Fishing Sunday?

I'm thinking of fishing Sunday, open to several possibilities. The fishing in Santa Cruz has sucked for me lately, so I'll be looking to go North or South...Stillwater Cove in Carmel?  Or perhaps Bean Hollow?  Half Moon Bay would be fine, if you know the area-I don't.

Happy to target rockfish, seems to be all that's happenin now anyways.

Paul,

The NOAA weather forecast for the coast looks horrible.  I mainly use that for wind estimates.  I doubt I’d head out in those conditions.  Definitely wouldn’t try Bean Hollow though.

JMairey has been perfecting the weather forecast, so he’s probably the best qualified to answer your weather question.

Stuart

tallpaul - some of us will be launching at Monterey Bay Kayak / Del Monte on Sunday - you are more than welcome to join us!

VHF channel 69

Joel,

I was thinking the same thing.  What time you guys going to be there?

-Allen

launch by 6AM. I'll PM you my cell #......

My wife is taking a sea kayaking class so I have to watch my daughters . Shore-bound  . I was with the class with Mooch last Sunday (that Halibut and the 'lap-dancing', 'hitch-hiking' Ling were awesome). I was so jazzed I bought reels, rods, plastics, etc. so I am geared up and I am ready to go . Looks nasty though--gale-force winds possible . Maybe I'll get their cousins to baby-sit and dunk some Senkos at Steven Creek: nice and safe off the coast . I will get to Monterey Bay again and soon. And... O'Neil Forebay and San Luis Striped Bass Prime Time is just about to start and go through March.   It is going to be good, yeah, really good. I can't wait.

Woah, sounds like the planets have aligned and I might have Sunday free...

I'd love to have a last chance at halibut this year.  I'm so depressed that I haven't managed to catch even one!

Count me in for Sunday

I haven't fished Del Monte before, but it sounds like a winner...I'll be there. Mooch, I'll look for you and others at the launch at 0600 hours, close to Monterey Bay Kayak shop, right?  Channel 69 once on the water?

See you there,

Tall Paul

I decided to buy a Prowler 15 yesterday--so today is reserved for outfitting it with rod holders, sonar, GPS, etc. I am finally getting ready to kayak fish. I thought the weather was supposed to be windy--but it looks fantastic. Now I am jealous. Go get 'em.

Well, the weather was perfect this morning.  I had to come in early so we'll wait for Mooch or somebody else to post a full report...

Two good things about this day:

1) The conditions were great, and Del Monte is a good choice for someone new to kayaking who wants a stress free launch experience.

2) The spot seems to hold some fish, with both rockfish (real) and halibut (theoretical) within twenty minutes of the beach at Monterey Bay Kayaks.


The fishing for halibut was unproductive, as far as I can tell, even for a handful of pretty savvy kayak anglers, and the rockfish were pretty small versions of gophers and blues. For me, the trick was to find what structure I could in deeper water, around 100 feet, and to use squid. Squid that you had to beg for seemed to work the best. Stinger hook is a good idea. No love on the artificials(the usual suspects), except for a few fish on squid tipped iron. About 3/4 of a mile north of the launch worked best. I did manage a decent stringer of three pound vermillions, plus one sub legal ling and a couple of kelp greenling. Those fish are so pretty that I hate to kill them, but I also suspect that they're great table fish...anyone?  Very firm, clean white meat.

Anyone score a flattie today?

TallPaul

Last Sunday... we (meaning the newbies in the clinic) all fished Sabikis and Salmon Flies with Squid, but Mooch threw iron for a couple of Lings and an 18-pound Halibut. For what it is worth, we wasted a lot of time drifting in deeper (60+) water when the schools of Rockfish turned out to be right by the barrel buoy just North of the launch at Monterey Bay Kayaks. I am sure it is different every day there. Mooch was awesome. He showed us how it is done. That's fishing

TallPaul,

We have crossed wakes before.

once my friend Leo and I were out late June in Santa Cruz with Brendan, I was trying to get Leo interested in kayak fishing as we are long time surf buds. He hooked a nice ling that day and it hasn't been to hard to get him out if the surf is at all marginal.

Tell us about the greenling. Common wisdom on this board is they are not so good. Vic Dunaway says otherwise, but he will eat anything.

-John