Swell, wind, fog and fish!

Launched south of Pescadero yesterday just as the sun was rising. The swell ranged from barely noticeable to 6'-7'. But at least the wind was mild... until noon    The fog rolled in fairly early and was my first experience of fishing w/o being able to see the shore. That was OK, but realized that a featureless horizon combined with the swell, and the way my drift sock was tugging as they went by, were all adding up to sea sickness. So I paddled in until I could see something besides white.

I have no idea what Andrew [Malibu Two] had for breakfast, but I have to get some. He had already landed 2-3 fish to my zed, and we were talking about moving to calmer waters, when he hooked his *first* fat ling. It actually unbuttoned at his yak but he managed to gaf it on the fly. It was impressive.

So we paddled 10-12 minutes north (forget calmer water  ) and drifted back. Andrew's lands a RF, then a cab. I'm loosing gear and missing fish -- testimony to my inner newb I suppose. Then M2 lands his second, bigger, fatter ling. Then another rockfish -- your getting the picture here, aren't you?    I finally picked up an 11# ling to end the day.

Meeting NCKA folk is always a pleasure, and fishing with Andrew was no exception. What a nice bunch of people.

Ben

I know the feeling...what the heck am I doing wrong!  Then on another trip the former fish god is watching you nail them one after the other and its his turn to ask , "what the heck am I doing wrong?"

I blame the current administration

Eugene

Seems like every session has one with a "hot stick" who outfishes everyone.
Sometimes its you, sometimes not. Even when it's not, I always like watching someone having a great catching day.
Looks like you had decent conditions out there, and an 11# lingcod is one heck of a consolation prize!

Thanks for the report and pics Ben. jim

  Great report, feel free to add more pictures! 

I know what you're saying about getting seasick in the fog.  We were out last year on a greasy flat day.  I couldn't differentiate between the water and the sky and I started feeling oh so crappy.  It all got better when I could see a horizon again.

Cool report - wtg on the nice lings.   

Thanks for the report Ben. Congrats on your fat ling. Congrats to you as well
Andrew.

Jedmo

Way to get out there for some prime catching guys! I love that spot ..always the chance of some flatties in the mix. 

Nice job Ben and Andrew. Looks like you guys got into some great fish! The conditions look pretty good in the pictures but I know how decieving that can be.


-Eliot

The conditions look pretty good in the pictures but I know how decieving that can be.

See, I'm new enough to not know when conditions go from "pretty good" to "unpleasant" 

Suffice it to say we weren't in any danger and forgot about being sloshed around after M2s first ling.

I did learn of a new limitation, though. When I couldn't see shore I started to mess with the GPS on my FF. Not a good idea idea at all when your guts are rumbling! So I forgot that and headed for the sound of the surf.

A tourist just emailed me this vanity pic. Close to shore the sun was shining like it was September or something.

Ben

That pic in the fog is awesome...WTG on a no chum day? vanity is under rated!!!   Thx for an excellent post with pics...

A tourist just emailed me this vanity pic. Close to shore the sun was shining like it was September or something.

Ben

Something about that pic says Aussie, maybe just the tourist touch,  good to see people fishing, an 11# ling, sounds like a good day to me. M2 is just getting to be a pro.