Cambria rock fish opener.

Well, now the marine forecast is for 25 to 35 kt winds and 11 to 13 ft. swell, which doesn't sound like much fun.   

It was great meeting you guys in person.  Thanks for the invite back to the campsite. Sorry Andy and I  could not make it.  It took us longer than we thought to hunt down fresh water to wash the gear down, grab a bite to eat, get some ice   etc...  Next time I'll bring the trailer so we can all  rinse off on the launch ramp.
Brian  

Nice fish guys!  I'm hoping to make it out the 15th but the wife usually has us doing things together on the weekends since the weather is beginning to turn nicer!  Will probably launch harveys if I do go out.  Not sure who I've seen out there before since the last few years I've only been able to make it out about 3 times a year.  Had a question for you guys though.  How/where do you get the reds?  Everytime I go out I can never seem to get any reds.  Usually blues, gophers, kelp, and lings.  Nothing much else.  I fish the kelp beds right at the edge of the MPA.  I fish swim baits with 2oz lead heads (usually white with red head, but try all different colors) and sometimes cut up anchovies if I feel like the fish aren't going to bite that particular day.  Still have never seen a red on the end of my line.  I have a feeling I would need to go out a bit further/deeper (i have no fish finder so I depend on the kelp) but then again I've talked to others who say they catch them right out of the kelp.  Any tips?  PM me if you don't feel like openly sharing info

In my limited experience with fishing for the reds there, I have had good luck  pulling a 5-7 inch sardine or anchovy patern swimbait through the schools. when you find the tall pillar-like structures paddle up current and drop your swimbait in the middle ofthe depth where you saw the schools.  let your swimbait.....swim... (not jig) past the pillars.  I usualy get bit most on the back side (eddy) of the structure.  You might not be able to see your swimbait on the ff if the current is strong so let out a bit of extra line before you start your drift.   If you see a but load of fish tight to the structure that wont bite they might be a big school of sheephead. If you see fish  high above structure  AND ALSO tight to the structure good chance its a bunch of reds (the ones on top are likely blues).

Good Luck.  Hope this helps you?


(reread your question)  did not catch that you had no ff..

Without one its tough.  Try doing this about 50meters outside of your kelp beds on an incoming tide or drift the openings in the kelp pointing towards the shore in  about 40-60 feet.  (have a line counter?)
Brian

nice meeting you... There is fresh water on the other side thats why we park over there and to stay out of the way I rince all my gear before it even goes in the Car.

yeah we filled up some juggs over there to hold the reels over for a bit.  next time Ill bring a hose  
Brian

In my limited experience with fishing for the reds there, I have had good luck  pulling a 5-7 inch sardine or anchovy patern swimbait through the schools. when you find the tall pillar-like structures paddle up current and drop your swimbait in the middle ofthe depth where you saw the schools.  let your swimbait.....swim... (not jig) past the pillars.  I usualy get bit most on the back side (eddy) of the structure.  You might not be able to see your swimbait on the ff if the current is strong so let out a bit of extra line before you start your drift.   If you see a but load of fish tight to the structure that wont bite they might be a big school of sheephead. If you see fish  high above structure  AND ALSO tight to the structure good chance its a bunch of reds (the ones on top are likely blues).

Good Luck.  Hope this helps you?


(reread your question)  did not catch that you had no ff..

Without one its tough.  Try doing this about 50meters outside of your kelp beds on an incoming tide or drift the openings in the kelp pointing towards the shore in  about 40-60 feet.  (have a line counter?)
Brian

Yeah, I'm definitely thinking about getting a ff this year.  I don't really drift.  I find I get hung up too much.  I usually just tie off to some kelp and jig off the bottom.  Maybe that's the problem.  Maybe I need to expand my technique.  Also, I talked to someone last year who was using some plastic red worms that he was having luck with on the reds, but I was never able to figure out how to tie them and fish with them.  Oh well, I probably should just get a ff.  I never thought I needed one, but I'm sure it will open up more possibilities to me.

As for the line counter, I don't have one of those either, but I can usually judge how far down I am.

Thanks for the input.

Jon