4/28 MBay Salmon Report

I paddled 14 miles and still no salmon for me this year.     Not that I am complaining.  I launched from Lovers Cove because the swell was such that the waves were breaking right on the rock that is in the middle of the channel at Coral St.  It was easily doable but I was alone (no NCKA brothers  ) and was concerned that it might build over time.  I did think to take a few photos with my new Pentax W30.  Photos 1&2.

I went west then north found a small pb fleet and trolled around in 300 fow for a few hours.  Then zigzaged my way back.  I picked up a blue RF and an olive on my first two trolls.  I was probably too shallow 135 fow with 80 feet of line out, but I wanted to get started.  On the way in I decided to drop down to the bottom after hitting 100 fow in hopes of a last minute halibut save to the day.  I was rewarded with this aggressive, but too small to drop my sinker, lingcod.   Photo 3.   Released off course and not even measured (but wait for tuesday).

The wind was light all day and built slightly as I came in about 12:30 or 1.  There was fog outside early and it came in again after I landed.  There as a good 10 - 12 foot swell but only small wind waves outside.  In general a great day for a long paddle and a couple of practice RG and lings on salmon gear.  It really is nice and easy to release then with those barbless hooks.  Finally after everything was packed up etc. I took a really nice gopher..  ... Photo 4.

The gopher should be tasty anyway!

Salmon gear is great for rf & lings if you have the patience to troll it through the rocky spots

I'm a total barbless convert

sorry no salmon love brother but if anyone is due, you da man.

took my two sons to Loch Lomond for some worm drowning and picked up two planters.  I fear that is as close as I am going to come to the salmon family this weekend!

You still on for stillwater on tuesday?  Time?

Eugene

  I suggest using a crock pot to get the right flavor out of that little beast... ...Danglin...

Way to give it the college try, Etienne.  You're due for a hookup!   Nice report. 

Wonder how a ling would like the taste of gopher?

I had a feeling that gopher would stir up some conversation.  It is now resting peacefully soon to be worm food for my garden worms.  My experience with gophers (rockfish anyway) is that they are mostly head and even big ones are not worth the work to clean and fillet.  It really felt good to go out to clean my gear and see that the trap had been sprung.

I just need the salmon to cooperate.  I think I will wait until there are reports of a decent bite on before I try again.  Coral St is definitely he place to go to get to Pinos fast and easy and is also great RF though the lings are often small (see photo above).  Rockfish starting Tuesday helps get the old average up.  I am thinking Stillwater early 5 or 5:30, I will post in the other thread.  How would you use a gopher for ling bait?  Hook it up and freeze it for future use?

Great report bro.Looks like the salmon are kinda hit and miss...mostly miss for yaks and moochers.Maybe we'll get another batch to feed close to shore later in the season.Rockies are coming!!!

good try and report etienne, at least you got some bycatch action not to mention
time in the ocean which will lead to greater efficiency later.

last year I had a lot of fun using my new sonar and sitting on top of schools of blacks
and blues and pulling them up one after another, but this year I might troll
with a bottom bouncer a bit more.

sometimes when I am casting for fun in the front yard, the local cats appear and nail a lure being retrieved
fast, stop and go.

I wonder how they would like a gopher? 

J

For cat fishing in the front yard, I recommend tossing a rabbits foot.  really works well.