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Messages - Raacerx

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Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 24, 2020, 09:51:36 AM »

Quote from: ReelKnots on November 24, 2020, 07:04:27 AM

Quote from: Raacerx on November 23, 2020, 01:30:26 PM
Quote from: ReelKnots on November 23, 2020, 01:16:09 PM
WelcomeToTheMadness Max. Did you learned some Tagalog while you stay in PI?

-Kiel

Nope! I was down in the Visayas region (outside of Dumaguete, on the island of Negros). Different dialect down there compared Metro Manila and Luzon. Picked up some Visayan, but it's always a bit harder because English is so widely spoken.

Is your family Filipino? Most people don't say PI unless they're Filipino hahaha.

You got that right!! I am pure Filipino.

-Kiel

Hah! See? I've never heard anyone use "PI" unless they've lived there or are Filipino. I've still got a bunch of belongings stuck out there, including my KTM Duke, but can't get back cause of COVID. No one wants to buy the bike right now either because, well, no tourism.

I miss a lot of things about being there, including some terrible karaoke nights thanks to Tanduay (I do not understand how you can produce a bottle of "rum" for under $2), and the cost of living is cheap, although that is changing pretty fast (rent was up to $600+ for a nice modern place where I was, when two years back it was $250 for a house on the water).

But a lot of things I don't miss too; I got in a bad motorcycle accident last summer, an old man pulled out onto the highway without even looking, and it was a pretty big ordeal with both the police and the health system. I went to three hospitals and was told I maybe had a broken wrist; I eventually flew back to California and found I had 13 fractures in my hand. Not to say I didn't have a bunch of bs insurance problems when I got back to the USA, it's equally as bad, but..

Some random pics:

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 23, 2020, 07:21:20 PM »

Quote from: FeoPronk on November 23, 2020, 07:01:09 PM

Quote from: jp52 on November 23, 2020, 04:28:19 PM
If I'm just resetting a short drift I pedal slowly and leave the line in the water being sure it is above the bottom and take into account the depth of where I'm heading if I'm going over a pinnacle or reef. I often catch blacks and blues this way.

Yep, I've caught a lot of blacks, blues, and olives by leaving the line in the water when I move. But I don't keep rockfish anymore so I just reel up and re-drop now.

Yeah, see that's the problem too, I don't really want blacks and blues anymore (unless its a real big juicy one I can give to my friends or family). Especially with squid on the double drop, black limit is basically guarantee every time I get on the water in areas I know if the conditions are right, so I don't take any until the end of the day unless the freezer is empty.

Problem being, there are often lings around the schools of blacks and blues. I've tried going up to 5-0 or 6-0 hooks but it doesn't seem to matter haha. Hell i've caught plenty of small rockfish on my huge 7-0 jighead with a 7" tail. Sigh.

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Rewarded with a Red

« on: November 23, 2020, 07:06:29 PM »

Absolutely awesome. I've never seen a red spearfishing. Ever.

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Ditch Your Weight Belt Offer

« on: November 23, 2020, 07:03:22 PM »

Quote from: Tall-Tails on August 13, 2020, 10:03:41 PM

I do not dive, but my grandfather did. I’ve got his old dive bag and weights I will likely never use. Anyone who needs weight is welcome to them. Located in Concord

I'm always looking for spare lead if you'd like to get rid of it for cheap. Dive instructor and always need it for students. I've dropped many weight belts, and lost a few, but all in the name of training.

I have heard a few stories of scuba divers being saved by dropping their weight belts, but not without permanent injury from DCS, but lot different with those depths/wetsuit compression and the extra weight of gear. Never a freediving or spearfishing story, you're so much more streamline from downcurrents and such.

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: New to freediving

« on: November 23, 2020, 06:49:14 PM »

Pretty much all dive shops and schools are open right now, I don't know of any that aren't operating. They've all got safe practices, and in general its one of the safer activities with COVID due to the lack of sharing equipment compared to scuba, distancing, and well...being underwater for part of it.

