Mendocino Coast 7-16 thru 7-19

Had to get back up to Mendocino/Ft Bragg after a previous trip that was shut down by the wind/weather. Mendo Part Deux was a total success...

My first time out on the ocean (finally), was so excited to get out & see what this is all about. Launched out of Albion 2 days, and Van Damme Beach 2 days... Albion was great for Kelp Greenling, bitting on rock cod rig & squid. I didn't venture out too far the first day (as I was by myself), so I stuck to the cove up to 40-50ft deep or so. Swells were keeping me from being 'brave' and going out any further, the second day in Albion I tagged along w/ some spear-fishing divers on Yaks and kept within a visual distance from them, got out deeper and had no luck w/ fishing, but had one of the most wild experiences of my life just riding the big swells. The weather got better and better each day, wind didn't pick up until the mid/late afternoon. Van Damme was an easy/safe launch, fished the kelp and explored the shore/caves the first day, and dropped a couple crab pots at different depths/locations - caught nothing but giant starfish . Second day at Van Damme I was joined by a buddy and we went out to the bouy (118-120ft deep) and caught a mess of under-sized ling cod, and a handfull of the yellow-eyed canary cod (or whatever they call it - the one you CAN'T keep). Ended up with some beautiful rockfish and a few greenlings, they weren't biting on the rock cod rig w/ squid, so we switched to 2-3oz jig heads w/ different kinds of swim-baits/giant grubs and they loved 'em. Not much of a current/drift, so it was easy to stay right on top of the bait despite the random series of larger swells. Must've paddled for 8 hours each day, had the time of my life. I can't think of anything more exciting - well, maybe sky-diving, but it's hard to catch fish from so high up

Right on, Aroneus!  That's cool that you got a four day indoctrination, some careful solo time, cave exploring, hookups, swell riding and buddy time out to the deep water.  Thanks for sharing your excitement.   

great write up, sounds like you had a great time and are now deep in the madness, thanks for sharing, cameron

Hell Yes!!!  Congats on getting Salty...lakes will never be the same again!!!  Thanks for sharing your first Ocean experience with us...Now go Get Some More Brother!!!