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Messages - Raacerx

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General Talk / Re: Purple Uni

« on: December 04, 2020, 11:01:52 AM »

Quote from: tedski on November 30, 2020, 05:17:22 PM

I snagged a red urchin in HMB yesterday. I was trolling some jacksmelt next to a kelpy reef and snagged. Wound up pulling the snag free and the jacksmelt was all wrapped up in the urchin's spines. It wasn't too large, though... only about 3" or 4" across. With the way purples have dominated reefs in NorCal, I was quite surprised to see a red.

They're still doing ok from what I've heard, and it's at least somewhat verified by what I personally see when I dive and scuba dive (although I'm usually stopping at 120ft). They've cut down a lot of the commercial take this year (partially also because they've received grants in Sonoma and Mendo Co to cull purples instead). Luckily the reds can go fairly dormant for a good deal of time as well, so hopefully they can weather this purple storm.

If this so called urchin wasting disease ever pops up with the overpopulation, I wonder if it was decimate all the species or just the purples.

Reds should be bare minimum 3.5" diameter (if you're intentionally taking of course, bycatch unavoidable). I don't harvest the reds except for a seldom one when I'm getting really tired of spending 5 minutes per urchin for barely a nigiri size hahaha, but I take as many purples as I can carry in my cooler every time I go.

Sure seeing a lot of abalone lately, but I guess that's because they've moved up to shallow reefs in search of food.

Some pics from last night, these guys were small, I just raked like 20 of them at dusk. After a year of harvesting purples I'm starting to finally understand roughly what to look for in terms of predicting quality and size and firmness.

General Talk / Re: Salt Point - Woodside Loop

« on: December 04, 2020, 10:52:22 AM »

Quote from: LingKiller on December 03, 2020, 10:48:01 AM

Greetings,

Just curious if anyone knows why the Salt Point Woodside sites (aka upper loop) are not open for reservation in May 2021. I have been checking regularly but nothing shows open. I called both Reserve California and the Ranger Station but still no info. The Gerstle Cove sites (aka lower loop) are open for booking though.

Cheers

My understanding is that while they plan to open some sites in April and the rest in May, they won't be available for reservation until 2021. Merely through the grapevine, from an unverified source.

Safety First / Re: What is considered unsafe sea condition?

« on: December 04, 2020, 10:45:56 AM »

Quote from: Eddie on December 03, 2020, 06:28:44 PM

Quote from: crash on December 03, 2020, 01:14:09 PM
Quote from: Raacerx on December 03, 2020, 12:47:11 PM
What I don't understand yet is how much period affects things. Seems like an especially short period could be just as bad as a long one.

I think the best way to conceptualize the affect that the wave period has is to think of it in terms of the energy of the wave. Longer period swells bring a whole lot more energy with them. Taken to the logical extreme, a typical tele tsunami wave from a large subduction zone earthquake is a 3 foot wave with a 1200 second period.
That's why I like surf-forecast.com, it tells the energy, kilo Joules of the swell/waves, I can launch in up to 400, Monday night is reading 11,110. Swell reading is 13ft @ 20 sec.

Fantastic. I need to start data tracking that as well.

Now that you guys have jogged my memory, I remember I had to learn all about this for my scuba divemaster course years ago. But living in the tropics with a protected reef at my front door, definitely wasn't needed!

I certainly assumed a larger period was worse, but now it's "duh...".

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Budget Salmon Rod

« on: December 04, 2020, 10:18:59 AM »

Quote from: yakyakyak on December 04, 2020, 08:31:57 AM

Quote from: Loebs on December 03, 2020, 06:20:10 PM
I will sell you my ugly stick tiger medium 7 ft rod for 40 bucks. I purchased it 3 months ago practically brand new.
I will take it. Will PM.

Damn, I will take it if he doesn't! Need one for my fiance!