As prokhk said, shark attacks are pretty much the least of your worries; there are sooo many other things that are far more realistically dangerous. Shallow water blackout is a real thing. Panic is a real thing. Getting tangled is a real thing. Freediving classes, especially the first level, largely focus on how to deal with these things, along with equalization, and less on the more advanced techniques and breath holding (not to say you wont see big improvements in those too).

You don't mention anything about spearfishing either, which will greatly reduce your danger level (way less stuff to get tangled in, no struggling fish and blood in water). White shark spottings in kayaks are way more common, often due to the chumming of the water as you bleed and/or gut your catch, and also just the fishing in general.

Im not going to lie and say I don't have an acute awareness of exposure, but it's pretty easy to limit it. I definitely wouldn't recommend a shark guard unless you are scuba diving for halibut or something large, where you have deco stop and a slow ascent that exposes you with a struggling fish; they hurt like hell and often can get you, and they are a hindrance when freediving. White sharks don't go into shallow coves and boxed in areas in general, and stay out of the kelp too. You are most exposed when traversing deep canyons or being on the edge of a deep/shallow transition.

Now sea lion or harbor seal encounters? Dime a dozen! They're like big playful puppy dogs underwater, although they can be trouble makers.

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Scuba pro BC 's

« on: November 23, 2020, 06:08:05 PM »

is your email poulton@aol.com or paulpoulton@aol.com

I'm interested, need an extra BCD or two for students.

Introductions / Re: Muir Beach rockfish

« on: November 23, 2020, 06:02:41 PM »

Quote from: jp52 on November 23, 2020, 01:31:58 PM

Quote from: Raacerx on November 23, 2020, 11:32:01 AM
Despite my intense desire to conquer jigging with swimbait (slowly getting there), I cannot argue with the consistent results I get on a double drop / hi lo rig and some squid. They're easy to rig yourself at home in front of the TV (I make 30 in an hour or so), or they sell them super cheap.

Why not do what many do and put a swimbait (I usually use 4 oz but sometimes use 8 oz if the drift is too fast) on the bottom and then put a shrimp fly on a dropper loop a little ways up. Best of both worlds. I usually catch the big lings and cabbies on the swimbait but still bring in smaller rockfish on the shrimp fly if that's all that is around. When I put a strip of squid on the swimbait I catch more big rockfish.

You know when someone says something obvious and you can't believe you've never thought of it before... Im so going to try this tomorrow!

I have never once even considered this (although definitely have good success with squid on the swimbait, but my whole reason for using swimbait is to avoid using live or dead bait hahah).

Kayaks / Re: Vibe Yellowfin 120

« on: November 23, 2020, 05:06:02 PM »

Going to reply to this even though its 6 months old in case anyone looks for a Vibe review.

I have a Vibe Yellowfin 100, recently got it; I love it, I think it's the best you can get for the price and it was my favorite among the others in the class. It's wide @ 32", rudder can be added, the seat is super comfy for long days. It's got plenty of storage and space for me, but I'm not crabbing really. It's pretty slow but stable. I haven't taken it out enough to experience bad conditions, but I'm also pretty confident in the water. I assume the 12 footer would be even faster and easier to paddle.

My biggest complaint is that its fairly heavy for the size, although again it's pretty wide. With my gear on it (fishfinder, battery, cooler, etc) it's about 80 pounds, and I know there are 12+ foot pedal kayaks around that aren't much more.

General Fishing Tips / Re: Quick question Sonoma

« on: November 23, 2020, 04:29:39 PM »

As others have said, its an MPA, but it doesn't extend too far. My absolute favorite spots are just north of the mouth of the Russian River and just south of Russian Gulch Beach, whether kayak, boat, or shore. I bring in the most fish in that area out of everywhere I go, but entry is complicated and annoying. The area of the Russian River between the bridge and the shore is open for waterfowl hunting, but not fishing.

Also, there are a ton of white shark sightings at the mouth of the river there, for obvious reasons. Someone has also been attacked there while ab diving, and I know of some folks that have had bumps on their kayak or SUP when gutting their catches just north of there, although what do you expect when you are literally chumming the water!!!

