sea ranch kayak launch spots?

anyone kayak fished out of sea ranch? are there any spots to launch even when its a bit on the rough side? i am heading up there with fishndive next weekend for some diving and fishing and its all new to us. please send some tips our way if you can. i have been checking out the numerous coves but they all seem pretty difficult to get down and access with a kayak. maybe i need to bring some rope and a skid to put under the kayaks.

thanks!!

john

Stengal Beach is doable, but you'd have to carry your kayaks down some steep stairs.

To get some more ideas check out the AWESOME website:
http://www.kayaker.net/sonoma/stengal.htm

thanks for the tip!! I sure appreciate it and will give this place a try in a couple of weeks!

john

This is a great access (below)..... IF you are staying at Sea Ranch and your car has the "pass." (otherwise, you get the boot)
Note the nice parking area (with a blue car in it) and smooth road to the beach. There is a gate, so you can't drive down.

vanim

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200504279&mode=sequential&flags=0&year=2005

This is a great access (below)..... IF you are staying at Sea Ranch and your car has the "pass." (otherwise, you get the boot)
Note the nice parking area (with a blue car in it) and smooth road to the beach. There is a gate, so you can't drive down.

vanim

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200504279&mode=sequential&flags=0&year=2005

wow! that is also very nice place to go out at! thank you very much for sharing! this will be another spot we'll have to check out as well!

john

Some days you can take the Gualala River down and drag over the beach and launch. When the shore pound gets down to 3 three feet or less it's doable.  It is well worth the effort. my three biggest fish were caught there last year, a vermillion, ling cod and blue cod. They were the grandfathers of the fish I catch in the Bodega area! Halibut also can be caught right out front of the beach.

Pebble Beach, the 2nd public access point at Sea Ranch is doable by kayak, and well protected even in 6 foot swell.  Wheel it down the trail and watch the signs, be careful not to trespass on the non public trails.  The signs are clearly marked (but 2 people were cited for trespassing the day I fished there).  Use the Southern staircase (North staircase is Sea Ranch property), and it will take 2 people to carry your yak down to the beach after you unload your gear from it to make it lighter.  Short beach carry after that.  Keep in mind that you'll be watched!  The house owners hate the fact that they lost the battle over public access, and might be calling the Sheriff and Sea Ranch security telling them that you are catching over your limit.  There's an "abalone patrol" who "works under the direction of TSRA Security staff during abalone season to ensure only authorized vehicles use Association roads to access coastal areas and to maintain our right of prescriptive easement" The Sheriff and his posse (Sea Ranch Security) met us as we exited the beach Wednesday, and were on us like glue.  Apparently they call the authorities a lot, so be careful with the regs.  Make sure you punch your abcard on the water BEFORE you exit!  One of us didn't, and that was the only citation.  Great vermillion and ling areas to the North about a mile.  Just look for kelp and fish the edges.  We pounded them before the swell and wind picked up, and all the fish suspended above the reef.  The bite is off when they do that.