Santa Cruz Crimson Tide- 11/14

Paddled for a few hours this morning into an intense red tide. It seemed darker than usual (to me anyway). Launched next to Aldos and headed north to 4 mile. Dropped some squid into the murky depths and released a couple of dinky little rockfish. Messed around with a fishtrap near the mile buoy on the way back. Nada.


It was sunny and beautiful out there today. I spent most of the time leaning back in my seat spitting sunflower seeds.
I brought far less gear than I normally do and it was nice. Think I'll paddle lighter in the future.

Alex, I am surprised.  The Weather Man this morning says 8-10 knots wind and 6 -8 ft. swells.  You are talking about take a nap in the sun conditions.  Do I need to learn how to interpret what the weather man is saying?  I would like to get out at least one more time before the season closes yet, I have been out in 8' Swells and 10 MPH Winds and it is not fun.  Your report surprises me!

Wow, you paddled to four-mile beach?  That's like a 14 mile round trip from the harbor? We need to get you and Pablo together......

How far outside of town (past Natural Bridges) before the red tide dissapated?

Allen

Hey Alex

Have you hooked anything on the mermaid rod?

Scott

Alex, I am surprised.  The Weather Man this morning says 8-10 knots wind and 6 -8 ft. swells.  You are talking about take a nap in the sun conditions.  Do I need to learn how to interpret what the weather man is saying?  I would like to get out at least one more time before the season closes yet, I have been out in 8' Swells and 10 MPH Winds and it is not fun.  Your report surprises me!

Yep, it sounds like the weather man had yesterday a.m. wrong. I did not check the reports, just took a quick look and gave it the green light. It was very pleasant out there (except for lack of fish). Could have launched off beach at Capitola without a problem.

Wow, you paddled to four-mile beach?  That's like a 14 mile round trip from the harbor? We need to get you and Pablo together......

How far outside of town (past Natural Bridges) before the red tide dissapated?

Allen

CORRECTION: after pulling my head out of 'the sand', I realize that I was nowhere near 4 mile, but instead just off Mitchell's Cove. Did not even make it past Natural Bridges. Ha.
Thanks Allen for catching that. We gotta fish again soon!
Someday, I do intend to take on some Pablo-like marathons. Never met the guy, but his reports are classic.

Hey Alex

Have you hooked anything on the mermaid rod?

Scott

Whats up Scott! Nothin big on that rod yet, but I haven't given it much of a chance either. Before yesterday, I had not fished for over a month. Sad, I know.

 

scallen, I surfed 3-mile last wednesday during that big south. red tide not too bad there. smelt jumping in the kelp, so something still going on there.

John

Captain Jimmy told me yesterday the water was clear past the 1 mile buoy, and up the coast past Natural Bridges.  Ed at Capitola reported it "moving in and out" on the Beach there.  Good news at Capitola is a variety of winter perch being caught.  Barred, Black, rubberlip up to 14 inches last weekend.

Alex, looking forward to getting out with you agin, and  catching some fish!  Rockfish season is almost done here, hopefully one more go-out before December.  (I go to Seattle for T-Day)

Allen

There's a friendly guy(non angler) who launches from SC harbor in a real skinny and long homemade (resin/fabric) SIKayak and skinny wooden paddle, I often see him around noon. He has a sedan (blue?) with a harbor parking sticker, parks it right at the launch.   I think he paddles every day.He heads up the coast. He'd be interesting to talk to get an idea of the outside limits of yakking from the harbor, as well as red tide, etc.- he takes a good camera to get photos, so I think he pays some attention.

Tom,

I think Ive seen the guy you are talking about and man does he motor!  Literally I think I would need a motor to keep up.  So his idea of doable probably wouldnt have much bearing on guys like me but he would definitely be great at red tide intel.

Eugene

Tom,

I think Ive seen the guy you are talking about and man does he motor!  Literally I think I would need a motor to keep up.  So his idea of doable probably wouldnt have much bearing on guys like me but he would definitely be great at red tide intel.

Eugene

I have seen that guy, too. He paddles in some nasty conditions and really flies in that thing. It must be really lightweight.