Monterey 9/1/06

Mike and I will be fishing Monterey 9/1/06. Either launching from MBK, Otter Cove or Stillwater Cove around 6:30 AM. Suggestions for launch sites welcome, however we would like to pick up some sand dabs along with rock fish if possible. This is Mike's last chance for a legal Ling before heading off to college. Feel free to hookup with us, we will be on channel 69. The weather forecast is: SW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. MIXED SWELL NW SWELL 5 TO 7 FT AND S SWELL 1 TO 2 FT. PATCHY FOG. 

Scott

About Stillwater: Did you see the posts about the closure/congestion this extended weekend?
     http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=5242.0
   I might go out in MB Fri, just don't know yet.  Good luck!

Thanks for the tip. Will probably launch from MBK or Otter Cove.

Scott

Another possibility might be Arena St Beach (Arena St and Ocean View Blvd) in PG.  If the conditions are good, it's a short carry and flat launch.  It's only about 1 mile down the road past Otters so it's not too far to check it out and backtrack if need be.

Launch there and paddle towards Pebble Beach.  The water is shallow at Spanish Bay but gets deeper the further out you go (of course).  I bet there are dabs there if you get to about 80-100 FOW.  Seabreaze might be able to say for sure. 

Then keep going towards Pebble Beach.  There are a bunch of kelp beds that extend way out.  They seem to have lots of lings . . especially toward the back in 40-50 fow.  If I wanted a legal ling around here that is where I would go no doubt.

I might be able to join you guys if I get back to town in time.  I'll check back on this post before Friday.  Good luck!

I've only done dabs in Monterey, in 140 feet out by the red buoy in front of San Carlos beach and in Carmel, straight out from the Stillwater launch in about 100 feet.  In both those cases, it is just sandy bottom.  Good luck.

Seabreeze,

I've only fished out of Monterey once.  We launched near Monterey Kayak and paddled out to the red bell bouy and fished for dabs about where you said they were.  We then headed over toward the yellow bouys in the direction of the Ebassy hotel and got some rock cod and blues.  I caught my 28 inch ling on the way in near an orange bouy just off the warf.

But I might be launching from the same place soon and wondered if you have any advice on which areas might be best for lings that would be withing reasonable distance from this launch site.  It seems you mostly launch from further south so perhaps all the places you favor are too far to reach from this point. But if you do have any suggestions for this area I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks

Doug

If I launch from MBK I make the very circuit that you just described.  It makes for a lovely fishing day.....a little bit of everything!  Don't forget the halibut in the sand between the red buoy and San Carlos and off of Del Monte Beach.

If you like to paddle, you can make it further south, but I'm not sure what the point is when you have everything in that corner.

Do you fish fish from further south because its a lot better fishing there or because its more convenient for you to launch there or because its just a nicer place to fish?  Trying to figure out if, since I already am coming from San Jose, whether I should try further south if the fishing is a lot better.

Doug

I like the topography better.  It seems a little less hectic.  Not so close to the harbor entrance and closer to where the whales cruise by.  If you know where to go you can hit halibut, dabs, lings and rockfish from Otter Pt to Lovers.

Pat, MBYakker and others  -

I will be launching out of the Coast Guard Pier tomorrow at 6:30AM, would you recommend heading west to Lovers Point or east to the yellow marker. Also, is it OK to fish in the marine preserve area off of the aquarium?

Thanks! Scott

Pat, MBYakker and others  -

I will be launching out of the Coast Guard Pier tomorrow at 6:30AM, would you recommend heading west to Lovers Point or east to the yellow marker. Also, is it OK to fish in the marine preserve area off of the aquarium?

Thanks! Scott

You can't fish Hopkins which is just southwest of the Aquarium.  The buoys in front of the Aquarium have no regulatory meaning so far as I know.

When I launch from the Coast Guard pier area I generally work the sand at about 60 feet for halibut, the red buoy for dabs and larger rockfish and then east to the yellow can for lings and rockfish.  If you continue north of the yellow can you will continue to cross sand and structure where halibut or lings can pop out.

Have fun.

Do you fish fish from further south because its a lot better fishing there or because its more convenient for you to launch there or because its just a nicer place to fish? 

I personally say yes to all 3.  There are a bunch of launchable spots between MBK and Asilomar State Beach.  They all have lots of free parking and short carries.  Lover's and Otter Cove are exceptions because Lover's can get packed and you have to deal with stairs at both.  The fishing probably rates pretty good at all the spots but I feel like it's better the more South you go.  The wharf is also infested with stinky sealions to the point of making me gag sometimes . . so that's another reason for heading South. 

Thanks for the tips. For the recommended route, I will launch out of MBK at 6:30 tomorrow. I think it will be an easier return from the yellow can in the afternoon. Also, an opportunity to check out my new beach wheels.


Scott   

Hi Scott & Mike,

Save some of the big fish for us on Saturday

Have a great time and catch lots of fish!


Alex