Monterey 10/16

Wife has me on an errand to the area and fishing is the serendipity.  Are these conditions doable?  If it was up here, say Bo or HMB, it would be.  Help...

I'm betting all systems go.  High tide at 11:30.  Hope to launch by 8:30 from Breakwater Cove Marina.

Yes, the forecast looks great for Monterey on Monday. I would join you if not for other commitments.... Getum!

Yes, the forecast looks great for Monterey on Monday. I would join you if not for other commitments.... Getum!

Thank you, gonna check MBK launch first.  More than likely there...hope I can find zee bait...

Good luck 🤙!

Note to self.  Leave Marin at 4:30 to miss commute traffic into Monterey.  No big deal.  Arrived at MBK at 8:30 not digging the fog from seaside north yet was a little clearer at the launch.  First pic is looking at shore on the way back about 200yds. out.

Said hi to Adam, the guru of fishy knowledge and area advisor.  Great to meet ya' again.  Thanks for the squid to da max!

Launched to less than ankle slappers from there but they were pounding along the coast.  Headed to a spot and drifted squid in 45-52 fow.  Nothing on the FF.  Tried to keep up with a bird pile and was bait hopeful but nada.  Caught a few miniature blues and had some baity ideas yet we play by the rules...sigh...they were small shiner perch size and looked o' so tasty.  Those back fins'll jab ya' good, same with that Sabiki.  I had one surface flippin' larger bait ball opportunity. My Sabiki was not ready for the drop and it passed..sigh...

Caught some kelp and despised it yet the first snag gave me my gear back.  Yay!

Heard much commotion like breaking waves on a glassy "ish" sea and a pack of sea lions were rodeo ing around and that kept me on my toes.  I had one large lion drive by when I was over that bait ball...massive animal...no thank you.

Visibility was about 200 yds. by football field standards.  I didn't like it.  Been in thicker though and this was doable.

Kept gettin' tapped by these miniature Monterey species then down and battle...zzzz...zzzz...I tried to pretend there were big headshakes and it just didn't feel like a hail so I figure ling, but not exactly ling like either.  What is this?  Miniature WSB?  Stray miniature Yellowtail?  Not RCG looking in the slightest.  Sent the pic to a friend and was pleased to hear it was an Ocean Whitefish.  Made my day.  First time ever fishing Monterey and catching a unique species to me and heard from several people that they are tasty.

Brain spike, wired, gilled, gutted, bled came in at a whopping' 3.5 elbees.  19.5"

After this catch I got snagged and lost my rig so I took my toys and went home.  The timing was perfect.  Off da wattah' by 12:30.  Home by 5:30

The reason I went down to Monterey was to pick up my daughter's stuffed animals she left at a hotel.  They wouldn't mail em' back and charge us.  They wanted us to send them a prepaid box to mail back.  Seemed technical and pricey.

Great first experience and I better win the lotto if I'm to afford making this trip more often.  It'll happen...the trip that is...thanks for watching...

Nice Eddie. That's a FAT Ocean Whitefish. They are tasty. Way better than rockfish and lingcod for my taste buds.

Thanks Moo!  Not sure how to cook it yet.  I'll do my homework.  Prolly keep it simple to enjoy da flavah' flave.  Did you try it sushi kine way, or poke kine?

Thanks Moo!  Not sure how to cook it yet.  I'll do my homework.  Prolly keep it simple to enjoy da flavah' flave.  Did you try it sushi kine way, or poke kine?

No raw. Fish fry both times and compared them to rockfish and lingcod. Everyone in my family thought it was better than rockfish and lingcod. I've been wanting to catch them for over a year now. I'll try raw next time I catch them.

Thanks Moo!  Not sure how to cook it yet.  I'll do my homework.  Prolly keep it simple to enjoy da flavah' flave.  Did you try it sushi kine way, or poke kine?

No raw. Fish fry both times and compared them to rockfish and lingcod. Everyone in my family thought it was better than rockfish and lingcod. I've been wanting to catch them for over a year now. I'll try raw next time I catch them.

Adam mentioned about ten feet up from the bottom is where they will find the hook of Moo.   

Thanks Moo!  Not sure how to cook it yet.  I'll do my homework.  Prolly keep it simple to enjoy da flavah' flave.  Did you try it sushi kine way, or poke kine?

No raw. Fish fry both times and compared them to rockfish and lingcod. Everyone in my family thought it was better than rockfish and lingcod. I've been wanting to catch them for over a year now. I'll try raw next time I catch them.

Adam mentioned about ten feet up from the bottom is where they will find the hook of Moo.   

Thanks for the intel 

Big boy white fish congrats

Thanks for the reports and pictures guys.   I caught several Whitefish this year and they are good eating.

Nice work Eddie! 

Whitefish does really well smoked.  I often make up a quick whitefish salad to put on sourdough toast with some thinly sliced cuke. 

Super hero dad move. Way to take care of the fam, and your self 
That fish looks tasty, glad you made the most of the lil commute down south.