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Topics - Raydog

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Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / YAK - Non Fish, Delta Therapy

« on: June 05, 2009, 04:38:36 PM »

Well I have been itching to get out on the water for some kayak time since I have completed my shed/barn construction (building WAF points). I really wanted to go rockfishing in Monterey for my first ocean excursion today but could not get anyone to come along with me, so I decided to stick close to home. I was watching the weather and drove down to the Pittsburg launch ramp on my motorcycle for a little recon. The water looked great and it didn't look like the sky was going to open up and rain, so I ran home and loaded the kayak and headed out.

I paddled about 2-3 miles up river to the New York Slough/Broad Slough junction and soaked some grass shrimp in hopes of the ever elusive keeper sturgeon for me. My anchor wasn't holding very well so I had to reset several times. This is the first time I have used an anchor from my kayak and I think it was a little too light (3 lbs), especially for the Delta and the somewhat windy conditions out there. I had a few small striper strikes, but no sturgeon love. I gave up fishing this spot after about an hour and headed down river to Middle Slough and anchored again and tried for some stripers. No bites here, so back to the ramp against the current and wind for me. I stopped at a little beach for a stretch and found a lure, so not a complete skunk.

It was nice to back on the water for some paddling time and much needed exercise.

Tight Lines,
Ray

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Back in the Yak!

« on: March 30, 2009, 05:08:54 PM »

Well it has been a while for me, but I was able to get on the water last Friday with my brother for some yak time. I have been gearing up for this upcoming rockfish season and wanted to try out a few things. We launched at the Pittsburg launch ramp around 8:30 AM. The wind was building but we were determined to have a good time.

I had some technical difficulties right away with the new fish finder, blew a fuse and had to reroute some wiring. We proceeded to paddle around Brown's Island against the wind and chop. The new paddles worked well, Aqua Bound Stingray Carbon and the other Fiberglass. Tested the weather channel feature on my new Uniden Voyager ultra compact VHF, but no one was broadcasting on the other channels. I felt very comfortable in my new wetsuit and PDF. We were not really expecting to catch anything but tried trolling a bit and throwing plugs towards the tules.

My brother heard a splash and looked over to find me practicing self rescue. He thought it hilarious and proceeded to snap a few pictures. I felt very comfortable getting back in the kayak in the wind and chop. I do know it is going to be a different story in the ocean with the swells and wind, but felt I needed to start somewhere. We had a great time enjoying the water and wildlife roaming around on the banks.

Till next time,
Ray

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Kayak Paddle?

« on: March 02, 2009, 04:06:49 PM »

I searched this site and it appears I won't go wrong if I purchase a Werner Camano or Aqua-Bound Stingray paddle. I also noticed they have an Aqua-Bound Fin-Stalker paddle as well. I am looking to spend around $200 or less. I searched the REI site and they have these paddles available and since I am an REI member I get an extra 20% off through the end of March. Can anyone suggest one or the other? I am new to the sport so I don't know for sure whether or not I prefer a high angle or low angle paddling style but figure I won't go wrong with the touring style paddle. I would like to enter the ocean this coming up rockfish season and am gearing up for this. Thanks in advance for your help and I hope the links show up properly.

Ray

http://www.rei.com/product/750879

http://www.rei.com/product/781866

http://www.rei.com/product/783665

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Pittsburg Bait Soak

« on: November 21, 2008, 05:28:26 PM »

Went out today with my dad and younger brother to see if I/we could get what seams to be an elusive keeper sturgeon for me. Dad can't get into a kayak due to a bum hip, so we went out in his boat again. Works for me, just as long as we are fishing. It was nice to sit around shooting the sh@# and harassing each other.

We launched out of Pittsburg around 7:30 and headed to a deep hole across from marker 34 (about 60 feet). There were quite a bit of weeds in this area and dad ended up with a catfish. After about an hour we headed up river across from Chain Island where dad caught a keeper sturgeon just a few weeks ago. I was able to pick up a 20" striper that I promptly released as I have enough striper left in my freezer. Both my dad and brother harassed me as I did not take a picture and they said they would not admit to anyone that I actually caught a striper. I grabbed my camera and noticed the batteries were dead anyhow. I was able to pull up a small sturgeon around 20" as well. My brother found his camera and snapped a photo for record. I don't have the picture so I will need to post them later...no this isn't one of those "Fish Stories".

We ended up moving around several more times down river towards the power plant. My dad and I caught several small shaker stripers and I ended up with one more small sturgeon. I don't know what is wrong with my younger brother as he ended up skunked for the day. He has definitely put his time in over the years and has caught two keeper sturgeon to show for it.

Needless to say, it was a great day with the boys and I look forward to many more. I will end up with my keeper sturgeon before long, I can just feel it.

