Trinidad - 4/14/26

Rod contacted me a few weeks back, looking for an offshore trip where he could learn more about not just the catching, but all aspects of kayak angling.  He has gone out of Trinidad on both his SOT and his SIK, but neither of those boats have fulfilled his desire for comfort and efficiency in the fishing focus.  I arranged to outfit him on one of my X-Factors, and on my recommendation he got set up with a new Kokatat farmerjohn that arrived just in time for the trip .  For the rod and reel, I had him running with one of my 'boat rods' that's designed to subdue and capture any of our local targets.

After corresponding for a couple of weeks and then changing our date by a day to capture the best forecast, we met up at the Trinidad beach launch early on the 14th.  The call was for a 4' swell from the north every 9 seconds, with 5 knot winds from the NW, and my go-to sites were in agreement about those attractive numbers.  It's the ocean though - add in that Springtime can be a little volatile, and any good waterman knows that starting early and anticipating escalating conditions are always the wisest moves.

I arrived as the only one at the launch just after 615AM.  The morning was bright and easy, with flat glass greeting me from all across Trinidad Bay.  With a nip in the air I pulled on a Gimme Shelter hoodie to go with my boardshorts and glides, and I felt so content and right at home as I got the kayaks off the rack and started assembling our gear for the trip.  Rod soon showed up - he was early, which never upsets me, but I do like to have things ready before meeting my guest and starting the information flow.  Warm smiles and genuine engagement rule the scene, as we get to know each other while at the same time reviewing each piece in the kit and the various considerations and strategies that will be at play on the day's mission.

What I aim to accomplish as a guide is likely much different than most people would guess.  I'm basically never just putting people on a kayak, having them wear the immersion gear as instructed, and deploying the tackle per my example and direction.  Instead, I am looking to transform my guest from someone who is curious and possibly inexperienced to a much more aware and able outdoorsperson.  And, although I am never looking to dictate a way to act, I hope to influence the level to which the people around me display their conscientiousness, in terms of expressing themselves as well as how they interact with the animals that we encounter.

During our time on the water, I told Rod that I have a fresh and specific focus on gratitude that I'm very intentionally promoting this season.  I gave a brief and pragmatic explanation of how I see animals and their habitats as essential components in what can and should be the best future for human beings - not just here on the North Coast, but anywhere.  I expressed my belief regarding the importance of honoring the catch - not just for the meat or the thrill or the glory, but very much for how I hope that our culture may progress toward a level of reverence for other species around us.  Rod listened thoughtfully and confirmed his agreement, and, just like that, our one on one kayak fishing adventure at Trinidad on a Tuesday evolved into something more closely resembling Nature Worship.

When we go through life following social indoctrinations regarding the all-mighty dollar, and we find ourselves on various societal treadmills of future promise of security and wealth, I think it's very easy to lose sight of our bigger purpose.  In my opinion, the real commitment that should accompany any strategy for building a solid and happy life should include a focus on leaving the world a better place.

That's what we're doing out there, on our little plastic boats.

Can't post some of the photos...

Bomber Black RF! Thanks for the report and philosophy. I appreciate it!

Bomber Black RF! Thanks for the report and philosophy. I appreciate it!

Thank you, brother!  We did enjoy a really nice grade of blacks to about 21".  Trinidad has consistently produced some of the larger blacks on our coastline.  Remember that gigantic one that Ben/beenfishin got like 15 years ago or more?  It looked like a black seabass!   

I appreciate your emphasis on honoring the catch and showing gratitude.

It can be too easy to overlook of all the good and the beauty that surrounds us.

Keep fighting the good fight... and the good fish