South of Pescadero, Wed 8/5

Launched today at 8:15 a.m. with a buddy.  Relatively calm conditions, but a few waste-high swells were sneaking in.  Wind stayed down all day.  Couldn't ask for better fishing weather.

In terms of fish, it started very slow.  I think we were fishing an hour before any hits.  As the tide started to turn, the fishing picked up.  The net was about 20 rockfish between us - 5 kept and the rest released.  A good assortment of blacks, grass and, of course, black and yellow's.  One ling - 35" and fat - and released.  And eight cabs (kept four).

We were fishing speed jigs, money minnows and scampi.  Rootbeer scampi with a red led-head was the best producer.  We did not fish deep today - stayed generally 20-40 feet.  There was a party boat fishing way outside and it slowly moved in until it was within earshot of us, so I can infer the fish weren't deep today.

Now for the best part of the day.  I had just put a cab in my yak, and off to my right I see some big, dark grey commotion.  My buddy says "holy sh..."  I look over to see a big, dark grey dorsal fin attached to a big, dark grey back.  But it was kind of porpoising.  So I'm thinking, hmmm, under any other condition I would say the landlord has come to visit, but it kind of porpoised.  And then it did it again about 20 yards away.  I didn't hear it breathe, but I am guessing it was some giant (as big as my T-15) grey dolphin (or whale?) as I don't think the landlord porpoises.  And in my immediate shock, I didn't hone in on the curvature of the dorsal, other than to see it was big, dark grey, and flopped a little to one side when it breached.  We waited awhile but did not see it again.

Scared the poop out of me, so I kept fishing to regain my composure.

I'm not trying to psyche anyone out, just passing on what I saw and what I infer it was.  I stayed on the water for 2 hours after that with no incident.

Cab pics attached - fatties - and they fought like lings today.

I'm fishing again this weekend (maybe Pigeon?) if anyone wants to go.

Mike

Really like yer style, mcag. Good job on the releaseLing. And cool story about the mystery dorsal.
Thanks!
PK

Damn I havent fished since Monday and im having withdraws! Thanks for the fish porn I have to settle for that!!!

Thanks for the report Mcag!
Interesting dorsal fin sighting. I'm thinking false killer whale maybe? I think they are called Minke whales?
Could've easily been a fish though.

    And eight cabs (kept four).

On the cabs, four between the two of us, so two each...

On the False Killer Whale - absolutely a candidate - thanks for that. 

thanks for the great report, and extra thanks for the releases.    Way to go.

I am thinking of fishing Sunday morning.

WTG on releasing the fatty 35" lingcod.  Add me to the "like your style" club.   

Now, consider mounting a tripod to the yak for some porn before the release.   

Sounds like a great time OTW.  Thanks for the report and picture Mike.

Ripping style! Love your reports.

Perhaps your fin sighting was a Mola Mola?

I've been duped by one at Fort Ross. Big ol' fin coming right for my kayak...dips under water a few yards from me....mola mola swims under my boat, circles it five or six times then moves on to each of my buddy's boats and does the same thing. My friend even touched it. It hung around for awhile then leisurely swam away.

WTG!!! Sounds like a Great day OTW  A little of the unknown is what we live for...Adrenaline!!! and some good food!!! And the stories we get to tell.......

Thanks for pics and report...I'm sooo jealous 

Great report and pics Mike.. Last Sunday we were fishing that area and a young Gray Whale was cruising up and down the coast, but he was in 80 -100 feet of water...

Thats why I'm out there, the solitude, the comraderie with the crew, the opportunity to be humbled by God's amazing creations.... Catching fish is a bonus..

Rich