MBK 062108

First time at MBK for me. Got there at 9am and bumped into prowlinNorcal (Kim)  , she was NCK'ing with some buddies today (minus the A). My friends had bailed so I was fishing solo.

Waded out into knee deep water to launch, was immediately knee deep in sardines. Rigged up a sabiki and bagged a couple with the help of Fishmaster1 who was also chasing them with his son. . Headed out to the kelp beds in front of Cannery Row. Ran into Fishin Mike on the way  . Fishing in the kelp beds was not particularly productive, but drifiting out a bit deeper served me well. Got 2 blacks, 2 blues and a kelp RF drifting a simple squid-tipped shrimp fly. The weather had been great all morning but as morning turned to afternoon the clouds quickly started building.....and darkening....... then I got a special, if slightly intimidating, treat.



I had seen it to the south and so had just drifted north in the wind. Then the fireworks started on the north of the system and I was penned in. Headed for MBK but didn't quite make it in time.



Once the storm had passed (~20 mins)...then the lifeguard appeared telling everyone to get out of the water. I chewed on a few ginger snaps before heading back out for one more (big) blue and a couple more sardines. I had briefly used the earlier sardines for bait but decided I'd rather stick them under the broiler. It was a wise decision, they tasted great and made a great side dish to the fish and chips we had that night.

It was a long day given the drive from SF, but still a great time. Good to meet so many NCKA'ers!

Good report there and a decent haul for that spot, it can be tough fishing there sometimes.  JTF

A NorthernBoy wasnt that weather A trip? It was nice and hot with the thunder and lightning all around us then just as fast as it started it stoped. You should have seen all the peaple running off the beach!!! It was hillareus. 

nice report thanks for the intel.  I too have been known to eat my fresh caught bait.  Rolled in cumin and salt, grilled.

Thanks for the report NB. The lightning storm was incredible. But glad I wasn't out there in a kayak.
I'm just gonna add to your report if thats OK.

Man, what a difference a day makes! I ended up launching from MBK on Sunday and it was nasty. No sun, very gusty winds, and tight swells. Drove down to Carmel first and watched some guy get pounded in the surf. After helping him recover his gear, I decided to retreat to the Monterey side of the peninsula. Also, looking out into Carmel Bay with my binocs, I could see major whitecaps building.
Launched from MBK around 10am and paddled/trolled all the way to the Beach Hotel for nada. Drifted and trolled my way back to the launch. This was my first attempt at halibut and I struck out. Had to resort to rockfishing or risk getting a skunker. Pulled up some nice coppers, browns, blues, and a ling. All fish caught+released in about 30-40ft within a half-mile of MBK. 
PK

It was good to meet the northern boy on Saturday. I started a little earlier, around 8 or 8:30, and paddled out to the red bell buoy to see what was there. Didn't find anything so I started easing back in toward the cannery row kelp. I got 2 small blues, 4 bigger blacks and an even bigger olive, so plenty of fish for dinner. They were biting pretty fast about 20 yds or so outside of the kelp. The wind was kind of coming and going, then a sort of squall came in and I lost my hat in the wind, and the fish kept taking my line into the kelp, and it finally broke off, so I took that as a sign it was time to quit. The sky looked stormy as I was paddling back to the beach, but I didn't see any lightning until I was on the road heading home. Camera battery was out so I didn't get any pictures till I got home. Pretty nice day overall.

Quality reporting, all.  Love the lightning video, NB.  I tried to get some of the northern end of the storm's lightning at Shelter Cove, but I didn't capture any on video.  What a crazy storm.