LoletaEric:
Last Thursday, August 1st was a great trip with strong NCKA roots. MarkL has been out with me several times, and so has his son Jake. This trip they'd bring Jake's friend from back to childhood, Chad, and NCKA long-time East Bay hali slayer, Tsuri/Michael. I had gotten a call from Tim in Mendocino and arranged to add him in too.
I told the guys we'd meet at 630AM at the launch, but when I pulled into town just after six they were all there getting ready. There were a couple other kayakers launching and a few powerboats getting going while we prepared, but the crowds have generally been way down at the Cove this year, with no salmon season being the reason.
The ocean was perfect, and the forecast was for no wind all day. We'd head down the coast, slow trolling anchovies and herring, waiting and watching for the subtle bites of California halibut. In that moment, preparing for the anticipated success of proper timing and placement that almost feels guaranteed, I was so thrilled for our group and the prospect of our day.
Right away, Michael's on! I turn toward him and start power stroking. I clear my line as I drift forward, and by the time I get to him he's landed his halibut - 27" of pure inspiration for the group!
It wasn't long before more fish came up - 3 legal lingcod, Jake's first legal halibut from the kayak, at least 4 grassy rockfish caught and released by Tim!, a nice halibut and lingcod for Chad, and Michael had the Hot Stick! He landed and released four more legal halibut after his original keeper - they were all around 23", and he wanted a bigger one. He did well to land and un-hook non-retained fish by hand. Other biters included some very spirited 4 to 5 foot smoothhound sharks. I call them "Leader Eaters" - glad they're not more prevalent. It was a great day for all!
Saturday I was back down there to take out a guy from Sonoma County - Bryan. We had a good trip with some halibut action, lings and a big verm. His trip got turned into a therapy session, and I think we pulled off a pretty good one. I was stoked to get to spend the day with my man and his hot red Hobie.
Sunday would be a special day with long-time NCKA brothers, FishermanX and CohoJoe. The guys put me up in their VRBO Saturday night, fed me dinner at the Gyppo Ale Mill, counseled me late into the night over beers, and Sunday we fished hard! We headed for the reef to start, and the lingcod were willing. Added a few fat blacks into the mix, and things were going great... Then I hooked a seal.
I hooked a seal. It's only the second time it's ever happened to me. I had just put on a new 25 pound leader, and when my line starting running I immediately thumbed the spool - hard! Thumb burning, I worked the rod and the thumb, and it wasn't happening. I saw the seal jump out the water maybe 80 meters out. This guy was ripping line out, and I couldn't just pull and snap it. At nearly 500' of fifty pound braid out, I had my knife there and cut it at the reel. Never want to do that. Had to.
After that the bite died. We worked it another 45 minutes, but it wasn't happening. We headed for the hali grounds. Once we got to the zone, we deployed special weapons and moved at various MPH - it's the secret way to catch a halibut. Their bites have been the biggest mystery in town: thump. Thump, and then nothing. They sit there with it, and if you react, and pull, and lift, they're gone. Or worse, they're there, and then, just as you feel them or even see them, they're gone. This is part of what I call Halibut Torture. It's how good they are at making us crazy.
So we worked the halibut grounds for a bit, alongside a local who was trolling a distinct pattern in 10 to 12 feet of water, and we all got a little action. It was an amazing time, as the fish were hitting, sometimes getting hooked, often fooling us, and one was caught - it was a fatty.
The Tailgate Fillet Station was ablaze with joy and contentment, as I wrapped a 3 out of 4 day group of trips up with some quality fillets heading out with my guests. Good Times!
I haven't been busy! This was the busiest little spurt of the year - please get in touch if you're looking to learn the Cove and move along in kayak fishing. :smt001