Fort Bragg Salmon 7/28/2014

Confession right off the bat, these were off a boat, a rly nice Striper. This was my third time ever being invited on a boat and my first salmon off a motor... and my pb at 26 lbs. My total bag was 39 lb though so I still edged it out by 1 lb earlier this month on my Outback. There was really thick fog out and a lot of boats but it was a fairly slow bite. We didn't hear of many limits that day or see too many nets in the water. I brought my salmon dredge out and the two old school fellas were having their laughs until my pole saw almost all of the action. We landed 7 salmon, releasing my first shaker, 5 of which hit my rod. The bellies were full of squid that looked store bought except for the differences in size. We finished off with a double hook up which was new to me and needless to say exhilarating. We had a few strikes that didn't stick but we landed every fish that took the hook, so hopefully we get invited back soon. It was my first time fishing with a downrigger too and I am sold on their effectiveness. We were on the water from 6-12 and trolled mostly through 80' of water catching on 50-70' down. I'm firing up the smoker today.

Thanks for the report.

I went out for a couple hours yesterday and got skunked.  What a difference a day makes.  Glad someone did good.  The kelp kept me busy.   I know they have been hanging close to the bottom. 

We at least saw a bunch of dolphins. Not sure if they scare salmon or not, but they were everywhere. 

I forgot, we probably saw 50 of those dolphins. They looked like Rissos. I also saw a shark breach past the buoy when we first headed out.

I was trying to figure out what kind they were.  I am not that familiar. But if you saw them also I can't blame them on my bad day. 

Yup. Those are rissos.

Thanks for the report Tim. The second pic is nice.
Where'd you get the Humboldt Dredge? Local in Ft Bragg?

Yup, those are the same ones I was seeing. Juan, I ordered it up from redwood coast spreader bars. Didn't get any strikes on my first use at the Albion Open but it redeemed itself this week for sure.

Thanks for the report and pictures Tim.

I looked at the dredge. so it is a mini school of squid with out hooks? then the center line is trailing with a lure? I think I understand the concept. Do you think it is worth 70.00 after your trip. What test line do you need to use such a device. Looks scary around the kelp, but I was thinking White Sea Bass for that Item.

The last trip def helped me get over the sticker shock. I'm looking into materials to make these myself (not to compete with them and sell, just for personal use so I don't have to play it too cautious in the shallows). They have everything rigged up on 100lb and there is a heavy duty swivel off the center line for running a rotoslayer or other rig that has its own spin action. The dredge hooks directly to your planer or downrigger clip. I have mine on 40 lb and feel secure enough. I usually kayak troll by myself and felt like my bait wasn't always getting the attention that the boats with multiple lines in the water get, so I bit the bullet and ordered the dredge up with no regrets.