I have the waypoints programmed into my GPS for the MPAs and MCAs, but there are also apps for your phone that have them. There's good cell service out there on the water.

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 23, 2020, 03:28:57 PM »

Thank you for the welcomes, everyone. Hope to meet some folks soon and learn more.

Quote from: tedski on November 23, 2020, 03:14:59 PM

Quote from: Raacerx on November 23, 2020, 02:58:02 PM
Quote from: jp52 on November 23, 2020, 01:42:28 PM
Quote from: Raacerx on November 23, 2020, 11:15:55 AM

....What I never anticipated was how much I move when I drop a line to jig, even when there is very little current, swell, or wind. I didn't realize just how helpful having pedals would be.

What do people do about this? Accept it? Kelp anchor? ...

Welcome!

I think it is better to drift so you can cover more ground. In fact, if the drift is too slow I'll pedal slowly until I find fish. When I find a productive spot I'll keep pedaling up and drifting over it. I used to do the same when I had a paddle yak. It was just a bit harder but not too bad. I just put the rod in my holder as I paddled. Anchoring in the ocean is not a good idea because of the swell. Attaching to a piece of kelp works if you want to stay in one spot in a kelp forest. Using a clip that attaches to the kelp is safer because it pops off if a big swell comes along.

Good point. I guess I'm being a bit lazy in that I don't want to have to keep putting the rod into a holder and grabbing the paddle; when I find a productive spot I feel like I'm only getting like 15-30 seconds of exposure there before I need to paddle back through, so I end up drifting quite far. Sometimes I want to just chill on the backside of a rock and it just always seems like a struggle. A long, floating bungee with some kind of load release would be great; large enough swell comes, it just lets go.

Do you keep your line dropped while you pedal or paddle back to the start of the hot spot and sort of mini troll?? I know some of my issues probably just stems from my lack of awareness out there; Ive snagged a couple times trying to troll/paddle back to the start of a little hot spot, I've never caught anything while I've been actively paddling, but I sure snag a lot!

I reel up when I relocate. It forces me into a pattern of checking my leader for nicks, checking the swimbait for tears, etc. Then pedal or paddle back up current and drift again. If you feel the drift is too fast, you can deploy a large drift sock, however I find if the drift is that fast it's because the wind is really stiff and it's probably time to head in anyway.

Well, it sounds like I'm simply being super impatient, lol. I plan most of my trips to go against the wind and swell so the ride back is assisted. I haven't had a hairy situation yet with swell or waves, but I know it will come one day. Honestly it's a lot more unpredictable on the surface than it is underwater!!! I also have not tried out the rudder yet, so I'm hoping I can sort of shape my drift a little.

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 23, 2020, 02:58:02 PM »

Quote from: jp52 on November 23, 2020, 01:42:28 PM

Quote from: Raacerx on November 23, 2020, 11:15:55 AM

....What I never anticipated was how much I move when I drop a line to jig, even when there is very little current, swell, or wind. I didn't realize just how helpful having pedals would be.

What do people do about this? Accept it? Kelp anchor? ...

Welcome!

I think it is better to drift so you can cover more ground. In fact, if the drift is too slow I'll pedal slowly until I find fish. When I find a productive spot I'll keep pedaling up and drifting over it. I used to do the same when I had a paddle yak. It was just a bit harder but not too bad. I just put the rod in my holder as I paddled. Anchoring in the ocean is not a good idea because of the swell. Attaching to a piece of kelp works if you want to stay in one spot in a kelp forest. Using a clip that attaches to the kelp is safer because it pops off if a big swell comes along.

Good point. I guess I'm being a bit lazy in that I don't want to have to keep putting the rod into a holder and grabbing the paddle; when I find a productive spot I feel like I'm only getting like 15-30 seconds of exposure there before I need to paddle back through, so I end up drifting quite far. Sometimes I want to just chill on the backside of a rock and it just always seems like a struggle. A long, floating bungee with some kind of load release would be great; large enough swell comes, it just lets go.