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Budget Salmon Rod

« on: December 03, 2020, 03:54:54 PM »

Quote from: Poopsmith on November 25, 2020, 11:13:28 AM

i got an ugly stick tiger rod, thing is awesome and has caught every species up north. spend your money on the reel and get a rod w a warranty! My entire quiver is ugly sticks and okumas its baaaad. i do want one of those shimano trivelas tho for my yak.

Damn, everyone loves these things! 99.5% of the time, I use the Ugly Stik Tiger as well, seems to handle pretty much everything. Even did some surf fishing with it and didn't feel it came up that much shorter cast than my 10 foot big water rod, although I suck at long distance casting.

When I got it, I hadn't really seen any recommendations and didn't know it was so popular for jigging and rockfishing, but I have a bunch of their trout/bass rods and theyve been good so I decided to get the Tiger.

Safety First / Re: What is considered unsafe sea condition?

« on: December 03, 2020, 12:47:11 PM »

While I'm new to kayak fishing, I'm not new to the ocean, and the one thing that consistently amazes me is just how unpredictable conditions on the California coast can be (and yet therefore, also fairly predictable).

I think yesterday was a prime example of how things aren't always as they might seem based on internet reports (since the data is rarely from your specific spot). I had decided to head up to either the Salt Point area or north of Point Arena as swell was called as being moderately mild in the morning ~5ft @ NWN and low wind and hid tide at ~10am. However, there was then a large gap in data during the day, and the night it was calling for 10+ foot swells from WNW, and I've got a brand new unfamiliar kayak sitting in the garage, and so I decided I wanted to play it safe.

Instead, I found it to be nearly dead flat all morning south of Stump Cove, perfect conditions and I hit myself for not bringing the kayak. However, north of Stump Cove, waves were hitting 10-15 feet and every 2-3 minutes a sleeper would enter the cove with devastating force. On my drive back home down through Carmet and north of Bodega, there were massive massive breaks.

Since I'm still usually hanging out in somewhat protected areas that aren't exposed to the offshore swell, if the swell is 6-8 feet but NWN or NNW and with a mild tidal change, many of the launch areas and coves are often quite flat. But a WNW or W swell at even just 3-4 feet can make some entries and exists a total nightmare, especially at low tide.

What helped me the most was just checking out the entry/exit spots and the areas you want to go, as often as you can, in as many conditions as you can, and compare them to what is being reported or predicted (even if you are just driving by or going for some other activity). Spending 3+ days a week on the Sonoma Coast the last 10 months fishing and exploring every nook and cranny has left me feeling very confident that I can predict conditions, but often that means simply predicting that they can and will change.

What I don't understand yet is how much period affects things. Seems like an especially short period could be just as bad as a long one.

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

« on: December 03, 2020, 11:05:27 AM »

Quote from: Archie Marx on December 01, 2020, 02:05:33 PM

I have conducted a number of surveys on this reservoir throughout the years. If you’re looking for a world class fishery then I’d go to Clearlake. If you’re looking to explore, fish standing timber, catch some crappie or bass (and maybe a trout) then I’d give it a shot. It’s relatively remote, and near lake county, which means hillbilly shenanigans. I found a few hundred yards of gill nets in the standing timber during a drought survey as well as other signs of skullduggery.

Yeah, enough people have convinced me that I should avoid the area unless I'm in a group. I assume the normal BLM land shenanigans, which I don't mind, but don't like the idea of leaving my Audi SQ5 sitting on the shore for hours while I'm off fishing. Friend of a friend said his new truck had the window shot out (nothing stolen or even opened, just shot the window out) this summer.

Pity because it basically has everything I want; remote, can camp anywhere, do some target practice (need to sight down my new .300 win), do some mild offroading, and no paved roads keeps the power boats away.

I'll still check it out one of these days, but maybe not with the kayak unless I've got a buddy or stick close to the car.

Real bummer to hear about the gill nets; can't tell you how many times I've gotten caught and tangled in illegal gill nets while diving in the Philippines in marine reserves.

