San Simion 6/16

I really wanted to get some fish to eat so I drove to San Simion to go for Rockfish.  Conditions were great, 1-2 foot waves with nice gaps in between.  I hit the water at about 8:15 and headed out toward the red buoy then veered north toward the kelp.  I picked a close hole to start and caught about a 12-inch Black rockfish on my first drop, released.   Next I pulled up a nice sized rockfish of undetermined variety.  It was a keeper but it slipped from my hand upon trying to stash it.  Finally, I got a keeper Kelp rockfish about 15-inches.  The bite seemed to die so I tried various different soft baits and jigs while moving toward deeper water.  Once, I was beyond the kelp, I paddled with my jig in the water toward a promising area.  I had a 1.5 oz lead head with a soft shad and a shrimp fly a few feet over that.  While paddling a 10-inch Mackerel took the shrimp fly.  I hooked him good and sent him down near the edge of the kelp in hope that a lingcod might be interested.  Second drop with the Mackerel on the shrimp fly and a 15-inch Cabazon took the shad.  That makes enough for dinner!  I sent the Mackerel down a few more times but no more bites.  Eventually after a snag he was no longer present.  Then I let the increasing wind carry me over the kelp while stopping periodically to test different baits and holes without futher success.  I was in the car and heading home by noon.  Overall a great day.  Dry launch and dry landing and nice to finally get some keepers.  Next I am going to scan the recipes page and pick an interesting one to try!

Etienne,

Glad you finally got the skunk out of the box at San Simeon.  Did you see anyone else out there fishing?  Check out the post under Hookups for SLO.

Thanks for the great post.  Ready for July 1st?

Pete

Cool on the nice morning and fish............where's the picture?

I am still working out the photography as my current camera will not allow me to take it on the kayak.  I'll post photos next time.  Pete, I am definately ready for July 1.  There were no other kayakers out while I was there but one power boat showed up about the time I was leaving.  I did speak with one local who fishes there regularly and reports good catching when the swell is down.