Do you keep your line dropped while you pedal or paddle back to the start of the hot spot and sort of mini troll?? I know some of my issues probably just stems from my lack of awareness out there; Ive snagged a couple times trying to troll/paddle back to the start of a little hot spot, I've never caught anything while I've been actively paddling, but I sure snag a lot!

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 23, 2020, 01:30:26 PM »

Quote from: ReelKnots on November 23, 2020, 01:16:09 PM

WelcomeToTheMadness Max. Did you learned some Tagalog while you stay in PI?

-Kiel

Nope! I was down in the Visayas region (outside of Dumaguete, on the island of Negros). Different dialect down there compared Metro Manila and Luzon. Picked up some Visayan, but it's always a bit harder because English is so widely spoken.

Is your family Filipino? Most people don't say PI unless they're Filipino hahaha.

Introductions / Re: Muir Beach rockfish

« on: November 23, 2020, 11:32:01 AM »

Despite my intense desire to conquer jigging with swimbait (slowly getting there), I cannot argue with the consistent results I get on a double drop / hi lo rig and some squid. They're easy to rig yourself at home in front of the TV (I make 30 in an hour or so), or they sell them super cheap.

My favorite premade are the "Pacific Catch" rock cod rig, they have them at Outdoor Outfitters, they're like $2 and come pre-rigged with some bucktails and 3-0 or 5-0 hooks. I've even caught stuff without squid, just the bucktails. Loop a 2-4oz weight on there, open your bale, drop it until you hit the bottom, reel up a couple, and jig. If there's some swell, you don't even need to really do anything. If it's flat, just slowly lift and drop the line, making sure you maintain some tension on the drop as this is generally when they hit.

As everyone says, look for structure. You can generally see it with how the waves and swell distort, if you dont have a fishfinder. Kelp is surefire way to get black and blues.

Introductions / Re: Newbie Kayak Angler Bay Area

« on: November 23, 2020, 11:25:54 AM »

Are you looking to go on weekends or weekdays? New here as well, into going north of Bodega or out on the Bay.

Introductions / Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

« on: November 23, 2020, 11:15:55 AM »

Introducing myself, so here's a bit of background. My name is Max, I live in both Sebastopol and Emeryville, but primarily North Bay based. I moved back to California this year from the Philippines, where I was a diving instructor and general travel bum since 2018, so I spend most of my time in the water.

Recently got back into fishing because of COVID and more free time; I had basically zero cold water ocean fishing experience from boat or shore, although I'm not new to trout and bass in freshwater, nor spearfishing in tropical waters.

It took me almost 6 weeks of shore fishing multiple times a week before I caught a single rockfish; now, many months later, I'm happily catching fish every time I go out.

Kayak was the only next step for me, as storage is quite limited and dealing with a boat is impossible. I'm now completely obsessed, and stunned at how easy it is to hit limits, but still quite new and inexperienced. Definitely would love to go out with some more experienced people, and also have no friends who fish. Looking forward to spearfishing season as well during the closure.

I didn't have the funds to step into something with pedals, so I grabbed a Vibe Yellowfin 100 (limited to about 10 feet length due to storage). Got a little Garmin Striker fish finder and a rudder, and the other normal accouterments. What I never anticipated was how much I move when I drop a line to jig, even when there is very little current, swell, or wind. I didn't realize just how helpful having pedals would be.

What do people do about this? Accept it? Kelp anchor? Looking forward to learning more, and hopefully meeting some people. Seems like a great socially distance activity! Looking forward to hearing about any lesser-known places to launch as well, especially north of Bodega and south of Timber Cove.

Cheers.

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Messages - Raacerx

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Rewarded with a Red

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Ditch Your Weight Belt Offer

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: New to freediving

Kayak Diving and Spearfishing / Re: Scuba pro BC 's

Introductions / Re: Muir Beach rockfish

Kayaks / Re: Vibe Yellowfin 120

General Fishing Tips / Re: Quick question Sonoma

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

Introductions / Re: Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing

Introductions / Re: Muir Beach rockfish

Introductions / Re: Newbie Kayak Angler Bay Area

Introductions / Introduction: Raacerx, live in Sebastopol and Emeryville, new to kayak fishing