Ray

Some photos I was able to squeak out

Finally received the baby dino pictures from my bro

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Big Break and My New Yak

« on: November 19, 2008, 04:14:12 PM »

I woke up with an eye problem this morning...I couldn't see myself going to work, so I decided to take my new Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 out for a paddle. I had just bought my Prowler 13 a few months ago and got a great deal at Sport Chalet in Antioch and had a hunch they may still have the Prowler 15 for sale. I had my wife stop by there the other day to see if in fact it was still there. It was and she was able to talk them down from $599 (without a seat) to $509

! She gave me a call at work and I said we should definitely get it as we needed one more for the family so we could all go out (we also have two sit in Pelican kayaks for the kids or whomever). I am definitely enjoying this sport/lifestyle.

Back to Big Break...I launched around 11:30 to windy conditions. I trolled quite a ways without a bite. I kept getting hooked up on all the weeds. I did not want to wander out to the deep water where the chop was pretty heavy, so I kept close to the tules. I tried jerk bait, worms, and chatter bait. I had a small stiper chase the jerk bait to the boat without a strike. I really enjoyed paddling this boat, even in those conditions, as it felt quick and stable.

Tight Lines,
Ray

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / A sturgeon and some stripers

« on: November 09, 2008, 10:33:16 AM »

Well it has been long overdue...a fishing weekend with my dad in his boat. I decided to leave the kayak at home for the weekend in anticipation of some good fishing and a great time with pops. I was rewarded greatly as we pulled some good fish in and the father-son bonding time was unmatched.

It all started with the presumption I may be picked to sit on a jury Friday as I got the dreaded jury summons in the mail several months ago to report on Thursday. My luck has been that a case will be heard and I get selected and have to return the following day to perform my "Civil Duty", huh!, my civil duty is to fish when I want. I was pleased when the judge entered the jury room and dismissed everyone around 1:30 on Thursday. I went straight to my folks house to help setup the boat for an early launch on Friday.

We launched in Pittsburg around 8:00 AM, a late start for my dad, but he has been enjoying his sleep more these days. We headed to Chain Island and within about 20 minutes my dad landed a 47" sturgeon on grass shrimp, my favorite fish to eat. Yeah!! sturgeon for us all, I mean afterall I did net the thing!! I got quite a few bites that wouldn't stick. By the end of the day (1:30 for us), my dad ended up with the sturgeon and a limit of striped bass, 23" and 24" respectively. Great day for him. I guess my luck, or lack thereof was due to the fact I brought a banana on the boat and ate it. I didn't realize it was considered bad luck until it was too late.

We launched around 7:00 on Saturday and I redeemed myself with a limit of striped bass (around 19-1/2" and 21"), no keeper sturgeon for me. I did harass my dad a little as today he ate a banana he brought and ended up with nothing to show for it. I am usually not superstitious, but there may be something to this banana thing. Anyways, I really enjoyed my father's company and as I mentioned, this trip was long overdue.

Ray

Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) / Another Keeper for Me

« on: October 24, 2008, 11:58:30 AM »

OK, this is my first fishing report. So here it goes.... I launched out of Pittsburg this morning around 7:15 to perfect conditions, especially for Pittsburg. No wind!!! I headed towards Browns Island and figured I would make my way to the North side of the island when I was pleasantly distracted by stripers boiling about 200 yds from the launch ramp.

I started casting with my new favorite lure, thanks to JC at Sport Chalet in Antioch....Lucky Craft Pointer 100SP (Blue/Silver). He told me this thing would catch both stripers and black bass. Kudos to JC for knowing his lures because it has landed me three keepers on my last three trips.

I hooked into a 30" striper on my third cast and boy was I in for a ride. I made sure I set the hook a few times as I have already lost a few to being a little too gentle. I have to remember these are not trout. I feel sorry for the trout when I get back to focusing my attention on them. I think the first few trout will end up on the bank across the lake somewhere due to my now newly acquired jerking motion. I ended up fighting this striper back and forth across the bow of the kayak for what seemed like 20 minutes....I now it was only about five if that. I grabbed my net from behind me and started to land the fish when I realized the net I brought was too small. Can we all say NEWBIE!! Anyhow, I was determined to get it in the kayak...so I with a flipping motion of the net and some decent reflexes on my part, I got it in and trapped it with my leg. My heart was pumping and I felt like I ran a marathon. Yes, I am out of shape but I think this was due to my adrenaline. I now need to replace one of the treble hooks on my favorite lure as one of the three hooks broke off in the fight.

Jeff...Thanks for showing me your favorite spot on Wednesday. You will have to meet me out here someday to see if we can land a few keepers together again.