Santa Cruz Derby result: 07.17.05

Winner: Alex Velasco / Aliens (long time fisherman - FIRST time kayaker)

Score: 32 (and change) # Halibut caught drifting with whole dead squid  in 60 ft. of water right across the light house (right of the Pier). He also caught a 6# Ling Cod.  

Alex is a co-worker of mine and has extensive knowledge of fishing = mainly in Alaska (where he was stationed by the Airforce / Elmendorf Base, Anchorage) and the Sea Side area at Monterey. He mostly fishes from the the surf (not anymore ) - for stripers and perch. I finally convinced him (after 2 years) to fish from a kayak and lucky for him, Brian G. had the best kayak around (to lend) for a newbie = the mighty Fish & Dive by Cobra kayak.

Brian = thanks for the loaner / Alex still owes you a cold one  

Alex will post more of the details on the catch when gets a chance.

Congrats to Alex - for catching a "record Halibut catch" Kayak Derby History       and taking home a brand new OK Prowler 15  

I believe second Place went to Sean / PISCEAN (who also happens to be a very creative / skilled artist = wood carving - I saw his work) I think he came in with a big vermillion - pls. correct me if I'm wrong.

Scott Ack also placed with his Lings / Rock fish from Davenport.

Many thanks to Allen B. / Ocean Kayak and Mark P. / Kayak Connection for their efforts! Thanks for feeding the crew!!

Mendohead / Ernie: great smoked salmon salad    PLEASE POST A RECIPE

Nice to meet the rest of the gang...always nice to finally meet the faces behind the name  

Congratulations Alex! What a way to get introduced to kayak fishing, tag along w/ a buddy, borrow a loaner, catch a record halibut and come home w/ a brand new kayak! Sounds like a movie script!
I'm sorry I missed it, got the e-mail saying there were only 12 signed up and I usually fish out of the harbor over to the right as well.
Can't wait to hear the blow by blow.

Thanks for the kind words Joel! I personally had a great time. I chose to fish north of Santa Cruz & launched to glassy seas about 6am. The weather for this derby was the most cooperative I think I've seen it, with only a light breeze to ruffle the water springing up around 9 or so. I tried to get some of the smelt hanging around the kelp as Halibut/Ling bait but they wanted nothing to do with the sabiki, picky little suckers. I did some drifts using a 3oz root beer scampi for 2 almost legal lings and a nice 3.7lb vermilion rockfish. I also managed a decent blue rockfish, a pretty little 13" male greenling (who had ling-type tooth gouges on his tail) , and a handful of smallish black & yellow and gopher rockfish (released, with the greenling). Off the water by 11. No huge fish but a very pleasant morning of fishing action. Top it off with hours of non-stop fishing conversation, some delicious salmon pasta salad and a fresh fish taco & a pacifico. Life is good! I even "mooched" third place with my vermilion. My battered and stained floppy paddling hat is off to all of you who participated, and it was really great to meet everyone in person.
-Sean

. I tried to get some of the smelt hanging around the kelp as Halibut/Ling bait but they wanted nothing to do with the sabiki, picky little suckers.

YEah - I tried to make bait just outside the Harbor - tons of baitfish! Did not get any on the sabiki either   I would have stayed and fished the area but there were too many boats coiming in and out.

In other news.....I already got two phone calls from Alex today......first thing he say's to me =  "WHERE ARE WE GOING FISHING THIS WEEKEND???!!!" He's dying to get out and fish with his new Pimp-ride prowler   I told him that he still needs to get a paddle and a life vest before he takes his new ride for a spin. And knowing Alex, he'll just carve out a paddle out of his  neighbors tree with his pocket knife.....and fill in a potato sack full of bubble wrap and stuff it inside his wife-beater t-shirt for a PFD.   (it's the Filipino in him)

I told him that the DFG just announced that there is a closure on kayak fishing for the next six months....especially for Halibut fishing - due to the over harvest of 30 + pound halibut in Northern California.   He didn't think it was funny  

Alex will have some photos posted tomorrow.

Tell Alex he should enter the pool!

Great work and great story, if he wants I have an extra paddle and PFD I can loan him for a while.

Thanks Bill - I'm sure he'll take you up on that offer.

Oh, by the way...did I mention that our dear Lodi Terrorist Friend - Brian G. - was wearing a very interesting outfit at the derby??? Maybe I'll let him explain what he was wearing and why. I asked his girlfriend Kathy to take a pic of him with his award-winning out fit.....and post it on the board

I forgot my neo booties so i wore an old pair of tennis shoes!

-Brian

Dear Fellow YakFisherPersons:

    I ran into Mooch, Alex and Bob at the west side of S.C. harbor which, is a good spot to launch. I told them that I was planning to do the same spot where I caught my 27 Lb. Halibut last Sept.  which, is to the one mile can then, across to Steamer.

   I had fun with all the King fish at the one mile can but, my winning Butt never showed up. I wanted to see how Mooch and Alex were doing at Streamer. The conditions were flat and a little foggie. I made it to Mooch first where, he told me that Alex hooked up a huge Butt close to some crab pots off of Steamers.

  I was sorry I did'nt hang with Mooch and Alex because, I would have liked to watch Alex fight that big Butt.
 It's great to see someone win the Derby with a quality catch!

     I was glad my Smoked Salmon pasta was a hit.
P.S. I'll post the brine recipe which is on page 12 of the "Little Chief" electric Smoker instructions. I use only Luhr-Jensen Hickory Chips and Chucks for that deep smokey flavor which, drives my neighbors crazy!

Quote: Country Joe and the FISH
"What's that smell? What's that's spell? Give me a FISH."

    The secret is to  use fresh caught wild Salmon which has been spiked, iced down and, all fresh veggies. My dressing is a Honey Dijon. I use
quality pasta that has ripples to hold the chucks of Salmon so, you get a nice fork full of fish and veggies.

    I taste as I go and, the more Fish you add the better it is! Chill the Pasta over night. Serve with your favorite beer and, it's a no brainer.

  I have a 50/50 plan with my friends up North where, I do the filleting., smoking and, we share in the catch. It take me about three day if, anyone has fish they want smoked, let me know.
                                                                Thanks for the memories Mark, Allen, Ocean Kayak and,  the pack of YakFisherPersons.
                                                                           Ernie

I forgot my neo booties so i wore an old pair of tennis shoes!

Brian - seeing you wearing a t-shirt over your farmer johns + tennis shoes....I was really convinced that you just came back from an aerobics class with Jenny Craig  

....never a dull moment hanging out with Brian G.  

Ok here are Alex's Pics:

That HE-UGE center hatch on that Fish & Dive proved to be the ticket on getting that Hali secured. NOTE: Alex could barely fit that moster inside the hatch to begin with  .


Allen B's Derby write-up at the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2005/July/21/sport/stories/04sport.htm

Sweet.  Thanks for the post.

MolBasser

someone told me he also was in the local paper with his pic.(santa cruz sentinal)

awsome