Stillwater South 10/23

Launched @ 8 , headed out around the point in just awesome flat water. No wind or swell to speak of. Water was extremely clear, all kinds of blues swimming around and I saw two olives come right up near the surface. The fishing started out a little slow. Hooked a fat blue and a little later I was getting ready to try another spot , while reeling up a hex bar tipped with squid I see a large fish chasing it to the surface. I stopped reeling and he swallowed the bar " fish on "  19" cabby. A little later poking around the kelp beds in @ 30 ft if water I hook a small 6" blue on the bar. I decided to move out a little deeper and see if I could coax a ling to hit it. I dropped it down in @ 50 ft, 5 minutes later I feel the line get heavy, no pulling, just heavy. Started reeling it up and sure enough a ling was on there, but he grabed the blue sideways and was just hitchhiking it to the surface. AS soon as I got the gaff over him he let go and took off. Damit.......A few minute later here comes the DFG guys. They were polite and just wanted to see my license and fish. One blue and a cab... ok see ya. I was well within the MLPA so that was a relief.
Put on a 4" swim bait dropped it down and started getting some fish. A few small RF on the stringer. Then something heavy hit, started getting excited, reeled it up half way and it took some line out. I knew it was a good fish. Finally on the gaff and in the boat a 24.5" ling. Feeling good. Getting a nice stringer going. Weather was still great, damn I could fish here all day. So I moved around the outside edges of the kelp bed 50-60ft of water poking looking for structure. By this time I put on a 7" green and white swim bait. As soon as I hit the bottom I felt something heavy grab it. Got the fish about half way up and it came unbuttoned. Dropped it down right away and "WHAM" fish on. Tugged like hell. Got another ling in the boat 25.5". Could have stayed out till dark it was soo flat! Decided to call it a day and came in @ 2, boat heavy with fish YA !
Tight lines, aka-KIMO

Thanks for the post. For me it's been a tough year at Stillwater. But I've wanted to give it at least one more go, so Sat. I'll be there if this calm spell holds.

Funny you mention the DFG there. I've seen them there twice, which is twice more than I've seen DFG anywhere else, and I've been fishing in CA for almost 40 yrs! I fish the Delta a lot, and have never seen DFG there.

Bill aka pindo124

Great report aka-KIMO! I posted a few days ago to see if anyone had been fishing MBK or San Carlos, didn't get a response. I think I'll head over to Stillwater Saturday morning with my son Joel. With these great conditions which are expected to last throughout the weekend we should have a great time. I'll be monitoring Ch 69 if anyone wants to join in.

Congrats on a great day aka-KIMO. Great photos

Ben

Thanks for the post. For me it's been a tough year at Stillwater. But I've wanted to give it at least one more go, so Sat. I'll be there if this calm spell holds.

Funny you mention the DFG there. I've seen them there twice, which is twice more than I've seen DFG anywhere else, and I've been fishing in CA for almost 40 yrs! I fish the Delta a lot, and have never seen DFG there.

Bill aka pindo124

I've seen them there twice now that the MLPA is in play. It must be a big fine if they catch someone in the no fish zone. I didnt bother with my GPS today and glad I was in the clear. There is one corner of it that gets pretty close to the outer edge of the kelp beds. But I was a bit further North.
I hope this weather holds through the weekend. Goodluck..KIMO

A few more PIC"S............

Way to go, Kimo!  Right on!!!   

You worked for your fish, and the tale was well told.  Great pics too.  Man, I miss my rockfishing!   

You and Tom seem to be dialing in the lings there.  Congrats, I should take a lesson!

I see the DFG guys a lot in Monterey near point pinos, just about everytime I was out there earlier in the season.

Eugene

Glad you scored big.   Too bad we didn't get out on the same day, I should have let you know sooner.  Looks like you had even better conditions than I did, and better fish to show for it.  I had the same feeling about not wanting to come in on such a good day. 

You're so right! To drop that "bad boy" right back down to where that fish was... (plus 5 pulls) I won't even check the bait!!! Great job!

Blake