Anyone brine frozen squid for bait? Was gonna brine some herring for tomorrow, thinking I might toss a couple squid in too.  I usually dye with liquid bluing. Feeling like it might be crazy or might be genius. Dunno, haha.   

Bottom line up front: should I buy a left handed vintage Penn 209 for inshore use?

The long version:
I've been on a bit of a retro kick lately, and acquired some vintage Penn backwards (right handed) reels. I've cleaned them up, and a couple a pretty nice. I really dig the old school aesthetic, and I like the durable feeling and seemingly infinite serviceability. A huge capacity makes it even more appealing for me.

Only problem is that all the reels I have are right handed, and I fish left handed. I know, I know, I need to grow up and learn the other way. It would really open up a lot more reel options. Like, all of the reel options, haha.

Old Penns are really hard to find in left hand models. And if looking for a specific model, I guess set the eBay alert and prepare to wait.

I really want to find a Jigmaster. Don't really care about the age, color, etc. Just want the larger drag washers and higher gear ratio, but seems like all the other left handers out there are onto the same thing, haha. I actually also like that it is open face, keeps things simpler.

All that said, I found a relatively clean Penn 209 left hand level wind for an acceptable price on eBay. Should I grab that one, or hold out for a Jigmaster? Or, if anyone has any old left handed Penn reels, and they wish it was a right handed model, I would happily trade.

Anyone fish for stripers in Benicia in the spring?  Like, now through the end of the month?  I know people are catching in both the Bay and in the Delta, so I figure why not try to catch them in between? 

Time to re-spool two of my freshwater spinning reels - both see duty as 90% trout and 10% bass in local reservoirs.   

Was thinking of going 8lb braid to about 10 ft of 6lb flouro leader.  Anyone else running similar?  Other suggestions?

Both currently have 6lb mono, which is working well enough, but I feel could be better.  The rods are bendy enough that I feel I want a little more responsiveness, and I am certainly accustomed to the strength and durability of braid. 

I am not trolling with a downrigger, mostly trolling and casting smaller crankbaits, spinners, spoons, etc.  I don't really use large/heavy bass lures - I have a handful of dedicated bass rods for bigger baits if the situation calls for it.


 

Hey all, thought I would ask here.  Am considering an annual pass for either EBRPD or EBMUD.  Can't do both, looking for folks who've had either of these in the past for insights.  Going to up my freshwater game this year!

Thanks!

Anyone use a chum box/tube/etc when using a sabiki?  Thinking about rockfish regs, and increasing efficiency while getting/restocking bait.  One line with only 2 hooks can make that prospect time consuming, especially when wanting to get a working line back in the water. 

Was thinking about drillng holes into a short length of pvc pipe, capping both ends, and rigging a swivel in one end to hook to the bottom of a sabiki.  Fill the pipe with cut fish or squid, in hopes of attracting more baitfish faster. 

Anyone try this before? 

Found this report the other day. Would be a rush to hook into the landlord!
https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/video-canadian-angler-great-white-shark-kayak/

Taking a friends and family camping trip to Gualala this coming weekend - my kid's swim team does this every year and it's a really good time. Usually a dozen or so families turn up.

Anyway, hoping to get a morning to go fishing, but will be shore based. Will have a couple kids with me probably, so don't really wanna go climbing around the rocks too much.

So, I'm looking at Point Arena Pier, about 25 minutes north of the campground.

Anyone fish there?  From what I've found on the net, it looks like rockfish and cabezon are commonly caught there. I will probably try squid on a hi-low rig, but any other strategies would be appreciated.

I will probably bring a crab hoop to use as a landing net - maybe bring a couple and try to catch some crab too?

Or, other kid-friendly locations around Gualala would be appreciated too!

Thanks!