Pebble Beach - 08/26/06

I had plans to go fishing with Sin_Coast later this morning but I was up early and decided to do a little pre-fishing.  I was going to launch from Spanish Bay but the mixed swell was making the spot I used last time pretty sketchy.  I back tracked to Arena St Beach where it was 100% fac.  Launched just after sunrise.

I paddled towards Pebble Beach and stopped at the first big bunch of kelp . .just before Spanish Bay.  It was pretty slow at first.  I tried a 3 inch grub, a 1.5 oz kastmaster and a couple different colors of FT swimbaits and got some black and yellows, gophers, kelp rockfish and 1 underling.  Then Sin_Coast called and said he was not going to be able to make it - so I decided to make it a longer trip.

I kept heading South, stopping at various spots.  The fishing really picked up and I got into some schools of absolute gangster blues . . almost every one 2-3 lbs.  I also nailed a bunch of nice size olives - hadn't seen any in a few weeks.  I also caught some of the biggest kelp rockfish I've ever seen.  I totalled 5 lings.  3 unders, 1 just legal and 1 big one.  I didn't have camera or tape measure or anything with me since it was originally going to be just a short trip - but I guess 30 inches or so and fat.  It had really nice colors and none of those gross parasite things on it that Lings frequently have.  I thought for a minute about keeping it but then decided against it.  I am going to keep 1 fish pretty soon . . but this one wasn't quite awesome enough.  I'm holding out for a halibut.

I ended up at Cyprus Point.  I had just 1 swimbait left and was hoping for another ling.  Caught some more big blues and a couple of olives and then my swimbait was toast.  DFG stopped by to check me out - I asked them if they wanted to tow me back but they didn't.  By this time I was sincerely wishing I had brought some food or at least water - but the paddle back wasn't too bad.  The wind picked up some and helped me out. 

The fishing and conditions are great out there right now.  You should hit it if you can.

Nice rockfish. I am sure that woman who harassed the kayak fishers at Stillwater would appreciate you feeding the seals --maybe you got PETA points for that kind selfless act

Thanks for the good intel on another launch!