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

« on: December 01, 2020, 08:43:54 AM »

Quote from: Twopatch on November 30, 2020, 09:08:45 PM

I hit up Indian valley earlier in the year. April ,I think. The lake was in pretty good shape. The entrance to the dam was locked up. Had to drive around to the north side. I marked tons of bait and fish. I threw everything in the box at them. No takers. I used to knock the cra P out big eagle lake trout,and kokenee there. I tried for crappie and bass, I couldn't get them to go,eather. Good luck if you go.

That's quite interesting, and seems to correlate with what little reports I've found online from this year and last year, although it sounds like the south ramp and the reservoir with the deep water is where most of the action is lately. But yeah, lot of people saying that they were seeing fish on their finders, but no action (except trolling).

However swell reports for wednesday still look decent so maybe I will head up the coast to Big River today, and try to get out at Van Damme or something tomorrow.

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

« on: November 30, 2020, 07:06:37 PM »

Quote from: Fishgr on November 30, 2020, 06:39:36 PM

Quote from: AL on November 30, 2020, 05:35:34 PM
Have you considered lake Hennessy in Napa county? It's alot closer to Sebastopol and has a 10hp limit on motor boats so is usually peaceful. Not sure about its status since the fires either though.

Looks like it's open, according to City of Napa's web site. https://www.cityofnapa.org/580/Lake-Hennessey-Boating-Fishing

I've never fished there before, so I might hit that up later this week and file a report.

Let me know if you do go, I work in Napa.

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

« on: November 30, 2020, 07:04:14 PM »

Quote from: crash on November 30, 2020, 03:18:57 PM

Probably because its in the middle of nowhere with an allstar fishery at clear lake nearby and a hell of a lot easier to get to. I do like it out there though, especially in the spring as long as its not super windy. Bring a shotgun and a fishing rod, turkey cast and blast.

Yeah if fish was my number one concern, I'd go elsewhere, but its taking a backseat. Just upgraded my Vibe Yellowfin 100 to a Shearwater 125, need to dial in the rudder and some of the mods and my whole setup. I also want to do some camping and shooting away from any crowds, and my Audi SQ5 likes to go offroad. I don't think they've dropped any fish in there for awhile. It's about 50 feet or something below high water line from last year. But still leaves plenty of 50-60+ foot areas near the reservoir.

Quote from: AL on November 30, 2020, 05:31:14 PM

Haven't been there for a long time, since before the drought nearly dried it up a few years back, but I have seen some nice rainbows come out of IVR. Any idea of how access is since the last couple fires?

Access from Bartlett or Indian Valley Rd is open according to BLM. I'd really like to get a couple rainbows if I can, sounds like by the reservoir in the top of the column.

Quote from: AL on November 30, 2020, 05:35:34 PM

Have you considered lake Hennessy in Napa county? It's alot closer to Sebastopol and has a 10hp limit on motor boats so is usually peaceful. Not sure about its status since the fires either though.

I have considered it, but never did much research. I didn't know there was a speed limit, as I know friends who go there in their boats.

2-3 hours is good for me, I like to feel like I'm getting away and be far away from as many folks and noise as I can. I know there are some spots at Berryessa to get away from crowds as well, which is only about 90 minutes from me.

General Talk / Re: Paddling under GG Bridge

« on: November 30, 2020, 04:42:05 PM »

Quote from: fishbushing on November 28, 2020, 10:26:56 AM

Quote from: marin_yaker on November 28, 2020, 09:32:04 AM
Doran next to the jetty is a pretty common launch spot.

Or you can launch at the Campbell Cove Beach if you don't want to enter the park.

This is what I do, cause I'm cheap and haven't been around enough to justify a yearly pass. Plus Doran gets very crowded on weekends, although multiple different entries.

General Talk / Re: Purple Uni

« on: November 30, 2020, 04:29:24 PM »

Quote from: Loebs on November 30, 2020, 03:32:25 PM

I went crabbing and fishing yesterday on the Sonoma coast. Caught some Uni in my crab traps (that’s a first for me). When I cracked the purple Uni open the inside was black. Did I not eat them fast enough?

