Carmel or PG?

Hmmmm...so many choices...so little time.

I am planning to go kayak fishing this Saturday morning. However, I'm having a hard time picking a destination.
My two main choices are Carmel and Pacific Grove. If I go to Carmel, I would probably launch in the north corner of Carmel River State Beach. If I go to PG, I would likely launch from Coral St or just south of there. I would really like to launch from the Garrapata SB area but my time is limited---I am planning to attend the 5th Annual Monterey Beer Festival after fishing. Yes, l-o-n-g day...I know.

Hmmmmm...I hasven't checked the WX yet. Maybe I should do that before posting..? Too late. I'm posting! OK I'll go check the WX in a couple minutes. That will likely play a role in my decision.

Well, I plan to launch around 7-7:30, regardless of where I end up going.
Does anyone want to join me, besides MByakker? Because I know he will go...he always wants to go fishing!

See ya,
PK

This weekend is the triathalon.  The course follows Ocean View from the aquarium to Asilomar SB.  Ocean View will be closed to traffic for at least some portion of that. 

We should head to Carmel - or maybe even somewhere else . .what about up North a bit . .like maybe towards Capitola?  or if it's calm . .south towards Garapata? 

Hopefully it won't be as windy. Conditions on NOAA call for 15-25kts winds.
What about Stillwater?

Hmm . . . choices choices . .Stillwater would be cool . .but if it were so windy that we couldn't go outside - maybe somewhere from MBK North would be better.  I don't know .. I've been wanting to hit Stillwater for sure.

Oh ya....the Triathalon!
D'OH!

Best to stay FAR away from PG on Saturday then.

I'm set on Carmel now. If I can't launch from north CRSB then I will just motor down towards Monastery and launch there.
Stillwater sounds fun but I ain't paying 10 bucks for the priveledge of driving on 17-mile. Maybe if conditions were gnarly and I absolutely needed to kayak fish. But the swell doesn't look that bad. And the wind s/b OK. Especially early.

Woohoo! I'm already super excited!
PK

PK,

If Bean Hollow doesn't work out for me, I'll probably join you at Carmel.  Once you decide on the launch spot, will you please post direction?

Henry

Yes.
After checking the WX again tomorrow, I'll post some direx to the launch. There were SO many kayakers there last Saturday -- not necessarily a bad thing, just makes me wonder how many were lurking this site for the 411. One tandem admitted to lurking but said they would begin posting soon. Don't know how they did but we absolutely killed it--at least 80 fish between the two of us. Hopefully we get some bigger lings this time and I'm going to try for ahalibut too! Can't wait!

PK

--HWY 1 South to Carmel
--Exit (make a right at the light) Rio Rd
--Stay on Rio Rd for a mile or so and you will begin to go up a small hill (on your left you'll see the old Carmel Mission)
--Left on Santa Lucia (second left after the mission--there is a small left-turn lane)
--Follow Santa Lucia all the way towards the ocean, eventually it will dead end at Scenic Dr.
--Left on Scenic Dr and continue southward as it follows the contour of the shoreline (this is Carmel Point -- rocky)
--After a mile or so you will come to a very sharp hairpin left turn. Just past this turn is a stairway down to the sandy beach. Sometimes you can park on the side street adjacent to the stairs (I believe it is called Ocean View Ave) but there are only like 3 spots. If these spots are taken...
--Keep going on Scenic Dr until you reach the parking lot for Carmel River SB (on your right, next to the river estuary). If you park here, you will have to drag/carry your yak northward about 300 yds on the sandy beach to the stairway area (north corner of CRSB, where the sand meets the rocks). Or, if the waves are small enough, just launch directly below the parking lot...I like to launch in that north corner because it is generally easier but its really up to you.

Last wknd, we just paddled straight out through the kelp and fished the edges and openings off the point. But I am planning to try for halibut directly off the sandy beach this time too. Will be in a big yellow Malibu 2 tandem.

Here is a shot of the CRSB parking lot area.
http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200402300&mode=sequential&flags=0&year=2004

Two clicks (of the mouse, not military jargon) to the northwest and you'll see the north corner area I prefer to launch from.

I hope to get there around 7-7:15 but am usually late. For everything! And hopefully I don't forget the paddles this time!
See ya on the water,
PK

woo-hoo - fishing in Carmel!  See you tomorrow am.