Quote from: The Gopher on September 10, 2024, 09:32:43 PM

Quote from: Yaknchef on September 10, 2024, 03:15:10 PM

I was also thinking of heading down there Friday to try for some rockfish before the season closes. I’ve never fished it before but figured I’d get on here and see what kind of info I could scrape up… and saw your post. What launch spot are you looking at using?

At the risk of spot burning ignominy, you can fish Capitola around the kelp, mile buoy, or the SpongeBob buoy, which may or may not exist at this time. Or take a long paddle/pedal to SC3

That's not spot burning..Alle well known.  Plus NCKA should get a leg up on info.  Post reports in the "members only" section to avoid trolls.  Takers not givers)
Bushy

Agree - those are all spots the guys at the bait shop will tell you about. 

Sounds like quite an adventure!  Good on you for sticking with it and making it out! I think we've all made deposits into Davey Jones' locker - part of the game. At least you were able to get most of your stuff back.

For future trips, there are lots of discussions on here about strategy - launching, landing, gear stowage, etc. I learned a lot just by searching and reading.  Also, there are a lot of places that are much easier to launch than Bolinas.

Large rays and sharks pose a unique situation.  Some people eat sharks, but most of us release them. Three strategies, depending on size and situation.
1. Small sharks and rays you can just pick up and put upside down on your kayak. Watch out for the stinger on rays! Unhook and toss back.
2. Larger sharks can usually be unhooked alongside your kayak. Once they are worn out and done fighting, you can usually flip them over in the water and unhook. Rays are trickier to flip because of their shape, and the stinger. Watch out for the stinger!
3. You can also just pull them close and cut the leader as close to them as you can. The line will degrade and the hook will rust and fall out. This is the safest and easiest way, especially if there are any complications with removing the hook.

Quote from: KPD on September 07, 2024, 04:41:42 PM

Triumph!

BSA!!!

Norton!  Been lusting after one of those for a long time...

You could also Dremel a slot for a flat screwdriver

Maybe try a little PB Blaster.. 

My case doesn't even cover the charge port, haha.  I do rinse my phone with everything else after a saltwater trip, but usually don't take the case off for that.

I've seen rubber plugs for the charging hole, for various plug types. My camera lens is under the back glass on the phone, so I'm not too worried about that.

The speakers are probably the most vulnerable part, TBH.

I should also mention, I use a Google Pixel 6 - not exactly out a lot if I break it.  I think I spent more on my FF bundle than on my phone, haha.

I rig 1 J-hook by the noses and 1 treble by the belly near the rectum 

Hey Sonny, that's what I usually do too. What size hooks do you use? 

How are y'all rigging up large live baits? Thinking 12" size smelt, croakers, or macks.

Been talked about a lot - plenty of options out there for live bait setups. I usually use a three way with a spreader, about 12-15" dropper for the weight, and about a 3' leader to the nose of the bait.

Yesterday I used a some croakers, about 12" long, rigged on trap setups. 1/0 or so octopus hook for the nose, hard tied, about 10" or so from a #2 short shank treble.

One of the baits got absolutely shredded, in between the hooks. Had to be a ling - it gave that dead weight, then a dive or two to the bottom again, and then came off. I pulled the bait up and it had teeth marks 1/4" deep down both sides, right in the middle.

Not gonna guess as to how big it was - I never saw it - but it wasn't small. It left a rather large bite mark in a bait that was about 12 inches long.

How do you guys rig up to ensure that is a fish landed vs just a torn up bait? Should I just run bigger hooks?