Ended the day with 5 rock fish caught a bunch more small guys, 4 dungies, and 1 rock crab. No lings

The inside is not black, it's just empty of any uni (roe). They only reproduce when there is food, and with all the massive insane urchin barrens, very few have any roe unless they are caught at the tide line, or around kelp.

Kept on ice, urchins will stay alive for a day or two, and I've harvested them 48 hours later. It's definitely sensitive to all kinds of environmental and situational impacts, and the quality varies dramatically as well. The bummer part is that purple urchins can survive for over 5 years without any food source, basically going dormant. They have destroyed almost all the kelp on the north coast and have spread into oregon and WA.

Many reasons why...don't get me started, but one of the largest issues with the combination of the large offshore body of warm water we had years ago, and the sea star wasting disease (the urchins primary predator). Culling has been shown to temporarily improve, and there are various spots on the North Coast that allow culling without intention of use, if you're a member (easy to join, im part of a bunch).

The reds (the commercially fished urchins) are much larger with dramatically larger yields; purple aren't a sustainable commercial harvest but it helps the ecosystem to kill them. I actually like the taste quite a bit!

Sorry if that was already known info, I just like talking about urchins, I harvest them multiple times a week.

Places to Launch and Camp / Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

« on: November 30, 2020, 01:50:24 PM »

I was thinking of heading out to IVR to test out my new early xmas present and saw there's basically been no info for years. Water levels aren't super high at the moment, but it's also not dry either and certainly better than many past years.

I've never fished there on prior visits, although I've been for camping and shooting. I assume the road deters most powerboaters and I heard there is also a speed limit; I'm looking for something quiet, don't really mind if it's all that scenic.

Definitely will be fishing, but my main focus is getting my new setup dialed in, so I won't mind if I get skunked. I know the wind blows there sometimes, this in itself isn't bad, I need to test this as well.

Clear Lake and Pillsbury are closer to me (Sebastopol), but I've always associated those with endless amounts of wake and power boats. Am I wrong? I know Clear Lake is pretty damn huge, but I've never been on the lake for anything, let alone kayaking or fishing.

In fact I've never been kayak fishing on a lake, only saltwater or rivers.

Craftsmen's Corner / Re: Sinks like a rock (sinker)

« on: November 24, 2020, 10:10:05 AM »

I don't lose much when vertically jigging, but when fishing from shore, I can lose a pound in a day pretty easy. I think I may have to start going this route!

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

« on: November 24, 2020, 09:59:38 AM »

Quote

I hear you sometimes you can't get to the bottom through the blues and blacks. If you want to avoid blues and blacks just use swimbaits. I rarely catch them on my jighead that has a 9/0 hook and 7" swimbait. When I leave off the squid I catch very few rockfish but still catch lings and cabbies and big rockfish.

I will try this. I think part of the problem is that when I started fishing from the rocks, it took soooo long to catch anything that I basically wanted to keep everything legal I could, once I started to land them. I need to shift from that, now that landing fish isn't the problem, it's just landing the fish I want. Even my 7-0 hook jigs looks so freakishly large to me!

Anyone down here tried Lancer Jigs? Great company out of the PNW, really affordable, nice jigheads; they are elongated torpedo style so they're really erratic underwater. Lots of colors, weights, and lengths. My buddies in Oregon swear by them; I lost most of mine from shore, and haven't got more to try from the kayak, but that's what they're made for.

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Messages - Raacerx

General Talk / Re: Purple Uni

General Talk / Re: Salt Point - Woodside Loop

Safety First / Re: What is considered unsafe sea condition?

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Budget Salmon Rod

Gearing Up and Rigging Up / Re: Budget Salmon Rod

Safety First / Re: What is considered unsafe sea condition?

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

Places to Launch and Camp / Re: Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

General Talk / Re: Paddling under GG Bridge

General Talk / Re: Purple Uni

Places to Launch and Camp / Indian Valley Reservoir / IVR - Why No Reports For Years?

Craftsmen's Corner / Re: Sinks like a rock (sinker)

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