HMB MBF Tourney Report

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

Stuart,

fantini4fish is a norcal guy  

He also maintains the newbie streak in this years tournaments, this was Brian's 4th time out on the ocean and 1st at HMB!

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

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

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.





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.



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.



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

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

John, thanks for the all of the detail responses to my questions and the GREAT tips too!

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

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!

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?

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.

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

Scwa, do you deal in cobras? I thought you just had Malibus.

I have Cobras too.  Cobra is the main sponsor for our Elk tourney.  Great company, great staff, great product.

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?

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"