobrakayaks with the picture #s and I will be happy to upload them for you.
EE
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John "Eagle Eye", congrats on catching the biggest cab I've ever seen in person... and thanks for taking and posting those awesome pics on the Cobra site.
I was truly impressed by the kayak fishing knowledge and skill that you and the rest of Team Cobra demonstrated that day. You guys did so well considering it was you were fishing unfamiliar waters... and Ed even came so close to winning the derby!
I got a chance to paddle your blazing fast Cobra Expedition and see your set up, but didn't get to ask you about it... so here are a few questions:
1) How do like the Expedition as a fishing platform? Is it stable enough for long drifts in choppy conditions and for landing big fish?
2) What are those things you added to your rods?
3) And finally, what are you using to hold that cab, a mini game clip?
I only wished we could have stayed longer to see more of your seminar, but we were starving. Too bad you guys couldn't join us for lunch at Ono's, we would have love to tap into your knowledge and experience some more.
Thanks again!
-Chuck Espiritu
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John,
Glad you (and the rest of the Cobra Team) enjoyed your stay in HMB. You guys are more than welcome anytime :smt023 IF you guys are ever in town again, please feel free to contact ANY of US on this site on the "hook-up" section. I'm sure you will have no problems getting some guys together for a Nor Cal fishing adventure!
FYI: fishing in HMB is great....BUT, that's only the tip of the iceberg.... :smt002
On the coastal side - we have: Halibut,Starry Flounder,sand dabs,Salmon,Stripers,Ling Cod, Cabezon, White Sea Bass, Thresher Sharks, Blue Shark, and other assorted rock fish.
We also have the Bay which produce sturgeon,stripers,bat rays,leopard sharks, seven gill sharks, Halibut,starry flounder.
Take care and hope we can keep more events like this going in the future....maybe a North vs. South competition :smt066
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you guys kicked ass!!!ive never seen a ling that big and a cab that big.simply awsome.i was at grand prix races.o well next time
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2) What are those things you added to your rods?
Chuck, I believe it's a rod floatation device. I've seen them before - but I can't remember where. Maybe John can tell us where he got 'em.
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Wow, that ling is incredible. Did anyone get a pic of it with its mouth open? I bet it could swallow a cantelope whole.
Nice Cab EE.
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That is a nice cabezon! :smt023
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Guys,
I put some photos on the Plastic Navy web site as well. Mostly early morning stuff. Here is a photo of the Brian on his way out to win fame, glory and cash. Look at him fly across the water. :smt002
][(http://www.plasticnavy.com/albums/liars2/Dscn1464.sized.jpg)
Thanks again on the hospitality.
Ed Whited
http://www.plasticnavy.com/gallery.htm
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....we should have taken a picture of the blah lah platter at Ono's :fat
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Well heres my description of how the whole thing went down. I was drifting along in about 33 feet of water on the edge of the kelp and was getting the occasional snag on the kelp so naturaly when the monster took my jig i thought oh well it's just another snag so i applied some pressure to try and pop it loose when to my surprise my snag started screaming line off of my reel and started to pull me in a circle i think i let out a few yahoo's and that waswhen ricshaw asked if i needed a hand to which i gladly accepted,so when he paddled over to me i said that it was the biggest ling that i had ever caught. apon seeing it his reply was ( that is the biggest ling i,ve ever seen!) after he netted it he handed to me on his game clip and advised me to use the fish be good stick to wich i gladly did. so there you have it ,my account on catching LINGZILLA as eagle eye put it on one of the socal boards.thanks again to everyone there!!!!
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That's an incredible fish. I wish I was there, but I was recovering from the flu.
Seems like the so cal guys really know how to fish up here! 1st and 2nd, plus a monster cab too.
You ringers won't hurt any feelings if you "miss" the Elk tourney.
Stuart
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Stuart,
fantini4fish is a norcal guy :metal
He also maintains the newbie streak in this years tournaments, this was Brian's 4th time out on the ocean and 1st at HMB!
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I'm bummed that I couldn't make it. Dammit.
Looks like a couple of my old SoCal mates did well though.
Ed is the man when it comes to fishing for Spotted Bay bass on docks in SoCal, he wrote the book on it.
Glad you guys could show him a good time.
MolBasser
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Ahh,
Norcal, alright!!!
Glad to hear WE didn't get showed up by our SoCal Anglers. Might be the start of some kayak gang rivalry!!
Still can't get over the size of that one. It could have eaten 4th place for desert.
Stuart
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Chuck,
1) Originally I purchased the Cobra Expedition as a second kayak. I planned on fishing from it mainly when the fishing grounds were far away or when several hours of trolling was involved. Eventually I found the Expedition so easy to paddle and fish from that it has become my first choice.
Stability is not a problem for me but long drifts in choppy water could be accomplished more comfortably in something else. Perhaps Cobra’s newest kayak (soon to be made public) would be a better option for long drifts in choppy water.
Big fish are doable. Personally I’ve landed Halibut over thirty pounds and sharks to five feet in my Expedition. When my size twelve’s are in the water, my Expedition is as stable as any thin kayak I’ve ever fished from.
(http://www.plasticnavy.com/albums/liars2/shark1.sized.jpg)
(http://www.plasticnavy.com/albums/liars2/no_smile_butt.jpg)
2) Rod float is correct. I cut a piece of Styrofoam or Insulfoam, which is far cheaper, the same width as my rod and just long enough to float the heaviest reels. I secure the foam to the back of the rod with electrical tape. While it takes away from a rod’s natural beauty, I’ve never lost an outfit to the sea. Someday I’d like to work with a rod builder and see if we could design a floating rod specifically for the kayakfisherman.
(http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/501/rod_float.jpg)(http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/501/rod_float_1.jpg)
3) Yes, it’s a mini clip and thank you for giving it a name. Because I get out on the water so much, I only need to harvest a couple fish at a time. The mini clip works perfect for holding one big or two to three medium fish. Before launching, I clip it to one of my deck cleats and drop it in the paddle seat pouch until needed. I have a Harbor Freight store by my house that stocks closed end wrench clips. They sell for twenty five cents each. I modify the wrench clips by sharpening the end I stick through the fish’s jaw and adding a line and carabineer.
(http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/501/medium/mini_game_clip.jpg)(http://momentoffame.com/photopost/data/501/mini_game_clip_1.jpg)
Thanks for the feed back guys and I look forward to sharing some water with you again someday. BTW I was very impressed by all the folks that took the Expedition out for a test paddle. Kayakfishermen always give it a good looking over and some even sit in it but many of you NorCal guys hopped right in it and paddled off like you had been doing it your whole life.
EE
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Thanks for sharing your tips John... Good stuff.
As far as floating rods go... you got my rodbuilding mind thinking.
All rods have a certain amount of air inside of the blank. On a larger diameter graphite or composite blank, the amount of air inside may be large enough to float the rod plus reel. Obviously, the narrower the blank, the less air inside and the less buoyant it will be. Foam and cork used for grips also adds a little to the buoyancy of a rod. Then, using lightweight components will help as well... graphite reel seats, titanium guides, graphite blanks, etc as opposed to aluminum or stainless steel and fiberglass blanks.
I'm betting that for most rods, to make them buoyant, you'd have to do something like you did by adding floatation somehow. There might be a way to make it look pretty, but I think it would wind up along the same lines as what you did.
Talking through this, I haven't tested them yet, but I might just be making some floating rods currently and don't even know it... I'll have to do some experimenting.
Erik
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John, thanks for the all of the detail responses to my questions and the GREAT tips too! :smt023
Hmmm.... now you've really got me interested in the Cobra Expedition. A faster, lighter kayak is good thing, IMHO.
I really like your rod float idea. I hate using leashes for my rods. They seem to just get in the way at the worst time. I see you've got Erik "KZReelRods" - our resident master rod builder interested in the concept too.
Your mini-game clip is ticket too! I think a few clips can be easier to use than one big game clip... especially when your one clip is already loaded with a bunch big rockfish. The smaller clip is probably better at keeping fish alive just in case you plan to cull or release some.
EE, I also hope to fish with you again someday.
-Chuck
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Perhaps Cobra’s newest kayak (soon to be made public) would be a better option for long drifts in choppy water.
Looking forward to seeing that! As I'am shopping around for a second kayak.
Like John (Eagle Eye) had mentioned earlier, I'd like to get a kayak especially "built for trolling". I have no complaints with my P15...but if there's a better "troller" out there = I WANT IT!!!
I was able to test paddle John's Expedition and that thing really moves!
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John, The expedition looks like my dream kayak! I've been wanting to upgrade from my old fibreglass Nomad (14' by 23") but have never found anything as fast. Do you think it has room for dive gear?
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The Expedition is an awesomely fast SOT. I have been toying with the idea of getting one as a demo for quite some time. We get little interest in them, but I think its because nobody up here knows they exist. I can't really imagine a better boat for chasing Mendo boils.
Granitedive-you can get them with up to 3 hatches.
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granitedive
Free diving or scuba diving? No matter because I don’t have any experience with either so I’m not really qualified to comment.
I’m probably the last person who will ever say it can’t be done – our ability to think outside the box and to see potential where many others before us could not is why we are kayakfishermen today. Coming from a skinny kayak, you should feel right at home in the Cobra Expedition. While looking over the fleet of rentals at the Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. I saw an Expedition on the rack – might be worth your while to take it out for a tour and see for yourself if it is suitable for diving. If you do, please let me know what you think.
EE
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Scwa, do you deal in cobras? I thought you just had Malibus.
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I have Cobras too. Cobra is the main sponsor for our Elk tourney. Great company, great staff, great product.
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I like joel am looking for another kayak to add to my fleet. the competition for 1st place in elk will be intense. joel and i are carpooling, maybe i should ditch him in cloverdale?
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don't worry Chris....I'm not a contender when it comes to derby fishing...I just don't seem to do good "under pressure" :smt011
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...and I tend to sleep in, all that pressure of tournies.
If family affairs are in order I might show up at elk. Anyone want to carpool. I have a trailer that can haul 4 yaks, just my car is getting questionable.
-Brian
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here you go Brian....
Hope you can make it!
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=287&start=0
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1282
derby payment info here:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1144